Rate and Predictors of Interval Esophageal and Gastric Cancers after Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the United States.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the United States, little is known about the rates of interval upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer (possibly missed out) after an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is performed. Data from non-US studies reported interval cancer rates of 7-26%. We aimed to study the rate and predictors of interval upper GI cancers in the United States. METHODS: Using the random 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database, we identified patients diagnosed with esophageal or gastric cancer during 2000-2007. EGD performed within 36 months prior to cancer diagnosis was identified using CPT codes. Cancers diagnosed 6-36 months after EGD were defined as interval (vs. detected) cancers. The chi-square test and the multivariate logistic model were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of 751 patients diagnosed with upper GI cancer, 52 patients (6.9%) were diagnosed with interval cancers 6-36 months after EGD. The rate of interval cancers was 5.5% (31/568) for gastroenterologists and 11.5% (21/183) for non-gastroenterologists (p < 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression, EGDs performed by gastroenterologists (vs. non-gastroenterologists: OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25-0.83) and those in inpatient setting (vs. outpatient: OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.28-0.997) were associated with a lower likelihood of interval cancers. Sensitivity analyses limited to outpatient EGDs or interval cancers 6-30 months after EGDs led to similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of interval cancers after EGD is the same as the rate of colonoscopy among Medicare patients in the United States. EGDs performed by gastroenterologists and in in-patient settings were associated with a lesser likelihood of interval cancers.

Variation in polyp size estimation among endoscopists and impact on surveillance intervals.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of polyp size is important because it is used to determine the surveillance interval after polypectomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the variation and accuracy in polyp size estimation among endoscopists and the impact on surveillance intervals after polypectomy. DESIGN: Web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 873 members of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Participants watched video recordings of 4 polypectomies and were asked to estimate the polyp sizes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Proportion of participants with polyp size estimates within 20% of the correct measurement and the frequency of incorrect surveillance intervals based on inaccurate size estimates. RESULTS: Polyp size estimates were within 20% of the correct value for 1362 (48%) of 2812 estimates (range 39%-59% for the 4 polyps). Polyp size was overestimated by >20% in 889 estimates (32%, range 15%-49%) and underestimated by >20% in 561 (20%, range 4%-46%) estimates. Incorrect surveillance intervals because of overestimation or underestimation occurred in 272 (10%) of the 2812 estimates (range 5%-14%). Participants in a private practice setting overestimated the size of 3 or of all 4 polyps by >20% more often than participants in an academic setting (difference = 7%; 95% confidence interval, 1%-11%). LIMITATIONS: Survey design with the use of video clips. CONCLUSION: Substantial overestimation and underestimation of polyp size occurs with visual estimation leading to incorrect surveillance intervals in 10% of cases. Our findings support routine use of measurement tools to improve polyp size estimates.

Necrolytic acral erythema: an expanding spectrum.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic blood-borne viral infection in the United States. Well-described cutaneous manifestations of HCV infection include polyarteritis nodosa, porphyria cutanea tarda, type II cryoglobulinemia-associated vasculitis, pruritus, erythema nodosum, urticaria and urticarial vasculitis, lichen planus, and erythema multiforme. First described in 1996, necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is now recognized as a cutaneous acral eruption uniquely associated with HCV infection. Most patients present with chronic, acral, erythematous, and psoriasiform lesions. Acute presentations of NAE are rare and patients may present with atypical clinical features; in these cases, suspicion for HCV infection may be delayed for weeks to months until more classic chronic lesions develop. In many cases, NAE presents before the patient has been diagnosed with HCV infection, which allows dermatologists the unique opportunity to suspect and diagnose HCV infection based on skin findings alone.

Neuroendocrine regulation of food intake.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The majority of adults in many developed countries are overweight or obese. The obesity epidemic is also affecting children worldwide. Obesity increases the risk of several diseases leading to life-threatening complications. Weight regulation depends on food intake (energy intake) and energy expenditure. The purpose of this review is to provide updated information on the neuroendocrine regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. RECENT FINDINGS: New knowledge about the role of the prefrontal cortex in the regulation of food intake has emerged. The pathways responsible for energy homeostasis are now increasingly being understood, and as a consequence, an increasing number of pharmacologic agents targeting these pathways are being actively developed. Emphasis on the concept of long-term (as opposed to short-term) homeostasis has guided the search for therapeutic molecules or combination of molecules that would inhibit food intake constantly and thus lead to maintained weight loss. SUMMARY: Complex and intricate neuroendocrine pathways control food intake and energy homeostasis. The increasing understanding of the different components orchestrating the regulation of food intake provides new and exciting targets for much needed pharmacotherapy for obesity.

Ayurvedic drug induced liver injury.

Drug induced liver injury is responsible for 50% of acute liver failure in developed countries. Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine have been linked to liver injury. This case describes the first documented case of Punarnava mandur and Kanchnar guggulu causing drug induced liver injury. Drug induced liver injury may be difficult to diagnosis, but use of multi-modalities tools including the ACG algorithms, causative assessment scales, histological findings, and imaging, is recommended. Advanced imaging, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, may possibly have a greater role than previously reported in literature.

Orlistat: its current status as an anti-obesity drug.

Orlistat is a non-centrally acting anti-obesity agent that acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract to inhibit lipase, an enzyme that is crucial for the digestion of long-chain triglycerides. At the recommended dose of 120 mg three times daily, orlistat inhibits dietary fat absorption by about 30%. Over a 1-year period, obese patients taking orlistat in combination with a hypocaloric diet show a reduction of 2-5 kg over the weight decrease with placebo. When continued for a second year in combination with a weight maintenance diet, orlistat reduces weight regain compared to placebo-treated patients. Orlistat in combination with dietary intervention is also associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors including total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure and plasma glucose. It is not known if orlistat has any impact on clinical outcomes such as myocardial infarction, stroke and sudden death. Orlistat has not been compared with other anti-obesity agents.

Metformin-induced cholestatic hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of metformin-induced cholestatic hepatitis. METHODS: We present a detailed case report, including laboratory and biopsy findings. In addition, similar cases from the literature are reviewed. RESULTS: In a 68-year-old man with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, metformin therapy was begun. The dosage initially was 500 mg twice daily and later was increased to 850 mg twice a day. Four weeks after met-formin treatment was initiated, jaundice, pruritus, and liver enzyme abnormalities were noted. The patient underwent an extensive work-up, including a hepatitis screen, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, all of which showed normal findings. A liver biopsy revealed severe cholestasis and mild portal inflammation. Treatment with metformin was discontinued, and the liver enzymes normalized except for a persistently increased level of alkaline phosphatase, most likely related to a prolonged cholestatic effect of metformin. CONCLUSION: Although rare, metformin can be responsible for inducing liver damage, and patients and physicians should be aware of this side effect.

Adjustable intragastric balloons: a 12-month pilot trial in endoscopic weight loss management.

Intragastric balloons are associated with (1) early period intolerance, (2) diminished effect within 3-4 months, and (3) bowel obstruction risk mandating removal at 6 months. The introduction of an adjustable balloon could improve comfort and offer greater efficacy. A migration prevention function, safely enabling prolonged implantation, could improve efficacy and weight maintenance post-extraction. The first implantations of an adjustable balloon with an attached migration prevention anchor are reported. The primary endpoint was the absence of bowel perforation, obstruction, or hemorrhage. Eighteen patients with mean BMI of 37.3 were implanted with the Spatz Adjustable Balloon system (ABS) for 12 months. Balloon volumes were adjusted for intolerance or weight loss plateau. Mean weight loss at 24 weeks was 15.6 kg with 26.4% EWL (percent of excess weight loss) and 24.4 kg with 48.8% EWL at 52 weeks. Sixteen adjustments were successfully performed. Six downward adjustments alleviated intolerance, yielding additional mean weight loss of 4.6 kg. Ten upward adjustments for weight loss plateau yielded a mean additional weight loss of 7 kg. Seven balloons were removed prematurely. Complications necessitating early removal included valve malfunction (1), gastritis (1), Mallory-Weiss tear (1), NSAID (2× dose/2 weeks) perforating ulcer (1), and balloon deflation (1). Two incidents of catheter shear from the chain: one passed uneventfully and one caused an esophageal laceration without perforation during extraction. The Spatz ABS has been successfully implanted in 18 patients. (1) Upward adjustments yielded additional weight loss. (2) Downward adjustments alleviated intolerance, with continued weight loss. (3) Preliminary 1-year implantation results are encouraging.

Sublingual hyoscyamine spray as premedication for colonoscopy: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Colonic motility and spasm during colonoscopy may affect duration and quality of the examination as well as patient comfort during and after the procedure. Previous studies assessing the utility of antispasmodic agents in colonoscopy demonstrated conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sublingual hyoscyamine spray (IB-Stat, Inkine Pharmaceutical) on the performance of colonoscopy. METHODS: One hundred patients undergoing elective colonoscopy were randomized in a double-blind study to receive .25 mg sublingual hyoscyamine spray (n = 50: 25 men and 25 women, mean age 60) or placebo spray (n = 50: 23 men and 27 women, mean age 56) 15 to 30 minutes before the procedure. Parameters measured included time required to reach the cecum, total procedure time, endoscopist perception of colonic motility and difficulty of the procedure, and patient assessment of discomfort after the procedure. The latter parameters were measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale. A single endoscopist performed all of the procedures. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, procedural difficulty scores and colonic motility scores were significantly lower in the hyoscyamine group compared with placebo (differences of 5.589 mm [P = .047] and 5.685 mm [P = .040], respectively). Mean time to cecal intubation and percentage of patients with discomfort were slightly lower in the hyoscyamine group (5.68 minutes/48%) compared with placebo (5.92 minutes/57.1%), although the differences were not statistically significant (P = .57 and P = .36, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Procedural difficulty and colonic motility scores were significantly lower in subjects who received sublingual hyoscyamine before colonoscopy.