Publications by authors named "Christian von Muhlenbrock"

Unlabelled: Telemedicine has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gastroenterology at Clínica Universidad de los Andes has continued it post-pandemic. Usability is the measure by which users evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in telemedicine.

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Objectives: Gastric involvement in patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc) has not been previously investigated. We aim to evaluate the association of gastric dysrhythmias with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC).

Methods: Cross-sectional study.

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Introduction: In Chile, more than 70% of adults are infected by Helicobacter pylori. Clarithromycin should not be used in any regimen if there is >15% resistance to this antibiotic, being greater than 26% in our population. In this scenario, the effectiveness of triple therapy (proton pump inhibitor [PPI], clarithromycin, amoxicillin) was only 63.

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Background: Scleroderma is a systemic inflammatory disorder that can compromise the gastrointestinal tract in up to 90% of patients.

Aim: The purpose of this work is to characterize esophageal, gastric, and intestinal compromise in patients with scleroderma by means of minimally invasive methods and its association with symptoms and severity of their rheumatological condition.

Methods: Patients with systemic sclerosis were recruited according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology.

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Azathioprine (AZA) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are drugs widely used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Among the enzymes involved in the metabolism of AZA and 6-MP are thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15). The existence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes that code for these enzymes could decreased enzymatic activity AND lead to severe myelosuppression.

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Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is one of the leading causes of infection associated with health care with high morbidity and mortality, especially among hospitalized older adults. The increase in the use of antibiotics has been associated with a higher number of cases and greater virulence.

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Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major public health problem and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Eighty percent of CDIs occur in adults older than 65 years of age due to a decreased gastrointestinal microbial diversity, immunosenescence and frailty. Thus, the most reported risk factor for recurrent CDI is older age since nearly 60% of cases occur in individuals aged ≥ 65 years.

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Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent malignant disease in the world. In some countries with established screening programs, its incidence and mortality have decreased, and survival has improved.

Aims: To obtain reliable data about the epidemiology of CRC in Chile, we analyzed the trends in the last ten years and the influence of observable factors on survival, including a nationwide health program for CRC treatment access (GES program).

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Anisakidosis is an accidental and cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis of human beings, its definitive host being marine mammals such as sea lions, seals and dolphins, among others. Humans are infested by consumption in the larval stage of the nematode of Anisakis present in raw fish and shellfish such as hake or conger eel. The infestation is preferably located in the upper digestive tract, observing the regurgitation of the parasite to the mouth or becoming evident during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

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Introduction And Aims: Despite general availability of HAART in Chile, admissions of HIV/AIDS patients to Intensive-Intermediate Care Units (IICU) are still happening, and a characterization of patient's profile, mortality and potentially avoidable admissions is necessary.

Methods: Observational retrospective study in one general hospital in Chile of HIV/AIDS patients admitted to IICU during 9 years.

Results: During 2005-2013, 32 patients were admitted to IICU, with 87,5% in AIDS stage, only 53,1% knew his/her condition, 43,8% were receiving HAART and 16.

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