Changes in the Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori among the Lithuanian Medical Students over the Last 25 Years and Its Relation to Dyspeptic Symptoms.

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is decreasing in the Western world, while remaining high in developing countries. There is limited up-to-date information about the prevalence of H. pylori in Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence of H. pylori and its trend over the past 25 years among students of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) and to assess its relation to dyspeptic symptoms. Materials and Methods: In the years 1995, 2012, 2016 and 2020, students from Medical and Nursing Faculties of LUHS were tested for the presence of antibodies against H. pylori by performing serological tests from finger capillary blood. In addition, in the years 2012, 2016 and 2020, the students completed a gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) questionnaire in order to assess dyspeptic symptoms. The study population consisted of 120 students in the year 1995 (mean age-21.3 ± 1.0 years), 187 students in the year 2012 (mean age-22.4 ± 0.7 years), 262 students in the year 2016 (mean age-20.4 ± 1.0 years) and 148 students in the year 2020 (mean age-20.4 ± 1.7 years). Results: The seroprevalence for H. pylori was positive in 62 (51.7%) students in 1995, in 57 (30.4%) students in 2012, in 69 (26.3%) students in 2016 and in 21 (14.2%) students in 2020. The statistically significant difference was found between all study years, except between 2012 and 2016. There were no significant differences in frequency and intensity of upper dyspeptic symptoms between H. pylori positive and negative students. Conclusions: Over the last 25 years the seroprevalence of H. pylori among students of LUHS has decreased significantly. No consistent differences in dyspeptic symptoms among H. pylori positive and negative subgroups were found.

Severely impaired gastric accommodation is a hallmark of post-Nissen functional dyspepsia symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a commonly performed antireflux surgery, after which reflux symptoms are well controlled, however, complications such as inability to belch or dyspeptic symptoms (mimicking those of functional dyspepsia [FD]) might occur. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate symptom pattern and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in patients with post-Nissen dyspepsia. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (12 f, mean age 44.5±2.8 years) with post-Nissen dyspepsia symptoms, five patients (3 f, mean age 38.8±3.2 years) with post-Nissen dysphagia symptoms and 14 pre-fundoplication patients (3 f, mean age 42.1±2.5 years) were evaluated. Patients filled out a Rome II-based dyspepsia symptom severity score, performed a gastric emptying test, and a gastric barostat study was used to evaluate the function of the proximal stomach. KEY RESULTS: Upper abdominal bloating scores were higher in post-Nissen dyspepsia patients (P=.016) and symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) were more present in post-Nissen dyspepsia patients compared to the other two groups (P=.07). Weight loss was significantly higher in the post-Nissen groups compared to the pre-fundoplication (P=.02). Gastric emptying rates were similar in the three groups. Gastric accommodation (GA) was significantly impaired in the post-Nissen dyspepsia group (dyspepsia -30[-86-83] vs dysphagia 163[148-203] vs pre-fundoplication 147[75-174] mL, P=.004) and the prevalence of patients with impaired GA was higher in the post-Nissen group (P=.007). Postprandial fullness was more prevalent in patients with impaired GA compared to those with normal GA (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS AND INTERFERENCES: Patients with post-Nissen dyspepsia show a symptom pattern similar to that in FD patients with PDS, and the main underlying mechanism seems to be impaired gastric accommodation to a meal.

Lipase Supplementation before a High-Fat Meal Reduces Perceptions of Fullness in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postprandial symptoms of fullness and abdominal discomfort are common after fatty meals. Gastric lipases hydrolyze 10% to 20% of dietary triglycerides during the stomach trituration period of digestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acid-resistant lipase on upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including fullness and bloating, as well as on gastric myoelectrical activity after healthy subjects ingested a high-fat, liquid meal. METHODS: This study utilized a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design with 16 healthy volunteers who ingested either a capsule containing 280 mg of acid-resistant lipase or a placebo immediately before a fatty meal (355 calories, 55% fat). Participants rated their stomach fullness, bloating, and nausea before and at timed intervals for 60 minutes after the meal. Electrogastrograms were obtained to assess the gastric myoelectrical activity. RESULTS: Stomach fullness, bloating, and nausea increased significantly 10 minutes after ingestion of the fatty meal (p<0.01), whereas normal gastric myoelectrical activity decreased and tachygastria increased (p<0.05). With lipase, reports of stomach fullness were significantly lower compared with placebo (p<0.05), but no effect on gastric myoelectrical activity or other upper gastrointestinal symptoms was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The high-fat meal induced transient fullness, bloating, nausea, and tachygastria in healthy individuals, consistent with postprandial distress syndrome. Acid-resistant lipase supplementation significantly decreased stomach fullness.

Association between ABO Blood Groups and Severity of Dyspepsia in Gunungsitoli, Indonesia

Background@#Human blood groups may play a key role in various human diseases. An association has been found between ABO blood groups and both infectious and non-infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs. Dyspepsia is one of the most common encountered gastrointestinal complaints. @*Aims@#To investigate the association between ABO blood groups and severity of dyspepsia symptoms in a specific ethnic group. @*Study Design@#Cross-sectional study. @*Methods@#Consecutive adult Nias tribe dyspepsia outpatients in the General District Hospital, Gunungsitoli Nias,Indonesia, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire between May–June 2018. The severity of dyspepsia was assessed with the Porto Alegre Dyspeptic Symptoms Questionnaire (PADYQ) scoring instrument. ABO blood groups were determined by a standard direct agglutination test. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in all participants. Data were statistically analyzed using statistical software. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. @*Results@#Of 66 patients, 54.5% were males, with median age of 47 years (range, 23–67). Majority of the participants had blood group O (48.5%). The most encountered dyspepsia symptom was epigastric pain (66.7%). Participants with blood group type B had significantly more severe dyspepsia symptoms based on total PADYQ score (p=0.017). Participants with blood group type O were more prone to epigastric pain (p=0.015), while blood group type B to bloating (p=0.01) and early satiation (p=0.02). @*Conclusion@#In outpatients from the Nias tribe with dyspepsia, those with blood group type B had more severe dyspepsia symptoms.

Lipase Supplementation before a High-Fat Meal Reduces Perceptions of Fullness in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postprandial symptoms of fullness and abdominal discomfort are common after fatty meals. Gastric lipases hydrolyze 10% to 20% of dietary triglycerides during the stomach trituration period of digestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acid-resistant lipase on upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including fullness and bloating, as well as on gastric myoelectrical activity after healthy subjects ingested a high-fat, liquid meal. METHODS: This study utilized a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design with 16 healthy volunteers who ingested either a capsule containing 280 mg of acid-resistant lipase or a placebo immediately before a fatty meal (355 calories, 55% fat). Participants rated their stomach fullness, bloating, and nausea before and at timed intervals for 60 minutes after the meal. Electrogastrograms were obtained to assess the gastric myoelectrical activity. RESULTS: Stomach fullness, bloating, and nausea increased significantly 10 minutes after ingestion of the fatty meal (p<0.01), whereas normal gastric myoelectrical activity decreased and tachygastria increased (p<0.05). With lipase, reports of stomach fullness were significantly lower compared with placebo (p<0.05), but no effect on gastric myoelectrical activity or other upper gastrointestinal symptoms was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The high-fat meal induced transient fullness, bloating, nausea, and tachygastria in healthy individuals, consistent with post-prandial distress syndrome. Acid-resistant lipase supplementation significantly decreased stomach fullness.