Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes: nothing resembles less an IBS than another IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: clinical and psychological features, body mass index and comorbidities

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes according to bowel habit. Objective: To investigate whether there are differences in clinical features, comorbidities, anxiety, depression and body mass index (BMI) among IBS subtypes. Methods: The study group included 113 consecutive patients (mean age: 48 ± 11 years; females: 94) with the diagnosis of IBS. All of them answered a structured questionnaire for demographic and clinical data and underwent upper endoscopy. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). Results: The distribution of subtypes was: IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D), 46%; IBS-constipation (IBS-C), 32%, and mixed IBS (IBS-M), 22%. IBS overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia, chronic headache and fibromyalgia occurred in 65.5%, 48.7%, 40.7% and 22.1% of patients, respectively. Anxiety and/or depression were found in 81.5%. Comparisons among subgroups showed that bloating was significantly associated with IBS-M compared to IBS-D (odds ratio-OR-5.6). Straining was more likely to be reported by IBS-M (OR 15.3) and IBS-C (OR 12.0) compared to IBS-D patients, while urgency was associated with both IBS-M (OR 19.7) and IBS-D (OR 14.2) compared to IBS-C. In addition, IBS-M patients were more likely to present GERD than IBS-D (OR 6.7) and higher scores for anxiety than IBS-C patients (OR 1.2). BMI values did not differ between IBS-D and IBS-C. Conclusion: IBS-M is characterized by symptoms frequently reported by both IBS-C (straining) and IBS-D (urgency), higher levels of anxiety, and high prevalence of comorbidities. These features should be considered in the clinical management of this subgroup.

Predictive factors of small bowel patency in Crohn's disease patients

Background: Patency capsule was developed to avoid small bowel video capsule endoscopy retention, namely in patients with Crohn's disease. Aims: To evaluate the predictive factors of small bowel patency in Crohn's disease patients. Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis including 151 Crohn's disease patients submitted to patency capsule (Agile® Patency Capsule) from 2011 to 2012. Patients that excreted the intact patency capsule were classified as having a patent small bowel (without patency capsule retention), other patients were considered to have negative patency of the small bowel (patency capsule retention). Results: Patients had a mean age of 41±14 years, 54% were female and 25% had been previously submitted to surgery. Stricturing disease was seen in 20% of cases and penetrating disease in 16% of cases. Left-sided colonic lesions and ileal strictures were observed at colonoscopy in 13% and 9% of patients, respectively. In our sample, 28% of patients had negative patency of the small bowel (patency capsule retention). In multivariate analysis, independent factors that were associated with negative patency of the small bowel in Crohn's disease patients were stricturing (OR 10.16, p < 0.001) and penetrating phenotypes (OR 11.73, p = 0.001), left-sided colonic lesions (OR 3.77, p = 0.038), ileal stricture (OR 9.76, p = 0.003); previous intestinal surgery was found to be protective (OR 0.16, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Stricturing or penetrating disease, ileal strictures, no previous surgery and left-sided colonic lesions were the factors associated with negative small bowel patency in Crohn's disease patients.

Overexpression of Aquaporin 1 on cysts of patients with polycystic liver disease

Background and objective: Polycystic liver disease (PCLD) represents a group of genetic disorders that include autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and isolated polycystic liver disease (iPCLD). There is currently no definitive treatment except for liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the expression level of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) on the PCLD cysts with different sizes and provide the potential therapeutic target. Methods: We collected 3 normal bile ducts, and recruited 8 patients with simple liver cyst disease, 24 patients with ADPKD, and 17 patients with iPCLD. AQP1 expression in different types of cyst walls and in normal bile ducts was detected using real time quantitative PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining. We also compared AQP1 expression levels in cysts of different sizes. Besides, ionic concentrations, pH and osmolality of cyst fluid were analyzed. Results: The results showed that AQP1 expression in PCLD cysts was significantly higher than that in simple liver cysts and the normal bile ducts. In addition, a comparable increasing trend was found in cysts of smaller sizes to cysts of larger sizes. pH values, the sodium and chloride concentrations were higher in cyst fluid than that in the serum. Conclusions: AQP1 was overexpressed in cystic cholangiocytes. A tendency of increased AQP1 protein expression in correlation with the cyst size was also found. These observations offered a direction into the molecular mechanisms of cyst expansion and maybe provide new treatment strategies to reduce fluid secretion into liver cysts.

Idiopathic portal hypertension regarding thiopurine treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction: The possibility of developing idiopathic portal hypertension has been described with thiopurine treatment despite compromises the prognosis of these patients, the fact its true prevalence is unknown. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients followed at our unit, to determine the prevalence of diagnosis of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and its relationship with thiopurine treatment. Results: At the time of the analysis, 927/1,419 patients were under treatment with thiopurine drugs (65%). A total of 4 patients with IBD type Crohn's disease with idiopathic portal hypertension probably related to the thiopurine treatment were identified (incidence of 4.3 cases per 1,000). Seventy-five percent of patients started with signs or symptoms of portal hypertension. Only one patient was asymptomatic but the diagnosis of IPH because of isolated thrombocytopenia is suspected. However, note that all patients had thrombocytopenia previously. Abdominal ultrasound with fibroscan, hepatic vein catheterization and liver biopsy were performed on all of them as part of the etiology of portal hypertension. In the abdominal ultrasound, indirect portal hypertension data were observed in all patients (as splenomegaly) cirrhosis was also ruled out. The fibroscan data showed significant liver fibrosis (F2-F3). Conclusion: Idiopathic portal hypertension following thiopurine treatment in IBD patients is a rare occurrence, but it must be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis for early diagnosis, especially in patients undergoing thiopurine treatment over a long period. The presence of thrombocytopenia is often the only predictor of its development in the preclinical stage.

Introducción: entre los efectos adversos hepáticos secundarios al tratamiento tiopurínico en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII), se ha descrito la posibilidad de desarrollar hipertensión portal idiopática. Esta patología de etiología y prevalencia real inciertas puede comprometer el pronóstico de estos pacientes, por lo que se debe tener un alto grado de sospecha para su diagnóstico precoz. Material y métodos: se ha llevado a cabo un estudio transversal en una cohorte de pacientes con EII en seguimiento en nuestra unidad para determinar la prevalencia del diagnóstico de HTP idiopática (HTPI) y su relación con el tratamiento tiopurínico. Resultados: en nuestro centro, en el momento del análisis había 1.419 pacientes en seguimiento por enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. De estos, 927 pacientes se encuentran bajo tratamiento con fármacos tiopurínicos (o lo han estado durante la evolución de su enfermedad), lo que supone el 65,3% de la población: 689 pacientes con azatioprina (74,3%) y 238 con 6-mercaptopurina (25,7%). En total, se identificaron 4 pacientes con EII tipo enfermedad de Crohn con hipertensión portal idiopática en probable relación con el tratamiento tiopurínico, lo que supuso un 4,3% del total, es decir, una incidencia de 4,3 casos por cada 1.000 pacientes con EII tratados con tiopurínicos. Las características basales de los pacientes se describen en la tabla I. El 75% de los pacientes debutó con signos o síntomas de hipertensión portal: 1 paciente con encefalopatía hepática y 2 pacientes con hemorragia digestiva por varices esofágicas. Solo un paciente se encontraba asintomático, pero se sospechó el diagnóstico de HTP por trombopenia aislada. No obstante, cabe destacar que todos los pacientes presentaban trombopenia previamente aunque no se había sospechado el diagnóstico de HTP a pesar de un exhaustivo estudio. A todos los se realizó ecografía abdominal con fibroscan, cateterismo de venas suprahepáticas, así como biopsia hepática como parte del estudio etiológico de hipertensión portal. En la ecografía abdominal se objetivaron datos indirectos de HTP en todos los pacientes (como esplenomegalia), descartándose asimismo cirrosis hepática. El fibroscan mostraba datos de fibrosis hepática significativa (F2-F3). Además, a todos los pacientes se les realizó una angiorresonancia en la que se descartó trombosis del eje esplenoportal como causa de HTP. Por último, la anatomía patológica de la biopsia hepática descartó la presencia de cirrosis hepática, apoyando el diagnóstico de HTP idiopática (Tabla II). Conclusiones: la hipertensión portal idiopática secundaria a tratamiento tiopurínico en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal es un fenómeno poco frecuente, pero ha de ser tenido en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial para un diagnóstico precoz, principalmente en pacientes con tratamiento tiopurínico de larga evolución. La presencia de trombopenia es a menudo el único factor predictor de su desarrollo en fases preclínicas.

Impact of a gluten-free diet on bone mineral density in celiac patients

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone illness that may complicate celiac disease (CD). It can lead to devastating consequences because of low bone mass and fragility fractures. Purpose: To study the OP prevalence in a group of Brazilian patients with CD and the value of a gluten free diet (GFD). Methods: Retrospective study of celiac female patients from a single University Center followed with bone densitometries. Results from densitometry made at first visit were compared with a second study after a median time of 5 years. During this period, patients were submitted to a GFD according to orientations from special program training. Calcium and vitamin D were prescribed to those patients who did not reach the minimal daily requirement through diet. Results: Forty-one celiac female patients, mean age 46.1 ± 14.8 years, were included. The prevalence of osteopenia at first visit was 56.1% and that of osteoporosis 29.2%. Osteoporosis was associated with longer disease duration (p = 0.01). The second densitometry was performed in a median time of 5 years (range 1 to 13 years) and disclosed 58.9% osteopenia and 28.2% osteoporosis. The GFD improved bone mass, mainly at (of) spine (comparison of T score with p = 0.03 and of bone mass in g/cm² with p = 0.02), but it was not sufficient to reduce the number of osteopenic (p = 0.9) and osteoporotic patients (p = 0.4). During the follow up period 25% of osteoporotic patients developed low impact fractures. Conclusion: Bone health is notably impaired at baseline in CD patients, especially in those with a diagnostic delay. A GFD modestly improved bone mass density with low impact fractures occurring in one third of patients during the follow up period.

Management of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy for endoscopic procedures: introduction to novel oral anticoagulants

The development of novel antithrombotic therapy in the past few years and its prescription in patients with cardiovascular and circulatory disease has widened the spectrum of drugs that need to be considered when performing an endoscopic procedure. The balance between the thrombotic risk patients carry due to their medical history and the bleeding risk involved in endoscopic procedures should be thoroughly analyzed by Gastroenterologists. New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) impose an additional task. These agents, that specifically target factor IIa or Xa, do not dispose of an anticoagulation monitoring method nor have an antidote to revert their effect, just as with antiplatelet agents. Understanding the fundamental aspects of these drugs provides the necessary knowledge to determine the ideal period the antithrombotic therapy should be interrupted in order to perform the endoscopic procedure, offering maximum safety for patients and optimal results.

El desarrollo de novedosos fármacos antitrombóticos en los últimos años y su amplia prescripción en la población con patología cardiovascular y circulatoria ha ampliado el espectro de medicamentos que deben tenerse en cuenta a la hora de realizar un procedimiento endoscópico. La balanza entre el riesgo trombótico que presentan los pacientes debido a su patología subyacente y riesgo hemorrágico que conllevan algunas técnicas endoscópicas debe conocerse a fondo por parte de los gastroenterólogos. Los nuevos anticoagulantes orales suponen un reto adicional. Estos agentes, dirigidos específicamente frente a los factores IIa o Xa, no tienen métodos de monitorización del grado de anticoagulación ni antídoto que revierta su efecto, al igual que ocurre con los antiagregantes. Comprender aspectos claves de estos fármacos aportará los conocimientos necesarios para determinar el momento ideal de realización de la técnica y el tiempo de suspensión de los agentes antitrombóticos, con el fin de ofrecer la máxima seguridad para los pacientes y optimizar los resultados.

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule

Rectosigmoid carcinoma presenting with a large small bowel fistula

Ovarian involvement in Crohn's disease: a rare complication

Background: The transmural condition of Crohn's disease predisposes to fistulae or abscesses. The internal fistula incidence is about 15%. Among them, enteroovarian fistula is rarely described on the literature. Herein, the authors present three cases of enteroovarian fistulas. Case reports: Two women are diagnosed with ileal Crohn's disease that presented a pelvic abscess diagnosed by ultrasound and CT. On surgery, an inflammatory mass involving the ileum and the ovary was found. The third woman was operated because of a tuboovarian abscess and was diagnosed with ileal Crohn's disease afterwards. In the three cases, the histopathological analysis of the ovary showed granulomas with abscess compatible with Crohn's disease. In one of the cases, multinucleated giant cells were found in the foreign body reaction to vegetable matter. A right ileocolectomy and an adnexectomy were performed in all three cases. No further involvement of the contralateral ovary or other gynaecological complications was observed. Discussion: The treatment of Crohn's disease complications should be individualized. In the case of ovarian involvement, surgical treatment should include adnexectomy.

Introducción: la naturaleza transmural de la enfermedad de Crohn predispone a fístulas o abscesos. La incidencia de las fístulas internas está alrededor del 15%. Entre ellas, las fístulas enteroováricas son raramente descritas en la literatura. Se presentan tres casos de fístulas enteroováricas. Casos clínicos: dos mujeres diagnosticadas de enfermedad de Crohn ileal presentaron un absceso pélvico que fue diagnosticado mediante ecografía y TC. En la cirugía se halló una masa inflamatoria que afectaba al íleon y al ovario. La tercera mujer fue operada por un absceso tuboovárico y diagnosticada posteriormente de enfermedad de Crohn ileal. En los tres casos, el análisis anatomopatológico del ovario demostró la existencia de granulomas con abscesos compatible con la enfermedad de Crohn. En uno de los casos se hallaron células gigantes multinucleadas como reacción a cuerpo extraño, tratándose de material vegetal. En los tres casos se realizó una ileocolectomía derecha y una anexectomía. En el seguimiento no se ha observado afectación alguna del ovario contralateral, ni otras complicaciones ginecológicas. Discusión: el tratamiento de las complicaciones de la enfermedad de Crohn debe ser individualizado. En caso de afectación ovárica, el tratamiento quirúrgico debe incluir la anexectomía.

Contribution of infliximab population pharmacokinetic model for dose optimization in ulcerative colitis patients

Primary omental torsion as presentation of acute abdomen: case report

On an imported case of Taenia saginata

Celiac disease and fibromyalgia: Is there an association?

Gastric neuroendocrine tumor presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding

A propos of a case: abdominal compartment syndrome caused by massive hydatid disease