Endoscopic Features of Synchronous Multiple Early Gastric Cancers: Findings from a Nationwide Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the factors associated with synchronous multiple early gastric cancers and determined their localization. METHODS: We analyzed 8,191 patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancers at 33 hospitals in Japan from November 2013 to October 2016. Background factors were compared between single-lesion (n = 7,221) and synchronous multi-lesion cases (n = 970) using univariate and multivariate analyses. We extracted cases with two synchronous lesions (n = 832) and evaluated their localization. RESULTS: Significant independent risk factors for synchronous multiple early gastric cancer were older age (≥75 years old) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.257), male sex (OR = 1.385), severe mucosal atrophy (OR = 1.400), tumor localization in the middle (OR = 1.362) or lower region (OR = 1.404), and submucosal invasion (OR = 1.528 [SM1], 1.488 [SM2]). Depressed macroscopic type (OR = 0.679) and pure undifferentiated histology OR = 0.334) were more common in single early gastric cancers. When one lesion was in the upper region, the other was more frequently located in the lesser curvature of the middle region. When one lesion was in the middle region, the other was more frequently located in the middle region or the lesser curvature of the lower region. When one lesion was in the lower region, the other was more frequently located in the lesser curvature of the middle region or the lower region. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with synchronous multiple early gastric cancer included older age, male sex, severe mucosal atrophy, tumor localization in the middle or lower region, and tumor submucosal invasion. Our findings provide useful information regarding specific areas that should be examined carefully when one lesion is detected.

Long-term Risks of Recurrence After Hospital Discharge for Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Large Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Currently, large, nationwide, long-term follow-up data on acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) are scarce. We investigated long-term risks of recurrence after hospital discharge for ALGIB using a large multicenter dataset. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 5048 patients who were urgently hospitalized for ALGIB at 49 hospitals across Japan (CODE BLUE-J study). Risk factors for the long-term recurrence of ALGIB were analyzed by using competing risk analysis, treating death without rebleeding as a competing risk. RESULTS: Rebleeding occurred in 1304 patients (25.8%) during a mean follow-up period of 31 months. The cumulative incidences of rebleeding at 1 and 5 years were 15.1% and 25.1%, respectively. The mortality risk was significantly higher in patients with out-of-hospital rebleeding episodes than in those without (hazard ratio, 1.42). Of the 30 factors, multivariate analysis showed that shock index ≥1 (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 1.25), blood transfusion (SHR, 1.26), in-hospital rebleeding (SHR, 1.26), colonic diverticular bleeding (SHR, 2.38), and thienopyridine use (SHR, 1.24) were significantly associated with increased rebleeding risk. Multivariate analysis of colonic diverticular bleeding patients showed that blood transfusion (SHR, 1.20), in-hospital rebleeding (SHR, 1.30), and thienopyridine use (SHR, 1.32) were significantly associated with increased rebleeding risk, whereas endoscopic hemostasis (SHR, 0.83) significantly decreased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: These large, nationwide follow-up data highlighted the importance of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment during hospitalization and the assessment of the need for ongoing thienopyridine use to reduce the risk of out-of-hospital rebleeding. This information also aids in the identification of patients at high risk of rebleeding.

Association between perioperative management of antiplatelet agents and risk of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding in early gastric cancer: analysis of a nationwide multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data are lacking regarding post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) who take antiplatelet agents (APAs), particularly in those taking thienopyridine and cilostazol. We aimed to clarify the association between the status of APA medication and post-ESD bleeding risk. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis using data from a recently conducted nationwide multicenter study in Japan. We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with APAs or on no antithrombotic therapy recruited from 33 institutions who underwent ESD for EGC between November 2013 and October 2016. The primary outcome of this study was the relationship between the rate of post-ESD bleeding and the status of each APA medication. RESULTS: A total of 9736 patients were included in the analysis. Among 665 aspirin users, the continuation group was significantly associated with post-ESD bleeding (odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77-4.37). Among 227 thienopyridine users, the aspirin or cilostazol replacement group was not significantly associated with post-ESD bleeding (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, .72-4.78). Among 158 cilostazol users, there was no significant association with post-ESD bleeding, irrespective of medication status. The rate of post-ESD bleeding was approximately 10% to 20% irrespective of the status of APA administration among dual-antiplatelet therapy users. No patients experienced thromboembolic events in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of thienopyridine with aspirin or cilostazol may be acceptable for minimizing both the risk of post-ESD bleeding and thromboembolism in patients with EGC. In patients on cilostazol monotherapy undergoing ESD, continuation of therapy may be acceptable.

Outcomes and recurrent bleeding risks of detachable snare and band ligation for colonic diverticular bleeding: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ligation therapy, including endoscopic detachable snare ligation (EDSL) and endoscopic band ligation (EBL), has emerged as an endoscopic treatment for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB); its comparative effectiveness and risk of recurrent bleeding remain unclear, however. Our goal was to compare the outcomes of EDSL and EBL in treating CDB and identify risk factors for recurrent bleeding after ligation therapy. METHODS: We reviewed data of 518 patients with CDB who underwent EDSL (n = 77) or EBL (n = 441) in a multicenter cohort study named the Colonic Diverticular Bleeding Leaders Update Evidence From Multicenter Japanese Study (CODE BLUE-J Study). Outcomes were compared by using propensity score matching. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed for recurrent bleeding risk, and a competing risk analysis was used to treat death without recurrent bleeding as a competing risk. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of initial hemostasis, 30-day recurrent bleeding, interventional radiology or surgery requirements, 30-day mortality, blood transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, and adverse events. Sigmoid colon involvement was an independent risk factor for 30-day recurrent bleeding (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.40; P = .042). History of acute lower GI bleeding (ALGIB) was a significant long-term recurrent bleeding risk factor on Cox regression analysis. A performance status score of 3/4 and history of ALGIB were long-term recurrent bleeding factors on competing risk regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in outcomes between EDSL and EBL for CDB. After ligation therapy, careful follow-up is required, especially in the treatment of sigmoid diverticular bleeding during admission. History of ALGIB and performance status at admission are important risk factors for long-term recurrent bleeding after discharge.

Timing of colonoscopy in acute lower GI bleeding: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to determine the optimal timing of colonoscopy and factors that benefit patients who undergo early colonoscopy for acute lower GI bleeding. METHODS: We identified 10,342 patients with acute hematochezia (CODE BLUE-J study) admitted to 49 hospitals in Japan. Of these, 6270 patients who underwent a colonoscopy within 120 hours were included in this study. The inverse probability of treatment weighting method was used to adjust for baseline characteristics among early (≤24 hours, n = 4133), elective (24-48 hours, n = 1137), and late (48-120 hours, n = 1000) colonoscopy. The average treatment effect was evaluated for outcomes. The primary outcome was 30-day rebleeding rate. RESULTS: The early group had a significantly higher rate of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) identification and a shorter length of stay than the elective and late groups. However, the 30-day rebleeding rate was significantly higher in the early group than in the elective and late groups. Interventional radiology (IVR) or surgery requirement and 30-day mortality did not significantly differ among groups. The interaction with heterogeneity of effects was observed between early and late colonoscopy and shock index (shock index <1, odds ratio [OR], 2.097; shock index ≥1, OR, 1.095; P for interaction = .038) and performance status (0-2, OR, 2.481; ≥3, OR, .458; P for interaction = .022) for 30-day rebleeding. Early colonoscopy had a significantly lower IVR or surgery requirement in the shock index ≥1 cohort (OR, .267; 95% confidence interval, .099-.721) compared with late colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Early colonoscopy increased the rate of SRH identification and shortened the length of stay but involved an increased risk of rebleeding and did not improve mortality and IVR or surgery requirement. Early colonoscopy particularly benefited patients with a shock index ≥1 or performance status ≥3 at presentation.

Weekend Effect on Clinical Outcomes of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Large Multicenter Cohort Study in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Weekend admissions showed increased mortality in several medical conditions. This study aimed to examine the weekend effect on acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) and its mortality and other outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study (CODE BLUE-J Study) was conducted at 49 Japanese hospitals between January 2010 and December 2019. In total, 8,120 outpatients with acute hematochezia were enrolled and divided into weekend admissions and weekday admissions groups. Multiple imputation (MI) was used to handle missing values, followed by propensity score matching (PSM) to compare outcomes. The primary outcome was mortality; the secondary outcomes were rebleeding, length of stay (LOS), blood transfusion, thromboembolism, endoscopic treatment, the need for interventional radiology, and the need for surgery. Colonoscopy and computed tomography (CT) management were also evaluated. RESULTS: Before PSM, there was no significant difference in mortality (1.3% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.133) between weekend and weekday admissions. After PSM with MI, 1,976 cases were matched for each admission. Mortality was not significantly different for weekend admissions compared with weekday admissions (odds ratio [OR] 1.437, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.785-2.630; p = 0.340). No significant difference was found with other secondary outcomes in weekend admissions except for blood transfusion (OR 1.239, 95% CI 1.084-1.417; p = 0.006). Weekend admission had a negative effect on early colonoscopy (OR 0.536, 95% CI 0.471-0.609; p < 0.001). Meanwhile, urgent CT remained significantly higher in weekend admissions (OR 1.466, 95% CI 1.295-1.660; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Weekend admissions decrease early colonoscopy and increase urgent CT but do not affect mortality or other outcomes except transfusion.

Early feeding reduces length of hospital stay in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: A large multicentre cohort study.

AIM: No studies have compared the clinical outcomes of early and delayed feeding in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). This study aimed to evaluate the benefits and risks of early feeding in a nationwide cohort of patients with ALGIB in whom haemostasis was achieved. METHODS: We reviewed data for 5910 patients with ALGIB in whom haemostasis was achieved and feeding was resumed within 3 days after colonoscopy at 49 hospitals across Japan (CODE BLUE-J Study). Patients were divided into an early feeding group (≤1 day, n = 3324) and a delayed feeding group (2-3 days, n = 2586). Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups by propensity matching analysis of 1508 pairs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the early and delayed feeding groups in the rebleeding rate within 7 days after colonoscopy (9.4% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.196) or in the rebleeding rate within 30 days (11.4% vs. 11.5%; p = 0.909). There was also no significant between-group difference in the need for interventional radiology or surgery or in mortality. However, the median length of hospital stay after colonoscopy was significantly shorter in the early feeding group (5 vs. 7 days; p < 0.001). These results were unchanged when subgroups of presumptive and definitive colonic diverticular bleeding were compared. CONCLUSION: The findings of this nationwide study suggest that early feeding after haemostasis can shorten the hospital stay in patients with ALGIB without increasing the risk of rebleeding.

LONG-HOSP Score: A Novel Predictive Score for Length of Hospital Stay in Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding - A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

INTRODUCTION: Length of stay (LOS) in hospital affects cost, patient quality of life, and hospital management; however, existing gastrointestinal bleeding models applicable at hospital admission have not focused on LOS. We aimed to construct a predictive model for LOS in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 8,547 patients emergently hospitalized for ALGIB at 49 hospitals (the CODE BLUE-J Study). A predictive model for prolonged hospital stay was developed using the baseline characteristics of 7,107 patients and externally validated in 1,440 patients. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis assessed the impact of additional variables during hospitalization on LOS. RESULTS: Focusing on baseline characteristics, a predictive model for prolonged hospital stay was developed, the LONG-HOSP score, which consisted of low body mass index, laboratory data, old age, nondrinker status, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, facility with ≥800 beds, heart rate, oral antithrombotic agent use, symptoms, systolic blood pressure, performance status, and past medical history. The score showed relatively high performance in predicting prolonged hospital stay and high hospitalization costs (area under the curve: 0.70 and 0.73 for derivation, respectively, and 0.66 and 0.71 for external validation, respectively). Next, we focused on in-hospital management. Diagnosis of colitis or colorectal cancer, rebleeding, and the need for blood transfusion, interventional radiology, and surgery prolonged LOS, regardless of the LONG-HOSP score. By contrast, early colonoscopy and endoscopic treatment shortened LOS. CONCLUSIONS: At hospital admission for ALGIB, our novel predictive model stratified patients by their risk of prolonged hospital stay. During hospitalization, early colonoscopy and endoscopic treatment shortened LOS.

Vonoprazan versus proton pump inhibitors for postendoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding in the stomach: a multicenter population-based comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effectiveness of vonoprazan relative to that of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is unclear. Although previous studies used post-ESD ulcer healing as the outcome measure, post-ESD bleeding rate is the most objective and appropriate outcome measure because it has less ascertainment bias. We aimed to compare the post-ESD bleeding rates between vonoprazan and PPIs. METHODS: This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2014 and 2018 and involved 9 hospitals. After 2 days of intravenous PPI administration, either vonoprazan or PPI was administrated from postoperative day 2 to 30. RESULTS: Overall, data of 1715 patients (627 patient pairs) were analyzed through propensity score matching. The vonoprazan group had significantly lower post-ESD bleeding rates than the PPI group (overall, 11.9% vs 17.2%, P = .008; bleeding between days 2 and 30, 7.8% vs 11.8%, P = .015). The readmission rate because of post-ESD bleeding was lower in the vonoprazan group (2.4% vs 4.1%, P = .081). Blood transfusion (2.1% vs 3.0%, P = .15) and additional surgery because of delayed perforation (.5% vs 1.0%, P = .32) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. No deaths within 30 days occurred in both groups. On Cox regression analysis, vonoprazan use, lesion location (antrum), aspirin use, direct oral anticoagulant use, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (≥2) were associated with an increased risk of post-ESD bleeding within 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Vonoprazan has a lower post-ESD bleeding rate than PPIs. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these results.

Treatment strategies for reducing early and late recurrence of colonic diverticular bleeding based on stigmata of recent hemorrhage: a large multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Treatment strategies for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) based on stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) remain unstandardized, and no large studies have evaluated their effectiveness. We sought to identify the best strategy among combinations of SRH identification and endoscopic treatment strategies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 5823 CDB patients who underwent colonoscopy at 49 hospitals throughout Japan (CODE-BLUE J-Study). Three strategies were compared: find SRH (definitive CDB) and treat endoscopically, find SRH (definitive CDB) and treat conservatively, and without finding SRH (presumptive CDB) treat conservatively. In conducting pairwise comparisons of outcomes in these groups, we used propensity score-matching analysis to balance baseline characteristics between the groups being compared. RESULTS: Both early and late recurrent bleeding rates were significantly lower in patients with definitive CDB treated endoscopically than in those with presumptive CDB treated conservatively (<30 days, 19.6% vs 26.0% [P < .001]; <365 days, 33.7% vs 41.6% [P < .001], respectively). In patients with definitive CDB, the early recurrent bleeding rate was significantly lower in those treated endoscopically than in those treated conservatively (17.4% vs 26.7% [P = .038] for a single test of hypothesis; however, correction for multiple testing of data removed this significance). The late recurrent bleeding rate was also lower, but not significantly, in those treated endoscopically (32.0% vs 36.1%, P = .426). Definitive CDB treated endoscopically showed significantly lower early and late recurrent bleeding rates than when treated conservatively in cases of SRH with active bleeding, nonactive bleeding, and in the right-sided colon but not left-sided colon. CONCLUSIONS: Treating definitive CDB endoscopically was most effective in reducing recurrent bleeding over the short and long term, compared with not treating definitive CDB or presumptive CDB. Physicians should endeavor to find and treat SRH for suspected CDB.

The degree of mucosal atrophy is associated with post-endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding in early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite the widespread use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer, post-ESD bleeding remains a significant problem. Intragastric pH plays an important role in intragastric bleeding. Because gastric acid secretion contributes to intragastric pH, both the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the degree of gastric mucosal atrophy may affect bleeding. The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between post-ESD bleeding and the degree of gastric mucosal atrophy based on H. pylori infection status. METHODS: We included 8170 patients who underwent ESD for early gastric cancer at 33 hospitals in Japan from November 2013 to October 2016. We analyzed the risk factors contributing to post-ESD bleeding. RESULTS: There were 3935 H. pylori-positive patients and 4235 H. pylori-negative patients. A nonsevere degree of gastric mucosal atrophy was an independent risk factor for post-ESD bleeding in H. pylori-negative patients (odds ratio: 1.51, P = 0.007), but not in H. pylori-positive patients (odds ratio: 0.91, P = 0.600). Further, in H. pylori-negative, but not H. pylori-positive, patients, the rate of post-ESD bleeding increased in a stepwise manner for patients continuing antithrombotic drug use, patients who withdrew antithrombotic drug use, and antithrombotic drug nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Nonsevere gastric mucosal atrophy was a risk factor for post-ESD bleeding in early gastric cancer in H. pylori-negative patients but not in H. pylori-positive patients.

Chemoprevention of Oesophageal Squamous-Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma: A Multicentre Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal cancer comprises 2 different histological variants: oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAC). While there are multiple therapeutic options for both types, patients with advanced or metastatic oesophageal cancer still suffer from poor prognosis. AIMS: The study aimed to examine the association between the risk of oesophageal cancer and medications and to estimate the chemopreventive effects of commonly used drugs. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from 9 hospital databases of hospitalized patients between 2014 and 2019. The primary outcomes were ESCC and EAC. The association of oesophageal cancer with drug use and clinical factors was evaluated. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index scores, and smoking with/without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. RESULTS: The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.48, p < 0.0001), aspirin (aOR 0.32, p < 0.0001), cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (COX2I) (aOR 0.70, p = 0.0005), steroid (aOR 0.19, p < 0.0001), statin (aOR 0.43, p < 0.0001), and metformin (aOR 0.42, p < 0.0001) was associated with a lower risk of ESCC than that in non-use. The use of aspirin (aOR 0.33, p = 0.0006) and steroids (aOR 0.54, p = 0.022) was associated with a lower risk of EAC than that in non-use. CONCLUSION: COX2Is, statins, metformin, and PPIs could help in prevention of ESCC, and aspirin and steroids may be chemopreventive for both types of oesophageal cancer.

Bleeding following Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer in Surgically Altered Stomach.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have focused on bleeding following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in surgically altered stomach. We aimed to reveal the bleeding risk in surgically altered stomach following ESD for early gastric cancer (EGC). METHODS: We enrolled patients with ESD for EGC at 33 institutions between 2013 and 2016. In study 1, we evaluated bleeding risk following ESD in surgically altered stomach, compared with whole stomach. In study 2, we evaluated factors associated with bleeding following ESD in patients with surgically altered stomach. RESULTS: Of 11,452 patients, 445 patients had surgically altered stomach with the bleeding rate following ESD of 4.9%. In study 1, the bleeding risk in surgically altered stomach was not significant (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-2.17) in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. No significant results were obtained when the surgically altered stomach was subdivided into various types. In study 2, the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that independent risk factors for bleeding following ESD were ischemic heart disease (OR, 7.52; 95% CI, 2.00-28.25) and P2Y12 receptor antagonist (OR, 4.81; 95% CI, 1.21-19.14). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In this nationwide study, we found that the bleeding risk of surgically altered stomach following ESD for EGC did not significantly differ from that of whole stomach. The risk factors for ESD in patients with surgically altered stomach were ischemic heart disease and P2Y12 receptor antagonist.

Chemoprevention for Colorectal Cancers: Are Chemopreventive Effects Different Between Left and Right Sided Colorectal Cancers?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent studies have suggested that right- and left-sided colorectal cancers (CRCs) are molecularly distinct. In this study, we examined the association between the risk of right- and left-sided CRC and drug use to estimate their chemopreventive effects METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted using the data of hospitalized patients between 2014 and 2019 from nine hospital databases. The primary outcomes were right- and left-sided CRC. We evaluated the association of CRCs with drug use and clinical factors. Odds ratios adjusted for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, and smoking status were calculated. We also compared the transcriptional profiling in precancerous lesions, including sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) RESULTS: A total of 307,938 patients, including 2745 with right-sided CRC and 4819 with left-sided CRC, were analyzed. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and steroids was associated with a lower risk of both right- and left-sided CRCs. In contrast, statins, other lipid-lowering agents, and metformin were associated with a lower risk of left-sided CRC. Transcriptomic analysis showed that SSL, which predominantly develops in the right colon, was associated with a lower expression of lipid metabolism-related genes. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting lipid metabolism may be useful for chemoprevention of left-sided CRCs, while development of right-sided CRCs may be independent of this pathway.

Influence of hospital volume on bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer in Japan: a multicenter propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Information on whether there is a relationship between hospital volume and bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) is limited. This study aimed to compare the bleeding rates after ESD for EGC according to the hospital volume. METHODS: Patients who underwent ESD for EGC at 33 institutions in Japan between November 2013 and October 2016 were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Hospital volume was categorized into three groups, based on the average annual number of ESD procedures: low- and medium-volume group (LMVG), high-volume group (HVG), and very high-volume group (VHVG). The bleeding rate after ESD for EGC was compared between the three hospital volume groups after propensity score matching. RESULTS: A total of 10,320 patients, including 2797 patients in the LMVG, 4646 patients in the HVG, and 2877 patients in the VHVG, were identified. Propensity score matching yielded 2002 patients in each hospital volume group, with an improved balance of confounding variables between the three groups. The bleeding rates in the LMVG, HVG, and VHVG were 4.3%, 3.7%, and 4.9%, respectively, and no significant difference was noted between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The bleeding rate after ESD for EGC did not differ between hospitals in Japan. The finding indicated that ESD for EGC is equally feasible across Japanese hospitals of different volumes regarding bleeding after ESD.

Prediction model of bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: BEST-J score.

OBJECTIVE: Bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) is a frequent adverse event after ESD. We aimed to develop and externally validate a clinically useful prediction model (BEST-J score: Bleeding after ESD Trend from Japan) for bleeding after ESD for EGC. DESIGN: This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent ESD for EGC. Patients in the derivation cohort (n=8291) were recruited from 25 institutions, and patients in the external validation cohort (n=2029) were recruited from eight institutions in other areas. In the derivation cohort, weighted points were assigned to predictors of bleeding determined in the multivariate logistic regression analysis and a prediction model was established. External validation of the model was conducted to analyse discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: A prediction model comprised 10 variables (warfarin, direct oral anticoagulant, chronic kidney disease with haemodialysis, P2Y12 receptor antagonist, aspirin, cilostazol, tumour size >30 mm, lower-third in tumour location, presence of multiple tumours and interruption of each kind of antithrombotic agents). The rates of bleeding after ESD at low-risk (0 to 1 points), intermediate-risk (2 points), high-risk (3 to 4 points) and very high-risk (≥5 points) were 2.8%, 6.1%, 11.4% and 29.7%, respectively. In the external validation cohort, the model showed moderately good discrimination, with a c-statistic of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.76), and good calibration (calibration-in-the-large, 0.05; calibration slope, 1.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide multicentre study, we derived and externally validated a prediction model for bleeding after ESD. This model may be a good clinical decision-making support tool for ESD in patients with EGC.

Efficacy and Safety of Early vs Elective Colonoscopy for Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We performed a large, multicenter, randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of early colonoscopy on outcomes of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). METHODS: We performed an open-label study at 15 hospitals in Japan of 170 patients with ALGIB randomly assigned (1:1) to groups that underwent early colonoscopy (within 24 hours of initial visit to the hospital) or elective colonoscopy (24-96 hours after hospital admission). The primary outcome was identification of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH). Secondary outcomes were rebleeding within 30 days, endoscopic treatment success, need for transfusion, length of stay, thrombotic events within 30 days, death within 30 days, and adverse events. RESULTS: SRH were identified in 17 of 79 patients (21.5%) in the early colonoscopy group vs 17 of 80 patients (21.3%) in the elective colonoscopy group (difference, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, -12.5 to 13.0; P = .967). Rebleeding within 30 days of hospital admission occurred in 15.3% of patients in the early colonoscopy group and 6.7% of patients in the elective colonoscopy group (difference, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, -1.4 to 18.7); there were no significant differences between groups in successful endoscopic treatment rate, transfusion rate, length of stay, thrombotic events, or death within 30 days. The adverse event of hemorrhagic shock occurred during bowel preparation in no patient in the early group vs 2 patients (2.5%) in the elective colonoscopy group. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized controlled study, we found that colonoscopy within 24 hours after hospital admission did not increase SRH or reduce rebleeding compared with colonoscopy at 24-96 hours in patients with ALGIB. ClinicalTrials.gov, Numbers: UMIN000021129 and NCT03098173.

Identifying Bleeding Etiologies by Endoscopy Affected Outcomes in 10,342 Cases With Hematochezia: CODE BLUE-J Study.

INTRODUCTION: The bleeding source of hematochezia is unknown without performing colonoscopy. We sought to identify whether colonoscopy is a risk-stratifying tool to identify etiology and predict outcomes and whether presenting symptoms can differentiate the etiologies in patients with hematochezia. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted at 49 hospitals across Japan analyzed 10,342 patients admitted for outpatient-onset acute hematochezia. RESULTS: Patients were mostly elderly population, and 29.5% had hemodynamic instability. Computed tomography was performed in 69.1% and colonoscopy in 87.7%. Diagnostic yield of colonoscopy reached 94.9%, most frequently diverticular bleeding. Thirty-day rebleeding rates were significantly higher with diverticulosis and small bowel bleeding than with other etiologies. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher with angioectasia, malignancy, rectal ulcer, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopic treatment rates were significantly higher with diverticulosis, radiation colitis, angioectasia, rectal ulcer, and postendoscopy bleeding. More interventional radiology procedures were needed for diverticulosis and small bowel bleeding. Etiologies with favorable outcomes and low procedure rates were ischemic colitis and infectious colitis. Higher rates of painless hematochezia at presentation were significantly associated with multiple diseases, such as rectal ulcer, hemorrhoids, angioectasia, radiation colitis, and diverticulosis. The same was true in cases of hematochezia with diarrhea, fever, and hemodynamic instability. DISCUSSION: This nationwide data set of acute hematochezia highlights the importance of colonoscopy in accurately detecting bleeding etiologies that stratify patients at high or low risk of adverse outcomes and those who will likely require more procedures. Predicting different bleeding etiologies based on initial presentation would be challenging.

Timing of bleeding and thromboembolism associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to reveal the timing of bleeding and thromboembolism associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed  10,320 patients who underwent ESD for EGC during November 2013-October 2016. We evaluated overall bleeding rates and their inter-group differences. Factors associated with early/late (cut-off 5 days) bleeding and thromboembolism frequency and its association with the intake of antithrombotic agents were investigated. RESULTS: Overall, the post-ESD bleeding rate was 4.7% (489/10 320); the median time to post-ESD bleeding was 4 days. The post-ESD bleeding rates were 3.2%, 8.7%, 15.5%, and 29.9% in those not taking antithrombotic agents, those taking antiplatelet agents, those taking anticoagulants (ACs), and those taking antiplatelet agents and ACs. Warfarin (odds ratio [OR], 9.16), direct oral ACs (OR, 4.16), chronic kidney disease with hemodialysis (OR, 2.93), thienopyridine (OR, 2.25), aspirin (OR, 1.66), tumor size >30 mm (OR, 1.86), multiple tumors' resection (OR, 1.54), and tumor in the lower third of the stomach (OR, 1.40) were independent risk factors for early bleeding. The independent risk factors for late bleeding were direct oral ACs (OR, 7.42), chronic kidney disease with hemodialysis (OR, 4.99), warfarin (OR, 3.90), thienopyridine (OR, 3.09), liver cirrhosis (OR, 2.43), cilostazol (OR, 1.93), aspirin (OR, 1.92), ischemic heart disease (OR, 1.77), and male sex (OR, 1.65). There were three (0.03%) thromboembolic events (cerebral infarction = 2, transient ischemic attack = 1). CONCLUSION: We revealed the timing of bleeding and risk factors for early/late bleeding and showed the thromboembolism frequency associated with ESD for EGC.

Image quality of a novel light-emitting diode (LED)-illuminated colonoscope.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used widely for their high luminous efficiency and durability. We developed a novel prototype high definition endoscope with white LEDs and evaluated the image quality it produced against a commercial endoscope with conventional light source. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The specifications of both colonoscopes were identical, except for the LED light source at the tip of the prototype. We examined 20 patients with rectal or sigmoid colon lesions and the image quality was evaluated in 40 images (one image from the LED colonoscope and one from the conventional colonoscope for each lesion) by three endoscopists. We additionally evaluated the 17 videos recorded with the LED colonoscope that were available. Image quality, mucosal and vascular color, and luminous distribution and intensity were scored on a 5-point scale. RESULTS: The mean score for vascular color given by one evaluator was significantly higher using the LED colonoscope than using the conventional colonoscope. The mean scores for mucosal color and luminous intensity from another evaluator were significantly lower with the LED colonoscope than with the conventional colonoscope. There were no significant differences in the luminous distribution scores for any of the evaluators. The image quality of the videos was evaluated as being similar with both colonoscopes. CONCLUSIONS: Image quality from the LED and conventional colonoscopes were similar, although the luminous intensity of the LEDs is inferior to that of the conventional light source at the present time.