Fecal microbiota transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) represents the most promising free-antibiotic therapy in the management of patients with infection by Clostridium difficile, recurrent or refractory to treatment with antibiotics. FMT’s superiority over conventional treatment has been proven in multiple series of cases and recently in experimental prospective randomized clinical trials with a resolution of the infection in over 90% of patient

Hypoalbuminemia in the outcome of patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

AbstractIntroduction and aimThe role of serum albumin level in patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGB) has not been extensively studied. Our aim was to evaluate the role of serum albumin on admission in terms of in-hospital mortality in patients with NVUGB.Materials and methodsPatients admitted with NVUGB during a 4-year period were prospectively included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff value for serum albumin on admission that made a distinction between deceased patients and survivors with respect to serum albumin on admission, as well as its overall performance compared with the Rockall score.Results185 patients with NVUGB were evaluated. Men predominated (56.7%) and a mean age of 59.1±19.9 years was found. Mean serum albumin on admission was 2.9±0.9g/dl with hypoalbuminemia (< 3.5g/dl) detected on admission in 71.4% of cases. The ROC curve found that the best value for predicting hospital mortality was an albumin level of 3.1g/dl (AUROC 0.738). Mortality in patients with albumin ≥ 3.2g/dl was 1.2% compared with 11.2% in patients with albumin<3.2g/dl (P=.009; OR 9.7, 95%CI 1.2-76.5). There was no difference in overall performance between the albumin level (AUORC 0.738) and the Rockall score (AUROC 0.715) for identifying mortality.ConclusionsPatients with hypoalbuminemia presenting with NVUGB have a greater in-hospital mortality rate. The serum albumin level and the Rockall score perform equally in regard to identifying the mortality rate

Total loss of the covering of a metallic stent during esophageal leak treatment

A 41-year-old man underwent a Heller myotomy due to achalasia. An unexpected puncture in the esophageal wall was identified during the procedure. A partially covered 15 cm stent (PSEMS) (UltraFlex) was placed at the mucosal defect. It was removed 26 days later and the endoscopic image showed esophageal tissue embedded in the covered portion of the stent. PSEMS covering loss is a rare complication that can have serious consequences

Eosinophilic esophagitis. The North against the South? A bio-economic-social mechanistic approach and clinical implications

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic antigen-mediated disease characterized by esophageal symptoms, esophageal eosinophilia, and the absence of response to proton pump inhibitors. It is the most frequent cause of dysphagia and food impaction in adults. Its incidence and prevalence is very high in the developed countries (USA, Europe, Australia), where its connotation is that of an emerging epidemic. While studies have been published with large case series in the developed countries, those published in Latin America are small or consist of isolated case reports. The differences in the prevalence of the disease between the developed and developing regions are unknown. Genetic or racial causes have been cited. Nevertheless, the epidemic nature of the disease suggests that environmental causes are the most powerful.Based on the published hypotheses, as well as on epidemiologic studies, the present review discusses some of the possible causes of the disparity in the prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis between the two types of countries. The âhygiene hypothesisâ is reviewed, together with the possible relation of Helicobacter pylori, intestinal parasites, and modifications of the esophageal microbiota in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. In reference to studies conducted in the United States, the clinical behavior and progression of eosinophilic esophagitis in Hispanics is reviewed and a possible predominant phenotype in Mexican and other Latin American patients is discussed. Finally, based on the above, an algorithm for studying the disease in the Latin American countries is proposed. Resumen: La esofagitis eosinofílica (EEo) es una enfermedad crónica mediada por alérgenos, caracterizada por síntomas esofágicos, eosinofilia esofágica y ausencia de respuesta favorable a inhibidores de la bomba de protones (IBP). En los adultos es la causa más frecuente de disfagia e impactación alimentaria. Su incidencia y prevalencia son muy altas en los países desarrollados (EUA, Europa y Australia), en donde ha alcanzado una connotación de epidemia. Mientras que en los países desarrollados se publican estudios con grandes series de pacientes, en nuestro subcontinente se reporta en series con pocos casos o en casos aislados. Las causas de las diferencias de la prevalencia de la enfermedad entre ambas regiones se desconocen. Se han invocado causas genéticas o raciales. No obstante, el carácter epidémico de la enfermedad sugiere que las causas ambientales son más poderosas.Con base en hipótesis publicadas, así como en los estudios epidemiológicos, en la presente revisión se discutirán algunas de las posibles causas de la disparidad de prevalencia de la EEo entre ambos tipos de países. Se revisará la «hipótesis de la higiene», así como la posible relación del Helicobacter pylori, los parásitos intestinales y las modificaciones de la microbiota esofágica con la EEo. Con base en estudios realizados en EUA, se revisará el comportamiento clínico y evolutivo de la EEo en individuos hispanos y se discutirá acerca de un posible fenotipo predominante en los pacientes de América Latina y México. Finalmente, sobre la base anterior, se propondrá un algoritmo de estudio de la enfermedad en nuestros países. Keywords: Eosinophilic esophagitis, Prevalence, Esophageal eosinophilia, Helicobacter pylori, Palabras clave: Esofagitis eosinofílica, Prevalencia, Eosinofilia esofágica, Helicobacter pylor

Características clínicas de la pancreatitis aguda en México

Antecedentes: La frecuencia y la etiología de la pancreatitis aguda (PA) varían de acuerdo a la región geográfica. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia, etiología y mortalidad de la PA en una población mexicana. Pacientes y métodos: En un periodo de seis años estudiamos prospectivamente a todos los pacientes con un primer episodio de PA. Resultados: Se incluyeron a 605 pacientes con edad promedio de 40 años. El 64,00% tenían sobrepeso y/o obesidad por índice de masa corporal (IMC). La etiología fue biliar en 66,60%, ingesta de alcohol en 15,90%, hipertrigliceridemia en 7,80%, poscolangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE) en 2,10% y de etiología no determinada en 7,20%. Se sospechó infección pancreática en 70 pacientes, los cuales fueron puncionados por tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) y en 32 se diagnosticó infección pancreática, siendo el Staphylococcus spp el microorganismo más común. La mortalidad global fue del 5,00% ( 70 años con 10,00%). La etiología alcohólica tuvo una mayor frecuencia de necrosis, infección pancreática y mortalidad. Conclusiones: La etiología de la PA más frecuente es la biliar, pero la causada por alcohol tiene más complicaciones. La mortalidad global fue del 5,00% y ésta se incremento en los pacientes de mayor edad

Effect of antispasmodic agents, alone or in combination, in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habit. Aims: To determine the clinical effectiveness of the antispasmodic agents available in Mexico for the treatment of IBS. Methods: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials on antispasmodic agents for IBS treatment. Clinical trials identified from January 1960 to May 2011 were searched for in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and in the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Treatment response was evaluated by global improvement of symptoms or abdominal pain, abdominal distention/bloating, and frequency of adverse events. The effect of antispasmodics vs placebo was expressed in OR and 95% CI. Results: Twenty-seven studies were identified, 23 of which fulfilled inclusion criteria. The studied agents were pinaverium bromide, mebeverine, otilonium, trimebutine, alverine, hyoscine, alverine/simethicone, pinaverium/simethicone, fenoverine, and dicyclomine. A total of 2585 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Global improvement was 1.55 (CI 95%: 1.33 to 1.83). Otilonium and the alverine/simethicone combination produced significant values in global improvement while the pinaverium/simethicone combination showed improvement in bloating. As for pain, 2394 patients were included with an OR of 1.52 (IC 95%: 1.28 a 1.80), favoring antispasmodics. Conclusions: Antispasmodics were more effective than placebo in IBS, without any significant adverse events. The addition of simethicone improved the properties of the antispasmodic agents, as seen with the alverine/simethicone and pinaverium/simethicone combinations

Prevalence of Barrett's esophagus: An observational study from a gastroenterology clinic

Introduction and aims: Barrett's esophagus is a condition that predisposes to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Our aim was to establish the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus at our center, as well as determine its associated factors. Materials and methods: We retrospectively assessed the endoscopic reports of 500 outpatients seen at our Gastroenterology Service from November 2014 to April 2016. We determined the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus and analyzed the demographic, clinical, and endoscopic findings associated with that pathology. Results: The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus was 1.8%. The mean age of the patients with Barrett's esophagus was 58.7 years (range: 45-70) and there was a predominance of men (66%). In the subgroup of patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (n = 125), Barrett's esophagus prevalence was 7.2%. In the multivariate analysis, the factors that were independently associated with Barrett's esophagus were gastroesophageal reflux (P=.005) and hiatal hernia (P=.006). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of Barrett's esophagus was 1.8% in our population, with a prevalence of 7.2% in patients that had symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: El esófago de Barrett es una condición que predispone al adenocarcinoma esofágico. Nuestro objetivo fue establecer la prevalencia de esófago de Barrett en nuestro centro, así como los factores asociados a esta condición. Material y métodos: Evaluamos retrospectivamente los reportes de 500 endoscopias superiores de pacientes ambulatorios de nuestro Servicio de Gastroenterología entre noviembre del 2014 y abril del 2016. Se determinó la prevalencia de esófago de Barrett y se analizaron los datos demográficos, clínicos y endoscópicos asociados a esta patología. Resultados: La prevalencia de esófago de Barrett fue del 1.8%. La edad media en los pacientes con esófago de Barrett fue de 58.7 años (rango: 45-70), con predominancia del sexo masculino (66%). En el subgrupo de pacientes con síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico (n = 125) la prevalencia de esófago de Barrett fue del 7.2%. En el análisis multivariado los factores asociados a esófago de Barrett de forma independiente fueron: síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico (p = 0.005) y hernia hiatal (p = 0.006). Conclusión: La prevalencia global de esófago de Barrett es del 1.8% en nuestra población, con una prevalencia del 7.2% en pacientes con síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico. Keywords: Intestinal metaplasia, Adenocarcinoma, Gastroesophageal reflux, Hiatal hernia, Endoscopy, Palabras clave: Metaplasia intestinal, Adenocarcinoma, Reflujo gastroesofágico, Hernia hiatal, Endoscopi

Use of audiovisual devices in transnasal endoscopy without sedation to improve tolerance. A prospective clinical trial

Introduction and aim: Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) has proven its diagnostic utility, but it has not been widely accepted given that it is performed without sedation. There are no previous studies on the use of methods to improve its tolerability. Our aim was to evaluate the tolerability of TNE, when simultaneously performed with an audiovisual device as a distractor. Methods: We evaluated 50 patients, 10 of whom did not agree to participate. The performance of the procedure was explained, using an audiovisual device. Before randomization, we applied anxiety and depression scores. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I (using an audiovisual device during the procedure) and Group II (without a device). Anxiety and numeric pain rating scales were used, and vital signs were monitored and recorded before, during, and after the endoscopy. An overall procedure satisfaction score was applied at the end of the study and 24 h later. Results: Mean age was 41.6 years and 35 of the patients were women (87.5%). The most frequent indication for TNE was refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. There were no severe comorbidities, and none of the patients had a significant anxiety or depression score. One patient in Group II did not tolerate TNE due to nasal pain. There was no statistically significant difference between groups, regarding anxiety, pain, vital signs, and satisfaction scale. Conclusion: Our study showed that TNE was well tolerated and had a high acceptance rate in our patients. The use of distracting audiovisual devices did not increase tolerance to the endoscopic procedure. Resumen: Introducción y objetivo: La endoscopía transnasal (ETN) ha probado su utilidad diagnóstica; sin embargo, no se ha aceptado de manera generalizada debido a que se realiza sin sedación y no se han realizado estudios que reporten el uso de métodos que mejoren su tolerabilidad. El objetivo fue evaluar la tolerabilidad de la ETN cuando se realiza de manera simultánea con un dispositivo audiovisual como distractor. Métodos: Se evaluaron 50 pacientes, 10 de ellos rechazaron participar. El procedimiento se explicó utilizando un dispositivo audiovisual. Antes de la aleatorización, se aplicaron escalas de ansiedad y depresión. Los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos: Grupo I (utilizando un dispositivo audiovisual durante el procedimiento) y Grupo II (sin dispositivo). Se utilizaron escalas numéricas de ansiedad y dolor. Se monitorearon signos vitales antes, durante y después de la endoscopía. Se aplicó una escala de satisfacción al final del estudio y 24 horas después. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue 41.6 años y 35 (87.5%) pacientes fueron de sexo femenino. La indicación más frecuente para ETN fue enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico refractario. No se encontraron comorbilidades significativas y ningún participante contaba con puntuación de ansiedad o depresión significativa. Un paciente del grupo II no toleró la ETN debido a dolor nasal. No se encontró diferencia significativa en niveles de ansiedad y dolor, signos vitales y escala de satisfacción entre grupos. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio mostró que la ETN es bien tolerada y tiene un porcentaje alto de aceptación en nuestros pacientes. El uso de dispositivos audiovisuales distractores no incrementó la tolerancia al procedimiento endoscópico