Prevalence and predictive value of sarcopenia in hospitalized patients with ischemic colitis.

Ischemic colitis (IC) and sarcopenia are associated with aging and multiple comorbidities. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictive role of sarcopenia in patients with IC. We retrospectively analyzed 225 hospitalized patients (median age, 72 years; women, 67.1%; severe IC, 34.2%) who were diagnosed with IC between January 2007 and February 2022. Sarcopenia was defined as the skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar vertebra determined by computed tomography. It was present in 49.3% (n = 111) of the patients and was significantly associated with severe IC compared to those without sarcopenia (48.6% vs. 20.2%, P < 0.001). Sarcopenia was associated with extended hospitalization (median: 8 vs. 6 days, P < 0.001) and fasting periods (4 vs. 3 days, P = 0.004), as well as prolonged antibiotic use (9 vs. 7 days, P = 0.039). Sarcopenia was linked to a higher risk of surgery or mortality (9.0% vs. 0%, P = 0.001) and independently predicted this outcome (odds ratio [OR], 11.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24‒1467.65, P = 0.027). It was prevalent among hospitalized patients with IC, potentially indicating severe IC and a worse prognosis. This underscores the importance of meticulous monitoring, immediate medical intervention, and timely surgical consideration.

A case of colonic MALT lymphoma with intra-abdominal abscess and lung metastasis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an unusual subtype comprising only 2.5% of all MALT lymphomas. Most cases of colonic MALT lymphoma are diagnosed at an early stage. Therefore, the clinical features of advanced-stage colonic MALT lymphoma have seldom been reported, and the endoscopic findings are not well established. In this study, we report the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of stage IV colonic MALT lymphoma and highlight the importance of repeat biopsy to figure out this rare disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was a 68-year-old male complaining of hematochezia and lower left quadrant abdominal pain for the past 3 days. DIAGNOSES: The patient had 3 masses and friable mucosal lesions in the colon. With the first colonoscopy and biopsy, he was initially diagnosed as having eosinophilic colitis. However, the first treatment with steroids did not show any response. Because of atypical clinical features and colonoscopic findings, a second colonoscopy and a repeat biopsy were performed, and the results were consistent with colonic MALT lymphoma arising in the colon. The patient was finally diagnosed with stage IV colonic MALT lymphoma accompanied by multiple distant metastases. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient started to receive chemotherapy with a combination regimen of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone. The follow-up study after 3 months showed stable disease status based on response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. LESSONS: This case report presents atypical clinical characteristics and colonoscopic findings of stage IV colonic MALT lymphoma. Clinical suspicion and repeat biopsy should be considered to diagnose this rare and diagnostically challenging cancer.

Helicobacter pylori Empirical and Tailored Eradication Therapy and Factors Influencing Eradication Rate: a 4-Year Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: The Helicobacter pylori eradication rate with standard triple therapy (STT) is continuously decreasing due to clarithromycin resistance. This study aimed to investigate the eradication rate of empirical and tailored therapy and explore various factors affecting this eradication rate using clarithromycin resistance test data for the last 4 years at a single institution in Daegu. METHODS: From August 2018 to July 2021, a total of 1,395 patients diagnosed with H. pylori infection based on rapid urea testing and histology at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital were retrospectively examined. Participants were classified into the empirical and tailored therapy groups according to the results of the clarithromycin resistance test using the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall eradication rate of empirical STT was 72.8%, and the eradication rate by year was 71.6% in 2018, 77.4% in 2019, 70.3% in 2020, and 70.6% in 2021; the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.173). No significant difference was noted in the eradication rate according to gender, age, type of proton pump inhibitors, and use of probiotics. Significant differences were noted in the eradication rate according to the treat-ment period: 69.7% in the 7-day, 67.3% in the 10-day, and 81.4% in the 14-day group (p = 0.001). The eradication rate with STT was 87.4% in the non-resistant group. In the case of clarithromycin resistance, treatment was mainly with bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT), and the eradication rate was 86.1%. The eradication rate was higher with administration of BQT for 10 days or 14 days than for administration of BQT for 7 days, but with no statistical significance (p = 0.364). CONCLUSIONS: Extending the treatment period of STT helped in improving the eradication rate, and tailored therapy through clarithromycin resistance testing showed superior results when compared to empirical therapy.

Comparison between a novel core knife and the conventional IT knife 2 for endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric mucosal lesions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have compared the performances of endoscopic knives. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic outcomes of a novel core knife and the conventional IT knife 2 for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastric mucosal lesions. METHODS: This prospective, non-inferiority trial included patients diagnosed with gastric adenoma or early-stage adenocarcinoma at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital between June and November 2020. The patients were randomly assigned to either the core knife or the IT knife 2 group. The operators and assistants scored the knives' grip convenience and cutting abilities. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were enrolled (core knife group, 20 patients; IT knife 2 group, 19 patients). There were no significant between-group differences in operator-assessed grip convenience (9.600 vs. 9.526, p=0.753), cutting ability (9.600 vs. 9.105, p=0.158), or assistant-assessed grip convenience (9.500 vs. 9.368, p=0.574). CONCLUSION: The core knife achieved therapeutic outcomes that were comparable to those of the IT knife 2 for ESD of gastric mucosal lesions.