Evaluation of screening tests for autoimmune gastritis in histopathologically confirmed Japanese patients, and re-evaluation of histopathological classification.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study are to evaluate non-invasive screening tests for autoimmune gastritis (AIG) and re-evaluate histopathological classification. METHODS: We screened candidates of AIG in JCHO Shiga Hospital between May 2012 and January 2020. The screening criteria were as follows: endoscopic O-p atrophy with Updated Kimura-Takemoto classification, 3 + pepsinogen (PG) test, low serum vitamin B12 or elevated serum gastrin with positive anti-parietal cell (PC) or intrinsic factor antibodies. We evaluated the screening criteria in the patients who were histopathologically confirmed as AIG, and re-evaluated histopathological staging in clinical aspects. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 28 (78.6%) patients who met the screening criteria were histopathologically confirmed as AIG. Common clinical findings in the AIG patients were 10 × or greater anti-PC antibody, elevated serum gastrin greater than 172 pg/mL and endoscopic atrophy O-1 or greater. The areas under the curve of PG I, PG II and PG I/II ratio were 0.81, 0.29 and 0.98, respectively. Among histopathologically confirmed AIG patients, 4 and 18 patients were histopathologically classified into florid and end stages, respectively, while no patients into early stage. We could not find a significant difference between florid and end stages in the screening items studied. CONCLUSIONS: Florid and end stages in histopathological classification are both advanced-stage AIG in clinical aspects. Our screening criteria without biopsy are applicable to screen clinically-advanced AIG with 78.6% positive predictive value. PG I and PG I/II ratio may be useful to screen AIG. However, we may need other criteria to screen early stage of AIG.

Two-dimension Tailor-made Therapy: A New Salvage Therapy After Multiple Eradication Failures for Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Background and Aims: Vonoprazan-based eradication therapies have a higher eradication rate than usual proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based therapies in treating Helicobacter pylori infection. Should we use vonoprazan to treat patients who failed multiple eradication therapies? Because the drug is not available in most countries, we propose 2-dimension tailor-made therapy (2dTMT) without using vonoprazan. Methods: Patients who failed twice or more PPI-based triple therapies were recruited. Patients underwent CYP2C19 genotype and antibiotic susceptibility tests (ASTs). PPI doses per day were decided as per the CYP2C19 genotype: twice for poor and 4 times for extensive metabolizers (dimension 1). Two antibiotics were selected as per the results of the AST in each patient (dimension 2). Regimens of 2dTMT included 2 susceptible antibiotics and a PPI. For those who could not have enough information with the AST, tailor-made PPI dosing was indicated with empirically selected 2 antibiotics (one-dimension tailor-made therapy [1dTMT]). Results: Of 51 candidates with multiple eradication failures, 37 patients underwent the genotype test and AST, and 24 succeeded to obtain sufficient information to select 2 susceptible antibiotics. Of them, 22 patients accepted to receive 14-day 2dTMT. Of the residual patients, 12 accepted to receive 14-day 1dTMT. The mean eradication rate of 2dTMT was 86.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.1%-98.8%) in intention-to-treat and 90.5% (95% CI: 69.6%-98.8%) in per-protocol analyses, whereas that of 1dTMT was 75.0% (95% CI: 42.8%-94.5%) in intention-to-treat and 90.0% (95% CI: 55.5%-99.7%) in per-protocol analyses. Conclusion: Without vonoprazan, 14-day 2dTMT could be one of the salvage therapies for patients with multiple eradication failures. In cases of insufficient information with the AST, 14-day 1dTMT could be an alternative therapy. Clinical Trials Registry number, UMIN000022154 (https://www.umin.ac.jp/icdr/index.html).

Usefulness of bispectral monitoring of conscious sedation during endoscopic mucosal dissection.

AIM: To assess the usefulness of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring in order to carry out endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) safely and with patients' satisfaction. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-six patients with an early-stage neoplasm of the digestive tract were enrolled. The BIS monitor (A-1050: Aspect medical systems/NIHON KOHDEN, Tokyo, Japan) was used. The appropriate sedative condition was set at 55 to 75 BIS levels (BIS value) during the endoscopic procedures. RESULTS: Among 366 cases, 13 were accompanied by adverse events during and/or after ESD. All episodes occurred in cases with BIS value between 56 and 65. Hypotension was observed in four cases, and bradycardia in six. Respiratory distress was observed in two cases with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. All patients with adverse events were able to leave the hospital without extension of the hospitalization. CONCLUSION: BIS monitoring is useful to safely perform ESD. A BIS value of 70 to 75 is suitable for ESD.

[Case report: periodical infliximab administration enabled closure of colostomy in fistulating perianal Crohn's disease].

A 29-year old woman with Crohn's disease was performed colostomy due to severe perianal abscess. Her disease had been easy to recur and she was admitted to hospital for intestinal bleeding caused by acute exacerbation in Crohn's disease on October 2006. The bleeding was stopped rapidly and clinical remission was maintained with bimonthly administration of infliximab. Finally, her colostomy was closed after 5 years 8 months. Periodical treatment of infliximab not only prevented recurrence but also enabled closure of colostomy in fistulating perianal Crohn's disease.