From liver to hormones: The endocrine consequences of cirrhosis.

Hepatocrinology explores the intricate relationship between liver function and the endocrine system. Chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis can cause endocrine disorders due to toxin accumulation and protein synthesis disruption. Despite its importance, assessing endocrine issues in cirrhotic patients is frequently neglected. This article provides a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of endocrine disturbances in liver cirrhosis. The review was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Scielo databases, encompassing 172 articles. Liver cirrhosis is associated with endocrine disturbances, including diabetes, hypoglycemia, sarcopenia, thyroid dysfunction, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, bone disease, adrenal insufficiency, growth hormone dysfunction, and secondary hyperaldosteronism. The optimal tools for diagnosing diabetes and detecting hypoglycemia are the oral glucose tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring system, respectively. Sarcopenia can be assessed through imaging and functional tests, while other endocrine disorders are evaluated using hormonal assays and imaging studies. Treatment options include metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, and insulin, which are effective and safe for diabetes control. Established standards are followed for managing hypoglycemia, and hormone replacement therapy is often necessary for other endocrine dysfunctions. Liver transplantation can address some of these problems.

Diagnosis and management of small bowel neuroendocrine tumors: A state-of-the-art.

This review provides an update on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the small bowel (SB). These NENs are defined as a group of neoplasms deriving from neuroendocrine cells. NENs are currently the most common primary tumors of the SB, mainly involving the ileum, making the SB the most frequently affected part of the gastrointestinal tract. SB NENs by definition are located between the ligament of Treitz and the ileocecal valve. They are characterized by small size and induce an extensive fibrotic reaction in the small intestine including the mesentery, resulting in narrowing or twisting of the intestine. Clinical manifestations of bowel functionality are related to the precise location of the primary tumor. The majority of them are non-functional NENs and generally asymptomatic; in an advanced stage, NENs present symptoms of mass effect by non-specific abdominal pain or carcinoid syndrome which appears in patients with liver metastasis (around 10%). The main manifestations of the carcinoid syndrome are facial flushing (94%), diarrhea (78%), abdominal cramps (50%), heart valve disease (50%), telangiectasia (25%), wheezing (15%) and edema (19%). Diagnosis is made by imaging or biochemical tests, and the order of request will depend on the initial diagnostic hypothesis, while confirmation will always be histological. All patients with a localized SB NEN with or without near metastasis in the mesentery are recommended for curative resection. Locoregional and distant spread may be susceptible to several therapeutic strategies, such as chemotherapy, somatostatin analogs and palliative resection.

Características clínico-patológicas y manejo de tumores primarios de intestino delgado de localización yeyuno-ileal / Clinical-pathological characteristics and management of primary tumors of the small intestine of jejuno-ileal location

RESUMEN Introducción : Los tumores primarios del intestino delgado (TPID) representan aproximadamente el 5% de todas las neoplasias gastrointestinales primarias; estas últimas incluyen lesiones benignas y malignas, con diferentes subtipos histológicos. Objetivo : Describir las características clínico-patológicas y el manejo de tumores de localización yeyuno-ileal. Materiales y métodos : Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en un único centro. Resultados : Se incluyó 45 pacientes, la edad promedio al diagnóstico fue de 54,2 ± 8,2 años. 27 eran de sexo masculino (60%). En el algoritmo diagnóstico se utilizó la tomografía computarizada en todos los pacientes, la enteroscopia de doble balón en 41 (91,1%) y video cápsula endoscópica en 32 (71,1%). Se realizaron procedimientos endoscópicos como: biopsias, tatuajes, resección y dilatación en 40 (88,9%), 39 (86,7%), 4 (8,9%) y 1(2,2%) paciente respectivamente. La localización más frecuente fue yeyuno en 39 (86%). Se confirmó GIST en 18 (40%), seguido de linfoma en 16 (35,6%) y adenocarcinoma en 5 (11%) casos. Todos los tumores GIST, adenocarcinoma y neuroendocrinos se sometieron a tratamiento quirúrgico y quimioterapia; el tratamiento de los linfomas consistió en tratamiento combinado principalmente; tres harmartomas y un fibroangiolipoma fueron resecados endoscópicamente. Conclusiones : Los tumores de intestino delgado yeyuno-ileal más frecuentes fueron los GIST, seguidos de linfomas y adenocarcinomas. La enteroscopia de doble balón fue la principal herramienta diagnóstica y terapéutica.

ABSTRACT Introduction : Primary tumors of the small intestine (PTID) represent approximately 5% of all primary gastrointestinal neoplasms; the latter include benign and malignant lesions, with different histological subtypes. Objective : To describe the clinical-pathological characteristics and the management of tumors located in the jejunum-ileum. Materials and methods : A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in a single center. Results : 45 patients were included, the average age at diagnosis was 54.2 ± 8.2 years. 27 were male (60%). In the diagnostic algorithm, computed tomography was used in all patients, double-balloon enteroscopy in 41 (91.1%) and video capsule endoscopy in 32 (71.1%). Endoscopic procedures such as: biopsies, tattoos, resection and dilation were performed in 40 (88.9%), 39 (86.7%), 4 (8.9%) and 1 (2.2%) patients, respectively. The most frequent location was the jejunum in 39 (86%). GIST was confirmed in 18 (40%), followed by lymphoma in 16 (35.6%) and adenocarcinoma in 5 (11%) cases. All GIST, adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors underwent surgical treatment and chemotherapy; treatment of lymphomas consisted mainly of combined treatment; three harmartomas and one fibroangiolipoma were resected endoscopically. Conclusions : The most frequent jejunoileal small intestine tumors were GISTs, followed by lymphomas and adenocarcinomas. Double-balloon enteroscopy was the main diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Diabetic gastroenteropathy: An underdiagnosed complication.

This article is an extensive review that provides an update on the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic gastroenteropathy. There is no reported prevalence, but it has been described that patients with type 1 diabetes have a cumulative incidence at 10 years of 5.2%, and type 2 patients, 1%. Also, in the group of type 1 diabetes, it has been observed that women are more likely to present this condition (5.8% vs 3.5%). Many factors are associate with its development (e.g., hyperglycemia, vagal dysfunction, loss of expression of neural nitric oxide synthase in the myenteric plexus, alterations in the Cajal interstitial cell network, and oxidative stress). Gastrointestinal discomfort could be perceived 70% higher in diabetic patients, describing that 25% of diabetic patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms. Diabetic enteropathy could affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, but esophageal alterations were described in more than 60% of diabetic patients, also 60% of them present constipation, and 20%, diarrhea. Gastric emptying scintigraphy is useful to evaluate gastroparesis, therefore, gastric retention of more than 60% at 2 h has a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 20% for diagnosis; however, other studies such as breath tests, with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 80%, or the endoscopic capsule contribute to the diagnosis. There is no cure; however, management must be multidisciplinary, focused on slowing the progression of diabetic gastroenteropathy, reducing symptoms, and restoring function; that includes nutritional recommendation, maintain glucose levels kept below 180 mg/dL, use of prokinetics, anti-emetics; nowadays, it has been special interest in surgical treatment, such as pyloroplasty, also gastric electrical stimulation appears to be another alternative.

[Clinical-pathological characteristics and management of primary tumors of the small intestine of jejuno-ileal location]. / Características clínico-patológicas y manejo de tumores primarios de intestino delgado de localización yeyuno-ilea.

INTRODUCTION: Primary tumors of the small intestine (PTID) represent approximately 5% of all primary gastrointestinal neoplasms; the latter include benign and malignant lesions, with different histological subtypes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical-pathological characteristics and the management of tumors located in the jejunum-ileum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in a single center. RESULTS: 45 patients were included, the average age at diagnosis was 54.2 ± 8.2 years. 27 were male (60%). In the diagnostic algorithm, computed tomography was used in all patients, double-balloon enteroscopy in 41 (91.1%) and video capsule endoscopy in 32 (71.1%). Endoscopic procedures such as: biopsies, tattoos, resection and dilation were performed in 40 (88.9%), 39 (86.7%), 4 (8.9%) and 1 (2.2%) patients, respectively. The most frequent location was the jejunum in 39 (86%). GIST was confirmed in 18 (40%), followed by lymphoma in 16 (35.6%) and adenocarcinoma in 5 (11%) cases. All GIST, adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors underwent surgical treatment and chemotherapy; treatment of lymphomas consisted mainly of combined treatment; three harmartomas and one fibroangiolipoma were resected endoscopically. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent jejunoileal small intestine tumors were GISTs, followed by lymphomas and adenocarcinomas. Double-balloon enteroscopy was the main diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Confluence of obesity and MAFLD during Covid-19 pandemic in a developing country.

The direct relation between the overweight/obesity, MAFLD and the severity SARS-CoV-2 infection. increase number of cases of obesity and MAFLD is an important risk factor for high mortality of COVID-19 patients.

[Epidemiology and phenotype of Crohn's disease in a reference hospital in Lima - Peru]. / Epidemiología y fenotipo de la enfermedad de Crohn en un hospital de referencia en Lima - Perú.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory pathology of the digestive tract with great impact on the quality of life of patients. Global epidemiology is changing in recent years and its prevalence is increasing in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, phenotype, clinical course, diagnosis and treatment of CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, observational study of patients diagnosed with CD from January 2004 to December 2019 in the gastroenterology service of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital, Lima-Peru. RESULTS: 55 patients with an average age of 56 ± 8.2 years were included. Male predominance (62%). The average diagnosis time was 18 ± 6.1 months. The most frequent symptoms were: abdominal pain 72.7% and weight loss 60%. Extraintestinal manifestations occurred in 20%. The ileal location (36.4%) was the most frequent, followed by colonic (32.7%). The inflammatory phenotype predominated in half of the patients, followed by stenosing in 25.5%. The most frequent activity clinical and endoscopic was moderate. For induction and maintenance treatment, systemic corticosteroids and biological therapy with anti-TNF were the most widely used, respectively. Approximately a third of patients required surgery during the evolution of the disease. Mortality was 5.4%. CONCLUSIONS: CD is an increasingly frequent disease in our country, with epidemiological and phenotypic characteristics that differ from other continents.

Sincronismo colorrectal: adenocarcinoma de colon ascendente y carcinoma neuroendocrino de células pequeñas de recto / Colorectal synchronism: ascending colon adenocarcinoma and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum

RESUMEN El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es el tercer cáncer más frecuente en el mundo y la segunda causa de muerte de origen neoplásico. El sincronismo en CCR es de aproximadamente 3-6%. El tracto gastrointestinal es el lugar más frecuente de asiento de neoplasias neuroendocrinas (NNE), y de estos los carcinomas neuroendocrinos (CNE) son poco frecuentes. El tratamiento es un desafío, debido a la agresividad de la neoplasia y la falta de protocolos bien establecidos. Todo esto conlleva a la necesidad de un enfoque multidisciplinario, sin embargo, en la mayoría de casos el pronóstico resulta no ser el mejor. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 83 años que acude a emergencia con historia de 3 meses de diarrea, dolor perianal, pérdida ponderal y hematoquezia. El estudio endoscópico evidenció dos neoplasias y el estudio histológico confirmó la presencia de CNE de células pequeñas de recto y adenocarcinoma de colon ascendente, recibió quimioterapia sistémica sin embargo evolucionó desfavorablemente falleciendo a las 3 semanas.

ABSTRACT Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer in the world and the second cause of death of neoplastic origin. Synchronism in CCR is approximately 3-6%. The gastrointestinal tract is the most frequent place where neuroendocrine neoplasms (NNE) settle and a special type of these neuroendocrine carcinomas (CNE) are rare. Treatment is challenging, due to the aggressiveness of the malignancy and the lack of well-established protocols. Therefore a multidisciplinary approach is needed, however, in most cases the result is not the best. We present the case of an 83-year-old man who has an emergency with a 3-month history of diarrhea, perianal pain, weight loss, and hematochezia. The endoscopic study shows evidence of two malignancies and the histological study confirms the presence of CNE in small cells at the rectum and adenocarcinoma in the ascending colon. He underwent systematic chemotherapy, however, he evolved unfavorably, dying after 3 weeks.

Epidemiología y fenotipo de la enfermedad de Crohn en un hospital de referencia en Lima Perú / Epidemiology and phenotype of Crohn's disease in a reference hospital in Lima Peru

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Crohn (EC) es una patología inflamatoria crónica del tracto digestivo con gran impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. La epidemiología mundial está cambiando en los últimos años y su prevalencia está aumentando en Latinoamérica. Objetivo: Evaluar las características epidemiológicas, fenotipo, curso clínico, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la EC. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico de EC desde enero 2004 a diciembre 2019 en el servicio de gastroenterología del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, LimaPerú. Resultados: Se incluyó 55 pacientes, con edad promedio de 56 ± 8,2 años. Predominio masculino (62%). El tiempo promedio de diagnóstico fue de 18 ± 6,1 meses. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: dolor abdominal 72,7% y baja de peso 60%. Las manifestaciones extraintestinales se presentaron en 20%. La localización ileal (36,4%) fue la más frecuente, seguida de la colónica (32,7%). Predominó el fenotipo inflamatorio en la mitad de los pacientes, seguido de estenosante en 25,5%. La actividad clínica y endoscópica más frecuente fue moderada. Para el tratamiento de inducción y mantenimiento, los corticoides sistémicos y la terapia biológica con anti-TNF fueron los más utilizados respectivamente. Aproximadamente un tercio de pacientes requirieron cirugía durante la evolución de la enfermedad. La mortalidad fue del 5,4%. Conclusiones: La EC es una enfermedad cada vez más frecuente en nuestro país, con características epidemiológicas y fenotípicas que difieren de otros continentes.

ABSTRACT Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory pathology of the digestive tract with great impact on the quality of life of patients. Global epidemiology is changing in recent years and its prevalence is increasing in Latin America. Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, phenotype, clinical course, diagnosis and treatment of CD. Materials and methods: Retrospective, descriptive, observational study of patients diagnosed with CD from January 2004 to December 2019 in the gastroenterology service of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital, Lima-Peru. Results: 55 patients with an average age of 56 ± 8.2 years were included. Male predominance (62%). The average diagnosis time was 18 ± 6.1 months. The most frequent symptoms were: abdominal pain 72.7% and weight loss 60%. Extraintestinal manifestations occurred in 20%. The ileal location (36.4%) was the most frequent, followed by colonic (32.7%). The inflammatory phenotype predominated in half of the patients, followed by stenosing in 25.5%. The most frequent activity clinical and endoscopic was moderate. For induction and maintenance treatment, systemic corticosteroids and biological therapy with anti-TNF were the most widely used, respectively. Approximately a third of patients required surgery during the evolution of the disease. Mortality was 5.4%. Conclusions: CD is an increasingly frequent disease in our country, with epidemiological and phenotypic characteristics that differ from other continents.

Pérdida de respuesta a terapia anti-TNF en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: experiencia en un hospital de referencia en Lima - Perú / Loss of response to anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: experience in a reference hospital in Lima - Peru

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento con anti-TNFs en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional realizado en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara, de enero 2015 a agosto 2018. Resultados: Se evaluó 31 pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal que recibían terapia de mantenimiento con Infliximab. Doce (38,7%) pacientes (3 con colitis ulcerativa y 9 con enfermedad de Crohn) presentaron pérdida de respuesta a partir de los 6 meses del inicio de la fase de mantenimiento: 2 entre 6-12 meses, 4 entre 12-18 meses y 6 entre 18-24 meses. Como primera medida se duplicó la dosis (10 mg/kg) a los 12 pacientes, obteniendo respuesta en 6 (50%) luego de 12 semanas. De los 6 pacientes restantes, 4 cambiaron a Adalimumab, 1 paciente presentó cáncer de colon y 1 paciente presentó anafilaxia y sarcoidosis. De los pacientes que recibieron Adalimumab, 3 presentaron recidiva endoscópica (75%) a partir de los 6 meses y 1 no respondió a la terapia de inducción y fue sometido a colectomía (25%). Conclusiones: Aproximadamente un tercio de nuestros pacientes presentó pérdida de respuesta a terapia de mantenimiento con Infliximab. El escalamiento de dosis como rescate tuvo éxito en la mitad de los pacientes. El cambio a Adalimumab en pacientes con pérdida de respuesta a un primer fármaco anti-TNF no parece ser efectivo.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the response to treatment with anti-TNFs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study conducted in the Gastroenterology service of the Guillermo Almenara National Hospital, from January 2015 to August 2018. Results: 31 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who received maintenance therapy with Infliximab were evaluated. Twelve (38.7%) patients (3 with ulcerative colitis and 9 with Crohn's disease) presented loss of response after 6 months of the beginning of the maintenance phase: 2 between 6-12 months, 4 between 12-18 months and 6 between 1824 months. As a first step, the dose was doubled (10 mg/kg) to the 12 patients, obtaining a response in 6 (50%) after 12 weeks. Of the remaining 6 patients, 4 switched to Adalimumab, 1 patient presented colon cancer and 1 patient presented anaphylaxis and sarcoidosis. Of the patients who received Adalimumab, 3 had endoscopic recurrence (75%) after 6 months and 1 did not respond to induction therapy and was subjected to colectomy (25%). Conclusions: Approximately one third of our patients presented loss of response to maintenance therapy with Infliximab. The dose escalation as a rescue therapy was successful in half of the patients. The change to Adalimumab in patients with loss of response to a first anti-TNF drug does not seem to be effective.

[Colorectal synchronism: ascending colon adenocarcinoma and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum]. / Sincronismo colorrectal: adenocarcinoma de colon ascendente y carcinoma neuroendocrino de células pequeñas de recto.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer in the world and the second cause of death of neoplastic origin. Synchronism in CCR is approximately 3-6%. The gastrointestinal tract is the most frequent place where neuroendocrine neoplasms (NNE) settle and a special type of these neuroendocrine carcinomas (CNE) are rare. Treatment is challenging, due to the aggressiveness of the malignancy and the lack of well-established protocols. Therefore a multidisciplinary approach is needed, however, in most cases the result is not the best. We present the case of an 83-year-old man who has an emergency with a 3-month history of diarrhea, perianal pain, weight loss, and hematochezia. The endoscopic study shows evidence of two malignancies and the histological study confirms the presence of CNE in small cells at the rectum and adenocarcinoma in the ascending colon. He underwent systematic chemotherapy, however, he evolved unfavorably, dying after 3 weeks.