Incidence and etiology of acute non-malignant upper gastrointestinal bleeding in northern Greece

AIM: To evaluate the incidence and etiology of acute non-malignant upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANMUGIB) in northern Greece due to increased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including low-dose aspirin (L-A), exposure and geographical variability of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) seroprevalence. METHODS: A retrospective study of 110 patients admitted for hematemesis or melena during a 6-month period. All patients had undergone a gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy during hospitalization. The presence of Hp was identified by biopsies and a (13)C-urea breath test in the case of Hp(-) biopsy bleeding peptic ulcer (BPU). The activity of ANMUGIB was assessed according to Forrest's classification. Statistical analysis was made by the chi(2)-test and Yates' correction. RESULTS: Most patients were in the two medium age groups with no significant difference between them (P < 0.001). NSAID or L-A (100 mg/day) use was reported in 42.73% of patients in a ratio 1:1 (P > 0.1) and Hp infection was found in 29.09% of patients. BPU, with approximately two-thirds in the bulb, erosions and varices were the most frequent sources. Hp infection was found in 60.65% of BPU, 65.57% were related to NSAIDs or L-A and 8.19% were non-Hp non-NSAID/L-A BPU. Flat spots were most commonly found with a significant difference (P < 0.001) to other stigmata of recent bleeding, except for clean base. CONCLUSIONS: In northern Greece, persons aged over 40 years are prone to ANMUGIB with a non-significant relationship to males. Hp infection and medication use, such as NSAIDS and L-A, are deeply involved in its etiology. Non-Hp non-NSAID/L-A BPU are a small proportion. ANMUGIB seems to have a generally good prognosis.     

Relationship between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and Helicobacter pylori infection in bleeding or uncomplicated peptic ulcers: A case-control study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use has been closely associated with an increased risk of bleeding peptic ulcers, while the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to be lower in bleeding ulcers than in non-bleeding ones. However, whether an interaction exists between NSAID use and H. pylori infection has not clearly been elucidated yet. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of NSAID use and H. pylori infection, to predict risk factors in bleeding peptic ulcers and to determine whether NSAID use and H. pylori infection interact with each other. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with bleeding ulcer were included in the study. The control group consisted of 106 patients with non-bleeding ulcer. Data were analyzed by using the chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis with or without interaction term (H. pylori by NSAID). RESULTS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was significantly more common in patients with bleeding ulcers than in controls (79.2 vs 38.7%, unadjusted odds ratio (OR): 6.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.21-11.29). The frequency of the H. pylori infection was significantly lower in patients with bleeding ulcers than in controls (66.7 vs 89.6%, unadjusted OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.10-0.49). In the logistic regression analysis with the interaction term, male sex (adjusted OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 1.65-8.29), multiplicity of ulcers (adjusted OR: 4.10, 95% CI: 1.02-16.45) and NSAID use (adjusted OR: 33.87, 95% CI: 4.36-262.97) were independent risk factors for bleeding ulcers. There was a negative interaction between H. pylori and NSAID use (adjusted OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: The negative interaction between the two variables suggests that the presence of H. pylori is associated with a lower risk of bleeding in ulcer patients taking NSAIDs.     

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug associated ulcer: Epidemiology, causation and treatment

Epidemiological evidence consistently indicates that aspirin or non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is associated with the occurrence of gastric ulceration, gastric and ulcer bleeding, and ulcer death. Evidence on duodenal ulcer occurrence conflicts, possibly because of differences in study populations. A wide range of mechanisms could explain the occurrence of non steroidal-induced damage. These include inhibition of bicarbonate secretion, effects on mucus formation, and vascular actions. Not all effects are dependent on cyclo-oxygenase inhibition. Short-term studies in humans provide indications of likely therapeutic effects, but cannot demonstrate clinical efficiency. Although anti-secretory drugs and prostaglandins can protect patients against the development of duodenal or gastric ulcers, but not both, there is no clinical evidence which bears upon the critical issue of protection against complications.     

Endoscopic characteristics and Helicobacter pylori infection in NSAID-associated gastric ulcer

Background and Aim: Helicobacter pylori infection and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are deeply involved in the etiology of gastric ulcers. The aim of our study was to clarify the endoscopic characteristics and H. pylori infection status of NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers. Methods: The study group comprised 50 patients (23 men, 27 women; mean age 66.5 years) with NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers and 100 sex‐ and age‐matched patients with gastric ulcer associated with other factors (control group). Ulcer morphology, size and number of lesions, onset site and incidence of hemorrhagic ulcers were investigated endoscopically in both groups. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by serology, histology and ¹³C‐urea breath test. Results: Multiple lesions (68% vs 20%, P < 0.001), occurrence in the antrum (56% vs 6%, P < 0.001), and hemorrhagic ulcer (34% vs 4%, P < 0.001) were significantly more prevalent in patients with NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers than in patients with non‐NSAID‐associated gastric ulcer. The H. pylori infection rate was significantly lower in NSAID‐associated gastric ulcer patients than in non‐NSAID‐associated gastric ulcer patients (48% vs 96%, P < 0.001). In the NSAID‐associated gastric ulcer group, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly lower in patients with ulcers in the antrum than in those with ulcers in the angulus or corpus (25% vs 77.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In contrast to non‐NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers, NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers frequently occur in the antrum with bleeding. The rate of H. pylori infection in NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers is significantly lower than that in non‐NSAID‐associated gastric ulcers.     

超细电子胃镜在小儿上消化道疾病中的诊断价值

目的阐释超细电子胃镜检查在小儿上消化道疾病中的诊断价值。方法 206例小儿均行超细电子胃镜检查,其中25例于胃窦部及十二指肠病变部位取黏膜组织行病理检查,40例胃镜证实为食管、胃或十二指肠溃疡的病例,在胃窦部取黏膜进行了幽门螺杆菌检测。结果 16例十二指肠球部溃疡,溃疡深浅不等,底部被覆白苔、黄白苔或血痂。18例腹型过敏性紫癜,胃、十二指肠黏膜多发的出血、糜烂、溃疡,以十二指肠降部病变为著。5例非甾体抗炎药相关性溃疡,均见于胃窦部,溃疡较表浅,其中1例引起胃腔狭窄。1例食管溃疡并非萎缩性胃炎,食管近贲门附近可见两处浅溃疡,被覆少量白苔。门诊病人以胃、十二指肠慢性炎症为多,在胃镜下取异物2例,15例未见异常发现。40例上消化道溃疡幽门螺杆菌检测结果,18例呈阳性反应,主要见于十二指肠球部溃疡。结论超细电子胃镜检查对儿童是安全可行的,对于小儿上消化道疾病的诊断具有重要价值。     

Rapid urease test is less sensitive than histology in diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The validity of the rapid urease (CLO) test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with bleeding ulcers has been questioned. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the validity of the CLO test in comparison with histology in diagnosing H. pylori infection in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB), irrespective of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. METHODS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed within 24 h of admission for all patients with UGB admitted to the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, Athens, for a period of 12 months. Patients with variceal bleeding, previous gastric operation, recent treatment with proton pump inhibitors (< 2 months) and those with a history of H. pylori eradication therapy were excluded from the study. At least four biopsies (two from the antrum and two from the body) were obtained for the CLO test and histology (modified Giemsa). RESULTS: Seventy-two consecutive patients (aged 18-90 years, 51 men, 21 women) were included. Forty-six patients (64%) used NSAID. Thirty-two patients (44%) were found to be positive for H. pylori infection by the CLO test, while 44 patients (61%) were found to be positive on histology (P<0.045, 95% CI, 0.004-0.331). The sensitivity and specificity of the CLO test were 68 and 93% respectively; positive and negative predictive values were 94 and 65%, respectively. The age of the patient and visible blood in the stomach did not influence results of either the CLO or histology. CONCLUSIONS: The CLO test, performed within 24 h of hospital admission in patients with UGB, irrespective of NSAID use, is unreliable for the detection of H. pylori infection. The age of the patient and the presence of blood in the stomach do not seem to influence these results.     

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastrointestinal toxicity: New insights into an old problem

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used for the treatment of chronic arthropathies, but their gastrointestinal damage remains a significant limitation to their use. In this review, the pathogenic mechanisms through which these drugs are believed to cause gastrointestinal damage are outlined. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of gastric and intestinal injury has resulted in novel strategies that are being employed to develop nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that do not have significant adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.     

湖南省非甾体类抗炎药致上消化道出血的流行病学调查

[目的]通过临床流行病学调查,观察湖南省非甾体类抗炎药(NSAIDs)致上消化道出血的临床特征。[方法]调查2013-02—2014-08期间湖南省因服用NSAIDs致消化道出血患者1146例,对其年龄、服药种类、伴随心脑血管疾病、临床表现、内镜特点及临床治疗等方面进行分析。[结果]NSAIDs致上消化道出血具有年龄分布特点,以老年人尤为多见,且与基础疾病息息相关。临床表现往往以呕血、黑便为首发症状,镜下主要表现为糜烂出血性胃炎及胃溃疡,服药前予以质子泵抑制剂和黏膜保护剂的患者病情轻微,预后较好。[结论]上消化道出血是NSAIDs最危险的不良反应,积极有效的质子泵抑制剂和黏膜保护剂可有效防止消化道再次出血。     

非甾体抗炎药应用及幽门螺杆菌感染对消化性溃疡出血的影响

消化性溃疡(peptic ulcer)是消化系统常见的疾病之一,其病因多种多样.消化性溃疡的主要并发症是合并出血.近年来,幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori, H.pylori)感染和非甾体抗炎药(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs)应用对溃疡出血的影响日益受到重视.本文总结了这两方面因素与溃疡出血的关系,提出了相应的治疗策略.     

非甾体类抗炎剂致上消化道溃疡的临床特点

[目的]研究非甾体类抗炎剂（NSAIDs）相关胃、十二指肠溃疡的临床特点。[方法]统计2001年1月～2006年1月消化病专家门诊及住院患者的临床资料。根据胃镜检查前1周内有无服用NSAIDs史，将138例患者分为A（服NSAIDs，41例）、B（未服NSAIDs，97例）组，对2组患者的临床症状、胃镜、活检结果进行比较。[结果]饱胀、烧心、恶心、腹痛4项主症中前3项A组均高于B组，但腹痛B组高于A组（P〈0．05）。A组中胃溃疡（GID占80．5％（多发性为24．4％），十二指肠球部溃疡（DID为19．5％（多发性4．9％）；B组分别为48．5％（12．4％）、51．5％（11．3％）。活动性溃疡A组占63．4％，溃疡灶〈10mm占80．5％；B组分别为42．3％、62．9％，2组间比较P〈0．01。幽门螺杆菌检出率A组63．4％，B组81．3％，B组明显高于A组（P〈0．05）。[结论]提高临床医师对NSAIDs相关溃疡临床特点的认识，加强对必须服用NSAIDs者的防治及医学指导，尽量减少其不良反应。     

非甾体类抗炎药所致荨麻疹和血管性水肿

非甾体抗炎药(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,NSAIDs)较易引起药物不良反应,其中大部分是由于个体对NSIADs高敏感所致,最常见表现为荨麻疹和(或)血管性水肿。本文将针对NSAIDs所致的荨麻疹和血管性水肿分类、表现、诊断及处理原则进行阐述。     

Nitric oxide-releasing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A novel approach for reducing gastrointestinal toxicity

Abstract The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for treatment of inflammatory conditions is significantly limited by the untoward effects of these compounds on the gastrointestinal tract. While the pathogenesis of 'NSAID-gastropathy' is not completely understood, there is good evidence that the process is directly linked to suppression of prostaglandin synthesis and possibly to neutrophil adherence to the vascular endothelium. Pretreatment of rats with a nitric oxide (NO) donor (sodium nitroprusside) was found to significantly reduce the extent of gastric injury induced by flurbiprofen. We therefore tested the effects of a novel derivative of flurbiprofen. This compound contains a moiety similar to the NO-releasing moieties found in many organic nitrates. This compound suppressed gastric prostaglandin synthesis as effectively as flurbiprofen, but caused significantly less haemorrhagic damage. The compound was also found not to induce small intestinal injury. Since the compound was found to exert anti-inflammatory effects comparable with flurbiprofen, NO-releasing NSAID may represent a novel class of drugs with markedly reduced gastrointestinal toxicity.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in bleeding peptic ulcer patients after non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug consumption

AIM:To establish the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) infection in patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer after consumption of non-steroidal antiinflamma- tory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS:A very early upper endoscopy was performed to find the source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to take biopsy specimens for analysis of H. pylori infection by the rapid urease (CLO) test, histological examination, and bacterial culture. IgG anti-CagA were also sought. The gold standard for identifying H. pyl...     

Duodenal ulcers dominate acute upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in childhood: a 10-year experience from Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE: Systematic reports on acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children/adolescents are scanty. The aim of this study is to analyze its presentation, pathology and outcome in Hong Kong. METHODS: A retrospective review of the hospital database for admissions up to the age of 18 years with signs of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding between 1 June 1996 and 31 May 2006. RESULTS: During the 10‐year period 76 patients (55 boys) were admitted with signs of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The median age was 13.5 (range 0.25–18) years. Melena and hematemesis were by far the most frequent presentations. Medication was implicated in 16 cases (21%) as the possible cause for the bleeding. Endoscopic findings were a duodenal ulcer in 57 (75%) patients (50 boys) and a gastric ulcer in eight (10.5%). Helicobacter pylori infection was identified in 42 (55%) patients, of which 38 were found in duodenal ulcer patients. Eleven patients (14.5%) had interventions to achieve hemostasis: six epinephrine spray only, three thermal probe and two vessel ligation. After a median follow‐up time of 3.5 years six patients had a recurrent duodenal ulcer. Three patients died of unrelated illnesses. CONCLUSION: Acute upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in children and adolescents in Hong Kong is dominated by a duodenal ulcer in 75% of the patients. Acute bleeding is more frequent in boys (boy to girl ratio 2.6:1). Medication is a predisposing factor in 20% of the bleedings. Six patients (8%) have recurrent duodenal ulcers.     

幽门螺杆菌感染、服用非甾体抗炎药与消化性溃疡的关系

目的 研究消化性溃疡患者由于幽门螺杆菌（H.pylori）感染或服用非甾体抗炎药（NSAIDs）的发生率.方法 选取湖北省武汉市武昌医院2010年3月-2012年7月诊治的152例消化性溃疡患者,将其作为治疗组,同时选取同一时间段到消化科就诊的234例非消化性溃疡患者,将其作为对照组.结果 胃溃疡组感染H.pylori的几率是对照组的2.308倍,十二指肠溃疡组是对照组的8.186倍;胃溃疡组服用NSAIDs的几率是对照组的6.072倍,十二指肠溃疡组是对照组的2.823倍;胃溃疡组同时感染H.pylori和服用NSAIDs的几率是对照组的14.972倍,十二指肠溃疡组是对照组的28.873倍.结论 H.pylori感染同时服用了NSAIDs患者增加消化性溃疡的发生危险性,两种因素同时存在可以起协同作用,增加消化性溃疡的发生几率.     

Effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sulindac on colorectal adenomas of uncolectomized familial adenomatous polyposis

Background: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of sulindac on uncolectomized familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Methods: Seven FAP patients (SU group) without proctocolectomy were given sulindac 300 mg/day orally for 12 months. Six FAP patients without sulindac (non‐SU group) served as controls. Colorectal lesions were assessed by protrusion index (no. radiolucent areas/cm²; PI) under barium enema examination and non‐polypoid lesion were assessed under chromoscopy prior to and at the end of the observation period. In the SU group, germline adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation was determined by protein truncation test. Results: In the SU group, PI decreased significantly in the distal colon (from 3.0 ± 1.1 to 1.1 ± 0.8/cm², P < 0.02) and in the proximal colon (from 3.4 ± 2.4 to 0.9 ± 1.3/cm², P < 0.02). The PI in the non‐SU group slightly but significantly increased in the distal colon (from 1.0 ± 0.8 to 1.2 ± 0.9/cm²; P < 0.05) and it remained unchanged in the proximal colon (from 0.6 ± 0.3 to 0.7 ± 0.3/cm²; P > 0.05). Chromoscopy at the end of observation identified non‐polypoid lesions in five patients in the SU group, whereas such lesions were not found in the non‐SU group (71% vs 0%, P = 0.016). Decrease in PI was not different among distal APC mutation (exons 1–9), proximal APC mutation (exons 10–15) and negative mutation. Conclusion: Sulindac reduces colorectal adenomas of protruding type in uncolectomized FAP. The effect of sulindac may be unrelated to genotype of FAP.     

Management of peptic ulcer disease not related to Helicobacter

Most peptic ulcers not due to Helicobacter pylori are caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), among which an important subset are due to vascular protective ("low-dose") aspirin therapy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ulcers heal quite quickly when treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), even though the NSAID is continued. If the NSAID can be stopped, the ulcers heal readily with either a PPI or a histamine H2-receptor antagonist (H2-RA). If anti-inflammatory treatment is still needed after ulcers are healed, prophylactic co-therapy with a PPI or misoprostol will reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence by about 60-80%. The alternative of switching to a highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor has been shown to reduce the risk of a complicated ulcer by about 50-60%, unless low-dose aspirin treatment needs to be given as well for vascular disease. Idiopathic ulcers are becoming more frequent as H. pylori prevalence falls. Some may be sequelae of previous NSAID ulceration even though the NSAID has been ceased and the original ulcer had healed. These are best treated with an H2-RA or a PPI, followed by long-term maintenance with either of these (often in half the healing dosage) to prevent recurrence. Ulcers due to Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other hypergastrinemia syndromes are rare, and largely beyond the scope of this review.