Causes of iron deficiency anemia in an adult inpatient population. Effect of diagnostic workup on etiologic distribution

The causes of iron deficiency anemia in a population of adults admitted to two Jerusalem hospitals within a period of 7 years were examined. About one half of the 262 patients with iron deficiency anemia were over 70 years old. The ratio of males to females exclusive of young females with menorrhagia was 1:1.8. Despite the combined use of various diagnostic procedures, no definite cause of iron deficiency anemia could be established in 34% of patients. Benign gastrointestinal lesions were found in about one half of the cases in both hospitals. The prevalence of GI neoplasms in hospital B with a more intensive use of endoscopic procedures was significantly higher than in hospital A (18% vs 5%, p less than 0.001). The relative usefulness of barium contrast vs endoscopic studies is illustrated by the fact that 22 diagnoses established by endoscopy were missed by barium studies, whereas only 2 of those established by barium studies were not visualized by endoscopy. A particularly high risk group were anemic males aged 50 to 69 years in whom the prevalence of GI neoplasms was 30%. These data indicate that reliance on traditional contrast radioscopy may result in misdiagnosis of a high proportion of gastrointestinal neoplasms.     

Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients over 80 years-old

Objectives

To evaluate the patient characteristics, outcome, and prognosis of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in the elderly.

Material and methods

A prospective study was conducted on 103 patients aged 80 years and over, admitted to a Gastrointestinal Bleeding Unit after an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We analysed the personal history, the characteristics of the bleeding event, and whether an urgent diagnostic or therapeutic endoscopy was performed, in order to identify clinical data and endoscopic findings that may have an influence on the outcome of the haemorrhage.

Results

The major cause of the haemorrhage was peptic ulcer in 65.1%, and 60.2% of patients were on chronic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. An urgent diagnostic endoscopy was performed in all of them, identifying the source of bleeding in 94.2%, and treatment was carried out on 28.2%. The likelihood of rebleeding was 8%, and 4.9% of patients underwent emergency surgery, with an overall mortality rate of 5.8%.

Conclusions

The performance of urgent endoscopy and the application of endoscopic haemostasis are safe and effective in stopping upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly. This has significantly reduced the need for emergency surgery, improving the survival of the bleeding elderly patient and preventing recurrent bleeding.     

放大内镜对结节性胃炎的诊断价值

随着内镜技术的发展,放大内镜在临床中的应用尤为受到重视,并越来越多运用于临床诊断。目前新型的放大内镜可清晰显示消化道粘膜腺管开口和微细血管等细微结构的变化,从而,发现和诊断普通内镜难以发现的一些早期病变,特别是早期恶性肿瘤及其癌前病变。近年来在放大内镜检查中加上染色对比技术及窄带成像等技术,使放大内镜的运用得到进一步拓展。本文就放大内镜对结节性胃炎及其相关病变的诊断价值作一综述。     

¿Cuál es el papel de la valoración geriátrica integral en Oncogeriatría?

The growing increase in world population and generalised aging have been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of cancer in the elderly. Aging is associated with certain physiological changes, some of which are enhanced by the neoplasm itself. Along with this, the elderly oncology patient usually has more problems than the rest of the elderly, and has a multitude of deficits. These characteristics require a special handling of the older patient with cancer, by using the main tool used in Geriatrics, the comprehensive geriatric assessment. This article analyses the importance of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in this population group, paying special attention to its ability to predict the toxicity of chemotherapy and the survival of the elderly oncology, as well as its ability to classify these patients into groups that help in the decision making process.     

Radiology and endoscopy in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Of 112 patients admitted with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the presumed bleeding site was detected in 61-5% of cases by radiology and in 57% of cases on endoscopy. Thirty-one patients who had barium-meal examination were operated on and the surgical and radiological findings agreed in 26 (84%). Twenty-three patients who had endoscopy were operated on and the surgical and endoscopic findings agreed in 15 (65%). In 10 cases radiology detected a lesion not identified on endoscopy and in nine endoscopy detected a lesion not seen at radiology. We suggest that when there are two potential sources of bleeding radiology as well as endoscopy can detect the actively bleeding lesion. The supplementary nature of radiology and endoscopy is emphasised and we conclude that both methods should be used if there is any doubt at the initial radiological or endoscopic examination about the source of the bleeding.     

Open-access endoscopy service for general practitioners.

An open-access general-practitioner referral service for endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract was established in a district general hospital, and the impact of the service over three years was assessed. The reason for referral, duration of symptoms, and amount of disease detected were the same in patients referred by general practitioners and those attending from hospital outpatient departments. Despite a steady increase in the number of patients referred for endoscopy, the number of barium-meal examinations performed did not correspondingly decrease. The number of ulcers and cancers detected in each six-month period of the study did not increase, and the combined overall pick-up rate for these two conditions fell from 25% to 13%. All general practitioners in the area were sent questionnaires. Most thought that clinic referral had been reduced and patient management helped as a result of the introduction of the service. While the value of negative endoscopic findings cannot be assessed, there is little objective evidence of benefit. Hence the large increase in numbers of endoscopies performed as a result of the introduction of the service cannot be justified.     

In vivo imaging of intestinal helminths by capsule endoscopy

This review examines the use of digestive endoscopy to visualize intestinal helminths. The infections caused by these parasites are responsible for high levels of morbidity and mortality. These helminths can be visualized using gastroduodenal endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and colonoscopy. Endoscopic examination of the small bowel is limited by its considerable length and its distance from the mouth and anus. Since capsule endoscopy (CE) was first reported in 2000, it has been established as a noninvasive modality for the investigation of the gastrointestinal tract. CE is used as a first-line tool for imaging various small-bowel diseases, mainly obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and Crohn's disease. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CE in 2001, the indications for its use have expanded widely. For example, CE can be used to visualize the in vivo kinetics of intestinal helminths. If the current trends in technological development continue, CE will become more widely used to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of helminth infections in the near future.     

Randomised trial of endoscopy with testing for Helicobacter pylori compared with non-invasive H pylori testing alone in the management of dyspepsia

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of non-invasive testing for Helicobacter pylori with that of endoscopy (plus H pylori testing) in the management of patients referred for endoscopic investigation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.DesignRandomised controlled trial with follow up at 12 months.SettingHospital gastroenterology unit.Participants708 patients aged under 55 referred for endoscopic investigation of dyspepsia, randomised to non-invasive breath test for H pylori or endoscopy plus H pylori testing.ResultsIn 586 patients followed up at 12 months the mean change in dyspepsia score was 4.8 in the non-invasive H pylori test group and 4.6 in the endoscopy group (95% confidence interval for difference –0.7 to 0.5, P=0.69). Only 8.2% of patients followed up who were randomised to breath test alone were referred for subsequent endoscopy. The use of non-endoscopic resources was similar in the two groups. Reassurance value, concern about missed pathology, overall patient satisfaction, and quality of life were similar in the two groups. The patients found the non-invasive breath test procedure less uncomfortable and distressing than endoscopy with or without sedation. No potentially serious pathology requiring treatment other than eradication of H pylori was missed.ConclusionIn this patient group, non-invasive testing for H pylori is as effective and safe as endoscopy and less uncomfortable and distressing for the patient. Non-invasive H pylori testing should be the preferred mode of investigation.

What is already known on this topic

Endoscopy is a commonly used investigation for upper gastrointestinal symptoms, but its effectiveness has been questionedNon-invasive testing for Helicobacter pylori has been shown to predict endoscopic diagnosis in patients with dyspepsia

What this study adds

In patients less than 55 years of age with uncomplicated dyspepsia, non-invasive testing for H pylori is as effective and as safe as endoscopyNon-invasive H pylori testing is as reassuring to the patient as endoscopy and is less uncomfortable and distressing     

Open access gastroscopy: too much to swallow?

OBJECTIVES--To ascertain the proportion of endoscopic examinations with normal findings in patients referred for gastroscopy through hospital medical staff or directly by their general practitioner and to assess the likely effect of targeting endoscopy in older patients. DESIGN--Retrospective audit of the gastroscopy practice of one consultant from 1986 to 1988 from information recorded on a standard form completed at the time of the examination, which contained details of patients, their endoscopic findings, and mode of referral (open access or clinic). SETTING--One district general hospital. PATIENTS--1545 Consecutive patients from primary catchment area attending for their first gastroscopy; 454 were referred through the outpatient clinic or by hospital colleagues (clinic group) and 1091 were accepted for endoscopy solely on their general practitioner''s clinical diagnosis (open access group). RESULTS--Similar numbers (about 40%) of examinations with normal findings were performed in each group, although in patients aged over 40 the proportion with normal findings was significantly higher in the clinic group (p less than 0.03). Endoscopic evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulceration, and gastroduodenal inflammation was equally common in each group; upper gastrointestinal malignancy, however, was significantly more common in patients referred through hospital doctors (5%, 23/454 v 2%, 22/1091 respectively; p less than 0.005) (although many of these patients had already been extensively investigated). IMPLICATIONS--Open access gastroscopy does not increase the number of unnecessary examinations and should become more widely available. Targeting this service to patients aged over 40 would reduce the number of requests but increase the diagnostic yield.     

Radiation and endoscopic diagnosis of pneumonia

The authors analyze the results of different types of radiation and endoscopic studies of 151 patients with pneumonia with an established etiological agent. There is a correlation of X-ray semiotics and endoscopic changes with the clinical manifestation and causative agent of the disease. When the studies are combined, emphasis is laid on the role of endoscopy in verifying the diagnosis, in specifying an etiological agent, and in implementing therapeutical measures to prevent complications. An algorithm of radiation imaging techniques is proposed to examine patients with pneumonia and of their purpose-oriented use according to the task set.     

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: its effects on patient management.

Out of 95 patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy after a barium-meal examination, 44 underwent a change in management. Some changes were minor but in 12 patients a decision on surgery was required. Seven of these patients were among a group of 13 for whom the referring consultant would have recommended laparotomy had endoscopy not been available, while the other five were subjected to an unplanned laparotomy. These findings support the practice of performing endoscopy on patients whose symptoms are not fully explained by barium-meal examination, especially patients aged over 45. In such cases the procedure also seems to be cost-effective.     

常见消化道黏膜下肿物的临床特点及治疗方法

目的:探讨常见消化道黏膜下肿物(submucosal tumors,SMTs)的临床特点、治疗方式及安全性。方法:选择2014年5月至2016年3月在哈医大一院经内镜切除的并经病理及免疫组化明确诊断的消化道粘膜下肿物的患者共49例。所有患者术后3个月、6个月及12个月后随诊复查胃镜。统计每种肿物的患者临床症状,各种黏膜下肿物的性别分布、大小,及在消化道的分布。计算超声内镜的诊断率,总结病理结果。结果:49例患者中,间质瘤25例,类癌9例,平滑肌瘤8例,异位胰腺4例,脂肪瘤2例,颗粒细胞瘤1例。间质瘤分布以胃底、胃体多见。类癌以直肠最多见,胃内也可见。平滑肌瘤多分布于食管,也可见于胃。异位胰腺多分布于胃窦。通过内镜黏膜下挖除术(Endoscopic submucosal excavation,ESE)切除42例,粘膜下隧道切除术(Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection,STER)切除4例,还有3例行内镜下黏膜切除(Endoscopic Mucosal Resection,EMR)。所有患者术后均无迟发性出血、严重感染及死亡病例发生。随访3-22个月,所有患者均无复发。结论:黏膜下肿物在内镜及超声内镜各有特点。超声内镜对黏膜下肿物的诊断与治疗具有重要的指导意义。双镜联合使SMTs的内镜下各种治疗方式(EMR、ESE、STER)更有安全保障,使患者受益最大。     

Importance of hypovolaemic shock and endoscopic signs in predicting recurrent haemorrhage from peptic ulceration: a prospective evaluation.

The incidence of rebleeding was studied prospectively in 177 patients with acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage from peptic ulceration with reference to the degree of haemodynamic insult on admission and the presence of endoscopic signs of recent haemorrhage on initial endoscopy. Rebleeding occurred in two (2%) of 114 patients without shock, in seven (18%) of 38 with tachycardia (pulse rate greater than 100 beats/min, systolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg), and in 12 (48%) of 25 with shock (systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg). A similar gradient was noted with the presence of endoscopic signs alone. Rebleeding occurred in four (5%) of 79 patients with no endoscopic signs, in none of 40 with black spot only, in 11 (23%) of 48 with a clot, and in five (50%) of 10 with a visible vessel on endoscopy. When the incidence of rebleeding was assessed in shocked patients, however, it was significantly higher in those with important signs (clot or visible vessel), in 11 (79%) out of 14 patients, than in those with no signs, in one (9%) out of 11 (p less than 0.001). These data suggest that the association of shock with important endoscopic signs is a stronger predictor of rebleeding than either shock or important signs alone. More aggressive treatment may be warranted in this small group of patients.     

3D Rapid Prototyping for Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery: Applications in Image-Guidance,Surgical Simulation and Patient-Specific Modeling

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of advanced fabrication technology across a broad spectrum of head and neck surgical procedures, including applications in endoscopic sinus surgery, skull base surgery, and maxillofacial reconstruction. The initial case studies demonstrated three applications of rapid prototyping technology are in head and neck surgery: i) a mono-material paranasal sinus phantom for endoscopy training ii) a multi-material skull base simulator and iii) 3D patient-specific mandible templates. Digital processing of these phantoms is based on real patient or cadaveric 3D images such as CT or MRI data. Three endoscopic sinus surgeons examined the realism of the endoscopist training phantom. One experienced endoscopic skull base surgeon conducted advanced sinus procedures on the high-fidelity multi-material skull base simulator. Ten patients participated in a prospective clinical study examining patient-specific modeling for mandibular reconstructive surgery. Qualitative feedback to assess the realism of the endoscopy training phantom and high-fidelity multi-material phantom was acquired. Conformance comparisons using assessments from the blinded reconstructive surgeons measured the geometric performance between intra-operative and pre-operative reconstruction mandible plates. Both the endoscopy training phantom and the high-fidelity multi-material phantom received positive feedback on the realistic structure of the phantom models. Results suggested further improvement on the soft tissue structure of the phantom models is necessary. In the patient-specific mandible template study, the pre-operative plates were judged by two blinded surgeons as providing optimal conformance in 7 out of 10 cases. No statistical differences were found in plate fabrication time and conformance, with pre-operative plating providing the advantage of reducing time spent in the operation room. The applicability of common model design and fabrication techniques across a variety of otolaryngological sub-specialties suggests an emerging role for rapid prototyping technology in surgical education, procedure simulation, and clinical practice.     

Endoscopic injection of adrenaline for actively bleeding ulcers: a randomised trial

A prospective randomised trial was performed to assess the efficacy of endoscopic injection of adrenaline for actively bleeding ulcers. Emergency endoscopy in 961 patients admitted for upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage identified 68 patients with actively bleeding ulcers. These 68 patients were randomised to receive either endoscopic injection of adrenaline or no endoscopic treatment. After endoscopy both groups were managed in an identical manner, and strict criteria for emergency operation were adhered to in both groups. Bleeding was initially controlled in all 34 patients assigned to the treatment group. Significantly fewer patients in the treatment group than in the control group needed emergency operations (five v 14, respectively). In addition, in the treatment group the median transfusion requirement was significantly less (three v five units of blood) and the median hospital stay shorter (six v eight days). No complications were observed with the injection of adrenaline, and the rate of healing of ulcers in those attending for endoscopy six weeks after discharge was similar in both groups (81% (17 out of 21 patients) in the treatment group v 79% (11 out of 14) in the control group).Injection of adrenaline is effective in stopping bleeding from actively bleeding ulcers.     

Double blind randomised controlled trial of effect of metoprolol on myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the effect of metoprolol, a beta adrenergic blocking drug, on the occurrence of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. DESIGN--Double blind, randomised, controlled trial. SETTING--University Hospital. SUBJECTS--38 (two groups of 19) patients scheduled for endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. INTERVENTIONS--Metoprolol 100 mg or placebo as premedication two hours before endoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation by continuous pulse oximetry, ST segment changes during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (an ST segment deviation > 1 mV was defined as myocardial ischaemia), electrocardiogram monitored continuously with a Holter tape recorder. RESULTS--All patients had increased heart rate during endoscopy compared with rate before endoscopy, but heart rate during endoscopy was significantly lower in the metoprolol group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.0002). Twenty one patients (16 placebo, 5 metoprolol; P = 0.0008) developed tachycardia (heart rate > 100/min) during the procedure, and 11 patients (10 placebo, 1 metoprolol; P = 0.003) developed myocardial ischaemia. One patient in the placebo group had an acute inferolateral myocardial infarction. In the 10 other patients with signs of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy the ST deviation disappeared when the endoscope was retracted. In all patients myocardial ischaemia was related to increases in heart rate, and 10 of the 11 patients had tachycardia coherent with myocardial ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS--Metoprolol prevented myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography, probably through lowering the heart rate. Thus, tachycardia seems to be a key pathogenic factor in the development of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy.     

15例Dieulafoy病的内镜下诊断及治疗

目的:探讨消化道内窥镜对于胃Dieulafoy病的诊断和治疗作用。方法:对山东省立医院近3年收治的15例Dieulafoy病的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果:13例内镜下止血治疗成功,无再出血(随访时间为12个月到36个月);1例内镜下治疗后再次出血,给予第二次内镜治疗后,随访18个月未再出血;1例因患者家属商议后坚持行外科手术治疗(近端胃切除术)。结论:内镜下治疗可作为处理胃Dieulafoy病的首选方案,仔细而谨慎的内镜下操作有助于提高胃Dieulafoy病的诊断。     

Intestinal bacteria and ageing

Advancements in science and medicine, as well as improved living standards, have led to a steady increase in life expectancy, and subsequently a rise in the elderly population. The intestinal microbiota is important for maintenance of host health, providing energy, nutrients and protection against invading organisms. Although the colonic microbiota is relatively stable throughout adult life, age-related changes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as well as changes in diet and host immune system reactivity, inevitably affect population composition. Recent studies indicate shifts in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, which may lead to detrimental effects for the elderly host. Increased numbers of facultative anaerobes, in conjunction with a decrease in beneficial organisms such as the anaerobic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, amongst other anaerobes, have been reported. These changes, along with a general reduction in species diversity in most bacterial groups, and changes to diet and digestive physiology such as intestinal transit time, may result in increased putrefaction in the colon and a greater susceptibility to disease. Therapeutic strategies to counteract these changes have been suggested in ageing people. These include dietary supplements containing prebiotics, probiotics and a combination of both of these, synbiotics. Limited feeding trials show promising results with these supplements, although further longer-term investigations are required to substantiate their use in elderly healthcare fields.