Publications by authors named "Bastiani R"

Why patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) may develop acute diverticulitis (AD) is still unknown. We analyzed the gut microbiota (GM) in two SUDD patients, one who did experience SUDD recurrence but not AD occurrence (case 1) and one who did experience AD occurrence during follow-up (case 2). The GM of these patients showed differences in terms of phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in case 1; Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria in case 2) and subgenera ( and in case 1 and , , , , group, and in case 2).

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Objective: Patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) may have a disrupted gut microbiota. However, current data are from small sample studies, and reported associations vary widely across studies. We aimed to profile the fecal microbiota in SUDD patients enrolled in primary care.

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Background: Although proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs have considered able to induce small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), no data are so far available from primary care (PC). We assessed the prevalence of SIBO and methane (CH4) production consequent to chronic PPI therapy using Lactulose Breath Test (LBT). Secondary aim was to explore the possible role of rifaximin in treating PPI-induced SIBO patients.

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) guidelines are generally developed by experts, with the possibility of a translational gap in clinical medicine. The aim of our study was to assess an Italian group of general practitioners (GPs) for their awareness and use of criteria for the diagnosis and management of IBS. For this purpose, a survey was carried out involving 235 GPs, divided into two groups according to their years of activity: 65 “junior general practitioners” (JGPs) (≤10 years) and 170 “senior general practitioners” (SGPs) (>10 years).

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Objective: Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon (SUDD) is generally managed by gastroenterologists rather than General Practitioners (GPs). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the treatment of SUDD with rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, in a primary care setting by GPs.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective, observational study investigated the use of rifaximin at a dose of 400 mg b.

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Background: The relationship between aliments and pathophysiological abnormalities leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms elicitation is unclear. Nevertheless, patients often report symptoms after ingestion of specific foods.

Aims: To identify in primary care setting the presence of foods able to trigger GERD symptoms, and evaluate whether a consequent specific food elimination diet may result in clinical improvement.

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Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder characterized by nausea, regurgitation, and heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux is the primary cause of laryngeal symptoms, especially chronic posterior laryngitis. The best diagnostic test for this disease is esophageal impedance-pH monitoring; however, it is poorly employed owing to its high cost and invasiveness.

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Background: The appropriate clinical use of fecal calprotectin (fCal) might be compromised by incomplete harmonization between assays and within- and between-subjects variability. Our aim was to investigate the analytical and biological variability of fCal in order to provide tools for interpreting fCal in the clinical setting.

Methods: Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of temperature and storage time on fCal.

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Background: Our aims were to assess the real life effectiveness and safety of the new bismuth-containing quadruple therapy in a large population of patients infected by Helicobacter pylori.

Methods: Consecutive dyspeptic H. pylori-positive patients were enrolled, both naïve for treatment and already unsuccessfully treated.

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Background: Rising antibiotic resistance requires the evaluation of new and effective therapies.

Aims: To test the efficacy and safety of the new bismuth-containing quadruple therapy in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Material And Methods: Consecutive H.

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Goals: To investigate the current opinion of Italian general practitioners (GPs) on the management of patients with diverticular disease (DD) of the colon.

Background: The management of DD remains a point of debate, and guidelines are not uniform in their advice.

Study: A web-based survey was conducted among Italian GPs.

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Article Synopsis
  • The DICA classification helps evaluate patients with diverticulosis and diverticular disease by predicting the risk of diverticulitis and potential need for surgery.
  • In a study of 1651 patients, it was found that higher DICA severity correlated with increased rates of diverticulitis recurrence and surgical intervention.
  • Therapy, particularly mesalazine-based treatments, showed effectiveness in preventing diverticulitis in certain DICA classifications, specifically DICA 2 patients.
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Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) leads to frequent medical visits, and available therapies fail in up to 40% of patients. Food allergies may be involved in GERD pathogenesis; however, allergens other than food have received little attention. Nickel allergy is common in the general population and some high-nickel foods are associated with GERD.

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Background: Studies assessing the association between coeliac disease (CD) and psoriasis show conflicting results.

Objective: To assess in the primary care setting the prevalence of CD in patients with psoriasis and the response to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in subjects with psoriasis and CD.

Methods: We enrolled 218 patients with psoriasis and 264 controls.

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Background: Treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is based on symptoms relieve by conventional drugs, but increasingly complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used.

Objective: This survey aimed to investigate the current treatments used by FGIDs patients.

Methods: A total of 25 Italian gastroenterologists interviewed outpatients on gastrointestinal symptoms and treatments (pharmacological, CAM, diet/dietary supplements) used during the last year to relieve FGIDs.

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Background: Previous studies suggested an association between CagA-positive H. pylori strains and ischemic stroke. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and CagA status in patients with atherosclerotic stroke in the primary care setting.

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Background: Cure rates for eradication of Helicobacter pylori appear to be decreasing, thus more effective therapies must be identified.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of bovine lactoferrin in the treatment of H. pylori infection.

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Background: Incidence of adenocarcinoma of distal oesophagus and gastric cardia, probably arising from areas of intestinal metaplasia, has been increasing rapidly.

Aims: To define prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of distal oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction and gastric cardia and to evaluate potential associated factors, by means of a prospective multicentre study including University and teaching hospitals, and primary and tertiary care centres.

Patients: Each of 24 institutions involved in study enrolled 10 consecutive patients undergoing first-time routine endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study compared the effectiveness of a two-week dual therapy vs. a one-week triple therapy in treating active duodenal ulcers and eradicating Helicobacter pylori.
  • A total of 165 patients were involved, with significant findings indicating that the triple therapy led to higher rates of ulcer healing (98.6%) and H. pylori eradication (72.6%) compared to the dual therapy (77.3% healing, 33.3% eradication).
  • Long-term follow-up confirmed that patients treated with the triple therapy had better outcomes, with fewer relapses, highlighting the need for effective treatment to cure ulcers and eradicate the infection efficiently.
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We have observed an adenocarcinoma of the stomach which developed on the site where an apparently benign active gastric ulcer had been diagnosed radiologically 10 and 7 years previously. The patient had complained of recurrent episodes of epigastric pain over ten years, which were well controlled by the medical treatment. The length of clinical history in this patient makes it unlikely that his ulcer was neoplastic at the time of onset.

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