Patient-Reported Quality of Recovery after Sedation for Endoscopy in the Elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Although sedation is critical in minimizing discomforts in patients, conflicting data regarding the safety of sedation among the elderly population exist. This prospective study aimed to compare the quality of recovery (QoR) from gastrointestinal endoscopy performed under sedation between elderly and younger patients. METHODS: We included 177 patients aged 40-64 (group 1, n = 66), 65-79 (group 2, n = 76), and ≥80 (group 3, n = 35) years. QoR was assessed 1 day after the procedure using the quality of recovery 15 (QoR-15) questionnaire, which is a 15-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 150. Patient demographic, procedural, and sedation data were collected, and neurocognitive function was assessed before and a day after sedation. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 3 differed according to the Mini-Cog test and 3-word memory test performed before the procedure (p < 0.001). QoR-15 scores between groups were not different (139 ± 19 group 1, 141 ± 17 group 2, and 147 ± 26 group 3; p > 0.05). Patients in groups 3 and 2 were administered lower doses of propofol and midazolam than those in group 1. The incidence of oxygen desaturation (SaO2 <90% for >30 s) was lower in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: As indicated by the QoR-15 questionnaire, the QoR from sedation was not significantly different between the study groups.

Respiratory complications during recovery from gastrointestinal endoscopies performed by gastroenterologists under moderate sedation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data on the incidence of adverse respiratory events during recovery from gastrointestinal endoscopy are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of these complications. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from the electronic records of 657 consecutive patients, who underwent gastroenterological procedures under sedation. RESULTS: Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2) <90% for <60 seconds occurred in 82 patients (12.5%) and in 11 patients (1.7%), SpO2 of <90% for >60 seconds occurred in 79 patients (12.0%) and in 11 patients (1.7%), and SpO2 <75% occurred in four patients (0.6%) and in no patients during the procedure and recovery period, respectively. No major complications were noted. The occurrence of desaturation during recovery was correlated with desaturation during the procedure (p<0.001). American Society of Anesthesiologists score (odds ratio [OR], 1.867; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008-3.458), ischemic heart disease (OR, 1.815; 95% CI, 0.649-5.080), hypertension (OR, 1.289; 95% CI, 0.472-3.516), and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.406; 95% CI, 0.950-6.095) increased the occurrence of desaturation during recovery. CONCLUSION: We found no major complications during recovery after balanced propofol-based sedation administered by a gastroenterologist-nurse team. Patients with the identified risk predictors must be monitored carefully.

Serum Syndecan-1: A Novel Biomarker for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Syndecan-1 (SDC1) has multiple functions in tumorigenesis in general and specifically in pancreatic cancer. We aimed to evaluate SDC1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: In this case-control study, patients newly diagnosed with a biopsy-proven PDAC were enrolled alongside healthy individuals in a derivation-validation cohort design. Serum SDC1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The diagnostic accuracy of SDC1 levels for diagnosing PDAC was computed. A unified cohort enriched with additional early-stage patients with PDAC was used to evaluate the association of SDC1 with survival outcomes and patient characteristics. RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, serum SDC1 levels were significantly higher in patients with PDAC (n = 39) compared with healthy controls (n = 20) (40.1 ng/mL, interquartile range 29.8-95.3 vs 25.6 ng/mL, interquartile range 17.1-29.8, respectively; P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic analysis area under the curve was 0.847 (95% confidence interval 0.747-0.947, P < 0.001). These results were replicated in a separate age-matched validation cohort (n = 38 PDAC, n = 38 controls; area under the curve 0.844, 95% confidence interval 0.757-0.932, P < 0.001). In the combined-enriched PDAC cohort (n = 110), using a cutoff of 35 ng/mL, the median overall 5-year survival between patients below and above this cutoff was not significantly different, although a trend for better survival after 1 year was found in the lower level group (P = 0.06). There were 12 of the 110 patients with PDAC (11%) who had normal CA 19-9 in the presence of elevated SDC1. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest serum SDC1 as a promising novel biomarker for early blood-based diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Bowel preparation in "real-life" small bowel capsule endoscopy: a two-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is an established diagnostic tool for the investigation of small bowel (SB) pathology. Bowel preparation prior to VCE may improve visualization, transit time, and diagnostic yield. We aimed to evaluate the "real-life" experience comparing two different preparation protocols in patients undergoing SB VCE. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from SB VCE procedures, performed in two tertiary care medical centers in Israel. VCE procedures performed at "Sheba Medical Center" used a 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) bowel preparation (n=360) while VCEs performed at "Rambam Health Care campus" used a clear liquid diet plus 12-h fast protocol (n=500). A dichotomous preparation scale (adequate, inadequate) was used to classify cleansing quality. Data collection included patient and procedural details. The proportion of VCE procedures with adequate bowel preparation and the overall positive SB findings in the two different bowel preparation protocols were evaluated. RESULTS: SB completion rates were higher in the PEG protocol (96% vs. 83%, P<0.001) and SB passage time was significantly faster in the PEG protocol (mean 217±73 vs. 238±77 min, P<0.001). Bowel preparation quality was similar between groups (8% vs. 7% inadequate preparation, P=0.591). Overall positive SB findings were similar between the two groups (57% clear liquid fasting only vs. 51% PEG protocol, P=0.119). CONCLUSION: In this large cohort, a 2-L PEG protocol had similar preparation quality and diagnostic yield compared with clear liquid fasting.

Association Between Fecal Calprotectin Levels and Small-bowel Inflammation Score in Capsule Endoscopy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate inflammation reporting in capsule endoscopy (CE) is important for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a highly specific biomarker of gut inflammation. Lewis score (LS) was developed to standardize quantification of inflammation in small-bowel (SB) CE images. GOALS: Multicenter retrospective study aiming to investigate correlation between LS and FC in a large group of patients undergoing CE for suspected or known small-bowel IBD, and to develop a model for prediction of CE results (LS) based on FC levels. STUDY: Five academic centers and a district general hospital offering CE in UK, Finland, Sweden, Canada, and Israel. In total, 333 patients were recruited. They had small-bowel CE and FC done within 3 months. RESULTS: Overall, correlation between FC and LS was weak (r s: 0.232, P < 0.001). When two clinically significant FC thresholds (100 and 250 µg/g) were examined, the r s between FC and LS was 0.247 (weak) and 0.337 (moderate), respectively (P = 0.307). For clinically significant (LS ≥ 135) or negative (LS < 135) for SB inflammation, ROC curves gave an optimum cutoff point of FC 76 µg/g with sensitivity 0.59 and specificity 0.41. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: LS appears to show low correlation with FC as well as other serology markers of inflammation. FC does not appear to be a reliable biomarker for significant small-bowel inflammation. Nevertheless, FC level ≥ 76 µg/g may be associated with appreciable visual inflammation on small-bowel CE in patients with negative prior diagnostic workup.

Stenting in malignant colonic obstruction--is it a real therapeutic option?

BACKGROUND: Malignant colonic obstruction is commonly treated surgically. Colonic stents are a therapeutic option for palliation or used as a bridge to surgery or chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical success rate of stenting as a bridge to one-step surgery, chemotherapy, or as a palliative measure. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a university-affiliated tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: From 2007 to 2014, 45 patients with malignant colonic obstruction were referred for stent insertion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were grouped according to three pre-defined treatment goals: group 1: restorative one-step procedure without an ostomy, group 2: completion of scheduled chemotherapy before surgery, and group 3: palliation without surgical intervention. RESULTS: Group 1 included 11 patients. Three patients (27.3 %) met the treatment goal of one-step surgery. Eight patients (72.7 %) did not reach the primary goal due to stent insertion failure (four patients), stent-related complications (two patients), and failure to perform a one-step surgery after successful stent insertion (two patients). Group 2 included 12 patients. Chemotherapy was successfully completed prior to surgery in six patients (50 %). Six patients (50 %) did not achieve treatment goal due to stent insertion failure (two patients), stent migration (two patients), stent-related perforation (one patient), and mortality (one patient). Group 3 included 20 patients. Long-term palliation without surgical intervention was achieved in eight patients (40 %). Stent insertion failed in seven patients (35 %). Five patients (25 %) needed urgent surgery due to stent complications (three migrations and two perforations). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its retrospective nature and small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates only a modest success rate of colonic stents in the treatment of malignant colonic obstruction. Although colonic stenting seems to be an effective method of relieving colonic obstruction, high failure rates limits its applicability.

The role of capsule endoscopy in acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common cause of hospitalization, resulting in about 400,000 hospital admissions annually, with a mortality rate of 5-10%. It is estimated that 5% of acute GI bleedings are of obscure origin with a normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is the state-of-the-art procedure for inspection of the entire small bowel with a high sensitivity for the detection of causes of bleeding. In recent years, many studies have addressed the sensitivity and outcome of capsule-endoscopy procedures in patients with acute GI bleeding. This review looks at the role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of patients with acute GI bleeding from either the upper GI tract or small bowel.

Head or tail: the orientation of the small bowel capsule endoscope movement in the small bowel.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The diagnostic accuracy of capsule endoscopy has been suggested to be influenced by the direction of the passage in the intestine. It is currently unknown if a head-first or a tail-first orientation are equally common during the descent through the small bowel. The aim of the study was to identify the orientation of the capsule along the migration through the small bowel. METHODS: Thirty capsule endoscopies were reviewed by an experienced observer. The direction of the passage through the pylorus and the ileoceccal valve was recorded for all the examinations. In addition, detailed review of the passage of the capsule in different segments of the small bowel was undertaken for all the capsules. RESULTS: The capsule was significantly more likely to pass the pylorus head-first compared to tail-first (25 and 5 out of 30, respectively, OR 5, 95% CI 65-94%, P < 0.001). In 28/30 studies, the capsule exited the ileoceccal valve head-first (OR-14, 95% CI 77-99%, P < 0.001). In an immersion experiment, uneven distribution of weight of the capsule body was demonstrated with the head part (camera tip) being lighter than the tail part. CONCLUSIONS: The capsule endoscope usually passes through the pylorus and subsequent segments of the small bowel head-first. This observation suggests that the intestinal peristaltic physiology drives symmetrical bodies with their light part first. The principle of intestinal orientation by weight distribution may bear implications for capsules' design in the future.

Travel-associated health risks for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are few data on risk of travel for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed rates of illness while traveling among patients with IBD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, case-controlled study of illnesses among 222 patients with IBD and 224 healthy individuals (controls) during 1099 total trips. Data were retrieved by structured questionnaires, personal interviews, and chart review. RESULTS: Participants had 142 episodes of illness during the trips; 92% were enteric disease. An episode of illness occurred during 79/523 (15.1%) trips made by patients with IBD compared with 63/576 (10.9%) trips made by controls (odds ratio [OR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.0; P = .04). However, this difference was mostly attributable to the increased incidence of illness among IBD patients traveling in industrialized countries. In contrast, the rate of illness among travelers to developing countries was similar among patients with IBD and controls (34/200, 17% vs 52/243, 21% of trips, respectively; P = .24). Moreover, numerically more controls that traveled to the tropics developed illness than travelers with IBD (43/135 vs 23/97, respectively; P = .18). In multivariate analysis, factors that increased risk for travel illness included frequent flares of IBD (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4; P = .02) and prior IBD-related hospitalizations (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.3-9.3; P = .01); remission within 3 months before traveling reduced the risk for illness (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.16-0.5; P < .001). Use of immunomodulatory drugs was not independently associated with risk of illness during travel. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD have a higher rate of illness compared with controls during trips to industrialized countries, but not to developing or tropical regions. These findings indicate that most travel-associated illnesses stem from sporadic IBD flares rather than increased susceptibility to enteric infections.

Familial ulcerative colitis in Israeli Jews: its prevalence and clinical severity compared to sporadic disease.

BACKGROUND: A family history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is present in some ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. We aimed to investigate the familial occurrence of UC and its impact on disease severity. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was distributed to patients with UC. Parameters pertaining to disease severity were compared for patients with or without positive family history of IBD. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 168 UC patients with a total of 952 first degree relatives. Positive family history for IBD in a first degree relative was reported in 24 patients (14%). Six of the 336 parents (1.8%) had IBD (all with UC). There were 13 siblings with IBD (4 CD, 9 UC) out of 249 (5.4%). Seven of 376 (1.9%) offsprings had IBD (4 CD, 3 UC). Familial patients were more commonly females and have reported significantly more disease exacerbations than the sporadic group (17.7±15 versus 6.8±11, respectively, p=0.006). On multivariate analysis, familial disease was significantly and independently associated with both female sex (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.1-14.9, p=0.04) and more exacerbations per year (annual OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.1, p=0.02). However, similar proportions of sporadic and familial patients wherever hospitalized, underwent colectomy or were treated by immune-suppressors. CONCLUSIONS: Familial occurrence of UC is not uncommon among Jewish patients in Israel. The familial-genetic component may preferentially influence disease occurrence among females, and is possibly associated with more disease flares although other parameters of disease severity do not seem to be impacted.

Double balloon enteroscopy: a 2 year experience.

BACKGROUND: Double balloon enteroscopy is a new technique that enables deep intubation of the endoscope into the small bowel lumen. Through a channel in the endoscope, invasive procedures such as biopsy, polypectomy and hemostasis can be performed, avoiding the need for surgery. OBJECTIVES: To prospectively analyze our results of the first 124 DBEs performed since February 2007. METHODS: The study group comprised all patients who underwent DBE at the Sheba Medical Center between February 2007 and February 2009. Recorded were the patients' demographic data, comorbidities, indications for the examination, results of previous non-invasive small bowel imaging (computed tomography enterography, capsule endoscopy, etc), investigation time, and results of the procedure including findings, endoscopic interventions, complications and pathological report. RESULTS: A total of 124 procedures were performed in 109 patients. Of the 124 examinations, 57 (46%) were normal and 67 (54%) showed pathology. The main pathologies detected on DBE were polyps (14%), vascular lesions (17.6%) and inflammation (12%). Endoscopic biopsies and therapeutic interventions were required in 58 examinations (46%). A new diagnosis was established in 15% of patients, diagnosis was confirmed in 29% and excluded or corrected in 12%. One complication was observed: a post-polypectomy syndrome that was treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: DBE is a safe procedure and has a high diagnostic and therapeutic yield. Most of the examinations were performed under conscious sedation, and only a minority of patients required deeper sedation.

The utility of capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease based on patient's symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND GOALS: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) enables visualization of the entire small bowel and can identify lesions that may go undetected by conventional endoscopy and radiography. In this study, we assessed whether patient's selection based on symptoms may increase the yield of VCE in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD). STUDY: Findings of 125 consecutive patients referred for VCE in whom CD may be suspected, were analyzed. Indications for VCE included iron-deficiency anemia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a combination of symptoms. Capsule endoscopy (CE) results were defined positive if 4 or more obvious clear ulcers, erosions, or a region with clear exudate and mucosal hyperemia and edema were identified. RESULTS: One hundred twelve patients were included in the final analysis. Mean age of patients was 44+/-22 years and median follow-up 36+/-15 months. Findings on CE were considered compatible with a diagnosis of CD in 7 patients (6%). In general, CE yielded a diagnosis of CD in a very small portion of the patients (0% to 4%), except in patients undergoing the test for a combination of abdominal pain and diarrhea. In this group, findings suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease were encountered in one-third of the patients (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The greatest yield of CE in diagnosing CD is achieved in young patients who present with symptoms of abdominal pain plus diarrhea.

Endoscopic ultrasound staging of rectal cancer: diagnostic value before and following chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been shown to be a reliable tool for staging rectal cancer. Nevertheless, the accuracy of EUS after chemoradiation remains unclear; therefore the purpose of the present paper was to compare the accuracy of EUS staging for rectal cancer before and following chemoradiation. METHODS: Patients with rectal cancer undergoing EUS staging were stratified into two groups. Group I consisted of 66 patients who underwent surgery following EUS staging without preoperative chemoradiation. Group II consisted of 25 patients who had EUS evaluation following chemoradiation. The EUS staging was compared to surgical/pathological staging. RESULTS: The accuracy of the T staging for group I was 86% (57/66). Inaccurate staging was mainly associated with overstaging EUS T2 tumors. The accuracy of the N staging for group I was 71% (47/66). The accuracy of EUS for a composite T and N staging relevant to treatment decisions in group I was 91%. In group II, the accuracy of T and N staging was 72% (18/25) and 80% (20/25), respectively. Overstaging EUS T3 tumors accounted for most inaccurate staging. The EUS staging predicted post-chemoradiation T0N0 stage correctly in only 50% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative staging of rectal cancer by EUS is a useful modality in determining the need for preoperative chemoradiation. The EUS T staging following chemoradiation appears to be less accurate. Detection of complete response may be insufficient for selecting patients for limited surgical intervention.

Antianxiety treatment in patients with excessive hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: There are no guidelines on how to treat patients with excessive hypertension. Anxiety is a common cause of excessive hypertension and therefore antianxiety treatment may be beneficial in these patients. We therefore compared the efficacy and safety of antianxiety treatment with sublingual captopril administration in patients with excessive hypertension and no evidence of acute target organ damage. METHODS: Thirty-six patients (28 women and 8 men), mean age 60 +/- 2 years (range 36 to 85 years) who were referred to the emergency room because of excessive hypertension (>190/100 mm Hg) without evidence of acute target organ damage were randomized to receive either oral diazepam, 5 mg (n = 17, study group) or sublingual captopril, 25 mg (n = 19, control group). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were recorded hourly for 3 h. RESULTS: Both treatments decreased BP significantly (from 213 +/- 5/105 +/- 3 to 170 +/- 8/88 +/- 6 mm Hg in the study group, and from 208 +/- 5/107 +/- 3 to 181 +/- 8/95 +/- 3 mm Hg in the control group (P < .01 v initial BP). One patient in each group was hospitalized because of sustained excessive hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Antianxiety treatment is effective in lowering BP in patients with excessive hypertension. Thus, anxiolytic treatment may be considered in patients with excessive hypertension without acute target organ damage. Further large placebo controlled studies are required to prove the benefit of anxiolytic agents.

Second capsule endoscopy for patients with severe iron deficiency anemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with iron deficiency anemia are subjected to multiple endoscopic and radiologic examinations of the GI tract. If negative, some of the examinations are repeated, occasionally with positive findings. The diagnostic yield of a second capsule endoscopy in such patients is unknown. The aim of the current study was to assess the diagnostic yield of a second capsule endoscopy in patients with significant iron deficiency anemia and a previous negative evaluation. METHODS: Twenty patients with iron deficiency anemia (Hb < 10 g/dL) were enrolled. All had at least one normal evaluation of the GI tract, including capsule endoscopy. A second capsule endoscopy examination was offered to all patients. RESULTS: The time between the first and the second capsule endoscopy ranged from 2 months to 1 year. Depending on the nature of an abnormality and its relevance to blood loss, the findings were classified as positive, suspicious, clinically irrelevant, or negative. In 7 patients, the second capsule endoscopy disclosed findings that were classified as either positive or suspicious findings, including arteriovenous malformations (2), flat polypoid lesion (1), edematous inflamed mucosa (1), erosions (1), and hemorrhagic gastritis (1). Lesions were located in the small intestine (5), the stomach (1), and the cecum (1). Based on the findings of the second capsule endoscopy, therapy was changed in two patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: A second capsule endoscopy should be considered for patients with severe iron deficiency anemia and negative initial evaluation.