Lack of Association between Epidermal Growth Factor or Its Receptor and Reflux Esophagitis, Barrett's Esophagus, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Case-Control Study.

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) gene-gene interactions were shown to increase the susceptibility to esophageal cancer. However, the role of the EGF/EGFR pathway in the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications (reflux esophagitis (RE), Barrett's esophagus (BE), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)) remains unclear. This association study is aimed at investigating functional EGF and EGFR gene polymorphisms, their mRNA expression in esophageal tissues, and EGF plasma levels in relation to RE, BE, and EAC development in the Central European population. 301 patients with RE/BE/EAC (cases) as well as 98 patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and 8 healthy individuals (controls) were genotyped for +61 A>G EGF (rs4444903) and +142285 G>A EGFR (rs2227983) polymorphisms using the TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In random subgroups, the EGF and EGFR mRNA expressions were analyzed by reverse transcription qPCR in esophageal tissue with and without endoscopically visible pathological changes; and the EGF plasma levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. None of the genotyped SNPs nor EGF-EGFR genotype interactions were associated with RE, BE, or EAC development (p > 0.05). Moreover, mRNA expression of neither EGF nor EGFR differed between samples of the esophageal tissue with and without endoscopically visible pathology (p > 0.05) nor between samples from patients with different diagnoses, i.e., RE, BE, or EAC (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the lower EGF mRNA expression in carriers of combined genotypes AA +61 EGF (rs4444903) and GG +142285 EGFR (rs2227983; p < 0.05) suggests a possible direct/indirect effect of EGF-EGFR gene interactions on EGF gene expression. In conclusion, EGF and EGFR gene variants and their mRNA/protein expression were not associated with RE, BE or EAC development in the Central European population.

Routine SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing before digestive endoscopy during the peak of the pandemic - a single tertiary center experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on all endoscopy centers in the Czech Republic, that belongs to the most affected countries in the world. The aim of our study was to analyze all procedures following routine RT-PCR testing in our tertiary center during the peak of the pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all procedures performed from October 2020 to January 2021 after a new RT-PCR center had been set up. Main outcomes were type of scheduled procedure, indication, rate of therapeutic interventions and rate of new relevant and malignant findings. Comparison to the same period before the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 infection in endoscopy staff are also reported. RESULTS: A total of 1,953 procedures were performed. 624 patients were referred with a negative RT-PCR test and the remaining 1,346 patients were tested in the new center. 1,293 negative tests led to 1,329 procedures. A new relevant finding was reported in 589 (44.3%), including new malignancy in 56 (4.2%). 53 patients tested positive (3.9%). There was a reduction by 9% in the number of all procedures compared to the same period before the pandemic and an increase in the number of screening colonoscopies and ERCP procedures. In the study period, 9 of 54 staff members contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Routine RT-PCR testing of patients scheduled for elective endoscopy during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic enabled us to essentially maintain our unit productivity, including activities such as screening colonoscopy, endoscopic resection and pancreatobiliary endoscopy.

Extraintestinal complications of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohns disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Those are chronic gastrointestinal disorders of inflammatory nature and not fully known etiology. As a result of their immune-mediated mechanism and complex impact on the whole organism other organs than gastrointestinal system may be affected in many ways. These extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) and complications may severely deteriorate prognosis of the patient, cause his morbidity and worsen the quality of life. While classical extraintestinal manifestations, such as enteropathic arthropathy, skin or eye involvement or primary sclerosing cholangitis, share common immunopathological mechanism with IBD, whole range of other disorders may result from various anatomical or metabolic abnormalities caused by IBD or its treatment. This review focus on the most common extraintestinal complications, such as anaemia, metabolic bone disease, biliary and urolithiasis, which we meet in our daily clinical practice.

Is functional dyspepsia really that frequent?

The literature shows, that the prevalence of functional dyspepsia is between 11 and 29.2 % in general population. The first goal of this study was to present a narrative review of the current findings of functional dyspepsia. The second goal was to find out the prevalence of functional dyspepsia in the II. Internal Clinic of Gastroenterology and Geriatry in Teaching Hospital of Olomouc (Czech Republic). According to the clinical experience, the prevalence of patients with functional dyspepsia seems to be not as high as literature shows. Normal gastroscopy findings are mandatory for the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia. That is why we examined 302 patients with indications for gastroscopy. According to the Rome IV criteria and normal gastroscopy findings, the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia was made only in 10 (3.31 %) patients. 108 patients have received repeated gastroscopy after 4 to 6 months period. But, none of them came with the diagnosis functional dyspepsia. Our results suggest, that the prevalence of functional dyspepsia after careful gastroscopic examination is lower than in the previous literature. This observation could change our view of functional dyspepsia and its diagnostics. Keywords: functional dyspepsia - gastroscopy - prevalence - Rome IV criteria.