São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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The presence of a certain degree of inflammation in the gut wall is now accepted in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Fecal calprotectin is considered to be a reliable test for detecting intestinal inflammation. Our aim was to assess the presence of inflammation in postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS), compared with non-postinfectious IBS (NPI-IBS). A secondary objective was to determine the usefulness of a rapid fecal calprotectin test in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). ⋯ Using a semiquantitative test for fecal calprotectin, positive tests were more frequent in PI-IBS patients than in NPI-IBS patients.
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Nimesulide is a selective inhibitor of the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2. Although considered to be a safe drug, cases of acute hepatitis and fulminant liver failure have been reported in Europe, the United States and South America, especially among elderly female patients. Until now, there had not been any reports in the literature relating to Brazilian subjects. ⋯ Despite the carcinoma presented by the patient, nimesulide use may have contributed towards the fatal acute liver failure. Until this issue has been clarified, caution is required in prescribing nimesulide for liver disease patients.
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Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), but the effectiveness of additional treatment with an antiviral agent is uncertain. Significant morbidity can be associated with severe cases of Bell’s palsy. ⋯ Moderate-quality evidence from randomised controlled trials showed no additional benefit from the combination of antivirals with corticosteroids compared to corticosteroids alone or with placebo, and no benefit from antivirals alone compared to placebo, for the treatment of Bell’s palsy. Moderate-quality evidence showed a small but just significant benefit of combination therapy compared with corticosteroids alone in severe Bell’s palsy. We found no significant increase in adverse events from the use of antivirals compared with either placebo or corticosteroids.