European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Nov 2008
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyRifaximin versus nonabsorbable disaccharides in the management of hepatic encephalopathy: a meta-analysis.
To compare the positive and negative effects of rifaximin and nonabsorbable disaccharides in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. ⋯ Rifaximin is not superior to nonabsorbable disaccharides for acute or chronic hepatic encephalopathy in the long-term or short-term treatment except that it may be better tolerated. Further studies on larger populations are required to provide more sufficient evidence for assessment of the use of rifaximin.
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Nov 2008
Case ReportsIgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis involving the colonic mucosa.
We report a case of autoimmune pancreatitis involving the colonic mucosa. Although serum level of IgG4 was normal, computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and irregular narrowing of the pancreatic ducts, respectively. ⋯ Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis showed abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells in these lesions. This is the first case report of a simultaneous occurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis and a colonic polypoidal lesion, both of which are characterized with increased IgG4 responses.
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Nov 2008
Gastrointestinal evaluation of anaemic patients without evidence of iron deficiency.
Bleeding lesions are commonly identified in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Gastroenterologists, however, are frequently referred patients with anaemia without supporting evidence of iron deficiency, where the merit of GI investigation is unknown. ⋯ GI bleeding lesions are infrequently found in anaemic patients without evidence of iron deficiency and alternative causes should first be sought. Elderly patients, however, with an intermediate ferritin concentration (30-100 microg/l) also had a high yield of bleeding lesions and should be considered for GI evaluation.