Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction on the US-Mexico Border: A Survey Using Rome IV Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) cause a substantial health burden. Herein we studied the prevalence and characteristics of DGBI and symptoms of bloating/distension in El Paso, Texas on the US-Mexico border, providing a unique opportunity to study the effects of acculturation. METHODS: Subjects from community centers completed the Rome IV questionnaire for DGBI, short acculturation scale for Hispanics questionnaire, and bloating/distention Pictograms. Data were presented as prevalence (95% CI) and compared using χ 2 . RESULTS: Of 216 participants, 197 (127 Hispanics, 90 with English acculturation) were included and 177 completed the Pictograms. Fifty-one [25.9% (20 to 32.6)] subjects fulfilled the criteria for at least one DGBI. Globus and functional dyspepsia were the most common upper DGBI, each in [3.0% (1.1 to 6.5)]. Unspecified functional bowel disorders [8.6% (5.1 to 13.5)], followed by functional abdominal bloating/distention [8.1% (4.7 to 12.9], and irritable bowel syndrome [6.1% (3.2 to 10.4] were the most common functional bowel disorder. Ninety-one (51.4%) reported bloating and/or distension with Pictograms; more frequently in those with DGBI (80.9% vs 40.8%, P < 0.001). Bloating and/or distension were reported by Pictograms in 30% of those not reporting it in the Rome IV Questionnaire. There were no differences based on acculturation or in Hispanics versus non-Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: On the US-Mexico border, we found a lower prevalence of DGBI than in the US or Mexico. Functional abdominal bloating/distention was more prevalent on the US-Mexico border than in either country. Bloating/distension was more commonly reported with Pictograms than with verbal descriptors. There were no differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics, suggesting shared environmental/acquired including dietary factors as the underlying mechanisms.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Large Community-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

CONTEXT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can significantly reduce incidence and mortality; however, screening rates are suboptimal. The lowest rates are among those with no usual source of care and the uninsured. OBJECTIVE: We describe the implementation and evaluation of a community-based CRC screening program from 2012 to 2015 designed to increase screening within a predominantly Hispanic US-Mexico border population. METHODS: The multicomponent, evidence-based program provided in-person, bilingual, culturally tailored health education facilitated by community health workers, no-cost primarily stool-based testing and diagnostic colonoscopy, and navigation. We recruited uninsured individuals due for CRC screening from clinics and community sites. An extensive qualitative and quantitative program process and outcome evaluation was conducted. RESULTS: In total, 20 118 individuals were approached, 8361 were eligible for screening; 74.8% completed screening and 74.6% completed diagnostic testing; 14 cancers were diagnosed. The mean age of participants was 56.8 years, and the majority were Hispanic, female, and of low socioeconomic status. The process evaluation gathered information that enabled effective program implementation and demonstrated effective staff training, compliance with processes, and high patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This program used a population-based approach focusing on uninsured individuals and proved successful at achieving high fecal immunochemical test kit return rates and colonoscopy completion rates. Key factors related to its success included tailoring the intervention to our priority population, strong partnerships with community-based sites and clinics, expertise in clinical CRC screening, and an active community advisory board. This program can serve as a model for similar populations along the border to increase CRC screening rates among the underserved.

Segmental Withdrawal During Screening Colonoscopy Does Not Increase Adenoma Detection Rate.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare a standard versus segmental withdrawal during screening colonoscopy and its effect on the adenoma detection rate (ADR). METHODS: We performed a single-center clinical trial of average-risk patients 50 years of age and older undergoing screening colonoscopy. Patients were randomized into four groups: a standard withdrawal of at least 6 or 8 minutes and a segmental withdrawal, in which ≥3 or ≥4 minutes were dedicated to the right side of the colon, with a minimum withdrawal time of at least 6 or 8 minutes, respectively. RESULTS: There were 311 patients in the study. There was no difference in ADR between the standard and segmental groups (relative ratio [RR] 0.91, P = 0.50), even after stratifying for right-sided adenomas. During standard withdrawal, an increased continuous withdrawal time was associated with a higher ADR (RR 1.08, P <0.001) and total adenomas per patient (RR 1.12, P < 0.001). A binary analysis of ≥8 minutes or <8 minutes withdrawal was associated with an increased adenomas per colonoscopy (RR 1.86, P = 0.04). These differences were not observed in the segmental group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was no benefit from a segmental withdrawal protocol on ADR, but this may have been the result of the inherent limitations in the study design. After sensitivity analysis, a segmental withdrawal protocol led to an improvement in the detection of adenomas per colonoscopy and polyps per colonoscopy. A larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings.

Eluxadoline for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea.

Background Effective and safe treatments are needed for patients who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea. We conducted two phase 3 trials to assess the efficacy and safety of eluxadoline, a new oral agent with mixed opioid effects (µ- and κ-opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist), in patients with IBS with diarrhea. Methods We randomly assigned 2427 adults who had IBS with diarrhea to eluxadoline (at a dose of 75 mg or 100 mg) or placebo twice daily for 26 weeks (IBS-3002 trial) or 52 weeks (IBS-3001 trial). The primary end point was the proportion of patients who had a composite response of decrease in abdominal pain and improvement in stool consistency on the same day for at least 50% of the days from weeks 1 through 12 and from weeks 1 through 26. Results For weeks 1 through 12, more patients in the eluxadoline groups (75 mg and 100 mg) than in the placebo group reached the primary end point (IBS-3001 trial, 23.9% with the 75-mg dose and 25.1% with the 100-mg dose vs. 17.1% with placebo; P=0.01 and P=0.004, respectively; IBS-3002 trial, 28.9% and 29.6%, respectively, vs. 16.2%; P<0.001 for both comparisons). For weeks 1 through 26, the corresponding rates in IBS-3001 were 23.4% and 29.3% versus 19.0% (P=0.11 and P<0.001, respectively), and the corresponding rates in IBS-3002 were 30.4% and 32.7% versus 20.2% (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). The most common adverse events associated with 75 mg of eluxadoline and 100 mg of eluxadoline, as compared with placebo, were nausea (8.1% and 7.5% vs. 5.1%), constipation (7.4% and 8.6% vs. 2.5%), and abdominal pain (5.8% and 7.2% vs. 4.1%). Pancreatitis developed in 5 (2 in the 75-mg group and 3 in the 100-mg group) of the 1666 patients in the safety population (0.3%). Conclusions Eluxadoline is a new therapeutic agent that reduced symptoms of IBS with diarrhea in men and women, with sustained efficacy over 6 months in patients who received the 100-mg dose twice daily. (Funded by Furiex Pharmaceuticals, an affiliate of Allergan; IBS-3001 and IBS-3002 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01553591 and NCT01553747 , respectively.).

The role of oral simethicone on the adenoma detection rate and other quality indicators of screening colonoscopy: a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Combining simethicone (SIM) with a colon preparation agent has been shown to improve mucosal visibility during screening colonoscopy, but its effect on the adenoma detection rate (ADR) remains unclear. SIM is commonly used through the endoscope to eliminate bubbles during endoscopy. However, this practice recently has been associated with endoscope-transmitted infections. Our aims were to determine the role of SIM added to a polyethylene glycol preparation on the ADR, procedure times, colon preparation, and intraprocedural use of SIM. METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, clinical trial of patients undergoing screening colonoscopy. Patients with a high risk of colorectal cancer were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 different preparations: polyethylene glycol plus SIM or polyethylene glycol. Two endoscopists blinded to patient preparation regimens scored its quality by using the Boston Bowel Preparation scale (BBPS) and the bubble scale. Interobserver agreement was calculated. The polyp detection rate, ADR, intraprocedural use of SIM, cecal intubation time, and withdrawal time were recorded. For study purposes, cecal intubation time and withdrawal time were combined to determine the effective procedure time. RESULTS: No significant difference between the polyethylene glycol plus SIM and polyethylene glycol arms was seen regarding the ADR (33.3% vs 38.8%; P = .881) and effective procedure time (759.3 ± 253.1 seconds vs 800.2 ± 459.6 seconds; P = .373), respectively. Intraprocedural use of SIM as well as the bubble scale score were significantly lower in the polyethylene glycol plus SIM arm (1.6% vs 48.9%; P ≤ .05) and (0.1 vs 2.1; P ≤ .05), respectively. Conversely, no difference was found in the BBPS scores. The interobserver agreement for both scores was strong (bubble scale score kappa = .537; P < .05; BBPS score kappa = .184; P <.05). CONCLUSION: Adding SIM to a polyethylene glycol preparation did not improve the ADR or effective procedure time. Nevertheless, it resulted in lower bubble scale scores, and more importantly, in less intraprocedural use of SIM. This simple and inexpensive intervention may have the potential to reduce the risk of endoscope-transmitted infections. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03119168.).

Differences in Prevalence of Large Polyps Between Hispanic Americans from Mexican- and Non-Mexican-Predominant States.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting reports comparing the prevalence of large polyps (>9 mm) between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Differences between Hispanic subpopulations may account for these variations. AIMS: We aimed to assess the prevalence of large polyps (>9 mm) in Hispanics from Mexican- and non-Mexican-predominant states compared with NHW. As secondary outcome, we evaluated results by polyp location. METHODS: The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau was used to identify states with a predominantly Mexican Hispanic (West) versus non-Mexican Hispanic (East) populations. Average-risk colonoscopies in those states from 2001 to 2014 were accessed using the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative database. Military and Veteran's Administration sites were excluded. Hispanics were compared with NHW in each geographical location using hierarchical logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 65,138 procedures were included with 33,425 procedures in the West (14.5% Hispanics) and 31,713 procedures in the East (44.0% Hispanics,). East Hispanics had significantly less odds of large polyps, OR 0.74, CI 0.58-0.94, p = 0.02, while West Hispanics exhibited no difference, OR 0.91, CI 0.76-1.10, p = 0.33, compared with NHW. Eastern Hispanics had less odds of large distal polyps, OR 0.69, CI 0.52-0.91, p = 0.01, and no difference in proximal polyps compared with NHW. Among Western Hispanics, no differences were seen in proximal, OR 1.06, CI 0.83-1.35, p = 0.66, or distal polyps, OR 0.83, CI 0.68-1.02, p = 0.08, compared with NHW. CONCLUSION: Using NHW as a reference, Hispanics from Mexican-predominant states have a similar prevalence of large polyps, while Hispanics from non-Mexican-predominant states have a lower prevalence. Differences in Hispanic subpopulations likely explain previous conflicting reports on the prevalence of large polyps in Hispanics and NHW.

Cholangioscopy Is Safe and Feasible in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although cholangioscopy is widely used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography (ERCP), its safety and feasibility for elderly patients are not well established. We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of cholangioscopy in elderly patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all ERCPs with single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) performed at 3 tertiary referral hospitals from March 2012 through October 2015. We collected data on patient demographics, procedure indications, findings, complications, and success rates (complete success was achieved if all intended diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were performed, such as tissue sample collection or complete removal of stones). The cohort was divided into 3 groups: patients younger than 65 years (group 1, n = 178), patients 65-75 years old (group 2, n = 86), and patients older than 75 years (group 3, n = 77). We used 1-way ANOVA, the χ2 test, and the Wilcoxon sum rank test to compare study variables. The primary aim was to assess rates of complications from ERCP with SOC in elderly patients compared with younger patients. RESULTS: Baseline clinical features were similar among groups, except for a higher prevalence of co-morbidities in group 3. The indication for and findings from ERCP with SOC differed among the groups; stricture or tumor was the most common indication in groups 1 and 3-the most common findings were strictures and masses, respectively. In group 2, choledocholithiasis was the most common indication and finding. The success rate, analyzed in a subset of 209 patients, was 88.5% overall and did not differ significantly among groups. The overall rate of complication was 7.33% with no significant difference among groups (7.30% for group 1, 6.98% for group 2, and 7.79% for group 3) (P < .17). CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective analysis of ERCPs with SOCs, we found this procedure to be safe for elderly patients (older than 75 years), who had rates of complications and hospital admission similar to those of younger patients.

Bowel Preparations Administered the Morning of Colonoscopy Provide Similar Efficacy to a Split Dose Regimen: A Meta Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Comparative efficacy of same-day bowel preparations for colonoscopy remains unclear. AIMS: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of same-day versus split dose bowel preparations for colonoscopy. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Registry, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science and CINAHL. Studies were gathered using keywords: "morning preparation", "morning bowel preparation", "same day bowel preparation", and "colonoscopy." Pooled estimates of bowel preparation quality were analyzed among studies with categorical and continuous outcomes according to relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD). A random effects model was chosen a priori for all analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1216 studies were retrieved with 15 trials meeting inclusion criteria. The categorical outcome of high quality bowel preparation for any same-day bowel preparation versus any split preparation was no different with a RR 0.95 [0.90;1.00] (P=0.62). Adenoma detection rate (ADR) was not different between groups, RR 0.97 [0.79;1.20] (P=0.81). Willingness to repeat and tolerability did not differ (RR 1.14 [0.96,1.36] (P=0.14) and RR 1.00 [0.96;1.04] (P=0.98), respectively. Adverse events were similar except for bloating, which was less frequent among the same-day preparation group, RR 0.68 [0.40;0.94] (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: No clinically significant differences were noted among recipients of same day or split dose regimens. Adenoma detection rate, willingness to repeat and tolerability were similar, but bloating and interference with sleep favored the same-day preparations. Given lack of clinical differences, patient preference should dictate timing of colonoscopy preparation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome on the US Mexico Border: A Survey in an Indigent Population Using Rome III Criteria.

GOALS: To investigate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and its association with health perception and health care-seeking behavior in this Mexican American population. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of IBS ranges from 3% to 20.4% in the United States and 4.4% to 16% in Mexico, based on Rome III and II criteria. However, its epidemiological profile in the US Mexico border is unknown. STUDY: We conducted a survey in a randomly selected indigent population (N=521) recruited into a colon cancer screening program (ACCION). The prevalence of IBS was estimated and a multivariable logistic regression was carried out to determine the associated risk factors. Results are summarized using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 464 (89%) completed the survey (mean age, 56.7 y; female, 74.8%). Country of birth was Mexico in 90.5% and the United States in 8.2% and acculturation was more Spanish (94.8%) than English (5.2%). Overall, 5.6% (95% CI, 3.7-8.1) fulfilled criteria for IBS with a predominance among women (6.9%) versus men (1.7%) (P=0.03). On the basis of multivariable analysis, lower number of bowel movements/week (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.80-1.00), having a primary care physician: 4.09 (1.51-11.12), using herbal treatments: 2.76 (1.08-7.06) and a previous IBS diagnosis: 23.11 (3.44-155.45), were significantly associated with the presence of IBS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS on the US Mexico border is comparable with data obtained from studies in both countries. Consulting a primary care physician as an associated factor may reveal the high rate of health-care seeking in IBS patients, while herbal treatments may reflect a cultural influence.

Hispanic Americans and Non-Hispanic White Americans Have a Similar Inflammatory Bowel Disease Phenotype: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a devastating immune-mediated disease on the rise in Hispanics living in the USA. Prior observational studies comparing IBD characteristics between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) have yielded mixed results. AIMS: We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies examining IBD phenotype in Hispanics compared to NHW. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of US-based studies comparing IBD subtype (Ulcerative Colitis: UC or Crohn's disease: CD) and phenotype (disease location and behavior) between Hispanics and NHW. We evaluated differences in age at IBD diagnosis, the presence of family history and smoking history. A random effects model was chosen "a priori." Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using odds ratio (OR) or standard mean difference (SMD), respectively. RESULTS: Seven studies were included with 687 Hispanics and 1586 NHW. UC was more common in Hispanics compared to NHW (OR 2.07, CI 1.13-3.79, p = 0.02). Location of disease was similar between Hispanics and NHW except for the presence of upper gastrointestinal CD, which was less common in Hispanics (OR 0.58, CI 0.32-1.06, p = 0.07). Hispanics were less likely to smoke (OR 0.48, CI 0.26-0.89, p = 0.02) or have a family history of IBD (OR 0.35, CI 0.22-0.55, p < 0.001). CD behavior classified by Montreal classification and age at IBD diagnosis were similar between Hispanics and NHW. CONCLUSION: UC was more common among US Hispanics compared to NHW. Age at IBD diagnosis is similar for both Hispanics and NHW. For CD, disease behavior is similar, but Hispanics show a trend for less upper gastrointestinal involvement. A family history of IBD and smoking history were less common in Hispanics.

Innovative Technique for Endoscopic Placement of Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube.

OBJECTIVES: The Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube is used in cases of uncontrolled variceal bleeding. Because of the complexity of the procedure and the lack of visualization, various techniques have been described to avoid blind placement. We report an innovative and simple technique for placement of the SB tube under direct endoscopic visualization. METHODS: A grasp-and-place technique for endoscopic placement of SB tubes is described and a retrospective cohort study chart review of endoscopies done for variceal bleeding in our medical center is reported. All patients with uncontrolled variceal bleeding who required placement of an SB tube from July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015 were included. The primary outcome analyses were technical success of tube placement and achievement of hemostasis. RESULTS: Of 143 endoscopies done for variceal bleeding, 10 were managed with SB tubes placed endoscopically after initial endoscopic therapy was unsuccessful. Successful placement of the tube was achieved in all of the patients. Hemostasis was achieved in 9 of the 10 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a new grasp-and-place technique for endoscopic placement of SB tubes. Review of our experience shows that massive variceal bleeding can be managed effectively with this technique.

Eradication Rate of Helicobacter pylori on the US-Mexico Border Using the Urea Breath Test.

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori is prevalent worldwide, especially in Latin America. Triple and quadruple antibiotic therapies have been relatively effective; however, resistance has emerged in recent years. The treatment success rate of these regimens on the border of the United States and Mexico is unknown. Our study attempted to determine eradication rates of two major regimens based on urea breath test (UBT) results in patients previously diagnosed as having H. pylori in a single center in El Paso, Texas, a city on the geographic border with Mexico. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with H. pylori who underwent UBT after being treated with triple therapy (amoxicillin/clarithromycin/proton pump inhibitor for 14 days), quadruple therapy (tetracycline/metronidazole/bismuth/proton pump inhibitor, usually for 10 days), or both for H. pylori from 2010 to 2015 in a county hospital. Patients were excluded if they did not complete therapy or if their treatment regimen was unknown. The Student t test and the χ2 test were used to analyze the data. The cumulative incidence and 95% confidence interval (CI) for treatment success were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients completed the treatment for H. pylori and had UBT. Mean age was 53 years, 76% were women, 85% were Hispanic, and mean body mass index was 30.5 kg/m2. Of the 104 patients diagnosed as having H. pylori, 88 received triple therapy (84.6%) and 16 received quadruple therapy: 12 (11.5%) standard quadruple therapy, 4 (3.9%) triple therapy plus metronidazole. There were no differences between groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, or ethnicity. Overall, 90 (86.5%, 95% CI 78-92) patients had negative UBT after initial treatment. Based on posttreatment UBT, the triple therapy group had a similar eradication rate compared with the quadruple therapy group (78/88, 88.6% vs 12/16, 75.0%, P = 0.22). Of the 14 patients with positive posttreatment UBT, 12 (85.7%) received retreatment (2 were lost to follow-up), 11 (91.7%) received quadruple therapy, and 1 (8.3%) received triple therapy. Eradication was successful in 9 of 12 (75%, 95% CI 43-95) patients at retreatment. As such, of the initial 104 patients, 99/104 (95.2%) achieved H. pylori eradication posttreatment (either initial or retreatment). CONCLUSIONS: In a predominantly Hispanic population on the US-Mexico border, H. pylori eradication rates based on UBT results were relatively high and were similar for triple therapy and quadruple therapy. Quadruple therapy was effective for those who failed the initial H. pylori treatment. This may have implications for cost-effective therapy in our region.

Correlation between adenoma detection rate and novel quality indicators for screening colonoscopy. A proposal for quality measures tool kit.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is the most validated quality indicator for colonoscopy. Calculating ADR may not yield information in regards to advanced adenoma detection rate (advanced ADR). In addition, calculating ADR for individual endoscopists cannot distinguish between those who find only one versus more than one adenoma per colonoscopy. Several novel quality indictors were recently proposed to ensure adequate assessment of quality during colonoscopy. Our study aims to determine the correlation between ADR and novel quality indicators. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing screening colonoscopy in a university hospital setting. Patient characteristics and colonoscopy findings were combined and analyzed to calculate the correlation of ADR with novel quality indicators using Spearman's rank-order correlation were used. RESULTS: A total of 1433 patients out of 2116 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant positive correlation between ADR correlated with [advanced-ADR-2, nonadvanced-ADR, adenoma per colonoscopy, Multiplicity detection rate and ADR-Plus] r = (0.82, 0.99, 0.99, 0.07 and 0.85), respectively. However, ADR did not correlate with advanced-ADR and adenomas per positive participant. CONCLUSION: Adding advanced-ADR and adenomas per positive participant to ADR may create a more comprehensive quality indicators tool kit, which is sensitive and difficult to game. Future studies are needed to investigate the impact of the tool kit on the interval cancers and adenoma missing rate.

Effects of Starting a Gastroenterology Fellowship Training Program on Quality Measures of Colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is the most established indicator of the quality of screening colonoscopy. The effect of gastroenterology (GI) fellows on the quality of screening colonoscopies has been evaluated previously; however, the effect of starting a new GI fellowship program on the quality of screening colonoscopies has not been studied. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of starting a GI fellowship program and the participation of fellows in screening colonoscopies on ADR and other measures of quality. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of all screening colonoscopies performed 20 months before and 20 months after starting the GI fellowship at our medical center (November 2010-February 2014). Colonoscopy procedure notes and pathology records were reviewed for each patient. Data from the two periods were compared using either the Fisher exact test or the two-sample t test. RESULTS: A total of 2127 complete colonoscopies were included in the analysis. The mean age of patients was 58.8 ± 6.6 years. Of the 2127 colonoscopies, GI fellows were involved in 385 (18%), whereas 1742 (82%) were performed solely by GI attendings (attending physicians). Multivariate analysis using relative risk (RR) of regression was done. The after starting the GI fellowship period was significantly associated with an increase in ADR (RR 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.30, P < 0.001) and advanced adenoma detection rate (RR 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.38, P < 0.001) compared with the before starting the GI fellowship period. In the after starting the GI fellowship period, the polyp detection rate and ADR for colonoscopies performed by the attending physicians with the fellows were significantly higher than colonoscopies performed solely by the same attendings (58.4% vs 44.5%, P = 0.001, 42.0% vs 32.9%, P = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Starting a GI fellowship program significantly increased the polyp detection rate, ADR, and advanced ADR.

A prospective study of the risk of bacteremia in directed cholangioscopic examination of the common bile duct.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The frequency of bacteremia during ERCP with cholangioscopy has not been well studied. There are no formal guidelines regarding antibiotic prophylaxis before ERCP with cholangioscopy. The aim was to estimate the frequency of bacteremia and subsequent infectious adverse events after ERCP with cholangioscopy. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized study performed in a single tertiary referral center included adult patients who were undergoing ERCP with cholangioscopic examination of the common bile duct. Blood cultures were drawn from patients before the procedure and 5 and 30 minutes after the procedure. Antibiotics were not given before or after the procedure. Patients were followed up after 24 hours and 1 week after the procedure for infectious adverse events. The primary outcome was bacteremia rate, and secondary outcomes were cholangitis rate and adverse events. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study with 60 procedures performed. The first procedure from each patient was considered in the analysis, and thus we included 57 patients with 57 procedures in this study analysis. Postprocedure bacteremia was seen in 5 of 57 procedures (8.8%; 95% confidence interval, 2.9%-19.3%). Four patients were readmitted with cholangitis (7.0%). Bacteremia was more common in patients who had cholangioscopy with biopsy sampling compared with patients who had cholangioscopy without biopsy sampling (P = .011). Cholangitis was significantly more common in patients with bacteremia than in those patients with a negative blood culture (P = .035). CONCLUSION: ERCP with cholangioscopy is associated with a bacteremia rate of 8.8% and a cholangitis rate of 7.0%. Preprocedural antibiotics may be considered before cholangioscopy, especially if tissue acquisition with biopsy sampling is expected. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01673269.).

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of a Predominantly Hispanic Population with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on the US-Mexico Border.

OBJECTIVES: Information regarding Hispanics with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is scarce. In this study we aimed to describe a predominantly Hispanic population with IBD in a city located along the US-Mexico border and to identify clinical or demographic differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients with IBD between 2003 and 2013 at a tertiary care center. Information collected included age, sex, ethnicity, diagnosis, diagnosis status (new vs old), endoscopic extent of disease (EOD), extraintestinal manifestations, medical treatment, and surgeries performed. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using a two-sided unpaired t test/Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Fisher exact test, respectively. Results with P ≤ 5% were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Hispanics accounted for 71% of the population sample. A total of 141 patients (68%) were diagnosed as having ulcerative colitis (UC) and 67 (32%) as having Crohn disease (CD). The only statistically significant differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics were older age at diagnosis and a higher proportion of new diagnoses in Hispanics with CD (P = 0.008 and 0.009, respectively) The most common EOD in patients with UC was extensive colitis, whereas isolated colonic disease predominated in CD, regardless of ethnicity. Immunomodulators and biologics were used in 3% and 1% of cases, respectively. Treatment regimens were similar in both ethnic groups. Patients with CD were more likely than those with UC to have undergone surgery (27% vs 11%, P = 0.004). Surgery rates did not differ between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, UC was more common than CD, and the EOD of both conditions differed from the one previously described in other Hispanic populations in the United States. The use of immunomodulators and biologics is the lowest reported to date in the country. No clinically relevant differences were seen between Hispanics and non-Hispanics.

Effects of Health Insurance Among Patients on Hepatitis C Treatment Along the Texas-Mexico Border.

The incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is steadily increasing across the world. Increasing morbidity and mortality rates associated with HCV are influencing research on treatment outcomes. The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of health insurance status and office visit compliance on sustained virologic response (SVR) in adult patients living along the Texas-Mexico border treated for HCV and who received dual or triple medication therapy between January 2010 and August 2013. The objective of this project was to determine whether there is an association between health insurance status, and/or office visit compliance, and SVR. We conducted a longitudinal retrospective chart review pilot study of patients who underwent treatment with dual and triple therapy in a border community in Texas. Results revealed that lack of insurance did not affect SVR in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso-based clinic setting due to enrollment into a managed healthcare program. Providing a financial benefit may improve treatment compliance of HCV-infected individuals, reduce overall cost, and improve the patient's quality of life.

Estimation of the Adenoma Detection Rate From the Polyp Detection Rate by Using a Conversion Factor in a Predominantly Hispanic Population.

BACKGROUND: Calculating the adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a complex process in contrast to the polyp detection rate (PDR) that can be easily calculated. The average adenoma to polyp detection rate quotient (APDRQ) was proposed as a conversion factor to estimate the ADR for individual endoscopists from the endoscopist's PDR. However, this conversion factor was not validated in different practice settings. GOAL: To validate the use of the proposed conversion factor in a practice setting with a predominantly Hispanic population. STUDY: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study (December 2007 to November 2012) of screening colonoscopies at a university practice setting with an 86.9% Hispanic population. The actual ADR and PDR were calculated for all endoscopists. The weighted average of ADR to PDR ratio for each endoscopist was used to obtain APDRQ. The APDRQ was used as a conversion multiplier to estimate each endoscopist's ADR using the single endoscopist's PDR. RESULTS: A total of 2148 screening colonoscopies were included. The average PDR for the whole group was 36.9% (range, 11% to 49%). The actual ADR was estimated as 25.5% (range, 11% to 37%). The average APDRQ for our group was 0.68. The estimated ADR was 25.48% (range, 8% to 33%). There was a high correlation between actual ADR and the estimated ADR (Pearson correlation=0.92). CONCLUSIONS: In a practice setting with a predominantly Hispanic population, a conversion factor can be used to estimate ADR from PDR providing a high degree of correlation with the actual ADR.

Varied Clinical Manifestations of Amebic Colitis.

Invasive amebiasis is common worldwide, but infrequently observed in the United States. It is associated with considerable morbidity in patients residing in or traveling to endemic areas. We review the clinical and endoscopic manifestations of amebic colitis to alert physicians to the varied clinical manifestations of this potentially life-threatening disease. Copyright ©Most patients present with watery or bloody diarrhea. Less common presentations of amebic colitis include abdominal pain, overt gastrointestinal bleeding, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease, or the incidental association with colon cancer. Amebic liver abscesses are the most frequent complication. Rectosigmoid involvement may be found on colonoscopy; however, most case series have reported that the cecum is the most commonly involved site, followed by the ascending colon. Endoscopic evaluation should be used to assist in the diagnosis, with attention to the observation of colonic inflammation, ulceration, and amebic trophozoites on histopathological examination.

Streptococcus bovis Bacteremia: Association with Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease in a Predominantly Hispanic Population.

OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus bovis bacteremia has been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, especially colon cancer, neoplastic colon polyps, and other malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have suggested an association with chronic liver parenchymal and biliary tract disorders. We report a series of patients with S. bovis bacteremia in a county hospital in a US city on the border of Mexico to examine the demographic and clinical associations. METHODS: We characterized the demographics, clinical features, and the endoscopic and histopathologic findings in all patients with blood cultures positive for S. bovis at University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, between January 2000 and December 2010. Hospital records were systematically reviewed using a standardized protocol. RESULTS: A total of 21 episodes of S. bovis bacteremia were documented in 21 adult patients. The mean age was 61 (range 25-97), 12 were women, and 20 were Hispanic. Presenting illnesses in these patients were gastrointestinal bleed (4), sepsis (4), cholangitis (3), hepatic encephalopathy (2), altered mental status (2), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (1), septic abortion (1), diarrhea (1), others (3). Chronic liver disease was present in 7 cases (33%), 6 of which were alcohol related (5 with concomitant hepatitis C infection). Infective endocarditis was found in 1 patient. Overall, 10 patients underwent either colonoscopy alone (3), upper endoscopy alone (3), or both (4), and 2 underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Of the 7 (33%) patients who had colonoscopy, pathology was identified in 4 of them, including colon polyps in 3 (43%) and colitis in 1 (14%). Mortality was 19% (4 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding in a series of predominantly Hispanic patients with S. bovis bacteremia in a county hospital setting was consistent with the previously reported association with gastrointestinal disease. Findings on colonoscopy included colonic polyps and colitis, although no cases of colon cancer were found. Chronic liver disease was a common concurrent illness and cholangitis also occurred. There was a significant mortality rate in adults.