What Is the Risk for Perforation During Esophageal Dilation?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Very low in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis
By David A. Johnson, MD
September 3, 2010
Covering:
Jacobs JW Jr and Spechler SJ., Dig Dis Sci 2010 Jun; 55:1512
Lesogaberan for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The jury is still out on this alternate approach.
By David A. Johnson, MD
August 20, 2010
Covering:
Boeckxstaens GE et al., Gastroenterology 2010 Aug; 139:409
Falk GW., Gastroenterology 2010 Aug; 139:377
Is Endoscopic Surveillance of Gastric Ulcers Cost-Effective?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Probably not, unless the prevalence of undetected malignancy exceeds 6%
Is Acid-Reduction Therapy Associated with Risk for Hip Fractures?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Another study adds to the confusion about this potential link.
Gastrointestinal Risks of Celecoxib vs. Diclofenac-plus-Omeprazole
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Among arthritis patients, risk for presumed GI bleeding was lower with celecoxib, but concerns remain.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 29, 2010
Covering:
Chan FKL et al., Lancet 2010 Jul 17; 376:173
Another Study of Proton-Pump Inhibitor "Withdrawal Symptoms"
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Nearly half of asymptomatic volunteers reported dyspepsia after completing a 4-week course of pantoprazole.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 27, 2010
Covering:
Niklasson A et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2010 Jul; 105:1531
Are Alarm Symptoms Predictive of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a population in China with high prevalence of <$EMPH_O>Helicobacter pylori<$EMPH_C> infection, alarm symptoms were poor predictors of malignancy.
Probiotics to Reduce Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Enteropathy?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a small crossover trial, a probiotic mixture reduced fecal calprotectin concentrations in healthy volunteers who were receiving indomethacin.
Capsule Endoscopy for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Capsule endoscopy bested small-bowel radiography in terms of diagnostic yield — but not clinical outcomes — in a randomized trial.
Predicting Mortality Risk in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Another new scoring system outperforms the Rockall score.
Proton-Pump Inhibitors Linked with Fewer Hospitalizations
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Among older veterans, PPI use was associated with lower overall medical costs, thanks to fewer hospitalizations for upper gastrointestinal events.
Are Cough and Gastroesophageal Reflux Related?
Cough is not a common symptom of GER in infants.
A Link Between Hedgehog Signaling and Barrett Esophagus?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
If confirmed, this connection could have implications for treatment and prevention of BE.
Global Gastrointestinal Events with Celecoxib vs. Diclofenac and Omeprazole
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Risks for clinical events throughout the GI tract were lower with a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor than with a nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug plus a proton-pump inhibitor.
Cardiovascular Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: An Alternative Mechanism
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Augmentation of the Th1 immune response — rather than a prothrombotic effect — might be responsible.
For Proton-Pump Inhibitors and Fracture Risk, Not All Bones are Equal
Women's Health Summary and Comment
PPI use in postmenopausal women was associated with excess risk for clinical spine, forearm, or wrist fractures but not for hip fractures.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
June 10, 2010
Covering:
Gray SL et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 May 10; 170:765
The Effect of Implementing Guidelines on Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Use of PPIs to prevent nosocomial upper gastrointestinal bleeding declined for patients not already receiving PPIs at hospital admission.
Clopidogrel plus a Proton-Pump Inhibitor: Prescription for Cardiovascular Events?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Yet another retrospective cohort study adds to the confusion.
By David A. Johnson, MD
May 21, 2010
Covering:
Stockl KM et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Apr 26; 170:704
Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Proton-Pump Inhibitors
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
PPI use during treatment for CDI was associated with excess risk for infection recurrence.
High-Dose vs. Low-Dose Proton-Pump Inhibitors
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
No significant differences were seen between the two approaches in preventing rebleeding, surgical therapy, or mortality after endoscopic therapy in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.
Endoscopic Findings in Patients with Dyspepsia
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
In a community-based study, only one fourth of patients with dyspepsia had endoscopic findings.
Does Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use Reduce the Antiplatelet Effects of Low-Dose Aspirin?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Apparently yes, but the effect on cardiovascular outcomes is not yet known.
Gastric Electrical Stimulation for Functional Dyspepsia
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Vacuum interferential current therapy was more effective than sham therapy at improving some symptoms.
Second-Look Endoscopy After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The procedure seemed unnecessary, but it could provide potential benefit.
Clopidogrel and Proton-Pump Inhibitors: More Good News
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Concurrent use of clopidogrel and PPIs was safe and effective for patients with cardiovascular disease who are at high risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.
