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Biomedical subjects

M G Korman

Publications and source records attributed to M G Korman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Long-term strategies for peptic ulcer.

Commonly when treatment is stopped most peptic ulcers recur. The prevention of ulcer recurrence by continuous long-term therapy, usually with H2-receptor antagonists, provides effective and convenient management in patients at risk in order to reduce the chance of relapse, complications, and associated mortality. High relapse rates of peptic ulcer suggest the need for continuous H2-antagonists in elderly patients, those receiving NSAID, aspirin or anticoagulants, those with coexistent medical conditions and those with previous haemorrhage or perforation. Patients suitable for intermittent therapy include those who are < 60 years, with no previous ulcer complications, no coexistent medical conditions and few recurrences. Long-term H2-antagonists have an enviable safety profile and are cost effective. Despite this, the possibility of permanent cure of peptic ulcer by Helicobacter pylori eradication suggests that long-term therapy may not be needed. We face the exciting prospect of placing peptic ulcer into the annals of history.

Adult↗

Influence of initial therapy on outcome of peptic ulcer.

Histamine 2 (H2) receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues, colloidal bismuth and sucralfate have all proved safe and effective in the initial treatment of peptic ulcer. Yet, most ulcers will recur when treatment is stopped. Continuous maintenance with H2 antagonists results in low symptomatic relapse, complications occur rarely, and such treatment is safe. An alternative is Symptomatic Self Care (on-demand therapy), which provides an economic option for patients with no concomitant disease or previous complications. Meta-analyses suggest a higher relapse rate after H2 antagonist therapy than that following sucralfate or bismuth. Whilst improved morphology and/or functional status of the gastro-duodenal mucosa ('quality of healing') has been claimed, the difference has not been explained. Successful prolonged eradication of Helicobacter pylori leads to a very low relapse rate, but more effective, predictable and safer eradication regimens are needed.

Amoxicillin↗

Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter pylori is an important pathogen causing both gastric and duodenal ulcer. The causal relationship is based on the strong association of peptic ulcer with H. pylori-induced gastritis, the improved rate of healing with H. pylori suppression, and markedly low recurrence rates for ulcer after H. pylori eradication. The ideal regimen for H. pylori eradication should be simple, inexpensive, free of side effects, and effective in at least 90% of patients. Triple therapy involving bismuth, metronidazole and tetracycline or amoxicillin results in the best and most consistent eradication data, but there is a significant incidence of side effects and problems with compliance. Acid suppression with ranitidine or omeprazole combined with antibiotics is effective but expensive with variable results in clinical trials. Sucralfate may also reduce H. pylori density and enhance the action of antibiotics used in eradication regimens. Studies reported in this Journal suggest that sucralfate can be successfully substituted for bismuth in triple therapy regimens with documented efficacy and few side effects. Considerable progress in developing newer regimens to eradicate H. pylori has been made. However, the development of an ideal drug or regimen remains a challenge.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Quality of healing in peptic ulcer disease--are H2 receptor antagonists all we need?

The rapid relief of symptoms and ulcer healing can now be achieved in most patients with peptic ulcer. Histamine2 (H2) receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues, colloidal bismuth and sucralfate have all proved safe and effective for the initial treatment of peptic ulcer. However, most ulcers will recur when treatment is stopped. Meta-analyses suggest a higher relapse rate after H2 antagonist therapy than that following sucralfate or bismuth. This difference has not been explained although improved morphology and/or functional status of the gastroduodenal mucosa ("quality of healing") has been claimed. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori leads to marked reduction in relapse rate but more effective and safer eradication regimens are needed. Since most ulcers do recur, maintenance therapy with H2 antagonists remains a commonly used option. Continuous maintenance results in low symptomatic relapse, complications occur rarely, and such treatment is safe. An alternative is Symptomatic Self Care (on-demand therapy) which provides an economic option for patients with no concomitant disease or previous complications. Future research should decide the exact role of Helicobacter eradication; but for now, we can still rely on maintenance therapy with the widely-used and proven H2 receptor antagonists.

Helicobacter Infections↗

Early detection of protein depletion in alcoholic cirrhosis: role of body composition analysis.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in alcoholic cirrhosis. Bedside nutritional assessment techniques may be unreliable in patients with chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to quantify changes in body composition and compare methods for measuring body composition in alcoholic cirrhosis. METHODS: Thirty-eight men with alcoholic cirrhosis were compared with 16 age-matched healthy men. Body composition was assessed using anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance to determine fat-free mass and body fat, deuterium oxide dilution to measure total body water, in vivo neutron activation analysis to measure total body protein, and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure bone mineral content and total body fat mass. RESULTS: With increasing severity of cirrhosis, total body water increased, whereas total body protein decreased with a significant decrease in serum albumin levels. Total body protein levels, expressed as an index, were a more sensitive indicator of protein depletion than serum albumin levels. When patients were assessed by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance for fat-free mass, there was no reduction compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance do not accurately reflect changes in body composition associated with chronic liver disease. Quantification of body composition changes in alcoholic cirrhosis requires the use of direct methods such as in vivo neutron activation analysis, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or deuterium oxide dilution.

Adult↗

Quality of Life in duodenal ulcer.

A Quality of Life questionnaire was administered to 200 duodenal ulcer patients taking daily H2 antagonists and compared with the responses given by 50 newly diagnosed duodenal ulcer patients. Assessment involved 17 questions which attempted to measure ulcer symptoms, emotional and social function. Age, sex and percentage of smokers were identical in the two groups. Patients on long-term daily H2 antagonists showed high Quality of Life scores and this is hardly surprising, given the safety, efficacy and economy of H2 antagonists. By contrast, the low scores demonstrated in newly diagnosed ulcer patients reflect the troublesome nature of ulcer pain and the disruption it causes to social and emotional performance.

Adult↗

Dyspepsia.

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Dyspepsia↗

In-vivo anti-reflux and raft properties of alginates.

The comparative efficacy of two alginate-containing anti-reflux preparations (Gaviscon, Algicon) was assessed in a single blind crossover study of 20 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The clinical efficacy study was preceded by two studies in healthy volunteers to assess the intragastric effects of Algicon and Gaviscon by pH measurement, endoscopic visualization and gamma scintigraphy. Algicon and Gaviscon were shown to form a raft in the fasting and fed human stomach, with Algicon alone having a potent antacid effect below and within the raft. Both Algicon and Gaviscon liquids significantly reduced the frequency and severity of reflux symptoms from baseline when given at their recommended doses (10 ml and 20 ml four times daily, respectively). There were no significant differences between Algicon and Gaviscon, although 12 patients preferred Algicon (vs 5 for Gaviscon) for control of reflux symptoms. It was concluded that both Algicon and Gaviscon were effective for the symptomatic control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Adult↗

Helicobacter pylori: fact or fiction?

The recent isolation and classification of the spiral gastric bacteria Helicobacter pylori has led to an explosion of worldwide research. The data strongly suggest that H. pylori is the causative agent for type-B active chronic gastritis. The role of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer awaits clarification, and, more importantly, potential treatment regimens need clear documentation and further detailed research. The past decade has revealed many intriguing facts about H. pylori infection. If, during the 1990s, eradication of H. pylori by means of appropriate and safe medication can lead to the control and prevention of gastroduodenal disease, then major clinical and economic benefits can be anticipated.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗

Campylobacter pylori--a role in non-ulcer dyspepsia?

Non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) is a common complaint in which no systematic illness or organic proximal alimentary tract disease can be identified. The pathophysiology of NUD is probably heterogeneous. Eighty-two subjects with NUD were studied in a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) chewable tablets at a dose of four tablets daily for 1 month. The role of Campylobacter pylori and associated histological gastritis was evaluated. Sixty-one percent of NUD patients had C. pylori in the gastric antrum compared with 25% of age-matched controls. C. pylori was associated with acute and chronic inflammation (P less than 0.001) in the antrum. C. pylori was cleared in 59% of CBS-treated subjects compared with only 4% placebo (P less than 0.05). Both acute and chronic inflammation improved in subjects cleared of bacteria. Clearance of C. pylori and histological improvement was associated with a significant decrease in symptoms. In C. pylori negative subjects improvement in symptoms occurred in both the placebo and active treatment groups. This study would suggest that C. pylori and associated histological gastritis may play a role in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Adult↗

The effect of atropine and vagal stimulation on the release of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in man.

This study investigated the food stimulated release of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) in man with and without the administration of atropine, and the influence of vagal stimulation by modified sham feeding and insulin hypoglycaemia. NTLI was measured, after ethanol extraction, by specific C- and N-terminally directed antisera. With both a liquid fat meal and a mixed meal an early peak of NTLI occurred. The mixed meal also produced a second sustained rise in plasma NTLI. An intramuscular injection of 0.6 mg atropine sulphate abolished the early peak, but had no effect on the late peak. Modified sham feeding and insulin hypoglycaemia did not release NTLI. We conclude that it is possible that a cholinergic non-vagal mechanism is responsible for the early phase of food stimulated release of NTLI in man, and that the second sustained rise may be cholinergically independent.

Adolescent↗