Indications and hemoglobin thresholds for red blood cell transfusion and iron replacement in adults with gastrointestinal bleeding: An algorithm proposed by gastroenterologists and patient blood management experts.

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion has long been the cornerstone of treatment for anemia due to GI bleeding. However, blood is not devoid of potential adverse effects, and it is also a precious resource, with limited supplies in blood banks. Nowadays, all patients should benefit from a patient blood management (PBM) program that aims to minimize blood loss, optimize hematopoiesis (mainly by using iron replacement therapy), maximize tolerance of anemia, and avoid unnecessary transfusions. Integration of PBM into healthcare management reduces patient mortality and morbidity and supports a restrictive RBC transfusion approach by reducing transfusion rates. The European Commission has outlined strategies to support hospitals with the implementation of PBM, but it is vital that these initiatives are translated into clinical practice. To help optimize management of anemia and iron deficiency in adults with acute or chronic GI bleeding, we developed a protocol under the auspices of the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology, in collaboration with healthcare professionals from 16 hospitals across Spain, including expert advice from different specialties involved in PBM strategies, such as internal medicine physicians, intensive care specialists, and hematologists. Recommendations include how to identify patients who have anemia (or iron deficiency) requiring oral/intravenous iron replacement therapy and/or RBC transfusion (using a restrictive approach to transfusion), and transfusing RBC units 1 unit at a time, with assessment of patients after each given unit (i.e., "don't give two without review"). The advantages and limitations of oral versus intravenous iron and guidance on the safe and effective use of intravenous iron are also described. Implementation of a PBM strategy and clinical decision-making support, including early treatment of anemia with iron supplementation in patients with GI bleeding, may improve patient outcomes and lower hospital costs.

Validación clínica del test Endofaster(R) como método diagnóstico rápido de la infección por Helicobacter pylori / No disponible

INTRODUCCIÓN: el objetivo fue evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica de Endofaster(R) para la detección de Helicobacter pylori. MÉTODOS: se realizó estudio histológico de biopsias gástricas (patrón oro) y aspirado del jugo gástrico para análisis por Endofaster(R) (negativo si la concentración de amonio fue < 57 ppm, positivo si > 67 ppm y débilmente positivo entre 57-67). RESULTADOS: ochenta y seis pacientes fueron incluidos y Endofaster(R) fue positivo en el 33,7%, débilmente positivo en el 11,6% y negativo en el 54,7%. Las biopsias fueron positivas en el 38,4%. Se alcanzó una precisión del 81,4% y Kappa = 0.57. CONCLUSIONES: Endofaster(R) permitiría un diagnóstico rápido de la infección con una buena precisión diagnóstica (AUROC = 0.81)

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Clinical validation of Endofaster® for a rapid diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Endofaster® for the detection of Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastric juice was aspirated to perform an analysis using the Endofaster®. This test was considered as positive when the ammonium concentration was > 67 ppm, negative when < 57 ppm and weakly positive between 57 and 67. Biopsy specimens were also taken as the gold standard. RESULTS: among the 86 patients enrolled in the study, the Endofaster® result was positive in 23.7%, negative in 54.7% and weakly positive in 11.6%, whereas infection was detected via histology in 38.4% of patients. The accuracy was 81.4%, with a Kappa value of 0.57. CONCLUSIONS: the Endofaster® could be useful to perform a rapid diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection (area under the curve = 0.81).

Preguntas y errores en el diagnóstico y manejo de la anemia en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva / Open questions and misconceptions in the diagnosis and management of anemia in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding

A pesar de la alta prevalencia de anemia por déficit de hierro (ADH) en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva (HD) aguda o crónica, la ADH y el déficit de hierro (DH) son frecuentemente infratratados. Diversos conceptos erróneos sobre el impacto, el diagnóstico y la eficacia de los nuevos tratamientos de la ADH probablemente lo justifican. Para abordar estos errores conceptuales, este artículo resume la evidencia actual para una mejor comprensión y manejo de la ADH. A pesar de que existen pocos estudios controlados que hayan evaluado la eficacia del tratamiento con hierro en pacientes con HD, hay evidencia que sugiere que: (a) la ADH debe ser investigada diligentemente; (b) el tratamiento eficaz del DH/ADH mejora la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y puede evitar relevantes complicaciones cardiovasculares, y (c) el hierro intravenoso debe ser considerado como un tratamiento bien tolerado en este contexto. En general, los conceptos erróneos y las prácticas inadecuadas descritas en este artículo deben ser reemplazados por estrategias que estén más en línea con las directrices actuales y buenas prácticas clínicas en HD y otras condiciones causantes del DH/ADH (AU)

Despite high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), IDA and iron deficiency (ID) are frequently untreated. Reasons may be misconceptions about the impact and diagnosis of IDA and the efficacy of new treatments. Addressing these misconceptions, this article summarizes current evidence for better understanding and management of GIB-associated IDA. Despite only few controlled studies evaluated the efficacy of iron treatment in patients with GIB, there is consistent evidence suggesting that: (a) IDA should be diligently investigated, (b) effective treatment of ID/IDA improves outcomes such as health-related quality of life and can avoid severe cardiovascular consequences, and (c) intravenous iron should be considered as well-tolerated treatment in this setting. Overall, the misconceptions and practices outlined in this article should be replaced with strategies that are more in line with current guidelines and best practice in GIB and other underlying conditions of ID/IDA (AU)

Open questions and misconceptions in the diagnosis and management of anemia in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. / Preguntas y errores en el diagnóstico y manejo de la anemia en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva.

Despite high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), IDA and iron deficiency (ID) are frequently untreated. Reasons may be misconceptions about the impact and diagnosis of IDA and the efficacy of new treatments. Addressing these misconceptions, this article summarizes current evidence for better understanding and management of GIB-associated IDA. Despite only few controlled studies evaluated the efficacy of iron treatment in patients with GIB, there is consistent evidence suggesting that: (a) IDA should be diligently investigated, (b) effective treatment of ID/IDA improves outcomes such as health-related quality of life and can avoid severe cardiovascular consequences, and (c) intravenous iron should be considered as well-tolerated treatment in this setting. Overall, the misconceptions and practices outlined in this article should be replaced with strategies that are more in line with current guidelines and best practice in GIB and other underlying conditions of ID/IDA.

IV Conferencia Española de Consenso sobre el tratamiento de la infección por Helicobacter pylor / IV Spanish Consensus Conference on Helicobacter pyloriinfection treatment

La infección por Helicobacter pylori afecta aproximadamente al 50% de la población española y es causante de la gastritis crónica, la úlcera péptica y el cáncer gástrico. Se han llevado a cabo hasta el momento, en nuestro país, 3 reuniones de Consenso sobre el manejo de la infección por H. pylori (la última de ellas en 2012). Los cambios en los esquemas de tratamiento y la creciente evidencia disponible al respecto han justificado la organización de esta IV Conferencia Española de Consenso en marzo de 2016, centrada en el tratamiento de esta infección. Participaron 19 expertos sobre el tema, que realizaron una búsqueda sistemática de la evidencia científica y elaboraron una serie de recomendaciones que fueron sometidas a un proceso de interacción de votaciones anónimas seriadas mediante metodología Delphi. Para clasificar la evidencia científica y la fuerza de las recomendaciones se utilizó el sistema GRADE. Este consenso establece, como punto de partida, un aumento de la exigencia en la eficacia de los tratamientos recomendados, que deben alcanzar, o preferiblemente superar, el 90% de curación al ser administrados de forma empírica. De este modo, tanto en primera como en segunda línea se recomiendan tratamientos cuádruples con o sin bismuto, generalmente prescritos durante 14días. El tratamiento cuádruple sin bismuto concomitante, que incluye un inhibidor de la bomba de protones, claritromicina, amoxicilina y metronidazol, se recomienda como primera línea. En el presente consenso se revisan también con detalle otras alternativas de tratamiento tanto de primera línea como de rescate

Helicobacter pylori approximately infect 50% of Spanish population and causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Until now, three consensus meetings on H. pyloriinfection had been performed in Spain (the last in 2012). The changes in the treatment schemes, and the increasing available evidence, have justified organizing the IV Spanish Consensus Conference (March 2016), focused on the treatment of this infection. Nineteen experts participated, who performed a systematic review of the scientific evidence and developed a series of recommendation that were subjected to an anonymous Delphi process of iterative voting. Scientific evidence and the strength of the recommendation were classified using GRADE guidelines. As starting point, this consensus increased the minimum acceptable efficacy of recommended treatments that should reach, or preferably surpass, the 90% cure rate when prescribed empirically. Therefore, only quadruple therapies (with or without bismuth), and generally lasting 14 days, are recommended both for first and second line treatments. Non-bismuth quadruple concomitant regimen, including a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole, is recommended as first line. In the present consensus, other first line alternatives and rescue treatments are also reviewed and recommended

IV Spanish Consensus Conference on Helicobacter pylori infection treatment. / IV Conferencia Española de Consenso sobre el tratamiento de la infección por Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori approximately infect 50% of Spanish population and causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Until now, three consensus meetings on H.pylori infection had been performed in Spain (the last in 2012). The changes in the treatment schemes, and the increasing available evidence, have justified organizing the IVSpanish Consensus Conference (March 2016), focused on the treatment of this infection. Nineteen experts participated, who performed a systematic review of the scientific evidence and developed a series of recommendation that were subjected to an anonymous Delphi process of iterative voting. Scientific evidence and the strength of the recommendation were classified using GRADE guidelines. As starting point, this consensus increased the minimum acceptable efficacy of recommended treatments that should reach, or preferably surpass, the 90% cure rate when prescribed empirically. Therefore, only quadruple therapies (with or without bismuth), and generally lasting 14 days, are recommended both for first and second line treatments. Non-bismuth quadruple concomitant regimen, including a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole, is recommended as first line. In the present consensus, other first line alternatives and rescue treatments are also reviewed and recommended.

Efectos adversos de los inhibidores de la bomba de protones: revisión de evidencias y posicionamiento de la Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva / Proton-pump inhibitors adverse effects: a review of the evidence and position statement by the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva

Introducción: en los últimos años, numerosos artículos relacionan el uso de los inhibidores de la bomba de protones (IBP) con posibles efectos adversos serios que han creado cierta alarma social. Objetivo: el objetivo de este trabajo es revisar la literatura de cara a elaborar un documento institucional de posicionamiento de la Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva (SEPD) sobre la seguridad de los IBP a largo plazo. Material y métodos: se ha realizado una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura orientada a la presentación de conclusiones tras una valoración crítica sobre los siguientes temas: a) indicaciones actuales de los IBP; b) déficit de vitamina B12 y alteraciones neurológicas; c) déficit de magnesio; d) fracturas óseas; e) infecciones entéricas y neumonías; f) interacción con los derivados de las tienopiridinas; y e) complicaciones en pacientes cirróticos. Resultados: las indicaciones actuales de los IBP no han variado en los últimos años y están bien establecidas. No se recomienda la realización de un cribado generalizado de los niveles de vitamina B12 en todos los pacientes tratados de forma crónica con estos medicamentos; sin embargo, sí parece necesario controlar los niveles de magnesio al inicio del tratamiento y monitorizarlos en pacientes con toma de otros fármacos que puedan inducir hipomagnesemia. Existe mayor riesgo de fracturas óseas, aunque no se puede concluir que esta asociación sea causal. La asociación IBP e infección por Clostridium difficile es débil o moderada y el riesgo de neumonía es bajo. En pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular y tratados con derivados de las tienopiridinas -dada la ausencia de evidencias definitivas en relación a posibles interacciones medicamentosasparece que lo prudente sea sopesar adecuadamente los riesgos gastrointestinales y los riesgos cardiovasculares de cada paciente; cuando el riesgo gastrointestinal sea moderado/alto, debemos ejercer una acción terapéutica de prevención efectiva utilizando un IBP. En cirróticos descompensados deben ser indicados con cautela. Conclusiones: los IBP son fármacos seguros y los beneficios de su empleo, tanto a corto como a largo plazo superan los posibles efectos secundarios, siempre que la indicación, dosis y duración sean las adecuadas (AU)

Introduction: In the last few years a significant number of papers have related the use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to potential serious adverse effects that have resulted in social unrest. Objective: The goal of this paper was to provide a literature review for the development of an institutional position statement by Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva (SEPD) regarding the safety of long-term PPI use. Material and methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to draw conclusions based on a critical assessment of the following: a) current PPI indications; b) vitamin B12 deficiency and neurological disorders; c) magnesium deficiency; d) bone fractures; e) enteric infection and pneumonia; f) interactions with thienopyridine derivatives; e) complications in cirrhotic patients. Results: Current PPI indications have remained unchanged for years now, and are well established. A general screening of vitamin B12 levels is not recommended for all patients on a PPI; however, it does seem necessary that magnesium levels be measured at therapy onset, and then monitored in subjects on other drugs that may induce hypomagnesemia. A higher risk for bone fractures is present, even though causality cannot be concluded for this association. The association between PPIs and infection with Clostridium difficile is mild to moderate, and the risk for pneumonia is low. In patients with cardiovascular risk receiving thienopyridines derivatives it is prudent to adequately consider gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks, given the absence of definitive evidence regardin potential drug-drug interactions; if gastrointestinal risk is found to be moderate or high, effective prevention should be in place with a PPI. PPIs should be cautiously indicated in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Conclusions: PPIs are safe drugs whose benefits outweigh their potential side effects both short-term and long-term, provided their indication, dosage, and duration are appropriate (AU)

Adenocarcinoma de bulbo duodenal, un diagnóstico poco sospechado / Bulbar duodenal adenocarcinoma. An unsuspected diagnosis

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Epidemiological study on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients in acute treatment with NSAIDs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common disorders in medical practice. The prevalence of GERD in Spain has been reported to be 15%. GERD is associated with esophageal and extra-esophageal complications and with a negative impact on the patients' related quality of life. Several risk factors have been related with the development of GERD, including smoking, coffee intake, alcohol consumption and use of medication, such as NSAIDs. If untreated, GERD symptoms can lead to a decrease of patients' related quality of life and to treatment discontinuation. From this study, it was confirmed that the relationship between GERD and some behavioral risk factors, such as alcohol intake, smoking and coffee consumption, and concomitant treatment with NSAID drugs. Among the protective factors for GERD, antisecretory agents and antacids have shown to be essential for the control of GERD, the use of proton pump inhibitors being the predominant protective factor.

Situación actual del manejo de la hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa en España / Current management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Spain

Introducción La mortalidad en la hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa (HDA-NV) no ha variado. Se necesita conocer más información para mejorar las estrategias de tratamiento. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: a) describir el perfil de presentación de los episodios de HDA-NV; b) el manejo clínico según práctica clínica habitual, y c) establecer cuáles son los resultados clínicos asociados a los tratamientos endoscópicos y médicos en España. Métodos ENERGIB fue un estudio retrospectivo de cohortes que recogió información del manejo y forma de presentación de HDA-NV en Europa. Presentamos los datos relativos a España. Los pacientes se trataron según la práctica clínica habitual. Para las variables cuantitativas se calculó la media y la desviación estándar y para las categóricas se calcularon frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados Los pacientes (n = 403) fueron hombres (71%), con edad media 65 años, asociaron comorbilidad (62,5%). Los equipos encargados de su manejo fueron gastroenterólogos (57,1%) o médicos internistas (25,1%). Los inhibidores de la bomba de protones se usaron de forma empírica preendoscopia en un 80% de los casos. El 6,4% presentó persistencia y el 6,7% resangrado después de la endoscopia. La tasa de mortalidad en los 30 días posteriores fue del 3,5%.ConclusionesEste estudio permite conocer el perfil de presentación de los episodios de HDA-NV en España y el manejo en práctica clínica habitual. Este se ajusta a los estándares propuestos por las recientes guías de práctica clínica. Entre otros datos destaca que los pacientes con hemorragia son cada vez de edad más avanzada y presentan un mayor número de enfermedades asociadas, lo que podría explicar que la mortalidad se haya mantenido estable a pesar de los evidentes avances en el manejo de esta entidad (AU)

Background Mortality related to nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) has not changed. More information is needed to improve the management of this entity. The aims of this study were: a) to determine the characteristics of bleeding episodes, b) to describe the clinical approaches routinely used in NVUGIB, and c) to identify adverse outcomes related to endoscopic or medical treatments in Spain. Methods The European survey of nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (ENERGiB) was an observational, retrospective cohort study on NVUGIB with endoscopic evaluation carried out across Europe. The present study focused on Spanish patients in the ENERGiB study. The patients were managed according to routine care. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. Results Patients (n=403) were mostly men (71%), with a mean age of 65 years, and co-morbidities (62.5%). Most of the patients were managed by gastroenterologists (57.1%) or internal medicine teams (25.1%). A proton pump inhibitor was used empirically in 80% before endoscopy. Bleeding persistence occurred in 6.4% and recurrence in 6.7%. The mortality rate at 30 days was 3.5%.ConclusionsThis study contributes to the characterization of Spanish patients and NVUGIB episodes in a real clinical setting and identifies the routine management of this entity, which is in line with the standards proposed by recent clinical practice guidelines. A notable finding was that age and the number of comorbidities in NVUGIB patients were increasing. These factors could explain the persistent mortality rate, despite the evident advances in the management of this entity (AU)

[Current management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Spain]. / Situación actual del manejo de la hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa en España.

BACKGROUND: Mortality related to nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) has not changed. More information is needed to improve the management of this entity. The aims of this study were: a) to determine the characteristics of bleeding episodes, b) to describe the clinical approaches routinely used in NVUGIB, and c) to identify adverse outcomes related to endoscopic or medical treatments in Spain. METHODS: The European survey of nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (ENERGiB) was an observational, retrospective cohort study on NVUGIB with endoscopic evaluation carried out across Europe. The present study focused on Spanish patients in the ENERGiB study. The patients were managed according to routine care. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. RESULTS: Patients (n=403) were mostly men (71%), with a mean age of 65 years, and co-morbidities (62.5%). Most of the patients were managed by gastroenterologists (57.1%) or internal medicine teams (25.1%). A proton pump inhibitor was used empirically in 80% before endoscopy. Bleeding persistence occurred in 6.4% and recurrence in 6.7%. The mortality rate at 30 days was 3.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the characterization of Spanish patients and NVUGIB episodes in a real clinical setting and identifies the routine management of this entity, which is in line with the standards proposed by recent clinical practice guidelines. A notable finding was that age and the number of comorbidities in NVUGIB patients were increasing. These factors could explain the persistent mortality rate, despite the evident advances in the management of this entity.

Carcinoma gástrico tipo linfoepitelioma / Lympho epithelioma - like gastric carcinoma

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Safety of potent gastric acid inhibition.

The proton pump inhibitors are a very effective drug group for the control of gastric acid secretion, which makes them of great use in the medical practice setting, while at the same time they represent one of the treatment groups widely used in Western European countries. These factors lead to this drug group being prescribed in all age populations, quite often in polymedicated patients and with pluripathology, and on many occasions during prolonged periods of time. All these determinant factors sometimes make the safety profile of proton pump inhibitors disputable. In this respect all of them have been shown to have little adverse events and are safe in long-term treatment. The risk of drug interactions when prescribed in association with other drugs is low and their repercussion in the medical practice setting is quite exceptional as they require few dosage adjustments in patients with severe concomitant diseases and in elderly patients. Finally, their safety is high in pregnant women and in children, although further studies in this population are required to corroborate this evidence.

[Hereditary hemochromatosis: phenotypic study in a Spanish population]. / Hemocromatosis hereditaria: estudio fenotípico de una población española.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) displays an important phenotypic variability and is a disease influenced by many factors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included 88 patients with HH. Main clinical and laboratory data were analyzed, and the influence of 6 variables on intensity of iron overload was evaluated. RESULTS: In 38.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.5-49.6%) patients, none of the typical symptoms of the disease was observed. 30,9% (95% CI, 21.7-41.7%) showed abnormalities of the glucose metabolism. We detected an increase in sideremia in 75.0% patients (CI 95%, 64.4-83.3%), transferrin saturation index (TSI) in 95.4% (CI 95%, 88.1-98.5%) and ferritin in 93.2% (CI 95%, 85.1-97.1%) of patients. In addition, we observed increased values of GPT and alkaline phosphatase in an appreciable percentage of patients. Ferritin was significantly higher in men (1329.4 [913.2] ng/ml vs 656.6 [644.5] ng/ml; p < 0.001), and in those older than 45 years (1293.9 [1006.9] ng/ml vs 868.9 [642.8] ng/ml; p = 0.023] and in not blood donors (1205.2 [926.8] vs 524.8 [365.9] ng/ml; p < 0.001). TSI was 81.9% (19.6) in C282Y homozygotes and 65.7% (19.2) in the rest of HFE genotypes (p = 0.002). Differences of TSI with regard to sex, age or status of blood donor were not detected. Sideremia was significantly higher in patients infected by virus C (251.8 [24.4] microg/dl vs 182.8 [45.8] microg/dl; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HH patients have a noticeable phenotypic variability, and for that reason clinical symptoms are only orientative for the diagnosis. The relationship between HH and glucose metabolism should be investigated further. Iron parameters can be influenced by age, sex, HFE genotype, blood donation, alcohol intake and hepatitis C virus infection.