Changes in characteristics of gastroenterology center inpatients in Japan because of rapidly aging society.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rapidly aging societies have become a major issue worldwide including Japan. This study aimed to elucidate relative changes in the characteristics of inpatients in Japan related to this issue. METHODS: A total of 23 835 Japanese inpatients treated from 2010 to 2021 were enrolled (2010-2013, period I; 2014-2017, period II; 2018-2021, period III). Changes in clinical features were retrospectively analyzed based on ICD-10 diagnosis data. RESULTS: The percentage of patients aged over 75 years increased over time (period I, 38.0%; II, 39.5%, III, 41.4%). Emergency admissions comprised 27.5% of all in period I, which increased to 43.2% in period II and again to 44.5% in period III (P < 0.001). In period I, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, pancreatic-biliary disease, and other disease types were noted in 47.4%, 29.5%, 19.2%, and 3.9%, respectively, while those values were 44.0%, 18.0%, 33.9%, and 4.1%, respectively, in period III (P < 0.001). The frequency of liver disease decreased by approximately 0.6-fold from periods I to III, while that of biliary-pancreatic disease increased by approximately 1.8-fold during that time. Both percentage and actual numbers of patients with biliary-pancreatic disease increased during the examined periods. Analysis of changes in the proportion of organs affected by malignancy during periods I, II, and III showed a marked increase in cases of biliary-pancreatic malignancy (11.6%, 19.5%, 26.6%, respectively) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In association with the rapidly aging Japanese society, there has been an increasing frequency of biliary-pancreatic disease cases requiring hospitalization for treatment in the west Japan region of Shikoku.

Association between bowel movement frequency and erectile dysfunction in patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study.

The association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) has been previously reported. Numerous previous studies have also reported an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and ED. Constipation and diarrhea are common in patients with UC. However, the specific association between bowel movement frequency and ED remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between bowel movement frequency and ED in 164 patients with UC. The definition of ED, moderate to severe ED, and severe ED was the Sexual Health Inventory for Men score <22, <12, and <8, respectively. Bowel movement frequency was divided into three categories: (1) high (More than once a day), (2) normal (once a day, reference), and low (less than one time/day). The definition of constipation was based on the Rome I criteria and/or medication for constipation. The prevalence of constipation and ED was 10.4% and 86.0%, respectively. The rate of high, normal, and low bowel movement frequency was 56.1%, 25.0%, and 18.9%, respectively. High bowel movement frequency was independently and positively associated with ED and moderate to severe ED (ED: adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-15.98; moderate to severe: adjusted OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.22-7.61). Low bowel movement frequency was independently and positively associated with moderate to severe ED and severe ED (moderate to severe: adjusted OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.27-13.08; severe: adjusted OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.08-9.86). No association between constipation and ED was found. In conclusion, in Japanese patients with UC, both high and low bowel movement frequency were independently and positively associated with ED.

Clinical features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radiofrequency ablation therapy: developing a simple score to determine the need for immune-adjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Unresectable recurrence after curative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-limited event. Although the IMbrave050 trial (IM050) showed a favorable reduction in recurrence with adjuvant immune-combination chemotherapy, inclusion criteria of the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) group were lower risk than that of the resection group. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features of patients treated with RFA, which really need adjuvant-chemotherapy. METHODS: From 2000 to 2022, 528 patients with Child-Pugh A and HCC within the Milan criteria (MC), who met the IM050 criteria for RFA and undergone resection or RFA, were enrolled (71 years, HCV:HBV:HBV/HCV:alcohol:others = 337:44:5:53:89, multi-tumor = 138, RFA:resection = 309:219). Unresectable recurrence was defined as beyond the MC. Risk factors for recurrence beyond the MC were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox-hazard analysis showed HCV-positive (HR 1.49), AFP-L3 > 10% (HR 1.75), and DCP > 100 mAU/mL (HR1.80) as significant prognostic factors for recurrence beyond the MC (each P < 0.05). Summing of positive factors (1 point for each) was used for scoring (AD-ON score), which showed increased positive rates for micro-hepatic vein invasion (score 0:1:2:3 = 0%:1.1%:6.6%:15.8%), micro-portal vein invasion (0:1:2:3 = 2.0%:12.1%:14.1%:31.6%), and poor differentiation (0:1:2:3 = 6.0%:6.7%:15.3%:15.8%) in the resection group associated with a greater score (each P < 0.01). In patients treated with RFA, those with greater AD-ON scores showed shorter time to recurrence beyond the MC, recurrence-free time, and overall survival (score 0:1:2:3 = no-estimation:97:66:23 months, 35:27:20:12 months, and 91:82:67:52 months, respectively, each P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HCC patients treated by RFA and with a high AD-ON score (≧2) should be considered for aggressive adjuvant-chemotherapy to prolong the period of recurrence beyond the MC.

Serum albumin levels as a useful complementary marker for erectile dysfunction in ulcerative colitis: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a close association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) was reported. An inverse relationship between serum albumin and ED is found in patients with chronic disease. However, the association between serum albumin levels and ED in patients with UC is unclear. This study aims to investigate this issue in Japanese patients with UC. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six Japanese male UC patients were enrolled in this study. Information on serum albumin levels and medications for UC from medical records, Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score information from self-administered questionnaires and information on the severity of UC from physician reports were obtained from medical records, self-administered questionnaires, and reports from physicians. The participants were divided into tertiles based on the total protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and C-reactive protein levels. The definition of ED and severe ED was SHIM score < 22 and SHIM score < 8, respectively. The association between these serum markers and ED was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe ED in the low, moderate, and high albumin groups was 66.0%, 51.0%, and 28.3%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the low albumin group was independently and positively associated with severe ED (adjusted odds ratio: 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-7.48, p for trend =0.044). No association between other marker and ED was found. CONCLUSION: Serum albumin was independently inversely associated with severe ED in Japanese patients with UC. Hypoalbuminemia might be a useful complementary marker for assessing the prevalence and severity of ED in UC patients.

Coffee and caffeine intake reduces risk of ulcerative colitis: a case-control study in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although diet is one of the potential environmental factors affecting ulcerative colitis (UC), evidence is not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions. This Japanese case-control study examined the association between the consumption of coffee, other caffeine-containing beverages and food, and total caffeine and the risk of UC. METHODS: The study involved 384 UC cases and 665 control subjects. Intake of coffee, decaffeinated coffee, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, carbonated soft drinks, and chocolate snacks was measured with a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Adjustments were made for sex, age, pack-years of smoking, alcohol consumption, history of appendicitis, family history of UC, education level, body mass index, and intake of vitamin C, retinol, and total energy. RESULTS: Higher consumption of coffee and carbonated soft drinks was associated with a reduced risk of UC with a significant dose-response relationship (P for trend for coffee and carbonated soft drinks were <0.0001 and 0.01, respectively), whereas higher consumption of chocolate snacks was significantly associated with an increased risk of UC. No association was observed between consumption of decaffeinated coffee, black tea, green tea, or oolong tea and the risk of UC. Total caffeine intake was inversely associated with the risk of UC; the adjusted odds ratio between extreme quartiles was 0.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.67; P for trend <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that intake of coffee and caffeine is also associated with a reduced risk of UC in Japan where people consume relatively low quantities of coffee compared with Western countries.

Aging is Associated With Constipation in Japanese Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Post Hoc Analysis.

Aim: Age is a risk factor for constipation. Constipation is common in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and has been positively associated with disease activity, but evidence is limited. This study aimed to assess the association between disease activity and constipation in patients with UC. Methods: The study subjects consisted of 290 Japanese UC patients. The definition of constipation was based on Rome I criteria and/or medication for constipation. Information on and lifestyle habits was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined as Mayo endoscopic subscore 0. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as both the absence of rectal bleeding and no abnormally high stool frequency (<3 times per day). Results: The prevalence of constipation is not associated with MH, CR, duration of UC and disease extent of UC. The prevalence of constipation among age groups, <40, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, and >70 years was 10.0%, 5.8%, 15.7%, 11.8%, and 25.6%, respectively. >70 years was independently and positively associated with the prevalence of constipation (adjusted odds ratio 3.64 [95% confidence interval 1.26, 10.95], p for trend: .001). Conclusions: Aging was independently and positively associated with the prevalence of constipation in UC.

Simple scoring system for esophagogastric varices prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma patients without liver stiffness evaluation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: For predicting esophagogastric varices (EGV), the Virtual Baveno VII Consensus Workshop has proposed a combination of liver stiffness determination and platelet count measurement using a FibroScan®. However, that is not available at all institutions. The present study aimed to develop a simple method to predict development of EGV using only general blood examination results. MATERIALS/METHODS: A total of 1090 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were enrolled, after excluding 956 with major portal vein tumor thrombus (Vp3/Vp4) or without upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination results available. Those with EGV (≥grade F2) or a history of treatment for the condition were defined as positive for significant EGV, then clinical factors were retrospectively evaluated to determine indicators of occurrence. RESULTS: Logistic multivariate analysis showed platelet count (≤12 x104/µL) [odds ratio (OR) 3.79, P<0.001], mALBI grade 2a (OR 1.52, P=0.036), and mALBI 2b or 3 (OR 3.46, P<0.001) as significant predictive factors. Based on the OR values, platelet count (≤12 x104/µL) and mALBI grade 2b/3 were each assigned 2 points and mALBI 2a was given 1 point, with the result termed Recommendation for EGV Screening (REGS) score. EGV occurrence was noted in 2.9% (9/311) of the patients with a REGS score 0, 11.0% (13/118) with a score 1, 19.3% (53/274) with a score 2, 29.5% (39/132) with a score 3, and 38.0% (97/255) with a score 4 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that REGS score can provide useful predictive information for development of significant EGV without the need for special equipment such as a FibroScan®.

Severity of Nocturia and Constipation in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between nocturia and constipation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Constipation has recently been recognized as an important symptom in patients with UC. Although nocturia has been associated with constipation in the general population, the association between nocturia and constipation in UC patients is uncertain. METHODS: Consecutive series of 290 Japanese patients with UC, Information on constipation, nocturia, and lifestyle habits was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The definition of constipation was based on Rome I criteria and/or current medication for constipation. Patients were divided into three groups based on nighttime urination: (1) no nocturia, (2) mild nocturia (nocturnal urination - one), and (3) serious nocturia (nocturnal urination - two or more). Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between nocturia and constipation. RESULTS: Among all of the UC patients, the prevalence of mild nocturia, serious nocturia, and constipation was 35.2%, 26.9%, and 12.4%, respectively. The prevalence of constipation in the none, mild, and serious nocturia groups was 8.2%, 10.8%, and 20.5%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders such as age, sex, current drinking, current smoking, body mass index, and steroid use, nocturia severity was independently and positively associated with constipation (adjusted odds ratio for mild nocturia: 1.55 [95% confidence interval: 0.57-4.28], serious nocturia: 3.19 [95% confidence interval: 1.09-9.81], P for trend=.035). CONCLUSION: The severity of nocturia is positively associated with constipation, and physicians should consider the interrelationships between nocturia and constipation in managing UC patients.

Renal Cell Carcinoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient with Wilson's Disease: A Case Report.

No reports of renal cancer in patients with Wilson's disease (WD) exist. We herein report a 37-year-old Japanese man diagnosed with WD who had been treated with d-penicillamine 9 years prior. Hepatocellular carcinoma had been diagnosed at 36 years old and treated with radiofrequency ablation therapy. One year later, renal cancer and recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma had developed. The hepatocellular carcinoma was treated after renal cancer surgical resection of a clear-cell-type renal cell carcinoma, with iron, rather than copper, deposited on the renal cancer cells. This patient harbored a novel mutation, p. Leu1395Terfs in ATP7B.

Usefulness of aMAP Risk Score for Predicting Recurrence after Curative Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma within Milan Criteria.

INTRODUCTION: The aMAP score is a prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in chronic hepatitis patients. This study was conducted to elucidate the utility of this model for predicting initial recurrence of HCC in patients within the Milan criteria after undergoing curative treatment. METHODS: Patients with naïve HCC within the Milan criteria (n = 1,020) and treated from January 2000 to August 2022 were enrolled. The cohort was divided into two groups according to the aMAP score (high ≥60, low <60) and then compared for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Comparisons between the high and low groups showed that etiology (HBV:HCV:HBV+HCV:NBNC = 41:79:2:37 vs. 65:589:11:196, p < 0.001), AST (36 vs. 46 IU/L, p < 0.001), and multiple HCC occurrence (15% vs. 22%, p = 0.026) were significantly different. Additionally, median RFS (59.8 vs. 30.9 months; p < 0.001) and median OS (154.1 vs. 83.4 months, p < 0.01) were greater in the low group. As for patients with HCC due to chronic viral hepatitis, there was a significant difference in median RFS between the groups (59.8 vs. 30.6 months, p < 0.001), especially for HCV-positive patients (53.1 vs. 27.2 months, p = 0.002). In patients with HCC due to a nonviral cause, the difference in median RFS between the low (70.9 months) and high (32.0 months) groups was not significant. DISCUSSION: Findings of this retrospective study indicate a significant association of elevated aMAP with worse RFS in patients with HCC caused by chronic viral hepatitis, especially those with HCV. The aMAP score is considered useful to predict not only HCC-carcinogenesis risk but also risk of recurrence following curative treatment.

The albumin to globulin ratio is associated with clinical outcome in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis.

PURPOSE: The albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) is a recognized chronic inflammation marker. No evidence regarding the relationship between AGR level and ulcerative colitis (UC) exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between AGR and clinical outcomes among Japanese subjects with UC. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 273 Japanese individuals with UC. AGR was divided into 4 categories (low, moderate, high, and very high). The definition of complete mucosal healing (MH) was based on the Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as no rectal bleeding and no abnormally high stool frequency (<3 times per day). RESULTS: The percentage of MH was 26.4%. High AGR and very high AGR were significantly positively correlated with CR (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.52-14.18 and adjusted OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 2.14-12.04) and complete MH (adjusted OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.56-11.51 and adjusted OR, 5.22; 95% CI, 1.97-14.89), respectively after adjustment for confounding factors (P for trend=0.001). Only in the low C-reactive protein (CRP) group (≤0.1 mg/dL), very high AGR was significantly positively correlated with complete MH but not CR (adjusted OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.06-21.77; P for trend=0.017). In the high CRP group, no correlation between AGR and complete MH was found. CONCLUSION: Among Japanese patients with UC, AGR may be independently positively correlated with complete MH. In particular, among UC patients with low CRP, AGR might be a useful complementary marker for complete MH.

Association between Mucosal Healing and Lipid Profiles in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent meta-analysis showed that ulcerative colitis (UC) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dyslipidemia is a well-established risk factor for CVD. However, evidence regarding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including UC and lipid profiles, is limited. Additionally, no study has assessed the association between endoscopic activity and lipid profiles in patients with IBD. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the association between mucosal healing (MH) and lipid profiles in patients with UC. METHODS: A total of 221 Japanese patients with UC were enrolled in this analysis. Total cholesterol (T-chol), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were divided into tertiles (high, moderate, and low) based on the distributions, respectively. Self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding medication for dyslipidemia. Complete MH and MH are based on Mayo endoscopic subscore 0 and 0-1, respectively. RESULTS: The percentage of complete MH was 30.8%. In patients without medication for dyslipidemia, high HDL-C (>66 mg/dL) was significantly positively associated with complete MH (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.58, 95% CI: 1.04-6.64, p for trend = 0.037). In patients with nonproctitis, a positive association between HDL-C and complete MH was found (adjusted OR 3.54, 95% CI: 1.22-11.01, p for trend = 0.020). T-chol and TG were not associated with MH, regardless of medication for dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: Complete MH was significantly positively associated with HDL-C in UC patients without medication for lipid. The disease extent might affect the association between complete MH and HDL-C.

Comparison of Surgical Resection and Percutaneous Ultrasonographic Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Initial Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Early Stage following Curative Treatment.

Background/Aim: The SURF trial showed that surgical resection (SR) and percutaneous ultrasonographic guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) had equal therapeutic effects for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, consensus regarding which treatment is appropriate for initial recurrent early-stage HCC remains lacking. This study aimed to elucidate therapeutic efficacy differences between SR and RFA for initial recurrent early-stage HCC. Materials/Methods: From 2000 to 2021, 371 patients with recurrent early-stage HCC (≤3 cm, ≤3 nodules) after undergoing initial curative treatment with SR or RFA were enrolled (median age 72 years; males 269; Child−Pugh A:B, n = 328:43; SR:RFA, n = 36:335). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Although the median albumin−bilirubin (ALBI) score was better in the SR than the RFA group (−2.90 vs. −2.50, p < 0.01), there were no significant differences between them in regard to RFS (median 28.1 months, 95% CI 23.4−50.0 vs. 22.1 months, 95% CI 19.3−26.2; p = 0.34), OS (78.9 months, 95% CI 49.3­not applicable vs. 71.2 months 95% CI, 61.8−84.7; p = 0.337), or complications (8.3% vs. 9.3%; p = 1.0). In sub-analysis for RFS and OS according to ALBI grade revealed no significant differences between the SR and RFA groups (ALBI 1/2 = 28.2/17.5 vs. 24.0/23.4 months; p = 0.881/0684 and ALBI 1/2 = 78.9/58.9 vs. 115.3/52.6 months, p = 0.651/0.578, respectively). Conclusion: This retrospective study found no significant differences in regard to RFS or OS between patients in the SR and the RFA groups for initial recurrence of early-stage HCC after undergoing curative treatment. These results showing equal therapeutic efficacy of SR and RFA confirm the findings of the SURF trial.

Association between socioeconomic status and mucosal healing in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Socioeconomic status is a risk factor for worse outcomes in many diseases. However, evidence on the association between socioeconomic status and clinical outcome in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited. In the clinical setting, the therapeutic goal for UC is to achieve mucosal healing (MH). Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the association between socioeconomic status and MH in patients with UC. METHODS: The study population consisted of 298 patients with UC. Education status and household income were divided into three groups based on a self-administered questionnaire. MH and complete MH were defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0-1 and 0, respectively. The association of socioeconomic status with MH and complete MH was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Patients with UC were divided into a younger group (<51 years old) and an older group (≥51 years old) based on median age. RESULTS: The percentage of MH and complete MH was 62.4% and 25.2%, respectively. In all patients, socioeconomic status was not associated with MH and complete MH, respectively. In the older group, education but not household income was independently positively associated with MH and complete MH. In contrast, in the younger group, no association between socioeconomic status and MH and complete MH was found. CONCLUSION: In older Japanese patients with UC, education status but not household income was independently positively associated with MH and complete MH.

Association between clinical outcomes and restless legs syndrome in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder in the Western population. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in the Japanese population is 4.6%. Inflammatory and/or immune alteration might be associated with the development of restless legs syndrome. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Evidence regarding the association between ulcerative colitis and the prevalence of restless legs syndrome is limited. Herein, we investigated the association between clinical outcomes and the prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis. This was a cross-sectional study using baseline data from a prospective cohort study. Subjects in this study were 273 patients with ulcerative colitis. The definition of restless legs syndrome was achieved using a self-administered questionnaire based on the diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome in an epidemiological study approved by the Executive Committee of the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group in 2002. Clinical outcomes were clinical remission and mucosal healing. The association between clinical remission and mucosal healing and the prevalence of restless legs syndrome was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analyses. The percentage of clinical remission and mucosal healing was 58.4% and 63.1%, respectively. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in this cohort was 4.7%. Clinical remission (adjusted odds ratio 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.93) and mucosal healing (adjusted odds ratio 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.90) were independently inversely associated with restless legs syndrome. No association between serum haemoglobin and restless legs syndrome was found. In conclusion, clinical remission and mucosal healing were independently and inversely associated with the prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis.

IL12B rs6887695 polymorphism and interaction with alcohol intake in the risk of ulcerative colitis in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The interleukin (IL)-23/Th17 pathway plays a critical role in ulcerative colitis (UC). The IL-12p40 subunit, which is shared by IL-23 and IL-12, is encoded by the IL12B gene. The current case-control study investigated the association between IL12B SNP rs6887695 and the UC risk. METHODS: There were 384 cases within 4 years of UC diagnosis and 661 controls who were enrolled. Adjustments were made for sex, age, pack-years of smoking, alcohol consumption, history of appendicitis, family history of UC, education level, and body mass index. RESULTS: Subjects with the GG IL12B SNP rs6887695 genotype had a significantly increased risk of UC compared with those with the CC genotype (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.36). This positive association was also significant using the additive and recessive models (AOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03-1.52; AOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.08-2.09, respectively). An independent inverse relationship was observed between ever alcohol consumption and the UC risk in those with the CC genotype while no significant association was found in those with at least one G allele (P for interaction = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: IL12B SNP rs6887695 was significantly associated with UC. The influence of alcohol consumption might rely on rs6887695.

Effect of disease duration on the association between C-reactive protein-albumin ratio and endoscopic activity in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: A simple serum biomarker for clinical outcome in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains an unmet need. Some studies have shown an association between C-reactive protein (CRP)-albumin ratio (CAR) and prognosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but evidence regarding the association between CAR and UC remains limited. We evaluated the association between CAR and clinical outcome in Japanese patients with UC. METHODS: Subjects were 273 Japanese patients with UC. Clinical remission was defined as absence of both abnormally high stool frequency (< 3 per day) and rectal bleeding. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined as Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) 0. Moderate to severe endoscopic activity was defined as MES 2-3. Subjects were divided according to CAR into tertiles (low, moderate, and high). RESULTS: The proportions of patients with clinical remission, MH, and moderate to severe endoscopic activity were 57.9%, 26.0%, and 37.0%, respectively. High CAR was significantly positively associated with moderate to severe endoscopic activity but not MH or clinical remission after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.18 [95% confidence interval (CI) (1.11-4.35)], p for trend 0.023), but only in patients with long disease duration (> 7 years) (adjusted OR 2.95 [95% CI (1.06-8.79)], p for trend 0.023). CAR was not associated with clinical remission or MH. CONCLUSIONS: CAR may be significantly positively associated with moderate to severe endoscopic activity but not clinical remission or MH in Japanese patients with UC. In patients with long UC duration, CAR might be a useful serum marker for disease activity.

Clinical Usefulness of Surgical Resection Including the Complementary Use of Radiofrequency Ablation for Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/Aim: For intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC]-B) cases, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recognized as the standard treatment, while systemic therapy is recommended for TACE-unsuitable HCC. However, because the curative potential is not high, this study was conducted to elucidate the potential outcomes of surgical resection (SR) for BCLC-B HCC cases. Materials/Methods: From January 2000 to July 2022, 70 patients with BCLC-B HCC treated with surgery as the initial treatment were enrolled (median age 67.5 years, beyond up-to-7 criteria 44). Forty-five were treated with SR only (SR group), while twenty-five underwent that with complemental radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (Comb group). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively evaluated in both groups. Results: The median albumin−bilirubin (ALBI) score was better in the SR as compared with the Comb group (−2.74 vs. −2.52, p = 0.02), while there were no significant differences between them for median RFS (17.7 vs. 13.1 months; p = 0.70) or median OS (66.6 vs. 72.0 months p = 0.54). As for those beyond up-to-7 criteria, there were no significant differences for median RFS (18.2 vs. 13.0 months; p = 0.36) or median OS (66.5 vs. 72.0 months; p = 0.57). An acceptable five-year cumulative survival rate (>50%) was obtained in both groups (54% vs. 64%). Conclusion: This retrospective study found no significant differences for RFS or OS between the present SR and Comb groups with BCLC-B HCC. When possible to perform, the outcome of SR for BCLC-B is favorable, with a five-year survival rate greater than 50%.

Active and passive smoking and risk of ulcerative colitis: A case-control study in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although an inverse relationship between current smoking and the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been shown in North America and Europe, evidence is limited in Asian countries, where the incidence of UC is rapidly increasing. This Japanese case-control study examined the association between active and passive smoking and risk of UC. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on smoking and potential confounding factors in 384 cases with a diagnosis of UC within the past 4 years and 665 controls. RESULTS: Compared with having never smoked, having ever smoked was associated with an increased risk of UC (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.37). No association was observed between current smoking and risk of UC, but former smokers had a significant elevation in risk (adjusted OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.67-3.45). There was a positive dose-response relationship with pack-years smoked (P for trend = 0.006). Among never smokers, passive smoking exposure at home was significantly associated with an increased risk of UC (adjusted OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.30-2.79). A significant dose-response gradient was also observed between pack-years of passive smoking at home and risk of UC (P for trend = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that former smoking elevated the risk of UC, whereas an inverse association between current smoking and the risk of UC did not reach a statistically significant level. Passive smoking may be associated with an increased risk of UC.