Evaluation of intoxication cases

Subject: The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographics, etiologies and prognostic findings in intoxicated patients in Vakif Gureba Training Hospital Emergency Unit between January-December 200

A New Risk-Scoring System for Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Screening by Turkish Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Study Group

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer worldwide. An early diagnosis and detection of colon cancer and polyp can reduce mortality and morbidity from colorectal cancer. Even though there are a variety of options in screening tests, the question remains on which test is the most effective for the early detection of colorectal cancer. In this prospective study, we aimed to develop a simple, useful, effective, and reliable scoring system to detect colon polyp and colorectal cancer. Methods: We enrolled 6508 subjects over the age of 18 from 16 centers, with colonoscopy screening. The age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index polyp incidence, polyp size, number and localization, and pathologic findings were recorded. Results: The age, male gender, obesity, smoking, and family history were found as independent risk factors for adenomatous polyp. We have developed a new scoring system which can be used for these factors. With a score of 4 or above, we found the following: sensitivity 81%, specificity 40%, positive predictive value 25.68%, and negative predictive value 89.84%, for adenomatous polyp detection; and sensitivity 96%, specificity 39%, positive predictive value 3.35%, negative predictive value 99.29%, for colorectal cancer detection. Conclusion: Even though the first colorectal cancer screening worldwide is generally performed for individuals over 50 years of age, we recommend that screening for colorectal cancer might begin for those under 50 years of age as well. Individuals with a score >= 4 must be included in the screening tests for colorectal cancer

Second-Line Levofloxacin-Based Triple Therapy's Efficiency for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Patients With Peptic Ulcer

Objectives: First-line standard eradication efficacy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin regressed over 10 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a levofloxacin-based regimen in patients with peptic ulcer after failure of the standard first-line H. pylori eradication therapy in a country with a high rate of infection

Co-infection with hepatitis B does not alter treatment response in chronic hepatitis C

Uyanikoglu, Ahmet/0000-0003-4881-5244; Baran, Bulent/0000-0001-7966-2346WOS: 000326273700014PubMed: 23665172Background/Aim: To investigate the clinical features and treatment response in patients with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection receiving anti-HCV therapy. Patients and method: Patients with HBV/HCV co-infection, who were eligible for anti-HCV therapy, were included in the study. Patients had detectable HBsAg for at least 6 months and detectable HCV-RNA before the initiation of therapy. Primary end-point was the proportion of patients achieving sustained virological response (SVR). HBV serology and HBV-DNA results obtained during the follow-up were assessed to determine HBV clearance or reactivation after anti-HCV therapy. Results: There were 612 patients in the HCV cohort and 52 (8.5%) of them were HBV/HCV co-infected. Twenty-eight patients (20 male, mean age: 47 +/- 12) received anti-HCV treatment and followed-up for a mean duration of 53 months (12-156). Fifteen patients received peginterferon/ ribavirin combination while the remaining patients received standard interferon/ribavirin combination (n = 6) or standard interferon monotherapy (n = 7). Patients receiving interferon monotherapy were under chronic hemodialysis therapy. SVR was achieved in 14 (50%) patients at the end of follow-up. The proportion of patients with SVR in three treatment arms were not significantly different (P = 0.78). Eight of 11 patients with detectable HBV-DNA cleared HBV-DNA during treatment. Seven (25%) patients experienced a rebound in HBV-DNA, and one patient experienced an acute hepatitis flare which was controlled by tenofovir therapy. Two (7%) patients cleared HBsAg and one of them was seroconverted to anti-HBs. Conclusion: Co-infection with HBV does not have a negative impact on the efficacy of anti-HCV treatment, but HBV-DNA should be monitored to overcome the risk of HBV exacerbation. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS

Is portal hypertensive enteropathy an important additional cause of blood loss in portal hypertensive patients?

Objective. Recently, mucosal changes of small bowel were defined by developing new imaging techniques including capsule endoscopy (CE) in portal hypertensive patients. However, the clinical impact of these changes is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the additional cause of blood loss in portal hypertensive patients. Material and methods. A total of 444 portal hypertensive patients, hospitalized in our clinic between 2005 and 2007, were evaluated. Patients with obscure bleeding were enrolled to this prospective case-control study. CE was performed in 21 patients who met inclusion criteria. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and computerized tomography/small bowel enema were performed in all patients. Results. Fourteen cirrhotic and seven noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients were enrolled to this study. Mean age of patients was 47.9 +/- 15.6 years, and 13 of 21 were male. Small bowel varices were found in 7 patients (1 active bleeding) and other mucosal abnormalities in 10 patients (vascular ectasia, erosion and edema, 1 active bleeding). Although two of them were normal, jejunal malignant mass was found in two patients (1 active bleeding). Of 21 patients, 19 (90.5%) patients had portal hypertensive abnormalities (including varices). However, ileal varices rate was 57.1% (4 patients) in noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients and 21.4% (3 patients) in cirrhotics. Conclusion. Ninety percent of patients had portal hypertensive abnormalities in small bowel and one-third of them had small bowel varices. Small bowel varices and vascular ectasia were the main causes of obscure bleeding in portal hypertensive patients