Elevated lactate/albumin ratio as a novel predictor of in-hospital mortality in hospitalized cirrhotics.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Novel predictors of prognosis in cirrhotic patients have been emerging in recent years and studies show that the lactate/albumin ratio can serve as an early prognostic marker in different patient groups. We aimed to uncover the clinical significance of the lactate/albumin ratio in hospitalized patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted in a tertiary medical center. Subjects included had an established diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and were admitted to the ICU or the Internal Medicine department with a clinical picture of acute-on-chronic liver failure between the years 2010 and 2021. The primary outcome was to assess the utility of the lactate/albumin ratio as a prognostic marker to predict mortality in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with acute-on-chronic hepatic failure. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-nine patients were included in this study. Univariate analysis revealed that mean WBC count, platelet/creatinine ratio, aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate, and MELD score were all significantly associated with the primary outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that the lactate/albumin ratio was the strongest statistically significant (p < 0.001) predictor of death during hospitalization - OR 13.196 (95% CI 3.6-48.3), followed by mean WBC count, MELD score, and serum lactate levels. A ROC curve was constructed, which resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) equal to 0.77. Crosstabs from the ROC showed a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 76.2% when the lactate/albumin ratio chosen as a cutoff was 0.9061 CONCLUSIONS: Elevated lactate/albumin ratio predicts in-hospital mortality in hospitalized cirrhotics with acute-on-chronic hepatic failure.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as a Risk Factor for Severe Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver disorders. Acute cholangitis (AC) is a life-threatening illness. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether NAFLD is a risk factor for the severity of AC. METHODS: We retrospectively studied hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of AC over 5 years. Patients were divided into a NAFLD group and a non-NAFLD group. We compared the two groups with regard to demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, laboratory data, and severity of AC (including Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI] and Tokyo Consensus meeting criteria). RESULTS: In all, 298 of 419 hospitalized patients diagnosed with AC met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 73/298 (24.5%) were in the NAFLD group. NAFLD group patients were younger and more likely to be diabetic and obese than the non-NAFLD group. Participants in the NAFLD presented with higher serum C-reactive protein and higher liver enzymes (P < 0.05, for each parameter) and with more events of organ dysfunction (P < 0.001) and bacteremia (P < 0.005). Regarding the severity of AC according to Tokyo Consensus, among the NAFLD group more patients presented with Grade II (39.7 vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001) and Grade III (23.3 vs. 18.3, P < 0.001) cholangitis. More Grade I cholangitis was found among the non-NAFLD group (48.4 vs. 37%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NAFLD was independently associated with severe AC, Grade III (odds ratio 3.25, 95% confidence interval 1.65-6.45, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is an independent risk factor for the severity of AC.

Three-months duration of fully-covered metal stent for refractory dominant extra-hepatic biliary stricture among primary sclerosing cholangitis patients: efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: Dominant stricture (DS) is a main cause of complication among patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Endoscopic treatment options include dilation and plastic stenting, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. AIMS: The aim of the current study is to assess the safety and efficacy of fully-covered metal stent (FCMS) in these patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of PSC patients with refractory DS, defined as strictures resistance to conventional therapy (balloon dilatation, plastic biliary stent insertion or both) and who underwent FCMS insertion for 3 months were included. The primary outcome was defined as clinical and laboratory improvement, while secondary outcomes were DS resolution upon stent removal and cholangiographic DS recurrence at 12-months after FCMS extraction. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled from January 2016 through January 2020. Improvement in weakness and pruritus were seen in 80% and 35%, 75% and 65%, 75% and 35% of patients at 1-3 and 6 months following FCMS removal, respectively. Similarly, consistent improvement in all liver enzymes and total bilirubin were seen in up to 6 month following stent removal. Only one patient (5%) needed premature FCMS removal due to cholangitis 1 week after stent placement and 2 cases (10%) of stent related pancreatitis were encountered. At 3-months all remaining stents were softly removed. Cholangiographic DS resolution was demonstrated in 13 patients (65%) after stent removal at 3-months, and DS recurred in 4 patients (4/13 = 30.7%) at 12-months following stent removal. Notably, only proximal biliary DS location showed a trend for DS recurrence (OR 28.6, P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Temporary 3 months duration FCMS was feasible, safe and effective treatment option among patients with PSC related refractory DS.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: the hidden danger.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been identified as risk factor for several diseases; however, its association with post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) has not been studied. AIMS: To assess whether NAFLD is a risk factor for the development of PEP. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicenter study. All patients who underwent ERCP during 2013-2016 at either the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem or EMMS Nazareth hospital and who had a diagnosis of NAFLD by abdominal imaging were eligible for inclusion. Four hundred and one patients were included, among them, 38 (9.5%) were diagnosed with PEP according to clinical, laboratory and radiological criteria. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the following risk factors were associated with increased risk for PEP; Fatty liver (OR 2.363, p = .01), elevated levels of aspartate transaminase (OR 1.008, p = .04), ALT (OR 0.979, p = .0007), alkaline phosphatase (OR 1.008, p = .01), gamma-glutamyl transferase (OR 1.014, p = .0005) and total bilirubin (OR 1.141, p = .005). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only NAFLD showed statistically significant association with PEP (OR 3.224, 95% CI 1.548-6.713, p = .001) with receiver operator characteristics (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.8156. CONCLUSION: NAFLD was shown to be a risk factor for PEP. Therefore, we suggest considering prophylactic pancreatic stenting and/or NSAID's suppositories among these patients.

A validated score predicting common bile duct stone in patients hospitalized with acute calculus cholecystitis: a multi-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant common bile duct (CBD) stone in the setting of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) should be suspected once abnormal liver indices are noticed. AIM: We aimed to identify predictors of CBD stone in patients hospitalized with ACC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multi-center, case-controlled, study from 1st of January 2016 until the 31th of December 2018. Inclusion criteria included patients with an established diagnosis of ACC based on clinical, laboratory and radiological criteria and who had an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for suspected CBD stone. One-hundred and twelve patients were included, of these fifty-three patients (47.3%) were diagnosed with CBD stone by EUS. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, Age (OR 1.038, P = 0.001), total bilirubin (mg/dl) (OR 1.429, P = 0.02) and CBD width (mm) by US (OR 1.314, P = 0.01) were statistically significant in predicting CBD stone and remained significant in multivariate regression analysis. We developed a diagnostic score that included these three parameters, with assignment of weights for each variable according to the coefficient estimate. A low cut-off score of 0 was associated with sensitivity of 100% for CBD stone, whereas a high cut-off score of 3 was associated with sensitivity of 10% and specificity of 96.6% with a positive predictive value of 67% (ROC of 0.7558). We validated this score with an independent cohort (ROC of 0.7416) with a sensitivity of 46.6%, a specificity of 91.5% and a PPV of 87.1%. CONCLUSION: We recommend incorporating this score as an aid for stratifying patients with ACC into low or high probability for concomitant CBD stone.

The Impact of Ramadan Fasting on Fatty Liver Disease Severity: A Retrospective Case Control Study from Israel.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as an important public health condition. The effect of Ramadan fasting on several metabolic conditions has been previously assessed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of Ramadan fasting on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) severity scores. METHODS: A retrospective, case control study was conducted in Nazareth Hospital between 2017 and 2019. We included NAFLD patients who had been diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. The study population was divided in two matched groups: NASH subjects who fasted all of Ramadan and NAFLD/NASH subjects who did not fast (control). Metabolic/NASH severity scores, homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS), BARD scores, and fibrosis-4 (FIB4) scores were assessed in both groups before and after the Ramadan month. RESULTS: The study included 155 NASH subjects, 74 who fasted and 81 who did not. Among the fasting group, body mass index decreased from 36.7 ± 7.1 to 34.5 ± 6.8 after fasting (P < 0.003), NFS declined from 0.45 ± 0.25 to 0.23 ± 0.21 (P < 0.005), BARD scores declined from 2.3 ± 0.98 to 1.6 ± 1.01 (P < 0.005), and FIB4 scores declined from 1.93 ± 0.76 to 1.34 ± 0.871 (P < 0.005). C-reactive protein decreased from 14.2 ± 7.1 to 7.18 ± 6.45 (P < 0.005). Moreover, HOMA-IR improved from 2.92 ± 1.22 to 2.15 ± 1.13 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Ramadan fasting improved on inflammatory markers, insulin sensitivity, and noninvasive measures for NASH severity assessment.

Predicting common bile duct stones by non-invasive parameters.

BACKGROUND: Common bile duct (CBD) stone affect about 10% of patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) published a strategy in 2010 for managing patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. This study aimed to assess the performance of different clinical parameters in predicting CBD stones. METHODS: A total of 344 patients suspected to suffer from CBD stone and referred to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) were included. Parameters were collected and their prediction power for CBD stones was assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-seven patients without CBD stone according to EUS (group A) were compared to 177 patients with CBD stones (group B). Several predictive factors for CBD stone were identified on univariate analysis. In multivariate regression analysis, CBD width by US (OR = 1.224, 95% CI: 1.073-1.359; P = 0.0026), age (OR = 1.023, 95% CI: 1.011-1.035; P = 0.0002) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) level (OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 1.000-1.002; P = 0.0018) were significantly correlated with CBD stone, with receiver operator characteristics (ROC) of 0.7259. We generated a diagnostic equation [age (yr) × 0.1 + CBD width (mm) by US × 1 + GGT (U/L) × 0.005] to predict CBD stone with ROC of 0.7287. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest this score as a very strong predictor for CBD stones, and to reduce the strength of total bilirubin and transaminases as predictors.

Thyroid Dysfunction is Prevalent in Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may be associated with other autoimmune diseases. Autoantibodies are common in AIH suggesting their potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Among these autoantibodies, thyroid autoantibodies have been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis, with greater prevalence in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among patients with AIH. METHODS: In this case-control, retrospective study, we examined patients diagnosed with AIH according to both the original and revised international AIH group scoring systems. Patients with other hepatic pathologies were excluded AIH was evaluated as an independent risk factor for thyroid disease by a logistic regression model. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted using hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism as the dependent variables. RESULTS: Our cohort comprised 163 patients diagnosed with AIH and 1104 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Hypothyroidism was more prevalent among those with AIH compared to controls (17.7% vs. 5%, respectively, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.68-2.48, P < 0.001). Hyperthyroidism was more prevalent in AIH patients compared to controls (odds ratio 3.2% and 1.2%, respectively, 95%CI 1.68-2.47, P < 0.001). Using a multivariate logistic analysis, we found an independent association between AIH and hypothyroidism but not with hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid dysfunction is more prevalent in patients with AIH. Whether thyroid dysfunction is the cause or a risk factor for AIH, or vice versa, is still unclear. Screening for thyroid dysfunction is warranted after AIH is diagnosed.

The Yield of Ileoscopy: Does Indication Matter?

BACKGROUND: While the routine performance of terminal ileum (TI) intubation during colonoscopy procedures is perceived to have a low yield, its utility during colonoscopies performed for specific indications have not been well studied. OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic yield of an indication-based ileoscopy in real-life practice. METHODS: The authors reviewed endoscopic reports of patients who underwent colonoscopies over an 8-year period (2011-2018) and had routine ileoscopy during these procedures. Demographic data, indications for colonoscopy, and endoscopic findings were documented. Diagnostic yield and odds ratio for TI findings were calculated. RESULTS: Over 30,000 colonoscopy reports performed during the study period were reviewed. Ilesocopy was performed in 1800 patients, 216 patients had findings in the TI (ileitis or ulcers). TI findings were more prevalent in younger ages (38.3 ± 17.6 vs. 43.6 ± 20, P < 0.05). The greatest yield of ileoscopy was evident when performed for the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea (14.4% vs. 9.3%, odds ratio [OR] 1.62, P < 0.05). Positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (OR 0.1, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.02-0.5, P = 0.005) and constipation (OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P = 0.04) were negatively associated with TI findings. CONCLUSIONS: Ileoscopy may have the greatest utility in evaluating suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, but may not add value to the evaluation of constipation and positive FOBT.

The Role of Pre-Operative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting Post Bariatric Surgery Related Complications.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has become the most common and effective therapeutic option for obesity. However, it is associated with morbidity and complications. Identification of predictors for surgical complications is an unmet need. OBJECTIVES: To determine a simple non-invasive parameter that predicts early postoperative complications following bariatric surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective study of all patients who underwent elective bariatric surgery at Nazareth Hospital EMMS during a 4-year period (2015-2018). We collected clinical and laboratory parameters and determined predictors of complications. RESULTS: A total of 345 patients underwent bariatric surgery during the study period. Of the patients, 51 experienced early post-bariatric surgery complications as compared to 294 patients who had no complications. Univariate analysis revealed that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (odds ratio [OR] 1.912, P < 0.0001) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (OR 1.015, P < 0.0001) were associated with post-bariatric surgery complications. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, only NLR remained a significant predictor (OR 1.751, 95% confidence interval 1.264-2.425, P = 0.0008) with a receiver operating characteristic curve for NLR of 0.8404. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the NLR predicts post bariatric surgery early complications. Further prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

The role of rapid on-site evaluation on diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration for pancreatic, submucosal upper gastrointestinal tract and adjacent lesions.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Our aim was to assess adequacy and diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) specimens with or without rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) from pancreatic, upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) and adjacent masses. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study based on patients' files who underwent EUS-FNA in Galilee Medical Center in a 4 years period. Number of needle passes, repeated EUS and ROSE effect on tissue adequacy and diagnostic accuracy were reported. RESULTS: One-hundred sixty-one patients were included. Ninety-three patients (57.7%) underwent EUS-FNA without ROSE (group A) compared to 68 patients (42.3%) with ROSE (group B). The most common location was in the pancreas (55% in group A vs 81% in group B). Addition of ROSE yielded a significantly higher specimen adequacy (65% in group A vs 92.6% in group B (Chi-Square < 0.0001, OR 6.72, 95% CI 2.45-18.38). The matching rate (accuracy) between ROSE diagnosis and final histopathological diagnosis was noticed in 61 out of 68 patients (89.7%, 95% CI 0.7993-0.9576). The Kappa coefficient correlations of matching rate between ROSE and final histopathological diagnosis of all lesion and in pancreatic lesions were 0.7558, (95% CI 0.625-0.887) and 0.7814, (95% CI 0.639-0.924), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA with ROSE significantly improve specimen adequacy and was associated with high diagnostic accuracy.

IgG4 Related Autoimmune Pancreatitis: An Overview and the Emerging Role of Serum Eotaxin as a Potential Treatment Target.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare disease that has been classified into two subtypes. Type 1 is believed to be mediated by immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and type 2 is related to granulocytic epithelial lesions, but the pathogenetic mechanisms in both are still unknown. The patho-mechanism of AIP type 1 is suggested to be secondary to autoimmunity or allergy due to the increased serum IgG4 and immunoglobulin E levels, abundant infiltration of IgG4, plasmacytes and lymphocytes in the pancreas, and fibrosis. Both types of AIP respond to steroid treatment. The relapse rate after remission is high and reaches 30-50% within 6-12 months in AIP type 1; however, in AIP type 2 relapse is rare. The maintenance therapy and therapeutic strategy for relapsing patients with type 1 is managed with low dose steroids, however there are no consensus guidelines. In this review we discuss the current understanding of AIP, highlighting the emerging potential role of eotaxin in pathogenesis, classification, and management of the disease.

Ethnic Variations in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Among Israel's Populations.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two major classic presentations of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Studies have shown a wide variation in the incidence and prevalence attributed to different geographic and ethnic populations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical characteristics of IBD among Arabs in Israel and to compare them to characteristics of IBD among Ashkenazi Jews. METHODS: This retrospective, comparative study compared the clinical characteristics of IBD among 150 Arabs from the Holy Family Hospital and the Nazareth Hospital EMMS, both located in Nazareth, Israel, to those of 97 age- and sex-matched Ashkenazi Jewish patients from Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. RESULTS: The Arab cohort, which included 106 patients (70%) with Crohn's disease and 44 (29%) with ulcerative colitis, was compared to 97 Ashkenazi patients (81% with Crohn's disease and 17% with ulcerative colitis) (P < 0.05). Alcohol consumption was found in both groups, but Arabs smoked more (46% vs. 12%, respectively, P < 0.05). Obstructive phenotype was lower in Arabs (10% vs. 32%, P < 0.05). 5-aminosalicylic acid and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha were prescribed for the Arab and Ashkenazi groups (89% and 21%, respectively). The need for surgical intervention due to disease severity and/or complications was not significant (22% vs. 24%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar reports of NOD2/CARD15 mutations, Crohn's disease is more common than ulcerative colitis within the Arab-Israeli population. Increased smoking rates may explain milder disease severities in Arabs, as reflected by lower obstructive pattern and frequent use of milder therapeutic modalities.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is Associated with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Premenopausal Women Independent of Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Recently, studies have found that non-alcholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with bacterial infections. Attempts to identify risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are still underway. OBJECTIVES: To examine a possible association between NAFLD and rUTIs among premenopausal women. METHODS: In a case-control study, 1009 hospitalized premenopausal women with a UTI during a period of 3 years were retrospectively studied. A total of 186 subjects with rUTIs and 186 controls without a history of rUTIs were included in this study. Each participant had an abdominal ultrasonogram as part of the inclusion criteria. The two groups were compared in terms of risk factors for rUTIs, such as maternal history of rUTIs, use of contraceptives, frequency of sexual intercourse, metabolic syndrome, obesity, use of probiotics, serum levels of vitamin D, and NAFLD. An rUTI was defined as three or more episodes of UTI over a period of 1 year. NAFLD was diagnosed based on abdominal ultrasonography examination. RESULTS: Mean age of the 372 participants was 39.7 ± 5 years. NAFLD was diagnosed in 81/186 subjects (43.5%) with rUTIs vs. 40/186 controls (21.5%), P = 0.05. Women with rUTIs were more often obese and presented with lower serum levels of vitamin D than controls. Multivariate analysis showed that NAFLD (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.3-2.0, P = 0.04) were associated with rUTIs in premenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD was associated with rUTI in premenopausal women, independent of metabolic syndrome. Further studies are needed to confirm this association.

Endoscopic and Histological Findings among Israeli Populations Infected with Helicobacter pylori: Does Ethnicity Matter?

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori varies geographically by age, race, and socioeconomic status (SES). However, the impact of ethnicity on endoscopic outcomes in infected individuals is not well known. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of ethnicity among Israelis with biopsy-proven H. pylori infection. METHODS: A retrospective study, including patients who underwent gastroscopy and were diagnosed histologically with H. pylori infection, was conducted. Information on demographics, SES, medications, and co-morbidities were extracted from medical records. Univariate (Student's t-test, chi-square test) and multivariate (multinomial and logistic) regression analysis were conducted to examine the predictors of the clinical outcome. RESULTS: The study included 100 Israeli Jews and 100 Israeli Arabs diagnosed with biopsy-proven H. pylori infection. At univariate analysis, the number of households was higher among Arabs (P < 0.001), whose family income and parental education were lower than among Jews (P < 0.001 for both variables). The response to amoxicillin and clarithromycin differed between the two groups, being higher among Jews (P < 0.001).In clinical outcomes (gastritis severity, gastric and duodenal ulcer, intestinal metaplasia, atrophic gastritis, and MALT), no statistically significant differences could be detected between Jews and Arabs. Concerning intestinal metaplasia, lack of consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs resulted a statistically significant protective factor (odds ratio 0.128, 95% confidence interval 0.024-0.685, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Although in the literature ethnicity seems to be a risk factor for H. pylori colonization, no statistical significance was detected in various endoscopic and histological findings related to H. Pylori infection between Israeli Arabs and Jews.

State of the art review with literature summary on gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy for gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a debilitating progressive disease that significantly impacts a patient's life with limited and challenging treatments available. Although the pathogenesis is multifactorial, pylorospasm is believed to have a major underlying role. Several therapeutic interventions directed to the pylorus have been developed over the last decade, including intra-pyloric injections of botulinum toxin, transpyloric stenting, and surgical pyloroplasty. All of these treatment options had limited and disappointing results. More recently, gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) has been reported as a treatment for refractory gastroparesis. In this review article, we provide an overview on gastroparesis with a focus on the therapeutic interventions. In addition, we provide a literature summary and pool analysis of the clinical efficacy, scintigraphic efficacy, and safety profile of all studies that evaluated G-POEM in gastroparesis. Overall, seven studies have reported on the use of G-POEM in gastroparesis, and the pooled analysis of these studies showed a technical success of 100%, with clinical efficacy as assessed by the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptoms Index of 81.5%, gastric emptying scintigraphy normalization in approximately 55.5% of the cases, perioperative complications in 7.6%, and intraoperative complications in 6.6%. This suggests that G-POEM is a new promising therapeutic intervention for the treatment of gastroparesis with durable effect and limited potential adverse events.

[ACHALASIA: UPDATES ON DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT FROM THE LAST DECADE].

INTRODUCTION: Achalasia is a rare idiopathic disease, associated with significant morbidity and negative impact on life quality. The disorder is characterized by impairments in the esophageal motility and loss of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. Achalasia symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitations, chest pain, vomiting and weight loss. Diagnosis of achalasia is based on an appropriate clinical presentation and typical findings on complementary tests. These tests include endoscopy showing a dilated esophageal lumen containing fluid or food, High-resolution manometry (HRM) shows evidence of obstruction at the gastro-esophageal junction and motility failure, and barium swallow shows esophageal dilation and distal narrowing. The recent advent of HRM has permitted more precise diagnosis of achalasia and three subtype designations, based on the pattern of esophageal motility disorders, as per the Chicago Classification. Treatment options include: drugs, endoscopic by means of Botox injection or balloon dilation, and the traditional surgery, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). The new advent in treatment is the novel per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), a less invasive therapy, approaching the traditional LHM. Since the first POEM procedure performed in 2008, massive amounts of evidence are accumulating regarding the high efficacy and safety profiles of POEM, introducing it as an excellent first line treatment. The current review discusses the diagnosis and management of achalasia, with special highlights on the recent progress of HRM and POEM.

Relationship between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease which refers to the presence of hepatic steatosis. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in women and is the leading cause of death from cancer among women. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between NAFLD and newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer. METHODS: The results of mammography screening examinations in women referred to the Breast Center, Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth during a 4 year period were collected. We identified cases of women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) within 1 month of the diagnosis. The control group comprised 73 women with normal mammography and breast ultrasonography who underwent abdominal CT within 3 months from the date of the breast cancer screening during the same study period. The control cases were matched by age and body mass index (BMI). We compared the cases with the controls in terms of the presence of diffuse hepatic fatty liver and other known risk factors for breast cancer. RESULTS: Of the 133 women who were screened, 73 with new diagnosis of breast cancer were eligible for the study. NAFLD was found in 33 of the women with breast cancer and in 12 in the control group (45.2% vs.16.4%, respectively, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed NAFLD (odds ratio 2.82, 95% confidence interval 1.2-5.5, P = 0.016) to be associated with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is associated with breast cancer.

Association between Fatty Liver Disease and Hyperplastic Colonic Polyp.

BACKGROUND: Hyperplastic polyps (HPs) of the colon are the most common colorectal polyps. Metabolic syndrome components such as obesity and hyperlipidemia are considered the most common etiological factors for HPs as well contributing to the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine the possible association between biopsy-proven steatohepatitis and hyperplastic colonic polyps. METHODS: This retrospective cohort observational study conducted at the Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth, Israel, included subjects who underwent screening colonoscopy over a 2 year period. Data were extracted from the patient charts and included demographics, anthropometric measurements, vital signs, underlying diseases, medical therapy, laboratory data, and results of the liver biopsy. The colonoscopy report and pathological report of each extracted polyp were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were included in the study: 123 patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and 100 patients without NASH who served as the control. Fourteen colonic adenomas (11% of patients) were found in the NASH group vs. 16 (16%) in the control group (P = 0.9); 28 HPs were found in the NASH group (22.7%) vs. 8 in the control group (8%) (P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis, after adjusting for, age, C-reactive protein and smoking, showed that the presence of NASH (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.36-1.98, P < 0.01) was associated with increased risk for HP. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found an association between biopsy-proven steatohepatitis and the burden of hyperplastic polyp.

The Importance of Intestinal Eotaxin-1 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: New Insights and Possible Therapeutic Implications.

BACKGROUND: Involvement of eotaxin-1 in inflammatory bowel disease has been previously suggested and increased levels of eotaxin-1 have been described in both ulcerative colitis and in Crohn's disease. The association between serum levels of eotaxin-1 and that within the colonic mucosa has not been well defined, as is the potential therapeutic value of targeting eotaxin-1. AIMS: To characterize serum and intestinal wall eotaxin-1 levels in various inflammatory bowel disease patients and to explore the effect of targeting eotaxin-1 by specific antibodies in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model. METHODS: Eotaxin-1 levels were measured in colonic biopsies and in the sera of 60 ulcerative colitis patients, Crohn's disease patients and healthy controls. We also followed in experimental colitis the effect of targeting eotaxin-1 by a monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Colon eotaxin-1 levels were significantly increased in active but not in quiescent ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients compared to healthy controls. Levels of eotaxin-1 in the colon were correlated with eosinophilia only in tissues from active Crohn's disease patients. Our results did not show any statistically significant change in serum eotaxin-1 levels among ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and healthy controls. Moreover, we demonstrate that in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis, targeting of eotaxin-1 with 2 injections of anti eotaxin-1 monoclonal antibody ameliorates disease activity along with decreasing colon weight and improving histologic inflammation. CONCLUSION: Eotaxin-1 is increasingly recognized as a major mediator of intestinal inflammation. Our preliminary human and animal results further emphasize the value of targeting eotaxin-1 in inflammatory bowel disease.