A Review of the Management of Gastric Acid-Related Diseases: Focus on Rabeprazole

Current treatment guidelines for acid-related diseases (ARDs) recommend first-line treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce gastric acid production. PPIs are indicated in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (reflux esophagitis, nonerosive reflux disease), peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal ulcer, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated ulcer, bleeding ulcer), functional dyspepsia, and in association with Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy when needed. Currently, PPIs (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole) are widely used for the treatment of ARDs. All 5 PPIs are effective. However, there are differences in PPI pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles that might influence their clinical utility. Rabeprazole is a useful option for the treatment of acid-related diseases due to its rapid onset of acid inhibition and few drug interactions.

Once-Daily MMX Mesalamine in the Management of Ulcerative colitis

Mesalamine (5-ASA) has been the mainstay therapy of mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis both as an induction and maintenance treatment. Multimatrix system (MMX) 5-ASA is a recently developed formulation of 5-ASA allowing for slow and gradual release of 5-ASA throughout the entire colon. This review article discusses the structure, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of this new 5-ASA formulation.

Diagnostic Performance of Ultrafast 3-Dimensional Ultrasound on the Small Bowel: Single Center Experience

Background Increased speed and resolution of ultrasound have made it a first-line modality for the abdominal examination. During the last 5 years trans-abdominal ultrasonography has been used increasingly, for assessment of patients with small bowel (SB) diseases. Around 350 such examinations are performed annually in the diagnostic imaging department at Azhar University Hospital. Hence, the aim is to determine if the ultrafast three-dimensional ultrasound (U3D US) is potent for optimal examination of SB diseases. Patients and Methods Tap-water intake has been used to distend the SB. All patients have been examined in supine position. The U3D US data of 198 patients with SB diseases were assessed. The proximal and distal SB image quality along with the evaluation of bowel distention, motility and lesions were reported. Results Image quality was good in all examinations. Adequate demonstration of the proximal and distal SB was obtained in all of U3D US examinations. The inclusive diagnostic accuracy of U3D US was precise in 92.3%. Proximal SB was, however, less frequently involved, particularly in patients below the age of 30 years ( P = 0.050). Conclusion The diagnostic accuracy of U3D US enterography is valuable for detecting SB lesions. This modality is widely available, inexpensive and easy technique, can be used as an initial investigation in the evaluation of patients with SB disorders.

Azathioprine and Infliximab: Monotherapy or Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract often resulting in complications resulting in decreased quality of life. Several classes of medications are available to clinicians including mesalamine, budesonide, systemic corticosteroids, thiopurine derivatives, and monoclonal antibodies which target tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Guidelines generally recommend reserving TNF-antagonists for patients who have failed other first-line therapies; however, emerging data suggests there may be some benefit in combining TNF-antagonists, specifically infliximab, with azathioprine. The purpose of this review is to compare the benefits and risks of combination therapy, and identify patients who may benefit most from this approach.

Endoscopic Sclerotherapy for Bleeding Oesophageal Varices: Experience in Gezira State, Sudan

Introduction Bleeding due to oesophageal varices is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage in Gezira State, Central Sudan. Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EST) is a valuable therapeutic modality for the management of variceal bleeding. Other options for treatment such as variceal band ligation are either expensive or unavailable. Objectives A retrospective study to evaluate the outcome of (EST) in the management of bleeding oesophageal varices due to portal hypertension in Gezira State, the centre of a developing country, Sudan. Methods A total of 1073 patients, during 2001-2010, were carefully selected particularly those with bleeding oesophageal varices consequent to portal hypertension. EST was performed using a standard technique and ethanolamine oleate (5%) was utilized as sclerosing agent. Results There were 777 males (72.4%) and 296 females (27.6%) in a ratio of 2.6. The causes of portal hypertension were found to be schistosomal periportal fibrosis (PPF) in 1001 (93.3%) patients, liver cirrhosis in 60 (5.5%) mixed PPF and cirrhosis in seven (0.7%) and portal vein thrombosis in five (0.5%) patients. Full obliteration of varices required a mean of four sessions with a range of 2-6. In the present study 350 (32.6%) patients have been followed up until complete sclerosis of varices. Conclusion This study provides evidence that endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is an important component in the management of bleeding oesophageal varices caused by hypertension. It is a safe and effective procedure.

Three Patients with Viral Breakthrough during Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin Therapy: A Case Series

Introduction A viral breakthrough occurs when a patient achieves a response while on interferon (IFN) therapy and then loses the response despite continued IFN therapy. The cause of viral breakthroughs is not well understood. We encountered three cases with viral breakthrough during treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). Case presentation The three cases were all late virological responders. They did not express anti-IFN alpha-2b antibodies after PEG-IFN and RBV therapy. We analyzed amino acid substitutions of core 70, core 91, and interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR), which significantly influence sustained virological response (SVR). Their amino acid substitutions of core 91 were mutant in two cases. Amino acid substitutions of ISDR were wild pattern in two cases. PEG-IFN adherence was above 80% in three cases, and RBV adherence was below 80% in two cases. Conclusion During PEG-IFN and RBV therapy, we should watch for viral breakthrough in late virological responders with mutant type of amino acid substitutions of core 91, wild pattern of amino acid substitution of ISDR, and decrease of RBV adherence. Viral breakthrough is an important problem in PEG-IFN and RBV therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, it should be investigated more thoroughly in more cases.

Microscopic Colitis and Medication Use

Background The incidence of microscopic colitis (MC) is increasing, but its etiology remains unknown. Case reports and limited controlled data suggest that commonly prescribed drugs may be triggers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of selected medication use [Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)] in patients with MC compared to ‘random controls’ and ‘diarrhea controls.' Methods All patients were selected from primary care practices of a university health system during 2002 to 2007. Patients with biopsy proven lymphocytic or collagenous colitis were identified as cases. Diarrhea controls consisted of a 10:1 random sample of patients with chronic diarrhea and normal colon biopsies. Ten random controls were matched to each case on sex and index date (date of biopsy proven diagnosis). Drugs prescribed within the year prior to the index date were collected from the electronic medical record system. Results 26 cases (median age 68.9 yrs), 259 random, and 259 diarrhea controls were identified. The adjusted ORs for PPI, SSRI, and statin prescription within 12 months of diagnosis of MC between cases and diarrhea controls were 0.28 (0.07-1.07), 0.87 (0.28-2.64), 1.12 (0.34-3.71) respectively. Use of PPI and statins was less common in MC patients than in random controls ( P < 0.05 for both comparisons). Conclusions While prior data suggest that PPIs, statins, and SSRIs may be etiologically related to MC, our study found no increased association with these drugs.

Hepatitis B Screening Compliance and Non-compliance among Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Cambodians

Objective The purpose of this community-based study was to determine factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening compliance and non-compliance among Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian adults with varying levels of English language proficiency. Methods A cross-sectional design was used consisting of a sample of 1,603 Asian adult men and women. Results Overall, 71.4% of the sample reported having never been screened and 28.6% reported being screened for HBV Demographic, acculturation, and barrier factors were differentially associated with screening rates among the subgroups. Demographic factors associated with never-screened were: lower education, younger age, being male, and no insurance for Chinese; lower education, lower income and no insurance for Cambodians; younger age and unmarried for Koreans; and no health insurance for Vietnamese; Acculturation factors associated with never-screened were: not speaking English for Chinese; not speaking English, not reading newspapers in English, and watching TV in one's native language for Cambodians; not speaking English for Koreans; while no significant factors were found for Vietnamese. All barriers were associated with never-screened for Cambodians and Chinese. Those who lacked knowledge about HBV and had language and transportation barrier were more likely to be never-screened for Koreans. There were no significant relationships between the barriers and the screening status for Vietnamese. Conclusions High incidence of HBV and liver cancer in Asian Americans mandates a more vigorous and more culturally and linguistically appropriate educational effort to increase screening and vaccination for HBV in these underserved and mostly uninsured populations.

Constipation, IBs and the 5-HT4 Receptor: What Role for Prucalopride?

After the problems associated with the non-selective 5-HT4 receptor agonists cisapride and tegaserod, the 5-HT4 receptor is now beginning to come in from the cold. Thus, prucalopride is now the first of a new class of drug defined by selectivity and high intrinsic activity at the 5-HT4 receptor. Prucalopride has been developed for treatment of chronic constipation rather than constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This follows the trend of first evaluating new gastrointestinal (GI) prokinetic drugs in disorders where disrupted GI motility is known to exist, rather than in a functional bowel disorder where changes in motility are uncertain. If prucalopride is not progressed towards the IBS indication, it has at least shown the way for other selective 5-HT4 receptor agonists. Most notable among these is TD-5108 (velusetrag), also characterized by good selectivity at the 5-HT4 receptor, high intrinsic activity and efficacy in patients with chronic constipation.

Fulminant Hepatic Failure Caused by Diffuse Liver Metastases following Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Resection

Metastatic tumors to the liver resulting in fulminant hepatic failure are a rare occurrence and have not been previously described in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). A 70 year-old man was referred to hospital with postprandial discomfort. On examination a 19.5 cm large epithelioid GIST of the stomach was diagnosed. The mass exhibited unfavorable prognostic features: mitotic index 18/50 high-power fields, large primary tumor size and male sex. Complete tumor resection with negative margins was achieved and metastases were not detected. The patient presented six months later with jaundice, asterixis and elevated liver enzymes. Computerized tomography showed multiple liver hypodense lesions representing metastases. Treatment with imatinib mesylate was of no avail and the patient died 3 days later as the result of hepatic failure. Massive liver metastases can, even though rarely, be responsible for fulminant hepatic failure. Clinical and radiological follow-up are crucial in patients with GIST even after surgical resection.