[Evaluation of a carbon 13 breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori]. / Evaluación de un test del aliento con carbono 13 para el diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a Chinese-made carbon-13 breath test as a non-invasive diagnostic method for Hp infection in the Peruvian population through the determination of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic utility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out on a secondary database of the Gastroenterology Service of the Cayetano Heredia Hospital and Cayetano Heredia Clinic from November 2017 to August 2018. Patients over 18 years of age who underwent endoscopy were included upper digestive. RESULTS: A sensitivity of 90.3% (95% CI 0.81-0.96), a specificity of 82.5% (95% CI 0.67-0.93), a positive predictive value was found and negative of 90.3% and 82.5%, and positive and negative likelihood ratio of 5.16 and 0.12, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: The carbon 13 breath test is a non-invasive and simple test that provides results quickly. However, it is not possible to recommend the routine use of this test due to the discrepancy between the international and local results obtained. Studies with larger sample sizes, standardized protocols and different manufacturers are suggested to evaluate their performance and characteristics.

Hypoxic hepatitis in an extensive aortic disecction: case report.

Hypoxic hepatitis is an uncommon cause of hepatic damage characterized by a centrolobular necrosis. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. Aortic dissection is a rare but frequently catastrophic event. It is caused by an aortic intimal tear with propagation of a false channel in the media. Depending on the site and extension, it can cause hypoperfusion of any organ leading to cellular ischemia and necrosis. We are presenting a case of hypoxic hepatitis in a patient with an extensive aortic dissection who present to the emergency department.

An assessment of drinking water contamination with Helicobacter pylori in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a gut bacterium that is the primary cause of gastric cancer. H. pylori infection has been consistently associated with lack of access to sanitation and clean drinking water. In this study, we conducted time-series sampling of drinking water in Lima, Peru, to examine trends of H. pylori contamination and other water characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Drinking water samples were collected from a single faucet in Lima's Lince district 5 days per week from June 2015 to May 2016, and pH, temperature, free available chlorine, and conductivity were measured. Quantities of H. pylori in all water samples were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Relationships between the presence/absence and quantity of H. pylori and water characteristics in the 2015-2016 period were examined using regression methods accounting for the time-series design. RESULTS: Forty-nine of 241 (20.3%) of drinking water samples were contaminated with H. pylori. Statistical analyses identified no associations between sampling date and the likelihood of contamination with H. pylori. Statistically significant relationships were found between lower temperatures and a lower likelihood of the presence of H. pylori (P < .05), as well as between higher pH and higher quantities of H. pylori (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has provided evidence of the presence of H. pylori DNA in the drinking water of a single drinking water faucet in the Lince district of Lima. However, no seasonal trends were observed. Further studies are needed to determine the presence of H. pylori in other drinking water sources in other districts in Lima, as well as to determine the viability of H. pylori in these water sources. Such studies would potentially allow for better understanding and estimates of the risk of infection due to exposure to H. pylori in drinking water.

[Familiar adenomatous polyposis: report of 2 cases]. / Poliposis adenomatosa familiar: a propósito de 2 casos.

Familial Adenomatous polyposis (FAP) it is based on an autosomal dominant mutation which results in loss of function of theAPC tumor suppressor gene. On the other hand, Gardner syndrome is a type of FAP and is characterized for multiple colonic adenomatous polyps and extracolonic abnormalities as desmoid tumors, osteomas, lipomas, dental abnormalities, dermoid cysts and duodenal adenomas. This report aims to present two patients with FAP: The first one is a patient who presented with osteomas and hematochezia, being diagnosed with Gardner Syndrome after the colonoscopy. The second patient has a family history of colon cancer, who is diagnosed with FAP with tubular adenocarcinoma. We decide to report both cases due to the absence of previous reports in Peru.

[Actinic enteritis as a cause of digestive bleeding of obscure origin]. / Enteritis actínica como causa de hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro.

Chronic actinic enteritis is a malfunction of the small bowel, occurring in the 6 months post-radiotherapy, and it can be manifestated as malabsortion, stenosis, fistula formation, local abscesses, perforation and bleeding, We report a case of an elderly patient who presents an episode of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) secondary to actinic enteritis. She is a 64-year- old female patient with the past medical history of cervical cancer who received radiotherapy and brachytherapy. One year after the treatment, the patient presents a chronic episode of melena and symptomatic anemia and 1 week before the admission she had hematochezia. At admission she has hemodynamic instability with a hemoglobin value of 2.7 gr/dl. We did an upper endoscopy, a colonoscopy and abdomino-pelvic tomography without any findings of the bleeding’s source. Reason why an endoscopic capsule was done, showing bleeding areas in the medial and distal small bowel. The patient had another gastrointestinal bleeding requiring a surgery where they decide to do a resection of the small bowel and a right hemicholectomy. The pathology was compatible with actinic enteritis. The patient after the surgery had a torpid evolution, and finally dies. We describe this case and do a review of all the existent data around the world, because is the first case reported in Peru of an actinic enteritis as a cause of OGIB.

Correlación entre síntomas gastrointestinales funcionales y la histopatología de la mucosa gástrica, incluyendo la infección por Helicobacter pylori, en Lima, Perú.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between functional gastrointestinal disorders and histopathology characteristics, including H. pylori infection, of gastric mucosa, at Cayetano Heredia National Hospital, Lima-Peru, in 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 112 patients were interviewed prospectively between June and July 2013 in the gastroenterology service. Dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and postprandial distress syndrome were characterized using the Rome III Survey. RESULTS: Pathology results were determined by gastric biopsies obtained by endoscopy. Of the patients interviewed, biopsy results were obtained for 101. 22.8% had atrophy, 24.8% had intestinal metaplasia, 57.4% presented with H pylori. CONCLUSIONS: Using chi-square analysis, no statistically significant relationship could be identified between clinical presentation and biopsy results.

[BISAP-O y APACHE-O: utility in predicting severity in acute pancreatitis in modified Atlanta classification]. / BISAP-O y APACHE-O: utilidad en la predicción de severidad en la pancreatitis aguda según la clasificación modificada de Atlanta.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the BISAP and APACHE II scores in predicting severity according to the 2012 Atlanta classification and whether the obesity factor added to these scores improves prediction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study between January 2013 and April 2014 including all patients with acute pancreatitis was performed according to the new Atlanta 2012 classification. ROC curves were fabricated for BISAP, BISAP-O, APACHE-II scores and Apache O and appropriate cutoffs were selected to the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, RPP and RPN. RESULTS: We studied 334 patients. 65.27% were overweighted or obese. The biliar etiology was 86.53%. Only 8.38% had severe pancreatitis and 1.5% died. Areas under the ROC curve and cut points selected were: BISAP: 0.8725, 2; BISAP-O: 0.8246, 3; APACHE-II: 0.8547, 5; APACHE-O: 0.8531, 6. Using these cutoffs the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, RPP and RPN were BISAP: 60.71%, 91.83%, 40.48%, 96.23 %, 7.43, 0.43; BISAP-O: 60.71%, 86.93%, 29.82%, 96.03%, 4.76, 0.45; APACHE-II: 85.71%, 76.14%, 24.74%, 98.31%, 3.6, 0.19; APACHE-O: 82.14%, 79.41%, 26.74%, 97.98%, 4, 0.22. CONCLUSIONS: BISAP, BISAP-O, APACHE-II and APACHE-O systems can be used to identify patients at low risk of severity because of its high NPV, however their use should be cautious considering that the RPP and RPN do not reach optimal levels indicating that their value in predicting severity is limited. On the other hand adding the obesity factor did not improve their predictive ability.

Helicobacter pylori cagA, vacA, iceA and babA Genotypes from Peruvian Patients with Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia.

We explored the clinical-stage association of gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) compared to cases of chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG) and its relationship with virulence genotypes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) clinical isolates from patients with dyspepsia in Peru. This study was cross-sectional and included 158 H. pylori clinical isolates; each isolate corresponded to a different Peruvian patient, genotyped by polymerase chain reaction to detect cagA gene and EPIYA motifs, the vacA gene (alleles s1, s2, i1, i2, d1, d2, m1, m2 and subtypes s1a, s1b and s1c), the iceA gene (alleles 1 and 2), and the babA gene (allele 2). We observed that 38.6% presented with IM and that all clinical isolates were CagA positive. The EPIYA-ABC motif was predominant (68.4%), and we observed a high frequency for the vacA gene alleles s1 (94.9%), m1 (81.7%), i1 (63.9%), and d1 (70.9%). Strains with both iceA alleles were also detected (69.6%) and 52.2% were babA2 positive. In addition, it was observed that the cagA+/vacAs1m1 (PR: 2.42, 1.14 to 5.13, p < 0.05) and cagA+/vacAs1am1 (PR: 1.67, 1.13 to 2.45, p < 0.01) genotypes were associated with IM. Our findings revealed the cagA and vacA risk genotypes predominance, and we provided clinically relevant associations between Peruvian patients with H. pylori infection and IM clinical stage.

[Pepsinogen and gastrin in the noninvasive diagnosis of gastric atrophy. A case-control study in Peruvian population]. / Pepsinógeno y gastrina en el diagnóstico no invasivo de la atrofia gástrica. Un estudio caso-control en población Peruana.

INTRODUCTION: Detection of gastric atrophy could be used for early diagnosis of gastric cancer in Perú. It was determined the pepsinogens I and II (PGI, PGII) and Gastrin-17 (G17) serum levels, and the PGI/PGII ratio as a non-invasive diagnostic test for gastric atrophy in Peruvian patiens. METHODS: Dyspeptic adults undergoing endoscopy and gastric biopsies were studied.For each case with atrophy two controls without atrophy were selected. Differences were evaluated and ROC curves constructed. A serologic profile was produced combining PGI and PGI/PGII ratio. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: 22 cases and 44 controls were included. Areas under ROC curves were 0.599, 0.546 and 0.534 for PGI, PGII and PGI/PGII ratio, respectively. None of these allowed for discrimination between cases and controls. The serological profile did not reach appropriate sensitivity and specificity. DISCUSSION: This first study of pepsinogen, gastrin and atrophy in Peru showed none of these tests to be useful. Their potential impact in early detection and prevention of prevalent cancer justify further investigation. Recruiting more patients, excluding those previously treated for Helicobacter pylori, and processing independently the antrum and corpus biopsies, could reveal findings not seen in present study.

Variation in the prevalence of gastric cancer in Perú.

Most cases of gastric cancers occur in non-industrialized countries but there is scarce information about the epidemiology of this illness in these countries. Our study examined whether there was a variation in the prevalence of gastric cancer in Lima, Perú over the last 2 decades. Subjects older than 29 years of age were included. They underwent an esophagogastroduedonoscopy at 3 socioeconomically different health facilities in Lima: a county hospital (7,168 subjects), a Peruvian-Japanese Clinic (14,794 individuals) and a private hospital (4,893 individuals). Birth cohort prevalence of gastric cancer was used. Regression models were calculated to predict the future prevalence of gastric cancer. It was found that the birth cohort prevalence of gastric cancer decreased in Perú from 22.7 to 2% (p < 0.001), from 12 to 0.5% (p < 0.001), and from 6.5 to 0.1% (p < 0.001) in the low, middle and high socioeconomic group, respectively. The prevalence of intestinal metaplasia decreased from 44.3 to 12.5% (p < 0.001), from 28.4 to 5% (p < 0.001), and from 19.4 to 2.2% (p < 0.001) in the low, middle and high socioeconomic status, respectively. These trends will likely persist over the future decades. Nevertheless, the prevalence of gastric cancer remains high in subjects older than 59 years of age in the low socioeconomic status. It is concluded that the prevalence of gastric cancer is decreasing in Perú, similar to the current trend undergoing in industrialized nations. However, there are still specific groups with high prevalence that might benefit from screening for early detection and treatment.

Natural history, clinicoradiologic correlates, and response to triclabendazole in acute massive fascioliasis.

Fascioliasis is highly endemic in the Andean region of South America. Newer serological assays have improved our ability to diagnose acute fascioliasis. The diagnosis was established by Fasciola hepatica serology (Fas2-ELISA or Western blot) in 10 patients. Identifiable exposure included ingestion of watercress (N = 8), alfalfa juice (N = 5), and lettuce (N = 1). Computed tomography of the abdomen showed hepatomegaly (N = 9), track-like hypodense lesions with subcapsular location (N = 8), and subcapsular hematoma (N = 2). Radiologic sequelae included cyst calcifications detectable at least 3 years after treatment. Stool examinations were negative for F. hepatica eggs; serology was positive (Arc II [N = 2], Fas2-ELISA [N = 6], Western blot [N = 2]). The syndrome of eosinophilia, fever, and right upper quadrant pain, elevated transaminases without jaundice, hypodense liver lesions on CT, and an appropriate exposure history suggests acute fascioliasis. Fascioliasis is specifically treatable with a single dose of triclabendazole.

Evaluación de un test del aliento con carbono 13 para el diagnóstico de Helicobacter pylori / Evaluation of a carbon 13 breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar un test del aliento con carbono 13 de fabricación China como método diagnóstico no invasivo para la infección por Hp en población peruana a través de la determinación de sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo, likelihood ratio positivo y negativo y utilidad diagnóstica. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal y descriptivo sobre una base de datos secundaria del Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Cayetano Heredia y Clínica Cayetano Heredia de noviembre de 2017 a agosto de 2018. Se incluyó a pacientes mayores de 18 años sometidos a una endoscopía digestiva alta. Resultados: Se halló una sensibilidad de 90,3% (IC 95% 0,81-0,96), especificidad de 82,5% (IC 95% 0,67-0,93), valor predictivo positivo y negativo de 90,3% y 82,5%, y likelihood ratio positivo y negativo de 5,16 y 0,12, respectivamente. El área bajo la curva ROC fue 0,88 (IC 95%: 0,80-0,96). Conclusiones: El test del aliento con carbono 13 es una prueba no invasiva y sencilla que proporciona resultados de forma rápida. Sin embargo, no es posible recomendar el uso rutinario de esta prueba debido a la discrepancia entre los resultados internacionales y locales obtenidos. Se sugiere realizar estudios con mayores tamaños muestrales, protocolos estandarizados y de diferentes fabricantes para evaluar su rendimiento y características.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate a Chinese-made carbon-13 breath test as a non-invasive diagnostic method for Hp infection in the Peruvian population through the determination of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic utility. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out on a secondary database of the Gastroenterology Service of the Cayetano Heredia Hospital and Cayetano Heredia Clinic from November 2017 to August 2018. Patients over 18 years of age who underwent endoscopy were included upper digestive. Results: A sensitivity of 90.3% (95% CI 0.81-0.96), a specificity of 82.5% (95% CI 0.67-0.93), a positive predictive value was found and negative of 90.3% and 82.5%, and positive and negative likelihood ratio of 5.16 and 0.12, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96). Conclusions: The carbon 13 breath test is a non-invasive and simple test that provides results quickly. However, it is not possible to recommend the routine use of this test due to the discrepancy between the international and local results obtained. Studies with larger sample sizes, standardized protocols and different manufacturers are suggested to evaluate their performance and characteristics.

Antibiotic resistance among Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates in Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVES: Gastric carcinoma is the most common cancer and cause of cancer mortality in Peru. Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that colonizes the human stomach, is a Group 1 carcinogen due to its causal relationship to gastric carcinoma. While eradication of H. pylori can help prevent gastric cancer, characterizing regional antibiotic resistance patterns is necessary to determine targeted treatment for each region. Thus, we examined primary antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates of H. pylori in Lima, Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: H. pylori strains were isolated from gastric biopsies of patients with histologically proven H. pylori infection. Primary antibiotic resistance among isolates was examined using E-test strips. Isolates were examined for the presence of the cagA pathogenicity island and the vacA m1/m2 alleles via polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Seventy-six isolates were recovered from gastric biopsies. Clinical isolates showed evidence of antibiotic resistance to 1 (27.6%, n=21/76), 2 (28.9%, n=22/76), or ≥3 antibiotics (40.8%). Of 76 isolates, eight (10.5%) were resistant to amoxicillin and clarithromycin, which are part of the standard triple therapy for H. pylori infection. No trends were seen between the presence of cagA, vacA m1, or vacA m2 and antibiotic resistance. CONCLUSION: The rate of antibiotic resistance among H. pylori isolates in Lima, Peru, is higher than expected and presents cause for concern. To develop more targeted eradication therapies for H. pylori in Peru, more research is needed to better characterize antibiotic resistance among a larger number of clinical isolates prospectively.

[PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS ASSOCIATED TO ULCERATIVECOLITIS AS A CAUSE OF CIRRHOSIS] / Cirrosis Hepática debida a colangitisesclerosante primaria asociada a colitis ulcerativa.

We report case of a peruvian patient with cirrhosis due to primary sclerosing cholangitis, associated with ulcerative colitis. The patient presented initially with intermittent diarrhea, manifesting features of chronic liver failure which progressed rapidly.Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive diasease affecting intra and extrahepatic billary radicles, and is associated with ulcerative colitis in the majority of cases. The diagnosis is made by cholangiography, showing areas of stenosis, irregularity and dilatation of the biliary tree.In this article we report the clinical presentation and course of the patient, reviewing recent literature with emphasis in the association between primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis.

[HYSTOLOGICAL FEATURES IN NODULAR GASTRITIS EXPERIENCE IN CAYETANO HEREDIA NATIONAL HOSPITAL] / Hallazgos histopatológicos en la gastritis nodular.Experiencia en el HNCH.

Histopathologic findings in Nodular Gastritis at Cayetano Heredia National Hospital.Nodular Gastritis (NG) is not a so unfrequently finding in adults. From January 1994 to April 1997, 261 patientes from a total number of 3600 that were submitted to an upper endoscopy at Cayetano Heredia National Hospital in Lima, Per , had this finding. The aim of this study is to find whether there is a characteristic histopathologic pattern in NG. Material and methods : 112 endoscopy reports with the diagnosis of NG that at the same time had biopsies, were reviewed. These patients were compared to a group matched for age and sex with an endoscopic finding of normality, or a diagnosis different from NG, excluding diagnosis of gastric or duodenal ulcers, duodenitis or neoplasia, that had also biopsies. The biopsies of both groups were reviewed by an experimented pathologist in a double blind fashion. The following parameters were considered : Presence and type of gastritis, presence and grade of mucosal inflammation, presence and type of intestinal metaplasia, presence and degree of inflammatory activity, presence and number of lymphoid follicles, presence and number of eosinophils in the mucosa, presence of Helicobacter pylori and edema.RESULTS : Significative statistic difference was found in the group of patients with NG on the following parameters: grade of mucosal inflammation, gastritis activity, presence of eosinophils and presence of Helicobacter pylori. Conclusion : NG is a chronic gastritis with superficial eosinophilic infiltration and a very important inflammatory activity associated to the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Further studies are required to determine the cause for these histopathologic findings.

[EARLY HEPATOCARCINOMA AT HOSPITAL CAYETANO HEREDIA(January 1969 - April 1997) CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FINDINGS] / Carcinoma Primario de Hígado en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (Enero 1969 - Abril 1997) Hallazgos Clínicos y de Laboratorio.

In this work, 60 patients with an hepatocarcinoma diagnosis, corrobarated with hepatic biopsies at the Hospital Cayetano Heredia, between 1969 and 1997, are studied to determine clinical presentation and laboratory findings of this entity within us. The early hepatocarcinoma cases studied were 60. The age group that suffered mostly from this pathology was between 60 to 69 years (23.33%), followed by the age group of 20 to 29 years (20%). While the mean age was of 45 years. 56.66% were male, and 43.33% were female. 56.66% of cases came from the Coast, 30% from the Mountains, and 13.33% from the Jungle. Cronic and excessive alcohol ingestion appeared as background in 25% of cases. The average period of apparent disease was seven (7) weeks. The main symptoms at their admission were: abdominal mass sensation (81.66%), weight loss (81.66%) superior hemiabdominal pain (80%), and anorexia (60%). In 95% of cases the predominant sign was Hepatomegaly. The survival term of those patients whom we were able to follow-up was of less than six (6) months in 86.84 /x, less or equal to.

[GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THECAYETADNO HEREDIA PUBLIC HOSPITAL] / Hemorragia Digestiva en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical outcome and to determine the cause of bleeding in patients admitted to the Cayetano Heredia National Hospital with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. Between August 1994 and May 1995, 100 patients were admitted, 86 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and 14 with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The mean age for the former was 45,25 years and the male/female ratio was 3.5/1. The main complaints were tarry stools and haematemesis in 56,9% and 26,7% only with melena. A history of non steroidal antiinflamatory drugs intake within 48 hours before the bleeding episode was obtained in 19,7% and alcohol ingestion was observed in 19,7%. In 36% of the patients a history of a previous episode of bleeding was obtained. The major causes of bleeding were duodenal ulcer in 38,3%, acute lesions of the gastric mucosa in 20,9%, gastric ulcer in 11,6% and esophageal varices in 5,8%, Mallory Weiss syndrome in 4,6%, gastric carcinoma in 2,3%, prolapse gastropaty 2,3%, esophagitis in 2,3%, esophageal ulcer 1,1 %, duodenitis 1,1%, arteriovenus malformations in 1,1%. The etiology of the hemorrhage could not be established in 8% of cases. The diagnostic rate of endoscopy was 91,7%.In 66% of the patients the endoscopy was carried out within the 24 hours of admission 20,9% of the patients had other potential bleeding lesions 9,1% of the patients had a new episode of bleeding during hospitalization and surgery was needed in 11,6%. Injectotheraphy was done in 7 (8,13%) patients (4 for variceal 2 for duodenal and 1 for gastric bleeding ) The overall mortality was 3,4% Fourteen patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding were evaluated. The mean age was 53,14 years and the male/female ratio was 1.6/1. The main complaint was hematochezia. The major causes of bleeding were hemorrhoidal disease in 64,2% and rectal cancer in 14,28%.

[DOUBLE PYLORUS: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE] / Doble Píloro: Reporte de un caso yrevisión de la literatura.

Double pylorus cases are extremely rare. Their etiology can be either congenital or acquired as complication of a peptic ulcer. Here we describe the first case diagnosed endoscopically in Cayetano Heredia National Hospital. A review of the literature regarding this anomaly is made as well as a discussion about its etiology.

[FAMOTIDINE VERSUS PLACEBO IN NON ULCER DYSPEPSIA TREATMENT] / Famotidina versus placebo en el tratamiento de la dispepsia no ulcerosa.

BACKGROUND: Non ulcer dyspepsia is an important health problem with a very high prevalence in the general population, being its pathophysiology still unclear and its association with H. pylori highly controversial. Many trials have been carried out assessing the effects of different drugs on the symptoms in dyspeptic patients, being one of the most common the use of H2 antagonist, even though the results have shown conflicting as far as efficacy is concerned. The goal of the present study is to determine the efficacy of famotidine (administered in three different regimens) as compared to placebo in relieving the symptoms of non ulcer dyspepsia.METHODS: Patients with chronic non ulcer dyspepsia were included and were selected by random in four groups; group I received famotidine 40 mg before breakfast, placebo before dinner and at bedtime; group II received famotidine 20 mg before breakfast and dinner and placebo at bedtime; group III received famotidine 40 mg at bedtime, placebo before breakfast and dinner; group IV received placebo before breakfast, dinner and at bedtime. A four week treatment period was completed. Endoscopy, measure of the gastric juice pH, and biopsy (including study for H.p) was done at the beginning of the study, at week 4 and at week 8. The patient was asked for a global assessment of improvement in the overall symptoms of dyspepsia at the end of weeks 1,4 and 8.RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (12 men and 36 women) participated in the study. There was not statistical difference between any of the four schemes of treatment and the effect over the pain and the symptoms during the study. Nevertheless there was a highly statistically difference (p<0.01) of the well being of the patient with all the groups of treatment received. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the pH of the groups II, III, IV, being the pH at fourth week, the one with a high mean value. There was not statistical difference in the pH value between patients that improve its symptoms and those that not H.p. presence was the same along the study in the group that showed improvement of pain and related symptoms and the group that did not improve. There was no significant changes in the histological pattern and the grade of inflammatory activity in relation to symptoms improvement. During the study there was not any clinical laboratory adverse experience.CONCLUSIONS: Non of the three schemes with famotidine used in this trial has proven to have any therapeutical benefit in non ulcer dyspepsia compared to placebo, even though patients improved their symptoms in all the four groups. It seems that gastric juice does not play a rol in the genesis of non ulcer dyspepsia. In this study, nor the presence of H.p. neither inflammatory activity are associated with the symptoms of non ulcer dyspepsia. More studies carefully designed are required not only to understand pathophysiological mechanism, also to identify effective treatments for this frequent entity.