Water exchange technique improves colonoscopy in patients with spinal cord injury: Results of a matched cohort study.

Background and study aims Colonoscopies in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently remain incomplete. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and impact of water exchange colonoscopy (WE) in patients with SCI. Patients and methods Three matched groups, each of 31 patients (WE in SCI patients [WE-SCI]) and in the general population (WE-GP), carbon dioxide-based colonoscopy in SCI patients (CO 2 -SCI)) were analyzed retrospectively. Results Intubation of the cecum and the terminal ileum was achieved in every case in both WE groups. The intubations among the CO 2 -SCI patients succeeded in 29 cases (93.5 %, ns) and 20 cases (64.5 %, P <0.001), respectively. The cecal insertion time (23:17 ± 10:17 min vs. 22:12 ± 16:48 min) and bowel preparation during cecal insertion did not differ between WE-SCI groups. Insertion in the general population was faster (13:38 ± 07:00 min, P <.001) and cleanliness was better. Both WE-SCI groups showed significantly better cleansing results during drawback; the improvement in cleanliness was highest in the WE-SCI (based on the five-step scale 1.4 ± 0.8 vs. 0.8 ± 0.8, P = 0.001). Conclusions The WE in SCI patients is feasible and safe and has the potential to improve the quality of colonoscopies substantially.

Minor microbial alterations after faecal diversion do not affect the healing process of anus-near pressure injuries in patients with spinal cord injury - results of a matched case-control study.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective matched case-control study including patients with spinal cord injury who presented with an anus-near pressure injury. Two groups were formed based on the presence of a diverting stoma. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the primary microbial colonisation and secondary infection of anus-near pressure injuries depending on the presence of a pre-existing diverting stoma and to investigate the effect on the wound healing. SETTING: University hospital with a spinal cord injury unit. METHODS: A total of 120 patients who had undergone surgery of an anus-near decubitus stage 3 or 4 were included in a matched-pair cohort study. Matching was realised according to age, gender, body mass index and general condition. RESULTS: The most common species in both groups was Staphylococcus spp.(45.0%). The only significantly different primary colonisation affected Escherichia coli, that was found in the stoma patients less often (18.3 and 43.3%, p < 0.01). A secondary microbial colonisation occurred in 15.8% and was equally distributed, except for Enterococcus spp. that was present in the stoma group only (6.7%, p < 0.05). The time to complete cure took longer in the stoma group (78.5 versus 57.0 days, p < 0.05) and was associated with a larger ulcer size (25 versus 16 cm2, p < 0.01). After correction for the ulcers' size, there was no association to outcome parameters such as overall success, healing time or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a diverting stoma alters the microbial flora of an anus-near decubitus slightly without impact on the healing process.

Similar Adenoma Detection Rates in Colonoscopic Procedures of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury Compared to Controls.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a major cause of death in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Preventive strategies, such as colonoscopy, deal with higher burdens that may lead to lower quality. AIMS: The primary objective was to evaluate the adenoma detection rate. Secondary objectives were to investigate other quality indicators regarding bowel preparation, sedation, and endoscopy. METHODS: Consecutive SCI patients who had undergone colonoscopy from 2003 to 2014 were assigned to a control group matched for age, gender, and year of procedure and reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Bowel preparation lasted longer (3.6 ± 1.5 vs. 1.2 ± 0.6 days, p = 0.001), achieved unsatisfactory cleansing results more often (23.7 vs. 3.6%) and caused more adverse events in 236 SCI compared to 414 control patients. Colonoscopy needed a longer time (36.9 vs. 25.0 min) and remained incomplete more often (24.6 vs. 4.6%), resulting in more re-colonoscopies (14.8 vs. 4.3%). Endoscopy- and sedation-related adverse events were equal. However, neither overall nor size-dependent polyp (30.9 vs. 34.8%), adenoma (21.2 vs. 21.0%), advanced adenoma (6.8 vs. 7.2%), or cancer (1.7 vs. 2.0%) detection rates differed. CONCLUSION: Despite intensified protocols, bowel preparation shows inferior results in SCI patients; colonoscopy needs more effort to succeed but achieves a comparable quality.

Phenotype of histologically suspected drug-induced colitis; results of a comparative, retrospective cohort study.

Background/aims: Drug-induced colitis (DiC) is a rarely reported form of colonopathy and data about the clinical and endoscopic characteristics are scarce. The aim was to investigate the phenotype of DiC. Methods: Patients in a retrospective case control study were assigned to either DiC or one of two age- and gender-matched control groups (non-inflammatory controls and inflammatory colitis from other causes) based on histopathological findings. Patients' basic characteristics, symptoms, biochemical results and endoscopic appearance were collected. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, the chi-squared test and two-tailed t-test. Results: A total of 211 patients with DiC were included (97 males, age 62.1 ± 16.1 years, BMI 25.9 ± 6.1 kg m-2). In comparison to both control groups, DiC patients presented higher ASA and ECOG-scores and more particularly atherosclerotic comorbidities. The most abundant symptoms were abdominal pain (51.8%), diarrhoea (50.7%) and haematochezia (24.3%). The red blood cell count demarcated anaemia (12.7 ± 2.3 mg/dl) and C-reactive protein was slightly elevated (2.7 ± 5.2 mg/dl). The endoscopic features included erythema (46.9%), oedema (29.9%), erosions (29.9%) and ulcers (14.7%). The inflammation affected the rectum rarely (2.4%) but affected the rest of the colon without predilection in a segmental manner (p<.05). The severity of DiC was mostly mild (85.7%). Conclusions: The phenotype of DiC differs slightly from that of colitis from other causes. Taking the clinical features into account might help to confirm drug-induced aetiology once the pathologist has raised the suspicion.

Triggers of histologically suspected drug-induced colitis.

BACKGROUND: Drug toxicity is a common and even serious problem in the gastrointestinal tract that is thought to be caused by a broad spectrum of agents. Although withdrawal of the causative agent would cure the disease knowledge is scarce and mostly derives from case reports and series. AIM: To investigate potential triggers of drug-induced colitis (DiC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational case control study. Patients were assigned to DiC or one of two age- and gender-matched control groups (non-inflammatory controls and inflammatory colitis of another cause) based on histopathological findings. Histopathology was reassessed in a subset of patients (28 DiC with atherosclerosis, DiC without atherosclerosis and ischaemic colitis each) for validation purposes. Medical history was collected from the electronic database and patient records. Statistical analysis included chi-squared test, t-test, logistic and multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Drug-induced colitis was detected in 211 endoscopically sampled biopsy specimens of the colon mucosa (7% of all screened colonoscopic biopsy samples); a total of 633 patients were included equally matched throughout the three groups (291 males, mean age: 62.1 ± 16.1 years). In the univariate analysis, DiC was associated with diuretics, dihydropyridines, glycosides, ASS, platelet aggregation inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), statins and fibrates, and with atherosclerosis, particularly coronary heart disease, and hyperlipoproteinaemia. Echocardiographic parameters did not show substantial differences. In the multivariate analysis only fibrates [odds ratio (OR) = 9.1], NSAIDs (OR = 6.7) and atherosclerosis (OR = 2.1) proved to be associated with DiC. Both DiC reassessment groups presented milder inflammation than ischaemic colitis. The DiC patients with atherosclerosis exhibited histological features from both DiC without atherosclerosis and ischaemic colitis. CONCLUSION: Several drugs indicated for the treatment of cardiovascular and related diseases are associated with DiC. Atherosclerosis and microcirculatory disturbances seem to play an important pathogenetic role.

Creeping Fat Assessed by Small Bowel MRI Is Linked to Bowel Damage and Abdominal Surgery in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) leads to bowel damage and surgery in a significant proportion of patients. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of creeping fat assessed by small bowel MRI in CD patients. METHODS: CD patients undergoing small bowel MRI were included in a retrospective observational cohort study. Clinical findings were extracted and correlated with radiological outcome measures. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess predictors associated with a complicated course and surgery within 2 years and long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Ninety patients (49% female, median follow-up 93 months) were included. Creeping fat was identified in 21.1%. Of these patients, 68% and 79% developed bowel damage (p < .05) and 42% and 63% of patients revealing creeping fat underwent surgery within 2 years following MRI and total follow-up, respectively. The presence of creeping fat [odds ratio (OR) 4.0], inflammatory stenosis (OR 3.7), multisegmental (small) bowel (OR 4.5 and 3.8), and proximal small bowel inflammation (OR 5.0) were associated with inferior outcome (p < .05) in a univariate analysis. Creeping fat was independently associated with a disabling course, bowel damage, and surgery (OR 3.5 each, p < .05) in a multivariate analysis model. CONCLUSION: Creeping fat identified by small bowel MRI is associated with a complicated course and abdominal surgery in CD. Our data adds evidence that small bowel MRI facilitates risk stratification in order to define a patient at risk of disease-related complications in CD. [DRKS00011727, www.germanctr.de/ ].

[Cost assessment for endoscopic procedures in the German diagnosis-related-group (DRG) system - 5 year cost data analysis of the German Society of Gastroenterology project]. / Kosten endoskopischer Leistungen der Gastroenterologie im deutschen DRG-System ­ 5-Jahres-Kostendatenanalyse des DGVS-Projekts.

Background In the German hospital reimbursement system (G-DRG) endoscopic procedures are listed in cost center 8. For reimbursement between hospital departments and external providers outdated or incomplete catalogues (e. g. DKG-NT, GOÄ) have remained in use. We have assessed the cost for endoscopic procedures in the G-DRG-system. Methods To assess the cost of endoscopic procedures 74 hospitals, annual providers of cost-data to the Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System (InEK) made their data (2011 - 2015; §â€Š21 KHEntgG) available to the German-Society-of-Gastroenterology (DGVS) in anonymized form (4873 809 case-data-sets). Using cases with exactly one endoscopic procedure (n = 274 186) average costs over 5 years were calculated for 46 endoscopic procedure-tiers. Results Robust mean endoscopy costs ranged from 230.56 € for gastroscopy (144 666 cases), 276.23 € (n = 32 294) for a simple colonoscopy, to 844.07 € (n = 10 150) for ERCP with papillotomy and plastic stent insertion and 1602.37 € (n = 967) for ERCP with a self-expanding metal stent. Higher costs, specifically for complex procedures, were identified for University Hospitals. Discussion For the first time this catalogue for endoscopic procedure-tiers, based on §â€Š21 KHEntgG data-sets from 74 InEK-calculating hospitals, permits a realistic assessment of endoscopy costs in German hospitals. The higher costs in university hospitals are likely due to referral bias for complex cases and emergency interventions. For 46 endoscopic procedure-tiers an objective cost-allocation within the G-DRG system is now possible. By international comparison the costs of endoscopic procedures in Germany are low, due to either greater efficiency, lower personnel allocation or incomplete documentation of the real expenses.

Levothyroxine therapy and impaired clearance are the strongest contributors to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Results of a retrospective cohort study.

AIM: To identify a set of contributors, and weight and rank them on a pathophysiological basis. METHODS: Patients who have undergone a lactulose or glucose hydrogen breath test to rule out small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) for various clinical symptoms, including diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal pain, cramping or bloating, were seen as eligible for inclusion in a retrospective single-centre study. Clinical data such as co-morbidities, medication, laboratory parameters and other possible risk factors have been identified from the electronic data system. Cases lacking or with substantially incomplete clinical data were excluded from the analysis. Suspected contributors were summarised under four different pathophysiological pathways (impaired gastric acid barrier, impaired intestinal clearance, immunosuppression and miscellaneous factors including thyroid gland variables) and investigated using the χ2 test, Student's t-test and logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1809 patients who had undergone hydrogen breath testing were analysed. Impairment of the gastric acid barrier (gastrectomy, odds ratio: OR = 3.5, PPI therapy OR = 1.4), impairment of intestinal clearance (any resecting gastric surgery OR = 2.6, any colonic resection OR = 1.9, stenosis OR = 3.4, gastroparesis OR = 3.4, neuropathy 2.2), immunological factors (any drug-induced immunosuppression OR = 1.8), altered thyroid gland metabolism (hypothyroidism OR = 2.6, levothyroxine therapy OR = 3.0) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.9) were associated significantly to SIBO. Any abdominal surgery, ileocecal resection, vagotomy or IgA-deficiency did not have any influence, and a history of appendectomy decreased the risk of SIBO. Multivariate analysis revealed gastric surgery, stenoses, medical immunosuppression and levothyroxine to be the strongest predictors. Levothyroxine therapy was the strongest contributor in a simplified model (OR = 3.0). CONCLUSION: The most important contributors for the development of SIBO in ascending order are immunosuppression, impairment of intestinal clearance and levothyroxine use, but they do not sufficiently explain its emergence.

Impact of Small Bowel MRI in Routine Clinical Practice on Staging of Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Small bowel visualisation is a complex diagnostic approach, but mandatory for risk stratification and stage-adjusted therapy in Crohn's disease. Current guidelines favour transabdominal ultrasound and small bowel MRI as methods of choice, although their clinical impact in daily practice remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic benefit of small bowel MRI in Crohn's disease according to Montreal Classification, in routine practice. METHODS: Patients who underwent MR-enterography [MRE] or MR-enteroclysis [MRY] were included in a retrospective single-centre study. MRI findings were correlated with results from clinical work-up and evaluated in terms of [1] diagnostic yield, [2] significant additional information, and [3] alterations in the assessment of disease behaviour and location according to Montreal Classification. RESULTS: A total of 347 small bowel MRI examinations were analysed [MRE: 49 / MRY: 298]. MRI had an average sensitivity/specificity of 82.5% and 99.9% [positive predictive value: 99.8% / negative predictive value: 91.1%] respectively. In every second patient, new relevant diagnostic information was provided. Incorporation of the MRI results caused significant shifts in Montreal Classification, specifically higher L-levels [+21.2%; p < 0.05] and higher B-levels: [+24.6%; p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Even in routine practice, small bowel MRI is a powerful and reliable technique in small bowel work-up. Since MRE and MRY presented high diagnostic yields, often detected significant additional information, and significantly caused shifts in Montreal Classification, both techniques are confirmed to be excellent tools in diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease in its daily course.

Complicated fecal microbiota transplantation in a tetraplegic patient with severe Clostridium difficile infection.

A 65-year-old male suffering from acute spinal cord injury leading to incomplete tetraplegia presented with severe recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection subsequent to antibiotic treatment for pneumonia. After a history of ineffective antimicrobial therapies, including metronidazole, vancomycin, fidaxomicin, rifaximin and tigecycline, leading to several relapses, the patient underwent colonoscopic fecal microbiota transplantation from his healthy son. Four days subsequent to the procedure, the patient showed a systemic inflammation response syndrome. Without detecting an infectious cause, the patient received antimicrobial treatment, including tigecycline, metronidazole, vancomycin via polyethylene glycol and an additional enema for a period of seven days, leading to a prompt recovery and no reported C. difficile infection relapse during a 12 wk follow up.

[Health care quality: medication and prevention in patients with and without coronary heart disease]. / Versorgungsqualität im medikamentösen und präventiven Bereich bei Patienten mit und ohne koronare Herzkrankheit.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Next to noninvasive-recently also invasive-diagnostics, ambulant care in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) should focus on optimal medication and prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate actual health care quality concerning drug prescription and preventive care in patients with CHD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from March 1999 to February 2002 at the University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany. 300 patients admitted with a suspected CHD and without previous coronary angiography or myocardial infarction were enrolled. Diagnostic and therapeutic regimen complied with actual guidelines. 248 patients (82.7%) including 116 patients with angiographically confirmed CHD were examined after 1 year. RESULTS: On follow-up, only 70.9% of patients with confirmed CHD received a beta-blocker, 83.6% were treated with platelet aggregation inhibitors. Body mass index, portion of overweight patients, and HbA(1c) in patients with diabetes did not change during observation. After 1 year, 48.0% of the subjects had a systolic blood pressure > 139 mmHg, in 22.6% diastolic pressure level was > 89 mmHg. Blood level of low-density cholesterol exceeded the recommended range in 57.0% of the cases observed with equally high portion of inadequately treated patients in the group with confirmed CHD and in the group without CHD. CONCLUSION: Drug therapy, primary and secondary prevention in the observed subjects were fairly poor. Remarkable deficits in health care quality became obvious. There is no lack in availability of evaluated, effective and efficient measures. Thus, physicians' efforts to implement evidence-based guidelines into clinical practice have to be strengthened.