Our data demonstrate that EoE has a seasonal prevalence in adults. The seasonal variation pattern found in newly diagnosed EoE cases in adults supports the potential role of aeroallergens in the pathogenesis of EoE.
OBJECTIVE: Previous uncontrolled studies suggested a therapeutic benefit for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among patients with laryngitis. The present study is the first randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of gastric acid suppression among patients with laryngitis in the United States. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with idiopathic chronic laryngitis were randomized to receive either lansoprazole 30 mg p.o. b.i.d. or a matching placebo for 3 months. Before randomization, all patients underwent upper endoscopy, dual probe ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH-metry, and laryngoscopy, as well as completing a symptom questionnaire for GERD and laryngitis. The primary outcome of treatment was the complete resolution of laryngeal symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with symptoms and signs of chronic laryngitis were enrolled, 20 of whom completed the study. At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to GERD symptoms, erosive esophagitis, proximal and distal esophageal pHmetry, or laryngeal signs and symptoms. In an intention-totreat analysis, six patients in the lansoprazole group (50%) and only one patient (10%) in the placebo group achieved a complete symptomatic response, p ϭ 0.04. Apart from receiving lansoprazole, there were no significant differences between responders and nonresponders in any of baseline esophageal or laryngeal signs and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Empirical treatment with lansoprazole is efficacious in relieving symptoms of laryngitis compared to placebo. Such treatment can be considered as a first-line option in managing patients with idiopathic chronic laryngitis.
Background
Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a rapidly emerging method for in vivo imaging of the GI tract.
Objective
To determine the preliminary evaluation accuracy and interobserver agreement of probe-based CLE (pCLE) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE).
Design
Prospective, double-blind review of pCLE images of 40 sites of BE tissue by using matching biopsies as the reference standard. A training set of 20 images with known histology was first reviewed to standardize image interpretation, followed by blinded review of 20 unknown images.
Setting
Eleven experts in BE imaging from 4 different endoscopy centers from the United States and Europe evaluated the images.
Patients
This study involved nonconsecutive patients undergoing BE surveillance or evaluation of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or early adenocarcinoma.
Intervention
Intravenous fluorescein pCLE imaging of each site within the BE segment, followed by matching biopsy.
Main Outcome Measurements
Sensitivity, specificity, and agreement for the pCLE diagnosis of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or carcinoma.
Results
In the validation set (n = 20), 11 cases had high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive carcinoma. The sensitivity for the diagnosis of neoplasia for the 11 endoscopists was 88% (range 6 of 11 to 11 of 11), and the specificity was 96% (range 7 of 9 to 9 of 9). There was substantial agreement on the pCLE diagnosis (86%, kappa 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.86). Endomicroscopists with prior pCLE experience had an overall sensitivity of 91% (all 10 of 11), specificity of 100% (all 9 of 9), and almost perfect agreement (92%, kappa 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–1.0).
Limitations
Small sample size and use of offline video sequences.
Conclusion
Results suggest that pCLE for the diagnosis of neoplasia in BE has very high accuracy and reliability.
pCLE demonstrated higher sensitivity in predicting histology of small polyps compared with NBI, whereas NBI had higher specificity. When used in combination, the accuracy of pCLE and NBI was extremely high, approaching the accuracy of histopathology. Together, they may reduce the need for histological examination. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of these techniques, especially in the population-based colon cancer screening.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.