Esophageal Lichen Planus Unusual Presentations: A Case Series.

Esophageal Lichen Planus (ELP)is a rare manifestation of Lichen Planus(LP). We present a case series of 2 patients with oral mucosal involvement who presented with dysphagia. On endoscopy, one patient revealed proximal esophageal stricture and the other patient had proximal esophageal ulcer. LP considered as a differential diagnosis in middle aged women with dysphagia.

An open-label randomized control study to compare the efficacy of vitamin e versus ursodeoxycholic acid in nondiabetic and noncirrhotic Indian NAFLD patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Vitamin E versus Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in nondiabetic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomized 250 non cirrhotic and non diabetic NAFLD patients diagnosed on ultrasound, with raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. (>40 IU/L), to receive Vitamin E 400 mg twice a day (Group A) or UDCA 300 mg twice a day (Group B) for 52 weeks. Lifestyle modification to achieve at least 5% weight reduction and subsequent weight control and regular exercise was advised to both groups. The primary study endpoint was normalization of ALT. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients with reduction in ALT, relative reduction in the NAFLD Fibrosis score (NFS), symptomatic improvement and tolerability. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients received UDCA as compared to 100 patients receiving Vitamin E. The treatment groups were comparable at entry with regard to age (44.1 vs 42.4 years), gender (67% vs 63% female), risk factors for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hypochondriac pain, serum liver biochemistries, and NAFLD Fibrosis score. The primary endpoint was achieved in 21 (14%) and 19 (19%) of patients in Group A and Group B, respectively (P = 0.2). The proportion of patients with reduction in ALT (56% vs 63%, P = 0.2), symptomatic improvement (78% vs 67%, P= 0.058), reduction in the NFS (44% vs 47%, P= 0.69), and tolerability (98% vs 95%, P= 0.2) were similar between Group A and Group B, respectively. CONCLUSION: UDCA is an effective and safe alternative to Vitamin E in nondiabetic-noncirrhotic Indian NAFLD patients.

CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C INFECTION IN A RURAL VILLAGE OF INDIA

Background - Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are among the principal causes of severe liver disease. There is limited data of epidemiology of Hepatitis B in community, more so in rural population. Objective - To find the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in community and study the risk factors for their transmission. Methods - This was a community based cross sectional study. A total of 1833 randomly selected subjects from a rural area were interviewed for risk factors for transmission and tested for markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. All the positive card tests were confirmed by ELISA. Results - Out of 2400 subjects, rate for participation was 76.38%. None of the subjects was positive for anti hepatitis C virus antibody. Point prevalence for HBsAg positivity was 0.92. Being healthcare worker and having tattoo were significantly associated with HBsAg positive results. Nose and ear piercing was reported by almost. History of blood or blood product transfusion, I/V drug abuse, multiple sexual partners, unsafe Injections, hemodialysis and any h/o surgery was not associated with HBsAg positivity. Conclusion - Health care workers are at high risk for transmission of hepatitis B. Educating common people regarding mode of transmission of Hepatitis B and C will help to reduce their transmission.

Contexto - O vírus da hepatite B e o vírus da hepatite C estão entre as principais causas de doença grave do fígado. Há dados limitados de epidemiologia da hepatite B na comunidade observada, mais ainda na população rural. Objetivo - Encontrar a prevalência de infecção de hepatite B e C em uma comunidade da India e pesquisar os fatores de risco para sua transmissão. Métodos - Feito estudo de corte transversal em uma comunidade. Um total de 1833 sujeitos selecionados aleatoriamente em uma área rural foram entrevistados para fatores de risco para transmissão e testados para marcadores da infecção por hepatite B e C. Todos os testes positivos de cartão foram confirmados por ELISA. Resultados - Dos 2400 pacientes objetivados houve uma taxa de participação de 76.38%. Nenhum dos indivíduos foi positivo para anticorpo anti vírus da hepatite C. A prevalência pontual para a positividade do HBsAg foi de 0,92. Ser trabalhador na área de saúde e ter tatuagem foram significativamente associados com resultados positivos de HBsAg. "Piercing" em nariz e orelha foram relatados por quase todos. História de transfusão de sangue ou uso de hemoderivados, abuso de drogas via endovenosa, múltiplos parceiros sexuais, injeções inseguras, hemodiálise e história prévia de cirurgia, não estiveram associadas à positividade do HBsAg. Conclusão - Os trabalhadores de saúde estão em alto risco para a transmissão de hepatite B. Educar pessoas comuns sobre o modo de transmissão de hepatite B e C ajudará a reduzir a sua transmissão.

A Rare Cause of Dysphagia--Kommerell's Diverticulum.

A right-sided aortic arch with an aneurysm of the aberrant subclavian artery is a rare disease. We report a case of Kommerell's diverticulum of an aberrant left subclavian artery in a patient with a right-sided aortic arch with associated ventricular septal defect. Fewer than 50 cases have been reported in literature so far. Our patient presented with short duration of dysphagia without any syncope or left subclavian steal syndrome. The major morbidity was caused by Barrett's oesophagus with reflux and a mixed paraoesophageal and hiatal hernia. There was associated psoriasis. An attempt at repair was not undertaken because of the high operative risk and a small aneurysm. Left thoracotomy for direct repair of Kommerell's diverticulum is a simple and safe method.

Total and Segmental Colon Transit Time Study in Functional Constipation: Comparison With Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common problem worldwide. Constipation can be primary or secondary. Primary constipation is subdivided in slow transit constipation, normal transit constipation, and dyssynergic defecation. Colon transit time (CTT) is the most basic and primary tool in evaluating disorders of colonic motility. CTT helps to differentiate between types of constipation and plan the treatment. METHODS: Fifty functional constipation patients and 25 healthy controls were asked to ingest four gelatin capsules (each containing five radio-opaque markers) at 0, 12 and 24 hours. An abdominal X-ray was taken at 36 hours. Total or segmental CTT was measured after calculating the number of markers remaining in each segment at 36 hours on abdominal X-ray. RESULTS: Mean CTT in healthy controls in our study was 15.4 hours which is shorter than western population. Total CTT is significantly higher in constipation group (23 hours) compared to healthy subjects (15.4 hours). Transit time in right segment was significantly high in constipation group than healthy population (14.2 vs. 8.3 hours). Total as well as segmental transit times are slightly higher in females as compared to males in both the groups, however not statistically significant. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies from India that compared the CTTs in functional constipation and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Radio-opaque marker study for CTT is a simple and reliable technique for evaluation of constipation. Patients with functional constipation have significantly longer CTT than healthy population. Total CTT is much less in this study population compared to west. There is need to establish standards for slow colon transit.

CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C INFECTION IN A RURAL VILLAGE OF INDIA.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are among the principal causes of severe liver disease. There is limited data of epidemiology of Hepatitis B in community, more so in rural population. OBJECTIVE: To find the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in community and study the risk factors for their transmission. METHODS: This was a community based cross sectional study. A total of 1833 randomly selected subjects from a rural area were interviewed for risk factors for transmission and tested for markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. All the positive card tests were confirmed by ELISA. RESULTS: Out of 2400 subjects, rate for participation was 76.38%. None of the subjects was positive for anti hepatitis C virus antibody. Point prevalence for HBsAg positivity was 0.92. Being healthcare worker and having tattoo were significantly associated with HBsAg positive results. Nose and ear piercing was reported by almost. History of blood or blood product transfusion, I/V drug abuse, multiple sexual partners, unsafe Injections, hemodialysis and any h/o surgery was not associated with HBsAg positivity. CONCLUSION: Health care workers are at high risk for transmission of hepatitis B. Educating common people regarding mode of transmission of Hepatitis B and C will help to reduce their transmission.