Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association
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Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Mar 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyFerric carboxymaltose prevents recurrence of anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common systemic complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Iron-deficiency anemia recurs frequently and rapidly after iron-replacement therapy in patients with IBD. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine if administration of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) prevents anemia in patients with IBD and low levels of serum ferritin. ⋯ FCM prevents recurrence of anemia in patients with IBD, compared with placebo. Nevertheless, the high rate of anemia recurrence warrants optimization of the frequency and requirements for FCM treatment.
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Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Mar 2013
Case ReportsIntractable nausea and vomiting from autoantibodies against a brain water channel.
Antibodies against the water channel protein aquaporin (AQP)-4 cause a spectrum of inflammatory, demyelinating, central nervous system disorders called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs); these primarily affect the optic nerves and spinal cord but also the brain. Symptoms of intractable nausea, vomiting, and hiccups reflect involvement of AQP4 in the brainstem area postrema and account for gastroenterological presentations. We investigated the frequency of intractable nausea, vomiting, or hiccups in patients with NMOSD who tested positive for immunoglobulin G against AQP4 (AQP4-IgG). We also analyzed sera from patients with idiopathic nausea or vomiting for the presence of AQP4-IgG. ⋯ Although NMOSDs are rare, tests for AQP4-IgG should be considered for patients who present with unexplained, intractable vomiting. Detection of the antibody before the development of optic neuritis or transverse myelitis allows patients to receive immunosuppressive therapy before the development of neurologic disabilities.