Update in lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: A new nomenclature consensus has emerged for liver diseases that were previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). They are now defined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which includes cardiometabolic criteria in adults. This condition, extensively studied in obese or overweight patients, constitutes around 30% of the population, with a steady increase worldwide. Lean patients account for approximately 10%-15% of the MASLD population. However, the pathogenesis is complex and is not well understood. AIM: To systematically review the literature on the diagnosis, pathogenesis, characteristics, and prognosis in lean MASLD patients and provide an interpretation of these new criteria. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive database search on PubMed and Google Scholar between January 2012 and September 2023, specifically focusing on lean NAFLD, MAFLD, or MASLD patients. We include original articles with patients aged 18 years or older, with a lean body mass index categorized according to the World Health Organization criteria, using a cutoff of 25 kg/m2 for the general population and 23 kg/m2 for the Asian population. RESULTS: We include 85 studies in our analysis. Our findings revealed that, for lean NAFLD patients, the prevalence rate varied widely, ranging from 3.8% to 34.1%. The precise pathogenesis mechanism remained elusive, with associations found in genetic variants, epigenetic modifications, and adaptative metabolic response. Common risk factors included metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, but their prevalence varied based on the comparison group involving lean patients. Regarding non-invasive tools, Fibrosis-4 index outperformed the NAFLD fibrosis score in lean patients. Lifestyle modifications aided in reducing hepatic steatosis and improving cardiometabolic profiles, with some medications showing efficacy to a lesser extent. However, lean NAFLD patients exhibited a worse prognosis compared to the obese or overweight counterpart. CONCLUSION: MASLD is a complex disease comprising epigenetic, genetic, and metabolic factors in its pathogenesis. Results vary across populations, gender, and age. Limited data exists on clinical practice guidelines for lean patients. Future studies employing this new nomenclature can contribute to standardizing and generalizing results among lean patients with steatotic liver disease.

Liver transplantation in Latin America: reality and challenges.

Healthcare systems in Latin America are broadly heterogeneous, but all of them are burdened by a dramatic rise in liver disease. Some challenges that these countries face include an increase in patients requiring a transplant, insufficient rates of organ donation, delayed referral, and inequitable or suboptimal access to liver transplant programs and post-transplant care. This could be improved by expanding the donor pool through the implementation of education programs for citizens and referring physicians, as well as the inclusion of extended criteria donors, living donors and split liver transplantation. Addressing these shortcomings will require national shifts aimed at improving infrastructure, increasing awareness of organ donation, training medical personnel, and providing equitable access to care for all patients.

Epidemiology and risk factors for histopathologic characteristics of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in South America.

BACKGROUND: The burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in South America is among the highest in the world. However, the epidemiology and risk factors for NAFLD are insufficiently described in the region. AIM: To explore the associations between clinical characteristics and histopathological features of NAFLD METHODS: This was a descriptive study of 2722 patients with NAFLD from 8 medical centres across 5 South American countries. We collected clinical, biochemical and histopathological data using a templated chart. Fibrosis was assessed by elastography or fibrosis scores and confirmed with biopsy when available. We examined associations between histopathological features and clinical characteristics with logistic regression models. Models were adjusted for country, age and sex. RESULTS: The median age was 53 years (IQR: 41-62), and 63% were women. Subjects from Brazil had the highest body mass index at 42 kg/m2 . Sixty-seven percent had dyslipidemia, 46% had obesity, 30% had hypertension, 17% had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 34% had metabolic syndrome. Biopsy reports were available for 948 (35%), of which 58% showed fibrosis, 91% steatosis and 65% inflammation; 25% showed significant fibrosis and 27% severe steatosis. Metabolic syndrome, T2DM and hypertension were significantly associated with significant fibrosis (OR = 1.94, p < 0.001; OR = 2.93, p < 0.001 and OR = 1.60, p = 0.003, respectively), severe steatosis (OR = 2.05, p < 0.001; OR = 1.91, p = 0.001 and OR = 2.17, p < 0.001, respectively) and liver inflammation (OR = 1.66, p = 0.007; OR = 2.00, p = 0.002; OR = 1.62, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest NAFLD cohort study to date from South America, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and T2DM were independently associated with significant fibrosis, severe steatosis, and inflammation. The prevalence of T2DM was lower than the reported global prevalence.

Abnormal Liver Tests during Hospitalization Predict Mortality in Patients with COVID-19: A Multicenter Study from South America.

Background: The role of liver function tests (LFT) as prognostic factors in patients admitted with COVID-19 has not been fully investigated, particularly outside resource-rich countries. We aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of abnormal LFT on admission and during hospitalization of patients with COVID-19. Methods: We performed a retrospective study that included 298 adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19, between 05/2020 and 02/2021, in 6 hospitals from 5 countries in South America. We analyzed demographic and comorbid variables and laboratory tests on admission and during hospitalization. LFT over twice the upper limit of normal (ALEx2) were also evaluated in relation to a variety of factors on admission and during hospitalization. De novo-ALEx2 was defined as the presence of ALEx2 at one week of hospitalization in patients without ALEx2 on admission. Patients were followed until hospital discharge or death. Multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the association between ALEx2 on admission and during hospitalization and mortality. Results: Of the total of 298 patients, 60% were male, with a mean age of 60 years, and 74% of patients had at least one comorbidity. Of those, 137 (46%) patients were transferred to the intensive care unit and 66 (22.1%) patients died during hospitalization. ALEx2 on admission was present in 87 (29.2%) patients and was found to be independently associated with 1-week mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 3.55; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.05-12.05). Moreover, 84 (39.8%) out of 211 patients without ALEx2 at admission developed de novo-ALEx2, which was independently associated with mortality during second week of hospitalization (OR = 6.09; 95%CI 1.28-29) and overall mortality (OR = 2.93, 95%CI 1.05-8.19). Conclusions: A moderate elevation of LFT during admission was associated with a poor short-term prognosis in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. In addition, moderate elevation of LFT at one week of hospitalization was an independent risk factor for overall mortality in these patients.

The Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver (ALEH) position statement on the redefinition of fatty liver disease.

The Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver (Asociación Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Hígado; ALEH) represents liver professionals in Latin America with the mission of promoting liver health and quality patient care by advancing the science and practice of hepatology and contributing to the development of a regional health policy framework. Fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction is of specific concern in the ALEH region, where its prevalence is one of the highest globally, second only to the Middle East. A recent consensus from an international panel recommended a new definition of fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction, including a shift in name from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and adoption of a set of positive criteria to diagnose the disease, independent of alcohol intake or other liver diseases. Given, the importance of this proposal, ALEH invited leading members of regional nations to come to a consensus on it from a local perspective. We reached a consensus to endorse the proposal that the disease should be renamed as MAFLD and that the disease should be diagnosed by the proposed simple and easily applicable criteria. We expect that this change in nosology will result in improvements in disease awareness and in advances in scientific, economic, public health, political, and regulatory aspects of the disease.

Sorafenib for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Survival Analysis From the South American Liver Research Network.

GOALS: We aim to describe the efficacy, safety profile, and variables associated with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib in South America. BACKGROUND: Sorafenib has been shown to improve survival in patients with advanced HCC. There are few data on sorafenib use for HCC in South America. STUDY: We performed a retrospective analysis of HCC cases treated with sorafenib from 8 medical centers in 5 South American countries, between January 2010 and June 2017. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), which was defined as time from sorafenib initiation to death or last follow-up. Risk factors for decreased OS were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression and log-rank tests. RESULTS: Of 1336 evaluated patients, 127 were treated with sorafenib and were included in the study. The median age of individuals was 65 years (interquartile range, 55 to 71) and 70% were male individuals. Median OS in all patients was 8 months (interquartile range, 2 to 17). Variables associated with survival on multivariate analysis were platelets >/<250,000 mm (2 vs. 8 mo, P=0.01) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (A/B, 13 vs. C/D, 6 mo; P=0.04). In a subanalysis of patients with BCLC stage C, platelets >/<250,000 mm were also independently associated with survival (2 vs. 5.5 mo, P=0.03). Patients lived longer if they experienced any side effects from sorafenib use (11 vs. 2 mo, P=0.009). Patients who stopped sorafenib because of side effects had shorter survival compared with patients who were able to tolerate side effects and continue treatment (7.5 vs. 13 mo, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment elevation of platelets and advanced BCLC stage were independently associated with poor survival on sorafenib in a South American cohort.

Percepción del gastroenterólogo sobre las necesidades de educación médica continua en el Perú / Perception of the gastroenterologist about the needs of continuing medical education in Peru

Objetivo: Determinar la percepción del gastroenterólogo sobre las necesidades de educación médica continua (EMC) en el Perú. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal y descriptivo. La muestra fue no probabilística. Se aplicó una encuesta a los gastroenterólogos miembros de la Sociedad de Gastroenterología del Perú. El cuestionario se elaboró en base al "Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Educational Needs Assessment Report" con una escala tipo Likert de 5 puntos (1= no necesario y 5= indispensable). Se determinó el promedio de los puntajes obtenidos en cada uno de los 33 ítems de las áreas clínica, endoscópica y métodos de aprendizaje. Resultados: Hubo 75 participantes y la edad promedio fue 43,40 años (DE ± 10,22 años). El lugar de trabajo principalmente fue Lima (68%) y la mayoría (50,67%) tuvo un tiempo de servicio menor de 5 años. La percepción de necesidades educativas en el área clínica fue mayor para el cáncer gástrico (4,37 ± 0,87) y el cáncer de colon (4,37 ± 0,83); en el área endoscópica fueron la polipectomía (4,15 ± 0,95) y las técnicas de emergencia (4,13 ± 0,99). Los principales métodos de aprendizaje para los gastroenterólogos fueron la asistencia a congresos (4,29 ± 0,83) y los talleres endoscópicos (4,19 ± 1,06). Conclusiones: La percepción del gastroenterólogo encuestado sobre las necesidades de EMC fue principalmente sobre temas de cáncer gástrico y de colon. La mayoría de ellos consideró la asistencia a congresos como el principal método de aprendizaje.

Objective: To determine the perception of the gastroenterologist about the needs of continuing medical education (CME) in Peru. Material and methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. The sample was not probabilistic. A survey was applied to the gastroenterologists members of the Society of Gastroenterology of Peru. The questionnaire was developed based on the "Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Educational Needs Assessment Report" with a Likert scale of 5 points (1 = not necessary and 5 = indispensable). The average of the scores obtained in each of the 33 items of the clinical, endoscopic and learning methods areas was determined. Results: There were 75 participants and the average age was 43.40 years (SD ± 10.22 years). The place of work was mainly Lima (68%) and the majority (50.67%) had a service time of less than 5 years. The perception of educational needs in the clinical area was higher for gastric cancer (4.37 ± 0.87) and colon cancer (4.37 ± 0.83); in the endoscopic area were polypectomy (4.15 ± 0.95) and emergency techniques (4.13 ± 0.99). The main learning methods for gastroenterologists were attendance at congresses (4.29 ± 0.83) and endoscopic workshops (4.19 ± 1.06). Conclusions: The perception of the gastroenterologist surveyed on the needs of CME was mainly on gastric and colon cancer issues. Most of them considered congress attendance as the main learning method.

HAP score as prognostic factor of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization in a Latin American center.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis is diagnosed, most of times, when it is not susceptible to curative treatment. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a palliative therapeutic option with heterogeneous results. The HAP score stratifies patients who will benefit from the first TACE. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the HAP score is a prognostic factor of HCC treated with TACE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in cirrhotic patients with HCC and first TACE at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital, Lima-Peru, from June 2011 to June 20139. The HAP score was applied, mortality and survival were observed with a follow-up of 36 months. RESULTS: We included 54 patients with age of 67.7±9.9 years, 59.3% Child-Pugh A and 40.7% Child-Pugh B, MELD score of 11±2.7; 51.9 and 40.7% were BCLC A and B, respectively; 66.7% had a single tumor and 70.4% had a predominant tumor <5cm. The HAP score classified 8, 14, 26 and 6 patients as HAP A, B, C and D, respectively. The overall survival was 19.5±11.2 months and 32.8±6.5 months for HAP A, 24.9±14.8 months for HAP B, 13.9±5.2 months for HAP C and 14±6.6 months for HAP D. There were no deaths at 12 months in HAP A. At 24 months, mortality for HAP C and D was 100%. At 36 months, the survival rate for HAP A and B was 75 and 42.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HAP score is a useful tool to guide the management decisions of cirrhotic patients with HCC requiring TACE due to its value in predicting mortality and survival.

HAP score as prognostic factor of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization in a Latin American center / HAP score como factor pronóstico del carcinoma hepatocelular tratado con quimioembolización transarterial en un centro de Latinoamérica

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis is diagnosed, most of times, when it is not susceptible to curative treatment. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a palliative therapeutic option with heterogeneous results. The HAP score stratifies patients who will benefit from the first TACE. Objective: To evaluate if the HAP score is a prognostic factor of HCC treated with TACE. Materials and methods: Retrospective cohort study in cirrhotic patients with HCC and first TACE at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital, Lima-Peru, from June 2011 to June 20139. The HAP score was applied, mortality and survival were observed with a follow-up of 36 months. Results: We included 54 patients with age of 67.7±9.9 years, 59.3% Child-Pugh A and 40.7% Child-Pugh B, MELD score of 11±2.7; 51.9 and 40.7% were BCLC A and B, respectively; 66.7% had a single tumor and 70.4% had a predominant tumor <5cm. The HAP score classified 8, 14, 26 and 6 patients as HAP A, B, C and D, respectively. The overall survival was 19.5±11.2 months and 32.8±6.5 months for HAP A, 24.9±14.8 months for HAP B, 13.9±5.2 months for HAP C and 14±6.6 months for HAP D. There were no deaths at 12 months in HAP A. At 24 months, mortality for HAP C and D was 100%. At 36 months, the survival rate for HAP A and B was 75 and 42.9%, respectively. Conclusions: The HAP score is a useful tool to guide the management decisions of cirrhotic patients with HCC requiring TACE due to its value in predicting mortality and survival.

Introducción: El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) en cirrosis es diagnosticado, la mayoría de veces, cuando no es susceptible de tratamiento curativo. La quimioembolizacón transarterial (QETA) es una opción terapéutica paliativa con resultados heterogéneos. El HAP score estratifica a los pacientes que se beneficiarán con la primera QETA. Objetivo: Demostrar si el HAP score es un factor pronóstico del CHC tratado con QETA. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en pacientes cirróticos con CHC y primera QETA en el Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima-Perú, junio-2011 a junio-2013. Se aplicó el HAP score, y se observó la mortalidad y sobrevida con un seguimiento de 36 meses. Resultados: Se incluyeron 54 pacientes con edad de 67,7±9,9 años, 59,3% Child-Pugh A y 40,7% Child-Pugh B, MELD de 11±2,7; 51,9 y 40,7% fueron BCLC A y B, respectivamente; 66,7% tuvo tumor único y el 70,4% tumor predominante menor a 5 cm. Se clasificó como HAP A, B, C y D a 8, 14, 26 y 6 pacientes, respectivamente. La sobrevida general fue 19,5±11,2 meses; y 32,8±6,5 meses para HAP A, 24,9±14,8 meses para HAP B, 13,9±5,2 meses para HAP C y 14±6,6 meses para HAP D. A los 24 meses, la mortalidad para HAP C y D fue 100%. A los 36 meses, la sobrevida para HAP A y B fue 75 y 42,9%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El HAP score es una herramienta útil que orienta al manejo del CHC tributario de QETA por su valor pronóstico de mortalidad y sobrevida.

[Perception of the gastroenterologist about the needs of continuing medical education in Peru]. / Percepción del gastroenterólogo sobre las necesidades de educación médica continua en el Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the perception of the gastroenterologist about the needs of continuing medical education (CME) in Peru. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. The sample was not probabilistic. A survey was applied to the gastroenterologists members of the Society of Gastroenterology of Peru. The questionnaire was developed based on the "Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Educational Needs Assessment Report" with a Likert scale of 5 points (1 = not necessary and 5 = indispensable). The average of the scores obtained in each of the 33 items of the clinical, endoscopic and learning methods areas was determined. RESULTS: There were 75 participants and the average age was 43.40 years (SD ± 10.22 years). The place of work was mainly Lima (68%) and the majority (50.67%) had a service time of less than 5 years. The perception of educational needs in the clinical area was higher for gastric cancer (4.37 ± 0.87) and colon cancer (4.37 ± 0.83); in the endoscopic area were polypectomy (4.15 ± 0.95) and emergency techniques (4.13 ± 0.99). The main learning methods for gastroenterologists were attendance at congresses (4.29 ± 0.83) and endoscopic workshops (4.19 ± 1.06). CONCLUSIONS: The perception of the gastroenterologist surveyed on the needs of CME was mainly on gastric and colon cancer issues. Most of them considered congress attendance as the main learning method.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in South America: Evaluation of risk factors, demographics and therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Most studies addressing the epidemiology of HCC originate from developed countries. This study reports the preliminary findings of a multinational approach to characterize HCC in South America. METHODS: We evaluated 1336 HCC patients seen at 14 centres in six South American countries using a retrospective study design with participating centres completing a template chart of patient characteristics. The diagnosis of HCC was made radiographically or histologically for all cases according to institutional standards. Methodology of surveillance for each centre was following AASLD or EASL recommendations. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of individuals were male with a median age of 64 years at time of diagnosis. The most common risk factor for HCC was hepatitis C infection (HCV, 48%), followed by alcoholic cirrhosis (22%), Hepatitis B infection (HBV, 14%) and NAFLD (9%). We found that among individuals with HBV-related HCC, 38% were diagnosed before age 50. The most commonly provided therapy was transarterial chemoembolization (35% of HCCs) with few individuals being considered for liver transplant (<20%). Only 47% of HCCs were diagnosed during surveillance, and there was no difference in age of diagnosis between those diagnosed incidentally vs by surveillance. Nonetheless, being diagnosed during surveillance was associated with improved overall survival (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study represents the largest cohort to date reporting characteristics and outcomes of HCC across South America. We found an important number of HCCs diagnosed outside of surveillance programmes, with associated increased mortality in those patients.

Pseudotumor inflamatorio por Fasciola hepática: a propósito de un caso / Inflammatory pseudotumor by Fasciola hepática: a case report

Introduction: Fasciola hepatica is a parasite of the class Trematoda. It commonly has been found in developing countries. When it infects humans is characterized by a triad of fever, pain in right upper quadrant and peripheral eosinophilia. We present a 67-year-old female from a rural town of the north of Lima, Peru, it was found abdominal pain, eosinophilia and focal hepatic lesions. For this reason, a hepatic mass was the initial suspicion. The hepatic biopsy was performed and one of the findings was eosinophilia. Fasciola hepatica infection should be considered as part of differential diagnosis in hepatic tumors with eosinophilia when the origin of the patient is from endemic areas of F. hepatica.

Fasciola hepática es un parásito de la clase Trematoda común en países en desarrollo. La infección en el ser humano se caracteriza por la triada de fiebre, dolor abdominal en el cuadrante superior derecho y eosinofilia. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 67 años procedente de una zona rural al norte de Lima, con historia de dolor abdominal de seis meses de evolución, con una imagen hipodensa hepática en el TAC abdominal y eosinofilia. La biopsia hepática mostró un infiltrado inflamatorio con eosinofilia. En el diagnóstico diferencial en pacientes con un tumor hepático y eosinofilia, se deben incluir infecciones parasitarias como F. hepatica; sobre todo en pacientes que proceden de áreas endémicas.

[Inflammatory pseudotumor by Fasciola hepática: a case report]. / Pseudotumor inflamatorio por Fasciola hepática: a propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Fasciola hepatica is a parasite of the class Trematoda. It commonly has been found in developing countries. When it infects humans is characterized by a triad of fever, pain in right upper quadrant and peripheral eosinophilia. We present a 67-year-old female from a rural town of the north of Lima, Peru, it was found abdominal pain, eosinophilia and focal hepatic lesions. For this reason, a hepatic mass was the initial suspicion. The hepatic biopsy was performed and one of the findings was eosinophilia. Fasciola hepatica infection should be considered as part of differential diagnosis in hepatic tumors with eosinophilia when the origin of the patient is from endemic areas of F. hepatica.

Suplemento de probióticos a la terapia erradicadora de Helicobacter pylori para mejorar la efectividad y disminuir sus efectos adversos. Estudio multicéntrico Lima-Perú / Supplement with probiotics to the eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori to improve effectiveness and reduce its adverse effects. Multicenter study, Lima-Peru

Determinar si el suplemento de probióticos a la terapia erradicadora convencional mejora la efectividad y disminuye los efectos adversos. Material y métodos: Ensayo Clínico aleatorizado Multicéntrico se randomizaron 102 pacientes dispépticos con Biopsia (+) que requirieron tratamiento para Helicobacter Pylori los pacientes fueron distribuidos en 2 grupos para recibir tratamiento convencional (omeprazol+amoxicilina+claritromicina) o tratamiento convencional más Biolactol Probiótico Acidophilus 10 ml (Lactobacillus Acidophilus cepa LMB 021) c/12h por 10 días la erradicación fue corroborada con test de aliento con C-13 los efectos adversos fueron recogidos mediante encuesta directa en una ficha de recolección de datos. El análisis de los datos se realizó a través de: T de student, Chi Cuadrado y OR. El procesamiento de datos se realizó con SPSS 12.0 y EPIINFO-2000. Resultados: el grupo de pacientes con probiótico erradicó la infección en 80 por ciento comparado con 82,7 por ciento de pacientes sin probióticos los efectos adversos más frecuentes fueron sabor metálico, diarrea, nauseas y vómitos. Todos los efectos adversos fueron menos frecuentes en el grupo que recibió probiótico pero estas diferencias sólo fueron significativas para diarrea, dolor y distensión abdominal, 10 por ciento de pacientes sin probiótico descontinuó el tratamiento. Conclusiones. Los probióticos disminuyen los efectos adversos de la terapia erradicadora, pero no logran mejorar la efectividad del tratamiento. La descontinuación del tratamiento se observó en el grupo que no recibió probiótico...

To demonstrate if adding a probiotic supplement to conventional Helicobacfer pylori therapy improves its efficacy and decreases its adverse effects. Methods: randomized, multicentric clinical trial 102 dyspeptic patients with positive biopsy to Helicobacfer pylori were randomized to receive either conventional therapy alone (omeprazole, amoxicilin and clarytromicine) or conventional therapy plus Biolactol Probiotic Acidophilus (Lactobacillus Acidophilus cepa LMB 021) 10 ml e/12h during 10 days. Erradication of Helicobacter pylori was confirmed with C-13 breath test. Adverse effects were registered by a direct survey. The data was analized with t student, chi square and odds ratio, in SPSS 12.0 and EPIINFO-2000 software. Results: Patients who received treatment with probiotic obtained erradication in 80 per cent versus 82.7 per cent obtained by the group without probiotics metalic taste, diarrhea, nausea and vomits were the most frequent adverse effects registered. All the adverse effects were less frequent in the group who received probiotics, but this was significative only for diarrhea, abdominal pain and distension. 10 per cent of patients without probitics discontinued the therapy. Conclusion: Probiotics decreases the adverse effects of H pylori therapy, but do not improve the therapy efficacy. Lack of therapy compliance was observed only in the group who did not receive probiotics...

Adición de subsalicilato de Bismuto a la terapia triple erradicadora de la infección por Helicobacter pylori: efectividad y efectos adversos / Addition of Bismuth subsalicylate to triple eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: efficiency and adverse events

Determinar la eficacia y los efectos adversos de la adición del Subsalicilato de bismuto a la terapia triple en la erradicación de la infección del Helicobacter Pylori. Materiales y métodos: Estudio experimental controlado doble ciego. Se trabajó con 54 pacientes con diagnóstico de Helicobacter Pylori atendidos entre febrero-marzo 2012. El grupo experimental tuvo 29 pacientes a los que se les agregó subsalicilato de bismuto, a la terapia triple convencional y 24 pacientes a los que se añadió placebo. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 47 +/- 14,9 años, el 66,7% fueron mujeres. Se realizó test de aliento en ambos grupos para el control post tratamiento, obteniendo un test de aliento negativo en el 89.7% en el grupo de estudio y 80% en el grupo placebo (p=0,319). Los efectos adversos de los pacientes que recibieron tanto subsalicilato de Bismuto como aquellos que fueron tratados con Placebo fueron: diarrea en ambos grupos (10,3% primer grupo y 16% en el segundo grupo) p=0,537, Heces oscuras 37,9% en el primer grupo mientras que en el segundo grupo no hubo este tipo de consecuencia, (p=0,001). El dolor abdominal se presentó en el 20,7% del primer grupo y en el 52% del segundo grupo (p=0,016). Las náuseas se presentaron solo en el 3% del grupo placebo. (p=0,055). Conclusiones: No se encontró diferencias estadísticas con la adición de Bismuto al esquema de la terapia triple para erradicar el Helicobacter Pylori Comparado con placebo. (p=0,319).Los efectos adversos fueron menores en el grupo que recibió bismuto...

To establish the efficiency and adverse effects of the addition of bismuth subsalicylate to triple eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. Material and methods: Double blind controlled experimental trial. The study population consisted of 54 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection: 29 were allocated to the experimental group, who received the usual triple plus bismuth subsalicylate therapy, and 24 received the triple therapy plus placebo. Results: The average age was 47+/-14.9 years, 66.7% of the patients were women. Both groups underwent the breath test: it was negative in 89.7% of the patients from the experimental group and 80% of the patients from the placebo group (p=0.319). The adverse events of both groups were: diarrhea (10.3% in the experimental group vs 16% in the placebo group; p=0.537), dark feces (37.9% in the experimental group vs 0% in the placebo group; p=0.001), abdominal pain (20.7% in the experimental group vs 52% in the placebo group; p=0.016). Nausea only were present in 3% of the patients of placebo group p=0.055). Conclusions: The association of bismuth subsalicylate to the triple therapy scheme for the erradication of Helicobacter pylori was effective in 89.7% of patients, whereas 80% of efficiency was obtained in the placebo group (p=0.319). The adverse events were lesser in the experimental group...

[Addition of bismuth subsalicylate to triple eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: efficiency and adverse events]. / Adición de subsalicilato de Bismuto a la terapia triple erradicadora de la infección por Helicobacter pylori: efectividad y efectos adversos.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the efficiency and adverse effects of the addition of bismuth subsalicylate to triple eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Double blind controlled experimental trial. The study population consisted of 54 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection: 29 were allocated to the experimental group, who received the usual triple plus bismuth subsalicylate therapy, and 24 received the triple therapy plus placebo. RESULTS: The average age was 47+-14.9 years, 66.7% of the patients were women. Both groups underwent the breath test: it was negative in 89.7% of the patients from the experimental group and 80% of the patients from the placebo group (p=0.319). The adverse events of both groups were: diarrhea (10.3% in the experimental group vs 16% in the placebo group; p=0.537), dark feces (37.9% in the experimental group vs 0% in the placebo group; p=0.001), abdominal pain (20.7% in the experimental group vs 52% in the placebo group; p=0.016). Nausea only were present in 3% of the patients of placebo group p=0.055). CONCLUSIONS: The association of bismuth subsalicylate to the triple therapy scheme for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori was effective in 89.7% of patients, whereas 80% of efficiency in the experimental group.