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Biomedical subjects

F Bermejo

Publications and source records attributed to F Bermejo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Screening of dementia in community-dwelling elderly through informant report.

Screening tools for cognitive decline still have low accuracy for dementia, mainly in cases of mild dementia. All of them are affected by factors such as age, sex, educational level, sensory deficits and several mental disorders. The information provided by a proxy close to the patient has been used during recent years in dementia diagnosis. Therefore, new questionnaires, which use standardized information from relatives, have been developed. The aim of this study was to validate a Spanish version (S-IQCODE) of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), a dementia screening questionnaire in Spanish population-based samples. A validity study of the screening tool was carried out in two population-based samples of community-dwelling elderly with different sociodemographic characteristics (urban and rural samples). Dementia diagnosis was performed by neurologists according to DSM-III-R criteria. The S-IQCODE showed a higher accuracy than the MMSE in both samples: sensitivity of 82% and 83% vs 73% and 83%, specificity of 90% and 83% vs 78% and 74%, accuracy of 89% and 83% vs 77% and 75%. Moreover, while the S-IQCODE did not have associations with any extraneous factors, the MMSE showed significant correlations with age (-0.51), educational level (0.62), mental health (-0.40), premorbid intelligence (0.67) and intellectual level (0.75). The results obtained with the S-IQCODE show that it could possibly be applied in screening for dementia in community-dwelling elderly.

Aged↗

[Spontaneous peritonitis caused by ascitic fluid with Candida albicans].

Two cases are reported of spontaneous ascitic fluid Candida albicans peritonitis in two patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to HBV. In non of the two cases was there evidence of findings associated with secondary peritonitis, where ascitic fluid Candida infection has usually been reported.

Aged↗

[Helicobacter pylori, gastric ulcer and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastric ulcer in addition to study its relationship with the ingestion of non steroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). METHODS: One hundred sixty-one patients (mean age 54 years, 70% males) in whom gastric ulcer was endoscopically demonstrated were studied. Biopsies of the antrum and gastric body (hematoxillin-eosin, Gram staining and culture) were obtained during endoscopy. RESULTS: H. pylori was detected in 83% (CI = 78-89%) of the cases. In the patients not taking NSAIDS positivity was 87% (CI = 81-93%) while in those with NSAIDS this was only 63% (CI = 43-79%) (p = 0.008). The percentage of patients without H. pylori infection or NSAIDS intake represented 11% (CI = 6-16%). On multivariant analysis the only variable correlated with H. pylori infection was NSAIDS intake (OR = 0.25; CI = 0.09-0.66; chi 2 model = 7.27; p = 0.007) while the remaining variables (sex, age, smoking, alcohol and ulcer site) did not show a significant correlation. The percentage of chronic gastritis was higher (p < 0.001) in H. pylori positive patients in comparison with those who were uninfected (97% versus 67% in the antrum and 78% versus 41% in the gastric body). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of infection by Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastric ulcer is greater in those without non steroid antiinflammatory drug (NSAIDS) intake in comparison with those who have this history. The percentage of patients without H. pylori infection or NSAIDS ingestion was very low (11%), and thus it may be deduced that these elements represent pathogenic factors of major importance in gastric ulcer disease since the appearance of this entity in the absence of both is infrequent.

Adult↗

Anticholinergic therapy and dementia in patients with Parkinson's disease.

In a cross-sectional study performed in 1980 on 70 consecutive Parkinson's disease (PD) outpatients, we investigated the factors associated with dementia, especially anticholinergic drugs. All cases fulfilled three major clinical criteria of PD, and underwent extensive clinical and laboratory examinations, including brain CT and neuropsychological assessment. Cases with mental deterioration at the onset of the illness or confusional status were excluded. In 15 patients the diagnosis of dementia was made according to DSM-III criteria; 15 other non-demented patients scoring 4 on the Reisberg's Global Deterioration Scale were labelled as "mentally deteriorated", and the remaining 40 cases were considered cognitively normal. In a logistic multiple regression analysis only age, female sex and time of anticholinergic intake were significantly associated with dementia. We conclude that anticholinergic drugs must be avoided in PD patients with some cognitive decline.

Adult↗

[Epilepsy and dementia. An atavistic association].

We carried out a brief historical review as to the meaning of the association between epilepsy and dementia and of 'epileptic dementia'. We also reviewed the literature published in the last decade on this theme, analyzing whether chronic recurrence of epileptic fits brings about cognitive deterioration. We concluded by affirming that 'epileptic dementia' was a mixed bag containing numerous diseases and syndromes with symptoms of both. Only exceptionally could epileptic fits bring on cognitive deterioration and this usually only slight. A great many factors and not just recurrent epileptic fits determine cognitive prognosis in epileptics.

Cognition Disorders↗

[Which factors influence the success of the classical triple therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori?].

AIM: To study different factors influencing the success of classic triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori eradication. METHODS: Fifty-seven duodenal ulcer patients infected with H. pylori were prospectively studied. At endoscopy biopsy specimens were taken from the gastric antrum and body (H & E, Gram stain, and culture). Classic triple therapy was administered (bismuth, tetracyclin, metronidazole). Patients were investigated endoscopically one month after completing therapy, and repeated biopsy specimens from the antrum and body were also obtained. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication was achieved in 42 patients (74%). In multiple logistic regression analysis metronidazole susceptibility (regr. coef. = 3.4; OR = 29.3) and previous therapy with omeprazol plus amoxycillin (regr. coef. = -1.7; OR = 0.18) were the only variables which correlated with success in H. pylori eradication (chi 2 model = 21; p < 0.001). Additional variables (age, sex, smoking, histologic lesion and ulcer history) were no correlated with H. pylori infection. H. pylori was susceptible to metronidazole in 36 patients (79%). Eradication rates for metronidazole-susceptible and metronidazole-resistant H. pylori isolates were 87% and 25%, respectively (p < 0.001). When previous therapy with omeprazole plus amoxycillin had been administered the eradication rate was lower (61%) than in patients without previous therapy (82%). CONCLUSION: Success of classic triple therapy in H. pylori eradication is higher when the organism is metronidazole-susceptible, and lower when previous therapy with omeprazole plus amoxycillin has been administered. This factor, although not fully elucidated, lends no support to choosing triple therapy when eradicating therapy with omeprazole plus amoxycillin fails.

Adult↗

[Is there a correlation between the values of breath tests and the response to the treatment for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori?].

PURPOSE: To study a possible correlation between the urea breath test values prior to treatment and the response to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in patients with duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with duodenal ulcer were retrospectively studied (mean age: 46 +/- 13 years; 71% males). Initially, an endoscopy with biopsy samples (H&E stain) taken from antrum and body was performed, and a 13C-urea breath test (measuring 13C difference: delta 13CO2) was also performed. Both procedures were repeated one month after completing therapy ("classic" triple therapy [n = 25], and omeprazole plus amoxycillin [n = 52]). RESULTS: Eradication was achieved in 40% of cases (n = 32), and it was higher in patients treated with "classic" triple therapy (60%) than in those treated with omeprazole plus amoxycillin (31%) (p = 0.017). Mean delta 13CO2 level was 25 +/- 15. There were no differences when comparing values of patients with successful eradication (24 +/- 18) or therapy failure (25.6 +/- 13). No differences were observed when considering both therapies separately or when comparing eradication rates depending upon breath test levels prior to therapy. Breath test values did not influence the eradication in the logistic regression model. Mean delta 13CO2 values after therapy in patients with eradication failure ran in parallel with those observed previously. CONCLUSION: No correlation was observed between urea breath test values before treatment and the response to H. pylori eradication therapy in patients with duodenal ulcer. Thus, we conclude that quantification of this diagnostic method is not useful to predict the success or failure of eradicating therapy.

Amoxicillin↗

[Erradicating treatment of Helicobacter pylori with lansoprazole and amoxicillin in duodenal ulcer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of the combination lansoprazole and amoxicillin on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and duodenal ulcer healing. METHODS: Twenty-nine duodenal ulcer patients infected with H. pylori were prospectively studied (mean age, 46 +/- 11 years, 90% males). During endoscopy biopsies were obtained from gastric antrum and body for histologic examination (H & E); a urea breath test with 13C was also performed. Therapy with lansoprazole 30 mg/12 h and amoxicillin 500 mg/6 h for two weeks was prescribed. One month after completing therapy another endoscopy was performed (with biopsies obtained from gastric antrum and body) and again a urea breath test performed. Eradication was defined as the absence of H. pylori by both diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Eradication was achieved in 48% of patients (n = 14). Ulcer healing was obtained in 62% of cases (n = 18). When eradicating therapy was successful the percentage of healing reached 100%, versus 27% in those patients with persisting infection (p < 0.001). In patients with eradication obtained an histological improvement was noted both at gastric antrum and body, whereas when therapy failed no significant changes were observed. In all cases compliance with therapy was completed, and in no patient were secondary effects observed. CONCLUSION: The association of lansoprazole and amoxicillin at the administered doses has a low efficiency on H. pylori eradication in duodenal ulcer patients. Further studies are warranted to definitely assess the eradicating efficiency of such combination and also to determine the optimal dose of its components, the minimal duration of therapy and the ideal moment for its administration.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

[The importance of obtaining biopsies of the gastric body in the follow-up after eradicating treatment of Helicobacter pylori].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present was to study the usefulness of performing biopsies of the gastric body in addition to those normally obtained of the antrum in the control of the eradication of Helicobacter pylori after treatment. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with duodenal ulcer and infection by H. pylori were prospectively studied. Two therapeutic schedules were used: amoxycillin/clavulanic associated with omeprazole (n = 32) and the classical triple therapy (bismuth, metronidazole, tetracycline) (n = 32). At the time of initial endoscopy and one month after completion of the treatment biopsies of the antrum and gastric body were taken for histologic (hematoxylin-eosin) and microbiologic (Gram and culture) studies. A patient was considered to have H. pylori infection when its presence was demonstrated by histologic or microbiologic methods in either of the localizations. RESULTS: The eradication of H. pylori was globally achieved in 64% (n = 41) of the cases. In the patients in whom eradication was not achieved (n = 23), H. pylori was detected only in the antrum in 70% (30% false negatives) while this was seen in the gastric body in 96% of the cases (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Carrying-out biopsies of only the antrum after eradicating H. pylori treatment is associated with a high percentage of false negative diagnosis of infection. Therefore, additional biopsies of the gastric body are recommended.

Adult↗

The screening of mild dementia with a shortened Spanish version of the "Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly".

Most of the present screening tests for the detection of dementia fail with mild dementia. Jorm et al. recently presented the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), a simple instrument with good diagnostic validity that uses a close relative to obtain information on the cognitive decline of a patient. We used a Spanish adaptation of this questionnaire (S-IQCODE) validated in a population-based sample, and a shortened form (SS-IQCODE) obtained after analyzing the items and reducing them to only 17. The S-IQCODE and the SS-IQCODE have greater diagnostic validity for mild dementia than the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (sensitivity: 86% for both versus 57%; specificity: 92 and 91% versus 84%, positive predictive value: 54 and 50% versus 29%; negative predictive value: 91 and 90% versus 81%) and, unlike the MMSE, are independent of the age, education, and previous intelligence of the subjects. According to the results of this study, the SS-IQCODE could be a useful screening test for the detection of mild dementia in the Spanish-speaking aged population, with greater diagnostic power and less contamination by independent variables than the MMSE.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[A global study of gastric secretion in duodenal ulcers: gastrin, pepsinogen and acid secretion].

AIM: To examine gastric secretion in duodenal ulcer patients; simultaneous assessment of serum gastrin and pepsinogen I levels and acid secretion. METHODS: 32 patients with duodenal ulcer disease were studied (mean age: 44.7 +/- 14 years, 24 males (75%). At endoscopy, biopsy specimens from duodenal bulb, antrum, body and gastric fundus were taken. Basal levels of acid secretion, pepsinogen I and gastrin were measured, as well as stimulated levels (with pentagastrin and beef meal). RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) BAO and MAO was 5.5 +/- 4 and 27.7 +/- 10 mEq/h, respectively. BAO in males were higher than in females (p < 0.05). A positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between MAO, and basal and stimulated pepsinogen I. Basal and stimulated (integrated-90 min) gastrin levels were 43.4 +/- 12 pg/ml and 5,260 pg/ml min, respectively. No correlation between such levels and acid secretion or pepsinogen I was observed. Mean basal and stimulated (integrated-120 min) pepsinogen levels were 109.3 +/- 35 ng/ml and 4,950 +/- 160 ng/ml min, respectively, and they were higher in males (p < 0.01), and in smokers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was confirmed, in a group of duodenal ulcer patients, that BAO is higher in males than in females. There is a positive correlation between MAO and pepsinogen I levels, although this correlation is not present between gastrin levels and acid secretion or pepsinogen I. Pepsinogen I levels are higher in males and smokers.

Adult↗

[Is there a relationship between digestive symptoms and H. pylori infection?].

UNLABELLED: Infection by H. pylori is a common finding in the general population, its prevalence being higher in certain gastroduodenal diseases, particularly peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis. There is no general agreement on whether there is an association between digestive symptoms and the presence of H. pylori infection. AIM: To study whether there is an association between digestive symptoms and H. pylori infection. METHODS: 328 patients with symptoms related to the upper gastrointestinal tract who underwent a diagnostic endoscopy were studied. Symptoms were classified as: epigastric pain, epigastric burning, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, and dyspeptic symptoms suggestive of motility disorders. During endoscopy 3 biopsy samples were obtained from both the gastric antrum and the body of the stomach. One of the samples from each location was processed for microbiology studies, the other two for histological studies. A patient was considered to be infected by H. pylori when the organism was detected by microbiology and/or histology in any of the locations. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 47.3 + 15.2 years; the male/female ratio was 2.4/1. The endoscopic findings and the corresponding percentages of H. pylori infection were: normal endoscopy 55 (80%); gastritis 87 (82.7%); gastric ulcer 49 (100%); duodenal ulcer 88 (100%); duodenitis 20 (95%); gastric cancer 7 (100%), and gastrectomy 22 (71.4%). The frequency of the different clinical entities according to a positive or negative microbiological result was, respectively: epigastric pain (78.3/81.8%), epigastric burning (56.9/45.4%), heartburn (30.1/27.3%), nausea or vomiting (28.4/33.3%), and dyspeptic symptoms suggestive of motility disorders (53.8/54.5%); no significant differences were observed between the different groups. CONCLUSION: We found no association between digestive symptomatology and H. pylori infection, considering overall the most frequent gastrointestinal entities and the subgroup of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Adult↗