Homocysteine Levels in Chronic Gastritis and Other Conditions: Relations to Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Dementia

Background Homocysteine levels in circulation are determined by several factors and hyperhomocysteinemia is reportedly associated with cardiovascular diseases and dementia. The aim of this study is to determine the relation of chronic gastritis and other conditions to homocysteine levels and their relation to incident cardiovascular diseases and dementia. Methods An adult population-based cohort (N = 488) was screened for H. pylori infection, gastro-duodenitis (endoscopic biopsies), disease history, and lifestyle factors. Blood samples were analyzed for pepsinogen I and II (gastric function), vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine, and cystatin C (renal function). The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism reportedly associated with hyperhomocysteinemia was analyzed by pyrosequencing. Incident cardiovascular diseases and dementia were monitored during a median follow-up interval of 10 years. Results At baseline, there was a positive relation of S-homocysteine to male gender, age, S-cystatin C, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype and atrophic gastritis. During follow-up, cardiovascular diseases occurred in 101/438 and dementia in 25/488 participants, respectively. Logistic regression analysis (adjusting for gender, age at baseline, follow-up interval, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, NSAID use, P-cholesterol, and P-triglycerides) showed an association of S-homocysteine higher than 14.5 μmol/l to cardiovascular diseases (OR 2.05 [95% c.i. 1.14–3.70]), but not to dementia overall. Conclusions Gender, age, vitamin B12, folate, renal function, atrophic gastritis and the methylenetetrahydrofolate 677TT genotype were significant determinants of homocysteine levels, which were positively related to incident cardiovascular diseases

Chronic Gastritis : Diagnosis, natural history and consequences

Background & alms: The main cause of chronic gastritis is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Clinical manifestations of chronic gastritis are ulcer disease, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoma tissue (MALT) lymphoma in the stomach. It is uncertain whether gastritis can be diagnosed macroscopically at endoscopy. H. pylori infection may be diagnosed by several different methods, the accuracy of which needs to be explored. Some individuals with H. pylori related chronic gastritis will develop atrophy of the gastric mucosa. This condition is the main risk factor for cancer development and may also be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency leading to hyperhomocysteinaemia. The natural history of chronic gastritis in terms of development of atrophy and ulcer disease in the adult general population is largely unknown. Material & methods: A sample of 50 I volunteers from the general population in the municipality of Linköping was examined with esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy. Blood samples were collected in the fasting state and the subjects answered a questionnaire about lifestyle factors, medications and disease history. In-hospital diagnoses and causes of death during follow-up of the population were extracted from local and national patient files. Re-examination was done in 314 subjects after a median follow-up interval of 8.4 years. Five diagnostic tests (serology UBT, RUT, culture and microscopic examination) for H. pylori infection were used at re-examination. Results: The best values of sensitivity and specificity were for visible vessels in relation to microscopic presence of severe atrophy in the gastric corpus mucosa (80% and 87%, respectively). There was a positive relation of S-homocysteine to male gender, age, S-cystatin C (renal function), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype and atrophic gastritis. Logistic regression analysis showed an association of S-homocysteine higher than 14.5 Ilmol/L to cardiovascular diseases (OR 2.05), but not to dementia overall. The incidence ofulcer was 0.45 per 100 person years and was associated with weekly NSAID use, weekly alcohol consumption (OR 19.4) and smoking (OR 31.0), but not with H. pylori status. Among subjects with chronic gastritis, the incidence of atrophy of the corpus mucosa was 1.4 per 100 person years. Considering diagnostic test for H. pylori infection the accuracy was 0.86 for serology, 0.94 for UBT, 0.94 for RUT, 0.93 for culture, and 0.93 for histological examination. There was a strong correlation between the results of UBT and the histological scores of H. pylori colonisation as well as between the results of UBT and scores of RUT. Conclusions: The occurrence of chronic gastritis or H. pylori infection is not evaluable macroscopically at gastroscopy, except for the absence of rugae or visible vessels in the gastric corpus mucosa. Serum Hcy concentrations are dependent on gender, age, the levels of vitamin B12 and folate, renal function, the occurrence of atrophic gastritis and the MTHFR 677 TT genotype. Elevated S-Hcy is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The incidence of atrophy of the corpus mucosa is 1.4 per 100 person years for chronic gastritis overall. Chronic gastritis with or without H. pylori infection is a variable process in which milder degrees of atrophy of the corpus mucosa may appear or disappear. In contrast, moderate-to-severe atrophy of the corpus mucosa rarely regresses. Age and the degree of chronic inflammation in the gastric corpus mucosa are major risk factors for the development of atrophy. The incidence of ulcer was 0.45 per 100 person years. There are only minor differences in accuracy between the three invasive tests for H. pylori infection. The UBT is recommended for situations where endoscopy is not required. RUT may be recommended as the first non-invasive method of choice in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection

The Trend of Tranexamic Use in Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Ulcers

Background: Bleeding ulcer is a common condition, especially among the elderly population. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been successfully used for many bleeding conditions. Its use in patients with bleeding ulcer is inclusive yet. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the prescription of TXA. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed as a review of medical records at the Surgery Department, University Hospital in Linkoping. Patients with complete esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ulcer disease were included and divided on the basis of treatment with TXA or not. Differences between the groups were statistically analyzed. Results: The main part of the prescription of TXA, 65%, occurred during 2010 and 2011, and 35% between 2012 and 2013 (P < 0.05). In the group treated with TXA, 84% needed blood transfusion, compared to 64% in the control group (P = 0.039). Of the patients treated with TXA, 18% were re-bleeding compared to 14% of the controls (P = 0.594). Median value for days at hospital was 5 in the tranexamic group and 3 in the control group (P = 0.005). Conclusion: The prescription of TXA has declined between 2010 and 2013. TXA was more often prescribed to patients with more severe gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding ulcer disease. Further investigation is needed to conclude the significance of tranexamic acid in patients with GI bleeding ulcer disease

Incidence and Mortality Related to Gastrointestinal Bleeding, and the Effect of Tranexamic Acid on Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common and potentially life-threatening condition. The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding has not decreased despite new prophylaxis and treatments. Ulcer is still one of the most common etiologies for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It is routinely treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and endoscopic interventions, sometimes endovascular procedures, and rarely today, open surgery with suture to stop the bleeding. The fibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TXA) has a role in bleeding treatment, and is routinely used for example within trauma care, postpartum bleeding and orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding. A further aim was to investigate if TXA has any role in medical treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding today. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study with a review of medical records, involving patients with clinical signs of gastrointestinal bleeding and endoscopically verified ulcers between the years of 2010 and 2016 at the University Hospital of Linkoping, Sweden. The cities of Motala and Linkoping have the primary acute admissions at this Hospital. Results: We found in total 1,331 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. The overall incidence for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding was 98.6 (98.6/100,000 inhabitants and year). For those with endoscopically verified ulcer (386 patients), the incidence for peptic ulcer was 28.6/100,000/year. In the group with endoscopically verified ulcer, 25 patients died, giving the 30-day mortality of 6.4%. TXA is still used for treatment of bleeding ulcers. We had two groups, those with and without TXA treatment. They were equal in age, gender and comorbidity. Clinically we saw no major differences in respect to hemodynamic stability. There were more patients with overt bleeding symptoms in the TXA group. We also saw more patients in need of intensive care in the TXA group. Conclusions: The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding has not significantly decreased during the last years. There was no significant positive effect of TXA in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in this study. The difference between the two groups is probably more a question of whom we treat with TXA (e.g., the patients in worse condition or at higher risk) than a difference in drug effect. It is time to quit with TXA treatment in all patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, even those at intensive care unit (ICU)

Short title: Natural history of chronic gastritis Correspondence to:

N.B.: When citing this work, cite the original article. This is an electronic version of an article published in

Horse-related trauma in children and adults during a two year period

Introduction: Horse riding, with almost 200,000 participants, is the eighth most popular sport in Sweden. Severe injuries can occur with horse riding accidents which is well documented. This study was undertaken to investigate if injuries associated with horse riding are common, which type of injuries occur, what mechanisms are involved and to estimate the costs to the society. Material and methods: All patients attending the emergency department at Link ping University Hospital, during the years 2003-2004, due to horse related trauma were prospectively recorded. The patients were divided into two groups according to age, 147 children and 141 adults. The medical records were retrospectively scrutinized. Results: The most common mechanism of injury was falling from the horse. Most commonly, minor sprains and soft tissue injuries were seen, but also minor head injuries and fractures, mainly located in the upper limb. In total 26 adults and 37 children were admitted. Of these 63 patients 19 were considered having a serious injury. In total, four patients needed treatment in intensive care units. The total cost in each group was 200,000 Euro/year. Conclusion: Horse riding is a sport with well known risks. Our results corresponds to the literature, however we have not observed the same incidence of serious injuries. In contrast we find these to be fairly uncommon. The injuries are mainly minor, with a small risk of long term morbidity. Over time regulations and safety equipment seem to have decreased the number of serious accidents

Natural history of chronic gastritis in a population-based cohort

Objective. To describe and explore the natural history of Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastritis in terms of gastric mucosal atrophy and ulcer development over time in a population-based cohort. Material and methods. A population-based cohort of 314 volunteers was re-screened (median follow-up interval of 8.4 years) with gastroduodenoscopy with biopsy, assessment of H. pylori status, analysis of pepsinogens, and monitoring of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and alcohol and smoking habits. Results. The incidence of duodenal or prepyloric ulcer was 0.45 per 100 person years and was associated with weekly NSAID use (odds ratios, OR 27.8), weekly alcohol consumption (OR 19.4) and smoking (OR 31.0), but not with H. pylori status. De novo infection with H. pylori was not observed, and the infection had disappeared in 11 of 113 subjects. Among subjects with chronic gastritis, the incidence of atrophy of the corpus mucosa was 1.4 per 100 person years. Atrophy development was related to age (OR 1.23) and to the severity of chronic inflammation in the corpus mucosa at baseline (OR 8.98). Substituting atrophy for subnormal S-pepsinogen I/S-pepsingen II gave similar results. Conclusions. In this cohort, the minimum incidence of ulcer was 0.45 per 100 person years. Smoking, alcohol, and NSAIDs, but not H. pylori infection were significant risk factors. The incidence of atrophy of the corpus mucosa was 1.4 per 100 person years with a positive relation to age and to the degree of chronic inflammation at baseline. Atrophy was stationary in advanced stages.This is an electronic version of an article published in:Stefan Redéen, Fredrik Petersson, Stergios Kechagias, Erik Mårdh and Kurt Borch, Natural history of chronic gastritis in a population-based cohort, 2010, SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY, (45), 5, 540-549.SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY is available online at informaworldTM: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00365521003624151Copyright: Taylor and Francishttp://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/default.as

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of gallstone surgery : A Swedish population-based study

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare delivery. As resources are reallocated, surgery for benign conditions such as gallstone disease is often given low priority. We do not know how this has affected the risk of patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease to develop acute cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis, or obstructive jaundice. METHODS: The study was based on the population-based Swedish Register of Gallstone Surgery and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. The period prior to the first cases of COVID-19 in Sweden, that is, April 2015-March 2020, was compared to the period April 2020-March 2021 during the pandemic. Stratification was made for factors potentially related to priority decisions. RESULTS: Altogether, 78,211 procedures were performed during the period of the study. The ratio of procedures performed during April 2020-March 2021 in the previous 5 years was 0.960 (p = 0.113). The ratio of procedures on patients aged <65 years was 0.945 (p = 0.008), on patients aged 65-80 years was 0.964 (p = 0.423), on patients aged >80 years was 1.336 (p = 0.025), on men was 1.001 (p = 0.841), on women was 0.934 (p = 0.006), on procedures completed laparoscopically was 0.964 (p = 0.190), on procedures completed with open approach was 0.659 (p = 0.044), on acute procedures was 1.218 (p = 0.016), on planned procedures was 0.791 (p < 0.001), on procedures performed for biliary colic was 0.808 (p < 0.001), on procedures performed for acute cholecystitis was 1.274 (p = 0.012), for biliary pancreatitis was 1.192 (p = 0.037), and for obstructive jaundice was 1.366 (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 has had a great impact on how gallstone surgery has been organized over the last 2 years. The decreased number of planned procedures probably reflects the reallocation of resources during the pandemic. However, whether the increasing number of acute procedures is the result of postponed planned surgery or a continuation of a long-term trend toward more acute surgery remains unanswered. Further studies are needed to assess and evaluate how this has affected public health and health economics