A recent review suggested using topical pharyngeal anaesthesia only in patients who prefer to be endoscoped without sedation. Topical anaesthesia was also found to be unnecessary in sedated patients in a subsequent study'. However the mean (range) dose of midazolam given to patients in this study was 8 mg (4-10). Using a lower dose of midazolam (mean dose = 5.2 mg ± 0.5 (2SEM) ), lignocaine spr...

Although NSAIDs have a well-established place for certain indications in the management of OA and RA, they are associated with significant gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. The risk of NSAID-related upper GI events, such as dyspepsia or peptic ulcer and complications such as perforation or bleeding, is well characterized. Non-selective NSAIDs increase the risk of peptic ulcer disease approximatel...

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) stents are increasingly being used to manage upper GI obstructions. Initially developed for palliative treatment of esophageal cancer, upper GI stents now play an emerging role in benign strictures of the upper GI tract. Because recurrent obstruction and stent-related complications are common, new modifications of stents have been implemented. Self-expandable metal s...

OBJECTIVES To determine whether alendronate sodium treatment is associated with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract adverse experiences (AEs)-particularly those of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus-in the Fracture Intervention Trial, and to assess the relationship between alendronate use and upper GI tract events among women at increased risk for these outcomes. DESIGN Randomized, double-blin...

Background:Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding remains a problem in critically ill-newborns. The use of H2 blockers, by maintaining gastric pH ³ 4, reduces the risk of stress-ulceration and gastric hemorrhage. This study therefore, has evaluated the effects of short-term prophylactic‎ ranitidine in controlling gastric pH and prevention of GI bleeding in neonates. Methods: This randomized contr...

Background: the Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common cause of referral to medical departments. Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss is important cause of IDA and also an alarming sign of serious underlying disease. The information concerning ideal evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with the IDA is scant. We designed a prospective study to determine the frequency of GI ...

NSAIDs are among the most commonly used drugs worldwide and their beneficial therapeutic properties are thoroughly accepted. However, they are also associated with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events. NSAIDs can damage the whole GI tract including a wide spectrum of lesions. About 1 to 2% of NSAID users experienced a serious GI complication during treatment. The relative risk of upper GI compl...

Upper GI bleeding, defined as bleeding proximal to the ligament of Treitz and accounts for ~70% of all acute GI bleeding. Common aetiologies include erosion or ulcer, variceal bleeding and Mallory-Weiss tear. The diagnosis of upper GI bleeding is usually made on clinical grounds based on the history of haematemesis and malaena although rapid upper GI bleeding may also present with rectal bleedi...