Accuracy of the Ultra-Rapid Urease Test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Rapid Urease Test (RUT) is a simple, cheap and relatively fast method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. It is therefore the preferred method used for patients undergoing gastroscopy. Most kits require 24h to give results.

Soluble angiogenic factors in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background: Angiogenic factors are involved in the physiopathology of several inflammatory diseases and they probably play a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Aims: To investigate if angiogenic factors are elevated in patients with AP, their relationship with severity and clinical evolution of AP, and their use as prognosis markers of AP.

Methods: A case (25)-control (30) study was carried out.

Adverse events of thiopurine immunomodulators in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Thiopurine immunomodulators are the most commonly used immunosuppressants in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aims: To evaluate the incidence of adverse events (AE) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (MP) in our hospital, the features of these effects, the distribution of socio-demographic factors, and the possible predisposing factors.

Methods: We included 377 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who were diagnosed through 2008 and who received AZA or MP during the course of their disease.