The current barrier for investigation of Barrett esophagus (BE) in Asia is diagnostic standardization, which is a challenge to identify its true risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of BE in Vietnamese patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted on consecutive outpatients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (ESEM) which was clearly visible at least 1 cm above the gastroesophageal junction at endoscopy was taken biopsy. At least 1 biopsy per 2 cm in tongues of ESEM and 4 biopsies per 2 cm of circumferential ESEM were taken. The diagnostic criterion for BE was replacement of the normal squamous epithelial lining by columnar epithelium confirmed by histology. A total of 1947 patients were recruited. Forty-seven out of 58 patients with ESEM were histologically confirmed BE. The prevalences of BE and hiatal hernia (HH) were 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–3.1%) and 2.3% (95% CI, 1.6–2.9%), respectively. Heartburn and/or regurgitation presented in only 61.7% (95% CI, 46.4–75.5%) of patients with BE. In multivariate analysis, the only 2 factors significantly associated with BE were HH (OR 7.53; 95% CI, 3.13–18.11; P < .001) and typical reflux symptom (OR 2.07; 95% CI, 1.12–3.83; P = .020). BE is not uncommon in Vietnamese patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, typical reflux symptoms and HH are the risk factors for BE in Vietnamese.

Background and Aim: The risk factors associated with the increase in prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not consistent across countries and there have been few studies in Asia in the past 10 years. This study was conducted to assess the features and risk factors of GERD in Vietnamese patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1947 out-patients ≥18 years of age who were presented with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Reflux esophagitis was graded according to the Los Angeles classification. Endoscopically suspected Barrett's esophagus (BE) was recorded according to the Prague C and M criteria and biopsy was taken for histologic examination.Results: There were 511 (26.2%) patients with GERD, 242 (47.4%) with nonerosive reflux disease, and 269 (52.6%) with reflux esophagitis and/or BE. Epigastric pain, regurgitation, and heartburn were the chief complaints in 36.8%, 27.0%, and 9.2% of patients, respectively. Most of the patients with mucosal injury had reflux esophagitis in mild grade and BE in the form of C0M ≤2 (99.6%, 231/232 and 97.8%, 46/47, respectively). In multivariate analysis, hiatal hernia, male gender, waist-to-hip ratio (independent from general obesity), and smoking were risk factors for GERD while Helicobacter pylori infection was negatively associated with GERD. Conclusions: The majority of GERD patients had none or mild mucosal injury. Typical reflux symptoms, however, may not be the chief complaints. Central obesity would be more important than general obesity as a risk factor, while H. pylori infection was a "protective" factor for GERD in Vietnamese patients.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory cutaneous condition characterized by the rapid progression of painful ulcers. Pyoderma gangrenosum is usually associated with a systemic disease. A 34-year-old female with a history of ulcerative colitis presented with hematochezia and multiple leg ulcers after stopping her medication for 3 months. A diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) was made based on the clinical characteristics of the ulcers and their histopathologic features. The patient did not respond to intravenous corticosteroid. Therefore, oral cyclosporine was prescribed. Her bowel movements returned to normal after a week. Her ulcers healed after 2 months, leaving cribriform scars. Pyoderma gangrenosum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin ulcers, especially in patients with an underlying systemic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease. Oral cyclosporine may be considered for the management of patients with steroid-refractory pyoderma gangrenosum and ASUC.

Patients with Crohn’s disease may present with lesions in their oral cavity. Oral lesions may be associated with the disease itself representing an extraintestinal manifestation, with nutritional deficiencies or with complications from therapy including infections. Actinomycosis is a slowly progressive bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces spp., anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria. These organisms are normal inhabitants of mucous membranes, especially of the oropharynx, and cause opportunistic infections. We report a case of a 30-year-old male with Crohn’s disease presenting with painful oral aphthous ulcers and swelling of the upper lip. A diagnosis of oral actinomycosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. The patient was treated with infliximab and a regimen of amoxicillin 1 g three times a day. He had a marked response to the treatment after 2 weeks. The plan was to continue amoxicillin for at least 6 months with regular follow-up. Physicians should be aware that actinomycosis may be a cause of oral lesions in Crohn’s disease patient, particularly in immunosuppressed patient. Bacterial cultures and pathology are the cornerstones of diagnosis and should be performed in suspected cases to prevent misdiagnosis.

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory pseudomembrane overlying the colonic mucosa, and is primarily caused by Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). PMC is often associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, mucus in stool, abdominal cramps, and fever. We report a case of a 52-year-old female presenting with new abdominal distention, frequent bloody, mucoid, jelly-like diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Peritoneal fluid analysis showed neutrocytic ascites with low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG). A diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis was confirmed by flexible sigmoidoscopy. However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Clostridium difficile was negative. The patient was treated with metronidazole (500 mg IV q8h) and vancomycin (250 mg PO QID). Her symptoms resolved after several days of treatment with no ascites found by ultrasound. Neutrocytic ascites can be a complication of PMC. Physicians should also be aware that empirical treatment of Clostridium difficile may cause false negative diagnostic test result.