Efficacy and safety of HIP1601 (dual delayed-release esomeprazole) 40 mg in erosive esophagitis compared to HGP1705 (delayed-release esomeprazole) 40 mg: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority study.

BACKGROUND: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective drugs for treating acid-related disorders. However, once-daily dosing with conventional PPIs fail to fully control acid secretion over 24 h. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of HIP1601 (dual delayed-release esomeprazole) and HGP1705 (delayed-release esomeprazole) in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE). METHODS: We enrolled 213 patients with EE randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive 40 mg HIP1601 (n = 107) or HGP1705 (n = 106) once daily for 4 or 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the EE healing rate, confirmed by endoscopy up to week 8. GERD-related symptoms and treatment-emergent adverse events were compared between both groups. RESULTS: By week 8, the estimated healing rates of EE were 97.8% and 96.8% in the HIP1601 and HGP1705 groups, respectively, with a 95% confidence interval of -4.7 to 7.2. After 4 or 8 weeks of treatment, the EE healing rate at week 4, complete resolution rate of symptoms, time to sustained resolution of symptoms, and number of rescue medications used were similar in both groups. The proportion of heartburn- and acid regurgitation-free nights by week 4 were higher in the HIP1601 group compared to the HGP1705 group, but the difference did not reach clinical significance (87.7% vs. 85.8%, P = 0.514, 87.5% vs. 85.8%, P = 0.774). The number of adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy and safety of HIP1601 40 mg were comparable to those of HGP1705 40 mg for the treatment of EE and symptomatic improvement of GERD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04080726 ( https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT04080726 ), registration date: 25/10/2018.

Risk of gastric cancer among long-term proton pump inhibitor users: a population-based cohort study.

PURPOSE: To elucidate whether long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users have an increased gastric cancer (GC) risk. METHODS: We searched the 2009-2019 Korean National Health Insurance Services Database for patients aged > 40 years who claimed for Helicobacter pylori eradication (HPE) during 2009-2014. The GC incidence following a PPI exposure of > 180 cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) and that following an exposure of < 180 cDDD were compared. The outcome was GC development at least 1 year following HPE. A propensity score (PS)-matched dataset was used for analysis within the same quartiles of the follow-up duration. Additionally, dose-response associations were assessed, and the mortality rates were compared between long-term PPI users and non-users. RESULTS: After PS matching, 144,091 pairs of PPI users and non-users were analyzed. During a median follow-up of 8.3 (interquartile range, 6.8-9.6) years, 1053 and 948 GC cases in PPI users and non-users, respectively, were identified, with the GC incidence (95% confidence interval (CI)) being 0.90 (0.85-0.96) and 0.81 (0.76-0.86) per 1000 person-years, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for GC with PPI use was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.06-1.25). Among PPI users, patients in the highest tertile for annual PPI dose showed higher GC development than those in the lowest tertile (aHR (95% CI): 3.87 (3.25-4.60)). GC-related mortality did not differ significantly between PPI users and non-users. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide analysis in Korea, where the GC prevalence is high, long-term PPI use after HPE showed a significant increase in GC, with a positive dose-response relationship.

Impacts of age and sedation on cardiocerebrovascular adverse events after diagnostic GI endoscopy: a nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data are limited regarding the impact of age and sedation on cardiocerebrovascular disease (CCD) adverse events after GI endoscopy. We investigated the incidence of and risk factors for CCD adverse events after diagnostic GI endoscopy and the impact of age and sedation on these unfavorable outcomes. METHODS: In this nationwide population-based study, the incidence of and risk factors for newly diagnosed CCD within 14 days after diagnostic endoscopy were analyzed using Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data from January to December 2015. RESULTS: Among 1,943,150 subjects, CCD adverse events occurred in approximately 2.23% within 14 days after endoscopy. According to the performance of sedation during endoscopy (60.1% nonsedation vs 39.9% sedation, midazolam alone [96.4%]), the incidence rates of CCD adverse events (per 10,000 persons) were 275.8 versus 302.8 for EGD, 116.9 versus 143.8 for colonoscopy, and 230.4 versus 243.2 for EGD + colonoscopy, respectively. On multivariate analysis, older age (70-99 years) and sedation were independent risk factors for CCD adverse events. Regarding CCD risk stratified by age and sedation, older age had a significant impact on CCD adverse events in individuals who underwent EGD only or EGD + colonoscopy, but sedation did not. However, both older age and sedation had considerable influence on CCD adverse events in individuals who underwent colonoscopy only. Sedation during endoscopy was significantly associated with minor but not major CCD adverse events. CCD adverse events were significantly higher for inpatients. CONCLUSION: CCD adverse events after diagnostic endoscopy were significantly frequent in individuals with older age (70-99 years) and/or sedation during endoscopy. Stratification by age and sedation shows that the impact of these 2 factors on CCD adverse events differs according to endoscopy type.

Potential involvement of adiponectin in obesity-associated erosive esophagitis.

A strong causal relationship between obesity and erosive esophagitis has been proposed. Obesity may affect the pathogenesis of erosive esophagitis through adipokines as well as acid reflux. We evaluated the involvement of adiponectin in obesity-associated erosive esophagitis. In total, 1,902 patients who underwent endoscopy during medical check-ups were selected for study. Variables including the body mass index (BMI) and adiponectin level were compared between subjects with erosive esophagitis and normal controls. The subjects were classified by quartiles (Qs) of adiponectin level. Q4 was the reference group. The median adiponectin level differed by gender (men, 5.3 µg/ml vs women, 9.3 µg/ml; p<0.001). As the severity of erosive esophagitis increased in men, the BMI increased (p<0.001) while the adiponectin level decreased (p = 0.026). The multivariate odds ratio for erosive esophagitis was 1.79 for Q1, 1.73 for Q2, 2.34 for obesity, and 27.40 for hiatal hernia in men. When classified by obesity, the multivariate odds ratio for erosive esophagitis was 1.94 for Q1, 2.10 for Q2, and 18.47 for hiatal hernia only in obese men. In women, there were no trends in BMI, adiponectin levels, or severity of erosive esophagitis. We demonstrated that low adiponectin levels are involved in obesity-associated erosive esophagitis in men but not women.

Comparative efficacy of per-oral endoscopic myotomy and Heller myotomy in patients with achalasia: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although both per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and Heller myotomy (HM) have been used for the treatment of achalasia, the comparative efficacy of POEM and HM has yet to be fully evaluated. METHODS: We searched all relevant studies published up to September 2018 examining the comparative efficacy between POEM and HM. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses for Eckardt scores, perioperative outcomes, and reflux-related outcomes were performed based on a random-effects model. RESULTS: Fifteen studies with a total of 1213 patients were evaluated. The follow-up duration ranged from 2 to 46.2 months and from 2 to 54.2 months in the POEM and HM groups, respectively. Postoperative Eckardt scores were lower (better) in the POEM group than in the HM group (pooled standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.03 to -0.13). Length of myotomy was greater in the POEM group than in the HM group (pooled SMD, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.84). There was no difference in reflux symptoms and pathologic reflux on pH monitoring between the groups (pooled risk ratio [RR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.61-1.73; and pooled RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.67-2.25, respectively). Erosive esophagitis on endoscopy tended to be less common in the HM group (pooled RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.98-3.62). CONCLUSION: Although long-term follow-up data are insufficient, the short-term efficacy of POEM was superior to that of HM. Erosive esophagitis tended to be more common in the POEM group; however, there was no difference in reflux symptoms and pathologic reflux on pH monitoring between the groups.

Nationwide antibiotic resistance mapping of Helicobacter pylori in Korea: A prospective multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The eradication rates for Helicobacter pylori have decreased in Korea although the prevalence of this bacterium has also decreased. Antibiotic resistance is likely to be a crucial factor in H. pylori eradication success, and we therefore mapped these resistance patterns nationwide in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and ninety adult subjects were prospectively enrolled from 2017 to 2018 from 15 centers across six geographic areas of Korea. A total of 580 biopsy tissues had been sampled from these patients during an upper endoscopy and were frozen at -80°C and delivered to a central laboratory. The agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin for each H. pylori isolate. RESULTS: The culture success rate was 60.2% (349/580). Resistance rates against clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were 17.8%, 29.5%, 9.5%, 0%, 37.0%, and 37.0%, respectively. The geographic distribution of metronidazole and quinolone resistance was highly variable. Some subjects had multiple H. pylori strains in the antrum and body of the stomach and showed a heterogeneous resistance profile between these anatomic areas. The H. pylori multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was 25.2% (88/349) among amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and quinolone and 11.2% (39/349) among four of these major antibiotics except for quinolone. The Seoul and Chungcheong areas showed a relatively lower MDR rate. CONCLUSION: The antibiotic resistance of H. pylori differs by drug and geographic area in Korea. Detailed nationwide antibiotic resistance mapping is needed to develop an effective H. pylori eradication strategy.

Gender Specific Differences in Prevalence and Risk Factors for Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease.

BACKGROUND: Gender-related factors might play an important role in the development of reflux esophagitis (RE) and symptomatic gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for RE and symptomatic GERD and determine whether gender specific differences exist. METHODS: This study was conducted on a health cohort consisting of 10,158 participants who underwent comprehensive health screening. Lifestyles and gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated using a self-reported structured questionnaire. Questionnaires about menstrual status were added for the women. RESULTS: The prevalence of RE in men was significantly higher than that in women (10.6% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001); however, symptomatic GERD showed predominance in women (6.2% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.001). Although the prevalence of RE gradually increased with the duration of menopause stratified by decade (P = 0.007), that of symptomatic GERD rapidly increased across the menopausal transit in women. Apart from common risk factors of obesity and current smoking for RE, over 70 years of age in women and hiatal hernia and hypertriglyceridemia in men were significant risk factors. In symptomatic GERD, high somatization was a common risk factor. Excessive alcohol drinking was a significant risk factor in men, but not in women. CONCLUSION: This study showed a predominance of RE in men, but a predominance of symptomatic GERD in women. In women, dynamic increase in the prevalence of GERD is closely related to the menopause conditions and its duration. There are specific risk factors for RE and symptomatic GERD according to gender differences.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Korea: A multicenter, nationwide study conducted in 2015 and 2016.

BACKGROUND: The Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research has studied Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence since 1998 and found a dynamic change in its prevalence in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the recent H. pylori prevalence rate and compare it with that of previous studies according to socioeconomic variables. METHODS: We planned to enroll 4920 asymptomatic Korean adults from 21 centers according to the population distribution of seven geographic areas (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Kyungsang, Cholla, and Jeju). We centrally collected serum and tested H. pylori serum IgG using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: We analyzed 4917 samples (4917/4920 = 99.9%) from January 2015 to December 2016. After excluding equivocal serologic results, the H. pylori seropositivity rate was 51.0% (2414/4734). We verified a decrease in H. pylori seroprevalence compared with previous studies performed in 1998, 2005, and 2011 (P < .0001). The H. pylori seroprevalence rate differed by area: Cholla (59.5%), Chungcheong (59.2%), Kyungsang (55.1%), Jeju (54.4%), Gangwon (49.1%), Seoul (47.4%), and Gyeonggi (44.6%). The rate was higher in those older than 40 years (38.1% in those aged 30-39 years and 57.7% in those aged 40-49 years) and was lower in city residents than in noncity residents at all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in Korea is decreasing and may vary according to population characteristics. This trend should be considered to inform H. pylori-related policies.

Trends in incidence and survival of esophageal cancer in Korea: Analysis of the Korea Central Cancer Registry Database.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of esophageal cancer have recently improved in Asia, and its prognosis is expected to change. This study provides a population-based report on the epidemiology of esophageal cancer in Korea. METHODS: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2013 were obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry, covering the entire population. Age-standardized incidence rates and annual percent changes were calculated according to subsites and histological types. Five-year relative survival rates were estimated for cases diagnosed between 1993 and 2013. Relative excess rates were compared between patients diagnosed from 2009 to 2013 and 2006 to 2008. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rates decreased from 8.8 per 100 000 populations in 1999 to 5.9 in 2013 with an annual percent change of -2.6% in men and -2.2% in women. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for 90.2% of all esophageal cancers in 2013, followed by adenocarcinomas (3.1%), and their incidences decreased. The proportion of localized and regional cancer tended to increase compared with that of distant cancer. Five-year relative survival of squamous cell carcinoma improved from 12.1% (1993-1995) to 34.6% (2009-2013). Relative excess rate was 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.65-0.80) in localized stage and 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.95) in regional stage comparing patients diagnosed from 2009 to 2013 and 2006 to 2008. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of esophageal cancer has decreased in Korea for the past 15 years, and 5-year survival rates have improved significantly. These increases may be attributable to more effective detection of early-stage disease.

Triple therapy versus sequential therapy for the first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with triple therapy which was considered as standard first-line treatment has decreased to 70-85%. The aim of this study is to compare 7-day triple therapy versus 10-day sequential therapy as the first line treatment. METHODS: Data of 1240 H. pylori positive patients treated with triple therapy or sequential therapy from January 2013 to December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients who had undertaken previous H. pylori eradication therapy or gastric surgery were excluded. RESULTS: There were 872 (74.3%) patients in the triple therapy group, and 302 (25.7%) patients in the sequential therapy group. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, residence, comorbidities or drug compliance, but several differences were noted in endoscopic characteristics and indication for the treatment. The eradication rate of H. pylori by intention to treat analysis was 64.3% in the triple therapy group, and 81.9% in the sequential therapy group (P = 0.001). In per protocol analysis, H. pylori eradication rate in the triple therapy and sequential therapy group was 81.9 and 90.3%, respectively (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in overall adverse events between the two groups (P = 0.706). For the rescue therapy, bismuth-containing quadruple therapy showed comparable treatment efficacy after sequential therapy, as following triple therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication rate of triple therapy was below the recommended threshold. Sequential therapy could be effective and tolerable candidate for the first-line H. pylori eradication therapy.

Quality of life, patient satisfaction, and disease burden in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease with or without laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have decreased health-related quality of life (HRQL). The quality of life in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms is also significantly impaired. However, the impact of LPR symptoms on HRQL in GERD patients has not been studied. METHODS: A nationwide, random-sample, and face-to-face survey of 300 Korean patients with GERD was conducted from January to March 2013. Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were assessed using the Rome III questionnaire, LPR symptoms using the reflux symptom index, and HRQL using the EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. A structured questionnaire on patient satisfaction, sickness-related absences, and health-related work productivity was also used. RESULTS: Among the 300 patients with GERD, 150 had LPR symptoms. The mean EQ-5D index was lower in patients with GERD and LPR symptoms than in those without LPR (0.88 vs 0.91, P = 0.002). A linear regression model showed that the severity of LPR symptoms was related to decreased HRQL and was independent of age, marital status, body mass index, or household income. The overall satisfaction rate regarding treatment was lower in patients with GERD and LPR (40.0% vs 69.1%, P = 0.040). GERD patients with LPR symptoms reported greater sickness-related absent hours per week (0.36 vs 0.02 h, P = 0.016) and greater percentages of overall work impairment than those without LPR (31.1% vs 20.8%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with LPR symptoms have a poorer HRQL, a lower satisfaction rate, and a greater disease burden than those without LPR.

Tissue Oxygenation and Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy When Applied to the Feet of Persons With Diabetes Mellitus: An Observational Study.

PURPOSE: Our group has reported that negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) decreases tissue oxygenation by 84% in the foot of diabetic patients because the pad of the connecting drainage tube and foam sponge of the NPWT system compress the wound bed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an NPWT modified dressing application reduces tissue oxygenation in the feet of persons with diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: A prospective, clinical, observational study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: We enrolled 30 patients with diabetic mellitus; their mean age was 63.9 ± 11.2 years (mean ± standard deviation). All were cared for at the diabetic wound center at an academic tertiary medical center in South Korea between 2014 and January 2015. METHODS: Transcutaneous partial oxygen pressures (TcpO2) were measured to determine tissue oxygenation levels beneath modified NPWT dressings. A TcpO2 sensor was fixed at the tarsometatarsal area of the contralateral unwounded foot. A negative pressure of -125 mm Hg was applied until TcpO2 reached a plateau state; values were measured before, during, and after the modified NPWT. The Wilcoxon' and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare differences between these measurements. RESULTS: TcpO2 levels decreased by 26% during the modified NPWT. Mean TcpO2 values before, during, and after turning off the therapy were 54.3 ± 15.3 mm Hg, 41.6 ± 16.3 mm Hg, and 53.3 ± 15.6 mm Hg (P < .05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Applying NPWT without the pad of the connecting drainage tube significantly reduces the amount of tissue oxygenation loss beneath foam dressings on the skin of the foot dorsum in diabetic patients.

Eradication Rates of Helicobacter pylori in Korea Over the Past 10 years and Correlation of the Amount of Antibiotics Use: Nationwide Survey.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of proton-pump inhibitor-amoxicillin-clarithromycin therapy for H. pylori eradication has decreased over time. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the trend of H. pylori eradication rates over the last 10 years and the relationship between the eradication rates and the amount of macrolide antibiotic use in a country with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. METHODS: This vast nationwide multicenter study was conducted with 34,139 adults treated for H. pylori infection from January 2001 to December 2010. The defined daily dose per km(2) (DSD) of macrolide antibiotics was calculated (n = 141,019) using the Health Insurance Review & Assessment data base from 2008 to 2010 in the two cities which had the lowest (Jeju city) or highest (Chuncheon city) eradication rate. RESULTS: The eradication rates of proton-pump inhibitor-amoxicillin-clarithromycin therapy ranged 84.9-87.5% from 2001 to 2007, and those of 2008 to 2010 ranged 80.0-81.4% with a decreasing trend (p < 0.0001). The decreasing trend of eradication rates for the overall first-line therapy was observed only in three of the seven geographic areas in Korea (p < 0.0001). The DSD of macrolide antibiotics was significantly higher in Jeju than Cheunchon city (0.85 vs 0.52, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication rates with clarithromycin-containing triple therapy in Korea showed a decreasing trend over the past 10 years, although the trend varied among geographic areas. This difference may be associated with the amount of macrolide antibiotic use.

Importance of Patients' Knowledge of Their Prescribed Medication in Improving Treatment Adherence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

GOALS: To investigate the association between treatment nonadherence and patients' knowledge of the prescribed medication among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and evaluate the impact of nonadherence on relapse. BACKGROUND: The patient's knowledge of the prescribed medication has been identified as an important predictor of treatment adherence in chronic diseases. However, this association has not been examined in IBD. STUDY: In this prospective study, at baseline, 138 patients with IBD completed a self-reported survey on demographic data, knowledge of the prescribed medication, and candidate factors related to the degree of treatment adherence. To investigate the impact of nonadherence among patients in remission, relapse was analyzed for 18 months after enrollment. RESULTS: Nonadherence was observed in 50 (36.2%) of the 138 subjects. In multivariate analysis, nonadherence was significantly associated with younger age (less than 30 y) at participation [odds ratio (OR), 5.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.51-22.94; P=0.011], longer intervals between outpatient clinic visits (≥3 mo) (OR, 30.31; 95% CI, 3.06-300.17; P=0.004), and limited knowledge of the prescribed medication (OR, 5.61; 95% CI, 1.60-19.67; P=0.038). Nonadherent patients had a significantly greater risk of relapse of IBD than adherent patients (relative risk, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.25-3.79; P=0.045). CONCLUSION: Younger age, longer intervals between outpatient clinic visits, and limited knowledge of the prescribed medication tended to be associated with nonadherence to treatment, which consequently also affects the risk of relapse.

Significance of calcium-sensing receptor expression in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is known to have differential expression in various carcinomas and normal tissues. It has been shown to be involved in carcinogenesis or tumor suppression. However, its role in gastric cancer remains unknown. This study was performed to determine the CaSR expression level in gastric cancer and non-tumor gastric tissues and to examine the related clinicopathological factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one pairs of gastric cancer tissues and matched non-tumor gastric tissues were obtained from surgical tissues after gastrectomy. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we measured CaSR mRNA expression. We evaluated the association between CaSR mRNA expression and clinicopathological variables based on the downregulation or upregulation of CaSR mRNA expression in gastric cancer tissues compared to those of matched non-tumor gastric tissues. By immunohistochemistry, we confirmed CaSR expression levels in gastric cancer tissues. RESULTS: Downregulation of CaSR mRNA was observed in 77.4% of gastric cancer tissues compared to their matched normal tissues. Downregulated CaSR was associated with a tendency for deeper invasion into the proper muscle (p = 0.028) and more advanced stage (II-IV; p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: We conclude that downregulation of CaSR may contribute to the prevention or suppression of tumor outgrowth.

Does the Difference of Invasiveness between Totally Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy and Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy Lead to a Difference in Early Surgical Outcomes? A Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Resection and anastomosis in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy can be performed extracorporeally or intracorporeally. Most surgeons have performed laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) because of technical difficulties of intracorporeal anastomosis. However, totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) has recently been attempted and is expected to be feasible and less invasive compared with LADG. In this study, we tried to evaluate the clinical effect of the difference of invasiveness between TLDG and LADG, by way of a randomized prospective trial. METHODS: From February 2011 to September 2013, a total of 110 patients with primary gastric cancer were randomly assigned to either TLDG or LADG. Clinicopathologic features, operative details, postoperative course, and quality of life (QoL) were compared between the two groups. QoL was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 and gastric module STO22 at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in clinical and pathological characteristics. The proximal resection margin was significantly longer and the length of wound was shorter in the TLDG group. We could not find any significant difference in postoperative inflammatory parameters, postoperative pulmonary function, postoperative recovery, and QoL scores at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. There were no significant differences in complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that TLDG is as safe and feasible as LADG in gastric cancer. The parameters used routinely in the clinical field to evaluate early surgical outcomes could not reflect the delicate difference in surgical invasiveness between TLDG and LADG.

The use of low-volume polyethylene glycol containing ascorbic acid versus 2 L of polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl as bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Low-volume polyethylene glycol (PEG) bowel preparations have been developed to improve compliance for colonoscopy. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of low-volume PEG containing ascorbic acid for colonoscopy against 2 L of PEG plus bisacodyl. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled consecutive inpatients who had not undergone polypectomy at the index colonoscopy and were subsequently referred for polypectomy at our hospital. A total of 62 patients were randomized to receive either low-volume PEG containing ascorbic acid (n = 31) or 2 L of PEG plus bisacodyl (n = 31) as a split-dose regimen in inpatients. The efficacy of preparation was determined using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Score (OBPS) and a 4-point scale. Adverse events, tolerability, and willingness were evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Based on the OBPS and 4-point scale, we determined that the efficacy of low-volume PEG containing ascorbic acid was comparable to that of the 2 L of PEG plus bisacodyl (p = 0.071 for OBPS, p = 0.056 for the 4-point scale). Adverse events were comparable between the two groups (p = 1.000). A greater proportion of patients in the low-volume PEG containing ascorbic acid (90.6%) and the 2L of PEG plus bisacodyl (96.9%) were willing to repeat the same preparation for subsequent colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: Low-volume PEG containing ascorbic acid had comparable efficacy and tolerability to 2 L of PEG plus bisacodyl, when given as a split dose, for colonoscopy in inpatients. Split-dose low-volume PEG containing ascorbic acid is a good alternative for bowel preparation for colonoscopy in inpatients.

Involvement of adiponectin in early stage of colorectal carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Although altered levels of adiponectin have been reported as a potential risk factor in colorectal cancer (CRC), the importance of the role played by adiponectin in colorectal carcinogenesis has not been established. We sought to examine the expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs) in the normal-adenoma-carcinoma sequence and to assess the implications of adiponectin in colorectal carcinogenesis. METHODS: Serum adiponectin concentrations, and the mRNA and protein expression of adiponectin and AdipoRs were examined using serum and tissues from patients with CRC, advanced adenoma, and a normal colon. mRNA expression of AdipoRs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulators including E-cadherin, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and T-cadherin were examined in HCT116 cells treated with adiponectin. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin concentrations in patients with advanced adenoma and CRC were lower than those in controls. Adiponectin mRNA was not detected in colonic tissue, whereas AdipoRs mRNA was lower in advanced adenoma and CRC than that in normal colon tissues. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that adiponectin was expressed in spindle-shaped cells of the subepithelial layer in normal colon tissues, whereas ill-defined overexpression of adiponectin was seen in the stroma of advanced adenoma and CRC tissues. AdipoRs expression was strong in normal epithelium, but weak to negative in the epithelia of CRC tissues. Adiponectin downregulated COX-2 mRNA expression in vitro, but upregulated T-cadherin in HCT116 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic adiponectin and local AdipoRs expression in the colon may be associated with anti-tumorigenesis during the early stages of CRC. These findings offer new insight into understanding the relationship between adiponectin and colorectal carcinogenesis.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach.

BACKGROUND: Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) of the stomach is a histological type based on microscopic characteristics. Although the distinctive clinicopathological features of SRC have been reported, results are inconsistent and survival outcomes are uncertain. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 769 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent gastrectomy in our institute from 1999 to 2009. Among them, 326 patients (42.4 %) had early gastric cancer (EGC) and 443 patients (57.6 %) had advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Sex, age, tumor location, macroscopic type, tumor size, microscopic invasion, and survival rate were compared between patients with SRC, differentiated-, and undifferentiated-type gastric carcinomas. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (15.6 %) had SRC in EGC; there were significant differences in sex, age, location, macroscopic type, and size between SRC and the differentiated histological type. However, there was no difference between SRC and undifferentiated-type gastric carcinoma, except for the macroscopic type. Fifty-seven patients (12.9 %) had SRC in AGC. Sex, age, location, size, macroscopic type, perineural invasion, N stage, and hepatic metastasis were significantly different between SRC and the differentiated histological type. Undifferentiated-type gastric carcinoma differed in sex, macroscopic type, and hepatic metastasis. The overall survival rate differed between SRC and other cell types (P < 0.001). Among all the study patients, age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.013, P = 0.041] and tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage (HR 2.350, P < 0.001) were important factors for predicting survival. Omitting patients with palliative resection or metastases, TNM stage was still an important factor for survival (HR 2.077, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SRC showed similar clinicopathological features with undifferentiated histology. The survival of patients with SRC reflected a better prognosis in patients with undifferentiated gastric carcinoma. However, when narrowing the patients to those with EGC only, survival in EGC patients exhibited no difference between histological types. Among AGC patients, SRC patients had a worse prognosis than other cell types.

Association of SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR and TRPV1 945G>C with functional dyspepsia in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The association of various genetic polymorphisms with functional dyspepsia (FD) has been suggested, but the results were still controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of GNB3 825C>T, SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR, ADRA2A-1291C>G, CCK-1R intron 779T>C, and TRPV1 945G>C polymorphisms with FD based on Rome III criteria in Korea. METHODS: Study subjects were prospectively recruited from visitors to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2009 and 2012. One hundred and twelve FD patients and 269 controls were enrolled. RESULTS: In SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, the frequency of S/S genotype was significantly lower than that of L/L + L/S genotype in FD compared to controls (P < 0.05). After stratification according to Helicobacter pylori infection, the S/S genotype was significantly associated with H. pylori-positive epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) patients (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.99; P = 0.048). In TRPV1 945G>C polymorphism, the frequency of C/C genotype was lower in FD compared to controls (P = 0.057). The C carrier and C/C genotype was significantly associated with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and EPS, respectively (adjusted OR 0.47 and 0.43; 95% CI 0.25-0.90 and 0.20-0.93; P = 0.021 and 0.033). After stratification, the significant associations remained in H. pylori-positive PDS and EPS patients (adjusted OR 0.37 and 0.28; 95% CI 0.16-0.88 and 0.09-0.85; P = 0.024 and 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The genetic polymorphism of SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR and TRPV1 945G>C could be one of the pathophysiological factors of FD, especially in the case of H. pylori-positive patients in Korea.