Academic literature on the topic 'Upper Endoscopy'

The aim of this study was to develop and validate structured evaluation tools to measure performance in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using a multidisciplinary approach. This study was built on a United Kingdom multi-centre randomised controlled trial, (the Multi-Institution Nurse endoscopy Trial, MINuET). I studied three important components of performance in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Endoscopic skills, patient satisfaction with endoscopy and the quality of endoscopy reporting. Endoscopic skill was assessed by analysis of video recordings using a scale that was validated in the course of this study (the Swansea OGD scale). Patient satisfaction was measured using a new scale, the gastrointestinal endoscopy satisfaction questionnaire (GESQ), which was also validated. I developed the Swansea OGD scale using quality criteria from textbooks, professional body recommendations and the literature. 188 videos were assessed. It has a good factor structure on factor analysis, internal consistency, good inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. It has face validity, content validity and construct validity. The GESQ was developed and validated from responses from 1563 patients. It has a good factor structure, internal reliability, face validity, content validity and is interpretable. The quality of endoscopy reporting was variable and sub optimal, which I tested on the 552-endoscopy reports by doctors or nurses. Endoscopic skills correlated with patient satisfaction with procedure. I have shown the Swansea OGD scale to be valid and reliable. The GESQ is a valid instrument to measure patient satisfaction with endoscopy. The quality of endoscopy reporting was variable and sub optimal. This multidisciplinary approach can be used to assess quality of performance in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a structured and reliable fashion.

Introducción: La hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) es una de las emergencias más frecuentes en medicina. Parte de su abordaje incluye la realización de una segunda endoscopia de control programada llamada “second look” (SL) con el propósito de reducir la incidencia de resangrado. No obstante, existe controversia en cuando su indicación y utilidad. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del SL en la prevención del resangrado intrahospitalario en pacientes adultos con HDA no variceal. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo sobre 1 144 pacientes con diagnóstico de HDA admitidos en la Unidad de Hemorragia Digestiva de un centro de referencia de la Seguridad Social en Lima, Perú; durante los años 2012 y 2014. La variable de respuesta fue el resangrado y la variable de exposición fue la programación a SL. Además se midió la hemoglobina al ingreso, comorbilidades, trasfusión de paquetes globulares y variables endoscópicas. Se calculó la incidencia acumulada (IA), riesgo relativo (RR), efectividad y mediante un modelo lineal generalizado de familia Poisson link log con errores estándar robustos se estimaron razones de tasas de incidencia (RTI). Resultados: La IA global de resangrado fue de 24,48% (n=280). Se encontró diferencia significativa entre las incidencias acumuladas (IA) entre el grupo de SL y el grupo de control (11,7 % vs 29,0 %, respectivamente, p<0,01). El RR fue 0,40 (IC95%:0,29-0,56) y la efectividad fue de 59,81% (IC95%: 44,17-71,08). En los modelos de regresión también se encontró una disminución de las tasas de incidencia tanto en el modelo crudo (RTI: 0,34 IC95%: 0,24-0,49), como en el modelo ajustado con diferencia estadística significativa entre los sometidos y no sometidos a SL (RTI: 0,12 IC95%: 0,08-0,18), por las variables asociadas con el resangrado (RTI: 0,21 IC95%: 0,15-0,30) y por las variables que cumplían los criterios clásicos de confusión (RTI: 0,12 IC95%: 0,08-0,18). Conclusiones: El SL es efectivo en la prevención de resangrado intrahospitalario en pacientes adultos con HDA en un hospital de referencia nacional.<br>Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is one of the most common medical emergencies. Part of its approach includes performing a second endoscopy, known as second look (SL). However, its indications and usefulness are controversial. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of SL in preventing nosocomial rebleeding in adult patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 1144 patients diagnosed with UGIB admitted at a Digestive Bleeding Unit of a reference center for Social Security in Lima, Peru was performed; during the years 2012 and 2014. The response variable was rebleeding and the exposure variable was programmed SL. Besides hemoglobin on admission, comorbidities, blood transfusion and endoscopic variables were measured. The cumulative incidence, relative risk (RR) and effectiveness were calculated, and using a generalized linear model of the Poisson family link log with robust standard errors, incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated. Results: The cumulative incidence rebleeding overall was 24.48% (n = 280). Significant difference between the cumulative incidences (IA) between the SL group and the control group (11.7% vs 29.0%, respectively, p <0.01) was found. The RR was 0.40 (95% CI 0.29 - 0.56) .The calculated effectiveness was 59.81% (95% CI: 44.17 - 71.08). The regression models also found a decrease in incidence in both crude model (IRR: 0.34 95% CI 0.24 to 0.49) and in the adjusted models. The first model was adjusted for variables with statistically significant differences between exposed and unexposed (IRR: 0.12 95% CI 1.8 to 0.18), the second was adjusted for variables that were significantly associated with rebleeding (IRR 0.21 95% CI 0.15-0.30). The third model was adjusted for variables that met classical criteria of confusion (IRR: 0.12 95% CI 0.08 to 0.18).

Contexto: A hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) resulta em 200 a 300 mil internações por ano nos Estados Unidos, com uma mortalidade de 2,5% a 10%. A úlcera péptica representa a causa mais comum de HDA, correspondendo por um terço a metade de todos os casos. Apesar das melhorias na compreensão de sua etiologia, a incidência de sangramento da úlcera péptica, sua complicação mais comum, não se alterou nas últimas décadas. A terapia endoscópica para HDA pode reduzir drasticamente o risco de ressangramento ou sangramento contínuo, a necessidade de cirurgia de urgência, o número de unidades de concentrado de hemácias para transfusão, o tempo de internação hospitalar e a mortalidade. O tratamento endoscópico da úlcera hemorrágica já percorreu um longo caminho desde injeções de adrenalina e outras soluções, o uso da termocoagulação, até a aplicação de dispositivos mecânicos, como o clipe metálico e a ligadura elástica. Objetivo: Permanece por esclarecer qual é a modalidade endoscópica (ou combinação de modalidades) que apresenta os melhores resultados no tratamento da hemorragia digestiva decorrente da úlcera péptica. Portanto, o objetivo desta revisão sistemática é comparar as diferentes modalidades de tratamento endoscópico da HDA decorrente da úlcera péptica, utilizando ensaios clínicos randomizados. Fontes de dados: Os estudos foram identificados através de pesquisa em bases de dados eletrônicas e listas de referência de artigos. As bases de dados pesquisadas foram Medline, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS, Dare e CINAHL. Critérios de elegibilidade de estudo, participantes e intervenções: Os estudos selecionados foram os ensaios clínicos randomizados comparando as diferentes modalidades endoscópicas para o tratamento de pacientes com hemorragia digestiva alta causada por úlcera péptica. Os estudos incluídos avaliaram técnicas endoscópicas contemporâneas de hemostasia: terapia de injeção endoscópica (todas as soluções, simples ou múltiplas), termocoagulação (heater probe, coagulação com plasma de argônio, coagulação com micro-ondas, eletrocoagulação monopolar, bipolar e multipolar), aplicação de clipes metálicos e tratamento combinado. Os desfechos avaliados foram as taxas de hemostasia inicial, ressangramento, cirurgia de urgência e de mortalidade. Avaliação de vieses: Ao nível de cada estudo, os revisores determinaram a adequação da randomização e da alocação; cegamento de pacientes, profissionais de saúde, coletores de dados e avaliadores de resultados; bem como o relato e a extensão das perdas de seguimento. Também foi avaliado se as técnicas de hemostasia endoscópica foram devidamente descritas e, se os desfechos foram adequadamente definidos em cada estudo. A análise de sensibilidade foi realizada quando a heterogeneidade (I2) foi superior a 50% e uma nova meta-análise foi calculada excluindo o(s) estudo(s) discrepante(s). Uma análise adicional foi realizada em cada comparação, incluindo apenas os ensaios de qualidade metodológica mais elevada. Resultados principais: Um total de 28 ensaios clínicos randomizados (envolvendo 2988 pacientes) foram avaliados nesta revisão, eles foram divididos em sete grupos de comparação de acordo com as modalidades estudadas em cada estudo. A terapia de injeção endoscópica como modalidade única foi inferior à sua combinação com o clipe metálico e com a termocoagulação na avaliação de taxa de ressangramento (diferença dos riscos [DR] = -0,10, intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] = -0,18 a -0,03 e [DR] = -0,08, [IC95%] = -0,14 a -0,02, respectivamente) e na necessidade de cirurgia de urgência ([DR] = -0,11, [IC95%] = -0,18 a -0,04 e [DR] = -0,06, [IC95%] = -0,12 para -0,00, respectivamente). A aplicação de clipes metálicos foi superior à terapia de injeção endoscópica na avaliação da taxa de ressangramento ([DR] = -0,13, [IC95%] = -0,19 para -0,08), e os resultados da comparação entre a aplicação de clipes metálicos como monoterapia e a sua combinação com a terapia de injeção endoscópica não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas. A comparação entre o clipe metálico e a termocoagulação encontrou uma considerável heterogeneidade entre as intervenções utilizadas em cada estudo e nos resultados encontrados das meta-análises. A comparação da termocoagulação com a terapia de injeção endoscópica não evidenciou qualquer diferença estatística entre as modalidades, e a combinação delas é superior à técnica de termocoagulação sozinha ao avaliar a taxa de ressangramento ([DR] = -0,11, [IC95%] = -0,21 para - 0,02). Conclusões: A terapia de injeção endoscópica não deve ser empregada isoladamente. A aplicação de clipes metálicos é superior à terapia de injeção endoscópica, e a associação da injeção endoscópica não melhora a eficácia hemostática do uso isolado do clipe metálico. Como modalidade única, uma técnica de termocoagulação tem uma eficácia hemostática semelhante à terapia de injeção endoscópica, e estas modalidades combinadas parecem ser superiores à técnica de termocoagulação sozinha. Portanto, recomendamos a aplicação de clipes metálicos ou o uso combinado de uma terapia de injeção endoscópica com um método de termocoagulação para o tratamento de pacientes com hemorragia digestiva alta por úlcera péptica<br>Background: Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) results in 200,00 to 300,000 hospital admissions annually in the United States, with a mortality of 2,5% to 10%. Peptic ulcer disease represents the most common cause of UGIB, accounting for a third to a half of all episodes. Despite improvements in the understanding of its etiology, the incidence of bleeding from peptic ulcer disease, the most common complication, has not changed. Endoscopic therapy for active UGIB can dramatically reduce the risk of rebleeding or continued bleeding, the need for surgery, the number of units of packed erythrocytes required for transfusion, the length of hospital stay and mortality. Endoscopic treatment for ulcer bleeding has come a long way from injections of epinephrine and other solutions, the use of thermocoagulation, to the application of mechanical devices such as hemoclips and banding ligator. Objective: It remains unclear which is the endoscopic modality (or combination of modalities) that presents the best results in the treatment of peptic ulcer bleeding. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to compare the different modalities of endoscopic hemostatic therapy, using randomized clinical trials. Data sources: Studies were identified by searching electronic databases and scanning reference lists of articles. The searched databases were Medline, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS, DARE and CINAHL. Study eligibility criteria, participants and interventions: The studies selected were the randomized clinical trials comparing different endoscopic modalities for the treatment of patients presenting with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by peptic ulcer disease. The included trials assessed contemporary endoscopic hemostatic techniques: endoscopic injection therapy (all injectates, single or multiple), thermal coagulation (heater probe, argon plasma and microwave coagulation, monopolar, bipolar and multipolar electrocoagulations), hemoclip placement and combination treatment. The outcomes measured were the rates of initial hemostasis, rebleeding, emergency surgery and overall mortality. Risk of bias assessment: At the study level, the reviewers determined the adequacy of randomization and concealment of allocation; blinding of patients, of health care providers, of data collectors, and of outcome assessors; and the correct report and extent of loss to follow-up. It was also evaluated whether the endoscopic hemostatic techniques were properly described and if the outcomes were appropriately defined in each study. A sensitivity analysis was held when the heterogeneity (I2) was over 50% and a new meta-analysis was calculated excluding the outlier(s). An additional analysis was made at each comparison, including only the higher methodological quality trials. Main results: A total of 28 trials, involving 2988 patients were evaluated in this review, they were divided into seven comparison groups according to the modalities studied in each trial. Injection Therapy as single modality was inferior to its combination with Hemoclip and with Thermal Coagulation Therapy when evaluating rebleeding rate (risk difference [RD] = -0.10, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = -0.18 to -0.03 and [RD] = -0.08, [95%CI] = -0.14 to -0.02, respectively) and need for emergency surgery ([RD] = -0.11, [95%CI] = -0.18 to -0.04 and [RD] = -0.06, [95%CI] = -0.12 to -0.00, respectively). Hemoclip was superior to Injection Therapy in the evaluation of rebleeding rate ([RD] = -0.13, [95%CI] = -0.19 to -0.08), and the results of the comparison between Hemoclip alone versus its combination with Injection Therapy did not present any statistical differences. The comparison between Hemoclip and Thermal Coagulation encountered a considerable heterogeneity between the trials in the interventions used and in the results found. The comparison of Thermal Coagulation versus Injection Therapy did not evidence any statistical difference between the modalities, and the combination of these is superior to the Thermal Coagulation alone when evaluating rebleeding rate ([RD] = -0.11, [95%CI] = -0.21 to -0.02. Conclusions: Injection therapy should not be used as single modality. The application of Hemoclip is superior to injection therapy, and the combined application of an injectate does not improve the hemostatic efficacy of the use of Hemoclip alone. As single modality, a thermal coagulation technique has a similar hemostatic efficacy as injection therapy, and these combined modalities appear to be superior to thermal coagulation technique alone. Therefore, we recommend the application of Hemoclips or the combined use of an Injection Therapy with a Thermal Coagulation method for the treatment of patients presenting with acute peptic ulcer bleeding

INTRODUÇÃO: O esôfago de Barrett (EB) é uma patologia que aumenta substancialmente o risco de adenocarcinoma esofágico. Os pacientes portadores de EB devem ser seguidos ao longo de toda a vida na tentativa da detecção de neoplasia em estágio precoce. A endoscopia digestiva alta (EDA) é, atualmente, o método de eleição. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da cápsula endoscópica do esôfago (CEE) comparada à EDA com cromoscopia com azul de metileno para detecção de lesões suspeitas de neoplasia esofágica, avaliação da extensão e padrão do EB, e identificação da presença de hérnia de hiato; além de comparar a segurança e grau de desconforto dos dois métodos. MÉTODOS: Estudo de casos transversal, realizado em 22 pacientes sabidamente portadores de EB que foram submetidos à fundoplicatura à Nissen há mais de 5 anos. Os pacientes realizaram os exames de CEE e EDA com cromoscopia esofágica por médicos diferentes e desconhecedores dos achados do outro exame. Após a realização dos exames, foi aplicado um questionário onde foi anotado o grau de desconforto do paciente em cada exame e eventuais complicações. Foi avaliado o índice de concordância (kappa) entre os dois métodos para pesquisa de lesões suspeitas de neoplasia esofágica, características do EB e detecção de hérnia hiatal. RESULTADOS: Dezenove pacientes completaram o estudo. A CEE apresentou sensibilidade e valor preditivo negativo de 100% e acurácia de 79% para detecção de lesão suspeita de neoplasia esofágica e concordância razoável com EDA (kappa = 0,27). A acurácia da CEE para avaliação da extensão do EB foi de 89% e concordância moderada (kappa = 0,60) com EDA. A acurácia da CEE para avaliação de EB digitiforme, circunferencial e misto foram, respectivamente, 74%, 79% e 74% com concordância moderada nos casos de EB circunferencial e misto e não significante no EB digitiforme. Quanto à detecção de hérnia de hiato a CEE apresentou sensibilidade de 43% e acurácia de 74%, com concordância razoável (kappa = 0,38) com EDA. Não houve diferença estatística de desconforto entre os exames e não houve complicação em ambos os métodos endoscópicos. CONCLUSÕES: A CEE mostrou-se um bom método de detecção de lesões suspeitas de neoplasia esofágica. Quanto a avaliação da extensão e padrão do EB, a CEE apresentou resultados razoáveis, quando comparada à EDA com cromoscopia esofágica. A CEE apresentou resultados insatisfatórios quanto à detecção de hérnia hiatal. Não houve diferença significativa de desconforto entre CEE e EDA. Os dois métodos mostraram-se seguros<br>INTRODUCTION: Barrett\'s esophagus (BE) is a condition that substantially increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients with BE should be followed throughout life in an attempt to detect cancer at an early stage. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) is currently the method of choice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) compared to methylene blue (MB) chromoendoscopy for detection of suspicious lesions of esophageal cancer, evaluation of extent and pattern of BE, and identifying the presence of hiatal hernia, in addition to compare the safety and patients discomfort of the two methods. METHODS: Transverse study, conducted on 22 Barretts patients submitted to Nissen fundoplication with more than five years follow-up. Patients underwent examinations of ECE and MB chromoendoscopy by different physicians blinds to each procedures. After the exams, patients discomfort and possible complications that occurred in each method were recorded. It was evaluated the concordance index between the two methods for detection of suspicious lesions of esophageal cancer, extent and pattern of BE and hiatal hernia detection. RESULTS: Nineteen patients completed the study. The ECE sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy were, respectively, 100%, 100% and 79% for detecting suspicious lesion of esophageal cancer and had reasonable agreement with MB chromoendoscopy (kappa = 0.27). The ECE accuracy for assessing the extent of BE was 89% and had moderate agreement (kappa = 0.60) with MB chromoendoscopy. The accuracy of the ECE for evaluation of finger-like, circumferential, and mixed BE were respectively 74%, 79% and 74%, and moderate agreement in cases of circumferencial and mixed BE and not significant agreement for finger-like BE. ECE sensitivity and accuracy for detecting hiatal hernia were, respectively, 43 % and 74%, and fair agreement (kappa = 0.38) with MB chromoendoscopy. There was no statistical difference between the discomfort of examinations and there was no complication in both endoscopic methods. CONCLUSIONS: The ECE has proved to be a good method for detecting suspicious lesions of esophageal cancer. As the evaluation of the extent and pattern of BE, the ECE had reasonable results, when compared to MB chromoendoscopy. The ECE had unsatisfactory results regarding the detection of hiatal hernia. There was no significant difference in discomfort between the ECE and GIE. Both methods proved to be safe

Orientador: José Murilo Robilotta Zeitune<br>Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T01:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Queiroz_MorganaTerezinhaAlvesde_M.pdf: 3260768 bytes, checksum: 2aa8029cc1328e9fe42d3e132b96826a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012<br>Resumo: A endoscopia digestiva alta (EDA) é um dos exames mais indicados para a investigação das doenças do trato digestivo alto. Normalmente, é executada em hospitais de alta complexidade e em clínicas especializadas; porém a sua grande demanda tem feito com que estes exames sejam realizados com maior frequência em centros de média complexidade. Dessa forma, este estudo teve por objetivos analisar retrospectivamente os diagnósticos de EDA realizados numa população de atendimento primário da região sudoeste do município de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil, no período de 2000 a 2007, definindo a taxa de exames normais e a prevalência das principais doenças no tubo digestivo alto e correlacionando esses diagnósticos com faixa etária, gênero e origem de atendimento; estabelecer a prevalência do Helicobacter pylori em um segmento da população estudada, de acordo com as doenças diagnosticadas; e, finalmente, oferecer subsídios para a implantação de um modelo de atendimento primário de EDA na rede pública. Este estudo foi desenvolvido a partir dos laudos de EDA arquivados no setor especializado do referente serviço e que foram analisados de modo descritivo e estatístico. A pesquisa para H. pylori foi realizada em 2.822 (56,44%) dos pacientes, através da histologia e/ou teste da urease. A qualidade do serviço foi determinada pela ausência de complicações e pela resposta a um questionário ilustrativo aplicado a uma parcela dos pacientes. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo SAS (Statistical Analysis System), o nível de significância 5% (p<0,05), utilizando-se testes Qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher, e regressão logística para os cálculos de razões de risco (Odds ratio). Na análise descritiva geral observou-se que a maioria dos exames foi realizada no gênero feminino; com idade de 40 a 49 anos, independente do gênero.As mulheres tiveram dois picos prevalentes nas faixas etárias 18-29 anos e 40-49 anos; entre os homens a prevalência foi a partir de 60 anos.A maior frequência das doenças no segmento esofágico, no total de EDAs, foi de 25,96%;entre estas, esofagites 21,32% (597 do tipo erosiva e 469 do tipo não erosiva),neoplasias esofágicasmalignas 0,30% (três do tipoprecoce e 12 do tipoavançada). No segmento gástrico,a prevalência foi 79,74%, sendo gastrites crônicas 75,82%, úlcera gástrica9,10% e neoplasias malignas gástricas 0,58% (dez do tipo precoce e 19 do tipo avançada). Já nosegmento duodenal,o índice de anormalidades foide 32,96%, sendoúlcera duodenal19,34% e duodenites 17,74%. Entre os pacientes que realizaram a pesquisa para H. pylori, notou-se prevalência significativa naqueles com úlcera duodenal (49.07%). Exames endoscópicos normais foram verificados em 604 pacientes (12,08%) com valores estatisticamente representativos na faixa etária de 18 a 29 anos e no gênero feminino. Assim, após o estudo, chegou-se à conclusão de que é viável a implantação da EDA diagnóstica no atendimento primário de saúde, com equipe bem estruturada, favorecendo a ausência de índice de complicação decorrente do procedimento, o que também foi confirmado pela avaliação favorável expressa voluntariamente por alguns pacientes<br>Abstract: Upper digestive tract endoscopy (UDTE) is one of the most highly indicated exams for the investigation of upper digestive tract diseases. It is normally performed in high-complexity hospitals and specialized clinics; however, the high demand for UDTE examinations and the growing number of professionals specializing in endoscopic techniques have resulted in a higher availability of these procedures at medium-complexity healthcare facilities. So, the objectives of this study were to analyze the diagnoses obtained from UDTE examinations performed in a population of primary care patients from the Southwestern region of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in the period from 2000 to 2007, defining the percentage of normal examinations and the prevalence of main diseases of the upper digestive tract and correlating these diagnoses with age, gender and source of referral; to establish the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in one segment of the studied population based on the diagnosed diseases; and to offer supporting data for the implementation of a UDTE primary care model in the public healthcare system. The design of this retrospective study was based on the UDTE reports filed with the specialized department that offers the service. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed on these reports. The quality of the service was assessed, based on the absence of complications and on the answers given to an illustrative questionnaire applied to a portion of the patients who underwent UDTE examinations. The statistical analyses were performed with the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). The tests applied were Chi-square and Fisher's exact test, as well as logistic regression for the calculation of odds ratios. During the general descriptive analysis, it was observedthat the majority of examinations was conducted on female patients; and on patients ages 40-49, irrespective of gender. There were two peaks of age prevalence among women (18-29 and 40-49 y.o.); among men, the prevalent age groupwas 60 y.o. and older. Among the 5,000 analyzed UDTE examinations, the prevalence of esophageal segment disease was 25.96%, including erosive and non-erosive esophagitis(21.32%); and early and advanced esophageal cancer (0.30%). Prevalence of disease in the gastric segment was 79.74%, including chronic gastritis (75.82%), gastric ulcers (9.10%) and gastric cancer (0.58%). In the duodenal segment, the rate of abnormalities was 32.96%, including duodenal ulcers (19.34%) and duodenitis (17.74%). Out of the 5,000 examinations, a total of 2,822 patients (56.44%) were selected for H. pylori testing using the histological and/or urease methods, to investigate the correlation of this bacterium with gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as gastritis identified as micronodular after endoscopic examination. Normal endoscopic examinations were assessed from 604 patients (12.08%), which presented statistically representative values for the 18-29 years old age group and the female gender. In conclusion, with this study, the implementation of diagnostic UDTE using a well-structured medical team is a viable option in primary healthcare. Besides, according to the favorable assessments expressed voluntarily by some patients, the procedure does not produce complications<br>Mestrado<br>Clinica Medica<br>Mestre em Clinica Medica

Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (AUGIB) accounts for 7000 deaths in the UK annually and is the single leading indication for transfusion of blood components. A large UK audit in 2007 reported high case fatality and rates of further bleeding. Since many deaths are determined by pre-existing co-morbidity, strategies to improve outcome should be targeted at preventable deaths and therefore focus upon improved control of haemorrhage and prevention of further bleeding, which are investigated in this thesis. Data for the analyses presented originate from the UK national audit of AUGIB, a laboratory study and a cross sectional survey. Five broad themes were investigated including service provision and timing of endoscopy, the use of transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) or surgery for refractory bleeding, the impact of coagulopathy on outcome, management of acute variceal haemorrhage (AVH) and haemostatic derangements after AVH, and the use of red blood cells (RBCs). Although there was no evidence of a “weekend effect” for mortality, earlier endoscopy (<12 hours) was associated with improved control of haemorrhage in higher risk patients compared to later endoscopy (>24 hours). TAE was an effective and safe modality for refractory bleeding, but the high post-surgical mortality (29%) raises questions about the appropriateness of case selection for surgery. Coagulopathy after non-variceal haemorrhage was associated with a 5-fold increase in risk-adjusted mortality. Further bleeding after AVH was strikingly high (26%) with notable deficiencies in the use of vasopressors, antibiotics and endotherapy. Global assessments of coagulation demonstrated that thrombin generation after AVH was normal, but clot strength was poor with excessive fibrinolysis. Platelets, fibrinogen and antifibrinolytics improved haemostasis ex vivo but coagulation factor transfusion had no effect. RBC transfusion practice is variable. This work on AUGIB provides new data highlighting areas of sub-optimal care, and informs both current practice and research questions for new interventional trials.

Introduzione La frequenza e la rilevanza clinica delle lesioni rilevate dalla videocapsula endoscopica (VCE) nell’intestino tenue prossimale nei pazienti con malattia di Crohn (MDC). Inoltre non è ancora definito il ruolo diagnostico della VCE nei pazienti con diagnosi non definita di MDC dopo procedure convenzionali endoscopiche, radiologiche, ultrasonografiche. Obiettivi. Studio 1. Valutare la prevalenza di lesioni prossimali rilevate dalla VCE, in pazienti con MDC dell’ileo distale. Studio 2. Valutare in uno studio prospettivo longitudinale, il ruolo diagnostico della VCE in pazienti con sintomi compatibili con MDC del tenue e diagnosi non definita dopo tecniche convenzionali. Metodi. Studio 1: Sono stati arruolati 32 pazienti con MDC (16 F, età media 32 aa, range 19-65) con diagnosi definita di MDC dell’ileo distale. Alla VCE reperti compatibili con lesioni di MDC includevano: erosioni, ulcerazioni aftoidi o profonde. Venivano considerate prossimali le lesioni del digiuno e dell’ileo prossimale. Studio 2: Tutti i pazienti con sospetto clinico di MDC ed diagnosi non conclusiva dopo ileocolonscopia (IC), esame radiologico seriato dell’intestino tenue (SBFT) e ecografia delle anse intestinali mediante mezzo di contrasto orale (SICUS) sono stati arruolati. Risultati. Studio 1. Mediante VCE sono state rilevate lesioni nel tenue prossimale in 16(50%) pazienti. Non è stata osservata correlazione tra i reperti alla VCE, i parametri clinici ed i reperti al SICUS (p=0.2). Studio 2. Le metodiche convenzionali non hanno portato a diagnosi conclusiva in 30 pazienti (19 F, median age 31 years, range 18-57) con reperti compatibili ma non conclusivi di MDC del tenue alla IC in 19 (63%), al SICUS in 12 (40%) ed al SBFT in 15 (50%) pazienti. La VCE ha mostrato lesioni ileali in 15 dei 30 (50%) pazienti, compatibili con MDC in 12 (40%)(≥5 ulcere aftoidi in 10, ulcera profonda in 1, una singola stenosi ulcerata in 1). La VCE è stata ritenuta in 1 paziente con una stenosi dell’intestino tenue non rilevata dal SBFT, che ha richiesto un intervento chirurgico, mediante cui è stata posta diagnosi di MDC. Conclusions. Nel MDC dell’ileo distale, la VCE consente la visualizzazione di lesioni nell’intestino tenue prossimale in una elevate percentuale di pazienti, sebbene la rilevanza clinica di tali reperti è apparsa non significativa. La VCE può rilevare lesioni compatibili con MDC del tenue in quasi 1/3 dei pazienti con sintomi fortemente sospetti per MDC e diagnosi non definita con le metodiche convenzionali, sebbene il rischio di ritenzione richiede una attenta selezione dei pazienti.<br>Background. The frequency and clinical relevance of upper small bowel (SB) lesions detected by Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE) in Crohn’s Disease (CD) is unknown. The diagnostic role of WCE in patients with uncertain diagnosis after conventional endoscopic, radiologic and ultrasonographic techniques is still under investigation. Aims. Study 1. To assess the prevalence of proximal SB lesions detected by WCE, in patients with distal ileal CD. Study 2. To assess, in a prospective study, the diagnostic role of WCE in patients with symptoms highly compatible with small bowel CD and undefined diagnosis after conventional techniques. Methods. Study 1:upper CD lesions 32 CD patients (16 F, median age 32 years, range 19-65) with an established diagnosis of distal ileal CD were enrolled. Findings compatible with CD lesions at WCE included: erosions, aphtoid or deep ulcers. Jejunal and proximal ileal lesions were considered as proximal SB lesions. Study 2: suspected CD. All patients with clinically suspected CD and not conclusive diagnosis after ileocolonoscopy (IC), Small Bowel Follow Through (SBFT) and Small Intestine Contrast Ultrasonography (SICUS) were enrolled. Results. Study 1. WCE detected proximal SB lesions in 16 (50%) patients. No correlation between WCE findings and clinical parameters as also between WCE and SICUS findings (p=0.2) was observed. Study 2. Conventional techniques did not lead to a conclusive diagnosis in 30 patients (19 F, median age 31 years, range 18-57). Among the 30 patients, findings compatible but not diagnostic for small bowel CD were detected by IC in 19 (63%), by SICUS in 12 (40%) and by SBFT in 15 (50%) patients. WCE showed ileal lesions in 15 out of the 30 (50%) patients, including findings compatible with CD in 12 (40%)(≥5 apthoid ulcers in 10, deep ulcer in 1, one single ulcerated stenosis in 1). WCE retention was observed in 1 patient with a small bowel CD stenosis not detected by SBFT. Conclusions. WCE allows the visualization of upper SB lesions in a high proportion of CD patients. The clinical relevance of these findings appears not significant. WCE may detect lesions compatible with small bowel CD in almost one third of patients with symptoms highly compatible with CD and undefined diagnosis after conventional techniques. The retention risk requires a careful selection of patients before using WCE to confirm a suspected diagnosis of CD.