Presence Of Abdominal Symptoms Research Articles

In-Hospital Adverse Events of Pheochromocytoma-Induced Takotsubo Syndrome: A Literature Review and Cluster Analysis of 172 Cases.

Pheochromocytoma-induced takotsubo syndrome (Pheo-TTS) significantly increases the risk of adverse events for inpatient. The early identification of risk factors at admission is crucial for effective risk stratification and minimizing complications in Pheo-TTS patients. We conducted a systematic review combined with hierarchical cluster and feature importance analysis of demographic, clinical and laboratory data upon admission, alongside in-hospital complication data for Pheo-TTS patients. We analyzed cases published in PubMed and Embase from 2 May 2006 to 27 April 2023. Among 172 Pheo-TTS patients, cluster analysis identified two distinct groups: a chest pain dominant (CPD) group (n = 86) and a non-chest pain dominant (non-CPD) group (n = 86). The non-CPD group was characterized by a younger age (44.0 15.2 vs. 52.4 14.4, p 0.001), a higher prevalence of neurological/psychiatric disorders (53.5% vs. 32.6%), and increased presentation of dyspnea (87.2% vs. 17.4%), pulmonary rales (59.3% vs. 8.1%), and tachycardia (77.9% vs. 30.2%). Additionally, they exhibited more atypical takotsubo syndrome (TTS) imaging phenotypes (55.8% vs. 36.5%, all p 0.05). The non-CPD group experienced more than a 2-fold increase for in-hospital adverse events compared to the CPD group (70.9% vs. 30.2%, p 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the absence of chest pain (odds ratio [OR] = 0.407, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.169-0.979, p = 0.045), the presence of abdominal symptoms (OR = 3.939, 95% CI 1.770-8.766, p = 0.001), pulmonary rales (OR = 4.348, 95% CI 1.857-10.179, p = 0.001), and atypical TTS imaging phenotype (OR = 3.397, 95% CI 1.534-7.525, p = 0.003) remained as independent predictors of in-hospital complications. Clinical manifestations and imaging features at admission help to predict in-hospital complications for Pheo-TTS patients.

Perioperative outcomes of cytoreductive surgery for tumours of colorectal or appendiceal origin with ovarian involvement.

Ovarian metastases (OM) are a common site for metastases in gastrointestinal tumours with peritoneal disease. This study aimed to evaluate perioperative complications between patients with and without OM following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for appendiceal/colorectal cancer. Female patients undergoing CRS ± HIPEC for appendiceal/colorectal tumours at a single centre from 2009 to 2020 were analysed. Patients were grouped according to presence or absence of OM at the time of CRS. The study included 318 patients, 72 (22.6%) had OM. Operation duration was longer for patients with OM (332 vs. 276 min, p < 0.0001). Patients with OM achieved higher rates of complete cytoreduction (93% vs. 79%, p = 0.006) despite a higher peritoneal carcinomatosis index (13vs. 7, p < 0.001)and were more likely to require a blood transfusion (32% vs. 19%, p = 0.024) and a stoma (24% vs.10%, p = 0.005). Increasing age and presence of abdominal symptoms were independent predictors of major and all-cause morbidity, respectively. The presence of abdominal symptoms was independently associated with all-cause morbidity in the OM group. These results may assist with preoperative counselling. Prospective multicentre datasets are needed to evaluate morbidity in one- versus two-stage approaches for those with abdominal symptoms and OM.

Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Aim. To present data of Russian and foreign studies on the prevalence, pathogenesis and clinical picture of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) pathology in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Key point. At the beginning of the 20th century PHPT was considered a severe endocrine disease with specific bone and kidney complications, however in 1957 W.T. St Goar proposed a mnemonic triad to recognize this pathology as “diseases of stones, bones and abdominal groans”. A high frequency of gastrointestinal complaints, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis in patients with PHPT has been reported. Hyperparathyroidism has been shown to cause smooth muscle atony with specific upper and lower GI symptoms such as nausea, heartburn and constipation. The prevalence of peptic ulcer in patients with PHPT, according to studies of the 50s–60s of the last century, ranged from 10 to 25 %. However, studies linking PHPT to peptic ulcer development were performed before the advent of proton 1). On the other hand, the development of pancreatitis in PHPT is one of the most studied pathologies. In developing countries its frequency can reach 10–20 % due to the absence of routine screening for blood calcium. Some authors report the impact of elevated parathyroid hormone levels on the formation of gallbladder stones by inhibiting of gallbladder emptying, hepatic bile secretion and mobility of the sphincter Oddi, and changing of the bile composition. A number of studies have found an increased risk of developing malignant neoplasms of the intestine, especially the colon, in patients with PHPT.Conclusion. The digestive manifestations of parathyroid dysfunction in patients can often be overlooked, and serum calcium levels should be included in the routine examination in the presence of abdominal symptoms.

Presence and significance of intestinal unicellular parasites in a morbidly obese population.

Obesity is a chronic disease whose pathogenesis has been related to changes in the intestinal microbiota. Yet, the role of protozoa and other unicellular eukaryotic parasites in this microenvironment is still largely unknown. Their presence within the gut ecosystem in obese subjects warrants further study, as well as their influence on the host metabolism and comorbidities. Herein, a single center, cross-sectional study of 104 obese individuals was performed to assess the presence of six intestinal unicellular parasites in stool using a commercially available kit, and to evaluate its relationship with the presence of abdominal symptoms, metabolic comorbidities, variations in body composition and nutritional deficiencies. The overall parasitic colonization rate was 51%, with Blastocystis sp., identified as the most frequent (44.2%), followed by Dientamoeba fragilis (11.5%) and Giardia intestinalis (8.7%), and significantly related to the consumption of ecological fruits and vegetables. Contrary to what previous studies pointed out, colonization with parasites species was significantly associated with fewer abdominal symptoms and depositions per day. The presence of parasites did not correlate with any nutritional deficiencies nor differences in body composition, while it did with significant lower HOMA-IR levels and a lower trend towards metabolic syndrome. Obese subjects frequently harbor unicellular enteric parasites, apparently without clinical nor nutritional harm. This evidence suggests that carrying these microorganisms, from an endocrinological perspective, has a beneficial effect, especially on insulin resistance and possibly on the development of related comorbidities.

Sobrecrecimiento bacteriano del intestino delgado en pacientes con lesión medular

AimSpinal cord injury (SCI) patients may have intestinal dysmotility and digestive symptoms that are associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of SIBO in SCI patients and the risk factors of its development. MethodsTwenty-nine consecutive SCI patients were studied (10 women/19 men; mean age 47 years), 16 with subacute injuries (<9 months) and 13 with chronic injuries (>1 year). Nine patients were affected by tetraplegia and 15 by paraplegia. Each patient underwent a glucose breath test according to the North American Consensus and the presence of abdominal symptoms was evaluated during the test.The results were compared with 15 non-neurological patients with SIBO. ResultsSix patients tested positive for SIBO (21%), all of them affected by SCI in the subacute phase, 6/16 vs. 0/13 in the chronic phase (P<.05) and the majority with tetraplegia, 5/9 vs. 1/19 with paraplegia (P<.05). No statistically significant relationship was found with other clinical characteristics. All the tests were positive for methane or mixed (methane and hydrogen), while only 67% of the controls had methane-predominant production (P>.05). ConclusionSCI patients can develop SIBO, more frequently in the subacute phase and in tetraplegic patients, highlighting a high production of methane. This complication should be considered in neurogenic bowel management.

Occurrence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors treated with somatostatin analogs

BackgroundAlthough exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) has been described in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) treated with somatostatin analogs (SSAs), its role in the therapeutic management of these patients is not well established. AimTo determine the frequency of EPI in patients with NEN long-term treated with SSAs. MethodsThis is a prospective single-center study evaluating 35 patients treated with SSAs for >12 months due to unresectable/advanced nonpancreatic well-differentiated NEN. Clinical evaluation, biochemical parameters, and fecal elastases 1 (FE-1) were assessed to diagnose EPI. ResultsA total of 7 patients (20%) had EPI, given the presence of abdominal symptoms and a median FE-1 value of 180 mcg/g stool (150–198). No patient had severe EPI, defined as FE-1 < 100 mcg/g stool. Elevated glycated Hb levels were a significant predictor for developing EPI (OR 4.81, p = 0.01). No significant difference in terms of duration of SSA treatment was observed between patients with or without EPI diagnosed (84 months and 72 months, respectively; p = 0.950). ConclusionsMild-moderate EPI is a relatively common condition in patients receiving long-term treatment with SSAs. Specific clinical and biochemical evaluations, including FE-1, should be planned in these patients to diagnose this relevant condition early, which may deteriorate quality of life and cause malnutrition.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of ICU admitted MERS corona virus infected patients

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a novel respiratory illness firstly reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a new corona virus, called MERS corona virus (MERS-CoV). Most people who have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness. Aim of the workThis work is done to determine the clinical characteristics and the outcome of intensive care unit (ICU) admitted patients with confirmed MERS-CoV infection. Patients and methodsThis study included 32 laboratory confirmed MERS corona virus infected patients who were admitted into ICU. It included 20 (62.50%) males and 12 (37.50%) females. The mean age was 43.99±13.03years. Diagnosis was done by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test for corona virus on throat swab, sputum, tracheal aspirate, or bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. Clinical characteristics, co-morbidities and outcome were reported for all subjects. ResultsThe main symptoms among the included patients were: fever (96.87%), cough (93.75%), dyspnea (90.62%), sore throat (75%), runny nose (75%), sputum (50%), headache (43.75%), myalgia (40.62%), chest pain (37.50%), hemoptysis (37.50%), nausea and vomiting (34.37%), abdominal pain (21.87%) and diarrhea (15.62%). The presence of abdominal symptoms is significantly (P<0.05) associated with bad prognosis. Out of the included 32 patients, 18 patients (56.25%) survived and 14 patients (43.75%) expired. There was a statistically significant difference in the duration of symptoms before hospitalization, mechanical ventilation and ICU and total hospital stay between the expired group and survivors (P<0.01). Current smoking and smoking severity were statistically significantly (P<0.01) higher in the expired group compared to survivors. Also, there was a statistically (P<0.05) significant positive correlation between mortality and smoking severity (r=0.640). Most of the expired patients presented with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates or unilateral infiltrates, but most of the survivors presented with normal radiology or increased bronchovascular markings, and this difference in the results was statistically highly significant (P<0.01). There were statistically highly significant (P<0.01) differences in the mean values of APACHE II score (21.11±3.70 vs 24.21±3.82), SOFA score (5.83±2.64 vs 8.85±2.17) and CPIS (7.55±1.14 vs 8.64±1.39) between the expired group and survivors respectively. Also, there was a statistically significant decrease in PH, PaO2, O2 saturation and HCO3 (P<0.05) among the expired group in comparison with the survivors, but no statistical difference regarding PaCO2 (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between mortality and old age (r=0.633), obesity (r=0.712), diabetes mellitus (r=0.685), renal failure (r=0.705), chronic heart diseases (0.591), COPD (r=0.523), malignancy (r=0.692), kidney transplantation (r=0.644) and liver cirrhosis (r=0.525) (P<0.05). There was a statistically (P<0.05) positive correlation between the number of associated co-morbidities and mortality (r=0.735). ConclusionsMost MERS corona patients present with fever, cough, dyspnea, sore throat, runny nose and sputum. The presence of abdominal symptoms may indicate bad prognosis. Prolonged duration of symptoms before patients’ hospitalization, prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay, bilateral radiological pulmonary infiltrates, and hypoxemic respiratory failure were found to be strong predictors of mortality in such patients. Also, old age, current smoking, smoking severity, presence of associated co-morbidities like obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic heart diseases, COPD, malignancy, renal failure, renal transplantation and liver cirrhosis are associated with a poor outcome of ICU admitted MERS corona virus infected patients.

Primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma involving the duodenal second portion is a distinct entity: A multicenter, retrospective analysis in Japan

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study to determine the anatomical distribution and prognostic factors of gastrointestinal (GI) follicular lymphoma (FL). This study included 125 patients with stage I and II(1) GI-FL. Of the 125 patients, the small intestine was examined in 70 patients, with double-balloon endoscopy and/or capsule endoscopy. The most frequently involved GI-FL site was the duodenal second portion (DSP) (81%), followed by the jejunum (40%); 85% of patients with involvement of the DSP also had jejunal or ileal lesions. The absence of abdominal symptoms and macroscopic appearance of multiple nodules were significantly present in the DSP-positive group. During a median follow up of 40 months, six patients showed disease progression. Patients with involvement of the DSP had better progression-free survival (PFS) than those without such involvement (P = 0.001). A multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, the presence of abdominal symptoms, and negative involvement of the DSP were independently associated with poor PFS. In conclusion, most patients with GI-FL have duodenal lesions associated with multiple jejunal or ileal lesions. Gastrointestinal follicular lymphomas involving the DSP might be a distinct entity showing a favorable clinical course.

A retrospective series of gut aspergillosis in haematology patients

AbstractGut invasive aspergillosis is an extremely rare infection in immunocompromised patients. The goal of this retrospective multicentre study is to report on cases of gut aspergillosis in haematology patients, including clinical presentation, risk factors, and outcome. Twenty-one patients from nine centres were identified. Eight had isolated gut aspergillosis, with no evidence of other infected sites, and 13 had disseminated aspergillosis. Thirteen patients had acute leukaemia. Nine were allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. Clinical symptoms and imaging were poorly specific. The galactomannan antigenaemia test result was positive in 16/25 (64%) patients, including in four of the eight cases of isolated gut aspergillosis. Five of 21 patients had a dietary regimen rich in spices, suggesting that, in these cases, food could have been the source of gut colonization, and then of a primary gut Aspergillus lesion. The diagnosis was made postmortem in six patients. The mortality rate in the remaining patients at 12 weeks was 7/15 (47%). Gut aspergillosis is probably misdiagnosed and underestimated in haematology patients, owing to the poor specificity of symptoms and imaging. Patients with a persistently positive galactomannan antigenaemia finding that is unexplained by respiratory lesions should be suspected of having gut aspergillosis in the presence of abdominal symptoms, and be quickly investigated. In the absence of severe abdominal complications leading to surgery and resection of the lesions, the optimal treatment is not yet defined.

Wegener Granulomatosis with Spleen Infarction: Case Report and Review of the Literature

To report a case of biopsy-verified Wegener granulomatosis (WG) with positive c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies who had evidence of spleen infarction and to review the relevant literature on spleen involvement in WG. Descriptive case report of 1 patient with WG complicated by spleen infarction and review of the relevant literature (PubMed search 1966 through February 2007). In our patient spleen involvement (infarction) was clinically silent and was incidentally detected on the caudal slides of a chest computed tomography (CT) performed to investigate pulmonary involvement. Similar cases have been reported: in the published literature reviewed, overall 18 patients have been described and other cases have been described after autopsy. Of these, 8 patients were symptomatic: generally, they complained of diffuse or left upper quadrant abdominal pain. In 15 patients, spleen involvement was detected by ultrasound, scintigraphy, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging. In 1 case only was the diagnosis confirmed by biopsy (after splenectomy). The frequency of spleen infarction is probably underestimated in WG since it is often clinically silent as in our patient. In addition to spleen infarction, WG has also been implicated in inducing spleen hemorrhage, capsular adhesions, dysfunction, and splenomegaly. Since some of the spleen lesions may lead to complications, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for spleen involvement in patients with WG, particularly in the presence of abdominal symptoms.

In Patients Referred for Investigation Because Computed Tomography Suggests Thickened Gastric Folds, Endoscopic Ultrasound Is Superfluous If Gastroscopy Is Normal

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is often requested in patients in whom computed tomography (CT) shows gastric wall thickening. It is unclear if EUS is useful if upper endoscopy is normal. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the yield of upper endoscopy and EUS for this indication. All patients referred for endoscopic ultrasound because of thickened gastric folds on CT from May 2001 and June 2003 were included. A single physician, questioned, examined, and performed upper endoscopy followed by EUS in all patients. Data were recorded prospectively. The main outcome measures were: upper endoscopy and EUS findings and predictors of abnormal EUS. Sixty-nine patients were enrolled. The average age was 57.9, 49% were male, 51% were asymptomatic, 57% had normal upper endoscopy, and 70% had normal EUS. If upper endoscopy was abnormal, EUS was abnormal in 70% of cases (95% CI 62%-78%). If upper endoscopy was normal, the EUS was normal in 100% of cases (95% CI 92%-100%). Multivariate analysis revealed that neither age, gender, presence of abdominal symptoms nor alarm symptoms predicted abnormal EUS. When CT shows gastric wall thickening: (a) Nnormal upper endoscopy is strongly associated with normal EUS; (b) abnormal upper endoscopy is associated with abnormal EUS in 70% of cases; (c) clinical variables such as age, sex, and the presence of symptoms do not predict or increase the likelihood of abnormal EUS. Therefore, in patients with thickened gastric wall on CT, upper endoscopy should be used to select patients for EUS.

Asymptomatic gastritis in naproxen‐treated North Indian children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

AbstractAims: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the agents of choice in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). While NSAIDs have been associated with gastritis in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), not much is known about children with JRA. In this prospective study we set out to evaluate 31 children with JRA, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria given by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).Methods: All patients had received naproxen for at least 3 months prior to their enrolment. Mean age of children was 9.02 years (range 2.5–16 years) with the male : female ratio being 1.8 : 1 (boys 20; girls 11). Eleven (35.5%) patients had polyarticular, 15 (48.4%) had pauciarticular and the remaining five (16.1%) had systemic onset JRA. Duration of disease varied from 5–84 months (mean ± 2, SD = 25.32 ± 20 months) with a mean duration of therapy of 14.19 months (range 4–72 months). Six patients had complaints of mild non‐specific upper abdominal pain.Results: On upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination none of the children showed any significant gross findings. However, histopathology of antral biopsies showed features of active and/or chronic gastritis in almost all the patients. Helicobacter pylori was identified in 16 (51.8%) of these on hematoxylin and eosin staining and the findings were confirmed with Giemsa/Gram staining. Fourteen (85.5%) were also positive by the rapid urease test (RUT). Ten of the 16 patients with H. pylori infection showed evidence of active inflammation in the antral biopsies.Conclusions: Asymptomatic gastritis is a common finding in children with JRA who are receiving naproxen. There appears to be no correlation between the presence of H. pylori infection or histological gastritis and presence of abdominal symptoms in children with JRA.

Unexplained Thickened Folds on CT: Does EGD Help Select Patients for EUS? A Prospective Analysis

Background: When CT shows unexplained thickening of the gastric wall, and regular endoscopy (EGD) is inconclusive, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is often considered a useful next step; but this is unproven. Selective use of EUS may be more appropriate for this indication. We hypothesized that EUS adds little in patients with no alarm symptoms and in whom EGD is normal. Aim: To assess the yield of EGD and EUS in patients with unexplained thickening of the gastric wall on CT and to determine predictors of abnormal EUS. Methods: In this ongoing study, all patients referred for this indication since 5/2001 were eligible. Patient and EUS data were recorded prospectively in a computerized database by a single physician who questioned, examined, and performed EGD in all patients prior to EUS. Special attention was paid to mucosal abnormalities but also to the suppleness and distensibility of the gastric wall. Results: To date, 63 consecutive patients have been enrolled: 91% aged >40, 52% male, 57% asymptomatic, 40% with normal EGD, and 62% with normal EUS. If EGD was normal, 100% (95% CI 88%-100%) of patients had normal EUS. If EGD was ABnormal, 67% of patients had abnormal EUS. When trying to predict if EUS will be normal or abnormal, the positive predictive value of EGD was 67% and the negative predictive value was 100%. The only positive predictor of abnormal EUS was age >50 (Relative risk {RR} 1.23 {95% CI 1.1-1.4}). Variables NOT predictive of abnormal EUS were: abdominal symptoms (RR 0.88 {0.48-1.6}); alarm symptoms (RR 1.44 {0.4-5.2}; or male sex (RR 1.15 {0.9-1.5}). Conclusions: The preliminary results of this ongoing study suggest that when CT shows unexplained thickening of the gastric wall: 1) EGD may be used as a tool to select patients for EUS; 2) If EGD is normal, EUS does not appear to be warranted; 3) Even in the presence of abdominal symptoms or alarm symptoms, the yield of EUS is extremely low if EGD is normal; 3) If EGD is abnormal but inconclusive, EUS appears to be justified.

Delayed gastric emptying in patients with chronic renal failure.

Forty patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) were enrolled into the study, none of whom had peptic ulcer disease, amyloidosis, a previous abdominal operation, diabetes mellitus or other factors that could influence gastric emptying. Twenty of the 40 patients had been receiving regular haemodialysis (HD) for at least 1 year prior to the study. Twelve of the 40 patients had upper gastrointestinal symptoms/signs (GI Sx). Radionuclide-labelled solid meals were used to calculate gastric emptying time (GET). Twenty-five normal volunteers comprised the control group. Of the 40 patients, 35 (88%) had an abnormal GET. The incidence of an abnormal GET in HD and non-HD patients was 95 and 80%, respectively; the incidence of an abnormal GET in patients with and without upper GI Sx was 83 and 89%, respectively. These differences in the incidence of an abnormal GET among the HD and non-HD patients, as well as in the patients with and without upper GI Sx, were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the normal and abnormal GET patients for any of the following clinical parameters and conditions: dialyser-specific proportionality constant x time/urea distribution volume (KT/V), protein catabolic rate (PCR), ferritin, serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium ion, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone, albumin, uric acid, haemoglobin, triglyceride and cholesterol, total dialysis time, creatinine clearance and daily urine protein. We conclude that in Chinese patients with CRF, both dialysed and undialysed, an abnormal GET is common. The pathogenesis seems to be multifactorial. The presence of abdominal symptoms cannot foretell an abnormal GET.