Prevalence of extraesophageal reflux in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of extraesophageal reflux (EER) in patients with heartburn, posterior laryngitis (PL), and in healthy controls.Study design and setting A retrospective and prospective study including a total of 101 subjects who underwent 24-hour dual-probe pH monitoring. RESULTS: 52% of the subjects with heartburn had EER. No significant differences were found between the PL and heartburn groups for any pharyngeal reflux parameters. However, supine pharyngeal reflux was significantly more prevalent in heartburn patients with GERD than in PL patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). Significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) was found between the percentage of time pH <4 in the pharynx and in the distal esophagus. CONCLUSION: EER occurs in the majority of heartburn patients who are lacking laryngeal symptoms. Abnormal distal esophageal acid exposure makes the occurrence of EER more likely. SIGNIFICANCE: EER appears to be a continuum without clear-cut differences between the groups.     

The impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life

BACKGROUND: Quality of life as a medical endpoint has become an important measure in clinical research. METHODS: In this article, we review the recent literature that has examined the impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its treatment of quality of life. RESULTS: The increasing interest in measuring patients' quality of life as an outcome reflects an increasing awareness that traditional physiological endpoints often do not correlate well with patients' functional status, general well-being, and satisfaction with therapy. It has been shown that GERD has a significant impact on patients' quality of life; therefore, improvement of quality of life is one of the major goals of GERD treatment. This can be achieved by medical as well as surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: In addition to the patients' perspective, quality of life is one of the major endpoints in medical research that will help provide more selective treatment regimens for our patients.     

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication improves quality of life in patients with atypical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has been shown to improve overall quality of life (QOL) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux, but most studies have not addressed patients with atypical symptoms. We investigated the effect of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication on QOL using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) survey modified to address both typical (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia) and atypical (hoarse voice, chronic cough, adult-onset asthma, vocal cord polyps) symptoms. One-hundred forty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at UCLA Medical Center from January 1, 1995 to May 1, 2002. Surveys evaluating pre- and postoperative QOL were administered after surgery: 55 per cent of patients responded (82/148). Forty-eight per cent of all patients (72/148) had atypical symptoms. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were 8.8 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively. Mean length of postoperative stay was 2.96 +/- 1.5 days. Mean follow-up for the entire cohort was 18.5 months. Postoperative dysphagia not present before surgery occurred in 4.7 per cent of patients. Eighty per cent of patients were medication-free following surgery. QOL scores for all participants increased significantly from 52.5 +/- 15.3 preoperatively to 72.0 +/- 14.9 postoperatively (P < 0.0001). Patients with atypical symptoms or typical symptoms alone showed significant mean QOL score increases from 48.3 +/- 17.6 preoperatively to 71 +/- 15.7 postoperatively (P < 0.0001) and from 55.7 +/- 12.6 to 72.8 +/- 14.4 (P < 0.0001), respectively. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication can effectively improve overall QOL for patients with GERD. Patients with atypical GERD symptoms can experience increases in QOL similar to those with only typical gastrointestinal symptoms.     

Endoscopic and symptoms analysis in Mexican patients with irritable Bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease

The aim of this study was to analyze the data of endoscopy and symptoms in 118 Mexican patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). IBS criteria were fulfilling for dyspepsia patients in 47%, for NERD in 48%, and for EE patients in 48% of cases. Esophagitis was present in 42% of patients with IBS and in 45% of patients with dyspepsia. A higher prevalence of hiatus hernia was found in EE vs. NERD. Heartburn and acid eructation were associated with the presence of esophagitis; acid eructation, regurgitation and nocturnal pain with duodenitis; and heartburn and regurgitation with hiatus hernia. Males more frequently reported: mucus in feces, abdominal distension, nausea and gastritis; and women more frequently reported esophagitis and duodenitis. Patients with NERD (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.99, p=0.04), tenesmus and early satiety, and men had an increase risk for reporting hard or lumpy stools. In conclusion, nearly half of the Mexican patients with NERD, EE and dyspepsia fulfill criteria for IBS. A large number of symptoms were correlated with endoscopy, which can be used to improve the indication of the endoscopy and its implementation in clinical studies.     

Quality of life for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Surgical Endoscopy -     

Treating symptoms to improve the quality of life in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis has not improved significantly in the last 20 years. This is largely due to their substantial symptom burden which is rarely assessed and treated in routine clinical practice. This is also consequence of the lack of an appropriate armamentarium for the treatments of such symptoms. Adequate studies on the causes and pathogenesis of the symptoms of hemodialysis patients are needed followed by high-quality studies on possible therapeutic pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Patients on chronic hemodialysis deserve a better quality of life.

     

长程血液透析对维持性血液透析患者生活质量的影响

目的 研究长程血液透析(LSHD)对维持性血液透析(MHD)患者生活质量的影响.方法 选取首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院血液净化中心40例MHD患者,通过问卷调查和收集临床资料相结合的方法,进行前瞻性配对临床研究.根据临床资料、检验指标、睡眠质量将患者配对分组为普通透析(HD)组和LSHD组,各20例,进行6个月的临床试验,观察两组患者临床表现、生化指标及生活质量的情况.结果 LSHD组的Kt/V(1.73±0.36比1.41±0.23,P＜0.05)、血红蛋白[(124.67±9.08)比(110.55±9.01) g/L,P＜0.01]、血清白蛋白[(45.01±2.66)比(39.28±2.63) g/L,P＜0.01]显著高于HD组 ;血压控制比例(14/20比5/20,P=0.010)和睡眠质量(16/20比5/20,P=0.001)显著优于HD组 ;生活质量SF-36评分显著高于HD组(P＜0.05),差异均有统计学意义.结论 长程透析可以改善MHD患者睡眠质量、营养状况,从而改善生活质量.     

维持性血液透析患者心血管钙化的发生率及相关因素

目的 探讨维持性血液透析患者心血管钙化的发生率及相关因素.方法 选择接受维持性血液透析≥3月的非住院患者60例,完善相关实验室检查,腹部侧位X线片检测腹主动脉钙化评分(Kauppila法),心脏超声检测心脏瓣膜钙化情况,并计算心血管钙化指数.结果 本组患者影像学检查可见钙化的总发生率为68.3％,腹主动脉钙化的患者中5≤腹主动脉钙化评分＜ 16者占41.4％,瓣膜钙化以主动脉瓣为主(占64.5％).有钙化组与无钙化组患者的年龄、血钙、心血管钙化指数存在差异(均P ＜0.05),而透析龄(月)、身高、体质量、握力、血磷、血红蛋白、血清总蛋白、血清白蛋白、血脂未见差异(均P≥0.05).结论 本组患者心血管钙化部位不均衡,随患者年龄和血钙水平的增加,心血管钙化的发生风险升高.     

The quality of life of gastroesophageal reflux disease patients waiting for an antireflux operation

Background The purpose of this trial was to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients waiting for an antireflux operation.Methods A total of 120 patients waiting for a laparoscopic fundoplication were sent questionnaires measuring their symptoms and quality of life.Results Ninety-five of the patients still needing an operation returned the questionaires and were included in the analysis. Thirty-one of 84 patients (37%) felt that the symptoms had worsened, and 51/90 (57%) were unsatisfied. Thirty percent suffered from throat or airway infections, 25% from swallowing difficulties, 48% from retrosternal pain, and 18% had asthma. The mean GERD HRQL score (0–45) was 21.7 (95% confidence interval, 19.7–23.7). Short Form-36 scores of this population were significantly worse when compared to patients with inguinal hernia or moderate asthma.Conclusions Patients waiting for a fundoplication seem to have a significantly decreased health-related quality of life due to poor symptom control regardless of continuous medical treatment.     

Impact of spinal kyphosis on gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients with osteoporosis

Summary  Spinal kyphosis has been speculated to participate in the increased frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with osteoporosis. The present study provides further evidence that increases in lumbar kyphosis and number of vertebral fractures represent very important risk factors for GERD in patients with osteoporosis. Introduction  Osteoporosis and spinal kyphosis have been speculated to participate in the increased frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The present study examined whether GERD in patients with osteoporosis is affected by spinal factors including spinal kyphosis in the presence of oral pharmacotherapies. Methods  Subjects comprised 112 patients with osteoporosis (mean age, 78 years) who responded to the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire, regardless of complaints. Relationships between total FSSG score and number of vertebral fractures, angles of kyphosis, use of bisphosphonates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and total number of oral medicines per day were evaluated. Logistic regression identified factors associated with GERD. Results  Bisphosphonates and NSAIDs did not affect total FSSG score. Total FSSG score showed significant positive correlations with total number of medicines (r = 0.283, p = 0.0025), angle of lumbar kyphosis (r = 0.576, p = 0.0001), and numbers of thoracic vertebral fractures (r = 0.214, p = 0.0232) and lumbar vertebral fractures (r = 0.471, p < 0.0001). Angle of lumbar kyphosis and number of lumbar vertebral fractures were identified by multivariate analysis as indices affecting the presence of GERD. Conclusion  Increases in angle of lumbar kyphosis and number of lumbar vertebral fractures may5 represent very important risk factors for GERD in osteoporotic patients.     

Surgical therapy for patients with extraesophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM: The last 20 years have seen a systematic reappraisal of the physiopathology and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its associated typical symptoms, while less attention has been paid to correlating GERD with certain extraesophageal symptoms and the value of surgery for their treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and physiopathological features and the outcome of surgery, in a group of patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD with atypical symptoms, and to compare the results with another group of patients operated for GERD with typical symptoms. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-one patients were evaluated for GERD at our Digestive Physiopathology outpatients surgery from January 2001 to January 2003. Of the 36 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication, 23 had the typical symptoms of GERD and 13 had atypical symptoms. Twelve months after surgery, these patients were compared in terms of 24-h pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, regression of symptoms and degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: Postoperatively, patients with atypical symptoms had a smaller increase in effective peristalsis (P = 0.06) and a more limited improvement in symptoms (54% vs 91%, P = 0.001), and they expressed less satisfaction with the surgical treatment (5.9 vs 8.2, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of surgery in GERD patients with atypical symptoms are worse than in those with typical symptoms. A careful preoperative work-up, based on 24-h pH monitoring, is fundamental for patients with atypical symptoms, who also need to be informed of the high likelihood of surgery proving clinically unsuccessful.     

Endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal valve in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Background: It has been suggested that endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal flap valve is a good predictor of the reflux status. Methods: To test this hypothesis, 268 symptomatic patients underwent endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal valve using Hill's classification, with grades I through IV. Esophageal acid exposure, lower esophageal sphincter characteristics, and the degree of esophageal mucosal injury were compared among the groups. Results: The prevalence of a mechanically defective sphincter, abnormal esophageal acid exposure, erosive esophagitis, and Barrett's esophagus increased with increasing alteration of the gastroesophageal valve. The presence of a grade IV valve indicated increased esophageal acid exposure in 75% of patients. As a predictor, this is similar to lower esophageal sphincter pressure but not as good as the presence of esophageal mucosal injury. Conclusions: Endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal valve provides useful information about the reflux status but is less useful as an indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than the presence of esophageal mucosal injury. Received: 28 April 1999/Accepted: 23 June 1999     

维持性血液透析患者外周动脉疾病及危险因素分析

目的通过测量踝肱指数调查维持性血液透析患者下肢外周动脉疾病的患病率及危险因素。方法纳入我院血液净化中心179例维持性血液透析患者,对其进行问卷、体格检查、实验室检查及踝肱指数测量。以任何一侧踝肱指数〈0．90作为下肢外周动脉疾病的诊断标准,分析其患病率及危险因素。结果我院血液净化中心下肢外周动脉疾病的患病率为12．8％（23／179）,男女患病率无差异。年龄大于65岁患者外周动脉疾病患病率为18．9％,低于65岁患者为8．6％。高三酰甘油血症患者外周动脉疾病患病率为18．7％,非高三酰甘油血症患者为7．7％。有脑血管疾病患者比无脑血管疾病患者外周动脉疾病患病率高（33．3％：11．3％,P〈0．05）。Logistic分析显示,年龄（优势比为1．036-1．276,P=0．009）、慢性肾脏病病程（优势比1．003～1．018,P=0．007）、脑血管疾病（优势比2-202．19,P=0．011）为外周动脉疾病的独立危险因素。结论维持性血液透析患者外周血管疾病患病率较高,年龄、慢性肾脏病病程及脑血管疾病史为此人群外周血管疾病的独立危险因素。     

维持性血液透析患者血红蛋白变异性影响因素分析

目的调查分析湖北省中医院维持性血液透析(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)患者血红蛋白变异性(hemoglobin variability,Hb-Var)情况,并探讨Hb-Var的影响因素。方法选取湖北省中医院血液净化中心2013年12月至2014年6月期间MHD患者56例,入组时收集患者基本资料,随访6个月内记录患者使用红细胞生成刺激剂(erythropoietin stimulating agents,ESAs)剂量、ESAs调整次数、静脉铁剂总量、血液透析滤过及血液灌流次数,6个月内至少检查3次实验室指标,包括血红蛋白(hemoglobin,Hb)、血钙(calcium,Ca)、血磷(phosphorus,P)、全段甲状旁腺素(immunoreactive parathyroid hormone,iPTH)、血清铁蛋白(serum ferritin,SF)、血清白蛋白(albumin,Alb)。以血红蛋白变异系数(hemoglobin-coefficient of variation,Hb-CV)代表Hb-Var,分析Hb-Var的影响因素。结果①血红蛋白波动组43例,占总例数76.79%;②单因素分析发现,在性别、年龄、透析龄、血管通路、静脉铁剂总量、ESAs调整次数方面,Hb-CV差异有统计学意义(P0.05);③Pearson相关分析显示,Hb-CV与ESAs调整次数、静脉铁剂总量呈正相关(r值分别为0.757、0.264,P0.05),与透析龄、SF、Alb呈负相关(r值分别为-0.323,-0.390,-0.418,P0.05),与年龄、血钙、血磷、iPTH无相关性;④Hb-CV影响因素的多元线性回归分析,性别、血管通路、ESAs调整次数、静脉铁剂总量、SF与Hb-CV独立相关。结论 MHD患者普遍存在Hb-Var,年龄越大血红蛋白波动可能更明显。血红蛋白的波动与性别、血管通路、使用静脉铁剂关系密切。Hb-Var与慢性肾脏病预后的关系尚存争议,需进一步研究证实。     

Correlation between quality of life and mineral metabolism in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective With multi-center investigation, to assess the life quality of patients with maintained hemodialysis (MHD) in Liaoning Province and to explore the relationship among the mineral metabolism, the life quality of the patients with MHD, and the repeated hospitalization within the latest three years. Methods 1192 patients with hemodialysis (at least 3 months) from January to March in 2015 at ten blood purification centers in Liaoning Province were selected for the cross - sectional survey. The Kidney Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) version 1.3 was used to evaluate the MHD patients' life quality. The total length of hospitalization was divided into four groups: 0 days, 3 to 15 days, 16 to 30 days and above 30 days. Results When serum calcium value ranged from 2.1 to 2.5 mmol/L, kidney - disease component summary (KDCS), mental component summary (MCS), physical component summary (PCS) and SF-36+KDCS corresponded to a higher value (P＜0.05). When serum phosphorus value ranged from 1.13 to 1.78 mmol/L, KDCS and SF-36+KDCS corresponded to a higher value (P＜0.05). When the calcium phosphorus product value ranged from 40.68 to 49.94, MCS corresponded to a higher value (P＜0.05). KDCS showed a linear correlation with age (P＜0.001), dialysis age, serum calcium (less than or equal to 2.5 mmol/L) (P＜0.05); PCS showed a linear correlation with age (P＜0.001) and dialysis age (P＜0.05); SF-36+KDCS showed a linear correlation with age (P＜0.001), and serum calcium (less than or equal to 2.5 mmol/L) (P＜0.05), while age and dialysis age were negatively correlated. The hospitalization days showed a linear correlation with age, dialysis age (P＜0.001) and serum phosphorus, calcium phosphorus product value (P＜0.05), while dialysis age and calcium phosphorus product value were negatively correlated. Among different groups of total hospitalization days in three years, age, hemodialysis age, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus product value and quality of life values were all statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusions The life quality of patients with MHD were correlated with serum calcium, phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus product value, iPTH, dialysis age and age, while age and dialysis age were of negative correlation. The total number of hospitalization days in 3 years was closely linearly correlated with age and dialysis age, significantly correlated with serum phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus product value, while dialysis age, calcium and phosphorus product value were in a negative correlation. The total number of hospitalization in 3 years was correlated with the patients' age, dialysis age, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus product value and quality of life.     

Analysis on the factors related to osteoporosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and analyze the risk factors. Methods Eighty-three patients on MHD and 87 healthy people were recruited, measuring and comparing their mineral density of femoral bone. Patients' age, sex, height, body weight, walking activity, medication use and laboratary tests were recorded. The relationship of bone mineral density (BMD) and other factors were analyzed using multivariate linear regression. Result The prevalence of osteoporosis was higher in MHD patients than in normal control (34.7% vs 20.7%, P＜0.05). Patients in osteoporosis group showed higher rate of menopause, lower body weight and lower walking activity. In multivariable regression model, age (β=-0.02, P=0.011), body weight (β=0.02, P=0.031) and walking activity (β=0.13, P=0.027) were independently associated with BMD in MHD patients. Conclusion The prevalence of osteoporosis is much higher in MHD patients than in healthy people. Advanced age, low body weight and inactivity are important risk factors for osteoporosis in MHD patients.