Lara Aguilera Castro

Limited effectiveness with a 10-day bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (Pylera®) in third-line recue treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. A real-life multicenter study

Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem worldwide. Pylera® may be an option as salvage therapy.

PPIs: Between overuse and underprescription when really necessary

Hydrochloric acid gastric secretion plays, among its primary physiological foundations, a role as protective barrier against infection with external agents from the diet and also contributes to the digestion of ingested food. However, this secretion is a critical factor shared by a number of highly prevalent diseases involving the upper gastrointestinal tract. Paradigms of such conditions include gastroduodenal peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Incidence, predictive factors and impacts of acute kidney injury in cirrhotic patients hospitalized for cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common infection in patients with cirrhosis but its impact on progression of liver disease has been hardly addressed. This study examines the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), predictive factors and its impacts on mortality in cirrhotic patients hospitalized for cellulitis.

Do patients with iron deficiency without anemia benefit from an endoscopic examination

Background and Aim The need for endoscopic investigation in patients with iron deficiency without anemia (ID) is not established. Methods Data from patients with ID (serum ferritin ≤20 ng/mL, normal hemoglobin) studied with upper and lower endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients evaluated for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) served as controls, matched by sex and age in a proportion 2:1. Presence, type, location and age distribution of endoscopic findings were compared. Results 109 patients (55% females; mean age 59.6 ± 13.5 years; age distribution: <50 years 27.5%, 50–69 years 43.1%, ≥70 years 29.4%) were included in group ID and 218 matched controls in group IDA. Lesions were found in a similar proportion of patients (53.2% in group ID versus 49% in group IDA, p = 0.48) irrespective of age subgroup (<50 years 53.3% vs. 40%; 50–69 years 59.5% vs. 50%; ≥70 years 43.7% vs. 56.2%; p = 0.92). Diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in subgroup <50 years was low in both groups (6.3% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.76), and was significantly higher in group IDA in age subgroup 50–69 years (17.9% vs. 44.7%, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis only revealed a significant relationship between age (OR: 1.04, CI 95% 1.02-1.06) and male sex (OR: 2.28, CI 95% 1.18-4.39) with a positive colonoscopy. Malignancy was significantly less frequent in group ID (1.8% vs. 14.2%, p <0.05). Conclusions Prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions in patients without anemia was similar to that of patients with anemia but malignancy was eight times less frequent. Systematic endoscopic evaluation in patients with ID is therefore questionable. Copyright

Endoscopic evaluation of iron deficiency without anemia: does it have the same benefit as in patients with anemia?

Background and Aim The need for endoscopic investigation in patients with iron deficiency without anemia (ID) is not established. Methods Data from patients with ID (serum ferritin ≤20 ng/mL, normal hemoglobin) studied with upper and lower endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients evaluated for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) served as controls, matched by sex and age in a proportion 2:1. Presence, type, location and age distribution of endoscopic findings were compared. Results 109 patients (55% females; mean age 59.6 ± 13.5 years; age distribution: <50 years 27.5%, 50–69 years 43.1%, ≥70 years 29.4%) were included in group ID and 218 matched controls in group IDA. Lesions were found in a similar proportion of patients (53.2% in group ID versus 49% in group IDA, p = 0.48) irrespective of age subgroup (<50 years 53.3% vs. 40%; 50–69 years 59.5% vs. 50%; ≥70 years 43.7% vs. 56.2%; p = 0.92). Diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in subgroup <50 years was low in both groups (6.3% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.76), and was significantly higher in group IDA in age subgroup 50–69 years (17.9% vs. 44.7%, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis only revealed a significant relationship between age (OR: 1.04, CI 95% 1.02-1.06) and male sex (OR: 2.28, CI 95% 1.18-4.39) with a positive colonoscopy. Malignancy was significantly less frequent in group ID (1.8% vs. 14.2%, p <0.05). Conclusions Prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions in patients without anemia was similar to that of patients with anemia but malignancy was eight times less frequent. Systematic endoscopic evaluation in patients with ID is therefore questionable. Copyright

Resultados de la implementación de un programa multidisciplinar de trasplante de microbiota fecal por colonoscopia para el tratamiento de la infección recurrente por Clostridium difficile

INTRODUCTION Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is common and often difficult to manage. Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is an effective therapeutic tool in these cases, although its applicability and effectiveness in Spain is currently unknown. AIM To analyse the technical aspects, safety and effectiveness of the first consolidated FMT programme in Spain. METHODS Retrospective descriptive study of all patients with recurrent CDI treated with FMT performed by colonoscopy in a tertiary centre after the implementation of a multidisciplinary protocol between March 2015 and September 2016. RESULTS A total of 13 FMT were performed in 12 patients (11/12; 91.7% women) with a median age of 84.6 years (range: 38.2-98.2). Recurrence of CDI was the indication for FMT in all cases. Patients had suffered a median of 3 previous episodes of CDI (range: 2-6) and all had failed treatment with fidaxomicin. All procedures were performed by colonoscopy. Effectiveness with one session of FMT was 91.7% (11/12; 95% CI: 64.6 to 98.5%). In the non-responder patient, a second FMT was performed 17 days after the first procedure, with disappearance of symptoms. No side effects related to the endoscopic procedure or the FMT were recorded after a median follow-up of 6.5 months (range: 1-16 months). Two patients died during follow-up due to causes unrelated to FMT. CONCLUSION FMT by colonoscopy is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative in recurrent CDI. It is a simple procedure that should be implemented in more centres in Spain.