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Biomedical subjects

E Moreno-Osset

Publications and source records attributed to E Moreno-Osset.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Joint disease in inflammatory bowel disease].

The joint disorders taxonomically included in the group of seronegative spondyloarthropathies under the generic name of enteropathic arthropathy represent the most frequent extra-intestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affecting 33% of patients. Their frequency is similar to that of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Enteropathic arthropathy consists of two main joint alterations, peripheral and axial arthritis, as well as a variable group of other peri-articular disorders. Type 1, or pauciarticular, peripheral arthritis generally coincides with IBD exacerbations, while type 2, or polyarticular, peripheral arthritis follows an independent course from IBD. Axial involvement precedes and follows an independent course from IBD and can behave as ankylosing spondylitis or asymptomatic sacroiliitis. The treatment of these rheumatologic disorders is based on the application of general measures and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents; intraarticular corticosteroid administration may eventually become necessary. Sulphasalazine and/or infliximab, which are indicated when the previously mentioned measures fail, can be used to treat both the articular and intestinal diseases simultaneously.

Arthritis↗

[Value of C-reactive protein level in the detection of necrosis in acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the detection of necrosis in acute pancreatitis and to determine the best cut-off point for CRP used for this purpose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 157 patients with acute pancreatitis who underwent computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast material between 72 h and 8 days after the onset of symptoms and whose serum CRP values were determined by nephelometry 24 h or later after the onset of pain. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were men and 63 were women, with a mean age of 61 years (range, 15-96 years). The cause of pancreatitis was biliary lithiasis in 53.5%, alcohol in 20.4%, and idiopathic in 10.8%. Other causes were found in 15.3%. The mean (standard deviation) time elapsed between symptom onset and extraction to evaluate CRP was 3.21 (1.7) days. The patients were divided into two groups according to the results of CT: 132 patients with acute intersitial edematous pancreatitis and 25 patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The mean CRP concentrations were: 322 mg/l (range, 10.7-538) in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis and 133 mg/l (range, 3-442) in those with acute interstitial pancreatitis; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve of CRP vs. the occurrence of necrosis was 0.862 (95% CI, 0.778, 0.946). To evaluate the presence of pancreatic necrosis a cut-off level of 200 mg/l showed a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 75% while a cut-off level of 279 mg/l presented a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 88%. CONCLUSIONS: In acute pancreatitis, a CRP value of less than or equal to 200 mg/l obtained at 72 h of symptom onset is useful for ruling out, with a high degree of probability, the presence of necrosis. With higher values, additional investigations should be performed to determine the presence of pancreatic necrosis; nevertheless, with values higher than 279 mg/l the risk of necrosis markedly increases.

Acute Disease↗

[Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in more of 90% of patients in the setting of cirrhosis. The increasing prevalence seems related with the wide-spread distribution of hepatitis C virus infection, as 80% of cases arise on chronic infection caused by this agent. Either conventional resection or orthotopic liver transplantation are often curative but suitable for few patients, If the surgical approach is not adequate, percutaneous ablation using ethanol injection or radiofrequency current may be considered. However, only 15-20% of patients can benefit from these therapies. Chemoembolization is considered when the previous options are contra-indicated but benefits on survival are still a matter of debate. The impact of new agents as tamoxifen, interferon o diverse chemotherapies on both survival and symptoms also remains to be stablished.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

[Lymphadenomegaly in patients with chronic liver disease].

Abdominal lymphadenomegaly is a frequent ultrasonographic finding in patients with chronic liver disease. Its clinical significance is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between this finding and several characteristics of liver disease in 44 patients with chronic liver disease (79.5% due to hepatitis C virus). To do this, all patients underwent simultaneous liver biopsy and abdominal ultrasonography, in which the number and localization of the enlarged abdominal lymph nodes were confirmed. Viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection was determined. No significant differences were found in serum hepatitis C RNA concentrations between patients who presented lymphadenomegaly and those who did not. However, the presence of lymphadenomegaly was associated with greater histological activity. If this finding were confirmed in studies with larger samples, the presence of ultrasonographically-detected enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in patients with chronic liver disease due to hepatitis C virus infection would indicate more severe histological lesions.

Abdomen↗

[Scintigraphy with labelled leukocytes in acute pancreatitis. Preliminary results].

This study aims to evaluate the contribution of the 99mTc-HMPAO labelled leukocyte in the prognostic assessment of patients with acute pancreatitis. We have compared the usual methods of prognostic evaluation (computed tomography CT and the Ranson clinical score scale) with the scintigraphic findings in 23 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of mild or severe acute pancreatitis. All 6 patients with severe pancreatitis showed an uptake which was mostly mild. 9/17 patients with mild pancreatitis showed uptake, which also frequently had a low intensity. When the severity index of CT was compared with the leukocyte results, the only patient with a high severity index showed a grade 3 uptake. However, in over 50% of the patients with a low severity index, uptake, generally having a low intensity, was found. When the uptake degree was compared with the Ranson score level, we observed a predominance of mild uptake in both patients with mild and severe pancreatitis. Considering these results, we believe that the lack of uptake in the leukocyte study in a patient with acute pancreatitis can be interpreted as a good prognosis sign. The significance of the finding of uptake in the pancreatic area is uncertain and studies should be performed in larger sized samples.

Acute Disease↗

Hepatic and splanchnic perfusion and oxygenation after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

OBJECTIVE: in patients with cirrhosis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) decreases the pressure in the portal vein by rerouting nearly all the portal blood flow to the systemic circulation. This may lead to hypoperfusion of the liver and worsening function. Our aim was to investigate whether TIPS actually reduced hepatic and splanchnic perfusion. METHODS: we studied 25 patients who required placement of a TIPS (20 for variceal bleeding and 5 for refractory ascites). We evaluated the clinical condition, laboratory results, blood velocity in the portal vein and hepatic artery by echo-Doppler ultrasonography, systemic hemodynamic-oxygenation status and hemodynamic-oxygenation status in the portal and suprahepatic veins before TIPS, 15 min after the procedure, and 30 days later. Hepatic and splanchnic perfusion were evaluated as the arteriovenous difference in O2 content and as the O2 extraction rates in the hepatic and splanchnic territories. RESULTS: TIPS induced an immediate decrease in portal pressure, a significant increase in systemic hyperdynamic state, and an increase in blood flow velocity in the portal vein and hepatic artery. Thirty days after the procedure these changes persisted, although they were somewhat attenuated. Although splanchnic and liver perfusion were not changed 15 min or 30 days after TIPS, there was a slight tendency toward a decrease in liver perfusion during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS increased the hyperdynamic state in the systemic side. However, portal blood shunting did not change liver or splanchnic perfusion.

Female↗

Prevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies in patients with chronic liver diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The age of persons with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the general population has risen; these persons are at increased risk of clinically severe disease, especially patients with chronic liver disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of total antibodies against HAV in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: In a prospective study carried out between September 1998 and June 1999, 180 patients seen in the chronic liver disease outpatient department were studied. The prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies was determined by age group, etiology and degree of histological damage, and according to the antecedents of risk for parenteral infection. A nonconditional logistic regression model was fitted with anti-HAV positivity as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Mean age was 44.1 years, with an anti-HAV prevalence of 77.2% (varying from 42.9% in the 21-25-year-old group to more than 83% in patients > 56-years old). Differences across groups regarding other categories (histological damage, etiology and history of parenteral or drug use) were not statistically significant, but the probability of anti-HAV positivity increased with age and a history of drug addiction. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies is high among patients with chronic liver disease. We therefore recommend this test before vaccination against HAV, until current recommendations on universal childhood vaccination are implemented, in order to prevent hepatitis A epidemics in the general population.

Adult↗

[Percutaneous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: its effects on hypersplenism].

The aim of this study was to verify the early effects that the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) produces on thrombocytopenia and its possible relationship to portal pressure and the size of the spleen. A TIPS was placed in 24 cirrhotic patients (11 women and 13 men) with a mean age of 57.6 +/- 12.3 years. Prior to the test the platelets count, the size of the spleen and the portocaval gradient were determined. The same parameters were evaluated one day and one month afterwards. A significant increase was observed in then number of platelets following the placement of the prosthesis (87.6 +/- 55.2 vs 97 +/- 66.8 x 10(9)/l) (p < 0.05) which was maintained in the monthly control without achieving statistical significance (99.5 +/- 60.8 x 10(9)/l). A significant decrease was also observed in the size of the spleen from 156.7 +/- 28.7 mm during the previous control to 144.5 +/- 19.9 mm in the monthly control (p < 0.05). The portocaval gradient was significantly reduced following the procedure with the values being 23.25 +/- 3.86 mmHg prior to the TIPS, 10.29 +/- 3.84 mmHg in the immediate control and 10.37 +/- 4.81 mmHg at the one month control. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the size of the spleen and the number of platelets in both the previous control (r = 0.7264; p < 0.001) and in the monthly control (r = 0.5764; p < 0.05), between the size of the spleen and the portocaval gradient prior to the test (r = 0.5285; p < 0.05) and at one month (r = 0.7185; p < 0.01) and between the portocaval gradient and the number of platelets before the prosthesis (r = 0.5060; p < 0.05). TIPS may improve the thrombocytopenia in correlation with the decrease in portal pressure.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic treatment of esophageal achalasia.

An observational cohort study evaluated the initial results of using laparoscopic-approach cardioesophageal myotomy with Dor-type anterior fundoplicature for esophageal achalasia. The study involved our first 12 patients: five men and seven women whose median age was 51 years. Esophageal motility was vigorous in four patients; the other eight had aperistalsis. Conversion to laparotomy was required in one case. No postoperative mortality occurred. Postoperative complications included one left subdiaphragmatic abscess secondary to perforation of the esophageal mucosa, which was sutured. Median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (confidence interval, 4.7-6.7 days). Symptom relief (disappearance of dysphagia) was recorded in 10 cases; relief with partial persistence of dysphagia was observed in the remaining two patients, who were treated by postoperative dilatation. As to the postoperative manometric results, the median basal pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter was reduced from 26.3 mm Hg preoperatively to 15.5 mm Hg postoperatively, with a tendency toward statistical significance (p = 0.08); the median esophageal isotopic retention after 15 min decreased from 60% preoperatively to 24.5% after surgery, with a tendency toward statistical significance (p = 0.07). Cardiomyotomy with Dor fundoplicature through a laparoscopic approach seems effective in treating esophageal achalasia.

Esophageal Achalasia↗

[Metoclopramide versus cinitapride in the treatment of functional dyspepsia].

In 20 patients with diagnosis of functional dyspepsia due to dysmotility and/or reflux, the effectivity and tolerance of two prokinetic drugs--metochlopramide (MCP) (10 mg. three daily doses, vo) and cinitrapide (CTP) (1 mg., 3 daily doses, vo)--were assessed using a protocol of a propective and cross-sectional study after a blank period. Following the treatment with MCP and CTP, statistically significant improvements were observed in the intensity/severity of postprandial epigastric fullness, flatulence, epigastralgia, pyrosis, active regurgitations and anorexia. The MCP was more effective for the improvement of vomiting in these patients; however, the number of defecations per week increased significantly only after the CTP therapy. The therapeutical effectivity of both drugs, according to a subjective and objective global assessment was similar, with good results of 60-65% for MCP and 55-60% for CTP. Tolerance of both drugs was good. None of the patients spontaneously referred to the presence of side effects and only 3 patients (15%) treated with MCP and 2 patients (10%) treated with CTP mentioned some of the suggested side effects, which were absent before the onset of treatment. Both drugs produced an increase in the levels of Prolactine, but their average values were within the normal range. Only in two patients treated with MCP and in one patient treated with CTP, values slightly higher than the upper normal limit were observed. No significant differences were observed when comparing the results obtained with MCP therapy and CTP therapy.

Adult↗

[Colonic transit time (segmental and total) in healthy subjects and patients with chronic idiopathic constipation].

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic constipation not responding to normal therapeutic measures depends on correct functional diagnosis. The study of the segmentary and total colonic transit time with radioopaque markers is the most economic technique in everyday clinic ambience for functionally evaluating these patients. METHODS: Segmental and total colonic transit time was calculated with the use of radioopaque markers in 23 healthy subjects (12 men and 11 women) and in 13 women with severe idiopathic constipation. Twenty markers were administered daily for three consecutive days and simple x-rays of the abdomen were made on the fourth, seventh and in some cases on the tenth day. In addition, the symptomatology of 9 patients was collected by means of a 30 day diary. RESULTS: The maximum values of transit time (mean + 2SD) obtained in the healthy subjects were 17, 25, 26, and 49 hours for the right colon, left colon, rectosigmoid and the whole colon, respectively. The time of left colon transit was significantly lower in the women. The transit time in constipated patients permitted the differentiation of three functional patients: a) slowing of the right and left colon possibly associated to rectosigmoid slowing in 5 patients; b) isolated slowing in the left colon in 4 patients and c) isolated rectosigmoid slowing in 4 patients. Group a) was characterized by long total colonic transit times while these were normal in 2 patients of group b) and in one patient of group c). No differences were seen in the symptomatology of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The calculation of segmentary and total colonic transit time with radioopaque markers is a simple technique which permits the detection of different subgroups of patients with chronic idiopathic constipation refractory to normal treatment. The exact typification of the functional anomaly is an important basis for the individualization of treatment.

Adult↗

[Oropharyngeal dysphagia due to a primary change in the pharyngeal musculature. A manometric and isotopic study].

Twenty-five patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia due to a variety of disorders (4 with muscular dystrophy, 4 with myasthenia gravis and 13 with inflammatory myopathies) were studied clinically by esophageal manometry and isotopic clearance. Clinically patients had moderate dysphagia and 45% other symptoms such as nasal regurgitation, bronchial aspiration, etc. The most important manometric abnormality was the feeble contractions of the pharyngeal musculature, more pronounced in patients with severe dysphagia (grade II). Isotopic clearance of the oropharynx showed slowing of the pharyngeal emptying curve and an increased residual activity in this area. Isotopic oropharyngeal clearance is a useful, comfortable and noninvasive test for determining the clinical improvement which accompanies the manometric recovery of the pharyngeal muscular contraction.

Deglutition Disorders↗