Acute pancreatitis in Turkey: Results of a nationwide multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is the most common gastrointestinal disease requiring hospitalization, with significant mortality and morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of AP and physicians' compliance with international guidelines during its management. METHODS: All patients with AP who were hospitalized at 17 tertiary centers in Turkey between April and October 2022 were evaluated in a prospective cohort study. Patients with insufficient data, COVID-19 and those aged below 18 years were excluded. The definitions were based on the 2012 revised Atlanta criteria. RESULTS: The study included 2144 patients (median age:58, 52 % female). The most common etiologies were biliary (n = 1438, 67.1 %), idiopathic (n = 259, 12 %), hypertriglyceridemia (n = 128, 6 %) and alcohol (n = 90, 4.2 %). Disease severity was mild in 1567 (73.1 %), moderate in 521 (24.3 %), and severe in 58 (2.6 %) patients. Morphology was necrotizing in 4.7 % of the patients. The overall mortality rate was 1.6 %. PASS and BISAP had the highest accuracy in predicting severe pancreatitis on admission (AUC:0.85 and 0.81, respectively). CT was performed in 61 % of the patients, with the majority (90 %) being within 72 h after admission. Prophylactic NSAIDs were not administered in 44 % of the patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis (n = 86). Antibiotics were administered to 53.7 % of the patients, and 38 % of those received them prophylactically. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study provides an extensive report on clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of AP in real-world practice. Mortality remains high in severe cases and physicians' adherence to guidelines during management of the disease needs improvement in some aspects.

Oral Ritlecitinib and Brepocitinib for Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Results From a Randomized, Phase 2b Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib (oral JAK3/TEC family kinase inhibitor) and brepocitinib (oral TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor) as induction therapy were assessed in patients with active, moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. METHODS: This phase 2b, parallel-arm, double-blind umbrella study randomized patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis to receive 8-week induction therapy with ritlecitinib (20, 70, 200 mg), brepocitinib (10, 30, 60 mg), or placebo once daily. The primary endpoint was total Mayo Score (TMS) at week 8. RESULTS: Of 319 randomized patients, 317 received ritlecitinib (n = 150), brepocitinib (n = 142), or placebo (n = 25). The placebo-adjusted mean TMSs (90% confidence interval) at week 8 were -2.0 (-3.2 to -0.9), -3.9 (-5.0 to -2.7), and -4.6 (-5.8 to -3.5) for ritlecitinib 20, 70, and 200 mg, respectively (P = .003, P < .001, P < .001), and -1.8 (-2.9 to -0.7), -2.3 (-3.4 to -1.1), and -3.2 (-4.3 to -2.1) for brepocitinib 10, 30, and 60 mg, respectively (P = .009, P = .001, P < .001). Estimates (90% confidence interval) for placebo-adjusted proportions of patients with modified clinical remission at week 8 were 13.7% (0.5%-24.2%), 32.7% (20.2%-45.3%), and 36.0% (23.6%-48.6%) for ritlecitinib 20, 70, and 200 mg, respectively, and 14.6% (1.9%-25.7%), 25.5% (11.0%-38.1%), and 25.5% (11.0%-38.1%) for brepocitinib 10, 30, and 60 mg, respectively. Adverse events were mostly mild, and there were no serious cases of herpes zoster infection. Infections were observed with brepocitinib (16.9% [12.5%-23.7%]), ritlecitinib (8.7% [5.2%-13.4%]), and placebo (4.0% [0.2%-17.6%]). One death due to myocardial infarction (ritlecitinib) and 1 thromboembolic event (brepocitinib) occurred; both were considered unrelated to study drug. CONCLUSIONS: Ritlecitinib and brepocitinib induction therapies were more effective than placebo for the treatment of moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis, with an acceptable short-term safety profile. CLINICALTRIALS: gov number: NCT02958865.

Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) Are Good Candidates for Prognostic Markers for Acute Pancreatitis.

Background and Objectives: It has been demonstrated that parameters such as the Controlled Nutrition Status (CONUT) score and Prognostic Nutrition Index (PNI) are beneficial for the assessment of patients' nutrition. In this study, our objective was to investigate the potential benefits of CONUT and, as a prognostic marker of acute pancreatitis, the PNI. Materials and Methods: The data of 361 patients were analysed retrospectively. The PNI and CONUT scores of these patients were retrospectively calculated. They were categorised as CONUT-high (≥3) and CONUT-low (≤2). A PNI ≥ 45 was considered high and a PNI < 45 low. The AP severity and organ failure due to disease were evaluated based on Atlanta 2012. Results: According to the CONUT score, it was found that 209 patients had normal to mild, whereas 152 patients had severe malnutrition. A total of 293 patients had mild AP and 68 thereof had severe AP. The patients with a high CONUT score used more antibiotics, were hospitalised more in intensive care units and experienced organ failure more frequently. There were no intensive care hospitalisations, mortalities, surgical needs and local complications among the patients with a higher PNI score. Conclusions: CONUT and the PNI have proven to be useful prognostic markers not only for predicting nutritional status but also for estimating the severity and results of AP.

Serum levels of inflammatory markers CRP, ESR and albumin in relation to survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with several chronic inflammatory conditions. It is increasingly understood that the inflammation may be part of the carcinogenic process and prognostically important. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum levels of three inflammation markers in relation to survival in HCC patients. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the serum levels of CRP, albumin and ESR, both singly and in combination, in relation to patient survival. RESULTS: Survival worsened with increase in CRP or ESR or decrease in albumin levels. Combinations of CRP plus albumin or CRP plus ESR were associated with an even greater range of survival (3-fold), together with significant differences in maximum tumor diameter (PVT) and percent of patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). The triplet of CRP plus albumin plus ESR was associated with a sevenfold difference in survival, comparing low vs high parameter levels. These significant differences were found in patients with small or large tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of CRP with albumin or ESR or all three parameters together significantly related to differences in survival and to differences in MTD and percent PVT, in patients with both small and large size HCCs.

C-Reactive Protein and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio as Potential Tumor Markers in Low-Alpha-Fetoprotein Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor marker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is only elevated in about half of the HCC patients, limiting its usefulness in following the effects of therapy or screening. New markers are needed. It has been previously noted that the inflammation markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are prognostically important and may reflect HCC aggressiveness. We therefore examined these 2 markers in a low-AFP HCC cohort and found that for HCCs > 2 cm, both markers significantly rise with an increasing maximum tumor diameter (MTD). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and Youden index value for each marker, and their area-under-the-curve values for each MTD group. Patients were dichotomized into 2 groups based on the CRP and PLR from the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. In the logistic regression models of the 4 different MTD patient groups, CRP and PLR levels were statistically significant to estimate MTD in univariate logistic regression models of MTD groups > 2 cm. CRP and PLR were then combined, and the combination was statistically significant to estimate MTD groups of 3-, 4-, and 5-cm cutoffs. CRP and PLR thus have potential as tumor markers for low-AFP HCC patients, and possibly for screening.

Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Aggressiveness Factors in Turkish Patients.

A large cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from several collaborating Turkish institutions were examined for the tumor parameters of maximum diameter (MTD), portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. A relationship was found between MTD and blood platelet levels. Patients with large ≥5 cm tumors who had normal platelet levels had significantly larger tumors, higher percent of PVT, and significantly lower blood total bilirubin and liver cirrhosis than similar ≥5 cm tumor patients having thrombocytopenia. A comparison of patients with and without PVT showed significantly larger tumors, greater multifocality, blood AFP, and C-reactive protein levels, and, interestingly, lower HDL levels in the patients with PVT. Fifty-eight percent of the total cohort had AFP levels ≤100 IU/mL (and 42.1% had values ≤20 IU/mL). These patients had significantly smaller tumors, less tumor multifocality and percent PVT, lower total bilirubin, and less cirrhosis. There was considerable geographic heterogeneity within Turkey in the patterns of HCC presentation, with areas of higher and lower hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus, cirrhosis, and tumor aggressiveness parameters. Turkish patients thus have distinct patterns of presentation, but the biological relationships between MTD and both platelets and bilirubin levels are similar to the relationships that have been reported in other ethnic patient groups.

Serum microRNAs; miR-30c-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-302c-3p and miR-17-5p could be used as novel non-invasive biomarkers for HCV-positive cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recently, serum miRNAs have been evolved as possible biomarkers for different diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma and other types of cancers. Investigating certain serum miRNAs as novel non-invasive markers for early detection of HCV-positive cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression profiles of 58 miRNA were analyzed in patient's plasma of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), HCV-positive cirrhosis and HCV-positive HCC and compared with control group samples. Totally 94 plasma samples; 64 patient plasma (26 CHC, 30 HCV-positive cirrhosis, 8 HCV-positive HCC) and 28 control group plasma, were included. The expression profiles of 58 miRNAs were detected for all patient and control group plasma samples by qRT-PCR using BioMarkTM 96.96 Dynamic Array (Fluidigm Corporation) system. In CHC group, expression profiles of miR-30a-5p, miR-30c-5p, miR-206 and miR-302c-3p were found significantly deregulated (p < 0.05) when compared versus control group. In HCV-positive cirrhosis group, expression profiles of miR-30c-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-302c-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-93-5p, miR-302c-5p and miR-223-3p were found significantly deregulated (p < 0.05). In HCV-positive HCC group, expression profiles of miR-17-5p, miR-223-3p and miR-24-3p were found significant (p < 0.05). When all groups were compared versus control, miR-30c-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-302c-3p and miR-17-5p were found significantly deregulated for cirrhosis and HCC. These results imply that miR-30c-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-302c-3p and miR-17-5p could be used as novel non-invasive biomarkers of HCV-positive HCC in very early, even at cirrhosis stage of liver disease.

[Characterization of basal core promoter/precore gene mutations in chronically infected patients with hepatitis B virus genotype D in Mersin Province, Turkey]. / Mersin ilinde hepatit B virus genotip D ile kronik enfekte hastalarda bazal kor promotor/prekor gen bölgesi mutasyonlarinin karakterizasyonu.

The basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) gene regions of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome are important for the viral replication and synthesis of "e" antigen. Genetic variability has been described in PCP and PC gene regions, commonly in HBeAg negative patients. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the predominant mutation patterns of BCP/PC gene regions and their correlations with HBeAg status, HBV-DNA levels, and liver biochemical profiles in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients infected with genotype D, in Mersin province which is located at Mediteranean part of Turkey. A total of 54 CHB patients (33 male, 21 female; mean age: 40.05±12.91 years) infected with HBV genotype D were enrolled in the study. Serum HBV-DNA levels, serological markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc) and biochemical profiles (ALT and AST) were analyzed in all patients. BCP and PC gene regions were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mutations of these regions were determined by direct sequencing of PCR products then aligned with known wild-type HBV sequences. BCP [nucleotide (nt.) 1753-1762/1764] and/or PC (nt. 1896) mutations were detected in 87.75% (43/49) of the patients. Mutation rates were detected as 97.1% (33/34) and 66.7% (10/15) in the HBeAg negative and in HBeAg positive patient groups, respectively (p=0.008). PC nt. G1896A mutation was more common in HBeAg negative samples than in HBeAg positive samples (73.5% vs. 20%, p=0.001), however there was no significant differences in the occurrence of BCP mutations between the two groups (p=0.331). No correlation was found between the presence of BCP and/or PC mutations and serum HBV-DNA or ALT-AST levels. Our study reveals that significant number of chronically infected patients with genotype D HBV have BCP and PC variants. G1896A stop codon mutation in precore region seems to have a significant role in the loss of HBeAg in our patients. The results of our study provided important data about the frequency and the genetic heterogeneity of different kinds of mutations occurring at BCP and PC gene regions.

Profiles of serum microRNAs; miR-125b-5p and miR223-3p serve as novel biomarkers for HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recently, circulating miRNAs have been reported as promising biomarkers for various pathologic conditions including cancer. Certain microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown early diagnostic potential for many types of cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of certain serum/plasma miRNAs as novel non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For this reason, the expression levels of 24 miRNA (let-7c, miR-92a-3p, 423-5p, 150-5p, 223-3p, 125b-5p, 342-3p, miR-206, 122-5p, 375, 223-5p, 10a-5p, 23b-5p, 99a-5p, 23a-5p, 10a-3p, 122-3p, 125b-1-3p, 23b-3p, 125b-2-3p, 23a-3p, 92a-1-5p, 92a-2-5p, 99a-3p) were analyzed in plasma of patients with chronic hepatitis B, HBV-positive cirrhosis and HBV-positive HCC and compared with control group samples. Totally 94 plasma samples; 28 control and 66 patient plasma (24 CHB, 22 HBV-positive cirrhosis, 20 HBV-positive HCC) and were included in this study. The expression levels of 24 miRNAs were detected for all control and patient group plasma samples by qRT-PCR using BioMark™ 96.96 Dynamic Array (Fluidigm Corporation) system. The expression levels of miR-125b-5p were detected 2.85 fold, 2.46 fold and 1.89 fold (p = 0.01513, p = 0.0009440, p = 0.0001446) up regulated in CHB, HBV-positive cirrhosis and HBV-positive HCC, respectively when compared versus control group individually by Mann-Whitney U test. The expression levels of miR-223-3p were detected 5.55 fold, 13.88 fold and 12.65 fold (p = 0.01513, p = 0.0009440, p = 0.0001446) down regulated in same comparisons. When all groups were compared versus control group by one-way ANOVA test, the expression levels of miR-223-3p were also found statistically significant (p < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, miR-125b-5p tended to be upregulated. (p = 0.07192). These results significantly imply that miR-125b-5p and miR223-3p could be used as novel non-invasive biomarkers of HBV-positive HCC in very early, even at CHB stage of liver disease.

Prevalence of Pancreatic Steatosis and Its Associated Factors in Turkey: A Nation-Wide Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:  Pancreatic steatosis (PS) is a pathology associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), endocrin and exocrine disfunctions of the pancreas, and fatty liver. The data on the frequency of PS are very limited. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of PS detected by transabdominal ultrasonography (TAU) in gastroenterology clinics located in different geographical regions of Turkey and the factors associated with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Volunteers were evaluated by TAU for PS and hepatosteatosis (HS), and its degree. Pancreatic stiffness was evaluated by ultrasonographic shear wave elastography (SWE). All demographic, physical, and biochemical parametres were measured. RESULTS:  A total of 1700 volunteers from 14 centers throughout Turkey were included in the study. Mean age was 48.03 ± 20.86 years (56.9% female). Prevalance of PS was detected in 68.9%. In the PS group, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid levels, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, MS frequency, and pancreatic SWE score were increasing, and fecal elastase level was decreasing in correlation with the degree of PS. The frequency of HS was 55.5%. Hepatosteatosis [odds ratio (OR): 9.472], increased age (OR: 1.02), and BMI (OR: 1.089) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of PS. Lean-PS rate was 11.8%. The lean-PS group was predominantly female and younger than non-lean PS. Also it has lower blood pressure, FBG, liver enzymes, lipid levels, and HS rates. CONCLUSION:  The frequency of PS was found 68.9% in Turkey. Its relationship was determined with age, BMI, HS, MS (and its components), pancreatic stiffness, and fecal elastase level.

[Determination of hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in Mersin province, Turkey]. / Mersin ilinde hepatit C virusu genotip dagiliminin belirlenmesi.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family and the RNA genome e x hibit high genetic heterogeneity. Six major genotypes were phylogenetically determined and each genotype contains different subtypes. The distribution of HCV genotypes varies geographically throughout the world. Determination of viral genotype has great importance in the selection of antiviral therapy, treatment duration and monitoring the response to treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in Mersin province located at the Southern part of Turkey. A total of 236 patients (137 females, 99 males; mean age: 53.28 ± 14.99 years) with chronic HCV infection who were admitted to Mersin University Hospital Microbiology Laboratory during March 2010-May 2012 period were included in the study. The patients were anti-HCV (ELISA; Abbott Laboratories, USA) and HCV-RNA (Cobas TaqMan 48, Roche Diagnostic, USA) positive. HCV genotype analysis was determined by using a commercial LiPA kit (Line Probe Assay; AMPLIQUALITY HCV-TS; AB Analitica, Italy) based on the reverse hybridization of amplification products of viral 5'-UTR region. Out of the 236 patients, genotype 1b was observed in 84.7% (n= 200), genotype 3a in 4.2% (n= 10), genotype 1 in 3.8% (n= 9), genotype 1a/1b in 2.1% (n= 5), genotype 4a in 2% (n= 2), genotype 1a in 1.7% (n= 4), genotype 2b in 1.3% (n= 3), genotype 2 in 0.4% (n= 1), genotype 2a/2c in 0.4% (n= 1) and genotype 6 in 0.4% (n= 1). In the cases infected with genotype 1b, statistically significant differences were detected between gender distribution with the mean serum ALT (46.14 IU/L in females, 63.9 IU/L in males; p= 0.029) and HCV-RNA (634 x 103 IU/L in females, 20 x 105 IU/L in males; p= 0.005) levels. This was the first study that reflected the distribution of HCV genotypes in southern Turkey region. Genotype 1b, associated with poor prognosis and which had the highest prevalence in Turkey, was also determined as the most common genotype with a rate of 84.7% in our region. In addition, low rates of genotype 1a, 2b, 3a and 4a which were identified with low frequency in our country and newly introduced genotype 6 were also demonstrated.

Detection of hepatitis B virus X gene and PreC promoter mutations from chronic hepatitis B patients in the south of Turkey.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem with more than 2 billion infected individuals. HBV infection leads to diverse outcomes ranging from acute to chronic hepatitis, which may result in severe complications as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV is one of the most important human DNA viruses having strong oncogenic potential. Recently, many studies have reported on HBV X gene and PreC promoter mutations associated with HCC. In order to detect the prevalence of HBx gene and PreC promoter mutations possibly related to HCC, we have analyzed sera samples collected from 61 patients with chronic hepatitis B. We have detected TI653 mutation in 1 of 61 (1,63%), A1896 mutation in 10 of 61 (16,39%), and T1762 - A1764 dual mutation in 4 of 61 (6,55%). T1653 and T1762- A1764 dual mutations were suggested significantly related to HCC in earlier reported studies. Our findings demonstrate that HBx gene and PreC promoter mutations related to HCC are present in our region and prospective clinical chord studies would be useful for better patient management and of early diagnosis of possible HCC cases.

[Determination of hepatitis B virus genotypes in chronic hepatitis B patients in Mersin province, Turkey]. / Mersin Ilinde Kronik Hepatit B Hastalarinda Hepatit B Virusu Genotiplerinin Belirlenmesi.

Currently, ten genotypes (A-J) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are identified based on the nucleic acid sequence heterogeneity, and these genotypes have been shown to have distinct geographic distribution. Reports of previous studies indicated that the genotype D is the predominant type among hepatitis B patients in different regions of Turkey, however there is no data for HBV genotypes to date from Mersin region. The aim of this study was to investigate the HBV genotypes by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in chronic hepatitis B patients in Mersin province (located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey). A total of 54 serum samples were obtained from the chronic hepatitis B patients (33 male, 21 female; mean age: 40.05 years) followed-up at Gastroenterology Clinic of Mersin University Hospital. Patients had detectable HBV-DNA levels in their serum samples, and they were under antiviral therapy for at least one year. Genotyping of HBV was performed by RFLP analysis with the use of AvaII and MboI restriction enzymes after amplification of pre-S gene region by PCR. Confirmation of selected 18 cases was carried out with direct DNA sequencing. The genotypes were determined by phylogenetic comparison with 43 reference NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) HBV sequences. Genotype determination was not successful in seven cases; since three of them were negative in preS-PCR, three of them yielded non-specific bands, and one of them exhibited a deleted PCR product, at the 300 bp level that was shorter than expected. Four different restriction patterns were determined in PCR-RFLP analysis of the remaining 47 samples. One of these patterns which was AvaII [-]/MboI [306/89/51], was clearly discriminated in 72.3% (34/47) of the samples as genotype D. Genotype discrimination of three patterns could not be done properly and these patterns were AvaII [- ]/MboI [357/306/89/51] (7/47, 14.9%), AvaII [300/146]/MboI [306/89/51] (5/47, 10.7%), and AvaII [- ]/MboI [357/89/---] (1/47, 2.1%). Phylogenetic comparison of HBV sequences demonstrated that all patterns in our cases were clustered in NCBI genotype D sequences. Patterns of AvaII [300/146]/MboI [306/89/51] and AvaII [-]/ MboI [357/89/---] and deleted sample were recognized as pre-S gene variants of HBV isolates. Our data indicated that the predominant HBV type was genotype D as commonly seen in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. The results of this study also showed that the genotype uniformity and pre-S gene variants within the HBV isolates could be crucial in terms of understanding the molecular epidemiology of HBV circulating in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.

A New Risk-Scoring System for Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Screening by Turkish Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer worldwide. An early diagnosis and detection of colon cancer and polyp can reduce mortality and morbidity from colorectal cancer. Even though there are a variety of options in screen- ing tests, the question remains on which test is the most effective for the early detection of colorectal cancer. In this prospective study, we aimed to develop a simple, useful, effective, and reliable scoring system to detect colon polyp and colorectal cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 6508 subjects over the age of 18 from 16 centers, with colonoscopy screening. The age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, polyp incidence, polyp size, number and localization, and pathologic findings were recorded. RESULTS: The age, male gender, obesity, smoking, and family history were found as independent risk factors for adenomatous polyp. We have developed a new scoring system which can be used for these factors. With a score of 4 or above, we found the following: sensitivity 81%, specificity 40%, positive predictive value 25.68%, and negative predictive value 89.84%, for adenomatous polyp detection; and sensitivity 96%, specificity 39%, positive predictive value 3.35%, negative predictive value 99.29%, for colorectal cancer detection. CONCLUSION: Even though the first colorectal cancer screening worldwide is generally performed for individuals over 50 years of age, we recommend that screening for colorectal cancer might begin for those under 50 years of age as well. Individuals with a score ≥ 4 must be included in the screening tests for colorectal cancer.

Characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study.

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by underlying cause and determine the characteristics and clinical features of patients with HCC. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 1802 HCC patients diagnosed and followed up by Liver Diseases Outpatient Clinics in 14 tertiary centers in Turkey between 2001 and 2020. Results: The mean age was 62.3±10.7 years, and 78% of them were males. Of the patients, 82% had cirrhosis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was the most common etiology (54%), followed by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (19%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (10%). Of the patients, 56% had a single lesion. Macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic spread were present in 15% and 12% of the patients, respectively. The median serum alpha-fetoprotein level was 25.4 ng/mL. In total, 39% of the patients fulfilled the Milan Criteria. When we compared the characteristics of patients diagnosed before and after January 2016, the proportion of NAFLD-related HCC cases increased after 2016, from 6.6% to 13.4%. Conclusion: Chronic HBV and HCV infections remain the main causes of HCC in Turkey. The importance of NAFLD as a cause of HCC is increasing.

EP-01: Association of genetic polymorphisms of OATP with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C patients who achieved SVR by direct acting antivirals.

OBJECTIVES: Simeprevir, daclatasvir, ledipasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir are all substrates and inhibitors of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP1B1 transporter, whereas sofosbuvir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir are not substrates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) gene polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma in Hepatitis C patients who achieved SVR by direct acting antivirals. MATERIALS & METHODS: Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (388 A>G, 521 T>C, 334 T>G, and 699 G>A) within the OATP gene were genotyped by PCR-RFLP in 200 patients with chronic HCV infection (CHC) treated with DAAs, Laboratory work up and abdominal ultrasound was performed at baseline, at 12 weeks after end of treatment and then at every 6 months of follow up (FU). RESULTS: The overall SVR12 rate was 99.5%. The SVR12 rate was similar between the patients with HCC and those without HCC (100% vs 99.4%, p=0.49). HCC developed in 10 (5%) of the patients, approximately 11 (6-36 months) after the end of the treatment. No significant differences were found regarding OATP gene polymorphisms among the case groups (including CHC and HCC) and no matter in comparisons of alleles, genotypes, or haplotypes. Similar insignificant results were also observed when subgroup analyses were performed in different gender. CONCLUSION: Our observation suggests that SNPs 388 A>G, 521 T>C, 334 T>G, and 699 G>A of OATP gene might not contribute to the development of HCC in Hepatitis C patients who achieved SVR by direct acting antivirals. Keywords: Hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, organic anion transporting polypeptide.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome on Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Deep Remission: No Relation with Remission Deepening and Inflammation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to establish the frequency of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in clinical, endoscopic, and histologic remission and in relation to both the depth of remission and inflammation markers. METHODS: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and with Crohn's disease (CD) in clinical remission for at least 6 months were enrolled in the study. All of the patients underwent colonoscopy, and biopsy specimens were taken to evaluate endoscopic and histopathologic remission. Patients were evaluated according to Rome III criteria for IBS. Fecal calprotectin level and blood samples for C-reactive protein (CRP), sedimentation rate, and fibrinogen levels were studied. RESULTS: IBS frequency was 20.9% in UC cases and 28.9% in CD cases in clinical remission. Rates with and without endoscopic remission in UC (20.5% vs. 22.2%, P = .727) and CD (25% vs. 33.3%, P = .837, respectively) were not different. Similarly, rates with and without histopathologic remission in UC (15.7% vs. 26.6%, P = .723), and CD (21.4% vs. 33.3%, P = .999) were not statistically different. Also, it was not related to inflammation markers. CONCLUSION: IBS frequency among IBD patients with remission was in a substantial rate; these rates kept up with the process of deep remission and even complete mucosal healing and were irrelevant to inflammation.

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct into various sites of the upper digestive tract: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic opening of the common bile duct (CBD) into the GI tract is an extremely rare congenital anomaly. The clinical implications and frequency of this anomaly are not clearly known. OBJECTIVE: To present a case series of ectopic opening of the CBD into various sites of the upper digestive tract and discuss clinicopathological features of this condition. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective, observational study in a single tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients undergoing ERCP who received a diagnosis of an ectopic opening of the CBD between September 2001 and August 2009 were reviewed. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic and cholangiographic findings were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The endoscopic and cholangiographic findings and clinical course of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study period, 1040 patients underwent ERCP. A total of 11 patients (6 men and 5 women with a median age of 59.2 years) received a diagnosis of an ectopic opening of the CBD. The opening sites of the CBD were located as follow: 1 in the stomach, 4 in the duodenal bulb, 3 at a more lateral site of the second portion of the duodenum, and 3 in the third part of the duodenum. Seven patients had choledocholithiasis, 2 had acute pancreatitis, and 3 had severe cholangitis. CONCLUSION: Although an ectopic opening of the CBD is rare, it may be associated with severe pancreaticobiliary disorders. Endoscopists should be aware of this anomaly and know what to do in case they encounter the condition.

Significant decrease in liver stiffness detected by two dimensional shear-wave elastography after treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents in patients with chronic Hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Two-dimensional shear-wave (2D-SWE) elastography is one of the noninvasive methods for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in liver stiffness (LS) by employing 2D-SWE as well as its correlation with noninvasive fibrosis markers in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), who are undergoing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The researchers included all the patients with CHC who are scheduled for DAA treatment in this study. 2D-SWE measurements were performed at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), and 12 weeks after the treatment. According to the latest EFSUMB guidelines, elastography measurements were performed during the ultrasonographic evaluation and recorded in kilopascals (unit). The correlation between biochemical and viral responses, and noninvasive fibrosis scores (FIB-4, AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI)) was also evaluated. RESULTS: This study employed 230 patients who underwent treatment with DAAs between September 2016 and September 2017. However, 131 patients were able to complete the study, of which 48 (36.6%) were male and 83 (63.4%) were female. The mean age was 65.0 (±11.18) years. Both EOT and sustained viral response (SVR) had the same rate of 99.2% (130/131). The SWE measurement (mean) values at pretreatment, EOT, and 12 weeks after treatment was 12.92, 10.45, and 9.07 kPa, respectively (p<0.05), whereas the APRI scores were 0.76, 0.39, and 0.30, respectively (p<0.05). Additionally, the FIB-4 scores at pretreatment, EOT, and 12 weeks after treatment were 2.98, 2.43, and 2.03, respectively (p<0.05). The results of liver stiffness measurements (LSM) were similar in all the groups of cirrhotic, noncirrhotic, treatment-experienced, and treatment-naive patients. CONCLUSION: DAA treatments in the patients with CHC led to almost a complete SVR and a considerable decrease in LS in a short time.

The impact of direct-acting antiviral treatment on lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C patients: temporary? permanent?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In previous studies that investigated the impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment on lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C patients have been compared to baseline values with either end of treatment or post-treatment values. The results are inconsistent. We evaluated patients throughout the treatment and after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 121 patients were included in the study. 93 patients were treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir±Ribavirin (RBV), and 28 patients were treated with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir+dasabuvir±RBV. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were measured at the onset of treatment, after the1st month of treatment, at the end of treatment, and 6 and 12 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: 117 patients were genotype 1. Sustained virological response was 98.4%. HOMA-IR values during treatment were significantly higher than at the beginning of treatment (p=0.0001). At 12 months there was a decrease in HOMA-IR, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.2048). TC and LDL levels were significantly increased in the first month of treatment (TC; 159±30, 180±34 mg/dl; LDL; 84±28, 100±30 mg/dl, respectively) (p<0.0001) and this increase was present during and after treatment. There was no statistically significant increase in TG (p=0120). Both treatment regimens showed similar effects on HOMA-IR, TC, and LDL. CONCLUSION: Patients with HCV treated with DAAs drugs showed increased IR, TC, and LDL cholesterol levels during treatment. After the end of treatment, IR goes back to normal, while the elevated TC and LDL levels persist indefinitely.