Conventional endoscopic features are not sufficient to differentiate small, early colorectal cancer

AIM:To evaluate the depth of invasion of small,early colorectal cancers(ECCs)using conventional endoscopic features.METHODS:From January 2005 to September 2011,colonoscopy cohort showed that a total of 72 patients with small colorectal cancers with the size less than 20mm underwent colonoscopy at the Yonsei University College of Medicine,Seoul,South Korea.Among them,8 patients were excluded due to incomplete medical records.Finally,a total of 64 ECCs with submucosa(SM)invasion and size less than 20 mm were included.One hundred fifty-two adenomas with size less than 20 mm were included as controls.Nine endoscopic features,including seven morphological findings(i.e.,loss of lobulation,excavation,demarcated and depressed areas,stalk swelling,fullness,fold convergence,and bleeding ulcers),pit patterns,and non-lifting signs,were evalu-ated retrospectively.All endoscopic features were evaluated by two experienced endoscopists who have each performed over 1000 colonoscopies annually for more than five years without knowledge of the histology.RESULTS:Among the morphological findings,the size of deep submucosal cancers was bigger than that of superficial lesions(16.9 mm vs 12.3 mm,P<0.001).Also,demarcated depressed areas,stalk swelling,and fullness were more common in deep SM cancers than in superficial tumors(demarcated depressed areas:52.0%vs 15.7%,P<0.001;stalk swelling:100%vs4.2%,P<0.001;fullness:25.0%vs 0%,P=0.001).Among deep SM cancers,96%of polyps showed invasive pit patterns,whereas 19.4%of superficial tumors showed invasive pit patterns(P<0.001).A positive non-lifting sign was more common in deep SM cancers(85.0%vs 28.6%,P<0.001).Diagnostic accuracy of invasive morphology,invasive pit patterns,and nonlifting signs for deep SM cancers were 71%,82%,and75%,respectively.CONCLUSION:Conventional endoscopic findings were insufficient to discriminate small,deep SM cancers from superficial SM cancers by white light,standard colonoscopy.

Correlations between endoscopic and clinical disease activity indices in intestinal Behcet's disease

AIM:To develop a novel endoscopic severity model of intestinal Behcet's disease(BD) and to evaluate its feasibility by comparing it with the actual disease activity index for intestinal Behcet's disease(DAIBD).METHODS:We reviewed the medical records of 167 intestinal BD patients between March 1986 and April 2011.We also investigated the endoscopic parameters including ulcer locations,distribution,number,depth,shape,size and margin to identify independent factors associated with DAIBD.An endoscopic severity model was developed using significant colonoscopic variables identified by multivariate regression analysis and its correlation with the DAIBD was evaluated.To determine factors related to the discrepancy between endoscopic severity and clinical activity,clinical characteristics and laboratory markers of the patients were analyzed.RESULTS:A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the number of intestinal ulcers(≥ 2,P = 0.031) and volcanoshaped ulcers(P = 0.001) were predictive factors for the DAIBD.An endoscopic severity model(Y) was developed based on selected endoscopic variables as follows:Y = 47.44 + 9.04 × non-Ileocecal area + 11.85 ×≥ 2 of intestinal ulcers + 5.03 × shallow ulcers + 12.76 × deep ulcers + 4.47 × geographicshaped ulcers + 26.93 × volcano-shaped ulcers + 8.65 ×≥ 20 mm of intestinal ulcers.However,endoscopic parameters used in the multivariate analysis explained only 18.9% of the DAIBD variance.Patients with severe DAIBD scores but with moderately predicted disease activity by the endoscopic severity model had more symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome(21.4% vs 4.9%,P = 0.026) and a lower rate of corticosteroid use(50.0% vs 75.6%,P = 0.016) than those with severe DAIBD scores and accurately predicted disease by the model.CONCLUSION:Our study showed that the number of intestinal ulcers and volcano-shaped ulcers were predictive factors for severe DAIBD scores.However,the correlation between endoscopic severity and DAIBD(r = 0.434) was weak.

Colorectal stenting:An advanced approach to malignant colorectal obstruction

Some colorectal cancer(CRC)patients present symptoms of bowel obstruction,which is considered a surgical emergency.Because of poor medical condition and high incidence of post-surgical complications,there has been increasing use of self-expanding metal stents(SEMS)for the purpose of palliation or as a bridge to surgery with some benefits,including shorter hospital stays,lower rates of adverse events,and one-stage surgery.However,with increasing survival of CRC patients,there have been controversial data on clinical outcomes and complications,compared between SEMS use and surgery for treatment of malignant bowel obstruction.We review recent clinical data on clinical outcomes of SEMS use compared to surgery,including complications.

Intestinal Behet's disease appearing during treatment with adalimumab in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis

Behet’s disease(BD)is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple organ systems,such as the skin,joints,blood vessels,central nervous system,and gastrointestinal tract.Intestinal BD is characterized by intestinal ulcerations and gastrointestinal symptoms.The medical treatment of intestinal BD includes corticosteroids and immunosupressants.There have been several reports of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)blockers being successful in treatment of refractory intestinal BD.Here,we report on a patient who was diagnosed with intestinal BD despite treatment with the fully humanized TNF-α blocker(adalimumab)for underlying ankylosing spondylitis.This patient achieved clinical remission and complete mucosal healing through the addition of a steroid and azathioprine to the adalimumab regimen.

Similar clinical characteristics of familial and sporadic inflammatory bowel disease in South Korea

AIM:To investigate differences of clinical characteristics and disease courses between familial and sporadic inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients.METHODS:We obtained clinical data on Crohn’s disease(CD)(n=691)and ulcerative colitis(n=1113)from a tertiary referral medical center between 2005and 2012.Seventeen patients(2.5%)with CD and27 patients(2.4%)with ulcerative colitis(UC)were identified as having a familial history of IBD,including the first and second degree relatives.For each control case,three times the number of age-,sex-,and diagnosis year-matched CD and UC patients,without a family history of IBD,were randomly selected in this case control study.RESULTS:There were no significant differences in age or main symptom at diagnosis,extraintestinal manifestation,location/extent,behavior of disease activity,number of hospitalizations,number of operations,operation type,number of relapses,or oral medical treatment between familial and sporadic CD and UC patients.Median(min-max)follow-up periods after diagnosis of familial CD and sporadic CD patients were 84(24-312)and 36(8-240)mo,respectively(P=0.008).Familial CD patients more frequently used anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)antibodies compared to sporadic CD patients(17.6%vs 0%,P=0.014).CONCLUSION:In conclusion,a family history of IBD does not seem to be an important predictive factor affecting clinical characteristics or disease course even if there is a more frequent use of anti-TNF antibodies in familial CD patients compared to sporadic CD patients.

Clinical outcomes and predictive factors in oral corticosteroid-refractory active ulcerative colitis

AIM:To evaluate the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors after intravenous corticosteroids following oral corticosteroid failure in active ulcerative colitis patients.METHODS:Consecutive patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who had been treated with a course of intravenous corticosteroids after oral corticosteroid therapy failure between January 1996 and July 2010 were recruited at Severance Hospital,Seoul,South Korea.The disease activity was measured by the Mayo score,which consists of stool frequency,rectal bleeding,mucosal appearance at flexible sigmoidoscopy,and Physician Global Assessment.We retrospectively evaluated clinical outcomes at two weeks,one month,three months,and one year after the initiation of intravenous corticosteroid therapy.Two weeks outcomes were classified as responders or non-responders.One month,three month and one year outcomes were classified into prolonged response,steroid dependency,and refractoriness.RESULTS:Our study included a total of 67 eligible patients.At two weeks,56(83.6%) patients responded to intravenous corticosteroids.At one month,complete remission was documented in 18(32.1%) patients and partial remission in 26(46.4%).Eleven patients(19.7%) were refractory to the treatment.At three months and one year,we found 37(67.3%) and 25(46.3%) patients in prolonged response,ten(18.2%) and 23(42.6%) patients in corticosteroid dependency,8(14.5%) and 6(11.1%) patients with no response,respectively.Total 9 patients were underwent elective proctocolectomy within 1 year.The duration of oral corticosteroid therapy(> 14 d vs ≤ 14 d,P = 0.049) and lower hemoglobin level(≤ 11.0 mg/dL vs >11.0 mg/dL,P = 0.02) were found to be poor prognostic factors for response at two weeks.For one year outcome,univariate analysis revealed that only a partial Mayo score(≥ 6 vs <6,P = 0.057) was found to be associated with a poor response.CONCLUSION:The duration of oral corticosteroid therapy and lower hemoglobin level were strongly associated with poor outcome.

Clinical meaning of BRAF mutation in Korean patients with advanced colorectal cancer

AIM:To evaluate the clinicopathological features ofcolorectal cancer(CRC)with a v-Raf murine sarcomaviral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF)mutation and itsmolecular interaction with microsatellite instability(MSI)and v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS)in patients with advanced CRCs.METHODS:From October 2009 to December 2011,141 patients with stageⅢ(n=51)orⅣ(n=90)CRCs who were tested for the BRAF mutation at Severance Hospital were included.Among 141 patients,fivewere excluded due to follow-up loss.Therefore,136patients were included in the study.The clinicopathological data,MSI status,and KRAS/BRAF mutation status were reviewed retrospectively.In addition,to evaluating the value of BRAF mutation status,progressionfree survival and overall survival in all patients werecollected and compared between the BRAF wild-typegroup and BRAF mutation group.RESULTS:Of 136 patients,80(58.8%)were male and the mean age was 59 years.BRAF and KRAS mutations were detected in 9.6%and 35.3%of patients,respectively.Only 4.3%of patients had MSIhigh tumors and there were no MSI-high in tumors with a BRAF mutation.BRAF mutations tended to be more frequent in stageⅣthan in stageⅢ(11.76%vs 5.88%,P=0.370).Patients with a BRAF mutation had a lower incidence of KRAS mutation than those without(7.69%vs 38.21%,P=0.033).Overall survival was significantly shorter in the BRAF mutation group than in the BRAF wild-type group both by univariate analysis(P=0.041)and multivariate analysis(HR=2.195;95%CI:1.039-4.640;P=0.039),while progression-free survival was not different according to BRAF mutation status.CONCLUSION:CRCs with a BRAF mutation have distinct molecular features and resulted in a poor prognosis in Korean patients with advanced CRC.

Comparison of double pants with single pants on satisfaction with colonoscopy

AIM: To increase satisfaction and diminish anxiety and shame during colonoscopy, we developed novel double pants (NDP) which consist of doubled fabrics with an inner hole. The aim of study was to compare satisfaction, anxiety and shame between NDP and conventional single pants (CSP). METHODS: Total 160 consecutive examinees were randomly divided into NDP and CSP group. Before colonoscopy, questionnaires identifying state and trait anxiety were completed. After colonoscopy, questionnaires for overall satisfaction (Group Health Association of America 9) and pants-specific satisfaction (5-20), state anxiety (20-80), and shame (6-24) were interviewed. RESULTS: Pants-specific satisfaction scores regarding willingness to repeat colonoscopy using same pants (3.3 ± 0.8 vs 2.1 ± 0.9, P < 0.001) and recommendation of same pants to other people (3.3 ± 0.7 vs 2.0 ± 1.0, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in NDP than CSP groups. State anxiety (33.0 ± 7.0 vs 35.4 ± 6.9, P = 0.028) and shame (6.6 ± 1.5 vs 8.1 ± 3.2, P = 0.001) after colonoscopy was lower in NDP group compared with CSP group. CONCLUSION: The NDP contribute to increase satisfaction and decrease anxiety and shame after colonoscopy.