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R E Sampliner

Publications and source records attributed to R E Sampliner.

174 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Prospective blinded trial of the colonoscopic miss-rate of large colorectal polyps.

We prospectively studied the colonoscopic miss-rate of large colorectal polyps in a blinded trial featuring tandem colonoscopy. Sixty-three lesions greater than or equal to 1 cm in size were discovered and none were missed. Confidence intervals of 95% are a miss-rate of 0 to 4.6%. We conclude that less than 5% of large colorectal polyps are missed during the index colonoscopic examination in a well-prepared colon.

Aged↗

The persistence and significance of elevated alanine aminotransferase levels in blood donors.

The level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood donors has been related to the frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis in recipients. Sixty-seven donors with elevated ALT levels were evaluated to define the duration and significance of the elevation. The ALT level remained elevated in 41 donors (61%) for a mean interval of 9 months. The ALT level was greater than the aspartate aminotransferase in all of the donors. Alcohol intake did not correlate with ALT level. Donors with persistently elevated ALT levels had a significantly higher mean percent ideal body weight (128 +/- 3.9) than donors whose ALT level became normal (116 +/- 3.1). Nine donors with elevated ALT levels for at least 6 months had needle biopsies of the liver. Seven had prominent fatty vacuolization of hepatocytes without evidence of alcoholic hepatitis. One biopsy demonstrated chronic persistent hepatitis. No other cause for the elevated ALT levels could be identified. An overweight male donor with an isolated ALT elevation may need no further investigation unless clinical evaluation suggests a source of liver injury.

Adolescent↗

The liver histology and frequency of clearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in chronic carriers.

Two hundred four volunteer blood donors with hepatitis B surface antigen found in their blood were followed for 3 to 44 months. The annual clearance rate of this antigen was 1.7%. Liver enzyme levels (aminotransferase) were elevated in 45 (22.1%) on at least one occasion, in 26 (12.7%) for one month or more, and in 13 for more than six months. Liver biopsies were performed on 17 chronic carriers with normal enzymes and nonspecific histologic abnormalities were found in 14 and mild diffuse hepatitis in three. Seventeen carriers with abnormal enzymes were biopsied, and specimens revealed chronic active hepatitis (CAH) in seven, including two with bridging necrosis and three with cirrhosis. CAH was found in 7 of 26 (26.9%) carriers with abnormal liver enzymes persisting for at least one month and 4 of 13 (30.8%) with abnormal liver enzymes for more than six months.

Biopsy↗

Inability to noninvasively diagnose gastric intestinal metaplasia in Hispanics or reverse the lesion with Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection has been linked with the development of gastric adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesion, intestinal metaplasia (IM). The presence of gastric IM is not associated with symptoms, which makes identification of individuals with this lesion difficult. It is not clear whether eradication of H. pylori infection leads to reversal of gastric IM or the potential decrease in the risk of cancer in these patients. GOALS: The purpose of this pilot study was to define the prevalence of gastric IM in a population at high risk for gastric cancer (Southwestern Hispanics), examine the ability of noninvasive testing to identify individuals with the lesion, and determine whether eradication of H. pylori infection reverses gastric IM in this population. STUDY: Subjects from the Tucson metropolitan area were recruited, and baseline data, including the presence of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms, urinary sodium, and serum pepsinogen levels, were obtained. Upper endoscopy was performed and six gastric biopsies from specific anatomic sites were obtained, followed by methylene blue staining with targeted biopsies from blue-stained mucosa. Biopsies were evaluated for the presence of H. pylori infection and gastric IM. A subset of patients with gastric IM were treated to eradicate H. pylori infection. Follow-up exams with methylene blue staining, including biopsies for histology and rapid urease testing, were performed for up to 48 months. RESULTS: There were 84 subjects with a mean age of 53.0 years; 24 (29%) had gastric IM and 65 (77%) had H. pylori. There was no significant association between gastric IM and age, gender, UGI symptoms, H. pylori, or urine sodium. There was an association identified between gastric IM and a decreased pepsinogen I:II ratio (p = 0.03). Of the 11 individuals with gastric IM treated for H. pylori infection, 9 had successful therapy and underwent at least 2 follow-up examinations. The mean length of follow-up was 3.3 years. Eight of the nine (89%) had gastric IM identified histologically at the final endoscopic exam. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection and gastric IM are frequent findings in Southwestern Hispanics, a high-risk population for gastric cancer. Noninvasive testing is not clinically useful in distinguishing individuals within this group who harbor gastric IM. Although eradication of H. pylori infection may lead to a decrease in the amount of gastric IM in some individuals, the lesion may be detected in the majority of individuals after more than 3 years of follow-up. These data suggest that therapy for H. pylori may not eliminate the risk of gastric cancer once IM has developed.

Adult↗

Reduction of acid exposure and regression of Barrett's esophagus.

The goals of treatment of Barrett's esophagus (BE) include relieving reflux symptoms, healing inflammatory lesions, and preventing esophageal adenocarcinoma. Reduction of acid reflux is believed to prevent progression of BE. A critical question is whether or not regression of BE occurs in response to therapy with proton pump inhibitors. The natural history of BE is altered both by the use of medications (over-the-counter or prescribed) and by endoscopic surveillance with periodic biopsies. Regression occurs when the length and surface area of BE decreases, along with the emergence of islands of squamous epithelium in the BE segment. However, the extent of regression is difficult to assess because intestinal metaplasia may underlie the islands of squamous epithelial regrowth. Sampling by endoscopic biopsy is useful in ruling out progression of BE to dysplasia or adenocarcinoma; however, complete regression of the lesion cannot be definitively proven by this technique. To date, published clinical trials of proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with BE provide evidence of increases in squamous islands in the BE segment, but do not provide convincing data in support of complete regression of BE. In a review of prospective studies of the treatment of BE with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (with or without surgery), only 3 of 123 patients had apparent complete reversal of BE. This article reviews the current understanding of regression in BE following treatment with PPIs.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗

Gastric intestinal metaplasia in ethnic groups in the southwestern United States.

The incidence of gastric cancer has declined dramatically in the United States during this century. However, the incidence of gastric cancer among Hispanics, Blacks, and Native Americans remains 2-3-fold higher than among Whites in this country. Populations with an increased risk of gastric cancer have predominantly the "intestinal" type of gastric cancer, and intestinal metaplasia is regarded as a histological precursor lesion of this type of gastric cancer. We sought to establish the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia, identify associated epidemiological factors, and improve detection of this lesion in a patient population undergoing clinically indicated endoscopy in the Southwestern United States. Among the 440 patients studied, we observed an overall crude prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of 19%. However, the crude prevalence among Hispanics and Blacks was found to be markedly higher than among non-Hispanic Whites (50% versus 13%). Two biopsy protocols (two biopsies versus four biopsies) were used during this study, with a significantly higher rate of intestinal metaplasia detection under the four-biopsy protocol. Adjusting for protocol, we found that age and ethnicity were significantly and independently associated with the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia. The odds of intestinal metaplasia diagnosis was significantly higher in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia increased with advancing age (P = 0.01). The presence of Helicobacter pylori was also significantly associated with the presence of intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.02), although the direction of the association differed between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites.

Adult↗

Ornithine decarboxylase and polyamines in colorectal neoplasia and mucosa.

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamines are intimately involved in normal cellular proliferation and are likely to play a role in carcinogenesis. ODC activity and polyamine content were measured in tissue samples obtained during colonoscopy from 48 benign neoplastic polyps (20 tubular adenomas; 28 villous adenomas), 18 cancers (including 5 malignant polyps), and adjacent mucosa. ODC activity in polyp and cancer tissue specimens was higher than in adjacent mucosa in 75 and 83% of pairs, respectively. Similarly, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine contents were higher in the majority of polyps and cancers compared to adjacent mucosa. ODC activity and polyamine content in colonic mucosa from 10 patients without a history of colorectal neoplasia were not different from adjacent mucosal values in the patients with neoplasia. In conclusion, ODC and polyamines are elevated in the majority of colorectal neoplasms, but amounts in normal mucosa do not differentiate between patients with cancer, benign neoplastic polyps, and normal subjects.

Adenoma↗

Plasma selenium concentration predicts the prevalence of colorectal adenomatous polyps.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether plasma selenium concentration predicts the prevalence of adenomatous polyps of the colon and rectum. The source population for the study was 101 patients undergoing sequential colonoscopies at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. The study population was then limited to the 48 patients (all male) undergoing their initial colonoscopy who did not have a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. For each of these patients, a prediagnostic fasting plasma selenium concentration was determined. The data from this study suggest that fasting plasma selenium concentrations may be an important risk factor for colorectal adenomas. Patients with fasting plasma selenium concentrations below the median (< 128 mcg/liter) were significantly more likely to have one or more adenomatous polyps (prevalence odds ratio 4.2) and more adenomatous polyps (3.5 times) per patient. There was also a suggestion of a more proximal distribution of adenomatous polyps in the patients with a lower level of selenium. These associations were not confounded by age or smoking. The results of this study are consistent with the experimental animal studies, geographic mortality studies, and prospective cohort studies of selenium and colorectal cancer.

Adenoma↗