Etiology of and predictive factors for chronic intestinal failure requiring long term parenteral support in the last two decades: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic intestinal failure (CIF) has been long-recognized, however the underlying etiology and risk factors have not been historically well-studied. We aim to study the underlying etiologies of CIF and predictive factors for long-term parenteral support (PS). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with newly diagnosed CIF who received PS to maintain nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic between 2000 and 2017. Long-term PS was defined as a duration of more than 3 months. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of the need for long-term PS. RESULTS: We identified 350 patients with CIF, 150 (43%) and 200 (57%) were diagnosed before and after 2010, respectively. The most common etiology was Crohn's disease (CD) in both cohorts (34.7% versus 30.5%, p = 0.41). Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) was a less frequent cause of CIF after 2010 (12.7% versus 2.5%, p = 0.0002). The type of PS was mostly total parenteral nutrition before and after 2010, 95% and 96%, respectively (p = 0.55). On univariable analysis, absence of ileocecal valve (p < 0.0001), ischemic bowel disease (p = 0.009), and whole colon resection (p = 0.033) were associated with the need for long-term PS. On multivariable analysis, absence of ileocecal valve (OR 2.19, p = 0.011) and ischemic bowel disease (OR 3.04, p = 0.003) remained statistically significant predictors of long-term PS. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients with CIF, CD remains the leading etiology over the last 20 years, whereas GVHD is less common after 2010. The absence of ileocecal valve and ischemic bowel disease were reliable predictive factors for requiring long-term PS.

Opioid use is associated with incomplete capsule endoscopy examinations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a non-invasive imaging modality designed to evaluate various small bowel pathologies. Failure to reach the cecum within the battery lifespan, termed incomplete examination, may result in inadequate testing and possibly delayed therapy. Several studies have attempted to evaluate the association between CE completion and opioid use. However, their results are conflicting. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the previously published literature on the association between opioid use and CE completion. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases from inception through June 1, 2018, to identify all studies that evaluated the association between CE completion and opioid use. We included studies that presented an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) or presented the data sufficient to calculate the OR with a 95% CI. Statistical analysis was performed using the comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA), version 3 software. RESULTS: Five studies with a total of 1,614 patients undergoing CE in the inpatient (IP) and outpatient (OP) setting were included in this study, 349 of which had an incomplete CE (21.6%). The pooled OR for CE completion is 0.50 (95% CI: 0.38-0.66, I2=36.9%) in opioid users compared to non-users. No publication bias was found using Egger's regression test. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that patients on opioids are significantly less likely to have a complete CE examination compared to non-users. To our knowledge, this study represents the first meta-analysis to assess this association.

Prolonged Jaundice Secondary to Amiodarone Use: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Adverse reactions to the antiarrhythmic medication amiodarone are severe, potentially life-threatening, and not rare. One in three patients on long-term therapy experience elevated liver enzymes, and clinically apparent liver toxicity occurs in 1% of patients treated. We report the case of a 76-year-old patient with amiodarone-induced intrahepatic cholestasis and prolonged hyperbilirubinemia despite the discontinuation of the offending agent. Current research hypothesizes that amiodarone leads to hepatic injury both by direct hepatotoxicity and by increasing the likelihood of hepatocytes to create abnormal, toxic metabolites. Increased awareness of such an adverse effect can guide clinicians toward the possible underlying etiologies of prolonged jaundice.

Ticagrelor-induced Diarrhea in a Patient with Acute Coronary Syndrome Requiring Percutaneous Coronary Artery Intervention.

The P2Y12 inhibitor, ticagrelor, has been shown to prevent thrombotic events and hence, improve morbidity and mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome following coronary artery stent placement. Despite many clinical benefits, ticagrelor has been associated with several adverse effects, including dyspnea, easy bruising, and gastrointestinal bleeding. We report the case of a 67-year-old patient with an acute coronary artery syndrome requiring percutaneous coronary artery intervention with stenting who developed ticagrelor-induced diarrhea. The patient's ticagrelor medication was replaced with clopidogrel, and his diarrhea completely resolved within one week with no complications observed at his one-month follow-up visit. Clinicians should be aware of this adverse effect of ticagrelor so as to guide them toward possible underlying etiologies and appropriate workup of chronic diarrhea.