Incidence and mortality of acute and chronic pancreatitis in the Netherlands:A nationwide record-linked cohort study for the years 1995-2005

AIM:To analyze trends in incidence and mortality of acute pancreatitis(AP) and chronic pancreatitis(CP) in the Netherlands and for international standard populations.METHODS:A nationwide cohort is identified through record linkage of hospital data for AP and CP,accumulated from three nationwide Dutch registries:the hospital discharge register,the population register,and the death certificate register.Sex-and age-group specific incidence rates of AP and CP are defined for the period 2000-2005 and mortality rates of AP and CP for the period 1995-2005.Additionally,incidence and mortality rates over time are reported for Dutch and international(European and World Health Organization) standard populations.RESULTS:Incidence of AP per 100000 persons per year increased between 2000 and 2005 from 13.2(95%CI:12.6-13.8) to 14.7(95%CI:14.1-15.3).Incidence of AP for males increased from 13.8(95%CI:12.9-14.7) to 15.2(95%CI:14.3-16.1),for females from 12.7(95%CI:11.9-13.5) to 14.2(95%CI:13.4-15.1).Irregular patterns over time emerged for CP.Overall mean incidence per 100000 persons per year was 1.77,for males 2.16,and for females 1.4.Mortality for AP fluctuated during 1995-2005 between 6.9 and 11.7 per million persons per year and was almost similar for males and females.Concerning CP,mortality for males fluctuated between 1.1(95%CI:0.6-2.3) and 4.0(95%CI:2.8-5.8),for females between 0.7(95%CI:0.3-1.6) and 2.0(95%CI:1.2-3.2).Incidence and mortality of AP and CP increased markedly with age.Standardized rates were lowest for World Health Organization standard population.CONCLUSION:Incidence of AP steadily increased while incidence of CP fluctuated.Mortality for both AP and CP remained fairly stable.Patient burden and health care costs probably will increase because of an ageing Dutch population.

Coeliac disease in Dutch patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and vice versa

AIM: To define the association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and coeliac disease in Dutch patients. METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis underwent coeliac serological tests (antigliadins, transglutaminase and endomysium antibodies) and HLA-DQ typing. Small intestinal biopsy was performed when any of coeliac serological tests was positive. On the other hand, 184 patients with coeliac disease were subjected to thyroid biochemical (thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxine) and thyroid serological tests (thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies). RESULTS: Of 104 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, sixteen (15%) were positive for coeliac serology and five patients with documented villous atrophy were diagnosed with coeliac disease (4.8%; 95% CI 0.7-8.9). HLA-DQ2 (and/or -DQ8) was present in all the five and 53 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (50%; 95% CI 43-62). Of 184 patients with coeliac disease, 39 (21%) were positive for thyroid serology. Based on thyroid biochemistry, the 39 patients were subclassified into euthyroidism in ten (5%; 95% CI 2-9), subclinicalhypothyroidism in seven (3.8%; 95% CI 1.8-7.6), and overt hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) in 22 (12%; 95% CI 8-16). Moreover, four patients with coeliac disease had Graves’ disease (2%; 95% CI 0.8-5) and one patient had post-partum thyroiditis. CONCLUSION: The data from a Dutch population confirm the association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and coeliac disease. Screening patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis for coeliac disease and vice versa is recom- mended.

Coronary-cameral fistulas in adults: Acquired types(second of two parts)

Acquired coronary artery fistulas(CCFs)are infrequently detected during conventional coronary angiography.To delineate the characteristics of congenital(first part)and acquired(second part)CCFs in adults,a PubMed search was conducted for papers dealing with congenital or acquired CCFs.None of the publications describing patients with coronary-vascular fistulas were included.Papers dealing with pediatric subjects were excluded.From the world literature,a total of 243adult patients were selected who had congenital(n=159/243,65%)and acquired(n=84/243,35%)CCFs.Among the acquired types(n=72,85.7%)were traumatic(iatrogenic(n=65/72,90%),accidental(n=7/72,10%)and(n=12,14.3%)spontaneously developing in relation to severe coronary atherosclerosis or myocardial infarction.A high incidence of spontaneousresolution of iatrogenic CCFs resulting from endomyocardial biopsy or following post-septal myectomy was reported.Spontaneous CCFs associated with myocardial ischemia or infarction resolved completely in 8%of the subjects.Early surgical intervention was the treatment of choice in acquired traumatic accidental CCFs.The congenital types are addressed in a previous issue of this journal(first part).In this review(second of two parts,partⅡ),we describe the acquired coronarycameral fistulas.

On tolerability and safety of a maintenance treatment with 6-thioguanine in azathioprineor 6-mercaptopurine intolerant IBD patients

AIM: To determine the tolerability and safety profile of a low-dose maintenance therapy with 6-TG in azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) intolerant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients over a treatment period of at least 1 year.METHODS: Database analysis.RESULTS: Twenty out of ninety-five (21%) patients discontinued 6-TG (mean dose 24.6 mg; mean 6-TGN level 540 pmol/8×108 RBC) within 1 year. Reasons for discontinuation were GI complaints (31%), malaise (15%)and hepatotoxicity (15%). Hematological events occurred in three patients, one discontinued treatment. In the 6-TG-tolerant group, 9% (7/75) could be classified as hepatotoxicity. An abdominal ultrasound was performed in 54% of patients, one patient had splenomegaly.CONCLUSION: The majority of AZA or 6-MP-intolerant IBD patients (79%) is able to tolerate maintenance treatment with 6-TG (dosages between 0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg per d). 6-TG may still be considered as an escape maintenance immunosuppressant in this difficult to treat group of patients, taking into account potential toxicity and efficacy of other alternatives. The recently reported hepatotoxicity is worrisome and 6-TG should therefore be administered only in prospective trials.

Coronary-cameral fistulas in adults(first of two parts)

This is a case series and review of the literature adding11 new cases.Coronary-cameral fistulas(CCFs)are infrequent anomalies which are in general co-incidentally found during diagnostic coronary angiography(CAG).To delineate the characteristics of congenital and acquired CCFs in adults,we performed a PubMed search for papers dealing with congenital or acquired CCFs in adults.Publications on coronary-vascular fistulas or paediatric subjects were not included.From the world literature,a total of 243 adult patients were identified who had congenital(65%)or acquired(35%)CCFs.In this review,which is part one of a two-part series on CCFs,we describe and discuss the congenital fistulas,give an overview on the published literature and report details of our own series of 11 patients with MMFs and solitary macro CCFs.Of the congenital group,56%were small or large solitary macro CCFs(cut-off 1.5mm)and 9%were coronary artery-ventricular multiple micro-fistulas(MMFs).Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was reported in some of the reviewed subjects with MMFs(3/24=13%)but not was seen in our own series.Conservative medical management was generally the treatment of choice in congenital MMFs;prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillators(ICD)were implanted in 2/24(8%)of subjects,especially when extensive micro-fistulisations were involved.None of the patients of our own series required an ICD,as the MMFs were of limited size.Congenital or acquired CCFs in adults are infrequent anomalies having a wide spectrum of clinical presentation may varies from asymptomatic to severely devastating states requiring different treatment modalities.

Opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation with a single lead device in geriatric patients

Objective To determine the diagnostic yield of repeated screening for atrial fibrillation(AF)among geriatric patients.Methods A pragmatic prospective cohort study into applying opportunistic screening for AF with a handheld single lead ECG device(SLD)in a geriatric cohort.Consecutive patients of 65 years old and older visiting the geriatric outpatient clinic were eligible for inclusion.A 12 lead ECG was performed,followed by measurements with the SLD during every visit to the geriatric outpatient clinic.A frailty index was based on the accumulation of deficits model.Results 478 patients were eligible.Patients were excluded if they did not give informed consent(17 patients),had a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator(20 patients),or had incomplete medical files(two patients).After exclusion,439 patients participated in this study.The mean age was 78 years(range 65 to 100 years),54%were female.AF was known in 89 patients(20%),first detected on the baseline ECG in four patients(1%)and first detected with the SLD in 20 patients(5%)during follow up visits.Sensitivity of the SLD was 90.0%,specificity 99.0%,negative predictive value 99.7%,and positive predictive value 73.5%.Most patients(82%)with AF were frail and 53%were severely frail.Conclusion Repeated screening in geriatric patients has a five times higher diagnostic yield than usual care.It was easily combined with usual care.Because of the positive predictive value of 73.5%,it remains necessary to confirm AF with a 12 lead ECG or 24-h Holter monitoring.

Perioperative Interstitial Brachytherapy as a Boost in Breast Cancer Conserving Therapy

Background: The aim of breast-conserving treatment (BCT) in breast cancer, consisting of wide local excision (WLE) and radiotherapy, is to obtain local control of disease as well as an optimal cosmetic result. The application of perioperative brachytherapy allows more precise deposition of the boost radiation dose to the lumpectomy cavity plus margins in a shorter period of time, as compared to external beam radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze the oncological outcome of interstitial brachytherapy in our patient population of patients with early-stage breast cancer. Patients and Methods: 107 breasts in 105 patients with T1-2 breast cancer were treated between 1996 and 2009 with BCT, including WLE combined with perioperative brachytherapy using Iridium-192 (15 Gy with low dose rate or 9 Gy with high dose rate) followed by whole breast irradiation (50 Gy). Outcomes analyzed included treatment toxicity (according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events), local recurrence rate, and disease-free and overall survival. Results: Median follow-up of patients still alive was 6.3 years (range 2.0 - 14.5). Mean age was 50.2 years (+/- S.D. 10.5). Mean tumor diameter was 15 mm (+/- S.D. 8 mm. Acute complications consisted of grade 1 and 3 complications, respectively n = 8 and n = 1. Late complications consisted of grade 1 or 2, respectively n = 25 and n = 2. Only three patients (2.8%) developed a local recurrence with a median time to recurrence of 9.3 years (range 3.3 - 9.3). Five- and ten-year local recurrence free survival was 99% and 91%, respectively. Five- and ten-year disease-specific and overall survival was 95% and 84% versus 92% and 78%, respectively. Conclusions: Treatment-related toxicity after brachytherapy for breast cancer was mild. The local recurrence rate is low. Therefore, brachytherapy is a good alternative to conventional radiation boost as a part of breast irradiation in breast conserving treatment in early stage breast cancer.

Intragastric band erosion:Experiences with gastrointestinal endoscopic removal

AIM:To remove the migrated bands using a gastrointestinal endoscopic approach.Little is published on complications that can occur.METHODS:From June 2006 to June 2010,eight patients developed intragastric band migration.Two patients had received their AGB in a different hospital,theremaining six were operated by the same surgeon.In all patients gastrointestinal endoscopic removal of the band was attempted by two individual gastroenterologists.Clinical signs of band migration were:persisted nausea,abdominal pain,weight gain,recurrent infection of the port and tubing system and hematemesis.RESULTS:In four patients removal was performed without complications.In two patients extracting the cleaved gastric band into the stomach appeared impossible.The two remaining patients presented with acute hematemesis and melena.One of these patients was readmitted with hematemesis.The other patient started bleeding during the gastroscopy and was converted to a laparoscopy in which one of the branches of the left gastric artery was oversewn.CONCLUSION:Band migration after gastric banding can be life threatening.Gastrointestinal endoscopic removal is a feasible technique that holds the promise of fast reconvalescence.

Gout:A clinical overview and its association with cardiovascular diseases

Gout is a common disease caused by the deposition of monosodium urate(MSU) crystals in patients with hyperuricemia, and characterized by very painful recurrent acute attacks of arthritis. The gold standard for diagnosing gout is the identification of MSU crystals in synovial fluid by polarization light microscopy. Arthritis attacks can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, oral prednisone, or intra-articular or intramuscular glucocorticoids. To prevent gout uric acid lowering therapy with for example allopurinol can be prescribed. When gout is adequately treated, the prognosis is good. Unfortunately, the management of gout patients is often insufficient. Gout is associated with dietary factors, the use of diuretics, and several genetic factors. Comorbidities as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and early menopause are associated with a higher prevalence of gout. Xanthine oxidase and chronic systemic inflammation seem to play an important role in the pathophysiology of the association between gout and cardiovascular diseases. To prevent cardiovascular diseases goutpatients must be early screened for cardiovascular risk factors.

Integrity of the hip capsule measured with magnetic resonance imaging after capsular repair or unrepaired capsulotomy in hip arthroscopy

BACKGROUND Current literature shows no clear answer on the question how to manage the capsule after hip arthroscopy.Regarding patient reported outcome measures there seems to be no difference between capsular repair or unrepaired capsulotomy.AIM To evaluate and compare the integrity of the hip capsule measured on a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scan after capsular repair or unrepaired capsulotomy.METHODS A case series study was performed;a random sample of patients included in a trial comparing capsular repair vs unrepaired capsulotomy had a postoperative MRI scan.The presence of a capsular defect and gap size were independently evaluated on MRI.RESULTS A total of 28 patients(29 hips)were included.Patient demographics were comparable between treatment groups.There were 2 capsular defects in the capsular repair group and 7 capsular defects in the unrepaired capsulotomy group(P=0.13).In the group of patients with a defect,median gap sizes at the acetabular side were 5.9 mm(range:2.7-9.0)in the repaired and 8.0 mm(range:4.5-18.0)in the unrepaired group(P=0.462).At the muscular side gap sizes were 6.6 mm(range:4.1-9.0)in the repaired group and 11.5 mm(range:3.0-18.0)in the unrepaired group(P=0.857).The calculated Odds ratio(OR)for having a capsular defect with an increasing lateral center-edge(CE)angle was 1.12(P=0.06).The OR for having a capsular defect is lower in the group of patients that underwent a labral repair with an OR of 0.1(P=0.05).CONCLUSION There is no significant difference in capsular defects between capsular repair or unrepaired capsulotomy.Regarding clinical characteristics our case series shows that a larger CE angle increases the likelihood of a capsular defect and the presence of a labral repair decreases the likelihood of a capsular defect.

Unraveling the routes to distant metastases in colorectal cancer:Tumor deposits and lymph node metastases as the gateway

Currently,lymph node metastases(LNM)are seen as the gateway to distant metastases in CRC and play a crucial role in the Tumor Node Metastasis(TNM)staging system[1,2].Tumor deposits(TD)have been identified as another histological feature with a strong prognostic impact but are currently only deemed clinically relevant in the absence of LNM[2,3].TD are clusters of tumor cells in the fat surrounding the bowel and are often associated with nerves,vessels and lymphatic tissue,giving the cancer cells access to multiple routes of spread[4].

Management of extracranial carotid artery stenosis during endovascular treatment for acute ischaemic stroke:results from the MR CLEAN Registry

Background The optimal management of ipsilateral extracranial internal carotid artery(ICA)stenosis during endovascular treatment(EVT)is unclear.We compared the outcomes of two different strategies:EVT with vs without carotid artery stenting(CAS).Methods In this observational study,we included patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke undergoing EVT and a concomitant ipsilateral extracranial ICA stenosis of≥50%or occlusion of presumed atherosclerotic origin,from the Dutch Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands(MR CLEAN)Registry(2014-2017).The primary endpoint was a good functional outcome at 90 days,defined as a modified Rankin Scale score≤2.Secondary endpoints were successful intracranial reperfusion,new clot in a different vascular territory,symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage,recurrent ischaemic stroke and any serious adverse event.Results Of the 433 included patients,169(39%)underwent EVT with CAS.In 123/168(73%)patients,CAS was performed before intracranial thrombectomy.In 42/224(19%)patients who underwent EVT without CAS,a deferred carotid endarterectomy or CAS was performed.EVT with and without CAS were associated with similar proportions of good functional outcome(47%vs 42%,respectively;adjusted OR(aOR),0.90;95%CI,0.50 to 1.62).There were no major differences between the groups in any of the secondary endpoints,except for the increased odds of a new clot in a different vascular territory in the EVT with CAS group(aOR,2.96;95%CI,1.07 to 8.21).Conclusions Functional outcomes were comparable after EVT with and without CAS.CAS during EVT might be a feasible option to treat the extracranial ICA stenosis but randomised studies are warranted to prove non-inferiority or superiority.