Use of acid suppressive therapy in hospitalized non-critically ill patients

AIM: To assess the appropriateness of prescribing acid suppressive therapy (AST) in a general medicine service in a tertiary care hospital.METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the inpatient records of all patients admitted to the general medical service in a tertiary care hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, from April 1 to May 31, 2011. Treatment with AST was considered appropriate if the patient had a specific indication or appropriate treatment purpose [e.g., gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, dyspepsia, acute or suspected gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding]. Appropriate administration of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) was derived from an internal guideline that is based on the American Society of Health System Pharmacists guidelines. Prophylaxis was considered appropriate if a patient had 1 absolute indication (coagulopathy or requiring mechanical ventilation), or 2 or more relative indications (sepsis, occult bleeding, use of high dose corticosteroids, recent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for more than 3 mo, renal or liver failure, enteral feeding and anticoagulant use).RESULTS: Of the 153 patient admissions during the study period, 130 patients (85%) were started on AST, out of which 11 (8.5%) had a diagnosis that supports the use of this therapy (GI bleed, gastritis and GERD), 16 (12.3%) had an absolute indication for SUP, 59 (45.4%) had 2 or more relative indications for SUP, and 44 (33.8%) received AST without an appropriate indication. In addition, one patient with an absolute indication for SUP and four with two or more relative indications did not receive AST. Rabeprazole was the most frequently used AST (59.2%), followed by omeprazole (24.6%), esomeprazole (11.6%) and ranitidine (4.6%). The dose of AST was appropriate in 126 patients (96.9%) and the route of administration was appropriate in 123 patients (94.6%). Fifteen of the admitted patients (10%) were discharged on AST, 7 of which (47%) did not have an appropriate indication.CONCLUSION: AST is overused in hospitalized non-critically ill patients and many patients are discharged on unnecessary AST which can increase cost, drug interactions and adverse events. Potential interventions include implementation of institutional protocols and prescriber education.     

Association between acid suppressive therapy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites

Abstract

Objective. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) therapy may cause intestinal bacterial overgrowth and translocation. Therefore, acid suppressive therapy may increase the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Material and methods. A total of 176 cirrhotic patients with ascites who underwent diagnostic paracentesis between September 2004 and April 2009 were included in the analysis. Patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and/or antibiotic therapy within 2 weeks prior to hospital admission were excluded. SBP was defined as ≥250/mm³ polymorphonuclear white blood cells with or without a positive culture from the ascitic fluid. Eighty-three patients (mean age 56.1 years, 63 males) had SBP and 93 (mean age 54.7 years, 75 males) did not. Results. On the multivariate analysis, a Child–Pugh class C (OR = 2.890, 95% CI 1.443–5.786; p = 0.003), high MELD scores (≥20, OR = 3.540, 95% CI 1.155–10.849; p = 0.027), and PPI use (OR = 3.443, 95% CI 1.164–10.188; p = 0.025) were risk factors for SBP. H2RA was not associated with SBP. Conclusions. PPI use, as well as Child–Pugh class C and high MELD scores, was an independent risk factor for the development of SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify this issue.     

Use of acid suppressive therapy more than 10 years after the endoscopic diagnosis of reflux esophagitis with specific emphasis to trademark and generic proton pump inhibitors

Background and Aim: Reflux esophagitis needs maintenance therapy. Data on comparison between trademark and generic medications are not available. Complaints and use of acid‐suppressive therapy 10 years after diagnosis were determined. Methods: A total of 672 patients with esophagitis between 1998 and 2000 were reviewed. Patients received a questionnaire regarding the use of acid‐suppressive therapy, dosage, compliance and satisfaction. The use of trademark and generic medications was assessed. The presence of reflux complaints was assessed via a questionnaire, and a symptom score was calculated using a five‐point Likert scale. Results: A total of 208 patients returned the questionnaire, of whom 161 (78%) used acid‐suppressive therapy. Of the patients still on therapy, 72% (n = 116, group 1) had reflux complaints, while the remaining 45 patients (28%, group 2) were in remission. There was no difference in sex, age, or severity of the initially diagnosed reflux esophagitis. Patients in group 1 were significantly less compliant and satisfied compared to patients from group 2 (73% vs 96% and 83% vs 100%, P < 0.001, respectively). An equal number of patients in both groups used trademark and generic medications (P = not significant). The presence of reflux complaints, as well as the symptom score, showed no difference between users of trademark or generic medication. Conclusion: More than 10 years after the diagnosis, 22% of patients stopped using acid‐suppressive therapy. Only a minority (28%) were in clinical remission, associated with significantly higher satisfaction and compliance to therapy, as compared to their symptomatic counterparts. There was no difference in effect and usage of trademark versus generic medication preparations.     

Sub-optimal CD4 recovery on long-term suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy is associated with favourable outcome

Objectives To examine risk factors for sub-optimal CD4 recovery on suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and assess long-term clinical and immunological outcomes.
Methods Retrospective analysis of 286 HIV-positive patients from a university clinic who initiated HAART with CD4 count <350 cells/μL between January 1996 and July 2006 and achieved ≥52 weeks of viral suppression (VS). Sub-optimal and optimal CD4 count recovery were defined by gains of <150 and ≥150 cells/μL during the first year of VS, respectively. Risk factors were analysed by multivariate logistic regression and markers of immune maturation and activation were evaluated prospectively for a sub-group of patients with prolonged (>5 years) VS.
Results One hundred and two (36%) patients had sub-optimal CD4 recovery. Male gender, lower pre-HAART viral load, HAART toxicity and use of opportunistic infection (OI) prophylaxis were independent risk factors on multivariate analysis ( P <0.05). Outcomes of duration of VS on HAART (4 years), new OI events (1%) and mortality (5%) were similar between groups. Markers of immune maturation and activation were higher among patients with sub-optimal CD4 recovery ( P <0.05).
Conclusions Among HIV-positive patients with long-term VS, sub-optimal CD4 recovery was common but morbidity and mortality remained low. In addition, persistent CD4 T-cell activation appeared to blunt long-term CD4 gains.     

抑酸药对后循环急性脑梗死患者发生肺部感染的影响

目的探讨抑酸药对后循环急性脑梗死患者肺部感染和急性胃黏膜病变发生的影响,及抑酸药物的合理使用。方法回顾性分析2010年07月至2015年12月在我院神经内科住院确诊为急性脑梗死的患者350例,年龄大于18岁,均经头颅MR检查明确为后循环急性脑梗死,所有患者均于发病48 h内入院,且入院前无发热、咳痰等肺部感染临床症状,血白细胞无明显升高或降低,肺部影像学无新发改变,且无急性胃黏膜病变的临床表现;根据入院后是否预防性使用质子泵抑制剂类抑酸药,将其分为使用抑酸药组及非使用抑酸药组,均衡性别、年龄、糖尿病史、冠心病、意识障碍、吞咽障碍、肺部疾病、高血压、慢性胃部疾病史等组间因素后,分析有无抑酸药物使用对急性脑梗死肺部感染发生率及急性胃黏膜病变发生率的影响,将数据进行统计学分析,评价抑酸药物对急性脑梗死患者的影响。结果 350例患者平均年龄72.3岁,其中男性210例占60%,女性140例占40%;抑酸药组男性92例,女性68例,占45.7%,平均年龄73.5岁;非抑酸药组男性118例,女性72例,占54.3%,平均年龄71.2岁;350例患者中发生肺部感染94例,总的肺部感染率为26.8%,其中男性67例占71.3%,女性27例占28.7%;使用抑酸药组发生肺部感染56例,感染率35.0%,非抑酸药组肺部感染38例,感染率20.0%,两组间肺部感染发生率的差别有统计学意义;意识障碍患者中有63例发生肺部感染,占意识障碍总人数的66.3%;吞咽困难无意识障碍患者中有28例发生肺部感染,占吞咽困难总人数的44.5%;发生急性胃黏膜病变共81例,发生率为23.1%,其中抑酸药组29例,非抑酸药组52例,两组间急性胃黏膜病变发生率有统计学意义;共53例有慢性胃部疾病史,其中抑酸药组25例,发生急性胃黏膜病变5例,非抑酸药组28例,有13例发生急性胃黏膜病变,差异有统计学意义。结论后循环急性脑梗死患者预防性使用抑酸药会明显增加卒中后肺部感染的发生,使用抑酸药组的急性胃黏膜病变发生率低于未用药组,提示对患者进行危险分层评估后再确定是否预防性使用抑酸药,方可得到最佳效果。     

The lower esophageal sphincter strength in patients with gastroesophageal reflux before and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and sphincter strength (LESS) were measured before and after short and floppy laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in 38 patients with severe gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). These patients were compared with a control group of 23 healthy volunteers. GERD was assessed by stationary manometry, 24-h pH recordings and endoscopy. LESS was verified by motorized pull-back of an air-filled balloon catheter from the stomach into the esophagus. The catheter assembly was well tolerated by all study participants. LESP increased significantly after operation from 8 mmHg to 14 mmHg (75% of normal values; P < 0.0001), but compared to the control group, LESP (22 mmHg) decreased significantly (P < 0.002). In the control group and in patients with GERD, LESP and LESS showed excellent correlation (r = 0.97, r = 0.94, respectively). After LNF, LESS increased significantly from 0.6 to 1.6 N (P < 0.0001), about 166%. We conclude that the measurement of LESS is able to explain the discrepancy between satisfactory NF operation and the distinct increase of postoperative LESP. The evaluation of LESS is a helpful tool in assessing functional understanding of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with a short and floppy wrap.     

Esophageal dysmotility and acid sensitivity in patients with mitral valve prolapse and chest pain

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients often experience non-cardiac chest pain. The aims of this study were to determine, in patients with non-cardiac chest pain: (i) whether esophageal dysmotility is more common in patients with MVP than in patients without MVP; and (ii) if acid sensitivity is an important cause of the chest pain in MVP patients. Esophageal manometry and acid perfusion testing were performed in 277 consecutive patients with non-cardiac chest pain. Patients with MVP (13 female, one male; mean age 49 years) were more likely (P = 0.01) to have esophageal dysmotility, while acid perfusion was less likely (P < 0.05) to provoke their chest pain, than in patients without MVP. The most common esophageal motor abnormalities detected in patients with and without MVP were diffuse esophageal spasm (prevalence, 57%) and non-specific motor disorder (prevalence, 9%), respectively. This study, the first large prospective series examining possible esophageal sensorimotor correlates of chest pain in MVP patients, demonstrates that in the absence of a cardiac cause for chest pain, a specific esophageal motility disorder should be excluded, rather than assuming the chest pain is likely to be due to acid sensitivity.     

Delayed esophageal perforation after laparoscopic fundoplication in a patient with diabetes mellitus: a case report

A 55-year-old man on hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy suffered from vomiting and hematoemesis. He was diagnosed to have reflux esophagitis with Los Angeles classification grade D, which was accompanied by a shortened esophagus and stricture. His reflux esophagitis was proton pump inhibitor resistant. Therefore, we performed laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication. Delayed esophageal perforation occurred on the ninth day postoperatively, for which he had to be reoperated. To our knowledge, there is no previous report of delayed esophageal perforation after laparoscopic fundoplication. Esophageal perforation might have been caused by denudation or attenuation of the abdominal esophagus.     

Esophageal dysmotility is more common than gastroparesis in diabetes mellitus and is associated with retinopathy

OBJECTIVES: Gastroparesis is a well-known complication of diabetes mellitus, both in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Esophageal dysmotility has also been described, but is not as well-characterized. The etiology and effect of these complications need to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to evaluate esophageal and gastric motility, complications, gastrointestinal symptoms, and plasma biomarkers in a cross-sectional study comprising patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Patients with diabetes were consecutively asked to participate, and eventually 84 volunteers were included in the study. Esophageal manometry and the gastric emptying test were performed in all patients. Type of diabetes, symptoms, diabetic complications, body mass index (BMI), and biomarkers were recorded. Patients were interviewed about gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Esophageal dysmotility was present in 63% of patients and gastroparesis in 13% of patients. There was no difference in dysmotility between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes or between genders. Gastrointestinal symptoms did not correlate to objective findings. Age correlated negatively with gastric emptying rate (p = 0.004). Patients with esophageal dysmotility had longer duration of diabetes compared to those without dysmotility (p = 0.043). In logistic regression analysis, retinopathy was strongly associated with esophageal dysmotility, independent of duration (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal dysmotility is more common than gastroparesis in diabetes mellitus independent of gender, symptoms, and type of diabetes. There is a strong association between retinopathy and esophageal dysmotility.     

Esophageal dysmotility associated with systemic sclerosis: a high‐resolution manometry study

Esophageal involvement occurs in about 80% of patients with systemic sclerosis, with a marked diminution of peristaltic pressures in the distal two‐thirds of the esophagus. Our aims were to more fully characterize esophageal motility disorders in systemic sclerosis using high‐resolution manometry (HRM) and to determine predictive factors of esophageal involvement. Fifty‐one patients (46 females) with systemic sclerosis were included in this retrospective study. Esophageal motility was characterized with HRM. The demographic data, esophageal symptoms, presence of other organ involvement, and autoantibody profile (anti‐Scl70 antibodies [Scl70], anticentromere antibodies [ACA]) were recorded for all patients. Esophageal body dysmotility was present in 33 patients (67.3%) and was associated with hypotensive esophagogastric junction in 27 patients (55.1%). The velocity of proximal contractions was higher in patients with esophageal body dysmotility compared to patients with normal peristalsis (median 10.8 cm/s vs. 5.5, P = 0.04). The amplitude of middle esophageal contraction but not of distal esophageal contraction was reduced in patients with hypoperistalsis. Diffuse esophageal skin involvement, presence of Scl70 and absence of ACA were associated with esophageal involvement. Esophageal symptoms encountered in 87.5% of patients were not predictive of esophageal dysmotility. This HRM series confirms the high prevalence of esophageal body dysmotility in systemic sclerosis. Diffuse skin involvement, positive Scl70 and negative ACA, but not esophageal symptoms, may predict esophageal body dysmotility.     

Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa in Middle Esophagus Complicated with Esophageal Ulcers

Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) of esophagus, primarily occurring in cervical esophagus, is usually asymptomatic. A healthy woman (mid-40s) with postprandial heartburn was diagnosed with middle esophageal HGM and esophageal ulcers by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Using 8-channel pH monitoring, a sensor near the HGM area detected postprandial acid phase (pH 3-4), while areas adjacent to the proximal and distal sensors were neutral, suggesting acid secretion from the HGM. A biopsy showed fundic gland tissue expressing H⁺/K⁺-ATPase and pepsinogen-I. Oral vonoprazan improved the clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings. This is the first report using 8-channel pH monitoring to diagnose extremely rare middle esophageal HGM.     

Gender differences in factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE: To identify gender differences in social and behavioral factors associated with antiretroviral adherence. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Methadone maintenance program. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirteen HIV-seropositive current or former opioid users. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Participants were surveyed at baseline about social and behavioral characteristics and at monthly research visits about drug and alcohol use and medication side effects. Electronic monitors (MEMS) were used to measure antiretroviral adherence. Median adherence among women was 27% lower than among men (46% vs. 73%; P < .05). In gender-stratified multivariate models, factors associated with worse adherence in men included not belonging to an HIV support group (P < .0001), crack/cocaine use (P < .005), and medication side effects (P = .01). Among women, alcohol use (P = .005), heroin use (P < .05), and significant medication side effects (P < .005) were independently associated with worse adherence. In a model including both men and women, worse adherence was associated with lack of long-term housing (P < .005), not belonging to any HIV support groups (P < .0005), crack or cocaine use (P < .01), and medication side effects (P < .0005). In addition, worse adherence was associated with the interaction between female gender and alcohol use (P < or = .05). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of current and former opioid users, gender-stratified analysis demonstrated that different social and behavioral factors are associated with adherence in men and women. Among both men and women, worse adherence was associated with lack of long-term housing, not belonging to an HIV support group, crack/cocaine use, and medication side effects. Among women only, alcohol use was associated with worse adherence.     

The role of transsphincteric pressure and proximal gastric volume in acid reflux before and after fundoplication

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study was conducted to explore the role of proximal gastric volume and transsphincteric pressure on acid reflux during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) both before and after laparoscopic fundoplication. METHODS: Twenty GERD patients were studied before and after fundoplication along with 20 healthy controls. High-resolution manometry and pH recording was performed for 1 hour before and 2 hours following meal ingestion (500 mL/300 kcal). Three-dimensional ultrasonographic images of the stomach were acquired before and every 15 minutes after meal ingestion. RESULTS: Postprandial proximal to total gastric volume distribution ratios were significantly larger in GERD patients before fundoplication (0.57 +/- 0.01; P < .05) and smaller following fundoplication (0.37 +/- 0.01; P < .001) compared with controls (0.46 +/- 0.01). The percentage of TLESRs associated with acid reflux did not relate to proximal gastric volume in any subject group. The transsphincteric pressure profile was different for TLESRs with and without reflux in GERD patients as well as in healthy controls. The pressure gradient across the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) (DeltaEGJp) was greater for TLESRs with acid reflux compared with TLESRs without acid reflux in both GERD patients (11.4 +/- 0.8 vs 8.0 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, respectively; P < .01) and controls (10.6 +/- 0.7 vs 7.1 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, respectively; P < .05). After fundoplication, DeltaEGJp during TLESRs was 7.9 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, and the transsphincteric pressure profile markedly changed. CONCLUSIONS: Although proximal gastric volume plays a key role in eliciting TLESRs, it is not related to the incidence of acid reflux during TLESRs. The transsphincteric pressure gradient is greater in TLESRs associated with acid gastroesophageal reflux.     

Risk factors associated with the need for oxygen therapy in patients with COVID-19

Respiratory failure is the major cause of death in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Data on factors affecting the need for oxygen therapy in early-stage COVID-19 are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the need for oxygen therapy in patients with COVID-19.This is a retrospective study of consecutive COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized between February 27 and June 28, 2020, in South Korea. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the need for oxygen therapy.Of the 265 patients included in the study, 26 (9.8%) received oxygen therapy, and 7 of these patients (29.2%) were transferred to a step-up facility, and 3 (11.5%) died. The median age of all patients was 46 years (IQR, 30–60 years), and the median modified early warning score at admission was 1 (IQR, 1–2). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, being a current smoker (odds ratio [OR] 7.641, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.686–34.630, P = .008), heart rate (OR 1.053, 95% CI 1.010–1.097, P = .014), aspartate aminotransferase values (OR 1.049, 95% CI 1.008–1.092, P = .020), blood urea nitrogen levels (OR 1.171, 95% CI 1.073–1.278, P < .001), and chest radiographic findings (OR 3.173, 95% CI 1.870–5.382, P < .001) were associated with oxygen therapy.In patients with less severe COVID-19, the need for oxygen therapy is affected by smoking and elevated values of aspartate aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen. Further research is warranted on the risk factors for deterioration in COVID-19 to efficiently allocate medical resources.