PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

James S Scolapio

Publications and source records attributed to James S Scolapio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Glucagon for the relief of esophageal food impaction does it really work?

We sought to evaluate our experience with glucagon used in the emergency department setting to relieve esophageal food impaction (EFI). We reviewed the records of patients with food impaction who received glucagon between January 1998 and May 2003 and recorded patient demographics, medical history, symptoms following glucagon administration, and endoscopic findings. There were 92 episodes of food impaction in 85 patients. Thirty-three percent of the episodes resulted in resolution of symptoms following a dose of glucagon. Sixty-seven percent had symptoms of food impaction after glucagon and underwent upper endoscopy in the emergency room. Only previous solid food dysphagia was positively associated with response to glucagon. Patients who received glucagon plus a benzodiazepine were more likely to have resolution of the EFI. In our experience, glucagon appears to relieve food impaction in one third of patients treated. This result is comparable to previously published data examining glucagon and placebo. The lack of advantage over placebo questions the practice of glucagon administration for EFI.

Adolescent↗

Teduglutide for the treatment of short bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the pharmacology, development, and clinical application of teduglutide (ALX-0600), a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog for the treatment of short bowel syndrome (SBS). DATA SOURCES: Clinical literature, including both primary sources and review articles, was accessed through a search of the MEDLINE databases (1980-March 2006). Key search terms included teduglutide, ALX-0600, glucagon-like peptide-2, short bowel syndrome, short gut, and intestinal adaptation. Clinical trial and drug data were supplied by the manufacturer, NPS Pharmaceuticals. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Review articles, abstracts, and clinical studies related to GLP-2 and its analog, teduglutide, were analyzed. An evaluation of the research exploring teduglutide for the management of SBS was conducted. Relevant information was then selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: Research has revealed that administration of GLP-2 to patients following major small bowel resection improves intestinal adaptation and nutrient absorption. Teduglutide is an enzyme-resistant GLP-2 analog that shows promise in preventing intestinal injury, restoring mucosal integrity, and enhancing intestinal absorptive function. CONCLUSIONS: Data from ongoing clinical trials indicate that teduglutide may have the ability to enhance intestinal absorptive capacity in patients with SBS. Further studies and the completion of Phase III trials are necessary to determine the appropriate dosage and length of treatment for patients with SBS to gain optimal therapeutic benefit from this drug.

Animals↗

Short bowel syndrome: recent clinical outcomes with growth hormone.

There has been recent clinical enthusiasm for treating short bowel patients with either human recombinant growth hormone alone or in combination with glutamine and diet in hopes of reducing their parenteral nutrition requirements. Part of this interest has been the result of studies done in short bowel animal models showing increased bowel growth and function following such treatment. Since 1995, 5 key clinical studies have been published in peer-reviewed literature reporting the effects of growth hormone alone or in combination with glutamine and diet in patients with short bowel syndrome. Three of these controlled studies have reported negative results, and 1 controlled and 1 uncontrolled study reported positive results. This review discusses each of these articles and provides some explanation on how these studies and results may have differed.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Is zinc concentration in pancreatic fluid a marker for pancreatic diseases?

OBJECTIVES: An imbalance of free radicals and scavenging processes has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic tissue injury. Gradual decreases in antioxidant enzyme expression in pancreatic cells from normal pancreas to chronic pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer have been reported. Zinc is one of the components of antioxidant enzymes and may play a role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases. A recent report showed a significant decrease in pancreatic zinc output in patients with chronic pancreatitis and proposed that zinc output can be used as an alternative to enzyme output for the diagnosis. We aimed to determine the zinc concentration in pancreatic fluid of patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer compared to normal pancreas. PATIENTS: Seventy-five consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated. Chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed in 20 patients by ERCP (n=16) and histology (n=4). Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in 17 patients by cytology from EUS-FNA (n=12) or surgical pathology (n=5). Thirty-eight patients were confirmed to have normal pancreas. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy following intravenous secretin injection (0.2 microg/kg). Pancreatic fluid collected for 10 minutes was immediately frozen at -80 degrees C and stored until the assay was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Zinc concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. RESULTS: Among the three groups, patients with pancreatic cancer were significant older (P<0.001) with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (P=0.002). Gender distribution (P=0.098), body mass index (P=0.925), and history of alcohol use (P=0.997) were similar among groups. Zinc concentrations in pancreatic fluid were not significantly different among groups (P=0.129). CONCLUSIONS: Zinc concentration in pancreatic fluid was comparable in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer compared to normal pancreas. Zinc concentration in pancreatic fluid collected by our 10-minute endoscopic method cannot reliably be used for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and/or pancreatic cancer.

Acute Disease↗

Contribution of ascites to impaired gastric function and nutritional intake in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Protein calorie malnutrition and weight loss are common among patients with cirrhosis and ascites. The cause of these symptoms is unclear, with several putative mechanisms proposed. The primary aims of this study were to compare gastric volumes and accommodation between patients with cirrhosis complicated by ascites and healthy controls, and to evaluate the effect of large-volume paracentesis in the patient group. METHODS: Patients with cirrhosis and ascites underwent assessment of gastric volumes as measured by single-photon emission computed tomography, gastric sensation assessed by a validated nutrient drink test, and a 3-day assessment of caloric intake before and after large-volume paracentesis. Age- and sex-adjusted linear regression models were used to compare gastric volumes and accommodation ratios between patients and healthy volunteers. Paired Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare gastric measures before and after paracentesis among the patient group. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (median age, 54 y) were compared with 112 healthy (age- and sex-matched) controls. Median postprandial gastric volumes (627 mL patients vs 721 healthy controls) and gastric accommodation were reduced significantly in patients compared with healthy controls (P = .02 and .006, respectively). After paracentesis: (1) fasting gastric volumes were increased (median 312 mL post- vs 241 mL pre-, P = .04), (2) patients tolerated ingestion of larger maximum volumes (median 964 mL post- vs 738 mL pre-, P = .04), and (3) caloric intake was increased (median 34% kcal post- vs 3110 kcal pre-, P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Postprandial gastric volumes and accommodation ratios are reduced in patients with cirrhosis and ascites compared with healthy controls. In addition, large-volume paracentesis increases fasting gastric volumes, volumes ingested until maximal satiation, and caloric intake.

Aged↗

Metabolic and catheter complications of parenteral nutrition.

Since its introduction in the 1960s, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has played a vital role in improving clinical outcomes for patients with acute and chronic illnesses. The evolution of TPN solutions and vascular access techniques, combined with an increased awareness and better understanding of the physiology of TPN, have improved the safety of this therapy. Nevertheless, complications are not uncommon and can be life threatening. This article provides an updated review on the metabolic and catheter complications associated with TPN.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

Current update of short-bowel syndrome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to review the current data on trophic factors in adult patients with short-bowel syndrome. The present article reviews the clinical role of glutamine, growth hormone, and GLP-2 in the treatment of short-bowel syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: This review is clinically relevant, given the recent publications in this area. The summary of the current literature does not support that the currently available trophic factors are clinically beneficial for patients with short-bowel syndrome. SUMMARY: Systemic side effects from growth hormone factors have been reported. Current trophic should be considered investigational and not standard of practice in the author's opinion.

Journal Article↗

Diagnosis and treatment of postprandial nausea, allergy, and eosinophilia.

We report a case of a 16-year-old male patient who presented with postprandial fullness and nausea. He had a history of seasonal allergies, asthma, and peripheral eosinophilia. Endoscopy of the stomach with mucosal biopsies revealed predominate eosinophils. A diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis was made. The patient's disease course and management is described in this article.

Adolescent↗

Gastric motility disorders: management that optimizes nutritional status.

Gastric motility disorders are relatively common, and treatment is often challenging. Various etiologies account for numerous clinical sequelae, with weight loss and severe protein-calorie malnutrition often seen in advanced stages of these disorders. In addition to gastrointestinal motor function, an appreciation of visceral sensation is essential to better understand the symptoms found in these patients, as well as possible therapeutic alternatives. This article provides an overview of gut motor and sensory function, techniques available for diagnosing motor disorders, and the principles of nutritional and medical management. Specific nutritional recommendations and a review of pharmacologic agents and novel treatment modalities are provided.

Antiemetics↗

Parenteral nutrition-associated hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition has been associated with the development of several hepatobiliary complications. The aim of this article was to review the current available literature associated with parenteral nutrition-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS: We performed a literature search and reviewed all related articles published within the past 5 years, from 1999 to 2003. RESULTS: As a result of this review, we were able to determine the suspected etiology and pathogenesis, commonly used diagnostic tests and procedures, and current methods used for prevention and treatment of parenteral nutrition-associated hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of current advances in research, much is left to be determined in the areas of etiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of parenteral nutrition-induced hepatobiliary complications. Practitioners should be encouraged to participate in further research, particularly in studies involving human subjects.

Journal Article↗

Tales from the crypt.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

Nutritional problems in end-stage liver disease: contribution of impaired gastric emptying and ascites.

GOALS: To evaluate gastric emptying before and after paracentesis in patients with cirrhosis. BACKGROUND: Patients with ascites often report early satiety. The effect of paracentesis on gastric emptying has not been studied previously. STUDY: Twelve patients who required therapeutic paracentesis were studied (mean age, 57 years; range, 47-69 years). Gastric emptying was performed with radionuclide scintigraphy. Satiety was evaluated with a visual analogue scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for comparison between pre-and poststudies. RESULTS: The causes of cirrhosis included alcohol (seven patients), a combination of alcohol and hepatitis C (two), chronic hepatitis C only (one), primary biliary cirrhosis (one), and cryptogenic (one). The median volume of ascitic fluid removed at paracentesis was 5,450 mL (range, 2,500-7,200 mL). Median 2-hour gastric emptying was 65.5% before paracentesis and 61.5% after ( p > 0.05). Median 4-hour gastric emptying was 92.5% before paracentesis and 96.5% after ( p > 0.05). Both satiety score and caloric intake were significantly improved after paracentesis ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although satiety and calorie intake improve after large-volume paracentesis in patients with cirrhosis, these changes do not seem to correspond with improved gastric emptying. Therefore, other mechanisms most likely contribute to satiety.

Aged↗

Arterioportal fistula causing acute pancreatitis and hemobilia after liver biopsy.

We report the case of a 49-year-old patient who developed hemobilia and acute pancreatitis from an arterioportal fistula after a percutaneous liver biopsy, and we analyze diagnostic testing and management based on a concise review of the available literature. Hemobilia can present as late as 10 days after liver biopsy. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of hemobilia. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of an arterioportal fistula after percutaneous liver biopsy with the late manifestation of hemobilia and acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

Outcome of patients with radiation enteritis treated with home parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal failure requiring either surgery or home parenteral nutrition (HPN) develops in approximately 5% of patients treated with radiation. The aim of the study was to determine survival, duration of HPN, and complications associated with HPN in patients with intestinal failure after radiation therapy. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with radiation enteritis who received HPN were studied (39 women and 15 men with a mean age of 57.9 yr). Retrospective data were collected from the patients' medical records dated between 1975 and 1999. The probability of survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: HPN was initiated a median of 20 months (range = 2-432) from the start of radiation therapy. The mean number of intestinal operations for radiation-related complications was 2.2/patient (range = 0-6). The causes of intestinal failure resulting from radiation therapy were intestinal obstruction (27 patients), short bowel (17), malabsorption (five), fistula (three), and dysmotility (two). The mean duration of HPN was 20.4 months (range = 2-108). At last follow-up, 37 patients (68%) were dead, most as a result of recurrent cancer. One patient died of catheter sepsis, and no other deaths were directly related to HPN. The overall estimated 5-yr probability of survival on HPN calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 64%. CONCLUSIONS: HPN is a reasonable treatment option in patients with intestinal failure as a result of radiation enteritis. Survival and complications associated with HPN in patients with radiation enteritis seem to be similar to those in other HPN-treated groups.

Adult↗