Single anastomosis gastric bypass for morbid obesity. / Gastrisk bypass med én anastomose ved sykelig overvekt.

BACKGROUND: Mini-gastric bypass is a new surgical method for the treatment of morbid obesity. The method was introduced at Oslo University Hospital in 2016. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospective data collected over a two-year period following mini-gastric bypass between 1 March 2016 and 1 April 2021. RESULTS: Altogether, 241/1611 (15 %) patients who underwent surgery at the Centre for Morbid Obesity in the five-year period received a mini-gastric bypass. A total of 147/241 (61 %) met the inclusion criteria and 125/147 (85 %) were included in the study. Average age was 47.4 years (standard deviation 10.7), and 81/125 (64.8 %) were women. Average weight was 134 (25) kg before and 90 (20) kg after surgery. Total average weight loss two years after surgery was 33.1 % (9.1). Before surgery and two years post-surgery, 20.0 % and 27.2 % had gastroesophageal reflux, 38.3 % and 8.8 % had type II diabetes and 84.8 % and 44.0 % had dyslipidaemia, respectively. Altogether, 12 % developed anaemia, 6.3 % iron deficiency and 23.1 % vitamin D deficiency. Early complications (< 30 days) were recorded in 6/125 (4.8 %) patients and late complications (> 30 days) in 7/125 (5.6 %) patients. The results were comparable to all the quality indicators in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry Norway. INTERPRETATION: Mini-gastric bypass can be performed with few complications and with a beneficial effect on secondary comorbidity up to two years after surgery.

The first modified Delphi consensus statement on sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the commonest bariatric procedure worldwide. Yet there is significant variation in practice concerning its various aspects. This paper report results from the first modified Delphi consensus-building exercise on SG. METHODS: We established a committee of 54 globally recognized opinion makers in this field. The committee agreed to vote on several statements concerning SG. An agreement or disagreement amongst ≥ 70.0% experts was construed as a consensus. RESULTS: The committee achieved a consensus of agreement (n = 71) or disagreement (n = 7) for 78 out of 97 proposed statements after two rounds of voting. The committee agreed with 96.3% consensus that the characterization of SG as a purely restrictive procedure was inaccurate and there was 88.7% consensus that SG was not a suitable standalone, primary, surgical weight loss option for patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) without dysplasia. There was an overwhelming consensus of 92.5% that the sleeve should be fashioned over an orogastric tube of 36-40 Fr and a 90.7% consensus that surgeons should stay at least 1 cm away from the angle of His. Remarkably, the committee agreed with 81.1% consensus that SG patients should undergo a screening endoscopy every 5 years after surgery to screen for BE. CONCLUSION: A multinational team of experts achieved consensus on several aspects of SG. The findings of this exercise should help improve the outcomes of SG, the commonest bariatric procedure worldwide, and guide future research on this topic.

Preoperative inhibitory control predicts weight loss 1 year after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Executive function (EF) and, in particular, inhibitory control have been associated with weight loss (WL) in behavioural WL treatment for obesity. Few studies have focused on the relationship between preoperative inhibitory control and post-operative WL following bariatric surgery, and the potential mediating role of maladaptive eating behaviours is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative executive function as a predictor of WL at 1 year following bariatric surgery. Additionally, we aimed to explore the mediating role of postoperative compulsive grazing in the relationship between inhibitory control and WL. METHOD: A prospective observational study in which participants completed neuropsychological testing 30 days before and 1 year following surgery (n = 61/80; 76% follow-up). Participants were 80% female, with an average age of 41 years. Approximately 54% underwent gastric bypass, 26% gastric sleeve and 20% had one anastomosis gastric bypass. Regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between preoperative EF and percentage total weight loss (%TWL), and structural equation modelling was used to examine compulsive grazing as a mediator. RESULTS: After adjusting for control variables, preoperative inhibitory control explained 8% of the variance in %TWL (p ≤ 0.05). Preoperative working memory was not significantly associated with %TWL. Postoperative compulsive grazing was significantly associated with %TWL (p ≤ 0.05), but did not mediate the association between preoperative inhibitory control and %TWL. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that preoperative inhibitory control performance is a relevant predictor of postoperative WL and that compulsive grazing is a maladaptive eating behaviour that warrants clinical attention after surgery.

Irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms and health related quality of life two years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is prevalent in patients with morbid obesity. After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) chronic abdominal pain is common, however the etiology is largely unknown. We aimed to study the change in the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms 2 years after RYGB and possible preoperative predictors of such symptoms. Secondly, to evaluate changes in symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, and Health related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Patients with morbid obesity were included at two obesity centers in South-Eastern Norway. IBS was diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria. Predictors were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 307 participants operated with RYGB, 233 (76%) completed the study questionnaires. Preoperatively 27/233 participants (12%) had IBS, 2 years after RYGB 61/233 (26%) had IBS-like symptoms (p < 0.001). Eleven participants with IBS preoperatively (41%) did not report such symptoms after RYGB. New onset IBS-like symptoms was identified in 45/206 (22%) after RYGB. Fibromyalgia, low LDL levels, high vitamin B1 levels and IBS before RYGB were independent preoperative predictors of IBS-like symptoms at the follow-up visit. Symptom scores for constipation preoperatively and 2 year after RYGB were 1.5 (0.9) and 1.8 (1.2), and for diarrhea 1.4 (0.9) and 1.8 (1.1), respectively (p < 0.001). We observed a significant improvement in the physical component score for all participants. However, participants with new onset IBS-like symptoms had a significant worsening of the mental component score. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS-like symptoms doubled 2 years after RYGB, and these symptoms were associated with reduced HRQoL. Preoperative IBS and fibromyalgia were strong predictors of postoperative IBS-like symptoms.

Bariatric surgery at Oslo University Hospital 2004­14. / Fedmekirurgi ved Oslo universitetssykehus 2004­14.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has been performed at Oslo University Hospital since 2004. We wished to describe patient characteristics, use of surgical methods and perioperative complications in the period 2004-14. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospective data collected for the period 2004-14. Complications include events during hospitalisation and up to 6-8 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Altogether 2 127 patients underwent surgery for morbid obesity, whereof 1 468 were women. Average age and body mass index were 42 years (range 17-73) and 46.2 kg/m2 (range 26-92). A total of 512 had a body mass index ≥ 50 kg/m2. Obesity-related sequelae were registered in 1 196 patients before surgery. Gastric bypass was performed in 1 966 patients, gastric sleeve resection in 122 (17 of these later underwent duodenal switch) and duodenal switch in 56 patients. All patients were operated laparoscopically, and four procedures were converted to laparotomy. Median hospitalisation time was two days (range 1-78). Complications were registered in 209 patients, 75 of whom had severe complications (grade ≥ IIIb on the Clavien-Dindo classification system). Patients with a body mass index ≥ 50 kg/m2 had a higher incidence of complications (12.5 % vs 8.9 %). Altogether 67 patients underwent further surgery. Six patients died, two of whom more than 30 days after the operation. The incidence of complications was reduced during the period. INTERPRETATION: Bariatric surgery may be performed laparoscopically with a low incidence of complications and short hospitalisation times. A large proportion of the patients who underwent surgery had obesity-related sequalae.

[Primary sclerosing cholangitis in Iceland 1992-2012].

BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic disease affecting the intra- and/or extrahepatic biliary tree with inflammation and progressive stricture formation that can lead to cirrhosis, end stage liver failure and liver transplantation. Known risk factors include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly ulcerative colitis (UC). Highest reported incidence in an adult population is 1.2-1.3/100.000 in Norway and Sweden, where 60-76% have IBD. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiology of PSC in Iceland in the years 1992 to 2012 and the patients outcomes. METHODS: A search for the diagnosis "cholangitis" (ICD-10, K83.0) was performed in the database for hospital records in Landspítali (The National University Hospital of Iceland, LSH) and Akureyri Hospital from 1992 to 2012. We also looked through all ERCP and MRCP imaging done in LSH in the same period along with a text search in both the hospital records and the pathology database for liver biopsies. Data on these patients was collected until the end of 2016. RESULTS: A total of 42 patient got the diagnosis PSC within the period. Median age at diagnosis was 34 years, 67% were male and 90% adults (≥18 years old). Mean incidence per year was 0.69/100.000. Overall 88% of patients had IBD, thereof 89% UC. Seven patients have been diagnosed with cancer, four with cancer in the bile ducts and one in the gallbladder. Within the study period a total of five patients died (12%), 51 months (median) from diagnosis and three from cholangiocarcinoma, 51 months (median) from diagnosis. Three patients (7%) underwent liver transplantation, one required a transplant two times. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PSC in Iceland turned out to be lower than in our neighbouring countries in Scandinavia. It is unclear if this is due to underdiagnosis or, more likely, that PSC is simply more uncommon in Iceland. Overall 7% underwent liver transplantation and 12% died within the study period, main cause of mortality being cholangiocarcinoma.

Relationships of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone after obesity surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) after obesity surgery is a concern for long-term bone health. Limited knowledge exists about optimal vitamin D and suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH) after these procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SHPT and its relation to vitamin D status. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study at Oslo University Hospital, Norway. PATIENTS: A total of 502 consecutive patients, age 22-64 years, attending 2-year follow-up after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. MEASUREMENTS: A serum intact PTH >7.0 pmol/L in the absence of elevated serum ionized calcium (iCa) was considered as SHPT. Vitamin D status was defined by serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D). RESULTS: Altogether, 171 patients (34%) had SHPT. The prevalence of SHPT varied across the range of S-25(OH)D (P < 0.001), being highest (71%) with S-25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L. Compared with S-25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L, the prevalence of SHPT was lower with S-25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L (29.0%; RR = 0.64 (95%-CI:0.50-0.81)) and S-25(OH)D ≥ 75 nmol/L (27.7%; RR = 0.61 (95%-CI:0.44-0.84)). S-25(OH)D ≥ 100 nmol/L was associated with the lowest PTH and the lowest prevalence of SHPT (16.0%; RR = 0.35 (95%-CI:0.14-0.88) compared with S-25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) and the most normal calcium distribution. These associations were most pronounced with iCa in the lower range. A synergistic association was found for S-25(OH)D and iCa on SHPT. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficient patients had the highest prevalence of SHPT 2 years after gastric bypass. PTH and the prevalence of SHPT were notably lower with S-25(OH)D ≥ 100 nmol/L, compared with lower target levels.

Incidence, diagnostic, treatment and outcome of patients diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas during 1986-2009: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist on the changes in the epidemiology of pancreatic cancer and outcomes over the last decades in population-based cohorts. We aimed to compare the incidence of pancreatic cancer, diagnostic, treatment and survival among patients diagnosed over the period 1986-2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, nationwide, population-based study. All patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Iceland in two periods, 1986-1997 (P1) and 1998-2009 (P2) were identified through the Icelandic Cancer Registry and relevant clinical information obtained from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 645 patients were identified, 296 in P1 and 349 in P2 (NS). The incidence during P1 was 6.8 per 100,000 inhabitants and 6.2 during P2 (NS). Among biopsy-proven cancers, adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 89% of the cases in P1 and in P2 in 93% of the cases. Overall 38 (14%) in P1 underwent resection and 22 (7%) in P2 (p < .0004). Patients diagnosed in P2 had longer survival at 6 months (p = .015, log-rank test) and one year (p = .0206) after diagnosis. A total of 4/296 (1.4%) in P1 survived more than 5 years and 3/349 (0.9%) in P2 (NS). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence among patients with pancreatic cancer in Iceland did not show major changes during the last 20 years. Diagnostic approach has changed considerably demonstrating more patients that are not 'resectable'. Survival rate at 6 months and one year has improved over the last two decades whereas the 5-year prognosis has not improved.

COPA syndrome in an Icelandic family caused by a recurrent missense mutation in COPA.

BACKGROUND: Rare missense mutations in the gene encoding coatomer subunit alpha (COPA) have recently been shown to cause autoimmune interstitial lung, joint and kidney disease, also known as COPA syndrome, under a dominant mode of inheritance. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we describe an Icelandic family with three affected individuals over two generations with a rare clinical presentation of lung and joint disease and a histological diagnosis of follicular bronchiolitis. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the three affected as well as three unaffected members of the family, and searched for rare genotypes associated with disease using 30,067 sequenced Icelanders as a reference population. We assessed all coding and splicing variants, prioritizing variants in genes known to cause interstitial lung disease. We detected a heterozygous missense mutation, p.Glu241Lys, in the COPA gene, private to the affected family members. The mutation occurred de novo in the paternal germline of the index case and was absent from 30,067 Icelandic genomes and 141,353 individuals from the genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). The mutation occurs within the conserved and functionally important WD40 domain of the COPA protein. CONCLUSIONS: This is the second report of the p.Glu241Lys mutation in COPA, indicating the recurrent nature of the mutation. The mutation was reported to co-segregate with COPA syndrome in a large family from the USA with five affected members, and classified as pathogenic. The two separate occurrences of the p.Glu241Lys mutation in cases and its absence from a large number of sequenced genomes confirms its role in the pathogenesis of the COPA syndrome.

Hepatotoxicity During Maintenance Therapy and Prognosis in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Hepatotoxicity is a known toxicity to treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hepatotoxicity occurs during maintenance therapy and is caused by metabolites of 6-Mercaptopurine (6 MP) and Methotrexate (MTX). Our objective was to investigate the association between alanine aminotransferases (ALAT) levels and relapse rate. We included 385 patients enrolled in the NOPHO ALL-92 protocol. Data on ALAT levels, 6 MP and MTX doses, cytotoxic MTX/6 MP metabolites, and thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity were prospectively registered. In total, 91% of the patients had a mean ALAT (mALAT) level above upper normal limit (40 IU/L) and ALAT levels were positively correlated to 6 MP doses (rs=0.31; P<0.001). In total, 47 patients suffered a relapse, no difference in mALAT levels were found in these compared with nonrelapse patients (median, 107 vs. 98 IU/L; P=0.39). mALAT levels in patients classified as TPMT high activity (TPMT) were higher than in TPMT low-activity patients (median, 103 vs. 82 IU/L; P=0.03). In a Cox regression model risk of relapse was not associated with ALAT levels (P=0.56). ALAT levels increased 2.7%/month during the last year of maintenance therapy (P<0.001). In conclusion, elevated ALAT levels are associated with TPMT and may indicate treatment adherence in these patients. If liver function is normal, elevated ALAT levels should not indicate treatment adaptation.

Maintenance therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia revisited-Should drug doses be adjusted by white blood cell, neutrophil, or lymphocyte counts?

BACKGROUND: 6-Mercaptopurine (6MP) and methotrexate (MTX) based maintenance therapy is a critical phase of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment. Wide interindividual variations in drug disposition warrant frequent doses adjustments, but there is a lack of international consensus on dose adjustment guidelines. PROCEDURE: To identify relapse predictors, we collected 28,255 data sets on drug doses and blood counts (median: 47/patient) and analyzed erythrocyte (Ery) levels of cytotoxic 6MP/MTX metabolites in 9,182 blood samples (median: 14 samples/patient) from 532 children on MTX/6MP maintenance therapy targeted to a white blood cell count (WBC) of 1.5-3.5 × 109 /l. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 13.8 years for patients in remission, stepwise Cox regression analysis did not find age, average doses of 6MP and MTX, hemoglobin, absolute lymphocyte counts, thrombocyte counts, or Ery levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotides or MTX (including its polyglutamates) to be significant relapse predictors. The parameters significantly associated with risk of relapse (N = 83) were male sex (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0 [1.3-3.1], P = 0.003), WBC at diagnosis (HR = 1.04 per 10 × 109 /l rise [1.00-1.09], P = 0.048), the absolute neutrophil count (ANC; HR = 1.7 per 109 /l rise [1.3-2.4], P = 0.0007), and Ery thiopurine methyltransferase activity (HR = 2.7 per IU/ml rise [1.1-6.7], P = 0.03). WBC was significantly related to ANC (Spearman correlation coefficient, rs  = 0.77; P < 0.001), and only a borderline significant risk factor for relapse (HR = 1.28 [95% CI: 1.00-1.64], P = 0.046) when ANC was excluded from the Cox model. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a low neutrophil count is likely to be the best hematological target for dose adjustments of maintenance therapy.

[Dumping syndrome following gastric surgery]. / Dumpingsyndrom etter kirurgi på magesekken.

BACKGROUND: Dumping syndrome is the term used to describe a common set of symptoms following gastric surgery, and is characterised by postprandial discomfort which can entail nutritional problems. The condition was well known when surgery was the usual treatment for peptic ulcer disease. The increasing number of operations for morbid obesity means that the condition is once again of relevance, and health personnel will encounter these patients in different contexts. This article discusses the prevalence, symptomatology and treatment of dumping syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This review article is based on a selection of articles identified in PubMed and assessed as having particular relevance for elucidating this issue, as well as on the authors' own clinical experience. RESULTS: Early dumping syndrome generally occurs within 15 minutes of ingesting a meal and is attributable to the rapid transit of food into the small intestine. Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, a sensation of heat, dizziness, reduced blood pressure and palpitations are typical symptoms. Lethargy and sleepiness after meals are common. Late dumping syndrome occurs later and may be attributed to hypoglycaemia with tremors, cold sweats, difficulty in concentrating, and loss of consciousness. Dumping-related symptoms occur in between 20 and 50% of patients following gastric surgery. Early dumping syndrome is more frequent than late dumping syndrome. It is estimated that 10-20% of patients have pronounced symptoms and 1-5% have severe symptoms. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of typical symptoms. Most patients experience alleviation of the symptoms over time and with changes in diet and eating habits. Further patient evaluation and drug or surgical intervention may be relevant for some individuals. INTERPRETATION: Dumping-related symptoms are common after gastric surgery. The extent of obesity surgery in particular means that health personnel should be familiar with this condition.

Associations of adherence to physical activity and dietary recommendations with weight recurrence 1-5 years after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about longer-term adherence to recommended physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and whether adherence is associated with weight recurrence. OBJECTIVES: To explore (1) changes in and associations between adherence to PA and general dietary recommendations after MBS and (2) whether PA and dietary behaviors interact to predict weight recurrence. SETTING: University hospital; public practice. METHODS: Participants completed ActiGraph PA monitoring, dietary questionnaire, and weighing 1 and 5 years after surgery. Parametric and non-parametric tests evaluated changes in and associations between adherence to PA and dietary recommendations. Multiple linear regression explored associations of adherence and weight recurrence 5 years post-surgery. RESULTS: A total of 73 participants (66% loss to follow-up, 80.8% females) were included. From 1 to 5 years after surgery, adherence to PA recommendations did not change (23.5% versus 20.5%, P = .824), whereas adherence to dietary recommendations decreased (P = <.001). Adherence to PA recommendations is positively associated with eating fruits and vegetables and limiting intake of sugar and fat at 1 year (P < .05) and negatively associated with choosing meat with less fat at 5 years (P = .018). Adherence to PA and dietary behaviors did not independently contribute or interact to predict weight recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to recommendations was poor. Dietary adherence decreased from 1 to 5 years post-surgery, whereas PA adherence remained stable. PA adherence was positively associated with adherence to some dietary recommendations at 1 year but not at 5 years. Neither behavioral adherences were associated with weight recurrence. Additional research is needed to understand how to improve adherence and its relationship with other health outcomes after MBS.

Ten-Year Outcomes Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Duodenal Switch for High Body Mass Index: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Results from long-term follow-up after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) are scarce. Objective: To compare weight loss, health outcomes, and quality of life 10 years or more after Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) and DS surgery in patients with severe obesity-that is, a body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 50 to 60. Design, Setting, and Participants: This open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted at 2 academic bariatric centers in Sweden and Norway. Sixty patients with a BMI of 50 to 60 were included from March 1, 2006, to August 31, 2007. Data were analyzed from August 12, 2022, to January 25, 2023. Interventions: Laparoscopic RYGB or laparoscopic DS. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was change in BMI after 10 or more years. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, lipid and glycemic profiles, bone mass density, adverse events, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Results: Forty-eight of the original 60 patients (80%) were assessed after a median of 12 (range, 9-13) years (mean [SD] age, 48.0 [6.0] years; 35 women [73%]). At follow-up, the mean BMI reductions were 11.0 (95% CI, 8.3-13.7) for RYGB and 20.3 (95% CI, 17.6-23.0) for DS, with a mean between-group difference of 9.3 (95% CI, 5.4-13.1; P < .001). Total weight loss was 20.0% (95% CI, 15.3%-24.7%) for RYGB and 33.9% (95% CI, 27.8%-40.0%) for DS (P = .001). Mean serum lipid levels, except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c, improved more in the DS group during follow-up. Bone mass was reduced for both groups from 5 to 10 years, with lower bone mass after DS at 10 years. Quality-of-life scores (Obesity-Related Problem Scale and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) were comparable across groups at 10 years. The total number of adverse events was higher after DS (135 vs 97 for RYGB; P = .02). More patients in the DS group developed vitamin deficiencies (21 vs 11 for RYGB; P = .008) including 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (19 for DS vs 9 for RYGB; P = .005). Four of 29 patients in the DS group (14%) developed severe protein-caloric malnutrition, of whom 3 (10%) underwent revisional surgery. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, BMI reduction was greater after DS, but RYGB had a better risk profile over 10 years. Biliopancreatic diversion with DS may not be a better surgical strategy than RYGB for patients with a BMI of 50 to 60. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00327912.

Barrett associated MHC and FOXF1 variants also increase esophageal carcinoma risk.

Barrett's esophagus, with gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity as risk factors, predisposes to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Recently a British genome wide association study identified two Barrett's esophagus susceptibility loci mapping within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC; rs9257809) and closely to the Forkhead-F1 (FOXF1; rs9936833) coding gene. An interesting issue is whether polymorphisms associated with Barrett's esophagus, are also implicated in esophageal carcinoma (EC), and more specifically EAC genesis. Assessing the individual genetic susceptibility can help identify high risk patients more prone to benefit from surveillance programs. Our hypothesis: Barrett associated MHC and FOXF1 variants modify EC risk in Caucasians. In a Dutch case-control study, 431 patients with EC and 605 healthy controls were included. Polymorphisms at chromosomes 6p21 (MHC) and 16q24 (FOXF1) were determined by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The FOXF1 rs9936833 variant C allele was associated with an increased EAC susceptibility; OR, [95% CI]; 1.21, [0.99-1.47]. A sex-stratified analysis revealed a similar association in males; 1.24 [1.00-1.55]. The variant MHC rs9257809 G allele as well as the MHC heterozygous AG genotype significantly increased ESCC risk; 1.76 [1.16-2.66] and 1.74 [1.08-2.80], respectively. Sex-stratification showed that the variant G allele was especially present in female patients; 2.32 [1.04-5.20]. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that MHC rs9257809 and FOXF1 rs9936833 variants, associated with Barrett's esophagus, also increase ESCC and EAC susceptibility in Caucasians. FOX proteins are transcription factors involved in organogenesis of the GI tract, while MHC haplotypes are strongly associated with smoking behavior, a crucial risk factor for ESCC. Assessing the individual genetic susceptibility can help identify high risk patients more prone to benefit from (Barrett) surveillance programs.

Polymorphisms in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and esophageal carcinoma susceptibility: a Dutch Caucasian case-control study.

Esophageal cancer (EC), mainly consisting of squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the Eastern world and adenocarcinoma (EAC) in the Western world, is strongly associated with dietary factors such as alcohol use. We aimed to clarify the modifying role in EC etiology in Caucasians of functional genotypes in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes. In all, 351 Caucasian patients with EC and 430 matched controls were included and polymorphisms in CYP2E1, ADH and near ALDH2 genes were determined. In contrast to the results on ESCC in mainly Asian studies, we found that functional genotypes of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes were not significantly associated with EAC or ESCC in an European population.

No role for glutathione S-transferase genotypes in Caucasian esophageal squamous cell or adenocarcinoma etiology: an European case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Identifying and monitoring high-risk patients can aid the prevention of esophageal cancer (EC). The interaction of environmental risk factor exposure and genetic susceptibility may contribute to the etiology of EC. Biotransformation enzymes such as Glutathione S-Transferases (GSTs ) detoxify mutagenic and genotoxic compounds and therefore control the rate of detoxification of carcinogens. Functional polymorphisms in the genes coding for GSTs alter their enzyme activity in vitro, and were reported to modify EC risk in Asians. We hypothesized that altered enzyme activity GST genotypes influence the susceptibility for esophageal adeno- (EAC) and squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Caucasians. METHODS: We performed a case-control study including 440 Caucasian patients with EC and 592 healthy Caucasian controls matched for age and sex. Functional polymorphisms were selected and genotypes were determined in GST classes Alpha, Mu, Theta and Pi by means of polymerase chain reaction. Genotypes were classified into predicted high, intermediate and low enzyme activity categories based on in vitro activity data. The distribution of the activity genotypes were compared between patients with EAC or ESCC, and controls. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by logistic regression analyses. Gene-gene interactions were tested and for comparison purposes, the predicted low and intermediate activity genotypes were combined. Genotypes with similar risks for EAC or ESCC were combined and analyzed for multiplicative effects. RESULTS: Our analyses includes 327 patients with EAC and 106 patients with ESCC. Low or intermediate activity enzyme genotypes for GSTM1, GSTA1, GSTP1 I105V and A114V as well as for GSTT1, did not significantly modify the risk for ESCC or EAC in our Dutch population. CONCLUSION: Functional genotypes in GST genes are not involved in EAC or ESCC susceptibility in Caucasians, in contrast to results on ESCC from Asia or Africa.

[Acute internal hernia following gastric bypass for morbid obesity]. / Akutt inneklemming av tarm etter gastrisk bypass for sykelig fedme.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 3,000 bariatric operations are performed in Norway annually. Laparoscopic gastric bypass is the most widely used procedure. Internal hernia is a potentially serious cause of acute abdominal pain after a gastric bypass. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The review is based on a discretionary selection of articles found in PubMed coupled with the authors' personal clinical experience. RESULTS: Internal hernias due to protrusion of the bowel through mesenterial defects, or slits, occur in approximately 0-10% of patients after a gastric bypass. The incidence depends on follow-up time, surgical technique and whether the mesenterial slits were closed during the operation. The pain may be acute, intense and prolonged, with nausea and vomiting, or intermittent, following food intake. Cases of acute pain may be due to obstruction of and reduced blood circulation to the bowel, and require an emergency operation. A CT scan may reveal or arouse suspicion of an obstruction, but cannot rule it out. Pregnancy is a risk factor, and fertile women should be informed of this. Many recommend closure of mesenterial slits during the primary operation to reduce the risk of hernia. INTERPRETATION: Internal hernia after a gastric bypass is a potentially serious and not uncommon complication requiring rapid surgical intervention. All departments with preparedness for emergency abdominal surgery should be aware of this condition.

Chronic abdominal pain and quality of life after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy - a cross-cohort analysis of two prospective longitudinal observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) after bariatric surgery is not extensively explored and may impact the postoperative outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of patient-reported chronic abdominal pain (CAP) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Secondarily, we compared other abdominal and psychological symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Preoperative predictors of postoperative CAP were also explored. SETTING: Tertiary referral centers for bariatric surgery in Norway. METHODS: Analyses of 2 separate prospective longitudinal cohort studies evaluating CAP, abdominal and psychological symptoms and QoL before and 2 years after RYGB and SG. RESULTS: Follow-ups were attended by 416 patients (85.8%), 300/416 (72.1%) were females and 209/416 (50.2%) were RYGB procedures. At follow-up, the mean age was 44.9 (10.0) years, BMI 29.5 (5.4) kg/m2, and total weight loss 31.6 (10.3) %. The prevalence of CAP was 28/236 (11.9%) before and 60/209 (28.7%) after RYGB (P < .001) and 32/223 (14.3%) before and 50/186 (26.9%) after SG (P < .001). Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale scores showed greater deterioration of diarrhea and indigestion after RYGB and reflux after SG. The improvement in depression symptoms was greater after SG, as well as several QoL scores improved more after SG. Patients with CAP after RYGB experienced deterioration in several QoL scores, while these scores improved in patients with CAP after SG. Preoperative hypertension, bothersome reflux symptoms, and CAP predicted postoperative CAP. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAP increased comparably after RYGB and SG, with worsening of gastroesophageal reflux after SG and greater deterioration of diarrhea and indigestion after RYGB. In patients with CAP at follow-up, several QoL scores improved more after SG than RYGB.