One-Year Follow-up of Duodenal Ulcers after 1-Wk Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori

Objective : to study the ulcer recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers at 1 yr after eradication of the bacteria by triple therapy. Method : Patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were randomized to receive either triple therapy for 1 wk plus omeprazole for 4 wk (THple+OMP) (n = 78), or omeprazole alone (OMP) for 4 wk (N = 77). Patients were followed up every 3 months for symptom enquiry. At 1 yr, all asymptomatic patients were invited to attend for gastroscopy. Results : At 8 wk, 16 patients in the OMP group and four in the Triple+OMP group had an ulcer. During the 1-yr period, 12 patients in the OMP group and no patient in the Triple+OMP group developed symptomatic ulcers. At follow-up endoscopy at 1 yr, another 10 ulcers were detected in the OMP group and two in the Triple+OMP group. Fifteen patients in the OMP group and 13 in the Triple+OMP group were lost to follow-up. In total, ulcers were de-tected in 39 of 61 (64%) assessahle patients in the OMP group, and in six of 65 (97o) assessahle patients in the Triple+OMP group after I yr (χ² test: p < 0.001). Of the patients whose H, pytori were successfully eradicated hy Triple+OMP at 8 wk, 90% remained H. pylori negative at 1 yr. Conclusion : Triple therapy for 1 wk eradicates H, pylori infection and significantly reduces duodenal ulcer relapses.     

Medico-genetic and cytogenetic investigation in family with high predisposition to diffuse intestine polyposis

We revealed a family consisting of 25 persons which displayed high predisposition to malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT): rectal cancer (RC) was diagnosed in 2 patients, large intestine malignant polyposis (LIMP) in 1 patient, large intestine diffuse polyposis (LIDP) in 3 and uterus fibromyoma in 1 patient. Six members of the family were examined cytogenetically with the methaphase method on blood lymphocytes following G-banding of chromosomes. In 2 patients with LIDP was detected 8.7 and 16.7% of hyperaneuploid cells, respectively, and 20% of cells with double minute chromosomes (DMS) were detected in 1 LIDP patient. We suppose, that LIDP development in members of the family is related to the significant increase of proportion of hyperaneuploid and DMS-containing cells.     

Clinical and cytogenetic investigation of a family with high predisposition for intestinal polyps

A medico-genetic investigation of a family, consisting of 25 members, revealed high predisposition to malignant pathology of the gastrointestinal tract: rectal cancer was diagnosed in 2, malignant polyposis of the large intestine--1, diffuse polyposis of the large intestine (DPLI)--3, and uterine fibromyoma--in 1 patient. Six members underwent a cytogenetic examination using the metaphase method for peripheral blood lymphocytes and G-banding of chromosomes. Two patients with DPLI carried 8.7 and 16.7% of hyperaneuploid cells and one--20% of cells with double minute chromosomes (DMS). It is suggested that formation and subsequent significant increase in hyperaneuploid and DMS cells could have been responsible for DPLI development in the family.     

Efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine

The efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study carried out on 33 patients, 20 of whom suffered from classic and 13 from common migraine. Four patients dropped out, but not as a result of the side effects of the drug. The duration of drug treatment was 8 weeks. The dosage used was 30 mg four times daily. Nimodipine proved to be better than placebo, the number of migraine attacks and severity of headache showing a significant reduction. The drug was well tolerated and no marked side effects were noted. The results suggest that nimodipine is a useful new prophylactic drug for migraine, but further studies are needed before its final value can be evaluated.