A novel prediction tool for mortality in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding requiring emergency hospitalization: a large multicenter study.

The study aimed to identify prognostic factors for patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding and to develop a high-accuracy prediction tool. The analysis included 8254 cases of acute hematochezia patients who were admitted urgently based on the judgment of emergency physicians or gastroenterology consultants (from the CODE BLUE J-study). Patients were randomly assigned to a derivation cohort and a validation cohort in a 2:1 ratio using a random number table. Assuming that factors present at the time of admission are involved in mortality within 30 days of admission, and adding management factors during hospitalization to the factors at the time of admission for mortality within 1 year, prognostic factors were established. Multivariate analysis was conducted, and scores were assigned to each factor using regression coefficients, summing these to measure the score. The newly created score (CACHEXIA score) became a tool capable of measuring both mortality within 30 days (ROC-AUC 0.93) and within 1 year (C-index, 0.88). The 1-year mortality rates for patients classified as low, medium, and high risk by the CACHEXIA score were 1.0%, 13.4%, and 54.3% respectively (all P < 0.001). After discharge, patients identified as high risk using our unique predictive score require ongoing observation.

High risk stigmata and treatment strategy for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a nationwide study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The rebleeding risks and outcomes of endoscopic treatment for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) may differ depending on the bleeding location, type, and etiology of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) but have yet to be fully investigated. We aimed to identify high risk endoscopic SRH and to propose an optimal endoscopic treatment strategy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 2699 ALGIB patients with SRH at 49 hospitals (CODE BLUE-J Study), of whom 88.6 % received endoscopic treatment. RESULTS: 30-day rebleeding rates of untreated SRH significantly differed among locations (left colon 15.5 % vs. right colon 28.6 %) and etiologies (diverticular bleeding 27.5 % vs. others [e. g. ulcerative lesions or angioectasia] 8.9 %), but not among bleeding types. Endoscopic treatment reduced the overall rebleeding rate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.69; 95 %CI 0.49-0.98), and the treatment effect was significant in right-colon SRH (AOR 0.46; 95 %CI 0.29-0.72) but not in left-colon SRH. The effect was observed in both active and nonactive types, but was not statistically significant. Moreover, the effect was significant for diverticular bleeding (AOR 0.60; 95 %CI 0.41-0.88) but not for other diseases. When focusing on treatment type, the effectiveness was not significantly different between clipping and other modalities for most SRH, whereas ligation was significantly more effective than clipping in right-colon diverticular bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: A population-level endoscopy dataset allowed us to identify high risk endoscopic SRH and propose a simple endoscopic treatment strategy for ALGIB. Unlike upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the rebleeding risks for ALGIB depend on colonic location, bleeding etiology, and treatment modality.

Adherence and Effectiveness of MoviPrepⓇ in Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy: A Multicenter Study from the Hiroshima GI Endoscopy Research Group.

Objectives: Bowel preparation is burdensome because of long cleansing times and large dose volumes of conventional polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solution NiflecⓇ (Nif). MoviPrep (Mov)Ⓡ is a hyperosmolar preparation of PEG, electrolytes, and ascorbic acid; despite the smaller dose volume of 2 L, it can be challenging for many patients. We examined a more effective and acceptable bowel preparation method without compromising cleanliness and effectiveness, combining low-residue diet and laxative (Modified Brown Method) in Mov administered 1 day pre-colonoscopy. Methods: This multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparative study, conducted at Hiroshima University Hospital and 7 affiliated hospitals in May 2015-March 2016, evaluated adherence to and effectiveness of Mov in bowel preparation. Participants (n=380) were allocated to receive 1 of 3 pre-colonoscopy regimens: Nif+Modified Brown Method (Group A), Mov+Modified Brown Method (Group B), or Mov+Laxative (Group C). Results: Total intake volume showed no significant difference among the groups. Bowel preparation time was significantly shorter in Group B (112.4±44.8 min, n=118) than in Groups A (131.3±59 min, n=105) and C (122.6±48.1 min, n=115). Sleep disturbance (37%) was significantly higher in Group B than Group A; distension (11%) was significantly lower in Group C than in Groups A and B (p<0.05, respectively). No severe adverse events occurred in any group. Conclusions: Mov+Modified Brown method provided significantly shorter bowel preparation time, with no significant difference in total intake volume among the regimens. Mov+Laxative yielded significantly less distension than the other groups, with bowel preparation equivalent to that of the Nif+Modified Brown method.

Characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of surgery for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: nationwide cohort study of 10,342 hematochezia cases.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence on the surgical rate, indication, procedure, risk factors, mortality, and postoperative rebleeding for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) is limited. METHODS: We constructed a retrospective cohort of 10,342 patients admitted for acute hematochezia at 49 hospitals (CODE BLUE J-Study) and evaluated clinical data on the surgeries performed. RESULTS: Surgery was performed in 1.3% (136/10342) of the cohort with high rates of colonoscopy (87.7%) and endoscopic hemostasis (26.7%). Indications for surgery included colonic diverticular bleeding (24%), colorectal cancer (22%), and small bowel bleeding (16%). Sixty-four percent of surgeries were for hemostasis for severe refractory bleeding. Postoperative rebleeding rates were 22% in patients with presumptive or obscure preoperative identification of the bleeding source and 12% in those with definitive identification. Thirty-day mortality rates were 1.5% and 0.8% in patients with and without surgery, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that surgery-related risk factors were transfusion need ≥ 6 units (P < 0.001), in-hospital rebleeding (P < 0.001), small bowel bleeding (P < 0.001), colorectal cancer (P < 0.001), and hemorrhoids (P < 0.001). Endoscopic hemostasis was negatively associated with surgery (P = 0.003). For small bowel bleeding, the surgery rate was significantly lower in patients with endoscopic hemostasis as 2% compared to 12% without endoscopic hemostasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our cohort study elucidated the outcomes and risks of the surgery. Extensive exploration including the small bowel to identify the source of bleeding and endoscopic hemostasis may reduce unnecessary surgery and improve the management of ALGIB.

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.

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.

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.

Multicenter propensity score-matched analysis comparing short versus long cap-assisted colonoscopy for acute hematochezia.

Background and Aim: While short and long attachment caps are available for colonoscopy, it is unclear which type is more appropriate for stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) identification in acute hematochezia. This study aimed to compare the performance of short versus long caps in acute hematochezia diagnoses and outcomes. Methods: We selected 6460 patients who underwent colonoscopy with attachment caps from 10 342 acute hematochezia cases in the CODE BLUE-J study. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) to balance baseline characteristics between short and long cap users. Then, the proportion of definitive or presumptive bleeding etiologies found on the initial colonoscopy and SRH identification rates were compared. We also evaluated rates of blood transfusions, interventional radiology, or surgery, as well as the rate of rebleeding and mortality within 30 days after the initial colonoscopy. Results: A total of 3098 patients with acute hematochezia (1549 short cap and 1549 long cap users) were selected for PSM. The rate of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) diagnosis was significantly higher in long cap users (P = 0.006). While the two groups had similar rates of the other bleeding etiologies, the frequency of unknown etiologies was significantly lower in long cap users (P < 0.001). The rate of SRH with active bleeding was significantly higher in long cap users (P < 0.001). Other clinical outcomes did not differ significantly. Conclusion: Compared to that with short caps, long cap-assisted colonoscopy is superior for the diagnosis of acute hematochezia, especially CDB, and the identification of active bleeding.

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.

Clinical usefulness of the hold-and-drag closure using the SB clip for large mucosal defects after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic clip closure of mucosal defects after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) reduces the risk of postoperative adverse events, but achieving complete closure for large mucosal defects can be difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the hold-and-drag closure using an SB clip compared with that of the conventional closure for mucosal defects after colorectal ESD. METHODS: Eighty-four consecutive colorectal lesions resected by ESD at the Hiroshima Asa Citizens Hospital were registered and randomly allocated to two groups (Group A: SB clip, Group B: EZ clip), and then endoscopic closures were performed. We crossed-over to the SB clip in situations where the initial closure using an EZ clip was unsuccessful in achieving complete closure. Outcomes were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two lesions were randomly assigned to groups A and B. The complete closure rate was significantly higher in group A, especially in resected specimens with a diameter of 30 mm or more. Twelve lesions that failed complete closure in group B were changed to SB clips, and 95% of the whole of group B were successfully closed. There were no significant differences in procedural time, number of clips, and cost of clips between groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional closure, the hold-and-drag closure using an SB clip is a more suitable method for complete closure, especially for large mucosal defects of 30 mm or more. Furthermore, this is a simpler and more economical compared to a zipper closure using EZ clips.

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.

Development and validation of a novel model for predicting stigmata of recent hemorrhage in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: Multicenter nationwide study.

OBJECTIVES: Stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) directly indicate a need for endoscopic therapy in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). Colonoscopy would be prioritized for patients with highly suspected SRH, but the predictors of colonic SRH remain unclear. We aimed to construct a predictive model for the efficient detection of SRH using a nationwide cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 8360 patients admitted through hospital emergency departments for acute LGIB in the CODE BLUE-J Study (49 hospitals throughout Japan). All patients underwent inpatient colonoscopy. To develop an SRH predictive model, 4863 patients were analyzed. Baseline characteristics, colonoscopic factors (timing, preparation, and devices), and computed tomography (CT) extravasation were extensively assessed. The performance of the model was externally validated in 3497 patients. RESULTS: Colonic SRH was detected in 28% of patients. A novel predictive model for detecting SRH (CS-NEED score: ColonoScopic factors, No abdominal pain, Elevated PT-INR, Extravasation on CT, and DOAC use) showed high performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.74 for derivation and 0.73 for external validation). This score was also highly predictive of active bleeding (AUC 0.73 for derivation and 0.76 for external validation). Patients with low (0-6), intermediate (7-8), and high (9-12) scores in the external validation cohort had SRH identification rates of 20%, 31%, and 64%, respectively (P < 0.001 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: A novel predictive model for colonic SRH identification (CS-NEED score) can specify colonoscopies likely to achieve endoscopic therapy in acute LGIB. Using the model during initial management would contribute to finding and treating SRH efficiently.

Nationwide cohort study identifies clinical outcomes of angioectasia in patients with acute hematochezia.

BACKGROUND: While angioectasia is an important cause of acute hematochezia, relevant clinical features remain unclear. This study aims to reveal risk factors, clinical outcomes, and the effectiveness of therapeutic endoscopy for patients with acute hematochezia due to angioectasia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 49 Japanese hospitals between January 2010 and December 2019, enrolling patients hospitalized for acute hematochezia (CODE BLUE-J study). Baseline factors and clinical outcomes for angioectasia were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 10,342 patients with acute hematochezia, 129 patients (1.2%) were diagnosed with angioectasia by colonoscopy. The following factors were significantly associated with angioectasia: chronic kidney disease, liver disease, female, body mass index < 25, and anticoagulant use. Patients with angioectasia were at a significant increased risk of blood transfusions compared to those without angioectasia (odds ratio [OR] 2.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.69-4.02). Among patients with angioectasia, 36 patients (28%) experienced rebleeding during 1-year follow-up. The 1-year cumulative rebleeding rates were 37.0% in the endoscopic clipping group, 14.3% in the coagulation group, and 32.8% in the conservative management group. Compared to conservative management, coagulation therapy significantly reduced rebleeding risk (P = 0.038), while clipping did not (P = 0.81). Multivariate analysis showed coagulation therapy was an independent factor for reducing rebleeding risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40; 95% CI 0.16-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed patients with angioectasia had a greater comorbidity burden and needed more blood transfusions in comparison with those without angioectasia. To reduce rebleeding risk, coagulation therapy can be superior for controlling hematochezia secondary to angioectasia.

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.

[Two rare cases of severe hyponatremia with consciousness disorder following bowel preparation and high fluid intake].

Symptomatic hyponatremia due to bowel preparation is extremely rare, but it can cause severe neurological symptoms and require hospitalization. We report our experience with two cases of symptomatic hyponatremia after bowel preparation. Our findings suggest that the cause of hyponatremia may be not only oral bowel cleansing agents but also high fluid intake. Adjusting the dose and pace of oral bowel cleansing agents and fluid intake;rehydration should be considered to prevent any recurrences.

Squamous Metaplasia of the Colon Following Severe COVID-19.

A 53-year-old man was admitted for respiratory failure due to severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The patient required prolonged artificial ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory support. Despite successful discontinuation of ECMO, the patient experienced profuse watery diarrhea (5-10 L/day). A colonoscopy revealed an inflamed surface without undulation that uniformly extended throughout the colon. Biopsy specimens revealed complete disappearance of existing crypts and replacement with squamous or transitional epithelium normally observed in the anal transitional zone mucosa, with granulation tissue proliferation in the lamina propria. Watery diarrhea persisted despite corticosteroid and infliximab administration. Although diarrhea due to atrophy of the surface and cryptic epithelium as an intestinal manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 usually responds to corticosteroids, refractory diarrhea can be attributed to squamous metaplasia with complete disappearance of the surface and cryptic epithelium.

Optimal candidates for early colonoscopy in the management of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Early colonoscopy has not shown any advantages over elective colonoscopy in reducing the risk of early rebleeding (≤ 30 days) after acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). Considering the heterogeneity among patients with ALGIB, we sought to evaluate appropriate candidates for early colonoscopy. METHODS: A total of 592 patients with ALGIB were enrolled, and the clinical outcomes of early colonoscopy were investigated. Thereafter, the participants were divided into two groups: the recent bleeding group (n = 445), with hematochezia 0-6 h before hospital arrival, and non-recent bleeding group (n = 147). The clinical outcomes yielded by early colonoscopy were assessed in each group. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis including the entire population revealed that early colonoscopy (< 24 h) did not reduce the risk of early rebleeding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-1.39). However, in the subgroup analysis, early colonoscopy independently reduced the risk of early rebleeding in the recent bleeding group (AOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.94). Moreover, a reduction in the need for radiological or surgical intervention (AOR, 0.34), transfusion (AOR, 0.62), and prolonged hospitalization (AOR, 0.42), as well as improvement in diagnostic yield (AOR, 1.78) and endoscopic treatment rates (AOR, 1.66), were observed. Early colonoscopy did not improve the outcomes of the non-recent bleeding group. CONCLUSIONS: Early colonoscopy is not required for all patients with ALGIB. However, it may be suitable for those with hematochezia 0-6 h before hospital arrival, as it reduces early rebleeding and improves clinical outcomes.

Endoscopic direct clipping versus indirect clipping for colonic diverticular bleeding: A large multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Direct and indirect clipping treatments are used worldwide to treat colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB), but their effectiveness has not been examined in multicenter studies with more than 100 cases. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the short- and long-term effectiveness of direct versus indirect clipping for CDB in a nationwide cohort. METHODS: We studied 1041 patients with CDB who underwent direct clipping (n = 360) or indirect clipping (n = 681) at 49 hospitals across Japan (CODE BLUE-J Study). RESULTS: Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, and important confounding factors revealed that, compared with indirect clipping, direct clipping was independently associated with reduced risk of early rebleeding (<30 days; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.592, p = 0.002), late rebleeding (<1 year; AOR 0.707, p = 0.018), and blood transfusion requirement (AOR 0.741, p = 0.047). No significant difference in initial hemostasis rates was observed between the two groups. Propensity-score matching to balance baseline characteristics also showed significant reductions in the early and late rebleeding rates with direct clipping. In subgroup analysis, direct clipping was associated with significantly lower rates of early and late rebleeding and blood transfusion need in cases of stigmata of recent hemorrhage with non-active bleeding on colonoscopy, right-sided diverticula, and early colonoscopy, but not with active bleeding on colonoscopy, left-sided diverticula, or elective colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Our large nationwide study highlights the use of direct clipping for CDB treatment whenever possible. Differences in bleeding pattern and colonic location can also be considered when deciding which clipping options to use.

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.

A pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of urgent endoscopy for gastroduodenal perforation.

BACKGROUND: Gastroduodenal perforation is potentially life threatening and requires early diagnosis and treatment. Urgent endoscopy facilitates detecting bleeding sites and achieving hemostasis. However, there is no consensus on urgent endoscopy for gastroduodenal perforation in Japan. METHODS: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of urgent endoscopy for gastroduodenal perforation. We compared clinical characteristics between 140 patients who underwent urgent endoscopy (urgent endoscopy group) and 16 patients did not (no urgent endoscopy group) at Hiroshima City Asa Citizens Hospital between December 2005 and December 2018. RESULTS: Endoscopic diagnosis was possible in all urgent endoscopy group. In contrast, correct diagnosis of the perforation site was made on CT in 99 cases (63%). Furthermore, the proportion of cases with correct diagnosis of the perforation site by CT findings differed significantly between the urgent endoscopy group and the no urgent endoscopy group (66% vs. 38%, p < 0.05). No complications of urgent endoscopy were observed. Primary perforation site was gastric in 42 cases and duodenal in 114. In the 42 gastric perforation cases, 12 gastric perforation cases (29%) were managed conservatively, successfully in 9 (75%); 2 cases (17%) required delayed emergency surgery for worsening peritonitis. In the 114 duodenal perforation cases (duodenal ulcer in all cases), 52 cases (46%) were managed conservatively, successfully in 48 (92%); 3 cases (6%) required delayed emergency surgery for worsening peritonitis. A significantly higher proportion of gastric perforation cases than duodenal perforation cases required surgical treatment (76% vs. 57%, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed localized abdominal pain (no peritonism) (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08-0.75; p < 0.01) and perforation diameter ≤ 5 mm (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.36; p < 0.01) as significant independent clinical factors for successful conservative management of duodenal ulcer perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent endoscopy in gastroduodenal perforation enabled primary diagnosis and perforation site identification, and facilitated deciding the management strategy.