External validation of the Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index in Turkish cirrhotic patients.

OBJECTIVES: Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index is developed to stratify cirrhotic patients according to 10-year hepatocellular carcinoma risk. We aimed to validate the performance of Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index in a large Turkish cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the database of 1287 cirrhotic patients followed-up in a 10-year period (February 2008 to January 2018). All patients were stratified into three groups based on the Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index score as follows: low-risk, < 120; intermediate risk, 120 to 240; and high risk, > 240. Area under the curve and optimal cutoff value of Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index were obtained from receiver operator curve. To reveal the parameters related with hepatocellular carcinoma development, logistic regression analysis was conducted. The cumulative incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the curves were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Out of 403 enrolled patients, 57 developed hepatocellular carcinoma. The median Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index value was higher in hepatocellular carcinoma (+) group comparing to hepatocellular carcinoma (-) group [267 (70-366) vs. 224 (36-366), P < 0.001]. Out of 57 detected hepatocellular carcinomas, 45 (78.9%) were high risk, 11 (19.3%) were intermediate risk, and only one (1.8%) was low risk at the entry. The area under the curve of the Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index to predict hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.750 (95% confidence interval, 0.683-0.817, P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value of Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index was 239.5, giving a sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 62.7%. As a result, Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index remained to be the only significant parameter that has an affect on hepatocellular carcinoma development [adjusted-odds ratio: 1.016 (95% confidence interval, 1.007-1.024), P<0.001]. CONCLUSION: The present study validated the performance of Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index in Turkish cirrhotic patients to predict hepatocellular carcinoma risk, which can be considered as a tool for personalized surveillance.

Effect of gender on the etiology of fecal incontinence: Retrospective analysis of a tertiary referral center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anorectal diseases, including fecal incontinence, are prevalent and have an enormous impact on the quality of life. Therefore, investigating their etiological factors may help to reduce the incidence and/or the severity of the underlying diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Referral complaints (constipation, strained defecation, and incontinence) and medical and anorectal manometry records of 883 (562 female/321 male, ages 45.17±1.00 and 48.41±0.63 years, respectively) patients were evaluated retrospectively. Maximal resting pressure (MRP) and maximal squeeze pressure (MSP) measured by stationary pull-through technique, volume of rectoanal inhibitory reflex, and sensory threshold to rectal balloon distention (ST) were obtained by water perfusion system. Data were compared according to referral complaints, age, gender, parity, and underlying diseases. RESULTS: Incontinence was the most frequent referral complaint in 61.2% of females and 67.6% of males. MRP and MSP were significantly lower in incontinent females than in the other groups. In incontinent males, MSP was lower than the strained defecation group, and ST was higher than the constipation group. Age was negatively correlated with MRP for both of the genders and in all groups. Obstetric trauma (85%) and number of parity (3.40±2.59) were significantly higher in incontinent females. Moreover, the most prevalent underlying disease was diabetes in incontinent females (13.7%) and neurological diseases, including traumas, in incontinent males (41.5%). CONCLUSION: Increasing awareness of labor safety, controlling diabetes mellitus, and preventing obstetric traumas may reduce the prevalence of fecal incontinence.

Anorectal functions after perineal and retropubic radical prostatectomy - a prospective clinical and anal manometric assessment.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anorectal functions of prostate cancer patients who have undergone radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) or radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with an indication for radical prostatectomy were included after informed consent. Anorectal manometry was performed before and one month after the surgery in 22 RPP and 15 RRP patients in our clinic. Clinical assessment was evaluated by anorectal functions with anal incontinence scoring (AIS) (Fernandez; no incontinence = 0; maximal incontinence = 12). Patients with a history of anorectal surgery were excluded from the study. The following data were recorded: external anal sphincteric pressure (EASP), internal anal sphincteric pressure (IASP), minimum ano-rectal reflex volume (MARRV) and minimum rectal sensory volume (MRSV). RESULTS: In the RPP and RRP groups, the mean age was 66 (56-75) and 64.3 (52-73) years, respectively. In the RPP group, EASP and IASP values showed a significant decrease after the surgery. In the RRP group, EASP and IASP were also decreased after the surgery, but without statistical significance. No significant change was seen in MARRV and MRSV of either group. When the scores of AIS were analysed, no significant clinical difference between pre- or post-operative scores was seen in RPP and RRP groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal or retropubic surgery may injure pelvic floor muscles and/or supplying nerves, which likely causes anorectal dysfunction. Although there is a significant decrease in early postoperative EASP and IASP after RPP, it has no clinical significance according to AIS.

The size of the esophageal hiatus in gastroesophageal reflux pathophysiology: outcome of intraoperative measurements.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the size of the esophageal hiatus on lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and acid reflux. METHODS: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who underwent Nissen fundoplication in 2006-2008 were included. All underwent esophageal manometry and 22 had 24-h pH monitoring. The area of the esophageal hiatus was calculated from a photograph shot during surgery. A hiatal index was calculated via division of hiatal area with body mass index (BMI). Correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (average age 44, 14 males) were enrolled. The mean BMI, LESP, DeMeester score, hiatal area, and hiatal index were 27 +/- 3.9 kg/m(2), 11.7 +/- 6.6 mmHg, 43 +/- 34, 3.83 +/- 1.24 cm(2), and 0.143 +/- 0.048, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between hiatal area, hiatal index and LESP (-0.513, p = 0.005, r = -0.439, p = 0.019 respectively). Additionally there was a negative correlation between hiatal area and total LES length (r = -0.508, p = 0.013) and a significant positive correlation between hiatal area, hiatal index, and DeMeester scores (0.452, p = 0.035, 0.537, p = 0.01, respectively). Height and hiatal area were significant factors in multiple linear regression. CONCLUSIONS: The size of the esophageal hiatus significantly affects LESP and acid reflux, and hiatal index is a new value, which appears to reflect the amount of acid reflux. Total LES length is also shortened in patients with a large hiatus.

Esomeprazole in acute and maintenance treatment of reflux oesophagitis: a multicentre prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of esomeprazole 40 mg once daily (q.d.) in healing reflux oesophagitis at 4 and 8 weeks, and the efficacy of esomeprazole 20 mg q.d. for 12 weeks in the maintenance of remission. METHODS: A total of 235 patients with endoscopically proven reflux oesophagitis were enrolled in this study, which consisted of two phases (healing and maintenance therapy). Patients who showed complete endoscopic and symptomatic healing at the end of 4 or 8 weeks were switched to maintenance treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg q.d. for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was healing of reflux oesophagitis at week 8. Secondary assessments included the proportion of patients with symptomatic relapse in the maintenance phase. RESULTS: At the end of week 8, 88% (95% life-table confidence intervals [CI]: 84%, 92%) of patients were healed endoscopically and 90.6% of the patients were asymptomatic. Patient age, gender and Helicobacter pylori status had no effect on the efficacy of treatment. During the 12-week maintenance treatment phase, symptomatic relapse ratios were 0.5%, 2.2%, and 0%, for the first, second, and third 4-week periods, respectively. The proportions of patients satisfied with treatment were 95% and 99.4% at the end of acute and maintenance treatment, respectively. The most common adverse effects were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Esomeprazole is effective in the healing of reflux oesophagitis, the resolution of heartburn, and in maintaining symptomatic remission. The effectiveness of esomeprazole in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is not affected by the presence of H. pylori.

Role of echo Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of postprandial hyperemia in cirrhotic patients.

AIM: To assess the role of echo-Doppler ultrasonography in postprandial hyperemia in cirrhotic patients by comparing the results with the hepatic vein catheterization technique. METHODS: Patients with cirrhosis, admitted to the portal hemodynamic laboratory were included into the study. After an overnight fast, echo-Doppler ultrasonography (basal and 30 min after a standard meal) and hemodynamic studies by hepatic vein catheterization (basal, 15 min and 30 min after a standard meal) were performed. Ensure Plus (Abbot Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) was used as the standard liquid meal. Correlation analysis of the echo-Doppler and hepatic vein catheterization measurements were done for the basal and postprandial periods. RESULTS: Eleven patients with cirrhosis (5 Child A, 4 Child B, 2 Child C) were enrolled into the study. After the standard meal, 8 of the 11 patients showed postprandial hyperemia with increase in portal blood flow, portal blood velocity and hepatic venous pressure gradient. Hepatic venous pressure gradient in the postprandial period correlated positively with postprandial portal blood velocity (r = 0.8, P < 0.05) and correlated inversely with postprandial superior mesenteric artery pulsatility index (r = -1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Postprandial hyperemia can be efficiently measured by echo-Doppler ultrasonography and the results are comparable to those obtained with the hemodynamic studies.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the anti-secretory efficacy of lansoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication was recommended for the prevention of atrophic gastritis in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients on long-term omeprazole treatment. It has been also shown that the treatment with proton pump inhibitors produces lower intragastric pH after H. pylori eradication in subjects with peptic ulcer and healthy individuals. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis of whether the efficacy of lansoprazole is reduced after the eradication of H. pylori in GERD patients with peptic esophagitis. METHODS: Eight-hour intragastric pH recordings were performed before and after an 8-day course of lansoprazole (30 mg once daily) in 10 H. pylori-positive male patients with reflux esophagitis and were repeated after the H. pylori eradication. Intragastric acidity was measured by using an antimony electrode placed 10 cm below the cardia. RESULTS: Baseline median preprandial, post-prandial, total intragastric pH and the percentage of time with pH < 3 were not different before and after H. pylori eradication without lansoprazole treatment. During lansoprazole treatment, median post-prandial intragastric pH was lower (4 vs 2.7; P < 0.05) and the percentage of time with pH < 3 was longer (3.4%vs 41.8%; P < 0.05) after H. pylori eradication. Median total intragastric pH tended to be lower after eradication but no difference was found in preprandial median pH. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with reflux esophagitis treated with lansoprazole, intragastric pH increased significantly when H. pylori was present, especially in the post-prandial period, whereas baseline pH remained unchanged after H. pylori eradication.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on anti-thrombotic dose aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are two major causes of gastric injury but the effect of H. pylori eradication on the development of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastroduodenal mucosal injury induced by antithrombotic doses of aspirin. METHODS: Patients who had been planned to start on medium-dose aspirin (300 mg) for any kind of indication were included in the study. All subjects underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for determination of H. pylori status and Lanza score. The H. pylori-positive patients were randomized to receive either aspirin + eradication (omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. and amoxicillin 500 mg q.i.d. for 2 weeks) or aspirin + placebo eradication. Endoscopic reassessment was done 4 months after the onset of aspirin or when symptoms developed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (placebo group n = 16, H. pylori-eradicated group n = 16) completed the study and Lanza scores of both groups were similar before treatment. Lanza scores significantly increased in the placebo group (0.69 +/- 0.87 vs 2.25 +/- 1.3, P < 0.0001) and did not change in the H. pylori-eradicated group after aspirin treatment (0.43 +/- 0.72 vs 0.75 +/- 0.93, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori eradication may prevent medium-dose aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury.

Botulinum toxin injection versus lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of chronic anal fissure: a non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although lateral internal sphincterotomy is the gold-standard treatment for chronic anal fissure, intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin seems to be a reliable new option. The aim of this non-randomized study is to compare the effect of lateral internal sphincterotomy and botulinum toxin injection treatments on the outcome and reduction of anal sphincter pressures in patients with chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Patients with chronic anal fissure were treated with either botulinum toxin injection or lateral internal sphincterotomy by their own choice. Maximal resting pressure and maximal squeeze pressure measurements were performed before and 2 weeks after treatments by anal manometry. Patients were followed for fissure relapse during 14 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one consecutive outpatients with posterior chronic anal fissure were enrolled. Eleven patients underwent surgery and ten patients received botulinum toxin injection treatment. Before the treatment, anal pressures were found to be similar in both groups. After the treatment, the maximal resting pressures were reduced from 104 +/- 22 mmHg to 86 +/- 15 mmHg in the surgery group (p < 0.05) and from 101 +/- 23 mmHg to 83 +/- 24 mmHg in the botulinum toxin group (p < 0.05). The mean maximal squeeze pressures were reduced from 70 +/- 27 mmHg to 61 +/- 32 mmHg (p > 0.05) in the surgery group, and from 117 +/- 62 mmHg to 76 +/- 34 (p < 0.01) in the botulinum toxin group. The fissures were healed in 70 percent of patients in the botulinum group and 82 percent in the surgery group (p > 0.05). There were no relapses during the 14 months of follow up. CONCLUSION: Lateral internal sphincterotomy and botulinum toxin injection treatments both seem to be equally effective in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Role of endothelin-1 in a cirrhotic rat model with endotoxin induced acute renal failure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bacterial infections are known to trigger renal failure in patients with cirrhosis. However, the mechanisms for this process are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in a cirrhotic rat model with endotoxin induced renal failure by mixed ET-1 receptor antagonist, bosentan. METHODS: Cirrrhosis was induced by twice weekly intraperitoneal injections of CCl(4) together with phenobarbital in drinking water. Cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic rats were either pretreated with physiological saline or bosentan prior to administration of low dose endotoxin. Urine and blood samples were then collected within a period of 3 h for the estimation of ET-1, NO(3)(-)/NO(2)(-) levels ( nitric oxide metabolites: NO(x)) and renal function tests. RESULTS: Cirrhotic rats had higher ET-1 and NO(x) levels in comparison with non-cirrhotic rats. Endotoxin administration to cirrhotic rats led to the deterioration of the renal function, and elevation of plasma ET-1 and NO(x) levels. Bosentan pretreatment prior to endotoxin administration caused an increase in the urine volume and creatinine clearance of cirrhotic rats, but had no effect on Na(+) excretion. CONCLUSION: ET-1 has a significant role in endotoxin induced renal impairment in cirrhotic rats, and ET-1 receptor antagonism provides partial protection of the renal function.