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BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a major breakthrough in the medical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In several patients with non erosive reflux disease symptoms (NERD) the response to PPIs is partial or limited and symptoms relief needs the administration of additional medications. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new medical device, based on an oral fixed combination of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-sulphate (HA+CS), in a bioadhesive carrier, in adults with symptoms of non erosive gas- troesophageal reflux and with a low response to PPIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who had experienced heartburn and/or acid regurgitation for at least 3 days during a 7 day run-in period, without endoscopic mucosal breaks, were randomized in a double blind crossover study to receive four daily doses of a fixed oral combination of HA+CS and placebo for 14 days. Relief of cardinal symptoms of GERD was evaluated at the end of each period. RESULTS: A significant greater Sum of Symptoms Intensity Difference, compared to placebo, was observed after HA+CS treatment (-2.7 vs 0.5 - p < 0.01), being both heartburn (-1.6 vs 0.5 - p < 0.03) and acid regurgitation (-1.1 vs 0.1 - p < 0.03) significantly improved by the medical device. A speed of action = = 30 min was significantly more frequently reported by patients during HA+CS administration than with placebo (60% vs 30% - p = 0.05). Total disappearance of symptoms was observed in 50% of the patients compared to 10% during placebo administration (p = 0.01 between group comparison). CONCLUSIONS: A fixed combination of HA+CS has demonstrated to be effective in gas-troesophageal reflux control, with a rapid onset of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors take the opportunity, on the basis of a clinical case examined, to revise an uncommon disease: neutropenic colitis. In the presence of an acute abdominal pain and tenderness localized at right lower quadrant, in a patient affected by hematologic neoplasm or by a solid tumor, at the end of a chemotherapeutic treatment with absolute residual neutropenia, we would be strongly oriented to neutropenic colitis. The treatment according to the primary disease and to the patient's poor conditions, will be where possible conservative, reserving the surgical approach only for those cases of absolute necessity.

According to the experience of the authors on a non-selected case report, pharmacologic progresses in the therapy of various aspects of peptic disease permit an ease management also of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Moreover, endoscopy is the very modern pivot of conservative treatment of more severe complications as strictures are, through repetitive and progressive instrumental dilatations. The surgical treatment of the most severe and intractable eveniences must be chosen for only a low percentage number of patients, after a careful functional analysis of the single case. Very important is the endoscopic and histologic control of Barrett esophagus and severe dysplasia.