Initial management for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding(LGIB) is a common indication for hospital admission. Patients with LGIB often experience persistent or recurrent bleeding and require blood transfusions and interventions, such as colonoscopic,radiological, and surgical treatments. Appropriate decision-making is needed to initially manage acute LGIB, including emergency hospitalization, timing of colonoscopy, and medication use. In this literature review, we summarize the evidence for initial management of acute LGIB. Assessing various clinical factors,including comorbidities, medication use, presenting symptoms, vital signs, and laboratory data is useful for risk stratification of severe LGIB, and for discriminating upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Early timing of colonoscopy had the possibility of improving identification of the bleeding source, and the rate of endoscopic intervention, compared with elective colonoscopy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography before colonoscopy may help identify stigmata of recent hemorrhage on colonoscopy, particularly in patients who can be examined immediately after the last hematochezia. How to deal with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) and antithrombotic agents after hemostasis should be carefully considered because of the risk of rebleeding and thromboembolic events. In general, aspirin as primary prophylaxis for cardiovascular events and NSAIDs were suggested to be discontinued after LGIB. Managing acute LGIB based on this information would improve clinical outcomes. Further investigations are needed to distinguish patients with LGIB who require early colonoscopy and hemostatic intervention.

Impact of discontinuing non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs on long-term recurrence in colonic diverticular bleeding

AIM: To determine the effect of discontinuing nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) on recurrence in long-term follow-up patients with colonic diverticular bleeding(CDB).METHODS: A cohort of 132 patients hospitalized for CDB examined by colonoscopy was prospectively enrolled. Comorbidities, lifestyle, and medications(NSAIDs, low-dose aspirin, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids) were assessed. After discharge, patients were requested to visit the hospital on scheduled days during the followup period. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate recurrence.RESULTS: Median follow-up was 15 mo. The probability of recurrence at 1, 6, 12, and 24 mo was 3.1%, 19%, 27%, and 38%, respectively. Of the 41 NSAID users on admission, 26(63%) discontinued NSAID use at discharge. Many of the patients who could discontinue NSAIDs were intermittent users, and could be switched to alternative therapies, such as acetaminophen or an antiinflammatory analgesic plaster. The probability of recurrence at 12 mo was 9.4% in discontinuing NSAID users compared with 77% in continuing users(P < 0.01, log-rank test). The hazard ratio for recurrence in the discontinuing NSAIDs users was 0.06 after adjusting for age > 70 years, right-sided diverticula, history of hypertension, and hemodialysis. No patients developed cerebrocardiovascular events during follow-up.CONCLUSION: There is a substantial recurrence rate after discharge among patients hospitalized for diverticular bleeding. Discontinuation of NSAIDs is an effective preventive measure against recurrence. This study provides new information on risk reduction strategies for diverticular bleeding.

Comparison of endoscopic gastritis based on Kyoto classification between diffuse and intestinal gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancers can be categorized into diffuse-and intestinal-type cancers based on the Lauren histopathological classification.These two subtypes show distinct differences in metastasis frequency,treatment application,and prognosis.Therefore,accurately assessing the Lauren classification before treatment is crucial.However,studies on the gastritis endoscopy-based Kyoto classification have recently shown that endoscopic diagnosis has improved.AIM To investigate patient characteristics including endoscopic gastritis associated with diffuse-and intestinal-type gastric cancers in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-infected patients.METHODS Patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy at the Toyoshima Endoscopy Clinic were enrolled.The Kyoto classification included atrophy,intestinal metaplasia,enlarged folds,nodularity,and diffuse redness.The effects of age,sex,and Kyoto classification score on gastric cancer according to the Lauren classification were analyzed.We developed the Lauren predictive background score based on the coefficients of a logistic regression model using variables independently associated with the Lauren classification.Area under the receiver operative characteristic curve and diagnostic accuracy of this score were examined.RESULTS A total of 499 H.pylori-infected patients(49.6%males;average age:54.9 years)were enrolled;132 patients with gastric cancer(39 diffuse-and 93 intestinal-type cancers)and 367 cancer-free controls were eligible.Gastric cancer was independently associated with age≥65 years,high atrophy score,high intestinal metaplasia score,and low nodularity score when compared to the control.Factors independently associated with intestinal-type cancer were age≥65 years(coefficient:1.98),male sex(coefficient:1.02),high intestinal metaplasia score(coefficient:0.68),and low enlarged folds score(coefficient:-1.31)when compared to diffuse-type cancer.The Lauren predictive background score was defined as the sum of+2(age≥65 years),+1(male sex),+1(endoscopic intestinal metaplasia),and-1(endoscopic enlarged folds)points.Area under the receiver operative characteristic curve of the Lauren predictive background score was 0.828 for predicting intestinal-type cancer.With a cut-off value of+2,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the Lauren predictive background score were 81.7%,71.8%,and 78.8%,respectively.CONCLUSION Patient backgrounds,such as age,sex,endoscopic intestinal metaplasia,and endoscopic enlarged folds are useful for predicting the Lauren type of gastric cancer.

Risk factors for adverse in-hospital outcomes in acute colonic diverticular hemorrhage

AIM: To investigate the factors associated with transfusion, further bleeding, and prolonged length of stay.METHODS: In total, 153 patients emergently hospitalized for diverticular bleeding who were examined by colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled. Patients in whom the bleeding source was identified received endoscopic treatment such as clipping or endoscopic ligation. After spontaneous cessation of bleeding withconservative treatment or hemostasis with endoscopic treatment, all patients were started on a liquid food diet and gradually progressed to a solid diet over 3d, and were discharged. At enrollment, we assessed smoking, alcohol, medications [non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)], low-dose aspirin, and other antiplatelets, warfarin, acetaminophen, and oral corticosteroids), and co-morbidities [hypertension,diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cerebro-cardiovascular disease, chronic liver disease, and chronic kidney disease(CKD)]. The in-hospital outcomes were need for transfusion, further bleeding after spontaneous cessation of hemorrhage, and length of hospital stay.The odds ratio(OR) for transfusion need, further bleeding, and prolonged length of stay were estimated by logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: No patients required angiographic embolization or surgery. Stigmata of bleeding occurred in 18% of patients(27/153) and was treated by endoscopic procedures. During hospitalization, 40patients(26%) received a median of 6 units of packed red blood cells. Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex(OR = 2.5, P = 0.02), warfarin use(OR= 9.3, P < 0.01), and CKD(OR = 5.9, P < 0.01)were independent risk factors for transfusion need.During hospitalization, 6 patients(3.9%) experienced further bleeding, and NSAID use(OR = 5.9, P = 0.04)and stigmata of bleeding(OR = 11, P < 0.01) were significant risk factors. Median length of hospital stay was 8 d. Multivariate analysis revealed that age > 70years(OR = 2.1, P = 0.04) and NSAID use(OR = 2.7,P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for prolonged hospitalization(≥ 8 d).CONCLUSION: In colonic diverticular bleeding, female sex, warfarin, and CKD increased the risk of transfusion requirement, while advanced age and NSAID increased the risk of prolonged hospitalization.