Genotype Prevalence of Lactose Deficiency, Vitamin D Deficiency, and the Vitamin D Receptor in a Chilean Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort: Insights from an Observational Study.

Lactose intolerance (LI) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted an observational study in 192 Chilean IBD patients to investigate the prevalence of a specific gene variant (LCT-13910 CC genotype) associated with LI and the prevalence of VDD/Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene variants. Blood samples were analyzed using Illumina's Infinium Global Screening Array. The LCT-13910 CC genotype was found in 61% of IBD patients, similar to Chilean Hispanic controls and lower than Chilean Amerindian controls. The frequency of the LCT-13910-C allele in Chilean IBD patients (0.79) was comparable to the general population and higher than Europeans (0.49). Regarding VDR and VDD variants, in our study, the rs12785878-GG variant was associated with an increased risk of IBD (OR = 2.64, CI = 1.61-4.32; p-value = 0.001). Sixty-one percent of the Chilean IBD cohort have a genetic predisposition to lactose malabsorption, and a significant proportion exhibit genetic variants associated with VDD/VDR. Screening for LI and VDD is crucial in this Latin American IBD population.

[Results of a multicentric colorectal cancer screening program in Chile]. / Programa multicéntrico de cribado de cáncer colorrectal en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs (CRCSP) are widely accepted in developed countries. Unfortunately, financial restrictions, low adherence rate and variability on colonoscopy standardization hamper the implementation of CRCSP in developing countries. AIM: To analyze a multicentric pilot model of CRCSP in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective model of CRCSP was carried out in three cities, from 2012 to 2015. The model was based on CRC risk assessment and patient education. Health care personnel were trained about logistics and protocols. The endoscopy team was trained about colonoscopy standards. A registered nurse was the coordinator in each center. We screened asymptomatic population aged between 50 and 75 years. Immunological fecal occult blood test (FIT) was offered to all participants. Subjects with positive FIT underwent colonoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 12,668 individuals were enrolled, with a FIT compliance rate of 93.9% and 2,358 colonoscopies were performed. Two hundred and fifty high-risk adenomas and 110 cancer cases were diagnosed. One patient died before treatment due to cardiovascular disease, 74 patients (67%) underwent endoscopic resection and 35 had surgical treatment. Ninety one percent of patients had an early stage CRC (0-I-II). Among colonoscopy indicators, 80% of cases had an adequate bowel preparation (Boston > 6), cecal intubation rate was 97.7%, adenoma detection rate was 36.5%, and in 94.5% of colonoscopies, withdrawal time was adequate (> 8 min). CONCLUSIONS: This CRCS pilot model was associated to a high rate of FIT return and colonoscopy quality standards. Most CRCs detected with the program were treated by endoscopic resection.

International collaboration between Japan and Chile to improve detection rates in colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased rapidly. To help address this issue, the Prevention Project for Neoplasia of the Colon and Rectum (PRENEC) program was initiated in 2012 with intensive support from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) in Tokyo, Japan, as part of an international collaboration. METHODS: From June 2012 to July 2014, a total of 10,575 asymptomatic participants were enrolled in PRENEC. Participants with positive immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) results or a family history of CRC underwent colonoscopy. The colonoscopy results from a similar, previous project in Chile (PREVICOLON) were compared with those from PRENEC. Furthermore, the initial colonoscopies of 1562 participants in PRENEC were analyzed according to whether the colonoscopists were from TMDU or Chile. RESULTS: The complete colonoscopy, adenoma detection, and cancer detection rates were 88.0%, 26.7%, and 1.1%, respectively, in PREVICOLON, while the corresponding values were 94.4%, 41.8%, and 6.0%, respectively, in PRENEC. In PRENEC, 107 cases of CRC were detected, amounting for 1.0% of all participants. Considering initial colonoscopies in PRENEC, the complete colonoscopy, adenoma detection, and cancer detection rates were 97.4%, 45.3%, and 9.3%, respectively, for physicians at TMDU and 93.3%, 41.5%, and 5.1%, respectively for Chilean physicians. The detection rates of intramucosal cancer were 7.3% and 3.7%, respectively, for TMDU and Chilean physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Quality indicators of colonoscopy substantially improved from PREVICOLON to PRENEC. The assessments made by Chilean physicians alone were improved in PRENEC, but remained better in the TMDU group. Moreover, physicians from TMDU detected more CRCs than Chilean physicians, especially at earlier stages.

[Recommendations of the Chilean Association for Digestive Endoscopy for the management of gastric pre-malignant lesions]. / Diagnóstico precoz de cáncer gástrico: Propuesta de detección y seguimiento de lesiones premalignas gástricas: protocolo ACHED.

An expert panel analyzed the available evidence and reached a consensus to release 24 recommendations for primary and secondary prevention of gastric cancer (CG) in symptomatic patients, with indication for upper GI endoscopy. The main recommendations include (1) Search for and eradicate H. pylori infection in all cases. (2) Systematic gastric biopsies (Sydney protocol) in all patients over 40 years of age or first grade relatives of patient with CG, to detect gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia. (3) Incorporate the OLGA system (Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment) to the pathological report, to categorize the individual risk of CG. (4) Schedule endoscopic follow-up according to the estimated risk of CG, namely annual for OLGA III- IV, every 3 years for OLGA I- II or persistent H. pylori infection, every 5 years for CG relatives without other risk factors and no follow-up for OLGA 0, H. pylori (-). (4) Establish basic human and material resources for endoscopic follow-up programs, including some essential administrative processes, and (5) Suggest the early CG/total CG diagnosis ratio of each institution and the proportion of systematic recording of endoscopic images, as quality indicators. These measures are applicable using currently available resources, they can complement any future screening programs for asymptomatic population and may contribute to improve the prognosis of CG in high-risk populations.

Amerindian ancestry proportion as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel diseases: results from a Latin American Andean cohort.

Background and aims: Latin American populations remain underrepresented in genetic studies of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Most genetic association studies of IBD rely on Caucasian, African, and Asian individuals. These associations have yet to be evaluated in detail in the Andean region of South America. We explored the contribution of IBD-reported genetic risk variants to a Chilean cohort and the ancestry contribution to IBD in this cohort. Methods: A total of 192 Chilean IBD patients were genotyped using Illumina's Global Screening Array. Genotype data were combined with similar information from 3,147 Chilean controls. The proportions of Aymara, African, European, and Mapuche ancestries were estimated using the software ADMIXTURE. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for gender, age, and ancestry proportions. We also explored associations with previously reported IBD-risk variants independently and in conjunction with genetic ancestry. Results: The first and third quartiles of the proportion of Mapuche ancestry in IBD patients were 24.7 and 34.2%, respectively, and the corresponding OR was 2.30 (95%CI 1.52-3.48) for the lowest vs. the highest group. Only one variant (rs7210086) of the 180 reported IBD-risk SNPs was associated with IBD risk in the Chilean cohort (adjusted P = 0.01). This variant is related to myeloid cells. Conclusion: The type and proportion of Native American ancestry in Chileans seem to be associated with IBD risk. Variants associated with IBD risk in this Andean region were related to myeloid cells and the innate immune response.

Ethnicity influences phenotype and clinical outcomes: Comparing a South American with a North American inflammatory bowel disease cohort.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD), has emerged as a global disease with an increasing incidence in developing and newly industrialized regions such as South America. This global rise offers the opportunity to explore the differences and similarities in disease presentation and outcomes across different genetic backgrounds and geographic locations. Our study includes 265 IBD patients. We performed an exploratory analysis of the databases of Chilean and North American IBD patients to compare the clinical phenotypes between the cohorts. We employed an unsupervised machine-learning approach using principal component analysis, uniform manifold approximation, and projection, among others, for each disease. Finally, we predicted the cohort (North American vs Chilean) using a random forest. Several unsupervised machine learning methods have separated the 2 main groups, supporting the differences between North American and Chilean patients with each disease. The variables that explained the loadings of the clinical metadata on the principal components were related to the therapies and disease extension/location at diagnosis. Our random forest models were trained for cohort classification based on clinical characteristics, obtaining high accuracy (0.86 = UC; 0.79 = CD). Similarly, variables related to therapy and disease extension/location had a high Gini index. Similarly, univariate analysis showed a later CD age at diagnosis in Chilean IBD patients (37 vs 24; P = .005). Our study suggests a clinical difference between North American and Chilean IBD patients: later CD age at diagnosis with a predominantly less aggressive phenotype (39% vs 54% B1) and more limited disease, despite fewer biological therapies being used in Chile for both diseases.

Colorectal cancer risk factors in asymptomatic Chilean population: a survey of international collaboration between Japan and Chile.

In Chile, the mortality from colorectal cancer has been on the rise. A national screening program based on a fecal immunochemical test was started in 2012 as an international collaboration with Japan. This case-control study was designed to identify the risk factors for colorectal cancer, with a goal of increasing the participation rate for colorectal cancer screening. In accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines, we conducted a case-control study from 2012 to 2017; 23 845 asymptomatic participants were enrolled in the study. Participants who were fecal immunochemical test-positive or had a family history of colorectal cancer underwent a colonoscopy. We analyzed the odds ratio of the risk factors for colorectal cancer, including sex, age, family history, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, and daily intake of certain food items. For the screening program, 202 cases of colorectal cancer were detected, and 195 of them were evaluated pathologically after resection. Of these, 173 cases (88.7%) had colorectal cancer stage 0/1, 151 (77.4%) of which were treated with endoscopic resection. In the multivariate analysis, male sex, family history of colorectal cancer, and low intake of cereals or fibers were closely related to a high colorectal cancer incidence. Moreover, participants in their 60s and 70s had a higher incidence of colorectal cancer than those in their 50s. These results suggest that intensive screening of the high-risk population can help in improving the detection of colorectal cancer, whereas higher consumption of cereals or fibers can be effective in preventing its onset.

Programa multicéntrico de cribado de cáncer colorrectal en Chile / Results of a multicentric colorectal cancer screening program in Chile

Background: Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs (CRCSP) are widely accepted in developed countries. Unfortunately, financial restrictions, low adherence rate and variability on colonoscopy standardization hamper the implementation of CRCSP in developing countries. Aim: To analyze a multicentric pilot model of CRCSP in Chile. Material and Methods: A prospective model of CRCSP was carried out in three cities, from 2012 to 2015. The model was based on CRC risk assessment and patient education. Health care personnel were trained about logistics and protocols. The endoscopy team was trained about colonoscopy standards. A registered nurse was the coordinator in each center. We screened asymptomatic population aged between 50 and 75 years. Immunological fecal occult blood test (FIT) was offered to all participants. Subjects with positive FIT underwent colonoscopy. Results: A total of 12,668 individuals were enrolled, with a FIT compliance rate of 93.9% and 2,358 colonoscopies were performed. Two hundred and fifty high-risk adenomas and 110 cancer cases were diagnosed. One patient died before treatment due to cardiovascular disease, 74 patients (67%) underwent endoscopic resection and 35 had surgical treatment. Ninety one percent of patients had an early stage CRC (0-I-II). Among colonoscopy indicators, 80% of cases had an adequate bowel preparation (Boston > 6), cecal intubation rate was 97.7%, adenoma detection rate was 36.5%, and in 94.5% of colonoscopies, withdrawal time was adequate (> 8 min). Conclusions: This CRCS pilot model was associated to a high rate of FIT return and colonoscopy quality standards. Most CRCs detected with the program were treated by endoscopic resection.

[Association between varioliform gastritis and cirrhosis]. / Gastritis varioliforme y daño hepático crónico: Una inesperada asociación.

BACKGROUND: Varioliform gastritis (VG) is found in approximately 0.3 to 2.8% of upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Its etiology is not known. We have observed a higher frequency of VG in patients with liver cirrhosis. AIM: To confirm if there is an association between VG and liver cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two case-control studies were done. A retrospective study, reviewing the endoscopy database of a gastroenterological unit. A prospective study, identifying cases with the endoscopic diagnosis of VG among all patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. The presence of liver cirrhosis, based on clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and endoscopic features was registered among patients with VG. RESULTS: VG was found in 549 of 11.659 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Fourteen percent of patients with VG had cirrhosis compared to 5.6% in control patients (c² 29,8; p < 0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for having cirrhosis of patients with VG was 9.3 (95% confidence intervals 3.4-25.5, p < 0,01), according to a logistic regression analysis. In the prospective study, that included 1.498 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, VG was also significantly more common among patients with liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: A higher frequency of VG was found among patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the endoscopic finding of VG should alert physicians to look for the presence of a coexistent liver cirrhosis.

Gastritis varioliforme y daño hepático crónico: Una inesperada asociación / Association between varioliform gastritis and cirrhosis

Background: Varioliform gastritis (VG) is found in approximately 0.3 to 2.8 percent of upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Its etiology is not known. We have observed a higher frequency of VG in patients with liver cirrhosis. Aim: To confirm if there is an association between VG and liver cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: Two case-control studies were done. A retrospective study, reviewing the endoscopy database of a gastroenterological unit. A prospective study, identifying cases with the endoscopic diagnosis of VG among all patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. The presence of liver cirrhosis, based on clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and endoscopic features was registered among patients with VG. Results: VG was found in 549 of 11.659 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Fourteen percent of patients with VG had cirrhosis compared to 5.6 percent in control patients (c² 29,8; p < 0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for having cirrhosis of patients with VG was 9.3 (95 percent confidence intervals 3.4-25.5, p < 0,01), according to a logistic regression analysis. In the prospective study, that included 1.498 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, VG was also significantly more common among patients with liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: A higher frequency of VG was found among patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the endoscopic finding of VG should alert physicians to look for the presence of a coexistent liver cirrhosis.