Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related early perforations:A study of effects of procedure duration,complexity,and endoscopist experience

BACKGROUND Perforations(Perf)during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)are rare(<1%)but potentially fatal events(up to 20%mortality).Given its rarity,most data is through case series studies from centers or analysis of large databases.Although a meta-analysis has shown fewer adverse events as a composite(bleeding,pancreatitis,Perf)during ERCP performed at high-volume centers,there is very little real-world data on endoscopist and center procedural volumes,ERCP duration and complexity on the occurrence of Perf.AIM To study the profile of Perf related to ERCP by center and endoscopist procedure volume,ERCP time,and complexity from a national endoscopic repository.Patients from clinical outcomes research initiative-national endoscopic database(2000-2012)who underwent ERCP were stratified based on the endoscopist and center volume(quartiles),and total procedure duration and complexity grade of the ERCP based on procedure details.The effects of these variables on the Perf that occurred were studied.Continuous variables were compared between Perf and no perforations(NoPerf)using the Mann-Whitney U test as the data demonstrated significant skewness and kurtosis.RESULTS A total of 14153 ERCPs were performed by 258 endoscopists,with 20 reported Perf(0.14%)among 16 endoscopists.Mean patient age in years 61.6±14.8 vs 58.1±18.8(Perf vs.NoPerf,P=NS).The cannulation rate was 100%and 91.5%for Perf and NoPerf groups,respectively.13/20(65%)of endoscopists were high-volume performers in the 4th quartile,and 11/20(55%)of Perf occurred in centers with the highest volumes(4th quartile).Total procedure duration in minutes was 60.1±29.9 vs 40.33±23.5(Perf vs NoPerf,P<0.001).Fluoroscopy duration in minutes was 3.3±2.3 vs 3.3±2.6(Perf vs NoPerf P=NS).50%of the procedures were complex and greater than grade 1 difficulty.3/20(15%)patients had prior biliary surgery.13/20(65%)had sphincterotomies performed with stent insertion.Peritonitis occurred in only 1/20(0.5%).CONCLUSION Overall adverse events as a composite during ERCP are known to occur at a lower rate with higher volume endoscopists and centers.However,Perf studied from the national database show prolonged and more complex procedures performed by high-volume endoscopists at high-volume centers contribute to Perf.

Prognostic significance of red blood cell distribution width in gastrointestinal disorders

The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a routinely measured and automatically reported blood parameter,which reflects the degree of anisocytosis. Recently,the baseline RDW was found to have clinical significance for assessing clinical outcome and severity of various pathological conditions including cardiovascular diseases,sepsis,cancers,leukemia,renal dysfunction and respiratory diseases. A myriad of factors,most of which ill-defined,have an impact on the red cell population dynamics(i.e.,production,maturation and turnover). A delay in the red blood cell clearance in pathological conditions represents one of the leading determinants of increased anisocytosis. Further study of RDW may reveal new insight into inflammation mechanisms. In this review,we specifically discuss the current literature about the association of RDW in various disease conditions involving the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems. We also present some of the related measurements for their value in predicting clinical outcomes in such conditions. According to our data,RDW was found to be a valuable prognostic index in gastrointestinal disorders along with additional inflammatory biomarkers(i.e.,C reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and platelet count) and current disease severity indices used in clinical practice.

Non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic viral hepatitis: Current insights and advancements

Primary liver cancers carry significant morbidity and mortality.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)develops within the hepatic parenchyma and is the most common malignancy originating from the liver.Although 80%of HCCs develop within background cirrhosis,20%may arise in a non-cirrhotic milieu and are referred to non-cirrhotic-HCC(NCHCC).NCHCC is often diagnosed late due to lack of surveillance.In addition,the rising prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus have increased the risk of developing HCC on noncirrhotic patients.Viral infections such as chronic Hepatitis B and less often chronic hepatitis C with advance fibrosis are associated with NCHCC.NCHCC individuals may have Hepatitis B core antibodies and occult HBV infection,signifying the role of Hepatitis B infection in NCHCC.Given the effectiveness of current antiviral therapies,surgical techniques and locoregional treatment options,nowadays such patients have more options and potential for cure.However,these lesions need early identification with diagnostic models and multiple surveillance strategies to improve overall outcomes.Better understanding of the NCHCC risk factors,tumorigenesis,diagnostic tools and treatment options are critical to improving prognosis and overall outcomes on these patients.In this review,we aim to discuss NCHCC epidemiology,risk factors,and pathogenesis,and elaborate on NCHCC diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Sarcopenia in hepatocellular carcinoma:Current knowledge and future directions

Liver cancer is the second most occurring cancer worldwide and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common(80%-90%)type among malignant liver cancers.Sarcopenia occurs very early in HCC and can predict and provide an opportunity to improve muscle health before engaging in the treatment options such as loco-regional,systemic,and transplant management.Multiple prognostic stating systems have been developed in HCC,such as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer,Child-Pugh score and Albumin-Bilirubin grade.However,the evaluation of patients’performance status is a major limitation of these scoring systems.In this review,we aim to summarize the current knowledge and recent advances about the role of sarcopenia in cirrhosis in general,while focusing specifically on HCC.Additionally,the role of sarcopenia in predicting clinical outcomes and prognostication in HCC patients undergoing loco-regional therapies,liver resection,liver transplantation and systematic therapy has been discussed.A literature review was performed using databases PubMed/MEDLINE,EMBASE,Cochrane,Web of Science,and CINAHL on April 1,2021,to identify published reports on sarcopenia in HCC.Sarcopenia can independently predict HCC-related mortality especially in patients undergoing treatments such as loco-regional,surgical liver transplantation and systemic therapies.Basic research is focused on evaluating a balance of anabolic and catabolic pathways responsible for muscle health.Early clinical studies have shown promising results in methods to improve sarcopenia in HCC which can potentially increase prognosis in these patients.As sarcopenia occurs very early in HCC,it can predict and provide an opportunity to improve muscle health before engaging in the treatment options such as loco-regional,systemic,and transplant management.Further,sarcopenia measurement can obviate the confounding caused by the abdominal ascites in these patients.The use of sarcopenia can add to the existing scoring systems to better prognosticate the HCC.

Impact of gout on in-hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome-related hospitalizations and revascularizations: Insights from the national inpatient sample

BACKGROUND Previous studies have established a role of gout in predicting risk and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, large-scale data on the impact of gout on inpatient outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-related hospitalizations and post-revascularization is inadequate. AIM To evaluate the impact of gout on in-hospital outcomes of ACS hospitalizations, subsequent healthcare burden and predictors of post-revascularization inpatient mortality. METHODS We used the national inpatient sample (2010-2014) to identify the ACS and goutrelated hospitalizations, relevant comorbidities, revascularization and postrevascularization outcomes using the ICD-9 CM codes. A multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors of post-revascularization in-hospital mortality. RESULTS We identified 3144744 ACS-related hospitalizations, of which 105198 (3.35%) also had gout. The ACS-gout cohort were more often older white males with a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Coronary artery bypass grafting was required more often in the ACS-gout cohort. Post-revascularization complications including cardiac (3.2% vs 2.9%), respiratory (3.5% vs 2.9%), and hemorrhage (3.1% vs 2.7%) were higher whereas all-cause mortality was lower (2.2% vs 3.0%) in the ACSgout cohort (P < 0.001). An older age (OR 15.63, CI: 5.51-44.39), non-elective admissions (OR 2.00, CI: 1.44-2.79), lower household income (OR 1.44, CI: 1.17- 1.78), and comorbid conditions predicted higher mortality in ACS-gout cohort undergoing revascularization (P < 0.001). Odds of post-revascularization inhospital mortality were lower in Hispanics (OR 0.45, CI: 0.31-0.67) and Asians (OR 0.65, CI: 0.45-0.94) as compared to white (P < 0.001). However, postoperative complications significantly raised mortality odds. Mean length of stay, transfer to other facilities, and hospital charges were higher in the ACS-gout cohort. CONCLUSION Although gout was not independently associated with an increased risk of postrevascularization in-hospital mortality in ACS, it did increase postrevascularization complications.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided vascular interventions: Current insights and emerging techniques

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)is one of the significant breakthroughs in the field of advanced endoscopy.In the last two decades,EUS has evolved from a diagnostic tool to a real-time therapeutic modality.The luminal gastrointestinal(GI)tract provides a unique opportunity to access multiple vascular structures,especially in the mediastinum and abdomen,thus permitting a variety of EUS-guided vascular interventions.The addition of the doppler and contrast-enhanced capability to EUS has further helped provide real-time visualization of blood flow in vessels through the GI tract.EUS-guided vascular interventions rely on standard endoscopic accessories and interventional tools such as fine-needle aspiration needles and fine-needle biopsy.EUS allows the visualization of various structures in real-time by differentiating tissue densities and vascularity,thus,avoiding radiation exposure.EUS-guided techniques also allow real-time microscopic examination after target biopsy.Furthermore,many necessary interventions can be done during the same procedure after diagnosis.This article provides an overview of EUS-guided vascular interventions such as variceal,non-variceal bleeding interventions,EUSguided portal vein(PV)access with the formation of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt,and techniques related to diagnosis of GI malignancies.Furthermore,we discuss current insights and future outlook of therapeutic modalities like PV embolization,PV sampling,angiography,drug administration,and portal pressure measurement.

Colorectal cancer screening use among insured adults: Is out-of-pocket cost a barrier to routine screening?

AIM To describe the characteristics of adults who needed to see a doctor in the past year but could not due to the extra cost and assess the impact of limited financial resources on the receipt of routine fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy for colon cancer screening among insured patients. METHODS Data obtained from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System included 215436 insured adults age 50-75 years. We computed frequencies, adjusted odds ratios(a ORs), and 95%CIs using SAS v9.3 software. RESULTS Nine percent of the study population needed to see a doctor in the past year but could not because of cost. The numbers were significantly higher among those aged 50-64(P < 0.0001), Non-Hispanic Whites(P < 0.0001), and those with a primary care physician(P < 0.0001) among other factors. Adjusting for possible confounders, a ORs for not seeing the doctor in the past year because of cost were: stool occult blood test within last year a OR = 0.88; 95%CI: 0.76-1.02, sigmoidoscopy within last year a OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.48-1.07, colonoscopy within the last year a OR = 0.91; 95%CI: 0.81-1.02. CONCLUSION We found that the limited financial resources within the past 12 mo were significantly associated with colorectal cancer(CRC) non-screening. Patients with risk factors identified in this study should adhere to CRC guidelines and should receive financial help if needed.

Increasing thirty-day readmissions of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the United States:A national dilemma

BACKGROUND The prevalence of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)is on the rise worldwide.This rising prevalence is concerning as patients with CD and UC may frequently relapse leading to recurrent hospitalizations and increased healthcare utilization.AIM To identify trends and adverse outcomes for 30 d readmissions for CD and UC.METHODS This was a retrospective,interrupted trends study involving all adult(≥18 years)30 d readmissions of CD and UC from the National Readmission Database(NRD)between 2008 and 2018.Patients<18 years,elective,and traumatic hospitalizations were excluded from this study.We identified hospitalization characteristics and readmission rates for each calendar year.Trends of inpatient mortality,mean length of hospital stay(LOS)and mean total hospital cost(THC)were calculated using a multivariate logistic trend analysis adjusting for age,gender,insurance status,comorbidity burden and hospital factors.Furthermore,trends between CD and UC readmissions were compared using regression of the interaction coefficient after adjusting for age and gender to determine relative trends between the two populations.Stata®Version 16 software(StataCorp,TX,United States)was used for statistical analysis and P value≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Total number of 30 d readmissions increased from 6202 in 2010 to 7672 in 2018 for CD and from 3272 in 2010 to 4234 in 2018 for UC.We noted increasing trends for 30-day all-cause readmission rate of CD from 14.9%in 2010 to 17.6%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),CD specific readmission rate from 7.1%in 2010 to 8.2%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),30-day all-cause readmission rate of UC from 14.1%in 2010 to 15.7%in 2018(P-trend=0.003),and UC specific readmission rate from 5.2%in 2010 to 5.6%in 2018(P-trend=0.029).There was no change in the risk adjusted trends of inpatient mortality and mean LOS for CD and UC readmissions.However,we found an increasing trend of mean THC for UC readmissions.After comparison,there was no statistical difference in the trends for 30 d all-cause readmission rate,inpatient mortality,and mean LOS between CD and UC readmissions.CONCLUSION There was an increase in total number of 30 d readmissions for CD and UC with a trend towards increasing 30 d all-cause readmission rates.