Are adipokines related to COVID-19 and its severity? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The relationship between several adipokines and COVID-19 severity has lately been evaluated, results being inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between adipokines in COVID-19 and its severity. Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase using predefined keywords. The Newcastle of Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for the quality assessment of included studies. The main summary outcome was the mean difference (MD) in adipokine levels. Results: A total of 8 studies involving 473 individuals were included. A significant MD in serum adiponectin levels was demonstrated in mild vs. severe COVID-19 patients (-5.734 [95% CI -11.215 - -0.252]), with no significant MD in mild vs. moderate (-7.117 [95% CI -19.546 - 5.313]), or moderate vs. severe COVID-19 (-1.846 [95% CI -4.516 - 0.824]). Moreover, no significant MD was found in adiponectin and leptin levels when comparing COVID-19 patients vs. controls (-12.675 [95% CI -36.159 - 10.808]) and (8.034 [95% CI -10.403 - 26.471]), respectively. Conclusion: Adiponectin levels were significantly increased in patients with severe compared to mild COVID-19. However, no significant MD was found in adiponectin levels in mild vs. moderate and moderate vs. severe COVID-19 patients, nor in adiponectin and leptin levels in COVID-19 patients vs. controls.

The management of Clostridioides difficile infection: from empirism to evidence.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in clinical practice represents a challenge for its management and also prevention of recurrence. Even though there are updated guidelines for infection prevention, control and treatment, CDI remains a leading cause of healthcare acquired diarrhea with increasing incidence in the community. We present here a synthesis of the most recent international guidelines on the management of CDI. In 2021 updated guidelines on the treatment of CDI in adults were published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). These guidelines focused on CDI management in adults, including new data on the clinical efficacy of Fidaxomicin (FDX) and Bezlotoxumab. The 2017 publication of IDSA and SHEA - Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection also included pediatric treatment recommendations that are not a part of the 2021 update. Vancomycin (VAN) treatment for an initial CDI episode remains an acceptable alternative to FDX, considering the monetary and logistical challenge of acquiring FDX. There is growing literature on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and the 2021 guidelines describe its role in severe complicated refractory CDI cases and for which surgical management is not feasible. Moreover, there are new data on the secondary prophylaxis with VAN in refractory CDI in patients with risk factors who receive broad spectrum antibiotics.

Hemogram-Derived Ratios in the Prognosis of Acute Diverticulitis.

Background and Objectives: It is crucial to quickly identify those patients who need immediate treatment in order to avoid the various complications related to acute diverticulitis (AD). Although several studies evaluated the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) suggesting its predictive value in assessing the severity of AD, results have been inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune inflammation (SII) with the severity of AD, the ability to predict the presence or absence of complications, and the recurrence rate, based on the values of inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 147 patients diagnosed with AD between January 2012 to February 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups, uncomplicated and complicated AD. The characteristics and full blood count between both groups were compared. Results: A total of 65 (44.22%) patients were classified as having complicated AD. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) defining a Hinchey score ≥ 1b was as follows: SII, 0.812 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73 -0.888); NLR, 0.773 (95% CI, 0.676-0.857); PLR, 0.725 (95% CI, 0.63-0.813); MLR: 0.665 (95% CI, 0.542 -0.777). An SII cutoff value of > 1200 marked the highest yield for diagnosing complicated AD, with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 76%. The cumulative recurrence rate was not significantly different in the groups of SII ≥ median vs. SII < median (p = 0.35), NLR ≥ median vs. NLR < median (p = 0.347), PLR ≥ median vs. PLR < median (p = 0.597), and MLR ≥ median vs. MLR < median (p = 0.651). Conclusions: Our study indicates that SII, NLR, and PLR are statistically significant and clinically useful classifying ratios to predict higher Hinchey scores. However, they cannot predict recurrences.

Changing trends in the epidemiology of gastric cancer.

Currently being the seventh most prevalent form of cancer worldwide, and the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death, based on GLOBOCAN 2020 data, gastric cancer is still an important public health problem, despite its dropping incidence. Regions around the world are still at high-risk, mostly in populations with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection or a carcinogenic favorable diet. Gastric cardia cancer incidence is on the rise in some areas. Great steps were made in the last decades in understanding the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and its risk factors. Host genetic polymorphisms play a quintessential role in disease outcome. Helicobacter pylori eradication and endoscopic surveillance are the most effective options to further decrease gastric cancer incidence. Surgery is required for a curative treatment in most cases. This review summarizes the latest worldwide epidemiological data of gastric cancer and aims to provide an accessible and credible source of evidence for physicians who assess risk factors for gastric cancer.

Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment classification, CODA score and fecal calprotectin in clinical assessment of patients with diverticular disease: A decision curve analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification and the Combined Overview on Diverticular Assessment (CODA) were found to be effective in predicting the outcomes of Diverticular Disease (DD). We ascertain whether fecal calprotectin (FC) can further aid in improving risk stratification. METHODS: A three-year international, multicentre, prospective cohort study was conducted involving 43 Gastroenterology and Endoscopy centres. Survival methods for censored observations were used to estimate the risk of acute diverticulitis (AD) in newly diagnosed DD patients according to basal FC, DICA, and CODA. The net benefit of management strategies based on DICA, CODA and FC in addition to CODA was assessed with decision curve analysis, which incorporates the harms and benefits of using a prognostic model for clinical decisions. RESULTS: At the first diagnosis of diverticulosis/DD, 871 participants underwent FC measurement. FC was associated with the risk of AD at 3 years (HR per each base 10 logarithm increase: 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 2.13-5.10) and showed moderate discrimination (c-statistic: 0.685; 0.614-0.756). DICA and CODA were more accurate predictors of AD than FC. However, FC showed high discrimination capacity to predict AD at 3 months, which was not maintained at longer follow-up times. The decision curve analysis comparing the combination of FC and CODA with CODA alone did not clearly indicate a larger net benefit of one strategy over the other. CONCLUSIONS: FC measurement could be used as a complementary tool to assess the immediate risk of AD. In all other cases, treatment strategies based on the CODA score alone should be recommended.

Diet and Gut Inflammation: The Effect of Diet on Inflammatory Markers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease - A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies evaluated the effect of several diets on inflammatory markers in IBD patients. Nevertheless, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted this review to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary interventions on inflammatory markers in IBD. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic literature search strategy using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus was conducted in March 2023 and evaluated inflammatory markers included C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and fecal calprotectin (FC), as well as disease severity scores. We included full-text articles that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. To evaluate the included studies, we used the NHLBI quality evaluation tools. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were included in our qualitative synthesis. Elemental and polymeric diets showed similar efficacy in reducing Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and CRP levels. On the other hand, most studies evaluating the effects of omega 3 fatty acids reported no significant improvement. Moreover, protein supplementation was not seen to improve ESR or CRP levels. Except for improvements in FC levels with IgG4-guided exclusion diet in CD patients with elevated CDAI levels, restrictive diets were successful in controlling functional abdominal symptoms but did not appear to have an impact on inflammation in most studies. Furthermore, disease severity scores, CRP, ESR, and FC levels did not significantly change when eating a high-fiber, low-refined-carb, low-fat diet. CONCLUSIONS: Diet plays a vital role in managing IBD by impacting the inflammatory response. Among the interventions studied, enteral nutrition showed the most promising results, improving patients' inflammatory status. Restrictive diets effectively managed symptoms and clinical remission but had limited impact on inflammatory markers. Supplementing the diet with fatty acids, omega 3, or proteins did not definitively improve patients' condition or inflammation.

Waist to height ratio in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) guidelines do not provide any recommendations regarding the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), a simple obesity metric calculated by dividing waist circumference by height. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to evaluate WHtR in NAFLD. METHODS: We performed a systematic electronic search on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, identifying observational studies assessing WHtR in NAFLD. QUADAS-2 tool was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. The two main statistical outcomes were the area under the curve (AUC) and the mean difference (MD). RESULTS: We included a total of 27 studies in our quantitative and qualitative synthesis, with a total population of 93,536 individuals. WHtR was significantly higher in NAFLD patients compared to controls with an MD of 0.073 (95% CI 0.058 - 0.088). This was also confirmed after conducting a subgroup analysis according to the hepatic steatosis diagnosis method, for ultrasound (MD 0.066 [96% CI 0.051 - 0.081]) and transient elastography (MD 0.074 [96% CI 0.053 - 0.094]). Moreover, NAFLD male patients presented significantly lower WHtR compared to female patients (MD -0.022 [95% CI -0.041 - -0.004]). The AUC of WHtR for predicting NAFLD was 0.815 (95% CI 0.780 - 0.849). CONCLUSIONS: WHtR is considerably higher in NAFLD patients compared to controls. Female NAFLD patients present higher WHtR compared to NAFLD male patients. In comparison to other presently suggested scores and markers, the WHtR's accuracy in predicting NAFLD is considered acceptable.

Prevalence and Natural History of Segmental Colitis Associated With Diverticulosis.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the prevalence and clinical outcomes of segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) in patients with newly diagnosed diverticulosis. METHODS: A 3-year international, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted involving 2,215 patients. RESULTS: SCAD diagnosis was posed in 44 patients (30 male patients; median age: 64.5 years; prevalence of 1.99%, 95% confidence interval, 1.45%-2.66%). Patients with SCAD types D and B showed worse symptoms, higher fecal calprotectin values, needed more steroids, and reached less likely complete remission. DISCUSSION: Although SCAD generally had a benign outcome, types B and D were associated with more severe symptoms and worse clinical course.

Adiponectin Levels in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Adipose tissue plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions. The role of adipokines in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been evaluated in the current literature with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate adiponectin levels in IBD patients, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), compared to controls, as well as further subgroup analyses. Hence, assessing the potential role of adiponectin as a surrogate marker. METHODS: We performed a systematic electronic search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, including observational or interventional studies evaluating serum or plasma adiponectin levels in IBD patients in humans. The primary summary outcome was the mean difference (MD) in serum or plasma adiponectin levels between IBD patients versus controls. Subgroup analyses were conducted involving adiponectin levels in CD and UC compared to controls, as well as CD compared to UC. RESULTS: A total of 20 studies were included in our qualitative synthesis and 14 studies in our quantitative synthesis, with a total population sample of 2,085 subjects. No significant MD in serum adiponectin levels was observed between IBD patients versus controls {-1.331 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.135-0.472)}, UC patients versus controls (-0.213 [95% CI: -1.898-1.472]), and CD patients versus controls (-0.851 [95% CI: -2.263-0.561]). Nevertheless, a significant MD was found between UC patients versus CD patients (0.859 [95% CI: 0.097-1.622]). CONCLUSIONS: Serum adiponectin levels were not able to differentiate between IBD, UC, and CD patients compared to controls. However, significantly higher serum adiponectin levels were observed in UC compared to CD patients.

Do Colonic Mucosal Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Levels Play a Role in Diverticular Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Diverticular disease (DD) is the most frequent condition in the Western world that affects the colon. Although chronic mild inflammatory processes have recently been proposed as a central factor in DD, limited information is currently available regarding the role of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to assess the mucosal TNF-α levels in DD. We conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to identify observational studies assessing the TNF-α levels in DD. Full-text articles that satisfied our inclusion and exclusion criteria were included, and a quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The principal summary outcome was the mean difference (MD). The results were reported as MD (95% confidence interval (CI)). A total of 12 articles involving 883 subjects were included in the qualitative synthesis, out of which 6 studies were included in our quantitative synthesis. We did not observe statistical significance related to the mucosal TNF-α levels in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) vs. the controls (0.517 (95% CI -1.148-2.182)), and symptomatic vs. asymptomatic DD patients (0.657 (95% CI -0.883-2.196)). However, the TNF-α levels were found to be significantly increased in DD compared to irritable bowel disease (IBS) patients (27.368 (95% CI 23.744-30.992)), and segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) vs. IBS patients (25.303 (95% CI 19.823-30.784)). Between SUDD and the controls, as well as symptomatic and asymptomatic DD, there were no significant differences in the mucosal TNF-α levels. However, the TNF-α levels were considerably higher in DD and SCAD patients than IBS patients. Our findings suggest that TNF-α may play a key role in the pathogenesis of DD in specific subgroups and could potentially be a target for future therapies.

Microbiome modulation in the prevention and management of colorectal cancer: a systematic review of clinical interventions.

Introduction: The role of probiotics/prebiotics in modulating the procarcinogenic effects of microbiota have been studied with inconclusive results. This systematic review aimed to identify the role of several studied interventions on the gut microbiota modulation in humans for the prevention and management of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We conducted a systematic search using PubMed and Cochrane Central electronic databases, identifying clinical studies published within the last 20 years. We performed a qualitative analysis of eligible studies included in our review on each of the 4 investigated topics: CRC potential biomarkers, dietary interventions, probiotic administration in non-surgical and surgical patients, respectively. Results: A total of 54 studies involving healthy volunteers, in addition to colorectal adenoma and CRC patients were included in our qualitative synthesis. We were able to identify bacterial signatures of CRC including Fusobacterium nucleatum and Clostridium butyricum. Moreover, dietary supplementation with oligosaccharides or fibers increased short chain fatty acid-producing bacteria levels, thus inhibiting tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we have confirmed that Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium intake modulates gut microbiota towards tumor suppression. We have also showed that probiotic intake around colectomy significantly reduces complications. Conclusions: Bacterial metabolism is strongly linked with colonic carcinogenesis and influenced by diet. Probiotics and prebiotics can act as microbiota modulators, suppressing epithelial proliferation and reversing DNA toxicity. As adjuvants to surgery or chemotherapy, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria decrease complications. Improved outcomes in CRC patients can possibly be achieved through future research directed towards the benefits of bacterial agents as tumor suppressors or as treatment of oncological therapy resistance.

Face-to-face interviews versus Internet surveys: Comparison of two data collection methods in the Rome foundation global epidemiology study: Implications for population-based research.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study (RFGES) assessed the prevalence, burden, and associated factors of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) in 33 countries around the world. Achieving worldwide sampling necessitated use of two different surveying methods: In-person household interviews (9 countries) and Internet surveys (26 countries). Two countries, China and Turkey, were surveyed with both methods. This paper examines the differences in the survey results with the two methods, as well as likely reasons for those differences. METHODS: The two RFGES survey methods are described in detail, and differences in DGBI findings summarized for household versus Internet surveys globally, and in more detail for China and Turkey. Logistic regression analysis was used to elucidate factors contributing to these differences. RESULTS: Overall, DGBI were only half as prevalent when assessed with household vs Internet surveys. Similar patterns of methodology-related DGBI differences were seen within both China and Turkey, but prevalence differences between the survey methods were dramatically larger in Turkey. No clear reasons for outcome differences by survey method were identified, although greater relative reduction in bowel and anorectal versus upper gastrointestinal disorders when household versus Internet surveying was used suggests an inhibiting influence of social sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings strongly indicate that besides affecting data quality, manpower needs and data collection time and costs, the choice of survey method is a substantial determinant of symptom reporting and DGBI prevalence outcomes. This has important implications for future DGBI research and epidemiological research more broadly.

MBOAT7 rs641738 variant in metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and cardiovascular risk.

Introduction: Although metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, MAFLD predisposing genetic variants were not steadily related to cardiovascular events. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 (MBOAT7) rs641738 variant is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in in MAFLD patients. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study including 77 subjects (38 MAFLD patients, 39 controls), between January-September 2020 using hepatic ultrasonography and SteatoTestTM to assess hepatic steatosis. Echocardiographic and Doppler ultrasound parameters were evaluated. Genomic DNA was extracted and rs641738 SNP was genotyped using TaqMan assays. Results: The rs641738 variant was not significantly associated with MAFLD, with a p-value of 0.803, 0.5265, 0.9535, and 0.5751 for codominant, dominant, recessive, and overdominant genotypes, respectively. The rs641738 variant overdominant genotype significantly predicted atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk algorithm in univariate analysis (-4.3 [95% CI -8.55 - -0.55, p-value= 0.048]), but lost significance after multivariate analysis (-3.98 [95% CI -7.9 - -0.05, p-value= 0.053]). The rs641738 variant recessive genotype significantly predicted ActiTest in univariate analysis (0.0963 [95% CI 0.0244 - 0.1681, p-value= 0.009]), but lost significance after multivariate analysis (0.0828 [95% CI -0.016 - 0.1816, p-value= 0.105]). Conclusion: No significant association was observed between rs641738 variant and MAFLD in the studied population. The rs641738 variant was found to predict ASCVD risk score and ActiTest in univariate linear regression analysis. However, the significance of both associations was lost after performing multivariate analysis.

How to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rapidly growing multisystem disease with extrahepatic manifestations, including effects on the cardiovascular (CV) system. The leading cause of death in NAFLD is of cardiac etiology being ischemic heart disease. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY: NAFLD is associated with several CV complications including cardiac structural and functional alterations. However, there are no current approved pharmacotherapies for treating NAFLD, leading to increased CV risk with an increasing morbidity and mortality. DATA SOURCES: We summarize the currently available therapeutic strategies in managing NAFLD and their cardioprotective effects according to recently published data, guidelines, and practice guidance recommendations. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES: Several therapeutic modalities evaluated in NAFLD include nonpharmacological strategies, pharmacotherapies and surgical management. Nonpharmacological strategies are recommended in early stages of NAFLD and include weight loss, physical activity, and dietary changes. Personalized management strategies with nonpharmacological lifestyle modifications are associated with reduced CV risk, improved liver enzyme levels, in addition to liver fat content, injury, and fibrosis. Several pharmacotherapies including lipid-lowering agents and antidiabetic drugs such as insulin sensitizers and incretin mimetics, in addition to antioxidants, ursodeoxycholic acid, semi-synthetic bile acid analogue, acetylsalicylic acid, and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors have been evaluated in the current literature. Despite promising results of several drugs in NAFLD with cardioprotective effects, we currently remain with no approved medical drugs for treating NAFLD. Although bariatric surgery was demonstrated to be associated with CV risk reduction and improvements in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, it remains of limited use because of its invasiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Management of NAFLD necessitates a multidisciplinary team with a patient-centered and individualized medicine approach. Early lifestyle modifications are essential in NAFLD to reduce CV risk. Experimental studies are required to confirm hepatic and cardioprotective effects associated with several drugs. Bariatric surgery remains of limited use.

Microscopic colitis: an update.

Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory pathology of the bowel diagnosed predominantly in older patients. MC is a cause of chronic watery, non-bloody diarrhea, that affects the older patients, mostly women, and leads to impaired health-related quality of life. The diagnosis and treatment can be often difficult. There are three main histological subtypes: collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis and incomplete microscopic colitis. Because of the variable nature of this pathology, the therapeutic options should be individualized for every patient. MC has a variable course, varying from occasional symptoms to recurrent or progressive symptoms. A literature search was performed on the main databases. Data on microscopic colitis was collected and presented. This comprehensive review aims to raise awareness of this pathology while providing the latest data regarding current recommendations. General practitioners and gastroenterologists should always take microscopic colitis into consideration when diagnosing a patient with chronic diarrhea.

Pharmacological Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Century of Expert Opinions in Cecil Textbook of Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Advances in drug therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis (UC)] have contributed to a decrease in the severity of these chronic and disabling conditions. STUDY QUESTION: What are the milestones of the changes in the expert approach to the pharmacological management of IBD in the past century? STUDY DESIGN: To determine the changes in the experts' approach to the management of regional ileitis and UC, as presented in a widely used textbook in the United States. DATA SOURCES: The chapters presenting the management of IBD in the 26 editions of Cecil Textbook of Medicine published from 1927 through 2020. RESULTS: No specific interventions existed from 1927 through 1942. The pharmacological management of IBD has had 3 slightly overlapping eras starting in 1943. During the first period (1943-1951), the medical management relied on antibiotics, primarily sulfonamides and chloramphenicol. In the second (1955-75), experts recommended the use of adrenocorticotropic hormone or corticosteroids and 5-aminosalicylate. In the third era, which commenced in 1979 and is continuing to date, the pharmacological interventions have been expanded and refined to include 5 main drug classes, 5-aminosalicylates (sulfasalazine, mesalamine, and olsalazine), corticosteroids (prednisone and budesonide), immunomodulators (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine, and tofacitinib), biologics (infliximab adalimumab certolizumab pegol, and natalizumab), and antibiotics (metronidazole and ciprofloxacin). A consensus exists that the monoclonal antibodies again tumor necrosis factor alpha are cost-effective for induction and maintenance of clinical remission in both UC (golimumab) and Crohn disease (certolizumab pegol). The newer agents ustekinumab (a monoclonal antibody to the interleukin p40 subunit) and vedolizumab (a monoclonal antibody to the homing receptor integrin complex) have also performed well. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological management of IBD has been the focus of intense research and development in the past 60 years. The pillars of drug treatment have been 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids. Recent pharmacological innovations (immunomodulators and biologicals) constitute an encouraging paradigm shift in the treatment of UC and Crohn disease.

Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Approximately a billion people worldwide are affected by NAFLD, which places a high clinical burden and financial cost on society. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD, but its invasivity limits the early diagnosis of NAFLD. Hence, it is important to look for alternate techniques in detecting and diagnosing NAFLD. NAFLD is associated with atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) as a non-invasive modality for predicting NAFLD. (2) Methods: A search using electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus was carried out to find observational studies, looking at research that had been published up until the date of 11 May 2022. The included studies' quality, risk of bias, and internal validity were evaluated using the QUADAS-2 quality assessment tool. The key summary outcomes were the mean difference (MD) and area under the curve (AUC). (3) Results: A total of eight studies (81,178 participants) were included in our review, while 17% of the included participants had NAFLD. A sex distribution of 57.8% men and 42.2% women was observed. The AIP between NAFLD and the controls was not significant (MD 0.212 [95% CI 0.231-0.655]). A significant MD in AIP between the males and females with NAFLD was observed (MD 0.246 [95% CI 0.098-0.395]). The AIP predicted NAFLD with an AUC of 0.764 as well as in males (AUC 0.761) and females (AUC 0.733). (4) Conclusions: There was a substantial MD in the AIP between both sexes, but there was no significant difference in the AIP values between patients with NAFLD and the controls. The AIP is a reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of NAFLD since its ability to predict the development of NAFLD was comparable to that of the other biomarkers.

Epidemiology and Burden of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in Romania: A Subgroup Analysis of the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are a group of chronic illnesses that are crucial to public health because they are widespread, influence patients' quality of life and functional level, and exert a major socioeconomic impact. We assessed the national prevalence of all 22 DGBI, the percentage of respondents satisfying diagnostic criteria for at least one DGBI, and the impact on the disease burden in Romania using data from the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study. METHODS: Data were collected through an anonymous, nationwide, and secure online survey, which evaluated the prevalence of any DGBI as well as over 22 different DGBI. The Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire and an in-depth supplemental questionnaire were included in the survey, which was completed through the Internet with numerous built-in quality-assurance measures. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 2,049 participants (mean age 42.29±13.11 years) with a representative national distribution. Diagnostic criteria for any DGBI were met in 40.1% of the subjects, while 28.6% met criteria for only one DGBI (no overlap), and 11.5% met criteria for DGBIs in two, three, or four overlapping gastrointestinal anatomical regions. Females had a substantially higher predominance of DGBI than males. Psychosocial characteristics (such as quality of life, somatization, and concern about digestive problems) and healthcare utilization (such as physician visits and medication use) were associated with having any DGBI. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence and burden of DGBI in Romania using the Rome IV criteria. The burden of DGBI in Romania is substantial, with 40.1% of the 2,049 participants meeting diagnostic criteria for any DGBI. These findings demonstrate the importance of patient care, and the need for training and future research.