Tacrolimus-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following liver transplantation.

In this editorial, we talk about a compelling case focusing on posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) as a complication in patients undergoing liver transplantation and treated with Tacrolimus. Tacrolimus (FK 506), derived from Streptomyces tsukubaensis, is a potent immunosuppressive macrolide. It inhibits T-cell transcription by binding to FK-binding protein, and is able to amplify glucocorticoid and progesterone effects. Tacrolimus effectively prevents allograft rejection in transplant patients but has adverse effects such as Tacrolimus-related PRES. PRES presents with various neurological symptoms alongside elevated blood pressure, and is primarily characterized by vasogenic edema on neuroimaging. While computed tomography detects initial lesions, magnetic resonance imaging, especially the Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery sequence, is superior for diagnosing cortical and subcortical edema. Our discussion centers on the incidence of PRES in solid organ transplant recipients, which ranges between 0.5 to 5 +ACU-, with varying presentations, from seizures to visual disturbances. The case of a 66-year-old male status post liver transplantation highlights the diagnostic and management challenges associated with Tacrolimus-related PRES. Radiographically evident in the parietal and occipital lobes, PRES underlines the need for heightened vigilance among healthcare providers. This editorial emphasizes the importance of early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and effective management of PRES to optimize outcomes in liver transplant patients. The case further explores the balance between the efficacy of immunosuppression with Tacrolimus and its potential neurological risks, underlining the necessity for careful monitoring and intervention strategies in this patient population.

Impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients: A nationwide cohort study evaluating hospitalization, transplant rejection, and inpatient mortality.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a major public health concern worldwide. Patients with comorbid conditions are at risk of adverse outcomes following COVID-19. Solid organ transplant recipients with concurrent immunosuppression and comorbidities are more susceptible to a severe COVID-19 infection. It could lead to higher rates of inpatient complications and mortality in this patient population. However, studies on COVID-19 outcomes in liver transplant (LT) recipients have yielded inconsistent findings. AIM: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital-related outcomes among LT recipients in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the 2019-2020 National Inpatient Sample database. Patients with primary LT hospitalizations and a secondary COVID-19 diagnosis were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision coding system. The primary outcomes included trends in LT hospitalizations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary outcomes included comparative trends in inpatient mortality and transplant rejection in LT recipients. RESULTS: A total of 15720 hospitalized LT recipients were included. Approximately 0.8% of patients had a secondary diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. In both cohorts, the median admission age was 57 years. The linear trends for LT hospitalizations did not differ significantly before and during the pandemic (P = 0.84). The frequency of in-hospital mortality for LT recipients increased from 1.7% to 4.4% between January 2019 and December 2020. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, a higher association was noted between LT recipients and in-hospital mortality during the pandemic, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.69 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55-1.84), P < 0.001]. The frequency of transplant rejections among hospitalized LT recipients increased from 0.2% to 3.6% between January 2019 and December 2020. LT hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic had a higher association with transplant rejection than before the pandemic [OR: 1.53 (95%CI: 1.26-1.85), P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: The hospitalization rates for LT recipients were comparable before and during the pandemic. Inpatient mortality and transplant rejection rates for hospitalized LT recipients were increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association between acute peripancreatic fluid collections and early readmission in acute pancreatitis: A propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) frequently experience hospital readmissions, posing a significant burden to healthcare systems. Acute peripancreatic fluid collection (APFC) may negatively impact the clinical course of AP. It could worsen symptoms and potentially lead to additional complications. However, clinical evidence regarding the specific association between APFC and early readmission in AP remains scarce. Understanding the link between APFC and readmission may help improve clinical care for AP patients and reduce healthcare costs. AIM: To evaluate the association between APFC and 30-day readmission in patients with AP. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study is based on the Nationwide Readmission Database for 2016-2019. Patients with a primary diagnosis of AP were identified. Participants were categorized into those with and without APFC. A 1:1 propensity score matching for age, gender, and Elixhauser comorbidities was performed. The primary outcome was early readmission rates. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of inpatient complications and healthcare utilization. Unadjusted analyses used Mann-Whitney U and χ 2 tests, while Cox regression models assessed 30-day readmission risks and reported them as adjusted hazard ratios (aHR). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests verified readmission risks. RESULTS: A total of 673059 patients with the principal diagnosis of AP were included. Of these, 5.1% had APFC on initial admission. After propensity score matching, each cohort consisted of 33914 patients. Those with APFC showed a higher incidence of inpatient complications, including septic shock (3.1% vs 1.3%, P < 0.001), portal venous thrombosis (4.4% vs 0.8%, P < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (1.8% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001). The length of stay (LOS) was longer for APFC patients [4 (3-7) vs 3 (2-5) days, P < 0.001], as were hospital charges ($29451 vs $24418, P < 0.001). For 30-day readmissions, APFC patients had a higher rate (15.7% vs 6.5%, P < 0.001) and a longer median readmission LOS (4 vs 3 days, P < 0.001). The APFC group also had higher readmission charges ($28282 vs $22865, P < 0.001). The presence of APFC increased the risk of readmission twofold (aHR 2.52, 95% confidence interval: 2.40-2.65, P < 0.001). The independent risk factors for 30-day readmission included female gender, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index ≥ 3, chronic pulmonary diseases, chronic renal disease, protein-calorie malnutrition, substance use disorder, depression, portal and splenic venous thrombosis, and certain endoscopic procedures. CONCLUSION: Developing APFC during index hospitalization for AP is linked to higher readmission rates, more inpatient complications, longer LOS, and increased healthcare costs. Knowing predictors of readmission can help target high-risk patients, reducing healthcare burdens.

Remimazolam for sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy: A comprehensive review.

Worldwide, a majority of routine endoscopic procedures are performed under some form of sedation to maximize patient comfort. Propofol, benzodiazepines and opioids continue to be widely used. However, in recent years, Remimazolam is gaining immense popularity for procedural sedation in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. It is an ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine sedative which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2020 for use in procedural sedation. Remimazolam has shown a favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile in terms of its non-specific metabolism by tissue esterase, volume of distribution, total body clearance, and negligible drug-drug interactions. It also has satisfactory efficacy and has achieved high rates of successful sedation in GI endoscopy. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of Remimazolam is non-inferior to Propofol, which is currently a gold standard for procedural sedation in most parts of the world. However, the use of Propofol is associated with hemodynamic instability and respiratory depression. In contrast, Remimazolam has lower incidence of these adverse effects intra-procedurally and hence, may provide a safer alternative to Propofol in procedural sedation. In this comprehensive narrative review, highlight the pharmacologic characteristics, efficacy, and safety of Remimazolam for procedural sedation. We also discuss the potential of Remimazolam as a suitable alternative and how it can shape the future of procedural sedation in gastroenterology.

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Through-the-Scope Suture System for Gastrointestinal Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a through-the-scope suturing (TTSS) system has received FDA approval and has been evaluated for closing mucosal defects postintervention. We hereby performed a systematic review and pooled meta-analysis of available studies to assess the safety and efficacy of this intervention. METHODS: We queried the following databases through April 26, 2023: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science Core Collection. Endoscopists utilizing TTSS for the following reasons were included: endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, peroral endoscopic myotomy, perforation, fistula closure, and/or stent fixation. The outcomes assessed were technical success, primary clinical success (closure of defect without additional intervention), and overall clinical success (closure of defect with/without additional intervention). Random effects model with the DerSimonian Laird approach was used to report event rates expressed as proportions with a 95% CI. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies with 512 patients (mean age of 61.5 ± 18.4 y, 54.6% females) were included. The technical success rate was 96.0% (CI: 94.3%-97.7%). The primary clinical success rate was 74.8% (CI: 65.5%-84.1%). The overall clinical success rate was 95.4% (CI: 92.6-98.2%). Only 1 mortality case unrelated to intervention was reported. CONCLUSION: The TTSS appears safe and effective for closing mucosal defects after therapeutic endoscopic interventions. Further cost-effective studies should be performed comparing with endoclips for use in clinical settings.

Groove pancreatitis: From enigma to future directions-A comprehensive review.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a rare and clinically distinct form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the pancreaticoduodenal groove comprising the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and the common bile duct. It is more prevalent in individuals in their 4-5th decade of life and disproportionately affects men compared with women. Excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, pancreatic ductal stones, pancreatic divisum, annular pancreas, ectopic pancreas, duodenal wall thickening, and peptic ulcers are significant risk factors implicated in the development of GP. The usual presenting symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and jaundice. Establishing a diagnosis of GP is often challenging due to significant clinical and radiological overlap with numerous benign and malignant conditions affecting the same anatomical location. This can lead to a delay in initiation of treatment leading to increasing morbidity, mortality, and complication rates. Promising research in artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered immense interest in recent years. Due to its widespread application in diagnostic imaging with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, AI has the potential of becoming a vital tool in differentiating GP from pancreatic malignancies, thereby preventing a missed or delayed diagnosis. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of GP, covering the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, radiological and endoscopic evaluation, management strategies, and future directions. This article also aims to increase awareness about this lesser known and often-misdiagnosed clinical entity amongst clinicians to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Controversies and Future Directions in Management of Acute Appendicitis: An Updated Comprehensive Review.

Globally, acute appendicitis has an estimated lifetime risk of 7-8%. However, there are numerous controversies surrounding the management of acute appendicitis, and the best treatment approach depends on patient characteristics. Non-operative management (NOM), which involves the utilization of antibiotics and aggressive intravenous hydration, and surgical appendectomy are valid treatment options for healthy adults. NOM is also ideal for poor surgical candidates. Another important consideration is the timing of surgery, i.e., the role of interval appendectomy (IA) and the possibility of delaying surgery for a few hours on index admission. IA refers to surgical removal of the appendix 8-12 weeks after the initial diagnosis of appendicitis. It is ideal in patients with a contained appendiceal perforation on initial presentation, wherein an initial nonoperative approach is preferred. Furthermore, IA can help distinguish malignant and non-malignant causes of acute appendicitis, while reducing the risk of recurrence. On the contrary, a decision to delay appendectomy for a few hours on index admission should be made based on the patients' baseline health status and severity of appendicitis. Post-operatively, surgical drain placement may help reduce postoperative complications; however, it carries an increased risk of drain occlusion, fistula formation, and paralytic ileus. Furthermore, one of the most critical aspects of appendectomy is the closure of the appendiceal stump, which can be achieved with the help of endoclips, sutures, staples, and endoloops. In this review, we discuss different aspects of management of acute appendicitis, current controversies in management, and the potential role of endoscopic appendectomy as a future treatment option.

Basic Principles and Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Diagnosis and Differentiation of Pancreatic Cancer from Other Pancreatic Lesions: A Comprehensive Review of Endoscopic Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Pancreatic lesions consist of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions and often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to similar clinical and radiological features. In recent years, pancreatic lesions have been discovered more frequently as incidental findings due to the increased utilization and widespread availability of abdominal cross-sectional imaging. Therefore, it becomes imperative to establish an early and appropriate diagnosis with meticulous differentiation in an attempt to balance unnecessary treatment of benign pancreatic lesions and missing the opportunity for early intervention in malignant lesions. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become an important diagnostic modality for the identification and risk stratification of pancreatic lesions due to its ability to provide detailed imaging and acquisition of tissue samples for analysis with the help of fine-needle aspiration/biopsy. The recent development of EUS-based technology, including contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound, real-time elastography-endoscopic ultrasound, miniature probe ultrasound, confocal laser endomicroscopy, and the application of artificial intelligence has significantly augmented the diagnostic accuracy of EUS as it enables better evaluation of the number, location, dimension, wall thickness, and contents of these lesions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the role of the different types of EUS available for the diagnosis and differentiation of pancreatic cancer from other pancreatic lesions while discussing their key strengths and important limitations.

Histological Outcomes of Pharmacological Interventions in Eosinophilic Esophagitis for Adults and Children: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple pharmacological interventions have been studied for managing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We performed a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials (RCT) to assess the efficacy and safety of these interventions in EoE in adults and children. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE OVID, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science through May 10, 2023. We performed frequentist approach network meta-analysis using random effects model. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Our search yielded 25 RCTs with 25 discrete interventions and 2067 patients. Compared with placebo, the following interventions improved histology (using study definitions) in decreasing order on ranking: orodispersible budesonide (ODB) low dose, ODB high dose, oral viscous budesonide (OVB) high dose, fluticasone tablet 1.5 mg twice daily, fluticasone 3 mg twice daily, esomeprazole, dupilumab every 2 weeks, dupilumab weekly, OVB medium dose, fluticasone 3 mg daily, cendakimab 180 mg, prednisone, swallowed fluticasone, fluticasone tablet 1.5 mg daily, OVB low dose, reslizumab 3 mg/kg, reslizumab 1 mg/kg, and reslizumab 2 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Network meta-analysis demonstrates histological efficacy of multiple medications for EoE. Because of the heterogeneity and large effect size, we recommend more trials comparing pharmacotherapeutic interventions with each other and placebo. An important limitation of this study is absence of clinical efficacy data due to insufficient data. Other limitations include heterogeneity of operator, population, and outcome analysis.

Predicting short-term thromboembolic risk following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using supervised machine learning.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a widely recognized bariatric procedure that is particularly beneficial for patients with class III obesity. It aids in significant weight loss and improves obesity-related medical conditions. Despite its effectiveness, postoperative care still has challenges. Clinical evidence shows that venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of 30-d morbidity and mortality after RYGB. Therefore, a clear unmet need exists for a tailored risk assessment tool for VTE in RYGB candidates. AIM: To develop and internally validate a scoring system determining the individualized risk of 30-d VTE in patients undergoing RYGB. METHODS: Using the 2016-2021 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program, data from 6526 patients (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2) who underwent RYGB were analyzed. A backward elimination multivariate analysis identified predictors of VTE characterized by pulmonary embolism and/or deep venous thrombosis within 30 d of RYGB. The resultant risk scores were derived from the coefficients of statistically significant variables. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating curves through 5-fold cross-validation. RESULTS: Of the 26 initial variables, six predictors were identified. These included a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a regression coefficient (Coef) of 2.54 (P < 0.001), length of stay (Coef 0.08, P < 0.001), prior deep venous thrombosis (Coef 1.61, P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c > 7% (Coef 1.19, P < 0.001), venous stasis history (Coef 1.43, P < 0.001), and preoperative anticoagulation use (Coef 1.24, P < 0.001). These variables were weighted according to their regression coefficients in an algorithm that was generated for the model predicting 30-d VTE risk post-RYGB. The risk model's area under the curve (AUC) was 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.81], showing good discriminatory power, achieving a sensitivity of 0.60 and a specificity of 0.91. Without training, the same model performed satisfactorily in patients with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with an AUC of 0.63 (95%CI: 0.62-0.64) and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with an AUC of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.75-0.78). CONCLUSION: This simple risk model uses only six variables to assist clinicians in the preoperative risk stratification of RYGB patients, offering insights into factors that heighten the risk of VTE events.

Trends in mortality from gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pancreatic cancers in the United States: A comprehensive analysis (1999-2020).

Background and Aim: This study investigates temporal trends in gastrointestinal cancer-related mortality in the United States between 1999 and 2020, focusing on differences by sex, age, and race. Methods: We investigated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research multiple causes of death database (Years 1999-2020) for gastrointestinal cancer-related mortality with a focus on the underlying cause of death. Results: A total of 3 115 243 gastrointestinal cancer-related deaths occurred from 1999 to 2020. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate decreased from 46.7 per 100 000 in 1999 to 38.4 per 100 000 in 2020. The average annual percent change (AAPC) for the study period was -0.9% (95% CI: -1.0%, -0.9%, P < 0.001), with no significant difference in AAPC between the sexes but some difference between races and related to individual cancers. African Americans and Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders experienced a greater decrease in mortality compared with Whites. Mortality rates for American Indian and Alaskan Native populations also decreased significantly from 1999 to 2020 (P < 0.001). There were significant declines in esophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, and gallbladder cancer-related mortality but increases in the small bowel, anal, pancreatic, and hepatic cancer-related mortality (P < 0.001), with variation across different sexes and racial groups. Conclusion: While overall gastrointestinal cancer-related mortality declined significantly in the United States from 1999 to 2020, mortality from some cancers increased. Furthermore, differences between sexes and racial groups underscore crucial differences in gastrointestinal cancer mortality, highlighting areas for future research.

Predicting the risk of early intensive care unit admission for patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis using supervised machine learning.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a complex and life-threatening disease. Early recognition of factors predicting morbidity and mortality is crucial. We aimed to develop and validate a pragmatic model to predict the individualized risk of early intensive care unit (ICU) admission for patients with AP. Methods: The 2019 Nationwide Readmission Database was used to identify patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of AP without ICU admission. A matched comparison cohort of AP patients with ICU admission within 7 days of hospitalization was identified from the National Inpatient Sample after 1:N propensity score matching. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select predictors and develop an ICU acute pancreatitis risk (IAPR) score validated by 10-fold cross-validation. Results: A total of 1513 patients hospitalized for AP were included. The median age was 50.0 years (interquartile range: 39.0-63.0). The three predictors that were selected included hypoxia (area under the curve [AUC] 0.78), acute kidney injury (AUC 0.72), and cardiac arrhythmia (AUC 0.61). These variables were used to develop a nomogram that displayed excellent discrimination (AUC 0.874) (bootstrap bias-corrected 95% confidence interval 0.824-0.876). There was no evidence of miscalibration (test statistic = 2.88; P = 0.09). For high-risk patients (total score >6 points), the sensitivity was 68.94% and the specificity was 92.66%. Conclusions: This supervised machine learning-based model can help recognize high-risk AP hospitalizations. Clinicians may use the IAPR score to identify patients with AP at high risk of ICU admission within the first week of hospitalization.

Sepsis during short bowel syndrome hospitalizations: Identifying trends, disparities, and clinical outcomes in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) hospitalizations are often complicated with sepsis. There is a significant paucity of data on adult SBS hospitalizations in the United States and across the globe. AIM: To assess trends and outcomes of SBS hospitalizations complicated by sepsis in the United States. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was utilized to identify all adult SBS hospitalizations between 2005-2014. The study cohort was further divided based on the presence or absence of sepsis. Trends were identified, and hospitalization characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared. Predictors of mortality for SBS hospitalizations complicated with sepsis were assessed. RESULTS: Of 247097 SBS hospitalizations, 21.7% were complicated by sepsis. Septic SBS hospitalizations had a rising trend of hospitalizations from 20.8% in 2005 to 23.5% in 2014 (P trend < 0.0001). Compared to non-septic SBS hospitalizations, septic SBS hospitalizations had a higher proportion of males (32.8% vs 29.3%, P < 0.0001), patients in the 35-49 (45.9% vs 42.5%, P < 0.0001) and 50-64 (32.1% vs 31.1%, P < 0.0001) age groups, and ethnic minorities, i.e., Blacks (12.4% vs 11.3%, P < 0.0001) and Hispanics (6.7% vs 5.5%, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, septic SBS hospitalizations had a higher proportion of patients with intestinal transplantation (0.33% vs 0.22%, P < 0.0001), inpatient mortality (8.5% vs 1.4%, P < 0.0001), and mean length of stay (16.1 d vs 7.7 d, P < 0.0001) compared to the non-sepsis cohort. A younger age, female gender, White race, and presence of comorbidities such as anemia and depression were identified to be independent predictors of inpatient mortality for septic SBS hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Septic SBS hospitalizations had a rising trend between 2005-2014 and were associated with higher inpatient mortality compared to non-septic SBS hospitalizations.

Global trends in hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma mortality: A public database analysis (1999-2019).

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and it significantly contributes to the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are marked variations in the incidence and mortality rates of HCC across different geographical regions. With the advent of new widely available treatment modalities, such as direct-acting antivirals, it is becoming increasingly imperative to understand the temporal and geographical trends in HCC mortality associated with Hepatitis C. Furthermore, gender disparities in HCC mortality related to Hepatitis C are a crucial, yet underexplored aspect that adds to the disease's global impact. While some studies shed light on gender-specific trends, there is a lack of comprehensive data on global and regional mortality rates, particularly those highlighting gender disparities. This gap in knowledge hinders the development of targeted interventions and resource allocation strategies. AIM: To understand the global and regional trends in Hepatitis C-related HCC mortality rates from 1990 to 2019, along with gender disparities. METHODS: We utilized the Global Burden of Disease database, a comprehensive repository for global health metrics to age-standardized mortality rates due to Hepatitis C-related HCC from 1999 to 2019. Rates were evaluated per 100000 population and assessed by World Bank-defined regions. Temporal trends were determined using Joinpoint software and the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) method, and results were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: From 1990 to 2019, overall, there was a significant decline in HCC-related mortality rates with an AAPC of -0.80% (95%CI: -0.83 to -0.77). Females demonstrated a marked decrease in mortality with an AAPC of -1.06% (95%CI: -1.09 to -1.03), whereas the male cohort had a lower AAPC of -0.52% (95%CI: -0.55 to -0.48). Regionally, East Asia and the Pacific demonstrated a significant decline with an AAPC of -2.05% (95%CI: -2.10 to -2.00), whereas Europe and Central Asia observed an uptrend with an AAPC of 0.72% (95%CI: 0.69 to 0.74). Latin America and the Caribbean also showed an uptrend with an AAPC of 0.06% (95%CI: 0.02 to 0.11). In the Middle East and North Africa, the AAPC was non-significant at 0.02% (95%CI: -0.09 to 0.12). North America, in contrast, displayed a significant upward trend with an AAPC of 2.63% (95%CI: 2.57 to 2.67). South Asia (AAPC -0.22%, 95%CI: -0.26 to -0.16) and Sub-Saharan Africa (AAPC -0.14%, 95%CI: -0.15 to -0.12) trends significantly declined over the study period. CONCLUSION: Our study reports disparities in Hepatitis C-related HCC mortality between 1999 to 2019, both regionally and between genders. While East Asia and the Pacific regions showed a promising decline in mortality, North America has experienced a concerning rise in mortality. These regional variations highlight the need for healthcare policymakers and practitioners to tailor public health strategies and interventions. The data serves as a call to action, particularly for regions where mortality rates are not improving, emphasizing the necessity for a nuanced, region-specific approach to combat the global challenge of HCC secondary to Hepatitis C.

Impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on COVID-19 hospitalizations: A propensity-matched analysis of the United States.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formally known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States. Patients with MASLD have been reported to be at a higher risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and death. However, most studies are single-center studies, and nationwide data in the United States is lacking. AIM: To study the influence of MASLD on COVID-19 hospitalizations during the initial phase of the pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify primary COVID-19 hospitalizations based on an underlying diagnosis of MASLD. A matched comparison cohort of COVID-19 hospitalizations without MASLD was identified from NIS after 1: N propensity score matching based on gender, race, and comorbidities, including hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, and cirrhosis. The primary outcomes included inpatient mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Secondary outcomes included the prevalence of systemic complications. RESULTS: A total of 2210 hospitalizations with MASLD were matched to 2210 hospitalizations without MASLD, with a good comorbidity balance. Overall, there was a higher prevalence of severe disease with more intensive care unit admissions (9.5% vs 7.2%, P = 0.007), mechanical ventilation (7.2% vs 5.7%, P = 0.03), and septic shock (5.2% vs 2.7%, P <0.001) in the MASLD cohort than in the non-MASLD cohort. However, there was no difference in mortality (8.6% vs 10%, P = 0.49), length of stay (5 d vs 5 d, P = 0.25), and hospitalization costs (42081.5 $ vs 38614$, P = 0.15) between the MASLD and non-MASLD cohorts. CONCLUSION: The presence of MAFLD with or without liver cirrhosis was not associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 hospitalizations; however, there was an increased incidence of severe COVID-19 infection. This data (2020) predates the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, and many MASLD patients have since been vaccinated. It will be interesting to see if these trends are present in the subsequent years of the pandemic.

Impact of frailty on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcomes in nonagenarians: A United States national experience.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential therapeutic tool for biliary and pancreatic diseases. Frail and elderly patients, especially those aged ≥ 90 years are generally considered a higher-risk population for ERCP-related complications. AIM: To investigate outcomes of ERCP in the Non-agenarian population (≥ 90 years) concerning Frailty. METHODS: This is a cohort study using the 2018-2020 National Readmission Database. Patients aged ≥ 90 were identified who underwent ERCP, using the international classification of diseases-10 code with clinical modification. Johns Hopkins's adjusted clinical groups frailty indicator was used to classify patients as frail and non-frail. The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were morbidity and the 30 d readmission rate related to ERCP. We used univariate and multivariate regression models for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 9448 patients were admitted for any indications of ERCP. Frail and non-frail patients were 3445 (36.46%) and 6003 (63.53%) respectively. Indications for ERCP were Choledocholithiasis (74.84%), Biliary pancreatitis (9.19%), Pancreatico-biliary cancer (7.6%), Biliary stricture (4.84%), and Cholangitis (1.51%). Mortality rates were higher in frail group [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68, P = 0.02]. The Intra-procedural complications were insignificant between the two groups which included bleeding (aOR = 0.72, P = 0.67), accidental punctures/lacerations (aOR = 0.77, P = 0.5), and mechanical ventilation rates (aOR = 1.19, P = 0.6). Post-ERCP complication rate was similar for bleeding (aOR = 0.72, P = 0.41) and post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR = 1.4, P = 0.44). Frail patients had a longer length of stay (6.7 d vs 5.5 d) and higher mean total charges of hospitalization ($78807 vs $71392) compared to controls (P < 0.001). The 30 d all-cause readmission rates between frail and non-frail patients were similar (P = 0.96). CONCLUSION: There was a significantly higher mortality risk and healthcare burden amongst nonagenarian frail patients undergoing ERCP compared to non-frail. Larger studies are warranted to investigate and mitigate modifiable risk factors.

Single Versus Second Observer vs Artificial Intelligence to Increase the ADENOMA Detection Rate of Colonoscopy-A Network Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Screening colonoscopy has significantly contributed to the reduction of the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its associated mortality, with adenoma detection rate (ADR) as the quality marker. To increase the ADR, various solutions have been proposed including the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and employing second observers during colonoscopies. In the interest of AI improving ADR independently, without a second observer, and the operational similarity between AI and second observer, this network meta-analysis aims at evaluating the effectiveness of AI, second observer, and a single observer in improving ADR. METHODS: We searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science Core Collection, Korean Citation Index, SciELO, Global Index Medicus, and Cochrane. A direct head-to-head comparator analysis and network meta-analysis were performed using the random-effects model. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We analyzed 26 studies, involving 22,560 subjects. In the direct comparative analysis, AI demonstrated higher ADR (OR: 0.668, 95% CI 0.595-0.749, p < 0.001) than single observer. Dual observer demonstrated a higher ADR (OR: 0.771, 95% CI 0.688-0.865, p < 0.001) than single operator. In network meta-analysis, results were consistent on the network meta-analysis, maintaining consistency. No statistical difference was noted when comparing AI to second observer. (RR 1.1 (0.9-1.2, p = 0.3). Results were consistent when evaluating only RCTs. Net ranking provided higher score to AI followed by second observer followed by single observer. CONCLUSION: Artificial Intelligence and second-observer colonoscopy showed superior success in Adenoma Detection Rate when compared to single-observer colonoscopy. Although not statistically significant, net ranking model favors the superiority of AI to the second observer.