Psychogenic vomiting: the relation between patterns of vomiting and psychiatric diagnoses

Article Abstract:

Vomiting, or the forceful expulsion of gastric contents through the mouth, is most often an effort by the body to rid itself of toxic materials, or an indication of intestinal blockage. In some cases, patients vomit in the absence of any physical cause; this phenomenon is known as psychogenic vomiting. It has been suggested that there may be a relation between the pattern of psychogenic vomiting and the underlying psychiatric disorder. To investigate this possibility, 59 patients (41 women and 19 men; average age 28 years) who were admitted to a psychiatric clinic for psychogenic vomiting were classified according to the pattern of vomiting, and underwent a psychiatric diagnosis to determine existing psychopathology. Five distinct patterns of vomiting could be distinguished: continuous, habitual postprandial (following meals), irregular, nausea-induced and self-induced. In patients with continuous vomiting, which was observed in 22 of the 59 cases, the psychiatric diagnosis in 91 percent of the cases was conversion disorder (a type of hysterical neurosis manifesting itself as an apparent bodily dysfunction). Conversely, 65 percent of the patients with conversion disorders exhibited continuous vomiting. In patients with habitual postprandial and irregular vomiting, the most common psychiatric diagnosis was major depression. Of the patients with postprandial vomiting, which was usually associated with weight loss, major depression was seen in 64 percent of the cases; the remainder exhibited conversion disorders. In other types of vomiting, patients tended to exhibit one of these disorders, or in a number of cases, simply generalized anxiety. Frequently, the pattern of vomiting, the psychiatric profile, or both changed during the course of clinical treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Eating disorders, Mental illness, Mental disorders, Vomiting

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Reduction of gastric ulcer recurrence after suppression of Helicobacter pylori by cefixime

Article Abstract:

Gastric ulcer is a condition in which the mucosal lining of the stomach is eroded, and the acidic gastric secretions damage the underlying muscular layers of the stomach, causing pain, bleeding, and possibly death. Pharmacological treatment of gastric ulcer has typically been through the use of drugs that reduce gastric acid secretion, such as certain types of antihistamines. Recently, it has been reported that there is a strong association between infection with a particular class of bacteria, Helicobacter pylori (HP), and the occurrence of various ulcerative gastrointestinal conditions such as duodenal ulcer, gastritis, and peptic ulcer. To test the hypothesis that recurrence of gastric ulcer following treatment is related to continuing HP infection, a study was carried out in which 21 patients were randomly assigned to receive either cimetidine (an anti-ulcer drug) alone, or cimetidine plus cefixime (an antibacterial drug). After 12 weeks of treatment, 88 percent of the patients receiving cimetidine alone remained HP-positive, whereas only 22 percent receiving the combined treatment were HP-positive. After a 12-week follow-up period, ulcer recurred in almost 50 percent of the HP-positive patients (7 out of 15), but in only 7 percent (1 of 14) of the HP-negative patients. After a 24-week follow-up period, rates of recurrence were similar in both groups. This indicates that infection with HP may play an important role in the early recurrence of gastric ulcers following treatment. The role of this bacteria in later recurrence is unclear. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Causes of, Helicobacter pylori, Cefixime, Peptic ulcer, Cimetidine

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Bone marrow engraftment in a rodent model of chemical carcinogenesis but no role in the histogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Article Abstract:

The malignant potential of hepatic stem cells derived from the bone marrow is examined in a mouse model of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. Nearly 40 percent of the recipient mice survived and developed multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Science & research, Research, Stem cells, Hepatoma, Hepatocellular carcinoma

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