Dynamic changes in antibiotic resistance genes and gut microbiota after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies.

BACKGROUND: Short-term antibiotics exposure is associated with alterations in microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the human gut. While antibiotics are critical in the successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the short-term and long-term impacts on the composition and quantity of antibiotics resistance genes after H. pylori eradication are unclear. This study used whole-genome shotgun metagenomic of stool samples to characterize the gut microbiota and ARGs, before and after H. pylori eradication therapy. RESULTS: Forty-four H. pylori-infected patients were recruited, including 21 treatment naïve patients who received clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CLA group) and 23 patients who failed previous therapies, in which 10 received levofloxacin-based quadruple therapy (LEVO group) and 13 received other combinations (OTHER group). Stool samples were collected at baseline (before current treatment), 6 week and 6 month after eradication therapy. At baseline, there was only a slight difference among the three groups on ARGs and gut microbiota. After eradication therapy, there was a transient but significant increase in gut ARGs 6 week post-therapy, among which the LEVO group had the most significant ARGs alteration compared to other two groups. For treatment naïve patients, those with higher ErmF abundance were prone to fail CLA eradication and gain more ARGs after treatment. For gut microbiota, the bacteria richness decreased at 6 week and there was a significant difference in microbiota community among the three groups at 6 week. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated the dynamic alterations in gut microbiota and ARGs induced by different eradication therapies, which could influence the choices of antibiotics in eradication therapy.

Linked color imaging versus narrow-band imaging for colorectal polyp detection: a prospective randomized tandem colonoscopy study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Linked color imaging (LCI) is a newly available image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) system that emphasizes the red mucosal color. No study has yet compared LCI with other available IEE systems. Our aim was to investigate polyp detection rates using LCI compared with narrow-band imaging (NBI). METHODS: This is a prospective randomized tandem colonoscopy study. Eligible patients who underwent colonoscopy for symptoms or screening/surveillance were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive tandem colonoscopy with both colonoscope withdrawals using LCI or NBI. The primary outcome was the polyp detection rate. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-two patients were randomized (mean age, 62 years; 48.2% male; colonoscopy for symptoms, 72.8%) with 136 in each arm. During the first colonoscopy, the polyp detection rate (71.3% vs 55.9%; P = .008), serrated lesion detection rate (34.6% vs 22.1%; P = .02), and mean number of polyps detected (2.04 vs 1.35; P = .02) were significantly higher in the NBI group than in the LCI group. There was also a trend of higher adenoma detection rate in the NBI group compared with the LCI group (51.5% vs 39.7%, respectively; P = .05). Multivariable analysis confirmed that use of NBI (adjusted odds ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.68) and withdrawal time >8 minutes (adjusted odds ratio, 5.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.79-9.67) were associated with polyp detection. Overall, 20.5% of polyps and 18.1% of adenomas were missed by the first colonoscopy, but there was no significant difference in the miss rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: NBI was significantly better than LCI for colorectal polyp detection. However, both LCI and NBI missed 20.5% of polyps. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03336359.).

Prevention of Dabigatran-Related Gastrointestinal Bleeding With Gastroprotective Agents: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Use of dabigatran, an inhibitor of thrombin, increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). However, it is not clear whether gastroprotective agents (GPAs) prevent GIB in dabigatran users. We investigated the risk of GIB and the role of gastroprotective agents (including proton pump inhibitors and histamine type-2-receptor antagonists) in patients using dabigatran. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using a population-wide database managed by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Patients newly prescribed dabigatran from 2010 through 2013 were included in the analysis. Poisson regression was used to assess the risk of GIB in dabigatran users by incidence rate ratio (IRR), adjusted for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and concurrent medications. RESULTS: Among the 5041 patients newly prescribed dabigatran, 124 (2.5%) developed GIB during follow-up evaluation (4.2/100 patient-years). The risk of GIB in this population increased among patients 75 years and older (IRR, 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66-3.68), patients with a history of peptic ulcers or GIB (IRR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.54-3.46), and patients who used aspirin (IRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.03-2.24). Concomitant use of gastroprotective agents was associated with a reduced risk of GIB (IRR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35-0.77). Subcategory analysis showed that use of proton pump inhibitors (IRR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.91) or histamine type-2-receptor antagonists (IRR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.94) were associated with a lower risk of GIB. Further analysis showed that the risk reduction by gastroprotective agents was significant for only upper GIB (IRR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.15-0.54), and only for patients with a prior history of peptic ulcers or GIB (IRR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.06-0.30). CONCLUSIONS: In the Hong Kong population, use of gastroprotective agents was associated with a reduced risk of GIB in patients taking dabigatran. The association was stronger for upper GIB than lower GIB, and in patients with a prior history of peptic ulcers or GIB.

Treatment of Gastric Metaplasia or Dysplasia by Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are at increased risk of gastric cancer development. We tested the feasibility of using endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of dysplasia and metaplasia in the stomach. METHODOLOGY: Patients who had histologically confirmed low-grade gastric dysplasia or IM were recruited. Endoscopic RFA was performed at 8 week-intervals for a maximum of 3 sessions. All patients were followed up by endoscopy until 12 months post-RFA. The primary outcome was the complete eradication of dysplasia or IM on follow-up. Secondary outcome was adverse events related to RFA. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients were recruited. Four patients had low-grade dysplasia and the remaining 8 patients had non-dysplastic IM at baseline. At one year after RFA, complete eradication of dysplasia was noted in four patients with low-grade dysplasia (100%). Gastric IM persisted in all patients with baseline metaplasia but the severity of IM improved in 6 (75%) patients. Endoscopic RFA was safe with minimal complications encountered. CONCLUSIONS: RFA successfully eradicated low-grade dysplasia of the stomach. Gastric IM however persisted after RFA but most patients had evidence of histological improvement on follow up.

Ten day sequential versus 10 day modified bismuth quadruple therapy as empirical firstline and secondline treatment for Helicobacter pylori in Chinese patients: an open label, randomised, crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: Treatments with sequential therapy (SEQ) or bismuth quadruple (QUAD) therapy have been proposed as empirical firstline regimens for Helicobacter pylori. We compared the efficacy and tolerability of 10 day SEQ with 10 day modified QUAD as both firstline and secondline treatments for H pylori in a randomised crossover study. DESIGN: H pylori positive and treatment naïve patients were randomly assigned to receive either 10 day SEQ (esomeprazole for 10 days, amoxicillin for an initial 5 days, followed by clarithromycin and metronidazole for a subsequent 5 days) or modified QUAD (esomeprazole, bismuth subcitrate, tetracycline and metronidazole). H pylori eradication was confirmed by urea breath test at 8 weeks. Patients who failed the initial assigned treatment were crossed over to receive the alternate regimen. The primary outcome was eradication rates of firstline treatment by intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. RESULTS: 357 patients were randomised to receive either SEQ or QUAD. The PP eradication rates of the SEQ and QUAD groups were 95.2% and 98.8%, respectively (p=0.10). Based on ITT analysis, the corresponding eradication rates were 89.4% and 92.7%, respectively (p=0.36). Eight (4.8%) patients in the SEQ and two (1.2%) patients in the QUAD who failed the firstline treatment were crossed over to the alternate regimen with 100% retreatment success. The overall incidence of adverse events was higher in the QUAD (16.7%) than in the SEQ (8.1%; p=0.032) group. CONCLUSIONS: Ten day sequential and modified bismuth quadruple therapies are both highly effective as empirical firstline therapies for H pylori in Chinese patients. CLINICALTRIALSGOV: NCT 01760824.

Detection of colorectal adenoma by narrow band imaging (HQ190) vs. high-definition white light colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The benefits of narrow band imaging (NBI) on enhancing colorectal adenoma detection remain questionable. We tested whether the new generation of NBI (190-NBI), which is twice as bright as the previous version, would improve adenoma detection when compared with high-definition white light (HD-WL) colonoscopy. METHODS: It was a randomized controlled trial with tandem colonoscopy. We recruited patients who underwent colonoscopy for symptoms, screening, or surveillance. Patients were randomized for the use of either 190-NBI or HD-WL on withdrawal. Tandem colonoscopy was performed by using the same assigned colonoscope and withdrawal method. Lesions detected on first-pass and second-pass examination were used for adenoma detection and miss rates, respectively. The primary outcomes were adenoma and polyp detection rates. RESULTS: A total of 360 patients were randomized to undergo either 190-NBI or HD-WL colonoscopy. Both the adenoma and polyp detection rates were significantly higher in the 190-NBI group compared with the HD-WL group (adenoma: 48.3% vs. 34.4%, P=0.01; polyps: 61.1% vs. 48.3%, P=0.02). The mean number of polyps detected per patient was higher in the 190-NBI group (1.49% vs. 1.13, P=0.07). There was no significant difference in the adenoma miss rates between the two groups (21.8% vs. 21.2%). Multivariate analysis showed that the use of 190-NBI (odds ratio (OR) 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-3.12), withdrawal time (OR 1.29; CI 1.19-1.38), patient's age (OR 1.04; CI 1.01-1.06), and male gender (OR 2.38; CI 1.42-3.99) were associated with adenoma detection. CONCLUSIONS: 190-NBI colonoscopy was superior to the conventional HD-WL in detecting colorectal adenomas or polyps, but there was no significant difference in adenoma miss rates.

A large case-control study on the predictability of hepatitis B surface antigen levels three years before hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

UNLABELLED: The kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels preceding spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance has not been fully investigated. The kinetics of HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA of 203 treatment-naïve, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance were compared with 203 age- and sex-matched HBeAg-negative controls. Serum samples at 3 years, 2 years, 1 year, and 6 months before HBsAg seroclearance and at the time of HBsAg loss were tested. Median HBsAg levels at these respective time points before HBsAg seroclearance were 23.5, 3.51, 0.524, and 0.146 IU/mL. For all time points, patients with HBsAg seroclearance had significantly lower median HBsAg and HBV DNA levels, compared to those of the controls (all P < 0.001). Median HBsAg and HBV DNA levels declined significantly until HBsAg seroclearance (P < 0.001). Although median HBsAg levels also decreased significantly with time (P = 0.006) in controls, median HBV DNA levels remained similar (P = 0.414). Serum HBsAg levels, followed by HBsAg log reduction, were the best predictors of HBsAg seroclearance, with an area under the receiving operator characteristic (AUROC) of 0.833 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.792-0.873) and 0.803 (95% CI: 0.755-0.849), respectively. The optimal cut-off HBsAg level and HBsAg reduction to predict HBsAg seroclearance were <200 IU/mL (sensitivity, 84.2%; specificity, 73.4%) and 0.5 log IU/mL/year (sensitivity, 62.8%; specificity, 88.7%), respectively. For patients with HBsAg levels ≥ 200 IU/mL, an annual 0.5-log reduction was highly predictive of subsequent HBsAg seroclearance (AUROC, 0.867; 95% CI: 0.778-0.956). CONCLUSION: To conclude, serum HBsAg <200 IU/mL and 0.5-log reduction in HBsAg were predictive of HBsAg seroclearance within 3 years of follow-up. These parameters may serve as good indicators for the consideration of treatment duration and cessation for chronic hepatitis B.

Cardiovascular sequalae in uncomplicated COVID-19 survivors.

BACKGROUND: A high proportion of COVID-19 patients were reported to have cardiac involvements. Data pertaining to cardiac sequalae is of urgent importance to define subsequent cardiac surveillance. METHODS: We performed a systematic cardiac screening for 97 consecutive COVID-19 survivors including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, serum troponin and NT-proBNP assay 1-4 weeks after hospital discharge. Treadmill exercise test and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) were performed according to initial screening results. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.5 ± 18.6 years; 53.6% were men. All were classified with non-severe disease without overt cardiac manifestations and did not require intensive care. Median hospitalization stay was 17 days and median duration from discharge to screening was 11 days. Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 42.3% including sinus bradycardia (29.9%), newly detected T-wave abnormality (8.2%), elevated troponin level (6.2%), newly detected atrial fibrillation (1.0%), and newly detected left ventricular systolic dysfunction with elevated NT-proBNP level (1.0%). Significant sinus bradycardia with heart rate below 50 bpm was detected in 7.2% COVID-19 survivors, which appeared to be self-limiting and recovered over time. For COVID-19 survivors with persistent elevation of troponin level after discharge or newly detected T wave abnormality, echocardiography and CMR did not reveal any evidence of infarct, myocarditis, or left ventricular systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Cardiac abnormality is common amongst COVID-survivors with mild disease, which is mostly self-limiting. Nonetheless, cardiac surveillance in form of ECG and/or serum biomarkers may be advisable to detect more severe cardiac involvement including atrial fibrillation and left ventricular dysfunction.

Combined Use of Common Fecal and Blood Markers for Detection of Endoscopically Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring of disease activity is essential in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Although endoscopic remission is the ideal therapeutic goal, noninvasive biomarkers (blood and fecal) are more acceptable to patients and are less costly. We evaluated the performance of combinations of fecal and blood markers on the detection of endoscopically active disease. METHODS: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) on stable medications were recruited. Blood markers included C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin, platelet count (PLT), and hemoglobin. Fecal biomarkers included fecal calprotectin (FCT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT). These markers were compared with the endoscopic Mayo score for UC and the Simple Endoscopic Score for CD. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients (mean age 44.7 years, 63.7% men, 54.9% patients with UC and 45.1% patients with CD) were recruited. FCT correlated well with FIT (r = 0.58), CRP (r = 0.56), ESR (r = 0.40), albumin (r = -0.54), PLT (r = 0.61), and hemoglobin (r = -0.35; all Ps < 0.001). Among 66 patients with endoscopic evaluation, 39.4% with endoscopically active disease had higher FCT, FIT, CRP, ESR, PLT, lower albumin, and hemoglobin compared with those in endoscopic remission (all Ps < 0.01). All 7 markers demonstrated good area under receiver operating characteristics (>0.7), with FCT being the best (0.91) for endoscopically active disease. Combining FCT and FIT improved the specificity to 95%, but the sensitivity decreased to 65.4%. In the subgroup analysis of UC, adding PLT to FIT improved the sensitivity and specificity to 100% and 90.9%, respectively. DISCUSSION: The combined use of fecal biomarkers and blood indexes is superior to the use of fecal biomarkers alone in identifying endoscopically active disease.

Clarithromycin-amoxycillin-containing triple therapy: a valid empirical first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Hong Kong?

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested the eradication rate for Helicobacter pylori infection with standard amoxycillin-clarithromycin-containing triple therapy as first-line treatment have fallen below 80%. Levofloxacin-containing triple therapy was proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the standard 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy against the 7-day levofloxacin-containing triple therapy, and to assess whether the classical triple therapy is still valid as empirical first-line treatment for H. pylori infection in Hong Kong. METHODS: Three hundred consecutive H. pylori-positive patients were randomized to receive either 1 week of EAL (esomeprazole 20 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d., and levofloxacin 500 mg daily) or EAC (esomeprazole 20 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d., and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d.). H. pylori status was rechecked by (13)C-urea breath test 6 weeks after treatment. Patients who failed either of the first-line eradication therapy were invited to undergo H. pylori susceptibility testing. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication was achieved in 128 of 150 (85.3%) patients in EAL and 139 of 150 (92.7%) patients in EAC groups, respectively (p = .043), for both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. More patients in the clarithromycin- than the levofloxacin-containing therapy group developed side effects from the medication (21.3% vs 13.3%, p = .060). Nine patients (six from the EAL group and three from the EAC group) who failed their corresponding eradication therapy returned for susceptibility testing. All nine isolates were highly resistant to levofloxacin (minimum inhibitory concentration or MIC > 32 microg/mL), whereas only two of the six isolates from the EAL group were resistant to clarithromycin (MIC > 0.5 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: The standard 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy is still valid as the most effective empirical first-line eradication therapy for H. pylori infection in Hong Kong, as prevalence of primary resistance of H. pylori to amoxycillin and clarithromycin remains low. Patients who failed their empirical first-line eradication therapy should undergo H. pylori susceptibility testing to guide further treatment.

Quality of life and psychological impact in patients with noncardiac chest pain.

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is common and data regarding noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) in Asia are lacking. AIM: To determine the differences in clinical presentations, psychologic impact, and quality of life between patients with NCCP and cardiac chest pain (CCP), and to identify any factors that impacted on these patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain were recruited in Hong Kong and Wuhan, China. One hundred and forty patients with abnormal and 141 patients with normal angiography were included in the study. The validated gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used for assessment. RESULTS: NCCP patients reported similar days-off work and impairment of their social life compared with those with CCP. No difference was found in the anxiety and depression scores between the 2 groups. NCCP patients with reflux symptoms had higher anxiety score (7.19 vs. 5.74, P=0.044), reported more interruption of their social life (26% vs. 5%, P<0.0001), and had taken more sick leaves (17% vs. 5%, P=0.018) compared with those without gastroesophageal reflux disease. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life and psychologic impact of patients with NCCP were as significant as those with CCP. NCCP patients with reflux symptoms were more anxious and were impaired in their productivity and social life.

Rates of metachronous adenoma after curative resection for left-sided or right-sided colon cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We determined the rates of metachronous colorectal neoplasm in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after resection for right (R)-sided or left (L)-sided cancer. METHODS: Consecutive CRC patients who had undergone surgical resection for curative intent in our hospital between 2001 and 2004 were identified. R-sided colonic cancers refer to cancer proximal to splenic flexure whereas L-sided cancers include rectal cancers. Patients were included only if they had a clearing colonoscopy performed either before or within 6 months after the operation. Findings of surveillance colonoscopy performed up to 5 years after colonic resection were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Eight hundred and sixty-three CRC patients underwent curative surgical resection during the study period. Three hundred and twenty-seven patients (107 R-sided and 220 L-sided) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and had at least 1 postoperative surveillance colonoscopy performed. The proportion of patients who had polyp and adenoma on surveillance colonoscopy was significantly higher among patients with L-sided than R-sided cancers (polyps: 30.9% vs. 19.6%, P=0.03; adenomas: 25.5% vs. 13.1%, P=0.01). The mean number of adenoma per patient on surveillance colonoscopy was also higher for patients with L-sided than R-sided tumors (0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.68 vs. 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08-0.35; P<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that L-sided cancers, age, male gender and longer follow-up were independent predictors of adenoma detection on surveillance colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Lsided cancer had a higher rate of metachronous polyps and adenoma than those with R-sided cancer on surveillance colonoscopy.

Prevention of post-sphincterotomy bleeding by proton pump inhibitor: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Although the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduces the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding, their role in preventing EST bleeding has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the use of pre-emptive PPIs in patients undergoing EST. METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized study. Consecutive patients scheduled to undergo ERCP and EST were enrolled after excluding those who had previous EST or used acid-suppression agents. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either PPI or standard care. The PPI group received intravenous esomeprazole 4 h before the EST and then every 12 h for 1 day, followed by high-dose oral esomeprazole for 10 days. All patients were followed up for 30 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with combined immediate and delayed overt post-EST bleeding. RESULTS: Altogether 125 patients (60 in the PPI arm and 65 in the standard care arm) who had undergone EST were analyzed. Immediate bleeding was noted in nine (15.0%) patients in the PPI group and four (6.2%) in the standard care group (P = 0.14). Overt delayed post-EST bleeding was seen in two (3.3%) and five (7.7%) patients in PPI and standard care arms, respectively (P = 0.44). There were no significant differences in other outcomes, including a decrease in hemoglobin of >20 g/L, the need for blood transfusion, length of hospital stay and 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive PPI did not reduce the risk of post-EST bleeding.

Success rate of motor evoked potentials for intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring: effects of age, lesion location, and preoperative neurologic deficits.

Transcranial electrical stimulation with myogenic motor evoked potential (MEP) recording was used for intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring in 341 consecutive "high-risk" neurosurgical or orthopedic procedures. Overall, the success rate for establishing reliable MEP response was 94.8% for upper extremities and 66.6% for lower extremities. The rate was only 39.1% for lower extremities in patients with preoperative motor deficit and up to 81% in neurologically intact adults. Further analysis demonstrated that extremes of age or the presence of a lesion in the spinal cord and motor deficit contributed to failure in obtaining reliable MEPs.

Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients.

AIM: To investigate if increased dietary fiber, in terms of kiwifruit, is effective in Chinese constipated patients. METHODS: 33 constipated patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited for a 4-wk treatment of kiwi fruit twice daily. Response during wk 1-4 was defined as an increase in complete spontaneous bowl, motion (CSBM) > or = 1/wk. Secondary efficacy included response during wk 1-4, individual symptoms and scores of bowel habits and constipation. Responses were compared with the baseline run-in period. Colonic transit time and anorectal manometry were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Responder rate was 54.5% in the constipated group. The mean CSBM increased after treatment (2.2 +/- 2.6 vs 4.4 +/- 4.6, P = 0.013). There was also improvement in the scores for bothersomeness of constipation (P = 0.02), and satisfaction of bowel habit (P = 0.001), and decreased in days of laxative used (P = 0.003). There was also improvement in transit time (P = 0.003) and rectal sensation (P < 0.05). However, there was no change in the bowel symptoms or anorectal physiology in the healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Increasing dietary fiber intake is effective in relieving chronic constipation in Chinese population.

Symptom resolution does not predict healing of erosive oesophagitis in Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that Chinese have a milder spectrum of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and a lower dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) is sufficient for the control of symptoms as compared with the Western population. AIMS: To determine if 8 weeks of esomeprazole 20 mg daily would be adequate for both symptom resolution and oesophagitis healing in Chinese patients and the predictive factors for the response. METHODS: 66 patients with oesophagitis were included. Oesophagitis severity was graded by Los Angeles (LA) classification. 61 patients underwent 24-hour ambulatory pH study at baseline. All were given esomeprazole 20 mg daily for 8 weeks. Symptom response and healing of oesophagitis was assessed at the end of the treatment period. RESULTS: 75.8% of the patients had complete reflux symptom resolution but only 48% had complete healing of the oesophagitis at endoscopy after 8 weeks of treatment. LA classification grading at baseline endoscopy (p < 0.0001) and total number acid reflux episodes on 24-hour pH monitoring prior to treatment (p = 0.007) were both good predictors of oesophagitis healing but not for symptom resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that 8 weeks of lower dose PPI is not sufficient for oesophagitis healing. Symptom resolution with PPI does not predict oesophagitis healing in Chinese.

Prevalence of colorectal neoplasm among patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease.

CONTEXT: Colorectal neoplasm and coronary artery disease (CAD) share similar risk factors, and their co-occurrence may be associated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in patients with CAD in a cross-sectional study and to identify the predisposing factors for the association of the 2 diseases. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients in Hong Kong, China, were recruited for screening colonoscopy after undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD during November 2004 to June 2006. Presence of CAD (n = 206) was defined as at least 50% diameter stenosis in any 1 of the major coronary arteries; otherwise, patients were considered CAD-negative (n = 208). An age- and sex-matched control group was recruited from the general population (n = 207). Patients were excluded for use of aspirin or statins, personal history of colonic disease, or colonoscopy in the past 10 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in CAD-positive, CAD-negative, and general population participants was determined. Bivariate logistic regression was performed to study the association between colorectal neoplasm and CAD and to identify risk factors for the association of the 2 diseases after adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: The prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in the CAD-positive, CAD-negative, and general population groups was 34.0%, 18.8%, and 20.8% (P < .001 by chi2 test), prevalence of advanced lesions was 18.4%, 8.7%, and 5.8% (P < .001), and prevalence of cancer was 4.4%, 0.5%, and 1.4% (P = .02), respectively. Fifty percent of the cancers in CAD-positive participants were early stage. After adjusting for age and sex, an association still existed between colorectal neoplasm and presence of CAD (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.70; P = .002) and between advanced lesions and presence of CAD (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.43-4.35; P = .001). The metabolic syndrome (OR, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.43-27.94; P = .02) and history of smoking (OR, 4.74; 95% CI, 1.38-18.92; P = .02) were independent factors for the association of advanced colonic lesions and CAD. CONCLUSIONS: In this study population undergoing coronary angiography, the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm was greater in patients with CAD. The association between the presence of advanced colonic lesions and CAD was stronger in persons with the metabolic syndrome and a history of smoking.

Artificial neural network accurately predicts hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and seroconversion are regarded as favorable outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to develop artificial neural networks (ANNs) that could accurately predict HBsAg seroclearance or seroconversion on the basis of available serum variables. METHODS: Data from 203 untreated, HBeAg-negative CHB patients with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance (63 with HBsAg seroconversion), and 203 age- and sex-matched HBeAg-negative controls were analyzed. ANNs and logistic regression models (LRMs) were built and tested according to HBsAg seroclearance and seroconversion. Predictive accuracy was assessed with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS: Serum quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) and HBV DNA levels, qHBsAg and HBV DNA reduction were related to HBsAg seroclearance (P<0.001) and were used for ANN/LRM-HBsAg seroclearance building, whereas, qHBsAg reduction was not associated with ANN-HBsAg seroconversion (P = 0.197) and LRM-HBsAg seroconversion was solely based on qHBsAg (P = 0.01). For HBsAg seroclearance, AUROCs of ANN were 0.96, 0.93 and 0.95 for the training, testing and genotype B subgroups respectively. They were significantly higher than those of LRM, qHBsAg and HBV DNA (all P<0.05). Although the performance of ANN-HBsAg seroconversion (AUROC 0.757) was inferior to that for HBsAg seroclearance, it tended to be better than those of LRM, qHBsAg and HBV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: ANN identifies spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in HBeAg-negative CHB patients with better accuracy, on the basis of easily available serum data. More useful predictors for HBsAg seroconversion are still needed to be explored in the future.

Factors for hepatitis B vaccination and abnormal liver function in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a single center experience.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic and past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to determine the risk factors associated with having received no vaccination for HBV and abnormal liver function among our patients. METHODS: The prevalence of chronic or past infection with HBV infection and effective HBV vaccination were determined in patients with IBD who attended the IBD Clinic of the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, China. Risk factors associated with the absence of HBV vaccination and abnormal liver function were identified. RESULTS: A total of 267 Chinese IBD patients (166 ulcerative colitis and 101 Crohn's disease) were enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 10.5 years. Chronic and past HBV infection was detected in 6.7% and 28.5% patients, respectively. Altogether 102 patients lacked effective HBV vaccination. Multivariate analysis found that elder age at diagnosis of IBD (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-0.94) and the absence of using thiopurine (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.94) were associated with the presence of anti-HBs. Abnormal liver function was detected in 27 (10.1%) patients. The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3-16.0), previous bowel resection (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.2) and male gender (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.4-13.7) were significant risk factors for abnormal liver function. CONCLUSIONS: The use of thiopurine and younger age at diagnosis were associated with no vaccination against HBV in Chinese IBD patients. Chronic or past HBV infection was, however, not associated with abnormal liver function in these patients.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kinetics in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the differences in HBsAg kinetics at different levels of viremia in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: We compared HBsAg levels among HBeAg-negative CHB patients with persistently undetectable HBV DNA (≤20 IU/mL; Group A, n = 100), HBV DNA 20-2,000 IU/mL (Group B, n = 100), and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL (Group C, n = 100). HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured at three consecutive time points during follow-up (median 21.4 months). RESULTS: Median HBsAg levels were significantly lower in Group A than in Groups B and C at all time points (p < 0.001). HBV DNA and HBsAg levels were weakly correlated (r = 0.180 and 0.151 for Groups B and C, respectively). Among patients with HBsAg <100 IU/mL, Group A patients had the greatest median serum HBsAg reduction (0.341 log IU/mL/year; Group B, 0.122 log IU/mL/year; Group C, 0.057 log IU/mL/year; p = 0.002). Among Group A patients with HBsAg <100 IU/mL, baseline HBsAg achieved an AUROC of 0.876 in predicting >1 log annual HBsAg reduction; 10-100 IU/mL HBsAg was the optimal level for prediction (sensitivity 90 %; specificity 74.6 %). Serum HBsAg/HBV DNA ratios were significantly higher in Group B than in Groups A and C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA and HBsAg were weakly correlated. Only patients with undetectable HBV DNA showed decline in HBsAg levels during follow-up. The greatest reduction in HBsAg levels occurred in patients with baseline HBsAg <100 IU/mL.