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Chronic constipation in the elderly.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Sep;38(3):463-80

Authors: Bouras EP, Tangalos EG

Chronic constipation is a common problem in the elderly, with a variety of causes, including pelvic floor dysfunction, medication effects, and numerous age-specific conditions. A stepwise diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with chronic constipation based on historical and physical examination features is recommended. Prudent use of fiber supplements and laxative agents may be helpful for many patients. Based on their capabilities, patients with pelvic floor dysfunction should be considered for pelvic floor rehabilitation (biofeedback), although efficacy in the elderly is uncertain. Clinical awareness and focused testing to identify the physiologic abnormalities underlying constipation, while being mindful of situations unique to the elderly, facilitate management, and improve patient outcomes.

PMID: 19699408 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Diarrhea and malabsorption in the elderly.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Sep;38(3):481-502

Authors: Schiller LR

Acute and chronic diarrheal disorders are common problems at all ages. It has been estimated that 5% to 7% of the population has an episode of acute diarrhea each year and that 3% to 5% have chronic diarrhea that lasts more than 4 weeks. It is likely that the prevalence of diarrhea is similar in older individuals. This article reviews the impact of diarrhea in the elderly, many of whom are less fit physiologically to withstand the effect of diarrhea on fluid balance and nutritional balance.

PMID: 19699409 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Management of patients with high gastrointestinal risk on antiplatelet therapy.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;38(2):289-303

Authors: Cryer B

Increasing use of antiplatelet therapies is associated with increasing GI complications, such as ulceration and GI bleeding. Identification of high-risk patients and, in such patients, incorporation of strategies to reduce their GI risk would be clinically prudent. After assessment and treatment of H pylori in patients with prior ulcer or GI bleeding histories, further reduction in GI risk in other high-risk patients who require antiplatelet agents is primarily accomplished by prescribing drugs that when coadministered with antiplatelet agents protect against mucosal ulceration, primarily proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, observational studies indicate a higher cardiovascular event rate in patients taking PPIs along with clopidogrel and aspirin compared with that of patients undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy without PPIs. Whether concurrent use of a PPI with clopidogrel represents a safety concern or not is currently being evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Until more specific regulatory guidance is available, current recommendations are that patients taking both PPIs and clopidogrel concurrently should probably continue to do so until more data become available.

PMID: 19446259 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Refractory peptic ulcer disease.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;38(2):267-88

Authors: Napolitano L

Refractory PUD is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Optimal management of severe or refractory PUD requires a multidisciplinary team approach, using primary care providers, gastroenterologists, and general surgeons. Medical management has become the cornerstone of therapy. Identification and eradication of H pylori infection combined with acid reduction regimens can heal ulceration and also prevent recurrence. Severe, intractable or recurrent PUD and associated complications mandates a careful and methodical evaluation and management strategy to determine the potential etiologies and necessary treatment (medical or surgical) required.

PMID: 19446258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Stress-induced ulcer bleeding in critically ill patients.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;38(2):245-65

Authors: Ali T, Harty RF

Increased knowledge of risk factors and improved ICU care has decreased the incidence of stress-related bleeding. Not all critically ill patients need prophylaxis for SRMD and withholding such prophylaxis in suitable low-risk candidates is a reasonable and cost-effective approach. Mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours and coagulopathy are the main risk factors for stress-induced upper GI bleeding. Although intravenous H2RAs can prevent clinically important bleeding, their benefits seem to be limited by the rapid development of tolerance. The availability of intravenous formulations of PPIs makes it possible to critically compare their prophylactic efficacy and safety to different classes of acid-suppressive agents, such as H2RAs, in critically ill patients. The appropriate dose of PPI and the role of newer PPI formulations need to be further defined along with proposed guidelines for the use of intravenous and oral/enteral formulations of PPIs in patients at risk for stress-related mucosal damage.

PMID: 19446257 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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The role of proton pump inhibitors in the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;38(2):199-213

Authors: Leontiadis GI, Howden CW

Pre-endoscopic administration of PPIs in patients with nonvariceal upper GI bleeding is still of controversial efficacy. It downstages the severity of the endoscopic signs of recent bleeding and may reduce the requirement for endoscopic hemostatic therapy at index endoscopy. However, there is no evidence of an effect on mortality, rebleeding, or surgical intervention rates. In contrast, the efficacy of PPIs in endoscopically diagnosed peptic ulcer bleeding is supported by high-quality evidence from numerous RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs. PPIs compared with H2RAs or placebo consistently reduce rebleeding rates regardless of dose, route of administration, application or not of endoscopic hemostatic treatment, and geographic location. Surgical intervention rates and the need for further endoscopic hemostatic treatment are also reduced by PPI treatment, although the results are not as robust as those for rebleeding. There is no evidence of an overall effect of PPI treatment on all-cause mortality. However, all-cause mortality is reduced among patients with high-risk endoscopic signs and among trials that had been conducted in Asia. The optimal dose and route of PPI administration has yet to be determined.

PMID: 19446254 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Management of massive peptic ulcer bleeding.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;38(2):231-43

Authors: Cheung FK, Lau JY

Massive bleeding from a peptic ulcer remains a challenge. A multidisciplinary team of skilled endoscopists, intensive care specialists, experienced upper gastrointestinal surgeons, and intervention radiologists all have a role to play. Endoscopy is the first-line treatment. Even with larger ulcers, endoscopic hemostasis can be achieved in the majority of cases. Surgery is clearly indicated in patients in whom arterial bleeding cannot be controlled at endoscopy. Angiographic embolization is an alternate option, particularly in those unfit for surgery. In selected patients judged to belong to the high-risk group–ulcers 2 cm or greater in size located at the lesser curve and posterior bulbar duodenal, shock on presentation, and elderly with comorbid illnesses–a more aggressive postendoscopy management is warranted. The optimal course of action is unclear. Most would be expectant and offer medical therapy in the form of acid suppression. Surgical series suggest that early elective surgery may improve outcome. Angiography allows the bleeding artery to be characterized, and coil embolization of larger arteries may further add to endoscopic hemostasis. The role of early elective surgery or angiographic embolization in selected high-risk patients to forestall recurrent bleeding remains controversial. Prospective studies are needed to compare different management strategies in these high-risk ulcers.

PMID: 19446256 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Predicting poor outcome from acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;38(2):215-30

Authors: Chiu PW, Ng EK

In conclusion, numerous prediction models identified pre-endoscopic and endoscopic risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute upper GI hemorrhage. The risk factors for mortality are different from those of rebleeding. Predictors for rebleeding are usually related to the severity of the bleeding and characteristics of the ulcer, whereas advanced age, physical status of the patient, and comorbidities are important predictors for mortality in addition to those for rebleeding. Future studies should focus on validation of these predictors in a prospective cohort and application of these prediction models to guide clinical management in patients with acute upper GI hemorrhage.

PMID: 19446255 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Autoimmune pancreatitis.

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2008 Jun;37(2):439-60, vii

Authors: Gardner TB, Chari ST

Autoimmune pancreatitis is the pancreatic manifestation of a systemic disorder that affects various organs, including the bile duct, retroperitoneum, kidney, and parotid and lacrimal glands. It represents a recently described subset of chronic pancreatitis that is immune mediated and has unique histologic, morphologic, and clinical characteristics. A hallmark of the disease is its rapid response to corticosteroid treatment. Although still a rare disease, autoimmune pancreatitis is increasingly becoming recognized clinically, leading to evolution in the understanding of its prognosis, clinical characteristics, and treatment.

PMID: 18499030 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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