Achalasia and esophageal cancer: risks and links.

Esophageal cancer affects more than 4,50,000 persons worldwide, and its incidence has increased in recent years. It is the eighth most common cancer across the globe. The main histologic types are esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), and their associated risk factors are well known.

Prevalence of celiac disease and related antibodies in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome according to the Rome III criteria. A case-control study.

Background: The cost-effectiveness for screening for celiac disease (CD) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), specifically in the diarrhea (IBS-D) subtype, is beneficial if the prevalence is >1%. However, recent studies have shown controversial results. In this large case-control study, our aim was to determine the prevalence of CD and a panel of related antibodies in patients diagnosed with IBS.

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in caregivers of patients with chronic diseases.

Background: Caregivers are an at-risk population for psychic and physical diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it is not known whether providing care for the chronically ill patient can be considered a risk factor for developing IBS. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of IBS according to the Rome II criteria in a group of caregivers.

Esophageal motor disorders in subjects with incidentally discovered Chagas disease: a study using high-resolution manometry and the Chicago classification.

In patients with chronic indeterminate Chagas disease, conventional manometry has shown that 25-48% had esophageal motor disorders. Recently, esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) has revolutionized the assessment of esophageal motor function. In this study, we performed esophageal HRM in a group of subjects with incidentally positive serological findings for Trypanosoma cruzi.

[Esophageal motor disorders in asymptomatic subjects with Trypanosoma cruzi infection].

Background: The indeterminate chronic or "asymptomatic" phase of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas' disease) infection is characterized by the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, and has an estimated duration of 20 to 30 years. However, the intramural denervation that induces dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is progressive. Recently, epidemiological studies have shown that the seroprevalence for this infection in our area ranges between 2% and 3% of the population.