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BACKGROUND: Acute esophageal variceal hemorrhage (AEVH) is a common complication of cirrhosis and might precipitate multi-organ failure, causing acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). AIM: To analyze if the presence and grading of ACLF as defined by European Society for the Study of the Liver-Chronic Liver Failure (EASL-CLIF) is able to predict mortality in cirrhotic patients presenting AEVH. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study executed in Hospital Geral de Caxias do Sul. Data from medical records from 2010 to 2016 were obtained by searching the hospital electronic database for patients who received terlipressin. Medical records were reviewed in order to determine the diagnosis of cirrhosis and AEVH, including 97 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for univariate analysis and a stepwise approach to the Cox regression for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All- cause mortality for AEVH patients was 36%, 40.2% and 49.4% for 30-, 90- and 365-day, respectively. The prevalence of ACLF was 41.3%. Of these, 35% grade 1, 50% grade 2 and 15% grade 3. In multivariate analysis, the non-use of non-selective beta-blockers, presence and higher grading of ACLF and higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores were independently associated with higher mortality for 30-day with the addition of higher Child-Pugh scores for 90-day period. CONCLUSION: Presence and grading of ACLF according to the EASL-CLIF criteria was independently associated with higher 30- and 90-day mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted due to AEVH.

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BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. It is the leading cause of death by malignant disease in women. CASE SUMMARY: A female patient, 73 years of age, sought care due to weakness, mild abdominal pain, arthralgia, and weight loss. She was taking anastrazole as maintenance therapy for localized breast cancer and had moderate anemia and elevated acute-phase markers. Upper digestive endoscopy showed isolated erosion in the gastric corpus. This lesion was compatible with signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma in anatomopathological study and was confirmed as metastasis of a breast carcinoma in immunohistochemistry, which was positive for estrogen antibody. Further imaging studies determined numerous proximal bone metastases. The patient was treated with prednisone for paraneoplastic syndrome, which improved the anemia and rheumatic disease, and with chemotherapy, which greatly improved the symptoms. She has been followed-up for 6 mo, and her anemia, arthralgias, and acute phase markers have normalized. CONCLUSION: Systemic treatment strategies seem to be the best choice for gastric metastasis from breast cancer, resulting in disease control and relapse-free survival. Prospective studies with longer follow-up are needed to better understand the biological, pathological, and clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of the endoscopic features associated with metastatic gastric cancer from breast carcinoma.

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BACKGROUND: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is the deadliest complication of cirrhosis. The purpose of this study is to analyze if the use of a protocol for HRS is associated with higher survival in these patients. METHODS: An evidence-based protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of HRS was instituted in 2013. Data from medical records from 2010 to 2016 were obtained by searching the hospital database for patients who received terlipressin, in the three years before and after the institution of the protocol. Data were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of HRS and multiple variables were collected. Liver-specific scores were calculated and a stepwise Cox regression approach was used for univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study included 46 patients, 20 from the pre-protocol period and 26 from the post-protocol period. Respectively, mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 365 days was 75%, 75% and 90% for the pre-protocol period, and 61%, 69% and 80% for the post-protocol period. In the multivariate analysis, an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of <40U/L, the pre-protocol period and higher Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores were associated with higher 30-day and 90-day mortality. The total mean dose of terlipressin and human albumin used per patient was reduced from 27mg to 22mg and from 236g to 144g, respectively, after the institution of the protocol. This was not associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSION: The use of an evidence-based protocol for the treatment of HRS translated into a higher survival. The authors suggest that the use of evidence-based protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of HRS could reduce cost and mortality in tertiary hospitals.

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BACKGROUND: The use of herbal supplements and alternative medicines has been increasing in the last decades. Despite popular belief that the consumption of natural products is harmless, herbs might cause injury to various organs, particularly to the liver, which is responsible for their metabolism in the form of herb-induced liver injury (HILI). AIM: To identify herbal products associated with HILI and describe the type of lesion associated with each product. METHODS: Studies were retrieved using Medical Subject Headings Descriptors combined with Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, BIREME, LILACS, Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews, SciELO, Embase, and Opengray.eu. Languages were restricted to English, Spanish, and Portuguese. There was no date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. To access causality, the Maria and Victorino System of Causality Assessment in Drug Induced Liver Injury was used. Simple descriptive analysis were used to summarize the results. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 5918 references. In the final analysis, 446 references were included, with a total of 936 cases reported. We found 79 types of herbs or herbal compounds related to HILI. He-Shou-Wu, Green tea extract, Herbalife, kava kava, Greater celandine, multiple herbs, germander, hydroxycut, skullcap, kratom, Gynura segetum, garcinia cambogia, ma huang, chaparral, senna, and aloe vera were the most common supplements with HILI reported. Most of these patients had complete clinical recovery (82.8%). However, liver transplantation was necessary for 6.6% of these cases. Also, chronic liver disease and death were observed in 1.5% and 10.4% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: HILI is normally associated with a good prognosis, once the implied product is withdrawn. Nevertheless, it is paramount to raise awareness in the medical and non-medical community of the risks of the indiscriminate use of herbal products.

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BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases affect mostly young patients and have a huge impact on their quality of life and growing treatment costs. Currently, there are few Brazilian studies concerning their epidemiological profile. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the regional clinical and epidemiological profile of these pathological conditions in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in Caxias do Sul (RS), Brazil. METHODS: A search for patients was conducted in the municipality's special medications pharmacy using the International Classification of Diseases, and medical records were manually reviewed for data collection. Sixty-seven patients were included. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 46.5 years and females predominated (71.6%). Ulcerative colitis was the most prevalent disease (70%) and Montreal E3 was the most prevalent presentation. The mean age at diagnosis was 39 years. Most patients had recently undergone colonoscopy (67%). Only five patients (7.4%) had records of hospital admission due to the disease, while 12 (18%) underwent a surgical procedure during follow-up. Sixty patients (89.5%) were using aminosalicylates, while less than one fifth were using immunosuppressants or immunobiological drugs: 19.4% and 14.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The profile of inflammatory bowel disease patients in this region of Brazil is similar in some characteristics to other published Brazilian data, although it differs in others such as higher frequency of pancolitis. A prospective study on these patients is planned in this region, in order to improve the data quality.

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BACKGROUND: A previously healthy 22-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. She had a reagent antinuclear factor (1:640, with a homogeneous nuclear pattern) and hypergammaglobulinemia (2.16 g/dL). Anti-smooth muscle, anti-mitochondrial and anti-liver-kidney microsomal antibody type 1 antibodies were negative. Magnetic resonance cholangiography showed a cirrhotic liver with multiple focal areas of strictures of the intrahepatic bile ducts, with associated dilations. Liver biopsy demonstrated periportal necroinflammatory activity, plasmocyte infiltration and advanced fibrosis. Colonoscopy showed ulcerative pancolitis and mild activity (Mayo score 1), with a spared rectum. Treatment with corticosteroids, azathioprine, ursodeoxycholic acid and mesalamine was initiated, with improvement in laboratory tests. The patient was referred for a liver transplantation evaluation. AIM: To report the case of a female patient with autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) overlap syndrome associated with ulcerative colitis and to systematically review the available cases of autoimmune hepatitis and PSC overlap syndrome. METHODS: In accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols guidelines, retrieval of studies was based on medical subject headings and health sciences descriptors, which were combined using Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), Biblioteca Regional de Medicina, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews and Opengray.eu. Languages were restricted to English, Spanish and Portuguese. There was no date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 3349 references. In the final analysis, 44 references were included, with a total of 109 cases reported. The most common clinical finding was jaundice and 43.5% of cases were associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Of these, 27.6% were cases of Crohn's disease, 68% of ulcerative colitis, and 6.4% of indeterminate colitis. Most patients were treated with steroids. All-cause mortality was 3.7%. CONCLUSION: PSC and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome is generally associated with inflammatory bowel disease and has low mortality and good response to treatment.

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AIM: To report a case of a female patient with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and to systematically review the available cases of the association between HLH and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: In accordance to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, retrieval of studies was based on Medical Subject Headings and Health Sciences Descriptors, which were combined using Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), Biblioteca Regional de Medicina, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews and Opengrey.eu. Languages were restricted to English, Spanish and Portuguese. There was no date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 223 references. In the final analysis, 28 references were included, with the report of 35 cases. The most common clinical finding was fever, 57% of patients had a cytomegalovirus infection and 30 patients were on thiopurines previously to HLH diagnosis. Most patients were treated with steroids and antiviral therapy. All-cause mortality was 22%. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there might be a connection of HLH to IBD, opportunistic viral infections and the use of thiopurines. Due to the severity of such disease, the clinical suspicion is paramount to early diagnosis and therapy.

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Each year, hepatocellular carcinoma is diagnosed in more than half a million people worldwide and it is the fifth most common cancer in men and the seventh most common cancer in women. This article reviews the Barcelona-Clínic Liver Cancer protocol for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of this disease, and four cases are presented for the discussion of the therapeutic approach. Understanding the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this disease is essential, especially if we keep in mind the quintessential basics of prevention and early detection.

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Introdução: A peritonite bacteriana espontânea (PBE) é uma das infecções mais frequentes nos pacientes cirróticos, acarretando uma alta morbimortalidade. Métodos: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, descritivo. Feita revisão dos prontuários de líquidos de ascite com cultura positiva para PBE. Resultados: Os bacilos gram-negativos constituíram 57,1% das culturas positivas, sendo que E. coli foi responsável por 28,5%, seguida por Klebsiella sp. (14,2%). Cocos gram positivos corresponderam a 38% e, destes, os mais incidentes foram Enterococcus sp. (23,8%) e Streptococcus sp. (9,5%). Conclusão: A amostra analisada apresentou maior prevalência de enterococcus em comparação com o descrito na literatura mundial. Devido à mudança do perfil microbiológico, percebe-se a necessidade de uma instituição analisar o seu perfil microbiológico, para melhor assistência aos seus usuários (AU)

Introduction: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most common infections in cirrhotic patients, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study. A review of records of ascites fluid with positive culture for SBP was carried out. Results: Gram-negative bacilli constituted 57.1% positive cultures, and E. coli accounted for 28.5%, followed by Klebsiella sp (14.2%). Gram positive cocci accounted for 38%, and of these the most frequent ones were Enterococcus sp. (23.8%) and Streptococcus sp. (9.5%). Conclusion: The sample showed a higher prevalence of enterococci as compared with what is described in world literature. Due to the change in the microbiological profile, we highlight the need for an institution to analyze its microbiological profile, for better assistance to its members (AU)

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Introdução: A hepatite crônica pelo vírus da Hepatite C (VHC) é um importante problema de saúde pública mundial, acometendo cerca de 3% da população mundial, e que somente 22% destas saibam de seu diagnóstico. Métodos: Coorte histórica, analisando 28 pacientes submetidos à terapia do VHC atendidos no Ambulatório Central da Universidade de Caxias do Sul no período de 01 de Janeiro de 2007 a 31 de Dezembro de 2009. Resultados: Obteve-se resposta viral sustentada (RVS) em 57,1% (n = 16) e 52,9% sem RVS (n = 12). O genótipo viral, o grau de fibrose hepática pelo escorre de Metavir, carga viral ao início do tratamento foram comparados e não interferiram na taxa de RVS na análise univariada. Conclusão: A taxa de RVS assemelha-se à descrita na literatura para coortes nacionais e internacionais .

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis virus C (HCV) is an important global public health problem, with a prevalence of about 3% of worldwide population, and only 22% percent of infected individuals are aware of the diagnosis. Métodos: Historical coort, analysing 28 patientes who underwent HCV therapy followed-up in the Central Ambulatory of Universidade de Caxias do Sul, throughout January 01 of 2007 to December 31 of 2009. Results: Sustained viral response (SVR) was obtained in 57.1% (n = 16) and 52.9% had no-SVR (n = 12). Viral genotype, hepatic fibrosis through Metavir score, viral load at the beginning of therapy were compared and did not interfere with SVR rates in the univariated analysis. Conclusion: SVR frequency is similar to that already describe in the literature to national and international coorts.

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Contexto e Objetivo: Relação entre a hérnia hiatal e a doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) ainda não é completamente compreendida. Não se tem certeza quanto à hérnia hiatal ser um fator de risco, causa ou perpetuação da DRGE. O objetivo do presente estudo é associar complicações endoscópicas da DRGE, como a esofagite de refluxo e o Esôfago de Barrett, à presença de hérnia hiatal. Método: Foram revisados 3001 resultados de endoscopias digestivas altas, de 2000 a 2005, sendo incluídos neste estudo 2817 desses prontuários. Foi utilizado neste estudo o diagnóstico endoscópico de esofagite de refluxo, hérnia hiatal e de Esôfago de Barrett. A análise estatística foi feita pelo teste do qui-quadrado. Resultados: Foi encontrada hérnia hiatal em 59,4% dos pacientes com esofagite de refluxo não-erosiva (OR = 10,2), 66,9% dos pacientes com esofagite LA A/SM I (OR = 13,8), 60,3% dos pacientes com LA B/SM II (OR = 10,5), 91,7% dos pacientes com LA C/SM III (OR = 76,8), 50% dos pacientes com LA D/SM IV (OR = 6,9) e 60,3% dos pacientes com Esôfago de Barrett (OR = 5,0). Todas as associações foram estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,001). Conclusões: A presença de hérnia hiatal em pacientes com DRGE foi um fator importante para o achado de esofagite de refluxo e de Esôfago de Barrett, aumentando substancialmente o risco de desenvolvimento dessas complicações da DRGE.

Context and Objective: Relationship between hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has not yet been completely understood. ItÆs not fully known if hiatal hernia is a risk, causal or perpetuation factor for GERD. The aim of the present study was to successfully associate endoscopical complications of GERD, such as reflux esophagitis and BarrettÆs Esophagus, to the presence of hiatal hernia.Methods: It was revised 3001 result charts of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, from 2000 to 2005, being included 2817 of these charts. It was used in this study endoscopical diagnosis of reflux esophagitis, hiatal hernia and BarrettÆs Esophagus. Statistics were given by chi-square test.Results: Hiatal hernia was found in 59,4% of patients with non-erosive reflux esophagitis (OR = 10,2), in 66,9% of LA A/SM I esophagitis patients (OR = 13,8), in 60,3% of LA B/SM II patients (OR = 10,5), in 91,7% of LA C/SM IV patients (OR = 76,8), in 50% of LA D/SM IV patients (OR = 6,9) and in 60,3% of BarrettÆs Esophagus/SM V patients (OR = 5,0). All associations were of statistic significance (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The presence of hiatal hernia in GERD in the present study was a fundamental factor in the finding of reflux esophagitis and BarrettÆs Esophagus, increasing substantially the risk for the development of such GERD complications.

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