Comparison of adenoma miss rate and adenoma detection rate between conventional colonoscopy and colonoscopy with second generation distal attachment cuff: a multicenter, randomized, back-to-back trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endocuff VisionTM has been designed to enhance mucosal visualization thereby improving detection of (pre-)malignant colorectal lesions. This multicenter, international, back-to-back, randomized colonoscopy trial compared adenoma detection rate (ADR) and adenoma miss rate (AMR) between Endocuff Vision-assisted colonoscopy (EVC) and conventional colonoscopy (CC). METHODS: Patients aged 40-75 years referred for non-immunochemical fecal occult blood test-based screening, surveillance, or diagnostic colonoscopy were included at ten hospitals and randomized into four groups: Group 1; 2xCC, Group 2; CC followed by EVC, Group 3; EVC followed CC and Group 4; 2xEVC. Primary outcomes included ADR and AMR. RESULTS: A total of 717 patients were randomized of which 661 patients (92.2%) had one and 646 (90.1%) patients had two completed back-to-back colonoscopies. EVC did not significantly improve ADR compared to CC (41.1% [95%-CI;36.1-46.3] versus 35.5% [95%-CI;30.7-40.6], respectively, P=0.125), but EVC did reduced AMR by 11.7% (29.6% [95%-CI;23.6-36.5] versus 17.9% [95%-CI;12.5-23.5], respectively, P=0.049). AMR of 2xCC compared to 2xEVC was also not significantly different (25.9% [95%-CI;19.3-33.9] versus 18.8% [95%-CI;13.9-24.8], respectively, P=0.172). Only 3.7% of the polyps missed during the first procedures had advanced pathologic features. Factors affecting risk of missing adenomas were age (P=0.002), Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (P=0.008) and region where colonoscopy was performed (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our trial shows that EVC reduces the risk of missing adenomas but does not lead to a significant improved ADR. Remarkably, 25% of adenomas are still missed during conventional colonoscopies, which is not different from miss rates reported 25 years ago; reassuringly, advanced features were only found in 3.7% of these missed lesions. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03418948.

10-Day Versus 14-Day Quadruple Concomitant Nonbismuth Therapy for the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Results From a Randomized Prospective Study in a High Clarithromycin Resistance Country.

GOALS: The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of a 14-day quadruple nonbismuth concomitant regimen, as proposed by recent Guidelines and Consensus Statements. BACKGROUND: In Greece, a region with >20% clarithromycin resistance where bismuth is unavailable, the 10-day quadruple concomitant scheme has already been adopted as the accepted first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment. STUDY: Our prospective randomized study included 364 patients with newly diagnosed H. pylori infection, randomized to receive a 10-day or a 14-day nonbismuth quadruple concomitant scheme. Treatment outcome was assessed by C-urea breath test and/or histology at least 4 weeks after therapy. Intention to treat and per protocol analyses of the eradication rates were performed. Secondary endpoints included patient adherence, safety, and the impact of prior antibiotic exposure in treatment efficacy. RESULTS: The overall eradication rates of the 2 treatments were 87.9% versus 87.4% in the intention to treat analysis, P=1.000, and 93% versus 94.1%, P=0.859, in the per protocol analysis for the 10-day and the 14-day treatment group, respectively. Both groups displayed excellent compliance rates (99.5% for the 10-day vs. 96.2% for the 14-day treatment duration, P=0.067). As regards treatment safety, serious adverse events that led to the discontinuation of both regimens were few, with no statistical difference between the 2 groups (0.5% in the 10-day group and 2.2% in the 14-day group, P>0.05). Previous antibiotic exposure was not significant with regard to treatment efficacy. CONCLUSION: In Greece, the 10-day concomitant nonbismuth quadruple regimen for first-line treatment remains the most efficient strategy for H. pylori eradication.

Evaluation of the Direct Economic Cost per Eradication Treatment Regimen against Helicobacter pylori Infection in Greece: Do National Health Policy-Makers Need to Care?

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) management has undoubtedly resulted in a notable economic burden on healthcare systems globally, including Greece. Its cost has never been estimated so far, especially during the recent 10-year unprecedented financial crisis. Direct medical and procedural costs for one attempt "outpatient" Hp eradication treatment were estimated as the following: (I) first-line regimens: 10 and 14 days standard triple, 10 and 14 days sequential, 10 and 14 days concomitant non-bismuth quadruple, 14 days hybrid, (II) second-line salvage regimens: 10 and 14 days levofloxacin-containing triple regimens. Treatment costs using prototypes and/or generic drugs were calculated. Drug prices were collected and confirmed from two official online medical databases including all medicines approved by the Greek National Organization for Medicines. Regimens based on generics were more affordable than prototypes and those including pantoprazole yielded the lowest prices (mean: 27.84 €). Paradoxically, 10-day concomitant and 14-day hybrid regimens (currently providing good (90-94%) first-line eradication rates in Greece) cost the same (mean: 34.76 €). The expenditures for Hp eradication treatment regimens were estimated thoroughly for the first time in Greece. These data should be taken into account by Public Health policymakers both in Greece and the European Union, aiming for a better and less expensive therapeutic approach.

Lower adenoma miss rate with FUSE vs. conventional colonoscopy with proximal retroflexion: a randomized back-to-back trial.

Background and study aims Full-spectrum colonoscopy (FSC) promises to increase adenoma detection by providing a wider field of view. The aim of this study was to compare adenoma miss rates of FSC with those of conventional colonoscopy complemented by right-colon re-examination using scope retroflexion (CC/R). Patients and methods At two tertiary endoscopy facilities, patients who were scheduled for colonoscopy for the assessment of symptoms or for colorectal cancer screening/surveillance were randomized (1:1) to undergo same-day, back-to-back colonoscopies (FSC or CC/R first), performed by one of five endoscopists who had documented adenoma detection rates > 35 %. Per-protocol data were analyzed. Results We randomized 220 patients. There were five FSC technical failures (three air pump and two left screen); therefore, 107 and 108 cases were analyzed in the FSC and CC/R index procedure arms, respectively. Withdrawal times were similar for FSC and CC/R (7.7 minutes vs. 7.6 minutes). Overall, we detected 3 cancers and 153 adenomas (FSC = 92; CC/R = 61); 81 were detected in the proximal colon, 3 of which were detected by retroflexed examination. By per-lesion analysis, FSC showed a significantly lower adenoma miss rate compared with CC/R overall (10.9 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.8 to 18.1] vs. 33.7 % [95 %CI 23.4 to 44.1]) and in the proximal colon (13.9 % [95 %CI 2.6 to 25.2] vs. 42.2 % [95 %CI 27.8 to 56.7]). The advanced adenoma miss rate was lower with FSC overall (4.3 % [95 %CI - 4.0 to 12.7] vs. 25.9 % [95 %CI 9.4 to 42.5]). There were no adverse events. Conclusions FSC outperformed conventional colonoscopy with right-colon scope retroflexion in the detection of missed adenomas, both overall and in the proximal colon, even when performed by experienced endoscopists.Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02117674).

Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy is associated with a lower adenoma miss rate: a multicenter randomized tandem study.

Background and study aims The Endocuff (ARC Medical Design, Leeds, UK) is a device that, when mounted on the tip of an endoscope, may assist with inspection of a greater surface of the colonic mucosa by pulling backwards, flattening, and stretching the colonic folds as the endoscope is gradually withdrawn. We aimed to compare the adenoma miss rates of Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy with those of conventional colonoscopy. Patients and methods The included patients underwent same-day, back-to-back, (Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy as the index procedure followed by conventional colonoscopy or vice versa, randomly assigned 1:1) colonoscopies, performed by six endoscopists with documented adenoma detection rates > 35 %, in four tertiary endoscopy facilities. Results We randomized 200 patients (mean age 61.2 years [standard deviation 9.8]; 86.5 % colorectal cancer screening surveillance cases). Overall, there were seven incomplete examinations using Endocuff and one with conventional colonoscopy (P = 0.03). Times for endoscope insertion (5.0 minutes [0.8 - 21.0] vs. 5.0 minutes [1.0 - 16.0]; P = 0.49) and withdrawal (6.0 minutes [3.2 - 29.0] vs. 6.0 minutes [3.1 - 17.0]; P = 0.06) were similar for Endocuff-assisted and conventional colonoscopy. We detected one cancer and 195 adenomas; 84 in the proximal colon. Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy showed significantly lower overall and proximal colon adenoma miss rates compared with conventional colonoscopy (14.7 % [8.0 % - 21.0 %] vs. 38.4 % [28.1 % - 48.6 %] and 10.4 % [1.8 % - 19.1 %] vs. 38.9 % [23.0 % - 54.8 %], respectively). No difference between the two arms was shown regarding advanced adenoma miss rates, either overall or in the proximal colon. There were no serious adverse events related to the procedures. Conclusions In comparison with conventional colonoscopy, Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy has a significantly lower adenoma miss rate when performed by high-detector endoscopists. However, the incomplete colonoscopy rate with Endocuff is higher.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02340065.

Concomitant versus sequential therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: a Greek randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare, in Greece, a region with >20% local resistance to clarithromycin, the efficacy rates of the concomitant versus the sequential H. pylori eradication therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our prospective randomized study included 364 patients with newly diagnosed H. pylori infection, randomized to receive a 10-day concomitant or 10-day sequential therapy. Treatment outcome was assessed by C(13)-urea breath test at least 4 weeks after therapy. Intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis of the eradication rates were performed. Secondary end points included patient compliance and safety. RESULTS: The concomitant therapy group achieved statistically significant higher eradication rates when compared with the sequential treatment group, both in the ITT and in the PP analysis (84.6% versus 70.9%, p = 0.002, and 90.6% versus 78.1%, p = 0.001, respectively), after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, and the presence or not of ulcer and/or non-ulcer dyspepsia. Both groups displayed excellent compliance rates (99.5% for the concomitant therapy group and 96.2% for the sequential therapy group, p = 0.067). Regarding treatment safety, major adverse events that led to the discontinuation of both regimens were few, with no statistical difference between the two groups (7.0% for the concomitant therapy group and 2.9% for the sequential therapy group). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant therapy led to statistically significant higher eradication rates over sequential therapy. Both therapies showed excellent compliance and an acceptable safety profile. The 10-day quadruple concomitant scheme should be the adopted for first-line H. pylori eradication in Greece.

Diagnostic Yield and Outcomes of Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with Small Bowel Bleeding Receiving Antithrombotics.

We aimed to determine the diagnostic yield and outcome of patients receiving antithrombotic drug therapy subjected to small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) for the investigation of small bowel bleeding (SBB). A multicenter retrospective analysis of collected data from all patients undergoing SBCE for the investigation of SBB from March 2003 to June 2023 was performed. The diagnostic yield of SBCE was defined as the detection of positive findings that could explain the cause of the patient's bleeding. Rebleeding was defined as evidence of bleeding within 1 year after the index episode. During the study period, 8401 patients underwent SBCE for SBB investigation. Bleeding lesions were detected in 1103/2535 (43.5%) antithrombotic users, compared to 1113/5866 (18.9%) in nonusers (p < 0.00001). Following capsule endoscopy, a therapeutic intervention was possible in 390/2216 (17.5%) patients with a bleeding lesion. Rebleeding occurred in 927 (36.5%) of antithrombotic users (36.5%), compared to 795 (13.5%) of nonusers (13.5%, p < 0.00001). Both the diagnostic yield of SBCE and the rebleeding rates were higher in patients with SBB receiving antithrombotics. Therapeutic intervention was possible in a real-world setting only for a minority of patients with positive findings.

Sedation during endoscopic procedures: a Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology Position Statement.

Administration of sedation by non-anesthesiologists during gastrointestinal endoscopy remains highly controversial in Greece. The aim of this set of 16 position statements prepared by experts in the field on behalf of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology is to aid gastroenterologists in their everyday clinical practice and provide evidence for the best use of drugs for the sedation of patients who undergo an endoscopy. The statements address issues such as the level of sedation required, the best drugs used, their mode of action, their side-effects and possible ways to counter their action, and were adopted if at least 80% of all participants agreed upon them.

Endoscopic esophagitis is more severe in gastroesophageal reflux patients with a positive family history.

BACKGROUND: The role of genetic factors in the etiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is still uncertain. AIM: To define whether the presence of reflux symptoms in first-degree relatives can affect the severity of the endoscopic picture of patients with GERD and disease evolution during follow-up. PATIENTS/METHODS: A total of 1930 consecutive patients with GERD were referred for endoscopy from Trikala prefecture, had an entry endoscopy and a follow-up if needed. Before endoscopic evaluation, all patients and their first-degree relatives completed Reflux Symptom Questionnaire. Patients were followed up for 4 years with Reflux Symptom Questionnaire every 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 258 (62.9%) patients with positive and 724 (47.6%) with negative family history of GERD had esophagitis (P<0.0001). Seventy-six (74.5%) patients with more than 1 family member with GERD had esophagitis (P<0.0001). During follow-up endoscopic picture was aggravated in 101 (25%) patients with positive and 46 (3%) with negative family history. A total of 359 (24%) of GERD patients with negative and 24 (10%) with positive family history managed to stop proton pump inhibitors during follow-up (P<0.0001). In logistic regression analysis: age, male sex, presence of hiatal hernia, family history of GERD, tranquilizer use, frequency, and duration of reflux symptoms were independently associated with presence of esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: Although we cannot overlook the importance of confounding factors such as body weight and/or psychological factors, we found that endoscopic picture is more severe among GERD patients with at least 1 first-degree relative with GERD. During follow-up, patients with negative family history had more chances to wean off proton pump inhibitors after life-style modifications.

Capsule endoscopy findings in patients with occult or overt bleeding older than 80 years.

BACKGROUND: Overt and occult bleeding are the main indications for a wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) study of the small bowel. Most published studies omit patients aged over 80. AIM: To determine whether WCE is feasible in patients with overt or occult bleeding over age 80 and to define the spectrum of small bowel pathologies in this age group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective non-randomized tertiary care study, 60 patients at least 80 years or older (aged group) and 120 matched patients aged <80 years (younger group) with overt or occult bleeding (including iron deficiency anaemia) and no significant gastroscopic or colonoscopic findings underwent WCE. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients, 46 (77%) patients in the aged group and 97 (81%) in the younger group successfully completed small bowel study (P = 0.51). There was no difference in gastric transit time and small bowel passing time between the two groups. More patients in the aged group (48 cases, 80%) than the younger group (56 cases, 47%) presented with small bowel angiodysplasias (P < 0.0001). Nevertheless, there was no difference between the two groups concerning ulcerative and neoplastic lesions. No patient presented with capsule impaction, but more patients in the aged group (35 cases, 58%) than in the younger group (10 cases, 8%) found the study difficult and tiresome (P < 0.001). Preparation validation was poor in 34% of small bowel lumen in the aged group and 19% in the younger group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: WCE is feasible, although rather tiresome, in patients over the age of 80. Though the vast majority of patients older than 80 presented with angiodysplasias, there were no differences between the aged and younger groups in the presence of ulcerative lesions and polyps or tumors.

A Four-Probiotics Regimen Combined with A Standard Helicobacter pylori-Eradication Treatment Reduces Side Effects and Increases Eradication Rates.

Aim: To establish whether the addition of probiotics to a globally accepted Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-eradication scheme may reduce the rates of side effects and increase the eradication rates. Methods. Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of patients receiving eradication therapy for H. pylori in the eight participating centers. All patients received a 10-day proton pump inhibitor containing non-bismuth quadruple therapeutic regimen for H. pylori eradication (omeprazole 20 mg, amoxycillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg all twice daily orally) and were randomized to receive either probiotics (group A) or placebo (group B). The probiotic used combined four probiotic strains, i.e., Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Saccharomyces boulardii. Results. Data were analyzed for 329 patients in group A and 335 patients in group B. Fifty six (17.0%) patients in group A and 170 (50.7%) patients in group B reported the occurrence of an H. pylori treatment-associated new symptom or the aggravation of a pre-existing symptom of any severity (p < 0.00001). H. pylori was successfully eradicated in 303 patients in group A (92.0%) and 291 patients in group B (86.8%), (p = 0.028). Conclusion: Adding probiotics to the 10-day concomitant non-bismuth quadruple H. pylori eradication regimen increases the eradication rate and decreases side effects.

The role of cytology and HPV typing as a screening tool in patients with intraanal warts.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Given that anorectal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been related to anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and rectal cancer, we conducted this study to evaluate the role of cytology of anal smears in the diagnosis of intraanal disease and related AIN and to correlate it to HPV genotypes. METHOD: A total of 72 patients (58 males and 14 females) with perianal warts underwent anoscopy with biopsies and anal cytologic examination. Cytology was carried out for the identification of any dysplasia according to the Bethesda system. All specimens were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HPV DNA identification. Exclusion criteria included immunosuppression and high-grade squamous intraepitheliel lesion (HGSIL) or SCC in anal specimens. RESULTS: Seven patients were excluded from the study. Intraanal warts were detected with anoscopy in 57 out of 65 patients, whereas histology showed HPV infection in 56 out of 65 patients and cytology was positive in 52 out of 65 low-grade squamous intraepitheliel lesion (LGSIL) patients. In 43 out of 52 positive patients, simple HPV infection was detected whereas in 9 out of 52 positive patients AIN I. HPV DNA was detected in 51 out of 65 patients, whereas 3 specimens were characterized as invalids. In the majority, HPV 6 could be identified (39/48, 81%), whereas HPV 16 was detected in 4 patients (4/48, 8.3%). One fourth of the positive patients had been infected with more than 1 HPV types (13/48, 27%). Cytology presented a sensitivity 87.5% and specificity 67% in comparison with the histology. CONCLUSIONS: Cytology is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of intraanal warts comparable with histopathology. The combination of the 3 examinations (anoscopy, cytology, and PCR HPV typing) improves diagnostic accuracy and offers a global picture of the anorectal HPV disease.

When in Trouble Think of the Bubble: Paradoxical Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism after Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Air embolism (a result of direct communication with the vasculature and an external pressure gradient from the gastrointestinal or the biliary tract), although rare, is a potentially devastating adverse event seen in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. Whether venous, arterial, or paradoxical, the clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic patients to cardiorespiratory arrest. This is of particular importance because it makes the diagnosis of air embolism even more difficult in an already sedated patient. Since early recognition increases the chances of patients' survival, endoscopists should be highly motivated and trained to recognize this complication as early as possible. With only 60 cases of air embolism reported (and even fewer related to paradoxical air embolism), we aimed to report a case of paradoxical cerebral air embolism in a patient undergoing ERCP due to a common bile duct stricture and to provide a mini-review of this clinical entity that can serve as a bedside quick reference guide for endoscopists worldwide.

The role of small-bowel endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: an updated review on the state-of-the-art in 2021.

The impact of small-bowel (SB) capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy on clinical practice, since their introduction 2 decades ago, has been remarkable. These disruptive technologies have transformed the investigation and management of SB pathology and now have a firmly established place in guidelines and clinical algorithms. Furthermore, recent years have witnessed innovations, driven by the demand of new goals in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as mucosal healing and evolving strategies based on tight monitoring and accelerated escalation of care. These developments in SB endoscopy have also been paralleled by refinement in dedicated radiological SB imaging technologies. This updated review highlights the current state of the art and more recent innovations with a focus on their role in IBD.

Gastrointestinal involvement in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study from a Greek COVID-19 referral hospital.

BACKGROUND: Much attention has been paid to the study and reporting of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, an increasing number of COVID-19 patients have been noted to experience hepatic and pancreatic injury. In this study, we retrospectively investigated symptoms and laboratory findings related to the GI system in a single center in Athens, Greece, and assessed the role of these parameters in relation to survival and disease severity. METHOD: We retrospectively studied 61 adult COVID-19 patients admitted to the Army Share Fund Hospital (NIMTS) in Athens, Greece, from April 6th to May 6th, 2020. RESULTS: Sixty-one COVID-19 cases were assessed in the study period. Regarding both survival and disease severity, diarrhea was the most common finding. The multivariate analysis revealed that elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase levels and low serum albumin levels were associated with worse patient survival (odds ratio [OR] 1.029, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.007-1.05, P=0.0088; and OR 0.219, 95%CI 0.066-0.723, P=0.0127, respectively). As far as disease severity is concerned, only a low serum albumin level (measured at hospital admission) was correlated with more severe disease (OR 0.025, 95%CI 0.004-0.161, P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatients with new-onset GI symptoms should be considered for COVID-19 testing in a high COVID-19 prevalence setting, as these symptoms are observed more and more in clinical settings. As prospective studies begin to emerge, clinicians will have more robust research data to diagnose COVID-19 patients earlier and identify patients in need of more intensive treatment.

Size does matter: when a large plastic biliary stent ends up in the root of the mesentery.

Duodenal perforations due to biliary stenting migration, although rare, can occur. We report a unique case of duodenal perforation due to a large in length plastic stent with no (or marginal) migration, which ended up in the root of the mesentery, explaining the normal laboratory values and minimal imaging findings observed. Any clinical symptom during the postprocedural period should raise the suspicion of a major complication and prompt quick management decisions.

Capsule endoscopy retention as a helpful tool in the management of a young patient with suspected small-bowel disease.

Capsule endoscopy is an easy and painless procedure permitting visualization of the entire small-bowel during its normal peristalsis. However, important problems exist concerning capsule retention in patients at risk of small bowel obstruction. The present report describes a young patient who had recurrent episodes of overt gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin, 18 years after small bowel resection in infancy for ileal atresia. Capsule endoscopy was performed, resulting in capsule retention in the distal small bowel. However, this event contributed to patient management by clearly identifying the site of obstruction and can be used to guide surgical intervention, where an anastomotic ulcer is identified.

A 13-year time trend analysis of 3724 small bowel video capsule endoscopies and a forecast model during the financial crisis in Greece.

INTRODUCTION: Since its introduction, small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) use has evolved considerably. AIM: Evaluation of the temporal changes of small bowel VCE utilization in three tertiary centers in Greece in Era 1 (2002-2009) and Era 2 (2010-2014) and the development a forecast model for future VCE use during 2015-2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from all small bowel VCE examinations were retrieved and analyzed in terms of the annual number of the performed examinations, their indications and the significance of their findings. RESULTS: Overall, we evaluated 3724 VCE examinations. The number of studies peaked in 2009 (n=595) and then decreased to reach 225 in 2014. Overall, more (53.8 vs. 51.4%) patients with iron-deficiency anemia and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (IDA/OGIB) and fewer (10.7 vs. 14%) patients with chronic diarrhea were evaluated in Era 2 compared with Era 1 (P=0.046). In Era 2, there were more nondiagnostic examinations (39.5 vs. 29.3%, P<0.001), whereas the rate of cases with relevant findings decreased from 47.8 to 40.9%. According to the time trend analysis, we developed a forecast model with two scenarios: the pessimistic and the optimistic. Validation of the model with 2015 data showed that reality was close to the pessimistic scenario: the number of exams further decreased to 190, studies carried out for IDA/OGIB increased to 67%, and there were more negative than positive exams (40.7 vs. 39.2%). CONCLUSION: The number of VCE studies carried out after the emergence of the financial crisis decreased significantly and VCE indications were optimized. Our forecast model predicts lower numbers of VCE studies, with IDA/OGIB being the dominant indication. However, the predicted increase of negative exams requires further evaluation.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in Greece: the changing prevalence during a ten-year period and its antigenic profile.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate changes in H pylori infection prevalence in Greece during a ten-year period, and to examine its antigenic profile. METHODS: Three groups of patients were studied. Group O-87: Banked serum samples of 200 consecutive adult outpatients, from the Hepato-Gastroenterology clinic of a teaching hospital at Athens, collected in 1987. Group O-97: Serum samples of 201 similarly selected outpatients from the same Unit, collected in 1997. Group BD-97: Serum samples of 120 consecutive blood donors from the same hospital, collected in 1997. H pylori IgG antibody seroprevalence was studied by a quantitative ELISA. Antigenic profile was studied by western-blot IgG assay, in 62 IgG positive patients of O-97 and BD-97. Results were analyzed by conventional statistics and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The H pylori seroprevalence increased with age in the three tested groups. In O-97, seroprevalence did not differ from that, in BD-97. On the contrary, there was a significant decrease in seropositivity between O-87 and O-97 (59.5% vs 49.2%, p = 0.039). Multiple regression analysis showed that age over 35 years (OR:3.45, 95% CI:1.59-7.49, p = 0.002) and year of patients' selection - that is 1987 or 1997 - (OR:1.73, 95% CI:1.14-2.65 for 1987, p = 0.010), were independent risk factors of H pylori infection. The seroprevalence of CagA+ and VacA+ strains was 77.4% and 58.5%, respectively, and type I(CagA+/VacA+) strains were significantly more common than type II(CagA-/VacA-) strains (59.7% vs 22.6%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During a ten-year period, we found a significant decrease of H pylori infection in Greece and our data support the birth cohort phenomenon as an explanation for the age-dependent increase of H pylori infection. The prevalence of CagA and/or VacA positive strains is relatively high, in a country with low incidence of gastric cancer.