Endoscopy for the diagnosis of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Diagnostic gastroscopy was performed on 337 patients for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, with 88% (296 of 337) diagnostic accuracy. Peptic ulcer disease was the cause of bleeding in 43% of the cases, erosive gastritis in 16%, and oesophagitis in 11%. Of the 289 patients, 40% had associated lesions, the commonest being gastritis (31), hiatal hernia (24), oesophageal varices (16), and oesophagitis (16). An oesophageal site of the bleeding was most often detected in the patients under 50 years of age (p less than 0.001) and a gastric site among those over 70 years (p less than 0.05). Mallory-Weiss lesions were significantly more often the cause of bleeding among the youngest patients than in other age groups (p less than 0.001). The bleeding lesion was located in the stomach in 60% of the women and in 42% of the men (p less than 0.01) and in the duodenum in 13% and 28% (p less than 0.01), respectively. The principal causes of this difference was the high incidence of gastritis in the women and duodenal ulcer in the men.     

Fundal gastritis as a potential cause of reflux oesophagitis

The transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations which allow reflux may be due to altered afferent pathways from the fundus. We aimed to determine whether fundal inflammation is the underlying cause. Two endoscopic biopsies were taken from each of the gastric antrum and fundus in 25 asymptomatic controls with a normal endoscopy (median age 54 range 13-83 years), and 33 patients with erosive oesophagitis (median age 52, 11-78 years). No patient had taken acid suppression therapy or antibiotics for at least 1 month. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa stain and examined in a blinded fashion by one pathologist for the presence of gastritis (Sydney classification) and Helicobacter pylori. Chronic gastritis was common in both groups, but was usually mild. In Helicobacter pylori-negative subjects, there was significantly less chronic gastritis in the antrum and the fundus in oesophagitis patients than in controls (p < 0.05). When present, gastric atrophy was usually antral and mild in severity. There was no difference in the incidence of gastric atrophy in patients with oesophagitis compared with controls (24% compared with 40%; p > 0.05). Chronic gastritis is not more common in patients with oesophagitis, and is unlikely to play a part in the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Combined Endoscopy in Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage

Summary: Combined endoscopic examination was performed in 206 patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. This represents 92% of all patients admitted with this emergency to one hospital over a 12 month period.
Endoscopy achieved a diagnosis of the cause of bleeding in 92% of patients. The causes were: Pyloroduodenal ulcer 32%, haemorrhagic gastritis and gastric erosions 23%, gastric ulcer 20%, oesophageal varices 6%, Mallory Weiss lesion 5%, haemorrhagic duodenitis 5%, gastric carcinoma 4%, miscellaneous causes 5%. Combined lesions were found in 12% of patients.
Follow up assessment revealed endoscopy to be an accurate investigation.
The mortality for the series was 4.8%. Half the deaths resulted from bleeding oesophageal varices with advanced liver disease.
It is suggested that because of its accuracy and high diagnostic yield, early endoscopy may replace contrast radiography as the first investigation in upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.     

The Changing Pattern of Upper Gastro-Intestinal Lesions in Southern Saudi Arabia: An Endoscopic Study

Background/Aim:

Dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal disorder and is the most common indication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). In recent years, it has been observed in several centers that there is a change in the causes of dyspepsia as revealed by UGIE. Our main objectives were: (1) To study the pattern of upper gastrointestinal pathology in patients with dyspepsia undergoing upper endoscopy; (2) Compare that with the pattern seen 10-15 years earlier in different areas of KSA.

Patients and Methods:

Retrospective study of all UGI endoscopies performed at Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Southern Saudi Arabia during the years 2005-2007 on patients above 13 years of age. Patients who underwent UGIE for reasons other than dyspepsia were excluded. The analysis was performed using the SPSS 14 statistical package.

Results:

A total of 1,607 patients underwent UGI endoscopy during the three-year study period (age range, 15-100). There were 907 males (56.4%) and 700 female (43.6%). Normal findings were reported on 215 patients (14%) and the majority had gastritis (676 = 42%), of whom 344 had gastritis with ulcer disease. Moreover, 242 patients (15%) had gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), with or without esophagitis or hiatus hernia. Also, a total of 243 patients had duodenal ulcer (DU) (15%) while only 12 had gastric ulcer (0.7%).

Discussion and Conclusion:

There is clear change in the frequency of UGIE lesions detected recently compared to a decade ago with an increasing prevalence of reflux esophagitis and hiatus hernia. This could be attributed to changes in lifestyle and dietary habits such as more consumption of fat and fast food, increased prevalence of obesity, and smoking. These problems should be addressed in order to minimize the serious complications of esophageal diseases.     

Is ineffective oesophageal motility associated with reflux oesophagitis?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between ineffective oesophageal motility and reflux oesophagitis controlling for hiatal hernia, hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter and male sex in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: A total of 387 patients with reflux disease (mean age, 46 years, 42% men) were consecutively selected from a database. All patients underwent upper endoscopy, oesophageal manometry and 24 h oesophageal pH-metry in accordance with a standardized protocol. Reflux disease was confirmed either by endoscopy (oesophagitis grade I-IV according to Savary-Miller) or by pH-metry (increased acid exposure). Hiatal hernia was diagnosed endoscopically, whereas ineffective oesophageal motility and hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter were characterized during manometry testing. The association between ineffective oesophageal motility and reflux oesophagitis was assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients with oesophagitis (mean age 45 years, 49% men) and 221 without oesophagitis (mean age 46 years, 37% men) were present. Prevalences of ineffective oesophageal motility, hiatal hernia, hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter and male sex were significantly higher in patients with oesophagitis compared with those without oesophagitis (P<0.05). Ineffective oesophageal motility was independently associated with oesophagitis after multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio=1.68; 95% confidence interval=1.04-2.70). CONCLUSION: Ineffective oesophageal motility is associated with reflux oesophagitis, independently of hiatal hernia, hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter and male sex.     

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients aged 85 years or more. Results of a feasibility study in a district general hospital

We performed a cross sectional analysis of the feasibility and yield of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) in a cohort of patients aged 85 years or more. The study involved 218 patients who underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a district general hospital between 1994 and 1998. Indication, use of sedation, endoscopic findings and treatment after endoscopy were evaluated. Indications for gastroscopy were suspicious of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGI) bleeding (41%), anemia (15%), and presence of dyspeptic- (31%), alarm- (9%) and/or reflux symptoms (3%). Serious UGI disease (cancer, peptic ulcer, reflux oesofagitis and/or erosive gastritis/duodenitis) was detected in 97 patients (44%). With respect to clinical presentation, serious UGI disease was present in 61% with bleeding, in 57% with reflux symptoms, in 42% with alarm symptoms, in 33% with anemia and in 28% with dyspepsia. Carcinoma was detected in eight patients (3.8%), all of them were treated with supportive care. In very old people gastroscopy is generally performed on sound indications reveals serious UGI disease in almost one out of two patients, markedly influences medical treatment, and reveals low malignancy rates (3.8%). In these patients, UGE is worthwhile and should not be omitted because of age considerations.     

The effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on portal hypertensive gastropathy

In addition to variceal bleeding, haematemesis may occur due to haemorrhagic gastritis in patients with portal hypertension. This has been known as portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). We have evaluated the effects of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on portal venous pressure (PVP) and endoscopic gastric mucosal changes observed in patients with portal hypertension. We performed TIPS in 12 patients with complications due to portal hypertension as follows: variceal bleeding in nine patients (bleeding from oesophageal varices in seven and gastric varices in two), refractory ascites in three and haemorrhage from severe PHG in one. Endoscopic examinations were performed before and after TIPS for all patients. Changes of PVP and gastric mucosal findings on endoscopy were analysed. Before TIPS, PHG was seen in 10 patients. Portal venous pressure decreased from an average of 25.1 ± 8.8 to 17.1 ± 6.2 mmHg after TIPS ( P < 0.005). On endoscopy, PHG improved in nine of 10 patients. Oesophagogastric varices improved in eight of 11 patients. In one patient with massive haematemesis, haemorrhage from severe PHG completely stopped after TIPS. Because TIPS effectively reduced PVP, this procedure appeared to be effective for the treatment of uncontrollable PHG.     

Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in the non-European

An analysis of the 149 cases of haematemesis admitted to Coronation Hospital from January 1951, to September 1959, is presented. The commonest cause was found to be acute gastritis and gastric erosion. These cases were more common in males and usually followed on an alcoholic bout. These were in the main mild. Twenty-five cases associated with peptic ulceration were found, and the lesion occurred more commonly in males under the age of 40. Duodenal ulcer was commoner than gastric ulcer. The incidence of haematemesis with peptic ulceration appears to be on the increase, the cause of which is not known. Cirrhosis of the liver is a frequent cause of haematemesis and carries a high mortality.     

Helicobacter pylori and gastrointestinal symptoms in school children in Russia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Helicobacter pylori is considered to be the major cause of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer disease recurrence in childhood. However, the association between H. pylori and recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) syndrome is still controversial. Therefore, the spectrum of clinical variants of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with H. pylori-positive status was studied in consecutive symptomatic children who were undergoing diagnostic endoscopy. METHODS: A consecutive series of 225 school children from the Ural area of Russia (mean age 11.1 + 1.4 years, age range 7-15 years) who presented with RAP were investigated using esophagogastroduodenoscopy, including three antral biopsies for histology and polymerase chain reaction. Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies were found using a second-generation enzyme immunoassay. Information about the clinical symptoms was collected using a special questionnaire. RESULTS: The authors found a high incidence of H. pylori infection (80%) and peptic ulcers (16%) in 225 school children from the Ural area of Russia who were referred for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy for chronic abdominal pain. Of the overall 225 symptomatic children who underwent endoscopy, 182 (80,8%) were found to be H. pylori-positive. Duodenal ulcers were detected in 36 H. pylori-positive children. A family history of peptic ulcers was significantly more frequent in the children infected with H. pylori (P < 0.001). Symptom score and duration of symptoms were similar, but night-time pain (P < 0.0001) and fasting pain relieved by food (P < 0.001) were more frequent in the H. pylori-positive children as compared with the H. pylori-negative children. CONCLUSIONS: The present results provide further evidence for a significant association between H. pylori and some patterns of gastrointestinal symptoms in children who underwent UGI endoscopy in order to exclude an organic cause of severe chronic gastrointestinal disorders.     

The role of Candida sp. in etiopathogenesis of esophageal, gastric and duodenal mucosa inflammation in children

The aim of the study was to demonstrate morphological traits of Candida-induced upper alimentary tract mucosa inflammation. The material for the study comprised 18 children aged 4 to 18 years treated at the I Department of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology, Institute Polish Mother Health Centre. In these children positive mycologic cultures were obtained from alimentary tract inflammed mucosa sections. Upper alimentary tract endoscopy was performed and macroscopic and microscopic evaluation was made. Children with excluded H. pylori infection, reflux disease, lambliosis and allergy were included into the investigated group. Savara-Muller's classification was used for oesophageal mucosa inflammation evaluation, whereas gastric and duodenal mucosa inflammation were assessed according to Tytgat. RESULTS: the most frequent macro lesions concerned simultaneously gastric and duodenal mucosa (44.46%). 27.77% of patients demonstrated oesophagitis, gastritis and duodenitis. In histopathological examination inflammatory lesions in oesophageal mucosa were observed in 38.88% (most frequently I degree). Chronic gastritis was found in all children, non-active in 11 and active in 7. Duodenal mucosa demonstrated traits of chronic active inflammation in 8 children and chronic in 5 of them. CONCLUSIONS: Candida fungi may be an etiopathogenetic factor of oesophageal, gastric and duodenal mucosa inflammation, Candida-induced mucosa inflammation is most frequently of chronic nature.     

Oesophagitis, signs of reflux, and gastric acid secretion in patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

In a study comprising 100 patients referred to a surgical clinic with symptoms suggestive of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease the value of different diagnostic procedures was investigated. Positive acid perfusion and 24-h pH tests were the commonest findings. Forty-nine per cent showed a normal oesophageal mucosa or diffuse oesophagitis at endoscopy. The severity of heartburn and regurgitation did not differ between patients with normal oesophageal mucosa and oesophagitis of various severities. The severity of macroscopic oesophagitis was significantly correlated to the total reflux time, the presence of reflux or a hiatal hernia at radiology, an open cardia or reflux at endoscopy, pressure transmission or reflux and low lower oesophageal sphincter pressure at manometry. Gastric hypersecretion was found in 66% of the patients. Gastric acid secretion was not correlated to the severity of oesophagitis or to the findings at 24-h pH test. In patients with severe oesophagitis the sensitivity for radiologic, manometric, and endoscopic signs of incompetence of the gastro-oesophageal junction was 94%.     

The role of cagA Helicobacter pylori strains in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of colonization by cagA-positive and cagA-negative H. pylori strains in the spectrum of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: A total of 108 patients (50 male/58 female; mean age, 50.3 years) with dyspepsia and peptic ulcer or erosive gastritis/duodenitis were categorized into patients without reflux and patients with reflux oesophagitis graded from I to IV. All patients underwent upper endoscopy with biopsies of the antrum. H. pylori was detected by histology, urease test and polymerase chain reaction. The cagA status was diagnosed in the gastric biopsy by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori colonization in patients with reflux was 68.6% and was 70.2% in those without oesophageal disease (P = 0.862). Colonization by cagA-positive strains was also not statistically different between the two groups (31.4% versus 40.4%, P = 0.332). However, patients with grades II-IV reflux oesophagitis were less colonized by the bacterium (36.4%) than patients with grade I oesophagitis (77.5%) (P = 0.009). H. pylori cagA-positive strains were also less likely to colonize the stomach of patients with grades II-IV oesophagitis (0%), than grade I reflux oesophagitis (40%) patients and controls (40.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Infection of the stomach by H. pylori and especially by H. pylori cagA strains may play a protective role against the development of the most severe forms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.     

Diagnosis and therapy of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB) is defined as bleeding proximal to the ligament of Treitz in the absence of oesophageal, gastric or duodenal varices. The clinical presentation varies according to the intensity of bleeding from occult bleeding to melena or haematemesis and haemorrhagic shock. Causes of UGIB are peptic ulcers, Mallory-Weiss lesions,erosive gastritis, reflux oesophagitis, Dieulafoy lesions or angiodysplasia. After admission to the hospital a structured approach to the patient with acute UGIB that includes haemodynamic resuscitation and stabilization as well as pre-endoscopic risk stratification has to be done. Endoscopy offers not only the localisation of the bleeding site but also a variety of therapeutic measures like injection therapy, thermocoagulation or endoclips. Endoscopic therapy is facilitated by acid suppression with proton pump inhibitor(PPI) therapy. These drugs are highly effective but the best route of application(oral vs intravenous) and the adequate dosage are still subjects of discussion. Patients with ulcer disease are tested for Helicobacter pylori and eradication therapy should be given if it is present. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs have to be discontinued if possible. If discontinuation is not possible, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in combination with PPI have the lowest bleeding risk but the incidence of cardiovascular events is increased.     

Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage following coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding is a relatively common and potentially fatal complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, little is known of this problem, including its incidence, predisposing factors and safety of endoscopy in these patients. Aim: To document the incidence, site, predisposing factors and outcome of UGI bleeding following CABG surgery. Also, to assess the safety of UGI endoscopy in these patients. Method: Retrospective study of UGI haemorrhage following CABG at one institution between 1976 and 1991. Results: Fifty-five of 10,573 patients (0.5%) suffered a major UGI haemorrhage (as defined by need for transfusion or presence of melaena or haematemesis associated with hypotension). Of 51 patients undergoing endoscopy or laparotomy, 42 (82%) bled from duodenal ulceration. Five patients bled from gastric ulcers and one each from oesophagitis and Mallory Weiss tear. Nine patients underwent endoscopic therapy, which initially arrested haemorrhage in eight patients. However, three patients rebled and required surgery. Eight patients underwent surgery as initial therapy, resulting in an overall surgical rate of 20%. One patient died due to multi system failure following surgery. There were no complications from endoscopy. Patients who bled were more likely to have received inotropic support post-operatively prior to the haemorrhage (p < 0.05) and tended to be older than controls (mean age 65.6 years vs 58.7 years, p < 0.01). Twenty-one of the patients (38%) who bled had a past history of peptic ulceration or dyspepsia compared with 9% of controls (p < 0.001). Seven (12.5%) had previously bled from peptic ulceration. Patients who bled were less likely to have received H₂-receptor antagonists in the perioperative period than controls (4%vs 20%, p< 0.05). Conclusion: Upper GI haemorrhage following CABG is relatively frequent. It is usually secondary to duodenal ulceration. Endoscopy is a safe procedure in this patient group. Mortality did not differ between index patients who suffered a UGI haemorrhage and controls undergoing CABG who did not bleed.     

Risk factors of oesophagitis in arthritic patients

BACKGROUND: The risk factors that precipitate the occurrence of oesophageal mucosal injury in patients on continuous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy are unknown. METHODS: Outpatients who regularly consumed NSAIDs for osteoarthritis were recruited from a rheumatology clinic into a prospective case-control study. All patients answered a structured interview and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. RESULTS: Of 450 eligible patients, 195 (43%) consented to be interviewed and undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Oesophagitis was diagnosed in 41 of these 195 patients (21%). The occurrence of gastric or duodenal ulcer in individual patients did not predict the concomitant damage of the oesophageal mucosa. Young age (odds ratio: 1.79 per decade of life; 95% confidence interval: 1.11-2.86) and hiatus hernia (odds ratio: 3.72; 95% confidence interval: 1.63-8.49) both increased the risk of developing oesophagitis. When questioned, all oesophagitis patients revealed at least one gastrointestinal symptom, heartburn being named most frequently (odds ratio: 4.78; 95% confidence interval: 2.04-11.17). The type of anti-inflammatory medication, the use of alcohol and the use of nicotine were not associated with any significant risk for erosive oesophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on chronic NSAID therapy for rheumatological disease suffer frequently from erosive oesophagitis. While the risk may be higher in patients with a pre-existing tendency for gastro-oesophageal reflux, any concomitant history of NSAID-induced peptic ulcer disease does not add to the risk. Erosive oesophagitis should be considered especially in patients on NSAIDs who complain of heartburn.     

Fiberoptic Endoscopy of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Infants and Children

Fiberoptic endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract was performed on 53 patients without incident, ranging in age between two months and 18 years, of whom 35 were out patients at the time of examination. Of 27 patients with recurrent abdominal pain and normal upper gastrointestinal series, eight had abnormal findings at endoscopy: a duodenal ulcer in four, a gastric ulcer in two and duodenitis in two. Of 18 patients with hematemesis and/or melena, esophageal varices were demonstrated both by endoscopy and x-ray in two, gastric ulcer by endoscopy in three and x-ray in one, duodenal ulcer by endoscopy in three and by x-ray in two, esophagitis by endoscopy only in one patient, erosive gastritis by endoscopy in five and by x-ray in two and duodenitis by endoscopy in three and by x-ray in two. Of the remaining eight patients with abnormal x-rays findings and other symptomatology, endoscopy demonstrated foreign bodies in two (coins, esophagus and stomach), duodenitis in two, a gastric ulcer in one, a duodenal ulcer in one and normal examination in two. The data indicate that fiberoptic endoscopy significantly improves diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract in children and is a safe and effective procedure in ambulatory pediatric patients.     

Original research: One-stop shop for variceal surveillance: integration of unsedated ultrathin endoscopy into the routine clinic visit

BackgroundThe endoscopic appearance of oesophageal varices determines the need for prophylaxis. However, as the point prevalence of varices is low (25%), the majority of surveillance endoscopies are unnecessary and costly. Narrow diameter, ultrathin (UT) endoscopes are more tolerable than conventional upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopes and can be used without sedation. We hypothesised that unsedated UT endoscopy for variceal surveillance could be implemented during the routine outpatient clinic visit allowing accurate diagnosis of varices and the timely provision of prophylaxis.MethodsPatients with cirrhosis awaiting surveillance endoscopy were identified. UT endoscopy was scheduled during routine clinic review at the same time as ultrasound surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma. UGI endoscopy was performed unsedated using the E.G Scan II disposable endoscope. Varices were graded using the modified Paquet classification. Video recordings of procedures were reviewed by blinded assessors and agreement was assessed using the kappa statistic.Results40 patients (80% male) underwent unsedated UT endoscopy. All procedures were successful and tolerated well in 98% of cases. Median procedure time was 2 min (IQR 1–3). Varices were found in 37.5% (17.5% grade 1 and 20% grade 2). Patients with grade 2 varices were prescribed non-selective beta blockers at the clinic appointment. Kappa statistic for the finding of any varices was 0.636 (p=0.001) and 0.8–1.0 for diagnosis of grade 2 varices (p<0.0001).ConclusionsOutpatient unsedated ultrathin endoscopy in patients with cirrhosis is accurate, safe and feasible. This integrative care model is convenient, particularly for regional communities, and is likely to result in significant cost savings associated with variceal surveillance.     

Oesophagitis,Signs of Reflux,and Gastric Acid Secretion in Patients with Symptoms of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease

Johansson K-E, Ask P, Boeryd B, Fransson S-G, Tibbling L. Oesophagitis, signs of reflux, and gastric acid secretion in patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 1986, 21, 837-847

In a study comprising 100 patients referred to a surgical clinic with symptoms suggestive of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease the value of different diagnostic procedures was investigated. Positive acid perfusion and 24-h pH tests were the commonest findings. Forty-nine per cent showed a normal oesophageal mucosa or diffuse oesophagitis at endoscopy. The severity of heartburn and regurgitation did not differ between patients with normal oesophageal mucosa and oesophagitis of various severities. The severity of macroscopic oesophagitis was significantly correlated to the total reflux time, the presence of reflux or a hiatal hernia at radiology, an open cardia or reflux at endoscopy, pressure transmission or reflux and low lower oesophageal sphincter pressure at manometry. Gastric hypersecretion was found in 66% of the patients. Gastric acid secretion was not correlated to the severity of oesophagitis or to the findings at 24-h pH test. In patients with severe oesophagitis the sensitivity for radiologic, manometric, and endoscopic signs of incompetence of the gastro-oesophageal junction was 94%.     

Does measurement of yield pressure at the cardia during endoscopy provide information on the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter mechanism?

We describe a technique for measuring the yield pressure at the cardia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The test was applied to 47 patients with macroscopic oesophagitis and nine patients with achalasia. Controls were 123 patients from the routine endoscopy list in whom no abnormality was found and 21 healthy volunteers. Yield pressure was similar in both control groups, but was significantly higher in achalasia (p less than 0.001) and lower in oesophagitis (p less than 0.001). Yield pressures fell dramatically after pneumatic dilatation in the achalasia patients. The test was reproducible and yield pressure was not affected by age, sex, weight, or sedation. Measurement of yield pressure during endoscopy provides information which may reflect the function of the whole antireflux mechanism, and not just the lower oesophageal sphincter.     

The prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> in Japanese children with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease

Background Although Helicobacter pylori infection is typically acquired in childhood, the role of H. pylori infection in gastroduodenal diseases in childhood remains to be defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in children with gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric ulcer.Methods This was a retrospective analysis of 283 Japanese children (mean age, 11.5 years) with non-nodular gastritis (n = 73), nodular gastritis (n = 67), duodenal ulcer (n = 100), and gastric ulcer (n = 43). H. pylori status was based on biopsy tests. Clinical symptoms at the time of endoscopy were analyzed with regard to a possible association with the infection.Results The prevalence of H. pylori in non-nodular gastritis, nodular gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric ulcer was 28.8%, 98.5%, 83.0%, and 44.2%, respectively. H. pylori was significantly linked to duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcers in the age group of 10–16 years, but not in the age group of 9 years and under. In children with H. pylori infection, nodular gastritis was observed in 26.3% of gastric ulcer patients and in 74.7% of duodenal ulcer patients (P < 0.001). H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the prevalence of anemia (P < 0.05).Conclusions H. pylori is the most important causal factor for the development of duodenal ulcer in childhood. While H. pylori infection appears to be a risk factor in gastric ulcer, other causes are responsible for most cases. Nodular gastritis is the most common type of H. pylori gastritis in childhood. Chronic infection with H. pylori is associated with anemia.