Inflammatory bowel diseases: A disease (s) of modern times? Is incidence still increasing?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a heterogeneous group of diseases, not always easy to diagnose, even more difficult to classify, and diagnostic criteria are not always uniform. Well done population-based studies are not abundant, and so comparisons among different geographical areas or populations are not always very reliable. In this article, we have reviewed epidemiological studies available on the world’s population while making a critical review of published data.

Endoscopic Staging and Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and it is often diagnosed in an advanced stage. In countries where screening endoscopy is performed widely, early detection is possible. In fact, early gastric cancer incidence is increasing during the last years worldwide and screening could be a major factor in such increase. In the past, the standard treatment of gastric cancer was surgical resection;however, the endoscopic treatment has increased due to advances in the instruments available and clinician experience. In fact, endoscopic resection has become one of the greatest advances in EGC treatment. It is the standard treatment in most of the cases because early gastric cancer is associated with a low rate of lymph node metastasis and a high survival rate. Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and more recently Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection are the two main developed procedures. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection achieves a higher rate of en-bloc resection, complete resection, curative resection and lower local recurrence compared with Endoscopic Mucosal Resection group. The disadvantages associated with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, such as higher perforation rates and longer procedure time, will probably improve as the endoscopists experience increases and new endoscopic tools are developed. The aim of this paper is to review the management of EGC with a special focus on endoscopic detection, staging, therapy, surveillance, and prevention.

Colorectal cancer population screening programs worldwide in 2016: An update

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world.The incidence and mortality show wide geographical variations.Screening is recommended to reduce both incidence and mortality.However,there are significant differences among studies in implementation strategies and detection.This review aimed to present the results and strategies of different screening programs worldwide.We reviewed the literature on national and international screening programs published in Pub Med,on web pages,and in clinical guidelines.CRC Screening programs are currently underway in most European countries,Canada,specific regions in North and South America,Asia,and Oceania.The most extensive screening strategies were based on fecal occult blood testing,and more recently,the fecal immunochemical test(FIT).Participation in screening has varied greatly among different programs.The Netherlands showed the highest participation rate(68.2%)and some areas of Canada showed the lowest(16%).Participation rates were highest among women and in programs that used the FIT test.Men exhibited the greatest number of positive results.The FIT test has been the most widely used screening program worldwide.The advent of this test has increased participation rates and the detection of positive results.

Interaction between Helicobacter pylori infection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or low-dose aspirin use: Old question new insights

Previous reports clearly demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAID)or low dose aspirin(ASA)use significantly and independently increased the risk for the development of peptic ulcer disease.Today,the presence of H.pylori infection associated with low dose ASA and/or NSAID use in the same patient is becoming more frequent and therefore the potential interaction between these factors and the consequences of it has important implications.Whether NSAID intake in the presence of H.pylori infection may further increase the risk of peptic ulcer carried by the presence of only one risk factor is still a matter of debate.Studies on the interaction between the two risk factors yielded conflicting data and no consensus has been reached in the last years.In addition,the interaction between H.pylori infection and low-dose ASA remains even more controversial.In real clinical practice,we can find different clinical scenarios involving these three factors associated with the presence of different gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risk factors.These huge variety of possible combinations greatly hinder the decision making process of physicians.

Education-based approach to addressing non-evidence-based practice in preventing NSAID-associated gastrointestinal complications

AIM:To evaluate an evidence-based educational program for improving strategies for prevention of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID)-associated gastrointestinal(GI)complications. METHODS:Four hundred and fifty-six specialists replied to a questionnaire that covered issues related to NSAID-induced adverse effects.They also collected data from their last five consecutive patients before and after they had attended an evidence-based seminar on GI prevention strategies. RESULTS:Four hundred and forty-one of 456 specialists(96.7%)participated in the survey,and 382(83.7%)in the education-based study that recorded data from 3728 patients.The specialists overestimated the risk of GI complications with NSAIDs,underestimated the GI safety profile of coxibs,but were aware of the risk factors and of the current prevention strategies.Proton pump inhibitors were co-prescribed with NSAIDs in>80% of patients with and without risk factors.The educational program had little impact on prescribing habits.CONCLUSION:Specialists are informed of advances in NSAID-associated adverse effects and have high rates of GI-prevention therapy.Our educational program did not alter these rates.