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- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic: an Unusual Cause of Biliary ObstructionPublication . Saraiva, R; Gamelas, V; Canha, MI; Carvalho, D; Loureiro, R; Coimbra, J
- Burden of Liver Cirrhosis in Portugal Between 2010 and 2017Publication . Silva, JM; Silva, MJ; Calinas, F; Nogueira, PJIntroduction: Liver cirrhosis is a prevalent disease in Portugal. Recent changes in alcohol consumption, as well as the wide use of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C since 2015, may be contributing to changes in the national burden of liver cirrhosis in the last few years. Objectives: We aim to characterize the burden of cirrhosis in Portugal between 2010 and 2017. Patients and methods: We analyzed all hospital admission episodes due to cirrhosis in Portugal Mainland between 2010 and 2017, registered in the national Diagnosis-Related Group database, according to etiology of cirrhosis. We also analyzed data on mortality and potential years of life lost from liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease, retrieved from Statistics Portugal (National Institute for Statistics). Results: Between 2010 and 2017, a total of 51,438 admissions for liver cirrhosis occurred in Portugal. The annual number of admissions decreased (p = 0.044) during the analyzed period. The most frequent cause of cirrhosis was alcoholic liver disease, present in 78.9% of all admissions (n = 40,595), followed by chronic hepatitis C virus infection, present in 11.3% (n = 5,823). A male predominance was identified in the admissions for every analyzed cause of cirrhosis. Annual admissions for alcoholic cirrhosis remained stable (p = 0.075) during the 8-year period. The same stable tendency was observed in the number of admissions for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (p = 0.861) and alcohol plus hepatitis C virus infection (p = 0.082), although these admissions for hepatitis C-related cirrhosis increased until 2014-2015 and steadily decreased thereafter. Annual deaths due to liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease decreased from 1,357 in 2010 to 1,038 in 2017 (p = 0.002). The number of potential years of life lost decreased as well in the period (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The burden of cirrhosis, evaluated by hospital admissions, mortality, and potential years of life lost, decreased in Portugal between 2010 and 2017.
- A Challenging Abdominal PainPublication . Rocha, M; Mateus Dias, A; Coimbra, J
- Tofacitinib: an Option for Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis?Publication . Santos, S; Gamelas, V; Saraiva, R; Simões, G; Saiote, J; Ramos, JTofacitinib has emerged as a new option for ulcerative colitis. Its rapid absorption, metabolism, and clinical improvement make it an interesting option for rescue therapy in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC), a situation with limited therapeutic options in patients with a long-term disease course and multiple drug failure. The management of ASUC in this setting becomes challenging, underlying the need for new drugs and data on their efficacy and safety. We describe 2 cases of acute episodes in which tofacitinib was used as a rescue therapy.
- Pancreatogastric Fistula with Fish-Mouth SignPublication . Santos, S; Saraiva, R; Oliveira, M; Carvalho, D; Ramos, G
- Primary Liver Lymphoma Presenting as Liver NodulesPublication . Silva, JM; Ornelas Saraiva, R; Simões, G; Araújo, C; Calinas, F; Coimbra, JThe liver is usually affected in advanced stages of lympho-proliferative diseases, but primary liver lymphomas (PLLs) are rare. The diagnosis is usually late, especially in patients without identifiable risk factors, with consequent worse prognosis. We report the case of a 59-year-old female with progressive worsening pain in the right hypochondrium and weight loss. She was previously healthy and had a family history of gastrointestinal and gynecologic neoplasms. During the initial investigation, three liver nodules suggestive of liver metastases were found. Nevertheless, no primary neoplasm was identified in a subsequent evaluation with imaging and endoscopic exams. Laboratory exams excluded hepatic infections, metabolic diseases, and acquired immunosuppression. Biopsy of the lesions revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Lymph node and medullar involvement were excluded, and the diagnosis of PLL was assumed. The patient started chemotherapy with R-CHOP. With this case, we intend to alert for this differential diagnosis of liver nodules, even in the absence of predisposing conditions for lymphoma. We point out the need to define universal diagnosis criteria for this pathology.
- Candy Cane Syndrome: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Rio-Tinto, R; Canena, J; Devière, JBackground: Candy cane syndrome (CCS) is a condition that occurs following gastrectomy or gastric bypass. CCS remains underrecognized, yet its prevalence is likely to rise due to the obesity epidemic and increased use of bariatric surgery. No previous literature review on this subject has been published. Aim: To collate the current knowledge on CCS. Methods: A literature search was conducted with PubMed and Google Scholar for studies from May 2007, until March 2023. The bibliographies of the retrieved articles were manually searched for additional relevant articles. Results: Twenty-one articles were identified (135 patients). Abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, and reflux were the most reported symptoms. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and endoscopy were performed for diagnosis. Surgical resection of the blind limb was performed in 13 studies with resolution of symptoms in 73%-100%. In surgical series, 9 complications were reported with no mortality. One study reported the surgical construction of a jejunal pouch with clinical success. Six studies described endoscopic approaches with 100% clinical success and no complications. In one case report, endoscopic dilation did not improve the patient's symptoms. Conclusion: CCS remains underrecognized due to lack of knowledge about this condition. The growth of the obesity epidemic worldwide and the increase in bariatric surgery are likely to increase its prevalence. CCS can be prevented if an elongated blind loop is avoided or if a jejunal pouch is constructed after total gastrectomy. Diagnosis should be based on symptoms, endoscopy, and upper GI series. Blind loop resection is curative but complex and associated with significant complications. Endoscopic management using different approaches to divert flow is effective and should be further explored.
- Composite Outcomes in Observational Studies of Ulcerative Colitis: a Systematic Review and Meta‐AnalysisPublication . Magro, F; Alves, C; Santiago, M; Ministro, P; Lago, P; Correia, L; Gonçalves, R; Carvalho, D; Portela, F; Dias, C; Dignass, A; Danese, S; Peyrin‐Biroulet, L; Estevinho, MM; Moreira, PBackground: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has been the focus of numerous observational studies over the years and a common strategy employed in their design is the use of composite and aggregate outcomes. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify composite and aggregate outcomes of observational studies in UC and to evaluate how the number and type of variables included and the length of follow-up affect the frequency of patients that achieve these outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using MEDLINE [via PubMed], Scopus, and Web of Science online databases. Observational studies that included UC patients and reported composite or aggregate outcomes were identified. A set of variables considered to be representative of progressive or disabling UC was defined, the proportion of patients attaining the outcomes was determined and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed by dividing the identified studies into subgroups according to different criteria of interest. Results: A total of 10,264 records were identified in the systematic search, of which 33 were retained for qualitative analysis and 20 were included in the meta-analysis. The mean frequency for composite outcomes was 0.363 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.323-0.403]. The frequency of composite outcome for the subgroup of studies that included the variable "Biologics" was significantly higher than for those in which this variable was not reported [0.410; 95% CI 0.364-0.457 versus 0.298; 95% CI 0.232-0.364; p = 0.006]. Composite outcomes were also more frequent as the follow-up duration increased. Conclusion: The frequency of composite outcomes in observational studies of UC is dependent on the specific identity of the variables being reported. Moreover, longer follow-up periods are associated with higher frequencies of composite outcomes. The evidence provided here is useful for the design of future observational studies of UC that aim to maximize the frequency of patients that achieve composite outcomes.
- Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea and Bowel Thickening in Elderly Patients: a Diagnosis to Keep in MindPublication . Gamelas, V; Saraiva, R; Duarte Santos, J; Borges, V; Saiote, J; Costa Simões, J
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis: a Rare Diagnosis During PregnancyPublication . Inês Felizardo Lopes, I; Dos Reis, CP; Alves, MJ; Calinas, F; Borges, MAPrimary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects women. It is uncommon in women of childbearing age and the diagnosis during pregnancy is rare and can be challenging. Described here is a case of primary biliary cholangitis first manifesting during pregnancy, with the onset of pruritus, jaundice, biochemical liver abnormalities and positive antimitochondrial antibodies. Although treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid was started at the time of diagnosis, there was a progressive worsening of cholestatic biochemical markers throughout pregnancy. In addition, fasting hyperglycemia with polyhydramnios was diagnosed, consistent with gestational diabetes. She had a spontaneous preterm delivery at 31 weeks of gestation, of a newborn who was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit but who subsequently had no long-term sequelae of preterm delivery. A maternal postpartum flare occurred. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid was well tolerated during pregnancy and lactation.