European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Feb 1999
Basal and stimulated gastrin and pepsinogen levels after eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a 1-year follow-up study.
A decrease in gastrin and pepsinogen (PG) levels 1 month after Helicobacter pylori eradication has been described repeatedly, but the long-term progression of such a decrease has been scarcely studied. We therefore studied the effect of H. pylori eradication on basal and stimulated gastrin and PG levels for 1 year. Initially, the usefulness of measuring these parameters for the noninvasive diagnosis of H. pylori eradication was validated. Furthermore, an assessment was made of the association between H. pylori reinfection and a re-increase in gastrin and PG values. Finally, an evaluation was made of the variables influencing gastrin and PG concentration, with particular attention to H. pylori infection and histological lesions of gastric mucosa. ⋯ (1) Measurement of gastrin and PG levels (especially basal PGII values) is a useful non-invasive method to confirm H. pylori eradication after therapy. (2) H. pylori eradication is associated with a significant decrease in basal and stimulated gastrin levels and in basal PGII levels that is detected immediately (1 month) after finishing treatment, and remains unchanged for 1 year. However, the decrease in basal and stimulated PGI levels occurs progressively for 6 months, although such levels remain also unchanged afterwards. (3) Measurement of gastrin and PGI concentrations has a limited usefulness in the diagnosis of H. pylori reinfections after successful eradication, although PGII determination could be more useful in this situation.
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Dec 1998
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at four intensive care units in one hospital: frequency and indication.
To investigate the frequency, indication and results of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) at four different intensive care units (ICUs) in one hospital. ⋯ UGIE is a frequent diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in patients admitted to the ICU, particularly at the surgical and medical ICU. Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy are most frequently performed for assessment of bleeding and placement of feeding tubes, respectively. Oesophagitis is a surprisingly common finding, both as a co-incidental diagnosis as well as the cause of bleeding, especially after surgery.
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Coeliac disease may be associated with a wide variety of diseases of known or suspected immunological aetiology. ⋯ The association of coeliac disease with autoimmune thyroid disease is not surprising as they share common immunopathogenetic mechanisms. It is advisable to screen autoimmune thyroid disease patients for coeliac disease as there is an increased risk for gluten intolerance. In contrast, thyroid function assessment in coeliac disease patients is probably less justified, although the need for a strict clinical follow-up of those patients with euthyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease, who could develop overt thyroid impairment, remains an open question.
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Oct 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTreatment of pruritus in chronic liver disease with the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor type 3 antagonist ondansetron: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over trial.
Recently, the serotonin antagonist ondansetron has been reported to have a positive effect on cholestasis-associated pruritus. ⋯ The 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor type 3 antagonist ondansetron has a small, but significant positive effect on pruritus in chronic liver disease as compared to placebo.
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Aug 1998
Halothane-induced acute liver failure: continuing occurrence and use of liver transplantation.
This study was aimed at determining if the frequency and pattern of acute liver failure (ALF) following halothane anaesthesia had decreased during the last 11 years in comparison with a previous series of 48 patients referred between 1965 and 1984 and whether clinical outcome had been altered by the introduction of liver transplantation. ⋯ Cases of halothane-induced acute liver failure still occur, albeit at a lower frequency than previously, and the Committee on Safety of Medicines guidelines are not being followed. The results of transplantation in these patients are encouraging.