Impact of patient audiovisual re-education via a smartphone on the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy: a single-blinded randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Education on preparation is essential for successful colonoscopy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of audiovisual (AV) re-education via a smartphone on bowel preparation quality before colonoscopy. METHODS: A prospective, endoscopist-blinded, randomized, controlled study was performed. Patients who underwent colonoscopy with 3 purgatives, including 4 L of polyethylene glycol (4-L PEG), 2 L of PEG with ascorbic acid (2-L PEG/Asc), and sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (SPMC), were enrolled and randomized into the AV re-education via smartphone group (AV group, n = 160) and a control group (n = 160). The primary outcome was the quality of the bowel preparation according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). The secondary outcomes included instruction adherence using adherence score (AS) and patient satisfaction with education using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: A total of 283 patients (AV group, n = 139; control group, n = 144) were analyzed per protocol. The mean BBPS (7.53 vs 6.29, P < .001) and the proportion with adequate preparation were higher in the AV group. The mean BBPS of the AV group was significantly higher than that of the control group for the 2-L PEG/Asc and SPMC preparations, but not for the 4-L PEG preparation. The mean AS and the mean VAS score were all significantly higher in the AV group. Among the 3 purgatives, the mean AS was lowest in the 4-L PEG group (P = .041). CONCLUSIONS: AV re-education via smartphone was easy and convenient, and enhanced preparation quality, patient adherence to instructions, and patient satisfaction.

Expression of immunohistochemical markers according to histological type in patients with early gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the biological characteristics of early gastric cancer (EGC) using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining among histological types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IHC staining results were analyzed in 86 EGCs resected with endoscopic submucosal dissection to identify mucin phenotype and biological characteristics. RESULTS: The histological type was classified as tubular adenocarcinoma (TAC), mixed adenocarcinoma (MAC), or poorly cohesive carcinoma (PCC). Significant differences in MUC-2 (34.4% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.05) and MUC-5AC (59.4% vs. 85.7%, p < 0.05) expression were observed between TAC and PCC. The poorly cohesive component of MAC showed stronger immunoreactivity to CD10 (46.2% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.05) but weaker reactivity to MUC-5AC (57.7% vs. 85.7%, p < 0.05), compared to that of PCC. E-cadherin and ß-catenin expression levels significantly decreased in the poorly cohesive component of MAC (15.4% vs. 90.6%, p < 0.05; 7.7% vs. 90.6%, p < 0.05, respectively) and PCC (10.7% vs. 90.6%, p < 0.05; 14.3% vs. 90.6%, p < 0.05, respectively), compared to TAC. However, vascular endothelial growth factor expression significantly increased in the poorly cohesive component of MAC (42.3% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.05) and PCC (39.3% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.05), compared to TAC. CONCLUSION: IHC analysis showed that EGC histological types differ in terms of mucin phenotype and biological characteristics. The poorly cohesive components showed decreased E-cadherin and ß-catenin expression levels and increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression. These characteristics may contribute to the poor prognosis of patients with MAC and PCC.

Randomized controlled trial of low-volume bowel preparation agents for colonic bowel preparation: 2-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid versus sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate.

PURPOSE: Both 2-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (2-L PEG/Asc) and sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (SP/MC) are low-volume combined agents for colonic preparation. The aim of the current study was to compare the preparation adequacy and patient tolerability of 2-L PEG/Asc and SP/MC. METHODS: We performed a prospective randomized controlled study in outpatients undergoing daytime colonoscopy at a tertiary academic hospital. We compared preparation adequacy based on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), polyp and adenoma detection rate (PDR and ADR), compliance, tolerability for ease and palatability, intention to reuse, and patient satisfaction using a questionnaire between 2-L PEG/Asc and three sachets of SP/MC, both given in a split-dose method. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were evaluated based on intention to treat (ITT) and 356 patients per protocol (PP). No significant differences in preparation adequacy were observed in ITT and PP analyses, based on the BBPS (p > 0.05). The PDR and ADR were greater than 60 and 40% in both groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Compliance levels were higher in the 2-L PEG/Asc group than in the SP/MC group (p < 0.001). Satisfaction (ITT, p = 0.014; PP, p = 0.032) and palatability (ITT and PP, p < 0.001) levels were higher in the SP/MC group than in the 2-L PEG/Asc group, but values for tolerability for ease and intention to reuse were similar in both groups (ITT and PP, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both 2-L PEG/Asc and SP/MC had adequate bowel cleansing efficacy to satisfy PDR and ADR as quality indicator and had showed similar tolerability.

How to predict adequate bowel preparation before colonoscopy using conventional polyethylene glycol: prospective observational study based on survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The present study investigated the conditions and predictive factors for adequate bowel preparation using 4-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) preparation in clinical practice. METHODS: We conducted a prospective-survey-based observational study. The survey consisted of 14 questions that assessed the preparation method (group 1: split method for morning colonoscopy; group 2: full-volume method for same-day afternoon colonoscopy; group 3: full-volume method for next-day morning colonoscopy), dinner type and timing the day before colonoscopy, elapsed time after PEG consumption, and stool character and defecation frequency immediately before colonoscopy. Preparation status was compared using the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS). RESULTS: Total of 465 surveys (391 for group 1, 55 for group 2, 19 for group 3) were conducted. Mean BBPS score was highest in group 1 and lowest in group 3 (P < 0.001). Fasting dinner before colonoscopy group showed a higher mean BBPS than the diet group; eating before 6 p.m. and a low-residue diet showed a higher mean BBPS (P < 0.05). Defecation frequency (>5 times) was related to adequate preparation in the left colon and elapsed time (<5 h) to that in the right colon (P < 0.05). Liquid stool without solid material immediately before colonoscopy was related to adequate preparation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In bowel preparation with 4-L PEG, elapsed time after PEG consumption (<5 h), defecation frequency (>5 times) and liquid stool without solid material immediately before colonoscopy were predictive factors for adequate bowel preparation just before colonoscopy.

Rescreening colonoscopy practice after a negative index colonoscopy in a clinical setting; cross-sectional study for interval and outcomes of rescreening colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the rescreening colonoscopy practice after negative index colonoscopy (IC) in a real clinical setting. METHODOLOGY: We reviewed the individual records of aged over 40 who had negative IC at a single center between 2003 and 2005. The quality of the IC including bowel preparation (using Boston bowel preparation scale, BBPS), cecal intubation, withdrawal time and the incidence and risk factors for advanced lesions during the rescreening colonoscopy were analyzed. RESULTS: On 1570 negative ICs, 32.6% (n = 512) had rescreen ing colonoscopy until August, 2011. The rescreened group showed significantly lower quality of the IC compared to the group not rescreened (mean BBPS 7.9 vs. 8.2, p = 0.032, mean withdrawal time 5.2 vs. 5.7 minutes, p = 0.003). Rescreening detected polyps in 33.4% (n = 171) and advanced lesions in 3.7% (n = 19, 73.7% male; p = 0.022) including cancers (0.4%, n = 2). Male gender (odds ratio, 2.995; 95% confidence interval, 1.199-7.481) was an independent risk factors for advanced lesions on rescreening. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced lesions were detected in 3.7% of rescreening group after negative IC and male was a risk factor. Following a low-quality IC, a rescreening colonoscopy was performed with short interval in a clinical practice.

The clinical characteristics of colonic pseudo-obstruction and the factors associated with medical treatment response: a study based on a multicenter database in Korea.

Colonic pseudo-obstruction (CPO) is defined as marked colonic distension in the absence of mechanical obstruction. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of CPO and the factors associated with the response to medical treatment by using a multicenter database in Korea. CPO was diagnosed as colonic dilatation without mechanical obstruction by using radiologic and/or endoscopic examinations. Acute CPO occurring in the postoperative period in surgical patients or as a response to an acute illness was excluded. CPO cases were identified in 15 tertiary referral hospitals between 2000 and 2011. The patients' data were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. In total, 104 patients (53 men; mean age at diagnosis, 47 yr) were identified. Seventy-seven of 104 patients (74%) showed a transition zone on abdominal computed tomography. Sixty of 104 patients (58%) showed poor responses to medical treatment and underwent surgery at the mean follow-up of 7.4 months (0.5-61 months). Younger age at the time of diagnosis, abdominal distension as a chief complaint, and greater cecal diameter were independently associated with the poor responses to medical treatment. These may be risk factors for a poor response to medical treatment.

Comparison of clinical effectiveness of the emergent colonoscopy in patients with hematochezia according to the type of bowel preparation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colonoscopy (CFS) is a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with hematochezia. However, the optimal preparation method of emergent CFS for hematochezia has not been defined. We investigated the clinical effectiveness of bowel preparation of patients with hematochezia using polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution and glycerin or water enemas. METHODS: The medical records of the past 7 years were reviewed. Patients presenting with hematochezia that occurred within 24 h before admission were eligible for the study. All patients underwent CFS within 24 h after visiting the emergency room for hematochezia. Patients were classified into two groups according to the preparation method used (enema vs. PEG). RESULTS: Overall, 194 patients (125 enema vs. 69 PEG) were enrolled. The diagnostic rate of bleeding focus was lower in the enema group than in the PEG group (84% vs. 97.1%, P = 0.008). Performance of endoscopic hemostasis at the initial CFS was more frequent in the enema group than in the PEG group (40.8% vs. 10.1%, P < 0.001). The rate of repeated CFS was higher in the enema group than in the PEG group (44.0% vs. 18.8%, P < 0.001). Post-polypectomy bleeding (n = 33) was diagnosed during the initial study and was treated endoscopically. In cases of post-polypectomy bleeding, CFS (93.9%) was performed after an enema in all but two cases. CONCLUSIONS: In hematochezia patients, the PEG group showed a higher diagnostic rate and lower rate of repeated CFS. However, emergent CFS after an enema only seems to be useful in patients with severe hematochezia or if the bleeding focus can be presumed.

Clinical significance of the first surveillance colonoscopy after endoscopic early colorectal cancer removal.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the clinical significance of the first surveillance colonoscopy after endoscopic cancer removal. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single center. Patients diagnosed with early colon cancer after endoscopic removal (index colonoscopy) and who underwent surveillance colonoscopy within 1 year were enrolled. All visible lesions were removed during index colonoscopy. Polyps newly detected at surveillance colonoscopy considered as lesions missed during index colonoscopy were analyzed. We investigated risk factors for missing an advanced lesion. RESULTS: In total, 139 patients diagnosed with early colorectal cancer were enrolled. Overall 774 lesions were removed during index colonoscopy and an additional 222 lesions were newly detected at the surveillance colonoscopy. The lesion miss rate during index colonoscopy was 22.3%. The miss rates for advanced adenoma and cancer were 11.4% and 3.6%, respectively. Total number of polyps during index colonoscopy was an associated risk factor for missing an advanced lesion (odds ratio 1.176, 95% interval 1.062-1.303). CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous advanced neoplasms can be missed during endoscopic removal in patients with early colorectal cancer. Clinical significance of the first surveillance colonoscopy after endoscopic early colorectal cancer removal is detection of missed synchronous advanced neoplasms during index colonoscopy.

Changes over time in indications, diagnostic yield, and clinical effects of double-balloon enteroscopy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We performed a retrospective study to investigate changes between different time periods in the indications, diagnostic yield, and clinical impact of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). METHODS: We analyzed records from the database at Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine from all patients undergoing DBE between September 2004 and May 2011 (181 DBEs, 133 patients). We compared DBE-related factors between the first stage (September 2004-August 2006; 117 DBEs, 79 patients) and second stage (September 2006-May 2011; 64 DBEs, 54 patients) of the study period. RESULTS: The number of DBEs performed decreased between stages. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common indication for DBE during each stage (65.8% vs 50%; P = .06). Abnormalities in other modalities as the second indication increased significantly in the second stage compared with the first (11.4% vs 29.6%; P = .008). Between stages, use of computed tomography increased (53.8% vs 81.5%; P = .001), along with capsule endoscopy (29.1% vs 44.4%; P = .06). Mucosal lesions were the most common finding in each stage (56% and 53.1%; P = .686). The diagnostic yield of DBE was 89.3% in the first stage and 93.9% in the second (P = .384). In the first stage, DBE identified 86.4% of cases that had negative results from other modalities; in the second, it identified all cases (P = .3). Therapeutic plans were determined in 89.7% of patients only on the basis of results from DBE. CONCLUSIONS: Between the time periods of 2004-2006 and 2006-2011, the clinical indications for DBEs and outcomes did not change. However, the selectivity of the number of patients decreased between stages.

Impact of patient education with cartoon visual aids on the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: High-quality bowel preparation is a prerequisite for colonoscopy. Few studies have evaluated visual aids as a means of improving the quality of bowel preparation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of patient education by using cartoon visual aids on the quality of bowel preparation. DESIGN: An endoscopist-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: Patients scheduled for screening colonoscopy in a health examination center. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned to receive the existing verbal and written instructions (group A) or a new cartoon visual educational instruction (group B) for colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was the quality of bowel preparation, assessed by using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Secondary endpoints were the quality of bowel preparation assessed by using the Universal Preparation Assessment Scale; insertion, withdrawal, and workup times; and polyp detection rates in the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with poor bowel preparation according to a BBPS score less than 5. RESULTS: Group B exhibited better bowel preparation than group A according to BBPS scores (mean BBPS score, 6.12 ± 2.19 vs 7.44 ± 1.87, P ≤ .01; median BBPS score, 6.00 ± 0.00 vs 9.00 ± 0.00, P ≤ .01; good bowel preparation for colonoscopy, BBPS score ≥5, 81.6% vs 93.1%, P = .02). Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio 1.07, P ≤ .01) and no use of visual aids (odds ratio 3.08, P = .02) were independent factors associated with poor bowel preparation. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study. CONCLUSIONS: Patient education with cartoons effectively improved bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

[Abdominal Ultrasound Education for Gastroenterology Residents and Fellows].

Ultrasound (US) is an essential diagnostic tool in almost every medical area. Therefore, abdominal US education for internal medicine residents was mandated by the Korean Association of Internal Medicine. However, US education for physicians has been conducted only in some university hospitals that directly perform abdominal US examinations in internal medicine, or some education is provided with the help of radiologists. US technology continues to become increasingly widespread, portable, and miniaturized. Furthermore, point-of-care US, i.e., US executed at the patient's bedside to obtain real-time objective information with diagnostic and clinical monitoring purposes or to guide invasive procedures, has been incorporated in many specialties. Despite the increasing role of US, there is no systemized abdominal US education program. Therefore, the authors are trying to develop a structured abdominal US education program through cooperation with related US organizations.

Reduced detection rate of artificial intelligence in images obtained from untrained endoscope models and improvement using domain adaptation algorithm.

A training dataset that is limited to a specific endoscope model can overfit artificial intelligence (AI) to its unique image characteristics. The performance of the AI may degrade in images of different endoscope model. The domain adaptation algorithm, i.e., the cycle-consistent adversarial network (cycleGAN), can transform the image characteristics into AI-friendly styles. We attempted to confirm the performance degradation of AIs in images of various endoscope models and aimed to improve them using cycleGAN transformation. Two AI models were developed from data of esophagogastroduodenoscopies collected retrospectively over 5 years: one for identifying the endoscope models, Olympus CV-260SL, CV-290 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), and PENTAX EPK-i (PENTAX Medical, Tokyo, Japan), and the other for recognizing the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). The AIs were trained using 45,683 standardized images from 1,498 cases and validated on 624 separate cases. Between the two endoscope manufacturers, there was a difference in image characteristics that could be distinguished without error by AI. The accuracy of the AI in recognizing gastroesophageal junction was >0.979 in the same endoscope-examined validation dataset as the training dataset. However, they deteriorated in datasets from different endoscopes. Cycle-consistent adversarial network can successfully convert image characteristics to ameliorate the AI performance. The improvements were statistically significant and greater in datasets from different endoscope manufacturers [original → AI-trained style, increased area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, P-value: CV-260SL → CV-290, 0.0056, P = 0.0106; CV-260SL → EPK-i, 0.0182, P = 0.0158; CV-290 → CV-260SL, 0.0134, P < 0.0001; CV-290 → EPK-i, 0.0299, P = 0.0001; EPK-i → CV-260SL, 0.0215, P = 0.0024; and EPK-i → CV-290, 0.0616, P < 0.0001]. In conclusion, cycleGAN can transform the diverse image characteristics of endoscope models into an AI-trained style to improve the detection performance of AI.

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fexuprazan compared with esomeprazole in erosive esophagitis.

BACKGROUND: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, reversibly suppresses the K+/H+-ATPase enzyme in proton pumps within gastric parietal cells. Fexuprazan's suppression of gastric acid was maintained in healthy individuals for 24 h in a dose-dependent manner. AIM: To compare fexuprazan to esomeprazole and establish its efficacy and safety in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE). METHODS: Korean adult patients with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan 40 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for eight weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with healed EE confirmed by endoscopy at week 8. The secondary endpoints included the healing rate of EE at week 4, symptom response, and quality of life assessment. Safety profiles and serum gastrin levels were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Of the 263 randomized, 218 completed the study per protocol (fexuprazan 40 mg, n = 107; esomeprazole 40 mg, n = 111). Fexuprazan was non-inferior to esomeprazole regarding the healing rate at week 8 [99.1% (106/107) vs 99.1% (110/111)]. There were no between-group differences in the EE healing rate at week 4 [90.3% (93/103) vs 88.5% (92/104)], symptom responses, and quality of life assessments. Additionally, serum gastrin levels at weeks 4 and 8 and drug-related side effects did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Fexuprazan 40 mg is non-inferior to esomeprazole 40 mg in EE healing at week 8. We suggest that fexuprazan is an alternative promising treatment option to PPIs for patients with EE.

Outcome of palliative self-expanding metal stent placement in malignant colorectal obstruction according to stent type and manufacturer.

BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) of varying designs and materials have been developed to reduce complications, but few comparative data are available with regard to the type of stent and the stent manufacturer. We analyzed the success rates and complication rates, according to stent type (uncovered vs. covered stent) and individual stent manufacturer, in malignant colorectal obstruction. METHODS: From November 2001 to August 2008, 103 patients were retrospectively included in this study: four types of uncovered stents in 73 patients and two types of covered stents in 30 patients. The SEMS was inserted into the obstructive site by using the through-the-scope method. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success rates were not different between stent type or among stent manufacturers: 100 and 100% (p = ns) and 100 and 96.6% (p > 0.05), respectively, in uncovered and covered stents. Stent occlusion and migration rates were 12.3 and 3.3% (p = 0.274) and 13.7 and 16.7% (p = 0.761), respectively, in uncovered and covered stents, and 11.1, 5, and 9% (p = 0.761) and 25.9, 15, and 0% (p = 0.037) in Wallstent, Niti-S, and Bonastent uncovered stents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The placement of SEMS is an effective and safe treatment for patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. Although minor differences in outcome were detected according to the type and the manufacturer of the stents, no statistically significant difference was observed, except in stent migration among the stent manufacturer.

Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the University of California-Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract instrument in patients with systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) changes. The University of California-Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) instrument is a self-administered GI assessment instrument for patients with SSc. We developed a Korean version of the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 instrument and evaluated its reliability and internal consistency. METHODS: The participants were 37 Korean patients with SSc. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 were performed according to international standardized guidelines. We evaluated reproducibility by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients and assessed the internal consistency of the Korean version of the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0. We assessed its construct validity by evaluating its correlations with the Short Form Health Survey version 2 and EQ-5D scores by means of Spearman correlation analyses. RESULTS: Patients with SSc were mostly women (89.19%) with a mean age of 52.2 years, median disease duration of 24 months, and median modified Rodnan total skin score of 4. The median total GIT score on the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 was 0.3. The UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 Korean version showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α of total GIT score = 0.863). Most domains of the ULCA SCTC GIT 2.0 were correlated with those of the EuroQol (EQ)-5D score. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 has acceptable internal consistency, reliability, and validity. Therefore, it can be used to assess GIT involvement in Korean patients with SSc.

Characteristics of symptomatic belching in patients with belching disorder and patients who exhibit gastroesophageal reflux disease with belching.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Belching disorder (BD) is clinically distinct from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with belching. Supragastric belching (SGB) is closely associated with reflux episodes. This study investigates belch characteristics in association with reflux, compared between patients with BD and those who had GERD with belching. METHODS: Impedance pH monitoring data from 10 patients with BD and 10 patients with GERD who exhibited belching were retrospectively analyzed. Belches were considered "isolated" or "reflux-related" and acidic/non-acidic. Belch characteristics were compared between patients with BD and those with GERD. RESULTS: Symptomatic belches were more frequent in patients with BD than in patients with GERD (median, 160.5 vs 56.0, P < 0.05). SGB was the most common type in both groups; common subtypes comprised "isolated" in patients with BD and "isolated during the reflux period" in patients with GERD. Reflux-related SGB was more common in patients with GERD than in BD (78.3% vs 45.2%, P < 0.005). Both "preceding belching" including the reflux period and acidic SGB were more common in patients with GERD than in BD (31.8% vs 8.6% and 38.1% vs 8.9%, both P < 0.05). Supragastric belch number positively correlated with all reflux episodes in patients with GERD (adjusted R2 = 0.572, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: BD is characterized by more belching, compared to GERD. SGB is more frequently associated with reflux in GERD than in BD; acidity may be related to GERD. In BD, SGB is typically non-acidic and unrelated to reflux. Distinct SGB characteristics may reflect different pathogenic mechanisms of reflux and associated symptoms.

Endoscopy within 7 days after detecting high calprotectin levels can be useful for therapeutic decision-making in ulcerative colitis.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the appropriate time interval to identify the association between the fecal calprotectin (FC) test and endoscopic activity, and to evaluate whether the time interval affects the therapeutic plan adjustment in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).This study included 103 patients who underwent FC tests and endoscopic examinations within the past three months. The FC test results classified cases into three groups as follows: moderate to severe (>200, >250, or >300 µg/g), mild (100-200, 100-250, or 100-300 µg/g), and inactive (<100 µg/g) activity. The Mayo endoscopic subscore was used to determine endoscopic activity. Therapeutic plan adjustment included the addition or increased dosage of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics.Using the cutoff value for FC of 200 µg/g, the appropriate time interval for dividing the association and non-association between Mayo endoscopic subscore and FC was 7 days (sensitivity, 74.4%; specificity, 50.0%; area under the curve [AUC], 0.6032). When using FC 250 or 300 µg/g, the appropriate time interval was 5.5 days, with a sensitivity of 71.7% and specificity of 49.1 (AUC 0.5862) in FC 250 µg/g, a sensitivity of 69.6%, and a specificity of 47.4 (AUC 0.5549) for FC 300 µg/g. Therapeutic plans changed in 29.1% of patients. In patients with shorter intervals (≤7 days) between the FC test and endoscopy, significant therapeutic plan adjustments were observed in patients with UC (36.5% vs. 17.5%, P = .047).Although the need for endoscopy within 7 days after detecting high FC (≥ 200 µg/g) was not statistically supported, endoscopy within a shorter interval (≤7 days) in UC patients with high FC can help determine the therapeutic plan.

Clinical Outcomes between P1 and P0 Lesions for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Negative Computed Tomography and Capsule Endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: A simple classification for the relevance of lesions (P0, P1, and P2; no bleeding potential, less likely to bleed, and more likely to bleed, respectively) based on capsule endoscopy (CE) findings has been used. This study aimed at investigating rebleeding rates and predictive factors of P0 and P1 lesions after obtaining negative findings in both, CE and computed tomography (CT), for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). METHODS: Among 193 patients resulted in negative CE findings defined as P0 or P1 lesions, 84 patients with negative results on CT images were enrolled in this study. The rebleeding rates and predictive factors were assessed in the P0 and P1 groups. RESULTS: Overall rebleeding rate in patients with negative CT and CE was 17.9%; 18.4% in the P0 group; 17.4% in the P1 group within a median follow-up duration of 18.5 months. In the P0 and P1 groups, the cumulative rebleeding rates were 9.2%, 25.4%, and 25.4%, and 6.9%, 11.8%, and 18.6% at 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively (p = 0.97). There were no independent rebleeding associated factors in the P0 group, whereas Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.019, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.158-3.519, p = 0.013), and initial low hemoglobin (Hb) level (<8 g/dL) (HR = 15.085, 95% CI: 1.182-192.514, p = 0.037) were independent predictive factors responsible for rebleeding in the P1 group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having negative findings on CT and CE, patients with OGIB have a significant potential rebleeding risk. Although there was no significant difference in rebleeding rates between the P0 and P1 groups on CE, the P1 group, with CCI or low initial Hb level, should be cautiously observed after the first bleeding episode.

The role of platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) can serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and assessing disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated their clinical significance in UC. METHODS: We analyzed 48 patients with UC who underwent measurement of fecal calprotectin (FC) and endoscopy and 96 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. NLR and PLR were compared between the patients and healthy controls. The endoscopic activity was divided into 2 groups: group 1 (mild to moderate inflammation) and group 2 (severe inflammation) according to the Mayo endoscopic subscore in UC. RESULTS: To diagnose UC, the optimal cutoff of NLR and PLR was 2.26 (sensitivity 54.2%; specificity 90.6%; positive likelihood ratio 5.778, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.944-11.339; area under the curve [AUC] 0.774, 95% CI, 0.690-0.859) and 179.8 (sensitivity 35.4%; specificity 90.6%; positive likelihood ratio 3.778, 95% CI 1.821-7.838; AUC 0.654, 95% CI 0.556-0.753), respectively. The optimal cutoff to differentiate group 1 and group 2 was 3.44, 175.9, and 453 µg/g for NLR, PLR, and FC, respectively (sensitivity, 63.6% vs. 90.9% vs. 81.8%; specificity, 81.1% vs. 78.4% vs. 73.0%; positive likelihood ratio, 3.364 vs. 4.205 vs. 3.027; AUC, 0.714 vs. 0.897 vs. 0.813). PLR had the highest AUC and positive likelihood ratio. CONCLUSIONS: NLR and PLR help differentiate patients with UC from healthy controls. NLR, PLR, and FC indicate endoscopic activity and may reflect intestinal mucosal conditions.

Efficacy and Safety of DWJ1252 Compared With Gasmotin in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Active-controlled Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prokinetics such as mosapride citrate CR (conventional-release; Gasmotin) are commonly used in functional dyspepsia (FD). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-a-day mosapride citrate SR (DWJ1252), a sustained-release formulation of mosapride citrate, compared with mosapride citrate CR 3 times a day, in patients with FD. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, non-inferiority study, 119 patients with FD (by the Rome III criteria, 60 for mosapride citrate SR and 59 for mosapride citrate CR) were randomly allocated to mosapride citrate SR once daily or mosapride citrate CR thrice daily for 4 weeks in 16 medical institutions. Primary end point was the change in gastrointestinal symptom (GIS) score from baseline, assessed by GIS questionnaires on 5-point Likert scale after 4-week treatment. Secondary end points and safety profiles were also analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 51 and 49 subjects in the mosapride citrate SR and mosapride citrate CR groups, respectively. GIS scores at week 4 were significantly reduced in both groups (mean ± SD: -10.04 ± 4.45 and -10.86 ± 5.53 in the mosapride citrate SR and mosapride citrate CR groups, respectively; P < 0.001), and the GIS changes from baseline did not differ between the 2 groups (difference, 0.82 point; 95% CI, -1.17, 2.81; P = 0.643). Changes in GIS at weeks 2 and 4 and quality of life at week 4, and the improvement rates of global assessments at weeks 2 and 4, did not differ between the groups. Adverse events were similar in the 2 groups, and there were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: In patients with FD, mosapride citrate SR once daily is as effective as mosapride citrate CR thrice daily, with a similar safety profile.