Prevention and Management of Refeeding Syndrome

Refeeding Syndrome is a syndrome which occurs as a result of food administration in poorly nourished individuals. In this syndrome, there are wide range of biochemical alterations, clinical manifestations, and complications, starting from mild (asymptomatic) to severe (death). This syndrome was initially proposed in 1950s; however, there is still no agreement for its clear definition, causing clinicians to be less aware and tend to overlook this condition. Clinical manifestations which usually appear include electrolyte imbalances (hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia) and vitamin B1 deficiency. The main principle in management of refeeding syndrome is prevention, where clinicians need to identify this condition in the early stage in high risk individuals, supervision during refeeding, and administration of appropriate diet

Management of Gastric Motility Disorder

Gastric motility disorder or gastroparesis is an objective slowing of gastrointestinal emptying syndrome, in the absence of mechanical obstruction, with cardinal symptoms such as rapid feeling of fullness, fullness sensation after eating, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. Patients with gastroparesis are at risk of weight loss, malnutrition, and lack of vitamins and minerals, as well as increasing morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and incidence data of gastroparesis do not describe the true reality, because of the complexity of diagnosis. Beside Diabetes mellitus, many other causes should also be considered. Several studies have shown that nausea, vomiting and fullness sensation in abdominal are the most associated symptoms with gastroparesis. A 4-hour solid phase gastric emptying scintigraphy is the diagnostic standard for the slowing of gastric emptying. Lowest effective dose metoclopramide starting with a dose of 3 x 5 mg is the first line for pharmacological therapy. For persistent or refractory gastroparesis with pharmacologic therapy, gastric electrical stimulation (GES) and surgical therapy may be considered. The management should involve relevant medical team by not forget to consider patient comfort

Influence of Fucoidan in Mucus Thickness of Gastric Mucosa in Patients with Chronic Gastritis

Background: Chronic gastritis is commonly found with complains of dyspepsia, which may decrease work productivity. Imbalance between agressive and defensive factors is the cause of chronic gastritis. Therapy is mostly directed to the agressive factors, particularly gastric acid and very few studies are directed on defensive factors. Mucus is the first defense mechanism of gastric mucosa. Fucoidan is a phytopharmaca, which is thought to increase the thickness of gastric mucosa. The objective of this study was to know the thickness of gastric mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis and to evaluate the effect of fucoidan to the gastric mucosa thickness in patients with chronic gastritis. Method: In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial study, 41 patients in the Endoscopy Unit Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between October 2009 and October 2010 were enrolled consecutively. Selected patients were divided into 2 groups: a group was given fucoidan and another group was given placebo. Statistical analysis was done using T-test. Results: Of 41 chronic gastritis patients, only 34 patients completed this study. There was difference of mucus thickness of gastric mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis; in the antrum 42.59 µ m (± 8.67) and in the corpus 44.28 µ m (± 9.64). This study also showed that fucoidan administration increased the mucus thickness in the antrum by 7.42 µ m and in the corpus by 7.74 µ m compared to placebo significantly. Conclusion: Fucoidan increased the mucus thickness of gastric mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis

National Consensus on the Use of Sedation Drugs in the Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is rapidly developing and several gastrointestinal endoscopy equipment are available for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Proper sedation is critical in performing endoscopic procedures, both for patients and physicians. This consensus is used as a guideline and not as a legal standard in performing endoscopic services. This consensus explained the definition, indication, contraindication, and complication prevention during sedation. Factors affecting the need of sedation is patient factors, procedure factors, and sedation level. Diagnostic or therapeutic upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy which not complicated can be performed with minimal sedation or moderate sedation, while deep sedation can be considered for longer and more complex procedures. Furthermore, assessment and selection of sedation was explained, followed by the guide to choose pharmacological sedation and analgesics. Currently, diazepam, midazolam, propofol, fentanyl, and pethidine is the most likely used sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy, with midazolam as the preferred medication of choice. This consensus also explained the antidote of each drug and the recovery after procedure. This consensus aimed to improve gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure services in Indonesia

Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in Diagnosing Cholelithiasis in Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Patients

Aim: To determine how endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is compared to magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in diagnosing cholelithiasis in acute biliary pancreatitis.Method: Five steps of evidence based medicine is conducted, they are: (1) Formulate the clinical question; (2) Search the evidence; (3) Appraise the study; (4) Apply the answer; (5) Assess the outcome. The search term in general is: (“cholelithiasis”) and (“EUS”) and (“MRCP”) and diagnosis.Results: We searched in Pubmed and Cochrane library. We excluded articles that do not focus on answering our clinical question. There is one systematic review that is capable of answering our clinical question.Conclusion: It can generally be concluded from this study that EUS and MRCP are useful techniques in the etiological diagnosis of acute pancreatitis of non-established cause. Endoscopic ultrasonography should be preferred for establishing a possible biliary etiology in patients who have not had a cholecystectomy