Efficacy and safety of rebamipide/nizatidine in patients with erosive gastritis: A randomized, multicenter, phase 4 study

BACKGROUND For the treatment of gastritis,rebamipide,a mucoprotective agent,and nizatidine,a gastric acid suppressant,are commonly employed individually.AIM To compare the efficacy of Mucotra®SR(rebamipide 150 mg)and Axid®(nizatidine 150 mg)combination therapy with the sole administration of Axid®in managing erosive gastritis.METHODS A total of 260 patients diagnosed with endoscopically confirmed erosive gastritis were enrolled in this open-label,multicenter,randomized,phase 4 clinical trial,allocating them into two groups:Rebamipide/nizatidine combination twice daily vs nizatidine twice daily for 2 weeks.The full-analysis set analysis encompassed 239 patients(rebamipide/nizatidine,n=121;nizatidine,n=118),while the per-protocol analysis included 218 patients(n=110 vs 108).Post-treatment assessments comprised primary(erosion improvement rate)and secondary(erosion and edema cure rates,erythema improvement rates,hemorrhage,and gastrointestinal symptoms)endpoints.Furthermore,drug-related adverse effects were evaluated.RESULTS Primary efficacy assessment showed a statistically significant improvement rate in mucosal erosions in the combination group compared to the control group in the full-analysis set(rebamipide/nizatidine 62.0%,nizatidine 49.2%,P=0.046),with a similar trend noted in the per-protocol analysis(62.7%vs 50.0%,P=0.058).Both groups were effective in curing erosion and edema and improvement of bleeding,erythema,and gastrointestinal symptoms,whereas no inter-group differences were noted.When confined to the participants with gastritis symptoms,improvement of erosion was more optimal in the combination group(63.0%vs 49.5%,P=0.046).No adverse events related to the drugs were observed.CONCLUSION Rebamipide/nizatidine combination is effective in treatment of erosive gastritis.

Self-expandable metallic stents for palliation of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer

AIM: To ascertain clinical outcome and complications of self-expandable metal stents for endoscopic palliation of patients with malignant obstruction of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed throughout August 2000 to June 2005 of 53 patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer. All patients had symptomatic obstruction including nausea, vomiting, and decreased oral intake. All received self-expandable metallic stents. RESULTS: Stent implantation was successful in all 53 (100%) patients. Relief of obstructive symptoms was achieved in 43 (81.1%) patients. No immediate stent-related complications were noted. Seventeen patients had recurrent obstruction (tumor ingrowth in 14 patients, tumor overgrowth in 1 patient, and partial distal stent migration in 2 patients). The mean survival was 145 d. Median stent patency time was 187 d. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective treatment for the palliation of patients with inoperable malignant gastric outlet obstruction caused by stomach cancer.

Significant risk and associated factors of active tuberculosis infection in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease using anti-TNF agents

AIM:To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of Korean tuberculosis(TB) infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) undergoing anti-TNF treatment.METHODS:The data of IBD patients treated with anti-TNFs in 13 tertiary referral hospitals located in the southeastern region of Korea were collected retrospectively.They failed to show response or were intolerant to conventional treatments,including steroids or immunomodulators.Screening measures for latent TB infection(LTBI)and the incidence and risk factors ofactive TB infection after treatment with anti-TNFs were identified.RESULTS:Overall,376 IBD patients treated with antiTNF agents were recruited(male 255,mean age of anti-TNF therapy 32.5±13.0 years);277 had Crohn’s disease,99 had ulcerative colitis,294 used infliximab,and 82 used adalimumab.Before anti-TNF treatment,screening tests for LTBI including an interferon gamma release assay or a tuberculin skin test were performed in 82.2%of patients.Thirty patients(8%)had LTBI.Sixteen cases of active TB infection including one TB-related mortality occurred during 801 personyears(PY)follow-up(1997.4 cases per 100000 PY)after anti-TNF treatment.LTBI(OR=5.76,95%CI:1.57-21.20,P=0.008)and WBC count<5000 mm3(OR=4.5,95%CI:1.51-13.44,P=0.007)during follow-up were identified as independently associated risk factors.CONCLUSION:Anti-TNFs significantly increase the risk of TB infection in Korean patients with IBD.The considerable burden of TB and marked immunosuppression might be attributed to this risk.

Adult intussusception caused by cystic lymphangioma of the colon:A rare case report

We experienced a case of intussusception caused by cystic lymphangioma of the colon in a 32 years old female who was admitted to our hospital for the chief complaint of bloody stool. In the colonoscopic examination, cystic mass with stalk which had smooth mucosal surface was noted at the descending colon. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed left colon intussusception with a multilocular cystic tumor as a leading point. Emergent operation was performed. On the histopathologic examination, the cystically dilated spaces lined by endothelium and septated by fibrous septa were present. The pathological diagnosis was cystic lymphangioma of the colon. Although intussusception due to lymphangioma in an adult are rare, it should be taken into consideration that it is possible diagnosis.

Is forceps more useful than visualization for measurement of colon polyp size?

AIM: To identify whether the forceps estimation is more useful than visual estimation in the measurement of colon polyp size.METHODS: We recorded colonoscopy video clips that included scenes visualizing the polyp and scenes using open biopsy forceps in association with the polyp, which were used for an exam. A total of 40 endoscopists from the Busan Ulsan Gyeongnam Intestinal Study Group Society(BIGS) participated in this study. Participants watched 40 pairs of video clips of the scenes for visual estimation and forceps estimation, and wrote down the estimated polyp size on the exam paper. When analyzing the results of the exam, we assessed interobserver differences, diagnostic accuracy, and error range in the measurement of the polyp size.R E S U LT S : The overall intra-class correlation coefficients(ICC) of inter-observer agreement for forceps estimation and visual estimation were 0.804(95%CI: 0.731-0.873, P < 0.001) and 0.743(95%CI: 0.656-0.828, P < 0.001), respectively. The ICCs of each group for forceps estimation were higher than those for visual estimation(Beginner group, 0.761 vs 0.693; Expert group, 0.887 vs 0.840, respectively). The overall diagnostic accuracy for visual estimation was 0.639 and for forceps estimation was 0.754(P < 0.001). In the beginner group and the expert group, the diagnostic accuracy for the forceps estimation was significantly higher than that of the visual estimation(Beginner group, 0.734 vs 0.613, P < 0.001; Expert group, 0.784 vs 0.680, P < 0.001, respectively). The overall error range for visual estimation and forceps estimation were 1.48 ± 1.18 and 1.20 ± 1.10, respectively(P < 0.001). The error ranges of each group for forceps estimation were significantly smaller than those for visual estimation(Beginner group, 1.38 ± 1.08 vs 1.68 ± 1.30, P < 0.001; Expert group, 1.12 ± 1.11 vs 1.42 ± 1.11, P < 0.001, respectively).CONCLUSION: Application of the open biopsy forceps method when measuring colon polyp size could help reduce inter-observer differences and error rates.