COVID-19 Pandemic is Associated With Increased Prevalence of GERD and Decreased GERD-related Quality of Life: Analysis From 9800 Participants in the Indonesian GERD-Q Study.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is expected to increase during the pandemic due to unexpected, sudden lifestyle changes such as decreased physical activity and worsening mental conditions. Here, we aim to explore the difference in the prevalence of GERD and GERD-related quality of life (QoL) in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the Indonesian GERD Questionnaire study, a cross-sectional study utilizing an online form of the GERD Questionnaire, was done to compare the prevalence of GERD between March 2, 2018 to March 1, 2020 (prepandemic group) and March 2, 2020 to March 1, 2022 (pandemic group). The prevalence odds ratios between the 2 groups were calculated using χ 2 . RESULTS: A total of 9800 participants were included in the analysis; 1807 and 7993 were allocated to the pandemic and prepandemic groups, respectively. The prevalence of GERD in the pandemic and prepandemic groups were 67.9% and 61.8%, respectively (prevalence odds ratio: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.17-1.46). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of GERD, heartburn, and those who reported impaired GERD-related quality of life increased. Regurgitation was the most common symptom reported by participants.

Global epidemiology of early-onset upper gastrointestinal cancer: trend from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In recent years, there has been a growing incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in young individuals. Despite its significant morbidity and mortality, research on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer in young populations has been relatively limited. Therefore, studies on the epidemiological changes of this cancer are needed. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we examined the incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from UGI cancers in the young, namely, early-onset esophageal cancer (EOEC) and early-onset gastric cancer (EOGC). These results were stratified by sex, geographical region, country, and sociodemographic index. RESULTS: There was a total of 185 140 cases, 120 289 deaths, and 5.70 million DALYs attributable to early-onset UGI cancers globally. From 2010 to 2019, the global incidence, death, and DALYs rates of early-onset UGI cancers decreased. In contrast, the incidence rates increased in both EOEC (+1.15%) and EOGC (+0.21%) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past decade, the burden of UGI cancer in the young has decreased. However, it has increased in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Further research to elucidate the attributable risk factors in this population is warranted.

A systematic review with meta-analysis: Efficacy and safety of potassium-competitive acid blocker compared with proton pump inhibitor in the maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis.

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is the mainstay therapy for the maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis (EE). It is unknown whether potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) are more efficacious and safer than PPIs. Methods: Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PCABs to PPIs in the maintenance of healing rates of endoscopically proven healed EE and indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL until 3 February 2024, were included. A fixed-effects model meta-analysis was performed to pool primary efficacy outcome (maintenance of healing rates at week 24) and safety data (any treatment-emergent adverse event or TEAE). The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) tool. Results: Four RCTs with a total of 2554 patients were eligible for inclusion. All trials were of low risk of bias. Compared to lansoprazole 15 mg, the maintenance rates of healed EE at week 24 were significantly higher with vonoprazan 10 mg (RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.07-1.19) and vonoprazan 20 mg (RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.10-1.21). Likewise, compared to lansoprazole 15 mg, any TEAEs were significantly greater with vonoprazan 20 mg (RR 1.10; 95% CI 1.01-1.20) but not vonoprazan 10 mg. Conclusion: Vonoprazan 10 and 20 mg were superior to lansoprazole 15 mg in the maintenance of the healing of EE. Any TEAEs were greater with vonoprazan 20 mg.

Early-onset pancreatic cancer and associated metabolic risk factors in the Middle East and North Africa: A 20-year analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) is associated with poor prognosis and high disease burden. Metabolic risk factors such as diabetes and obesity are considered risk factors of EOPC. Recently, there has been an increasing number of EOPCs worldwide. However, the analysis of EOPC, including its metabolic risk factors, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has not been fully addressed. METHODS: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study between 2000 and 2019 was used to analyze the prevalence, incidence, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with EOPC and its metabolic risk factors. The analysis further categorized the data based on countries, income status and sex and examined the annual percentage change (APC). RESULTS: Approximately 2800 cases, 2400 deaths and 114,000 DALYs were attributable to EOPC in the MENA region. The incidence (APC + 3.42%), death (APC + 0.73%) and DALYs (APC + 3.23%) rates of EOPC increased. In addition, the death and DALY rates of EOPC attributable to obesity and diabetes increased. High and upper-middle-income countries exhibited a higher burden of EOPC than lower-income countries. CONCLUSION: Over the past two decades, the burden of EOPC and its associated metabolic risk factors has increased. There is an urgent need for region-wide policy development, including screening methods and risk factor reduction, to mitigate the high and rising burden of EOPC in the MENA region.

Development of the Escalation of Therapy or Intervention (ETI) Calculator for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Using ePROMs.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Digital collection of patient-reported outcome measures [PROMs] is largely unexplored as a basis for follow-up for patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. Our aim was to develop a model to predict the likelihood of escalation of therapy or intervention at an outpatient appointment that may be used to rationalize follow-up. METHODS: TrueColours-IBD is a web-based, real-time, remote monitoring software that allows longitudinal collection of ePROMs. Data for prediction modelling were derived from a Development Cohort, guided by the TRIPOD statement. Logistic regression modelling used ten candidate items to predict escalation of therapy or intervention. An Escalation of Therapy or Intervention [ETI] calculator was developed, and applied in a Validation Cohort at the same centre. RESULTS: The Development Cohort [n = 66] was recruited in 2016 and followed for 6 months [208 appointments]. From ten items, four significant predictors of ETI were identified: SCCAI, IBD Control-8, faecal calprotectin, and platelets. For practicality, a model with only SCCAI and IBD Control-8, both entered remotely by the patient, without the need for faecal calprotectin or blood tests was selected. Between 2018 and 2020, a Validation Cohort of 538 patients [1188 appointments] was examined. A 5% threshold on the ETI calculator correctly identified 343/388 [88%] escalations and 274/484 [57%] non-escalations. CONCLUSIONS: A calculator based on digital, patient-entered data on symptoms and quality of life can predict whether a patient with UC requires escalation of therapy or intervention at an outpatient appointment. This may be used to streamline outpatient appointments for patients with UC.