Cost-effectiveness analysis and effectiveness of pharmacist-managed outpatient clinics in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is involved in many upper gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcers and gastric cancers. In this study, we compared the cost-effectiveness of lansoprazole and vonoprazan in H. pylori eradication therapy and examined the effectiveness of pharmacist-managed outpatient clinics.

Inhibitory effects of carbon dioxide insufflation on pneumoperitoneum and bowel distension after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Aim: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) insufflation on pneumoperitoneum and bowel distension after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

Methods: A total of 73 consecutive patients who were undergoing PEG were enrolled in our study. After eliminating 13 patients who fitted our exclusion criteria, 60 patients were randomly assigned to either CO(2) (30 patients) or air insufflation (30 patients) groups.

Retrospective analyses of complications associated with transcutaneous replacement of percutaneous gastrostomy and jejunostomy feeding devices.

Background: Feeding device replacement is often required for long-term maintenance after initial percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or jejunostomy placement. Although there are several case reports on serious complications of gastrostomy device replacement, there are few reports of an overall analysis of the complications associated with feeding device replacement.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and variety of complications of transcutaneous replacement of feeding devices.

Predominant copper deficiency during prolonged enteral nutrition through a jejunostomy tube compared to that through a gastrostomy tube.

Background & Aims: Trace element deficiencies are known to occur during long-term enteral nutrition feeding. We compared the serum concentrations of trace elements between patients treated with gastrostomy and those treated with jejunostomy.

Methods: Our subjects were 36 patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG group) and 23 patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ group) and were maintained with enteral tube feeding for more than one year.

[A case of cardiac sarcoidosis occurring during combination therapy by IFN alpha and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C].

A 72-year-old woman received combination therapy with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Approximately 40 weeks after starting treatment, she developed an eruption in the left inner canthus and sarcoidosis was diagnosed after biopsy of the eruption. Combination therapy was discontinued, and further detailed examinations revealed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, uveitis, and complete atrioventricular block.

Clinical investigation of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is sometimes reported as one of the serious complications. Our purpose was to clarify the cause of upper GI hemorrhage after PEG.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively investigated the causes of upper GI hemorrhage among a total of 416 patients out of 426 consecutive patients who underwent PEG in our institution, excluding 10 patients who showed upper GI tumors on PEG placement.

Inhibition of gastroesophageal reflux by semi-solid nutrients in patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Background: Aspiration is one of the major complications after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The administration of semi-solid nutrients by means of gastrostomy tube has recently been reported to be effective in preventing aspiration pneumonia. The effects of semi-solid nutrients on gastroesophageal reflux, intragastric distribution, and gastric emptying were evaluated.

Clinical analysis of gastroesophageal reflux after PEG.

Background: It is difficult to predict whether or not gastroesophageal reflux (GER), such as aspiration or vomiting, will occur after PEG.

Objective: To identify factors that would support the prediction of aspiration after PEG.

Design: Case-control study.

Escherichia coli O157 infection mimicking acute appendicitis: usefulness of computed tomography for differential diagnosis.

A 19-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with acute abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant. He had had mild diarrhea, of 1 day's duration, 2 days before admission. Although physical findings were consistent with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis, computed tomography findings showed marked wall thickening from the ascending colon to the cecum, findings which were similar to those in patients with hemorrhagic colitis due to Escherichia coli O157.