Risk of gastric cancer development after eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer(gc) development through the correa's gastric carcinogenesis cascade. However, H. pylori eradication alone does not eliminate gc, as pre-neoplastic lesions(atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia) may have already developed in some patients. It is therefore necessary to identify patients at high-risk for gastric cancer after H. pylori eradication to streamline the management plan. If the patients have not undergone endoscopy with histologic assessment, the identification of certain clinical risk factors and non-invasive testing(serum pepsinogen) can predict the risk of atrophic gastritis. For those with suspected atrophic gastritis, further risk stratification by endoscopy with histologic assessment according to validated histologic staging systems would be advisable. Patients with higher stages may require long-term endoscopic surveillance. Apart from secondary prevention to reduce deaths by diagnosing gc at an early stage, identifying medications that could potentially modify the gc risk would be desirable. The potential roles of a number of medications have been suggested by various studies, including proton pump inhibitors(PPIs), aspirin, statins and metformin. However, there are currently no randomized clinical trials to address the impact of these medications on gc risk after H. pylori eradication. In addition, most of these studies failed to adjust for the effect of concurrent medications on gc risk. Recently, large population-based retrospective cohort studies have shown that PPIs were associated with an increased gc risk after H. pylori eradication, while aspirin was associated with a lower risk. The roles of other agents in reducing gc risk after H. pylori eradication remain to be determined.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients on novel oral anticoagulants:Risk,prevention and management

Novel oral anticoagulants(NOACs), which include direct thrombin inhibitor(dabigatran) and direct factor Xa inhibitors(rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban), are gaining popularity in the prevention of embolic stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation as well as in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. However, similar to traditional anticoagulants, NOACs have the side effects of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB). Results from both randomized clinical trials and observations studies suggest that high-dose dabigatran(150 mg b.i.d), rivaroxaban and high-dose edoxaban(60 mg daily) are associated with a higher risk of GIB compared with warfarin. Other risk factors of NOAC-related GIB include concomitant use of ulcerogenic agents, older age, renal impairment, Helicobacter pylori infection and a past history of GIB. Prevention of NOAC-related GIB includes proper patient selection, using a lower dose of certain NOACs and in patients with renal impairment, correction of modifiable risk factors, and prescription of gastroprotective agents. Overt GIB can be managed by withholding NOACs followed by delayed endoscopic treatment. In severe bleeding, additional measures include administration of activated charcoal, use of specific reversal agents such as idarucizumab for dabigatran and andexanent alfa for factor Xa inhibitors, and urgent endoscopic management.

Epidemiology and natural history of Wilson's disease in the Chinese: A territory-based study in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2016

AIM To investigate the epidemiology and natural history of Wilson's disease in the Chinese.METHODS Data were retrieved via electronic search of hospital medical registry of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority,which covers all the public healthcare services. We identified cases of Wilson's disease between 2000 and 2016 by the International Classification of Diseases(ICD)-9 code. We analyzed the incidence rate,prevalence and adverse outcomes of Wilson's disease.RESULTS We identified 211 patients(male cases 104; female cases 107; median age 27.2 years,IQR: 17.1-38.6 years; duration of follow-up 8.0 years,IQR: 5.0-14.0 years). The average annual incidence rate was 1.44 per million person-years while the prevalence was 17.93 per million. Between 2000 and 2016,there was a decrease in the annual incidence rate from 1.65 to 1.23 per million person-years(P = 0.010),whereas there was an increase in the annual prevalence from 7.80 to 25.20 per million(P < 0.001). Among the 176 cases with hepatic involvement,38(21.6%) had cirrhosis,three(1.7%) developed hepatocellular carcinoma,24(13.6%) underwent liver transplantations,and 26(14.8%) died. Seven patients had concomitant chronic viral hepatitis B or C. The 5-year and 10-years rates of overall survival were 92.6% and 89.5%,and for transplant-free survival rates 91.8% and 87.4%,respectively. Cirrhosis and possibly chronic viral hepatitis were associated with poorer overall survival. CONCLUSION There was a significant increase in the prevalence of Wilson's disease in Hong Kong. The prognosis was favorable except for those with cirrhosis or concomitant viral hepatitis.

Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma development by aminotransferase to platelet ratio index in primary biliary cholangitis

AIM To investigate the usefulness of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index(APRI) in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) risk in primary biliary cholangitis(PBC).METHODS We identified PBC patients between 2000 and 2015 by searching the electronic medical database of a tertiary center. The hazard ratio(HR) of HCC with different risk factors was determined by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS One hundred and forty-four PBC patients were recru-ited. Patients were diagnosed at a median age of 57.8 years [interquartile range(IQR): 48.7-71.5 years), and 41(28.5%) patients had cirrhosis at baseline. The median follow-up duration was 6.9 years(range: 1.0-26.3 years). Twelve patients developed HCC, with an incidence rate of 10.6 cases per 1000 patient-years. The overall 5-, 10-and 15-year cumulative incidences of HCC were 2.3% 95%CI: 0%-4.8%), 8.4%(95%CI: 1.8%-14.5%) and 21.6%(6.8%-34.1%), respectively. Older age(HR = 1.07), cirrhosis(HR = 4.38) and APRI at 1 year after treatment(APRI-r1) > 0.54(HR = 3.94) were independent factors for HCC development. APRI-r1, when combined with treatment response, further stratified HCC risk(log rank P < 0.05). The area under receiver operating curve of APRI-r1 in predicting HCC was 0.77(95%CI: 0.64-0.88).CONCLUSION APRI-r1 can be used to predict the development of HCC in PBC patients. Combination of APRI-r1 with treatment response can further stratify the HCC risk.

Application of Big Data analysis in gastrointestinal research

Big Data,which are characterized by certain unique traits like volume,velocity and value,have revolutionized the research of multiple fields including medicine.Big Data in health care are defined as large datasets that are collected routinely or automatically,and stored electronically.With the rapidly expanding volume of health data collection,it is envisioned that the Big Data approach can improve not only individual health,but also the performance of health care systems.The application of Big Data analysis in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology research has also opened new research approaches.While it retains most of the advantages and avoids some of the disadvantages of traditional observational studies(case-control and prospective cohort studies),it allows for phenomapping of disease heterogeneity,enhancement of drug safety,as well as development of precision medicine,prediction models and personalized treatment.Unlike randomized controlled trials,it reflects the real-world situation and studies patients who are often under-represented in randomized controlled trials.However,residual and/or unmeasured confounding remains a major concern,which requires meticulous study design and various statistical adjustment methods.Other potential drawbacks include data validity,missing data,incomplete data capture due to the unavailability of diagnosis codes for certain clinical situations,and individual privacy.With continuous technological advances,some of the current limitations with Big Data may be further minimized.This review will illustrate the use of Big Data research on gastrointestinal and liver diseases using recently published examples.

Carvedilol Versus Other Nonselective Beta Blockers for Variceal Bleeding Prophylaxis and Death: A Network Meta-analysis

Background and Aims:We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis(NWM)to examine comparative effectiveness of non-selective beta blockers(NSBBs)on prophylaxis of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding(GVB)and mortality benefit.Methods:MEDLINE(OVID)and EMBASE databases were searched for eligible randomized clinical trials(RCTs)from inception to July 3,2021.Outcomes of interest included primary/secondary prophylaxis of GVB,failure to achieve hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)decremental response,liver-related and all-cause mortality.A Bayesian NWM was performed to derive relative risk(RR)with 95%credible intervals(CrIs).The ranking probability of each NSBB was assessed by surface under cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA).Results:Thirty-three RCTs including 3,188 cirrhosis patients with gastroesophageal varices were included.Compared with placebo,nadolol ranked first for reducing variceal bleeding[RR:0.25,(95%CrI:0.11–0.51);SUCRA:0.898],followed by carvedilol[RR:0.33,(95%CrI:0.11–0.88);SUCRA:0.692]and propranolol[RR:0.52,(95%CrI:0.37–0.75);SUCRA:0.405].Carvedilol was more effective than propranolol in achieving HVPG decremental response[RR:0.43,(95%CrI:0.26–0.69)].Carvedilol ranked first for reducing all-cause mortality[RR:0.32,(95%CrI:0.17–0.57);SUCRA:0.963],followed by nadolol[RR:0.48,(95%CI:0.29–0.77);SUCRA:0.688],and propranolol[RR:0.77,(95%CI:0.58–1.02);SUCRA:0.337].Similar findings were observed for liver-related mortality.Carvedilol ranked the safest.The RR of adverse events was 4.38,(95%CrI:0.33–161.4);SUCRA:0.530,followed by propranolol[RR:7.54,(95%CrI:1.90–47.89);SUCRA:0.360],and nadolol[RR:18.24,(95%CrI:91.51–390.90);SUCRA:0.158].Conclusions:Carvedilol is the preferred NSBB with better survival benefit and lower occurrence of adverse events among patients with gastroesophageal varices.