Rising incidence and impact of early-onset colorectal cancer in the Asia-Pacific with higher mortality in females from Southeast Asia: a global burden analysis from 2010 to 2019.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) is a growing global health concern, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. However, comprehensive research on this topic from the region is lacking. Our study aims to investigate trends in early-onset CRC in Asia over 10 years, filling this research gap. METHODS: This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to assess temporal trends in early-onset CRC in the Asia-Pacific. The analysis included estimating annual frequencies and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of early-onset CRC incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by gender. RESULTS: The incidence of early-onset CRC significantly increased in both regions with higher increase and in the Western Pacific region. Notable increases were observed among males in the Western Pacific and females in Southeast Asia (SEA). Mortality rates remained stable in the Western Pacific but increased by 10.6% in SEA, especially among females. DALYs due to CRC also increased significantly in SEA, with a greater rise among females. The Western Pacific had the highest CRC incidence, and in SEA, the mortality rate was higher in females than males. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals a substantial increase in early-onset CRC in the Asia-Pacific underscoring the urgency for effective interventions. Thus, a comprehensive approach comprising controlled risk reduction, health promotion to heightened disease awareness, and implementation of effective screening strategies should be executed timely to mitigate the burden of early-onset CRC.

The Impact of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on 30-Day Readmission Rate for Acute Cholangitis Patients: A Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) following acute gallstone cholangitis reduces the recurrence of biliary symptoms; however, the timing of LC has not been determined yet. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of performing LC during admission on the 30-day readmission rate. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of acute gallstone cholangitis patients who underwent endoscopic clearance (EC) of the bile duct through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between April 2013 and May 2018. Patients were classified into two groups: EC only group and EC followed by LC during admission (EC + LC) group. The primary outcome was the 30-day readmission rate. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients with acute cholangitis were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 35 patients (36.8%) underwent LC during admission. The 30-day readmission rate was significantly lower in the EC + LC group compared to the EC group (2.9% vs. 26.7%, P 0.003). In a multivariate regression analysis, patients who underwent LC during admission had 90% lower odds of readmission within 30 days compared to patients who did not (OR 0.1, 95% CI (0.01-0.9), P 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy during admission for acute gallstone cholangitis patients following endoscopic clearance of the bile duct significantly reduced the 30-day readmission rate without affecting the length of stay.

Gastric vascular abnormalities: diagnosis and management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gastric vascular abnormalities are a well known cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to their recurrent bleeding tendency and potential to cause life-threatening blood loss, gastric vascular abnormalities can result in significant morbidity and cost. RECENT FINDINGS: There have been novel advances in medical and endoscopic management of gastric vascular lesions. New data suggest that endoscopic band ligation and ablation may be comparable, or even superior, to argon plasma coagulation (APC) for management of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE). A creative, highly sensitive and specific computer-assisted tool has been developed to facilitate reading video capsule endoscopies for the detection of angiodysplasias, paving the way for artificial intelligence incorporation in vascular lesions diagnostics. Over-the-scope clipping is a relatively new technology that shows promising results in controlling bleeding from Dieulafoy's lesions. SUMMARY: In this article, we will broadly review the management of the most prevalent gastric vascular lesions, focusing on the most recent areas of research.

Acute Pancreatitis Task Force on Quality: Development of Quality Indicators for Acute Pancreatitis Management.

INTRODUCTION: Detailed recommendations and guidelines for acute pancreatitis (AP) management currently exist. However, quality indicators (QIs) are required to measure performance in health care. The goal of the Acute Pancreatitis Task Force on Quality was to formally develop QIs for the management of patients with known or suspected AP using a modified version of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Methodology. METHODS: A multidisciplinary expert panel composed of physicians (gastroenterologists, hospitalists, and surgeons) who are acknowledged leaders in their specialties and who represent geographic and practice setting diversity was convened. A literature review was conducted, and a list of proposed QIs was developed. In 3 rounds, panelists reviewed literature, modified QIs, and rated them on the basis of scientific evidence, bias, interpretability, validity, necessity, and proposed performance targets. RESULTS: Supporting literature and a list of 71 proposed QIs across 10 AP domains (Diagnosis, Etiology, Initial Assessment and Risk Stratification, etc.) were sent to the expert panel to review and independently rate in round 1 (95% of panelists participated). Based on a round 2 face-to-face discussion of QIs (75% participation), 41 QIs were classified as valid. During round 3 (90% participation), panelists rated the 41 valid QIs for necessity and proposed performance thresholds. The final classification determined that 40 QIs were both valid and necessary. DISCUSSION: Hospitals and providers managing patients with known or suspected AP should ensure that patients receive high-quality care and desired outcomes according to current evidence-based best practices. This physician-led initiative formally developed 40 QIs and performance threshold targets for AP management. Validated QIs provide a dependable quantitative framework for health systems to monitor the quality of care provided to patients with known or suspected AP.

Updates on management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common and life-threatening condition in the United States and worldwide. RECENT FINDINGS: There have been several exciting recent advances in the endoscopic management of UGIB. One such advance is the recent approval of Hemospray by US Food and Drug Administration in May 2018. Another one is the emerging role of video capsule endoscopy as a triage and localization tool for UGIB patients. Finally, the development of new reversal agents for antithrombotic medications is an important advance in the management of life-threatening upper gastrointestinal bleed. SUMMARY: In this article, we will broadly review the management of nonvariceal UGIB, focusing primarily on the data addressing these new advances.

Quality of Care Indicators in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and expensive condition. Improving quality of care in AP is vital to minimizing cost and improving patient outcomes. However, there has been little work accomplished toward developing and validating explicit quality indicators (QIs) in AP. AIMS: To define quality of care in patients with AP by developing explicit QIs using standardized techniques. METHODS: We used the UCLA/RAND Delphi panel approach to combine a comprehensive literature review with the collective judgment of experts to identify a defined set of process measures for AP. RESULTS: We produced 164 candidate QIs after a comprehensive literature review. After Delphi review, 75 had a median rating ≥ 7. We excluded 11 QIs where the disagreement index exceeded 1.0 and combined indicators overlapping in content to produce a final list of 22 QIs. Overall, 8 QIs related to diagnosis, prevention, or determination of etiology, 2 QIs focused on determination of severity, 3 QIs captured fluid resuscitation, 2 QIs measured nutrition, 1 QI use of antibiotics, and 6 QIs captured endoscopic or surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed 22 QIs spanning the spectrum of AP management including diagnosis, risk stratification, and pharmacological and endoscopic therapy. These QIs will facilitate future quality improvement by practitioners and organizations who treat patients with AP and further identify areas that are amenable to improvement to enhance patient care. We anticipate that this QI set will represent the first step in determining a framework for demonstrating value in the care of patients with AP.

Efficacy and Safety of Digital Single-Operator Cholangioscopy for Difficult Biliary Stones.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is not clear whether digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) with electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy is effective in removal of difficult biliary stones. We investigated the safety and efficacy of D-SOC with electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy in an international, multicenter study of patients with difficult biliary stones. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 407 patients (60.4% female; mean age, 64.2 years) who underwent D-SOC for difficult biliary stones at 22 tertiary centers in the United States, United Kingdom, or Korea from February 2015 through December 2016; 306 patients underwent electrohydraulic lithotripsy and 101 (24.8%) underwent laser lithotripsy. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with technical failure and the need for more than 1 D-SOC electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy session to clear the bile duct. RESULTS: The mean procedure time was longer in the electrohydraulic lithotripsy group (73.9 minutes) than in the laser lithotripsy group (49.9 minutes; P < .001). Ducts were completely cleared (technical success) in 97.3% of patients (96.7% of patients with electrohydraulic lithotripsy vs 99% patients with laser lithotripsy; P = .31). Ducts were cleared in a single session in 77.4% of patients (74.5% by electrohydraulic lithotripsy and 86.1% by laser lithotripsy; P = .20). Electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy failed in 11 patients (2.7%); 8 patients were treated by surgery. Adverse events occurred in 3.7% patients and the stone was incompletely removed from 6.6% of patients. On multivariable analysis, difficult anatomy or cannulation (duodenal diverticula or altered anatomy) correlated with technical failure (odds ratio, 5.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-21.2; P = .02). Procedure time increased odds of more than 1 session of D-SOC electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.03; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In a multicenter, international, retrospective analysis, we found D-SOC with electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy to be effective and safe in more than 95% of patients with difficult biliary stones. Fewer than 5% of patients require additional treatment with surgery and/or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy to clear the duct.

Advances in management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review new advances in managing nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. RECENT FINDINGS: Implementation of various scoring systems in combination with video capsule endoscopy assists in stratifying and managing nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. New techniques such as thermocoagulation and hemoclips are useful to treat bleeding. SUMMARY: The advancement of methods and procedures in managing nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding has decreased mortality of patients presenting with this type of hemorrhage. In this chapter, we will be discussing various scores to stratify nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and techniques to stop bleeding.

Quality of life comparison between smokers and non-smokers with chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of smoking on quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of chronic pancreatitis patients followed at a single institution comparing smokers with non-smokers. The primary outcome was quality of life and secondary outcomes included demographics, drug and alcohol use, anxiety and depression, pain level, nutritional status, and metabolic factors. RESULTS: 48 smokers and 45 non-smokers participated in this study. Smokers had a worse overall quality of life and higher rates of opioid addiction and depression than non-smokers. Smokers also had less racial diversity, lower education levels, and higher amounts of narcotic use than non-smokers. Furthermore, smokers had a lower BMI and a higher proportional use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Smoking was found to be independently associated with worse quality of life on multivariable regression. CONCLUSIONS: The worse overall quality of life and higher rates of depression and anxiety create cause for concern in chronic pancreatitis patients who smoke. Smoking cessation should be an important target in chronic pancreatitis patients. Multicenter, multiethnic studies are needed to further elucidate this relationship.

Gastric interventional endoscopy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review new advances in gastric interventional endoscopy. RECENT FINDINGS: Implementation of gastric endoscopy as a therapeutic option in obesity, gastric cancer, and gastroparesis. SUMMARY: Less invasive new gastric endoscopic procedures can potentially replace currently offered laparoscopic approaches in many fields. In this article, we will review the use of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty as a weight loss procedure, endoscopic submucosal dissection in treatment of early gastric cancer, and gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy in treatment of refractory gastroparesis. These procedures can increase access to bariatric weigh loss procedures, provide an organ-saving curative option for early gastric cancer, and offer a new modality to improve refractory gastroparesis.

Telephone-Based Mindfulness Therapy Intervention for Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) have substantially impaired quality of life (QOL) both physically and mentally. Mindfulness therapy is a form of treatment that has been shown to be beneficial in many medical conditions but has not been evaluated in the CP patient population. AIMS: The aims of this study were (1) to test the feasibility and usability of a novel telephone-based mindfulness therapy service for patients with CP and (2) to determine whether there was any effect on CP quality of life. METHODS: We recruited ten patients with suspected or confirmed CP and five controls who were asked to utilize our telephone-based mindfulness therapy service daily for 28 days. Feasibility of the service was defined as the fraction of subjects with a ≥50% compliance rate. Usability was assessed using a System Usability Scale (SUS). QOL was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire and the Pancreatitis Quality of Life Instrument (PANQOLI). Paired t tests were used to compare the SF-36 and PANQOLI pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: There was an overall compliance rate of 67%. The mean SUS score for all participants was 79.3, above the average published score of 68. Results showed a significant improvement in the SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores after 28 days of mindfulness therapy for patients with CP, t(9) = 2.48, p = 0.035. There was also a significant improvement in the mean total PANQOLI scores in CP patients, t(9) = 2.41, p = 0.04, most notably in the social domain. CONCLUSION: Our telephone-based mindfulness therapy service represents a feasible and easily usable treatment adjunct for patients with CP, which may provide benefit in QOL by improving mental health-related domains.

Pancreatitis Quality of Life Instrument: A Psychometric Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic pancreatitis is a significant medical problem that impacts a large number of patients worldwide. In 2014, we developed a disease-specific instrument for the evaluation of quality of life in this group of patients: pancreatitis quality of life instrument (PANQOLI). The goal of this study was to evaluate its psychometric properties: its reliability and its construct validity. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional multi-center study that involved 12 pancreatic disease centers. Patients who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria for chronic pancreatitis were invited to participate. Those who accepted were asked to complete seven questionnaires/instruments. Only patients who completed the PANQOLI were included in the study. Its reliability and its construct validity were tested. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients completed the PANQOLI and were included in the study. They had a mean age of 49.03, 49% were male, and 84% were Caucasian. Six of the 24 items on the scale were removed because of lack of inter-item correlation, redundancy, or lack of correlation to quality of life issues. The final 18-item scale had excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient: 0.914) and excellent construct validity with good correlation to generic quality of life instruments (SF-12 and EORTC QLQ-C30/QLQ-PAN26) and lack of correlation to non-quality of life instruments (MAST and DAST). Through exploratory factor analysis, the PANQOLI was found to consist of four subscales: emotional function scale, role function scale, physical function scale, and "self-worth" scale. CONCLUSIONS: PANQOLI is the first disease-specific instrument to be developed and validated for the evaluation of quality of life in chronic pancreatitis patients. It has a unique subscale for "self-worth" that differentiates it from other generic instruments. Studies are currently under way to evaluate its use in other populations not included in this study.

An update in the endoscopic management of gastric cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gastric cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide and gastroenterologists are playing an increasingly larger role in its management. This article reviews the endoscopic management of gastric cancer, with emphasis on recent advances in the field. RECENT FINDINGS: Long-term studies comparing surgery and endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer have shown no difference in 10-year survival rates. Second-look endoscopy, performed 2 days after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to address the concern of delayed bleeding, may not affect rebleeding rates. Magnesium, proton pump inhibitors, and bupivacaine may help reduce post-ESD pain. New devices such as the Clutch Cutter and EndoLifter may help make ESD easier and safer. SUMMARY: Endoscopic therapy for early gastric cancer is becoming increasingly popular and innovations are constantly being made to improve technique and technology. This review focuses on the latest approaches to the endoscopic management of gastric cancer.

Mechanism, assessment and management of pain in chronic pancreatitis: Recommendations of a multidisciplinary study group.

DESCRIPTION: Pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) remains the primary clinical complaint and source of poor quality of life. However, clear guidance on evaluation and treatment is lacking. METHODS: Pancreatic Pain working groups reviewed information on pain mechanisms, clinical pain assessment and pain treatment in CP. Levels of evidence were assigned using the Oxford system, and consensus was based on GRADE. A consensus meeting was held during PancreasFest 2012 with substantial post-meeting discussion, debate, and manuscript refinement. RESULTS: Twelve discussion questions and proposed guidance statements were presented. Conference participates concluded: Disease Mechanism: Pain etiology is multifactorial, but data are lacking to effectively link symptoms with pathologic feature and molecular subtypes. Assessment of Pain: Pain should be assessed at each clinical visit, but evidence to support an optimal approach to assessing pain character, frequency and severity is lacking. MANAGEMENT: There was general agreement on the roles for endoscopic and surgical therapies, but less agreement on optimal patient selection for medical, psychological, endoscopic, surgical and other therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Progress is occurring in pain biology and treatment options, but pain in patients with CP remains a major problem that is inadequately understood, measured and managed. The growing body of information needs to be translated into more effective clinical care.

Thirty-day outcomes underestimate endocrine and exocrine insufficiency after pancreatic resection.

BACKGROUND: Long-term incidence of endocrine and exocrine insufficiency after pancreatectomy is poorly described. We analyze the long-term risks of pancreatic insufficiency after pancreatectomy. METHODS: Subjects who underwent pancreatectomy from 2002 to 2012 were identified from a prospective database (n = 227). Subjects who underwent total pancreatectomy or pancreatitis surgery were excluded. New post-operative endocrine and exocrine insufficiency was defined as the need for new pharmacologic intervention within 1000 days from resection. RESULTS: 28 (16%) of 178 subjects without pre-existing endocrine insufficiency developed post-operative endocrine insufficiency: 7 (25%) did so within 30 days, 8 (29%) between 30 and 90 days, and 13 (46%) after 90 days. 94 (43%) of 214 subjects without pre-operative exocrine insufficiency developed exocrine insufficiency: 20 (21%) did so within 30 days, 29 (31%) between 30 and 90 days, and 45 (48%) after 90 days. Adjuvant radiation was associated with new endocrine insufficiency. On multivariate regression, pancreaticoduodenectomy and chemotherapy were associated with a greater risk of exocrine insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Reporting 30-day functional outcomes for pancreatic resection is insufficient, as nearly 45% of subjects who develop disease do so after 90 days. Reporting of at least 90-day outcomes may more reliably assess risk for post-operative endocrine and exocrine insufficiency.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy and gastric antral vascular ectasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) are two types of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that may present similarly, but are managed very differently. This article reviews the pathogenesis and guidelines in management of both of these conditions with emphasis on recent advances in the field. RECENT FINDINGS: Off-label use of Hemospray has been shown in several case series to be useful in managing acute bleeding from PHG. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration presents an alternative approach for this condition. Radiofrequency ablation may be an alternative therapy to argon plasma coagulation in the endoscopic treatment of GAVE, as it consists of fewer sessions and has been shown to decrease gastrointestinal blood loss. SUMMARY: The treatment options for PHG and GAVE are constantly evolving and expanding. In this review, we present the latest approaches in the gastroenterologist's arsenal to deal with these conditions.

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the most common medical emergencies. It is important to recognize potential etiologies of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and understand therapeutic modalities available in achieving hemostasis. This article summarizes guidelines in management of acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and reviews recent advances in the field. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent study showed that patients who received blood transfusion with threshold hemoglobin below 7 g/dl rather than below 9 g/dl had significantly lower mortality at 45 days. Endoscopic therapy should be performed on actively bleeding ulcers and ulcers with visible vessel or adherent clot. An over-the-scope clip is a novel device that can be used to achieve hemostasis. It may be a useful tool for achieving hemostasis for patients who failed endoscopic therapy with epinephrine injection, clip, or thermal therapy. Doppler ultrasound probe can evaluate arterial flow to the ulcer and identify ulcers that are at high risk of rebleeding. SUMMARY: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from peptic ulcer disease is not a new clinical problem. Yet, the approach to management continues to evolve with the accumulation of data and well designed studies on the subject.

Bariatric procedures: an update on techniques, outcomes and complications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obesity is a rising epidemic, and it is projected that over 700 million people will be obese by 2015. As the number of people with morbid obesity rises, so will the number of bariatric procedures performed. The goal of this article is to review current surgical and endoscopic options for weight loss in morbidly obese patients including their efficacy and complications. RECENT FINDINGS: New bariatric surgical techniques have been developed with the goals of maximizing weight loss and metabolic outcomes, while minimizing complications. In addition, there is a role for therapeutic endoscopy in treating obesity as well as managing bariatric surgical complications. As the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery are better elucidated, bariatric surgeries may provide a role in treatment of metabolic syndrome in mildly obese individuals. For those with insufficient weight loss, revisional bariatric surgeries have been performed with varying success. SUMMARY: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity and its comorbidities. Several bariatric surgeries are available, and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended for choosing the best procedure for the appropriate candidate, along with providing long-term follow-up care to maximize outcome.

Timing and Outcomes of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy After Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Guidelines recommend using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for dysphagia after 2 weeks of stroke onset. We aimed to study the impact of PEG timing on outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: In this retrospective study of patients with ischemic stroke and PEG between 2014 and 2019, early PEG was defined as PEG tube placed within 14 days of stroke and late PEG after 14 days. Outcomes of 30-day mortality, PEG-related complications, and functional swallow recovery were compared between early and late PEG. Logistic regression model assessed factors associated with PEG timing. Results: The median time of PEG tube placement after stroke was 10.9 days. Of the 161 included patients, 60.9% had early PEG, and its associated patient factors were nursing facility discharge (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.4, confidence interval (CI): 1.48 - 7.82) and infection (OR: 0.32, CI: 0.139 - 0.178). Late PEG had 3.27 times greater odds of swallowing recovery, but mortality and complications were not significantly different between early and late PEG. Conclusions: Skilled nursing facility disposition and lack of infection were predictors of early PEG, constituting the majority of PEG placed for ischemic stroke-related dysphagia. Although better odds of swallowing recovery were seen with late PEG, likely implicating better patient selection, overall, the timing of PEG tube placement did not impact short-term mortality and complications.

Early gastric cancer: an update on endoscopic management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review focuses on the latest endoscopic techniques that are emerging in the management of early gastric cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Improved sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of early gastric cancers has been demonstrated in a number of studies by narrow band imaging (92.7 and 94.5%), confocal laser endomicroscopy (90.2 and 98.5%), and magnification chromoendoscopy (88.6 and 93.2%), respectively. In early gastric cancer, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been shown to be superior to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with curative resection rate at 79.5% for ESD vs. 59% for EMR, and a lower local recurrence rate at 0.82% for ESD vs. 5.03% for EMR. SUMMARY: Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic techniques are changing the paradigm of care in patients with early gastric cancers.