Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Hollenz.
In a prospective study, the incidence of asymptomatic NSAID-induced lesions in 104 patients was investigated. Treatment applied was mainly with diclofenac (n=67), ibuprofen (n=22) and rofecoxib (n=9). Overall, 44% of the study participants developed either treatment-requiring dyspeptic complaints, an ulcer, or both.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: While there is an ever rising prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease among people in the western world, the actual number are usually underestimated, because many afflicted persons do not seek medical care. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of unrecognized reflux disease among an unselected patient cohort in general practice. In addition, answers by these patients to a questionnaire were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 162 consecutive patients of a general practice without known gastro-oesophageal reflux took part. After the questionnaire had been filled in a history was obtained with semi-quantitative grading of dyspeptic symptoms, and all underwent a physical examination. A gastroscopy was offered to all patients. Gastro-oesophageal reflux was diagnosed when endoscopy revealed typical oesophageal lesions and/or there were at least moderately severe reflux symptoms that had reduced the patient's quality of life. RESULTS: 82 patients (51%) had reflux disease. 121 patients underwent endoscopy. Structural changes (reflux oesophagitis, Barrett metaplasia) were seen in 28 of the 82 patients with reflux disease (34%), 17% of the entire cohort. Axial hiatus hernia, positive family history, advancing age, over-weight, female gender and treatment with NSAIDs or aspirin were significant risk factors in the development of reflux disease. Patients with reflux disease significantly more frequently suffered from hoarseness and/or cough. Positive or negative predictability of the questionnaire regarding the diagnosis of reflux disease was 94% each way. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of unrecognized gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in the population is extraordinarily high. One quarter to one third of those with reflux disease have cough or hoarseness. The disease can apparently be reliably diagnosed by a standardized questionnaire.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The significance of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in asymptomatic persons is largely unknown. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic and, if appropriate, therapeutic relevance of a noninvasive screening for Hp. In addition, the practicality and validity of a simple serological test on whole blood was elucidated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 consecutive patients (29 males, 71 females, median age 46 [18-79] years) of a general medical practice, seen in November of 1997, were included. Three patients had to be subsequently excluded, because they had been treated for Hp infection. All patients were given a standard interview after which a serological whole-blood test (BM-Test Helicobacter pylori; Boehringer Mannheim) and a 13C-urea breath test were performed as noninvasive reference. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract was offered if the serology and/or the breath test were gative. RESULTS: The Hp prevalence was 40%, rising significantly with age. The rapid serology test, when related to the breath test, had a negative and positive predictive value of < 80%. 44 of the 47 patients with a positive serological or breath test agreed to endoscopy. Eleven of them had a clinically significant abnormality macroscopically or histologically: four of them were found to have an Hp infection. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic Hp-positive persons frequently have clinically abnormal findings in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These data point to the need for a large multi-centre study with cost-effect analysis to evaluate a noninvasive Hp screening test in nonsymptomatic persons as a public health measure. The 13C-urea breath test would be suitable as such a screening method.
An autoradiographic study of the proliferative response of the cells of the Macula Densa days or months after the removal of 5/6 of the rat's kidney has shown that these cells are capable of division. The index of labelling of these cells is considerably lower than that of the other cells of the distal tubules. This applies of the kidney of normal controls and to the remnant after partial nephrectomy, shortly after operation as well as several months later. The cells of the Macula Densa therefore seem to represent a more stable population in the nephron. They therefore differ from the other cells of the distal tubules not only in appearance and function, but also in the pattern of cell proliferation.