Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases
Volume:5 Issue: 2, Apr 2013

Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis and occurs in 50%-90% of these patients. Although the pathogenesis of PCM is multifactorial, alterations in protein metabolism play an important role. This article is based on a selective literature review of protein and sodium recommendations. Daily protein and sodium requirements of patients with cirrhosis have been the subject of many research studies since inadequate amounts of both can contribute to the development of malnutrition. Previous recommendations that limited protein intake should no longer be practiced as protein requirements of patients with cirrhosis are higher than those of healthy individuals. Higher intakes of branched-chain amino acids as well as vegetable proteins have shown benefits in patients with cirrhosis, but more research is needed on both topics. Sodium restrictions are necessary to prevent ascites development, but very strict limitations, which may lead to PCM should be avoided.

Worldwide, the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of two serological markers, atypical perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (atypical-P-ANCA) and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), with the intent to determinetheir relationship to ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn''s disease (CD), in addition to the location and extent of bowel involvement.There were 97 patients enrolled in this study, 72 diagnosed with UC and 25 with CD.The control group consisted of 40 healthy individuals. ASCA was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and atypical-P-ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF). For data analyses, we used the chi-square and independent t-tests. Significance was considered to be p

The use of quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is a highly efficacious, gold standard regimen. However, according to a num­ber of studies, this regimen has numerous compliance problems and adverse effects. In the current study we have evaluated the H. pylori eradication rate following a quadruple therapy that included omeprazole, bismuth subcitrate, amoxicillin, and metronidazole in Hormozgan, the most southern province in Iran. Hormozgan Province has high rates of H. pylori infection and its related disorders. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection as documented by the (13)C-urea breath test (UBT) or rapid urease test (RUT) were treated with the following quadruple regimen: bismuth subcitrate (120 mg, 2 tablets/q12h), amoxicillin (500 mg/q8h), metronidazole (250 mg/q8h) and omeprazole (20 mg/q12h) for a two-week period. Our primary efficacy outcome was H. pylori eradication as established by a negative UBT at least four weeks after the end of treatment. Eradication rates were 79%.and 82.3%, respectively, based on the inten­tion-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. Quadruple therapy had a similar effect in women (81%) and men (83.3%) for the eradication of H. pylori, which was not statistically significant. H. pylori eradication rates according to age groups were: 16-20 years (100%), 21-40 years (81%), and 41-60 years (77.8%; p=0.001). There was no significant difference in H. pylori eradication rate be­tween genders in those less than 20 years of age and the middle age group. However in the older group the eradication rate was significantly higher in women (100%) compared to men (66.6%). A two-week quadruple therapy that includes omeprazole, bismuth subci­trate, amoxicillin and metronidazole is a highly effective treatment for H. pylori infection. This treatment has an acceptable eradication rate in Southern Iran. The eradication rate appears to be lower in older men compared with younger men or in women.

There are few reports from Iran about the epidemiology and clinical features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to determine the epide­miologic profile and clinical features of IBD in Northwest Iran referral centers. In a cross-sectional setting, we evaluated 200 patients with definitive diagno­ses of IBD who referred to Tabriz educational hospitals during the period of 2005 to 2007. Demographic characteristics as well as patients’ clinical profiles were evaluated. Disease activity and severity were determined by the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index and Truelove and Witt’s classification of ulcerative colitis (UC). The related probable demographic factors were tested. Of the 200 IBD patients, 183 (91.5%) were diagnosed with UC and 17 (8.5%) with Crohn’s disease (CD). There was a positive first degree relative of IBD in 10.9% of UC and 11.8% of CD patients. Abdominal pain was the primary presenting symptom in 25.7% of UC patients and in 58.8% of those with CD. Among UC patients, left-sided colitis was the main feature (52.5%); while in patients with CD, colon involvement was predominant (52.9%). There was no significant contributor for activity or severity of disease noted among demo­graphic factors. The occurrence of UC was much higher than CD. The onset of IBD occurred in younger ages with a predominance in males. Left-sided colitis in UC and colon involvement in CD was common. Mostly, the pattern of IBD was mild to moderate with good response to pharmacotherapy. Disease activity and sever­ity were unaffected by demographic features.

Herpes simplex esophagitis (HSE) has rarely been reported in immunocom­petent individuals. In a search of Medline until October 2012, we found only one case of HSE in a pregnant female. We present the first case of HSE in a healthy 36-year-old female at 27 weeks gestation who recovered without an­tiviral therapy.

The adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and small intestine are well established. The effect of such therapy on the large intestine, so called NSAID-induced colopathy, is less well described. NSAID-induced colopathy usually involves the right colon due to a higher concentration of the drug at this site, but the rectum may also be involved. NSAIDs possibly damage the normal large intestine, which presents as ulceration, colitis and stricture. Even though several studies found that NSAIDs can cause diverticular bleeding and perforation, flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease, and play a role as an etiologic factor in lymphocytic colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases, malignancy and infectious colitis must be ruled out before establishing the diagnosis of NSAID -induced colopathy. Discontinuation of the offending drug is mandatory. Here, we have reported the case of a 43-year-old female, NSAID user due to low back pain, who was admitted to the hospital with painless hematochezia.

A 50-year-old lady presented with bloody vomiting and melena since four days prior to admission. Her medical history was significant only for hypertension which was controlled by a 5 mg daily dose of amlodipine. She occasionally took NSAIDs. On admission, the physical exam revealed only mild tachycardia and pallor. Hemoglobin was 9.7 g/dl, which subsequently declined to 7.9 g/dl. The first upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was remarkable for a paraesophageal hiatal hernia, with no site of bleeding detected. The second upper GI endoscopy did not find any source for bleeding. A third endoscopic examination revealed a new finding (Figures A and B).