Antibiotic Resistance Prevalence and Trends in Patients Infected with Helicobacter pylori in the Period 2013-2020: Results of the European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg).

Background: Bacterial antibiotic resistance changes over time depending on multiple factors; therefore, it is essential to monitor the susceptibility trends to reduce the resistance impact on the effectiveness of various treatments. Objective: To conduct a time-trend analysis of Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics in Europe. Methods: The international prospective European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg) collected data on all infected adult patients diagnosed with culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing positive results that were registered at AEG-REDCap e-CRF until December 2020. Results: Overall, 41,562 patients were included in the Hp-EuReg. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed on gastric biopsies of 3974 (9.5%) patients, of whom 2852 (7%) were naive cases included for analysis. The number of positive cultures decreased by 35% from the period 2013-2016 to 2017-2020. Concerning naïve patients, no antibiotic resistance was found in 48% of the cases. The most frequent resistances were reported against metronidazole (30%), clarithromycin (25%), and levofloxacin (20%), whereas resistances to tetracycline and amoxicillin were below 1%. Dual and triple resistances were found in 13% and 6% of the cases, respectively. A decrease (p < 0.001) in the metronidazole resistance rate was observed between the 2013-2016 (33%) and 2017-2020 (24%) periods. Conclusion: Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Helicobacter pylori are scarcely performed (<10%) in Europe. In naïve patients, Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin remained above 15% throughout the period 2013-2020 and resistance to levofloxacin, as well as dual or triple resistances, were high. A progressive decrease in metronidazole resistance was observed.

Follow-Up Study Confirms the Presence of Gastric Cancer DNA Methylation Hallmarks in High-Risk Precursor Lesions.

To adopt prevention strategies in gastric cancer, it is imperative to develop robust biomarkers with acceptable costs and feasibility in clinical practice to stratified populations according to risk scores. With this aim, we applied an unbiased genome-wide CpG methylation approach to a discovery cohort composed of gastric cancer (n = 24), and non-malignant precursor lesions (n = 64). Then, candidate-methylation approaches were performed in a validation cohort of precursor lesions obtained from an observational longitudinal study (n = 264), with a 12-year follow-up to identify repression or progression cases. H. pylori stratification and histology were considered to determine their influence on the methylation dynamics. As a result, we ascertained that intestinal metaplasia partially recapitulates patterns of aberrant methylation of intestinal type of gastric cancer, independently of the H. pylori status. Two epigenetically regulated genes in cancer, RPRM and ZNF793, consistently showed increased methylation in intestinal metaplasia with respect to earlier precursor lesions. In summary, our result supports the need to investigate the practical utilities of the quantification of DNA methylation in candidate genes as a marker for disease progression. In addition, the H. pylori-dependent methylation in intestinal metaplasia suggests that pharmacological treatments aimed at H. pylori eradication in the late stages of precursor lesions do not prevent epigenome reprogramming toward a cancer signature.

European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management: Effectiveness of First and Second-Line Treatment in Spain.

The management of Helicobacter pylori infection has to rely on previous local effectiveness due to the geographical variability of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of first and second-line H. pylori treatment in Spain, where the empirical prescription is recommended. A multicentre prospective non-interventional registry of the clinical practice of European gastroenterologists concerning H. pylori infection (Hp-EuReg) was developed, including patients from 2013 until June 2019. Effectiveness was evaluated descriptively and through a multivariate analysis concerning age, gender, presence of ulcer, proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) dose, therapy duration and compliance. Overall, 53 Spanish hospitals were included, and 10,267 patients received a first-line therapy. The best results were obtained with the 10-day bismuth single-capsule therapy (95% cure rate by intention-to-treat) and with both the 14-day bismuth-clarithromycin quadruple (PPI-bismuth-clarithromycin-amoxicillin, 91%) and the 14-day non-bismuth quadruple concomitant (PPI-clarithromycin-amoxicillin-metronidazole, 92%) therapies. Second-line therapies were prescribed to 2448 patients, with most-effective therapies being the triple quinolone (PPI-amoxicillin-levofloxacin/moxifloxacin) and the bismuth-levofloxacin quadruple schemes (PPI-bismuth-levofloxacin-amoxicillin) prescribed for 14 days (92%, 89% and 90% effectiveness, respectively), and the bismuth single-capsule (10 days, 88.5%). Compliance, longer duration and higher acid inhibition were associated with higher effectiveness. "Optimized" H. pylori therapies achieve over 90% success in Spain.

Helicobacter pylori pathogenicity and primary antimicrobial resistance in Northern Spain.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with chronic gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. Antimicrobial resistance has increased worldwide affecting the efficacy of current treatments. Most guidelines recommend implementation of regional surveillance of primary antibiotic resistance of H pylori. Only a fraction of individuals infected with H pylori develop gastric diseases which are related to virulence factors of the bacteria. The aims of the study were to determine the primary antimicrobial resistance rates of H pylori and to know the virulence factors prevalence of strains circulating in Southern Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Susceptibility testing by Etest to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin and tetracycline was performed in 102 isolates (99 naïve patients). The prevalence of virulence factors (cagA, vacA, oipA, babA and dupA) was evaluated in 102 H pylori isolates from patients with mild-disease symptoms and in 22 isolates from patients with severe-disease symptoms. RESULTS: Primary resistance rates were 12.1% to clarithromycin, 13.1% to levofloxacin, 24.2% to metronidazole and 0% to amoxicillin and tetracycline. Combined resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin was 3% and to clarithromycin and metronidazole 4%. Prevalence of virulence factors in the mild- and severe-disease group was 35.3% and 81.8% for cagA, 20.6% and 54.5% for cagA/vacAs1m1, 94.1% and 95.4% for babA2, 78.4% and 100% for oipA and 30.4% and 18.2% for dupA. CONCLUSIONS: Primary antimicrobial resistance rates were under 15% for clarithromycin and levofloxacin. The prevalence of H pylori carrying the virulent genotype cagA/vacAs1m1 was higher than 20% in the mild-disease and 54% in the severe-disease symptom group.

Helicobacter pylori antimicrobial resistance during a 5-year period (2013-2017) in northern Spain and its relationship with the eradication therapies.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance is the main cause for Helicobacter pylori therapy failure. Frequently, empirical regimens have been recommended in patients with various H. pylori eradication failures. In patients with H. pylori-resistant to various families of antibiotics, the treatment guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing allows the achievement of good eradication rates. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of susceptibility-guided antimicrobial treatment for H. pylori infection in patients with resistance to one or various families of antibiotics. METHODS: A total of 3170 consecutive patients infected by H. pylori during 2013-2017 were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. 66.6% patients showed resistance to one antimicrobial, 18.9% to two, and 2.4% to three families of antibiotics. A cohort of 162 H. pylori-positive patients were enrolled in this study. Forty-three with single H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin (CLR) were treated with omeprazole (PPI), amoxicillin (AMX), and levofloxacin (LVX)-OAL (31 subjects) or omeprazole, AMX, and metronidazole (MTZ)-OAM (12 patients) and 77 patients with dual H. pylori resistance (51 to CLR and MTZ, 12 to CLR plus LVX, and 14 to MTZ plus LVX) received OAL or OBTM (PPI, bismuth subcitrate, tetracycline, and MTZ), OAM, and OAC, respectively. Other 42 patients with triple H. pylori resistance (CLR, LVX, and MTZ) were treated with PPI, AMX, and rifabutin-OAR (18 subjects), PPI, AMX, and doxycycline-OAD (8), OADB (7), OBTM (6), and ODBR (3). All subjects received standard doses for 10 days. Eradication rate was confirmed by 13 C-UBT. Adverse events were assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrates that eradication rates using triple therapies in patients with H. pylori resistance to one and to two families of antibiotics were 93% and 94.8%, respectively. In subjects with H. pylori-resistant to three families of antibiotics, cure rate was higher in naïve patients treated with OAR-10 days compared to those treated with bismuth-containing quadruple therapies (90% vs 75%). Adverse events were limited (18 of 162, 11.1%), all of them mild-moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of susceptibility-guided triple therapy for 10 days leads to eradication rate ≥95% in naïve patients with H. pylori resistance to one or two families of antimicrobials. In naïve patients with H. pylori resistance to three families, OAR treatment achieved a 90% of eradication.

Genetic variation analysis in a follow-up study of gastric cancer precursor lesions confirms the association of MUC2 variants with the evolution of the lesions and identifies a significant association with NFKB1 and CD14.

Gastric carcinogenesis proceeds through a series of gastric cancer precursor lesions (GCPLs) leading to gastric cancer (GC) development. Although Helicobacter pylori infection initiates this process, genetic factors also play a role. We previously reported that genetic variability in MUC2 is associated with the evolution of GCPLs. In order to replicate previous results in an independent sample series and to explore whether genetic variability in other candidate genes plays a role in the evolution of GCPL, genomic DNA from 559 patients with GCPLs, recruited from 9 Spanish hospitals and followed for a mean of 12 years, was genotyped for 141 SNPs in 29 genes. After follow-up, 45.5% of the lesions remained stable, 37% regressed and 17.5% progressed to a more severe lesion. Genetic association with the evolution of the lesions (progression or regression) was analyzed by multinomial and binomial logistic regression. After correction for multiple comparisons, the results obtained confirmed the inverse association between MUC2 variants and the regression of the lesions. A significant association was also observed between NFKB1 and CD14 variants and the evolution of the lesions; interestingly, this association was with both progression and regression in the same direction, which could reflect the dual role of inflammation in cancer. Stratified analyses according to H. pylori virulence factors indicated some significant and differential effects but none of them passed the FDR test. These results confirm that genetic variability in MUC2, NFKB1 and CD14 may have a role in the evolution of the GCPLs along time and in gastric carcinogenesis.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing before first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dual or triple antibiotic resistance.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial susceptibility-guided therapy before first-line treatment for infection in patients with dual or triple antibiotic resistance. METHODS: A total of 1034 patients infected by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) during 2013-2014 were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. 157 of 1034 (15%) patients showed resistance to two (127/1034; 12%) and to three (30/1034; 3%) antibiotics. Sixty-eight patients with dual H. pylori-resistance (clarithromycin, metronidazole or levofloxacin) were treated for 10 d with triple therapies: OAL (omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., and levofloxacin 500 mg b.i.d.) 43 cases, OAM (omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., and metronidazole 500 mg b.i.d.) 12 cases and OAC (omeprazole 20 mg b.id., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d.) 13 cases based on the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Twelve patients showed triple H. pylori-resistance (clarithromycin, metronidazole and levofloxacin) and received for 10 d triple therapy with OAR (omeprazole 20 mg b.id., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., and rifabutin 150 mg b.i.d.). Eradication was confirmed by 13C-urea breath test. Adverse effects and compliance were assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat eradication rates were: OAL (97.6%), OAM (91.6%), OAC (92.3%) and OAR (58.3%). Cure rate was significantly higher in naïve patients treated with OAR-10 compared to patients who had two or three previous treatment failures (83% vs 33%). Adverse events rates for OAL, OAM, OAC and OAR were 22%, 25%, 23% and 17%, respectively, all of them mild-moderate. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial susceptibility-guided triple therapies during 10 d for first-line treatment leads to an eradication rate superior to 90% in patients with dual antibiotic H. pylori resistance.

Effect of pravastatin on the survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: A fluoropyrimidine plus cisplatin combined with surgery is standard first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. We evaluated the effect of pravastatin on overall survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: At the time of surgery, we assigned 60 patients with advanced gastric cancer (stage III or IV) to receive standard first-line treatment (control group) or standard first-line treatment plus pravastatin at a dose of 40 mg once daily (pravastatin group). The minimum follow-up period was 4 years and the maximum of 6 years. RESULTS: The mean of age was 66 years and the TNM stage was III and IV in 65% and 35% of patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (control vs pravastatin) in median overall survival (15 vs 14 months; P = 0.8). Predictors of survival were the stage (hazard ratio of death stage IV (III stage as reference): 4.4; 95% CI: 2-9.7; p < 0.05) and older age (hazard ratio of death ≥ 65 years (< 65 years as reference): 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3-6; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pravastatin did not improve outcome in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility-Guided Therapy Versus Empirical Concomitant Therapy for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in a Region with High Rate of Clarithromycin Resistance.

BACKGROUND: Nonbismuth quadruple (concomitant) regimen is recommended for first-line empirical Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication treatment when clarithromycin resistance is more than 15-20%. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of concomitant versus antimicrobial susceptibility-guided treatment in an area with high rates of clarithromycin resistance. METHODS: Three hundred consecutive HP-infected patients received antimicrobial susceptibility-guided therapy or empirical concomitant therapy for 10 days. The concomitant regimen was omeprazole (20 mg/12 hour), amoxicillin (1 g/12 hour), clarithromycin (500 mg/12 hour), and metronidazole (500 mg/12 hour) (OACM). Patients diagnosed by culture received one of three combinations of antibiotics based on susceptibility results: omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (OAC); omeprazole, amoxicillin, and levofloxacin (OAL); or omeprazole, amoxicillin, and metronidazole (OAM), at the aforementioned doses (and 500 mg/12 hour in the case of levofloxacin). Eradication was confirmed with a (13)C urea breath test, 6 weeks after treatment. Adverse events and adherence were assessed with questionnaires and reviewing medication sachets. RESULTS: The mean age was 50 years, 59% were women, and 14% had peptic ulcers. Concomitant and antimicrobial susceptibility-guided eradication rates were, respectively, 87% and 94% by intention-to-treat (p = .08) and 89% and 95% (p = .08) per protocol per-protocol analysis. Adverse effects were reported in 31% of patients on OACM and 15% of those on susceptibility-guided therapy (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: For HP eradication in a region with high rates of multiple drug resistance, antimicrobial susceptibility-guided therapy is more effective than empirical concomitant therapy.

Colorectal cancer in a second round after a negative faecal immunochemical test.

OBJECTIVE: The faecal immunochemical test is one of the tests recommended by scientific societies for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk populations. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of CRC detected in a second round of screening after negative results in a first round. METHODS: We studied patients in whom CRC was detected in a screening programme. This programme included asymptomatic individuals between 50 and 69 years old and offered tests every 2 years. A total of 363,792 individuals were invited to participate in the first round of faecal immunochemical test screening and 100,135 individuals in the second round after a first negative result. The screening strategy consisted of faecal testing of a single sample using an automated semiquantitative kit, with a cut-off of 20 µg haemoglobin (Hb)/g faeces. RESULTS: The rate of positive results was 6.9% (16,467/238,647) in the first round and 4.8% (3359/69,193) in the second round (P < 0.0005). Overall, 860 (0.36%) cases of CRC were detected in the first round and 100 (0.14%) in the second round (P < 0.005). The location of the cancer was proximal in 12.5 and 24% of cases detected in the first and second rounds, respectively (P = 0.008). Hb concentrations were higher in the first round (211 vs. 109 µg Hb/g faeces in the second round; P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis confirmed that, in the second round, CRC diagnosed was more often proximal (hazard ratio vs. first round, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.4; P = 0.003) and the concentration of Hb/g faeces was lower (hazard ratio vs. first round, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.5; P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The CRC detection rate is lower in the second round of screening. Further, in the second round, CRC detected is more often in a proximal location and Hb concentrations are lower.

Helicobacter pylori first-line and rescue treatments in the presence of penicillin allergy.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication is a challenge in penicillin allergy. AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of first-line and rescue treatments in patients allergic to penicillin. METHODS: Prospective multicenter study. Patients allergic to penicillin were given a first-line treatment comprising (a) 7-day omeprazole-clarithromycin-metronidazole and (b) 10-day omeprazole-bismuth-tetracycline-metronidazole. Rescue treatments were as follows: (a) bismuth quadruple therapy; (b) 10-day PPI-clarithromycin-levofloxacin; and (c) 10-day PPI-clarithromycin-rifabutin. Eradication was confirmed by (13)C-urea breath test. Compliance was determined through questioning and recovery of empty medication envelopes. Adverse effects were evaluated by questionnaires. RESULTS: In total, 267 consecutive treatments were included. (1) First-line treatment: Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates with omeprazole-clarithromycin-metronidazole were 59 % (62/105; 95 % CI 49-62 %) and 57 % (64/112; 95 % CI 47-67 %). Respective figures for PPI-bismuth-tetracycline-metronidazole were 75 % (37/49; 95 % CI 62-89 %) and 74 % (37/50; 95 % CI (61-87 %) (p < 0.05). Compliance with treatment was 94 and 98 %, respectively. Adverse events were reported in 14 % with both regimens (all mild). (2) Second-line treatment: Intention-to-treat eradication rate with omeprazole-clarithromycin-levofloxacin was 64 % both after triple and quadruple failure; compliance was 88-100 %, with 23-29 % adverse effects (all mild). (3) Third-/fourth-line treatment: Intention-to-treat eradication rate with PPI-clarithromycin-rifabutin was 22 %. CONCLUSION: In allergic to penicillin patients, a first-line treatment with a bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (PPI-bismuth-tetracycline-metronidazole) seems to be a better option than the triple PPI-clarithromycin-metronidazole regimen. A levofloxacin-based regimen (together with a PPI and clarithromycin) represents a second-line rescue option in the presence of penicillin allergy.

Clarithromycin for first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection after culture in high-resistance regions.

OBJECTIVE: Resistance to antibiotics is the major cause of treatment failure of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. The culture-guided triple therapy (chosen on the basis of a preliminary in-vitro susceptibility test) might help to increase treatment success in high antibiotic resistance regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with clarithromycin in patients with clarithromycin-sensitive culture compared with patients treated empirically. METHODS: In this prospective and controlled trial, 111 naive HP-positive patients were randomized to receive standard triple therapy omeprazole (20 mg twice daily), amoxicillin (1 g twice daily), and clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) for 10 days (OAC) after antimicrobial susceptibility testing if there was no resistance to clarithromycin (ClariS) or empirical 10-day OAC for first-line therapy of HP (ClariNA). Eradication was confirmed using the C-labelled urea breath test 6 weeks after therapy. Our primary outcome was HP eradication. Treatment adherence and adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: The effectiveness of eradication by protocol with 10-day OAC therapy in the ClariS was 94% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83-0.98], which was 22% higher than ClariNA 72% (95% CI: 0.58-0.85; P=0.006). The odds ratio of eradication in ClariS was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.10-1.60; P<0.05 by logistic regression) and the number needed to treat was 5 (95% CI: 3-13). We found no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse effects or in compliance between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The eradication rate was significantly higher with clarithromycin-based triple therapy for patients with clarithromycin-susceptible HP isolates compared with those for whom no information on the corresponding susceptibility was available (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01486082).

Prognosis and follow-up of 135 patients with ischemic colitis over a five-year period.

AIM: To study the prognosis (recurrence and mortality) of patients with ischemic colitis (IC). METHODS: This study was conducted in four Spanish hospitals, participants in the Ischemic Colitis in Spain study We analyzed prospectively 135 consecutive patients who met criteria for definitive or probable IC according to Brandt criteria, and follow up these patients during the next five years, retrospectively. Long-term results (recurrence and mortality) were evaluated retrospectively after a median interval of 62 mo (range 54-75 mo). RESULTS: Estimated IC recurrence rates were 2.9%, 5.1%, 8.1% and 9.7% at years 1, 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Five-year survival was 69% (93 of 135) and 24% (10 of 42 patients) died for causes related to the IC. Among these 10 patients, 8 died in their first episode at hospital (4 had gangrenous colitis and 4 fulminant colitis) and 2 due to recurrence. CONCLUSION: The five-year recurrence rate of IC was low. On the other hand, mortality during follow-up was high and was not associated with ischemic colitis.

Effect of aspirin and antiplatelet drugs on the outcome of the fecal immunochemical test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of aspirin and nonaspirin antiplatelet agents (NAAAs) on the performance of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of results from a clinical trial that involved 28,696 asymptomatic average-risk men and women aged 50 to 69 years invited to participate in a colorectal cancer screening program with FIT between November 1, 2008, and June 31, 2011. RESULTS: The test was returned by 6390 individuals (22.3%), of whom 5821 (91.1%) reported not using antiplatelet drugs (nonusers group) and 569 (8.9%) reported using these drugs at the time of testing (users group). The FIT result was positive in 48 of 569 users (8.4%) and 365 of 5821 nonusers (6.3%) (P=.05). A positive FIT result was found in 7.3% (28/384) of aspirin users, 7.1% (10/140) of NAAA users, and 22.2% (10/45) of those undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin plus an NAAA). The DAPT subgroup had a significantly higher positive FIT rate than the nonuser group (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.7-7.3; P<.05). The positive predictive value (PPV) for advanced neoplasia (AN) in nonusers was 50.4% vs 50.0% in users (P = .40). The PPV for AN was 57.0% in aspirin users, 30.0% in NAAA users, and 50.0% in DAPT users, without statistically significant differences between the user and nonuser groups. CONCLUSION: The use of DAPT increased the rate of positive FIT results. Use of aspirin, NAAAs, or both did not modify the PPV for AN in this population-based colorectal screening program.

Risk of advanced proximal neoplasms according to distal colorectal findings: comparison of sigmoidoscopy-based strategies.

BACKGROUND: Screening for colorectal cancer with sigmoidoscopy benefits from the fact that distal findings predict the risk of advanced proximal neoplasms (APNs). This study was aimed at comparing the existing strategies of postsigmoidoscopy referral to colonoscopy in terms of accuracy and resources needed. METHODS: Asymptomatic individuals aged 50-69 years were eligible for a randomized controlled trial designed to compare colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical test. Sigmoidoscopy yield was estimated from results obtained in the colonoscopy arm according to three sets of criteria of colonoscopy referral (from those proposed in the UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Screening for COlon REctum [SCORE], and Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention [NORCCAP] trials). Advanced neoplasm detection rate, sensitivity, specificity, and number of individuals needed to refer for colonoscopy to detect one APN were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify distal findings associated with APN. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: APN was found in 255 of 5059 (5.0%) individuals. Fulfillment of UK (6.2%), SCORE (12.0%), and NORCCAP (17.9%) criteria varied statistically significantly (P < .001). The NORCCAP strategy obtained the highest sensitivity for APN detection (36.9%), and the UK approach reached the highest specificity (94.6%). The number of individuals needed to refer for colonoscopy to detect one APN was 6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4 to 7), 8 (95% CI = 6 to 9), and 10 (95% CI = 8 to 12) when the UK, SCORE, and NORCCAP criteria were used, respectively. The logistic regression analysis identified distal adenoma ≥10 mm (odds ratio = 3.77; 95% CI = 2.52 to 5.65) as the strongest independent predictor of APN. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the NORCCAP criteria achieved the highest sensitivity for APN detection, the UK recommendations benefited from the lowest number of individuals needed to refer for colonoscopy.

Alcohol consumption on pancreatic diseases.

Although the association between alcohol and pancreatic diseases has been recognized for a long time, the impact of alcohol consumption on pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer (PC) remains poorly defined. Nowadays there is not consensus about the epidemiology and the beverage type, dose and duration of alcohol consumption causing these diseases. The objective of this study was to review the epidemiology described in the literature for pancreatic diseases as a consequence of alcoholic behavior trying to understand the association between dose, type and frequency of alcohol consumption and risk of pancreatitis and PC. The majority of the studies conclude that high alcohol intake was associated with a higher risk of pancreatitis (around 2.5%-3% between heavy drinkers and 1.3% between non drinkers). About 70% of pancreatitis are due to chronic heavy alcohol consumption. Although this incidence rate differs between countries, it is clear that the risk of developing pancreatitis increases with increasing doses of alcohol and the average of alcohol consumption vary since 80 to 150 g/d for 10-15 years. With regard to PC, the role of alcohol consumption remains less clear, and low to moderate alcohol consumption do not appear to be associated with PC risk, and only chronic heavy drinking increase the risk compared with lightly drinkers. In a population of 10%-15% of heavy drinkers, 2%-5% of all PC cases could be attributed to alcohol consumption. However, as only a minority (less than 10% for pancreatitis and 5% for PC) of heavily drinkers develops these pancreatic diseases, there are other predisposing factors besides alcohol involved. Genetic variability and environmental exposures such as smoking and diet modify the risk and should be considered for further investigations.

Evaluation of alpha 1-antitrypsin and the levels of mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7, urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor and COX-2 for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of death from cancer in both men and women in the majority of developed countries. Molecular tests of blood could potentially provide this ideal screening tool. AIM: Our objective was to assess the usefulness of serum markers and mRNA expression levels in the diagnosis of CRC. METHODS: In a prospective study, we measured mRNA expression levels of 13 markers (carbonic anhydrase, guanylyl cyclase C, plasminogen activator inhibitor, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), urokinase-type plasminogen activator, survivin, tetranectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cytokeratin 20, thymidylate synthase, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and CD44) and three proteins in serum (alpha 1 antitrypsin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and activated C3 in 42 patients with CRC and 33 with normal colonoscopy results. RESULTS: Alpha 1-antitrypsin was the serum marker that was most useful for CRC diagnosis (1.79 ± 0.25 in the CRC group vs 1.27 ± 0.25 in the control group, P<0.0005). The area under the ROC curve for alpha 1-antitrypsin was 0.88 (0.79-0.96). The mRNA expression levels of five markers were statistically different between CRC cases and controls: those for which the ROC area was over 75% were MMP7 (0.81) and tetranectin (0.80), COX-2 (0.78), uPAR (0.78) and carbonic anhydrase (0.77). The markers which identified early stage CRC (Stages I and II) were alpha 1-antitrypsin, uPAR, COX-2 and MMP7. CONCLUSIONS: Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin and the levels of mRNA expression of MMP7, COX-2 and uPAR have good diagnostic accuracy for CRC, even in the early stages.