BACKGROUND/AIMS: The elderly patients with reflux esophagitis are less likely to feel or report their symptoms than the younger patients, even though they are more prone to complications such as bleeding, stricture or Barrett's esophagus. In this study we tried to investigate risk factors in the elderly patients who had endoscopically diagnosed reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Clinical data of six hundred and eighty seven patients with reflux esophagitis were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 687 patients with reflux esophagitis, two hundred and thirteen (31%) were 60 or more than 60 years old. The frequency of accompanying hiatal hernia in the elderly group (age>or=60) was significantly higher than the younger group (age<60) (16.9%, 36/213 vs. 3.4%, 16/474, p<0.05). There was significant difference according age in the female group (0.9%, 1/114 vs. 22.7%, 22/97, p<0.05). The frequency of atropic gastritis was significantly higher in the elderly group than in the younger group , while other factors such as smoking, H. pylori and peptic ulcer disease were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Among the risk factors of reflux esophagitis, the existence of hiatal hernia seems to be suggested more relevant to the development of this condition in the elderly group.
Aged* ; Barrett Esophagus ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Female ; Gastritis ; Hemorrhage ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The elderly patients with reflux esophagitis are less likely to feel or report their symptoms than the younger patients, even though they are more prone to complications such as bleeding, stricture or Barrett's esophagus. In this study we tried to investigate risk factors in the elderly patients who had endoscopically diagnosed reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Clinical data of six hundred and eighty seven patients with reflux esophagitis were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 687 patients with reflux esophagitis, two hundred and thirteen (31%) were 60 or more than 60 years old. The frequency of accompanying hiatal hernia in the elderly group (age>or=60) was significantly higher than the younger group (age<60) (16.9%, 36/213 vs. 3.4%, 16/474, p<0.05). There was significant difference according age in the female group (0.9%, 1/114 vs. 22.7%, 22/97, p<0.05). The frequency of atropic gastritis was significantly higher in the elderly group than in the younger group , while other factors such as smoking, H. pylori and peptic ulcer disease were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Among the risk factors of reflux esophagitis, the existence of hiatal hernia seems to be suggested more relevant to the development of this condition in the elderly group.
Aged* ; Barrett Esophagus ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Female ; Gastritis ; Hemorrhage ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a form of systemic small-vessel vasculitis characterized by vascular purpura, predominantly occured on the lower limbs and articules with gastrointestinal and renal symptoms. The symptoms occur consecutively and purpura is the most common initial manifestation but if another symptoms prevails, the diagnosis often can be delayed. Any portion of the gastrointestinal tract distal to the esophagus may be involved, but most frequently affected sites are jejunum and ileum. Mucosal lesions found predominantly in the second portion of the duodenum seem to be characteristic of Henoch-Schonlein purpura and may assist the diagnosis in patients with atypical nonspecific symptoms. We report a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura with the characteristic endoscopic finding in the second portion of duodenum, which helps to make the correct diagnosis and proper management of the patient.