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Biomedical subjects

M Ruth

Publications and source records attributed to M Ruth.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Long-term results of a prospective randomized comparison of total fundic wrap (Nissen-Rossetti) or semifundoplication (Toupet) for gastro-oesophageal reflux.

The importance of the extent of the fundic wrap that encircles the distal oesophagus for the establishment of long-term control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and for the risk of symptoms after fundoplication was evaluated in a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Of 137 consecutive patients with GORD, 72 were allocated to a semifundoplication (180-200 degrees, Toupet) and 65 to a total fundoplication (360 degrees, Nissen-Rossetti). Dysphagia was more common in the early postoperative period after a total fundic wrap, a difference which disappeared with time. This corresponded to a higher resting tone in the lower oesophageal sphincter area. Seven patients (5 per cent) experienced relapse of GORD during follow-up of more than 3 years. Although no difference in the cumulative relapse rate (5 per cent for Nissen-Rossetti versus 6 per cent for Toupet) was found between the two study groups, the total failure rate was higher (P < 0.05) among patients who had a Nissen-Rossetti procedure because of a procedure-specific complication: intrathoracic herniation of the fundoplication in five patients caused obstructive symptoms without reflux (four had no posterior crural repair). In addition, symptoms in the form of flatulence were more frequently seen after Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication (P < 0.05 at 2 years and P < 0.01 at 3 years). Both Nissen-Rossetti and Toupet fundoplication equally well and durably controlled GORD. Fewer symptoms occurred in those having a semifundoplication, both in the early and late postoperative period.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Quality of life assessment after laparoscopic and open fundoplications. Results of a prospective, clinical study.

BACKGROUND: In the evaluation of different treatment alternatives, assessment of the patients' own perceived situation can give important clinical information in addition to the conventional efficacy variables used. METHODS: Fifty patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were operated on with either an open fundoplication (n = 25; 17 men; mean age, 51.5 years) or with a fundoplication through the laparoscope (n = 25; 16 men; mean age, 49.8 years). In each case adequate control of the GERD was achieved with the operation, also when objectively assessed. Twelve months after surgery the quality of life was studied by using a battery of self-administered questionnaires (the Psychological General Well-being (PGWB) index and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and a visual analogue scale, depicting specific reflux-related symptoms (RVAS). RESULTS: After antireflux surgery the overall PGWB scores were normalized with no obvious difference between the two procedures. In the GSRS scale, however, differences were shown between the two procedures, with more dyspeptic and indigestion symptoms in patients having a laparoscopic total fundic wrap. CONCLUSION: These data emphasize the clinical efficacy of antireflux surgery, with normalization of the quality of life in terms of well-being after these procedures. It should be noted that these instruments are sensitive enough to pick up significant differences between different antireflux procedures and should therefore be frequently used in the attempt to refine and optimize long-term therapeutic alternatives in reflux disease.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Does massive obesity promote abnormal gastroesophageal reflux?

Fifty consecutive massively obese patients referred for gastroplasty operations were prospectively studied to determine the existence of gastroesophageal reflux disease by means of a standardized questionnaire, 24-hr ambulatory pH-metry, and endoscopy (27 females, mean age 48 years, range 38-57 years). These patients had a body mass index (BMI) of 42.5 +/- 5.2 kg/m2 and an actual weight of 125.5 +/- 17 kg. Heartburn and acid regurgitation was reported by 37% and 28%, respectively, mostly of a mild degree (22% and 20%). Dysphagia was reported by 2%, but none had odynophagia. No patient had any macroscopic esophagitis. The pH data were compared with those obtained in 29 age- and sex-matched, symptom-free, healthy controls (15 females, mean age 47.6 years, range 30-63 years). During ambulatory pH-metry, we recorded a predominance of daytime reflux (7.2 +/- 8.2% and total acid exposure of 5.3 +/- 6.4%) in the obese patients, but neither the weight, BMI, nor the waist-hip ratio were significantly correlated with any of the reflux variables. The pH data obtained from these patients did not, however, differ significantly from those recorded in the control population, although a somewhat lower daytime acid reflux was found in the latter group. These results suggest that massive overweight is not associated with an increased prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Scintigraphic detection of gastro-pulmonary aspiration in patients with respiratory disorders.

The scintigraphic detection of small nocturnal aspirations of radio-labelled gastric contents is difficult in the presence of high remaining activity in the abdomen, causing a non-uniform background activity. This problem was examined in phantom experiments and a technique for interpolative background correction was further developed. The accuracy of this technique was found to be influenced by the distance between the lung and the abdominal source of activity, and the minimum detectable 'aspirated' activity was determined as 0.1 MBq at a distance of 15 cm and 1 MBq at 5 cm. The interpolative technique for background correction was evaluated on healthy volunteers and laryngectomized patients, examined 10 h after intragastric instillation of 200 MBq of 99Tcm-pertechnetate. After background subtraction, their calculated pulmonary mean net count value was comparable to that registered before the radioactive tracer was administered. No localized accumulation of activity was found in any of these controls. The technique was then applied clinically to 55 patients with chronic respiratory disorders and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Aspiration was detected in 11 patients (20%). Five aspirators had asthma, two a chronic cough of unknown origin, two recurrent pulmonary infections, and one chronic bronchitis and chronic laryngitis respectively. Aspiration was detected among patients with and without demonstrated pathological gastroesophageal reflux.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of esophageal disorders.

A questionnaire study was conducted to assess the prevalence and severity of symptoms suggestive of esophageal disorders in a general population. The study included 407 randomly selected subjects, evenly distributed in terms of sex and age, within the age span of 20-79 years. A total of 337 subjects replied (85%). Symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux were found among 25% of the participants. Cough on swallowing was common (27%), as was globus (16%) and chest pain (13%). In addition, dysphagia was reported by 10% and vomiting by 9%. The symptoms were usually mild, and moderate to severe symptoms were reported only occasionally (1-4%). No statistical correlation was found between esophageal symptoms and age, sex, or the reported consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The frequency of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation was twice as common among those with symptoms of respiratory disease as among those with no respiratory complaints. A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that a chronic cough and/or breathing difficulties were significantly related to the presence of symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A clinical comparison of hydrocortisone butyrate with oxytetracycline/hydrocortisone acetate-polymyxin B in the local treatment of acute external otitis.

In a single blind, randomized study, 46 patients with acute external otitis were treated with either oxytetracycline/hydrocortisone with polymyxin B (TPB) or hydrocortisone-17-alpha-butyrate eardrops for 7 days. Pseudomonas pyocyanea, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staph. aureus were the microorganisms most frequently found in the ear canal. Fungi were not found in any culture. The overall cure rate was 80%. No significant difference in therapeutic efficacy was noted between the preparations except regarding Staph. aureus, which was cultured from 17% of the patients. Although the butyrate solution did not contain any antibiotic supplement, it seemed to be more effective than TPB in treating the staphylococcal infections. These findings suggest that such other factors as the hydrogen ion concentration, the steroid potency or the vehicle per se are of importance for the successful treatment of acute external otitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Involution of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with intracranial extension. A case report with computed tomographic assessment.

In September 1979 the patient, a man born in 1964, noticed pain and swelling of the right cheek in combination with periods of epistaxis. A computed tomographic scan revealed a tumor extending from the middle of the right nasal cavity into the right maxillary antrum and up toward the orbital floor with destruction of the medial and lateral walls of the antrum and continuing into the sphenoid sinus on the right side and dorsal to the pterygoid process up under the base of the skull. Angiography showed arterial supply mainly from the right external carotid artery, but also from the right internal carotid artery and the left external carotid artery. The process was diagnosed as a juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. In spite of two attempts at resection of the tumor and arterial embolization, the tumor progressed intracranially. Further operative attempts were decided against, and the patient was followed with repeated computed tomographic scans. The tumor eventually became involuted; eight years after the initial diagnosis, there was no evidence of computed tomographic scans of intracranial growth of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The effect of omeprazole or ranitidine treatment on 24-hour esophageal acidity in patients with reflux esophagitis.

Twenty-two consecutive patients with gastroesophageal reflux and erosive or ulcerative esophagitis entered a double-blind, randomized study comparing the effect of 20 mg omeprazole once daily with that of 150 mg ranitidine twice daily on esophageal acidity. Ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH measurements were performed within 1 month before inclusion and after 3 weeks of medication. Omeprazole significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the number of reflux (pH less than 4) episodes, the number of refluxes lasting greater than 5 min, and the total reflux time. In contrast, ranitidine significantly reduced only the total reflux time. When the two treatment groups were compared, a significant difference in favor of omeprazole was found for daytime and total reflux values, except for the longest reflux and the number of reflux episodes lasting greater than 5 min. Substantial differences, also in favor of omeprazole, were found with regard to the effect on endoscopic healing of the esophagitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Sarcoidosis of the stomach and rectum.

A patient, whose symptoms included epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting relieved with antacids but with no history of diarrhea or constipation, was found to have generalized sarcoidosis involving his lungs, liver, lymph nodes, skin, stomach and rectum. Because sarcoidosis rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract, we report this case.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lower esophageal sphincter characteristics and esophageal acid exposure following partial or 360 degrees fundoplication: results of a prospective, randomized, clinical study.

In a prospective, randomized, clinical trial, we compared a partial (180-200 degrees, Toupet) with a total fundoplication (360 degrees, Rossetti) in the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Seventy-one patients entered the trial; 33 were allocated to a partial fundoplication and 38 to a 360 degrees fundic wrap. Each patient was investigated prior to as well as 3 and/or 6 months after the operation, including an endoscopic and clinical assessment. Manometry was carried out via a triple lumen catheter and the pressure in the high pressure zone (HPZ) in the distal esophagus was measured as well as the length of the intraabdominal segment by a "station pull-through" technique. Acid exposure of the esophageal mucosa was evaluated by ambulatory 24-hour pH measurements. Acid exposure of the esophageal mucosa was "normalized" by the 2 operations. In addition, the length of the HPZ was increased to a "normal" level by both operations. The pressure of the HPZ was, however, "normalized" only in patients allocated to a Rossetti fundoplication, whereas patients operated on with a partial fundoplication had a significantly lower HPZ pressure (p less than 0.01). The clinical assessment revealed excellent results in both groups with no significant differences between the 2 operations except for a higher incidence of dysphagia at 3 months after a Rossetti fundoplication (p less than 0.01), which disappeared during the subsequent 3 months.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seasonal variation in the incidence of delirium among the patients of a geriatric hospital.

Delirium syndrome is common in the hospitalized elderly population. However, data on its numerous etiological factors are scarce. Clinical observations suggest that delirium incidence could be related to seasonality. In order to evaluate the seasonal influence on the incidence of delirium syndrome among the patients of a geriatric hospital, we performed a retrospective study reviewing the medical records of 5218 patients aged 65 years and older, who were hospitalized in three medical wards between the years 1991 and 1997. The diagnoses of delirium were made according to ICD-9-CM. Of the 4929 subjects enrolled, 3548 (72%) were referred for assessment to the psychiatric or neurologic specialist, because of acute changes in their mental or behavioral status. Of those patients, 312 (6.3%) were diagnosed with delirium at admission, and 234 (4.7%) developed delirium during their hospitalization. Statistical analysis of incidence revealed a seasonal variation, with higher rates in the winter than in the summer months (P<0.001). This study suggests a seasonal influence on delirium syndrome incidence and a possible etiological relation with seasonal factors like the light -dark cycle.

Journal Article↗