The Prevalence of Reflux Esophagitis in the Elderly and Its Associated Risk Factors

Background: Reflux esophagitis is a common problem in the elderly. Compare to the Western Countries, esophageal cancer where reflux esophagitis is the most predominant risk factor is considered rare in Asia. Many other risk factors have not been well studied especially in most Asian countries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the presence of reflux esophagitis in elderly patients and its associated risk factors.Method: This was a cross-sectional study in elderly patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients who received long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, suffered from gastrointestinal Malignancies, recently receiving chemotherapy agents, diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease or Helicobacter pylori infection were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 17.00 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA).Results: A total of 238 elderly patients were enrolled. Patients\u27 mean age was 69.8 ± 6.8 years old. Reflux esophagitis was found in 22 (9.2%) patients. Several comorbidities were found in these patients, such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis. The only factor that associated with reflux esophagitis was the presence of hiatus hernia esophagus (p = 0.038). However, reflux esophagitis seemed to be more found in the elderly patients who have history of reflux inducing drugs consumption without any proton pump inhibitor (PPI) protection.Conclusion: Reflux esophagitis is still a major problem in the elderly. The presence of hiatus hernia might give an important consideration of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy screening. However, it would be a debate matter with regards to the cost burden and the low risk of esophageal cancer in Asian countries

Obstructive Jaundice Due to Bile Duct Tumor

We reported here a rare case of a 62 year old male patient with obstructive jaundice due to bile duct tumor. The main clinical features were yellowish eye and skin, followed by pruritus and clay-colored stool. Ultrasonography showed common bile duct dilatation and without evidence of stones. Computed Tomography Scan of upper abdomen showed a mass which were thought of head of pancreas origin. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatograph revealed tight narrowing of the distal bile duct to a Malignant tumor. A stent was inserted to allow biliary drainage. A surgical plan for billio digestive anastomosis was rejected by the patient and family

Efficacy and Safety of In-Asia-manufactured Interferon Alpha-2b in Combination with Ribavirin for Therapy of Naïve Chronic Hepatitis C Patients: a Multicenter, Prospective, Open-Label Trial

Background: An open-label, multi center and non-comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a more affordable in-Asia-manufactured interferon á-2b product in combination with ribavirin to treat naïve chronic hepatitis C patients. Method: Thirty chronic naïve hepatitis C patients were treated with in-Asia-manufactured interferon a-2b subcutaneously 3 MIU thrice weekly and ribavirin 800-1,200 mg daily for 48 weeks. Follow-up was done until 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Efficacy was assessed by examining serologic and biochemical parameters at pre and post-treatment. Safety was assessed by evaluating clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters. Results: The virological response and sustained virological response rates of all Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotypes were 83.3% and 76.7% respectively. Post-treatment, 80% patients had significant alanine transaminase (ALT) decreased into normal level and remained normal in 76.7% patients at 24th week follow up period. At that time, the ALT level and sustained virological response were lower in HCV genotypes 1 and 4 than in non-1 and non-4 genotypes. The most frequent adverse event was flu-like syndrome. Conclusion: The efficacy and safety study on combination therapy of in-Asia-manufactured interferon a-2b and ribavirin has shown a good result based on the current standard of interferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy

Global prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in 2015 : A modelling study

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier LtdBackground The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, which can become a reality with the recent launch of direct acting antiviral therapies. Reliable disease burden estimates are required for national strategies. This analysis estimates the global prevalence of viraemic HCV at the end of 2015, an update of—and expansion on—the 2014 analysis, which reported 80 million (95% CI 64–103) viraemic infections in 2013. Methods We developed country-level disease burden models following a systematic review of HCV prevalence (number of studies, n=6754) and genotype (n=11 342) studies published after 2013. A Delphi process was used to gain country expert consensus and validate inputs. Published estimates alone were used for countries where expert panel meetings could not be scheduled. Global prevalence was estimated using regional averages for countries without data. Findings Models were built for 100 countries, 59 of which were approved by country experts, with the remaining 41 estimated using published data alone. The remaining countries had insufficient data to create a model. The global prevalence of viraemic HCV is estimated to be 1·0% (95% uncertainty interval 0·8–1·1) in 2015, corresponding to 71·1 million (62·5–79·4) viraemic infections. Genotypes 1 and 3 were the most common cause of infections (44% and 25%, respectively). Interpretation The global estimate of viraemic infections is lower than previous estimates, largely due to more recent (lower) prevalence estimates in Africa. Additionally, increased mortality due to liver-related causes and an ageing population may have contributed to a reduction in infections. Funding John C Martin Foundation.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Impact of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Procedure in Pancreatico-biliary Disorders in Indonesia

Pancreato-biliary disorders are the challenging disorders in gastroenterology practice. It is well-known that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a common procedure in managing pancreato-biliary disorders. However, imaging modalities such as abdominal CT scan and MRI has been successfully reduced the unnecessary ERCP to avoid several potential complications. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedure has become an important tool due to the limitation of imaging modalities in pancreato-biliary disorders. Its ability which is not only for diagnostic, but also for therapeutic purpose has given a new insight for most gastroenterologists in their daily practice. However, the investment, cost, and the proper training curriculum are still debatable in most developing countries, especially in Indonesia

Prevalence and Distribution of Anemia Risk Factor in Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C Who Has Combination Therapy of Interferon Alpha and Ribavirin

Background: Interferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy is one of effective standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC.) However, anemia is a common side effect of this therapy that patients have to reduce or discontinue ribavirin therapy. But ribavirin dose reduction or discontinuation can reduce the effectivity of the therapy. Hence, it is important to know the prevalence of anemia and to determine the factors associated with anemia. Objective: To know the prevalence of anemia and some risk factors associated with anemia caused by the combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C. Method: Sixty one of CHC patients who received combination therapy were included in this study. The study used cross sectional design and data were obtained by measured complete blood count on 8th week of therapy. Result: Subjects 47 (77%) were males, 14 (23%) were females with mean age 38.9 years. Subjects had genotype 1 and 4 were 23 (71.9%) and 44 (72.1%) subjects received 1,000 mg ribavirin. Prevalence of anemia was found to be 52.5%. On multivariate analysis, only pretreatment hemoglobin concentration < 14 g/dl was found to be the risk factor of anemia. Conclusion: Prevalence of anemia was 52.5%. Pretreatment hemoglobin concentration < 14 g/dl was only found to be the risk factors of anemia. Although age > 50 years or female were not found to be the risk factor of anemia but patient with these risk factors should be carefully monitored. Intervention to prevent anemia should be considered to these patients. Eight subjects from 32 anemia patients had ribavirin dose reduction, and no patient had discontinuation treatment on 8th week of therapy

Acute-on-chronic liver failure: consensus recommendations of the Asian Pacific association for the study of the liver (APASL): an update

10.1007/s12072-019-09946-3HEPATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL134353-39

Acute-on-chronic liver failure: consensus recommendations of the Asian Pacific association for the study of the liver (APASL): an update (vol 13, pg 353, 2019)

10.1007/s12072-019-09980-1HEPATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL136826-82