Celiac disease prevalence in Brazilian dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Celiac disease (CD) is a permanent condition of gluten intolerance and a number of autoimmune diseases have been associated with it. In the past few years, a relation between CD and dilated cardiomyopathy (CM) was described in Europe and United States. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of CD among south Brazilian precardiac transplant patients with advanced CM.

[Bone mineral density evaluation in inflammatory bowel disease patients].

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease patients have shown greater reduction of the bone mineral density compared to healthy people.

Aim: To evaluate the bone mineral density in a population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods: Ninety patients from 20 to 50 years old, of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ambulatory of the Gastroenterology Service of the Clinics Hospital, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, were selected for the evaluation.

[The sustained response rates for chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing therapy with the several interferons and ribavarins supplied by Brazilians Health Ministry is comparable to those reported in the literature].

Background: The sustained response rates of chronic hepatitis C therapy to interferons alpha 2A and 2B associated to ribavirin are described as approximately 40%. Nevertheless, studies on the sustained response rates in a setting of frequent changes of type of interferon as well as of supplies of interferons and ribavirin are lacking.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of sustained response and to determine the predictors of response to chronic hepatitis C therapy, in a cohort of outpatients at Curitiba, PR, south Brazil, in a setting of heterogeneous therapy regarding type and supply of the medications.

[Specialized intestinal metaplasia of the distal esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux disease: prevalence and clinico-demographic features].

Background: Specialized intestinal metaplasia can be categorized according endoscopic and histological findings in long segment Barrett, short segment Barrett and specialized intestinal metaplasia of cardia. Barrett's esophagus is an acquired disease that is found in about 10%-13% of patients undergoing endoscopy for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and it is well established as predisposing to esophageal adenocarcinoma. The columnar epithelium with goblet cells replaces the normal squamous epithelium.

[Diagnosis of reflux esophagitis in infants: histology of the distal esophagus must complement upper gastrointestinal endoscopy].

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the endoscopic findings against histologic features of the distal esophageal mucosa for the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis in infants.

Methods: The data records of 167 patients (88 M; 79F) aged 38-364 days, referred for investigation of reflux esophagitis, between January 1995 and December 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. The association between nominal (presence or absence of esophagitis) and ordinal (grades of esophagitis) variables was analyzed through a correlation between the results of endoscopic findings and histology.

Diagnostic methods for the detection of anterograde aspiration in enterally fed patients.

Purpose Of Review: The diagnosis of aspiration and its origin in patients on enteral tube feeding is challenging to the physician and provides an important means to prevent pneumonia. This review examines the most recent studies and developments in the field with an approach to the technical aspects of diagnostic methods.

Recent Findings: The methods more commonly used to detect anterograde aspiration in clinical practice are fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and modified barium swallowing.

[Methylene blue chromoendoscopy for Barrett's esophagus diagnosis].

Background: Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by specialized intestinal metaplasia, that carries an increased risk for the development of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Dysplasia and initial stage carcinoma generally precede this neoplasm; the increased risk has led to attempts at early detection of these lesions through periodic upper endoscopy and biopsies. The continued rise in the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus has fueled resurgent interest in the use of a variety of endoscopic techniques, like methylene blue chromoendoscopy, to improve the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus and associated complications.

The nasogastric feeding tube as a risk factor for aspiration and aspiration pneumonia.

Purpose Of Review: Aspiration is one of the most common complications in enterally fed patients. The source of aspiration is due to the accumulation of secretions in the pharynx of reflux gastric contents from the stomach into the pharynx. The true prevalence of aspiration is difficult to determine because of vague definitions, poor assessment methods, and varying levels of clinical recognition.