Annals of Gastroenterology最新文献

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common life-limiting genetic disease often associated with hepatobiliary complications. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), though valuable, carries procedural risks. We assessed the safety of ERCP in CF patients using real-world data.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX database (2010-2024) identified adults (≥18 years) with CF who underwent ERCP. Propensity-score matching adjusted for confounders, including age, sex, race, and hospitalization history. The primary outcome was post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP); secondary outcomes included bleeding and infection. Subgroup analysis evaluated outcomes in patients with choledocholithiasis.

Results: Among 534 matched CF patients (mean age 44.6 years; 48.3% female), rates of PEP (8.3% vs. 4.9%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.937-3.315; P=0.075), bleeding (3.1% vs. 2.1%, aOR 1.52, 95%CI 0.674-3.409; P=0.31), and infection (3.7% vs. 2.4%, aOR 1.55, 95%CI 0.638-3.785; P=0.33) were not significantly different compared to non-CF controls. Subgroup analysis of choledocholithiasis patients similarly showed no significant differences.

Conclusions: ERCP in CF patients demonstrated comparable adverse event rates to non-CF controls. These findings support the procedural safety of ERCP in this population, though further prospective studies are needed to validate these results and clarify risk by indication.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a high-risk endoscopic procedure. We recently found that physician-initiated post-ERCP follow-up calls on day 7 post-ERCP increased adverse event capture. Subsequently, we prospectively evaluated the utility of nurse-initiated follow-up calls, comparing these with physician-initiated calls to assess the impact of transitioning this responsibility to a nurse.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted on consecutive patients undergoing ERCP at our academic tertiary care medical center. Patients received phone calls on days 1 and 7 post-ERCP, from either an endoscopist or a nurse coordinator, using a standardized script to assess delayed complications (pancreatitis, non-pancreatitis abdominal pain, bleeding, infection, perforation), and unplanned health encounters.

Results: A total of 448 ERCP patients (239 physician calls, 209 nursing calls) were included. Physician calls were more successful than nursing calls in reaching patients on both day 1 (96% vs. 74%, P<0.001) and day 7 (91% vs. 63%, P<0.001). Nursing calls were significantly longer than physician calls on both days. A higher adverse event capture rate by physician calls compared to nursing calls was evident on day 1 (3.5% vs. 2.4%, P=0.04) and day 7 (10.6% vs. 6.3%, P=0.004). Physician follow-up calls on day 7 resulted in substantially more patients triaged to the Emergency Department, primary care and oncology clinics (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Physician calls were significantly more effective than nurse calls in reaching patients, capturing adverse events, and triaging patients to appropriate care. These data support the value of physician-initiated calls, at least following the most complex procedures.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment but are frequently complicated by immune-related adverse events, including immunotherapy-related colitis (irColitis). Early and accurate diagnosis, including endoscopy, is essential for appropriate management, yet the real-world feasibility and clinical impact of early endoscopic evaluation remain unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent office-based, unsedated flexible sigmoidoscopy between February 2019 and April 2022 as part of the RAPID-GI program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The program was designed to expedite evaluation of suspected irColitis in ICI-treated patients via rapid GI consultation including sigmoidoscopy. A diagnosis of irColitis was confirmed based on histology review by expert GI pathologists.

Results: irColitis was confirmed in 70% (66/94) of patients. Median time from referral to consultation including sigmoidoscopy was 8 days. Visible inflammation was present in 80% of patients with confirmed irColitis vs. 11% without (P<0.001); all irColitis cases showed histologic inflammation. All procedures were completed without sedation using enemas alone for bowel preparation, and no complications occurred. Findings led to management changes in 89% of irColitis cases, including initiation or adjustment of immunosuppressive therapies. Among patients without irColitis, 79% avoided unnecessary immunosuppression and 57% continued or resumed ICI therapy.

Conclusions: Office-based flexible sigmoidoscopy is a safe, feasible, and high-yield diagnostic tool for suspected irColitis. A rapid access program enables timely diagnosis, guides therapy, minimizes unnecessary immunosuppression, and facilitates ICI continuation. This model may improve outcomes and should be considered for broader adoption among integrated oncology and gastroenterology care teams.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects, but real-world evidence about their incidence in patients with functional GI disorders is limited. We examined their prescription and discontinuation patterns in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis of GLP-1RAs prescribed to patients with IBS at our institution from 2013-2023, we assessed the association of IBS subtype- and patient-related (age, race, body mass index, insurance, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease) factors on the number and reasons for agent switches throughout the treatment course.

Results: Of the 256 patients with IBS prescribed >1 GLP-1RAs, 227 (88.7%) patients trialed 2-3 GLP-1RAs, while 29 (11.3%) trialed ≥4 agents. Mixed-type IBS patients showed the highest rates of switching, followed by constipation- and diarrhea-predominant type IBS (21.7%, 11.7% and 2.2%, respectively; P=0.02). Semaglutide had more discontinuations within 6 months of starting the first GLP-1RA, compared to liraglutide (63.4% vs. 43%; P=0.012). Patients aged ≥65 years were more likely to continue the first agent for >6 months compared to those <65 years (65.8% vs. 44%, P=0.014). In successive lines of therapy, treatment-related discontinuations (injection burden, non-response) remained fairly constant (17%, 14%, 14%) but symptom-related (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) discontinuations increased steadily from first to third agent (28%, 30%, 48%, respectively). Patients with Medicare/Medicaid were more likely to switch ≥3 therapies, than those with private/self-pay coverage (23% vs. 7.3%; P=0.006).

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of tailoring therapy based on drug-specific and patient-related factors to optimize GLP-1RA use in IBS.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Resectable pancreatic cancer is typically treated with curative resection, often followed by adjuvant therapy. Despite this, recurrence rates remain high after resection. Additionally, micro-metastases may develop during the immediate postoperative period. To address this issue, neoadjuvant therapy has been proposed. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of neoadjuvant treatment compared to surgery as first approach in resectable pancreatic cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to October 2, 2024, in CENTRAL, PubMed, ProQuest, SAGE and JSTOR. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer were included.

Results: A total of 5422 articles were identified after duplicate removal. Following the screening process, 8 RCTs were included. No significant difference was observed in the overall survival (OS) among those who received neoadjuvant therapy and those who underwent upfront surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-1.18; P=0.51). Additionally, the groups' disease-free survival (DFS) was comparable (HR 0.98, 95%CI 0.80-1.20; P=0.83). Patients who received neoadjuvant treatment had noticeably higher R0 resection rates compared to the upfront surgery group (risk ratio 1.31, 95%CI 1.11-1.55; P=0.002).

Conclusions: When compared to upfront surgery, neoadjuvant therapy significantly improved the R0 resection rates, but had no significant effect on OS or DFS. More research is required to confirm the potential benefits of neoadjuvant therapy in treating resectable pancreatic cancer.

Background: Diverticular disease (DD) is a common gastrointestinal condition in the United States (US) associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges that might exacerbate DD-related outcomes. This study analyzed the trends in all-cause, digestive system (DGS), and cardiovascular system (CVS) mortality associated with DD from 1999-2020, focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and disparities across demographics and geography.

Methods: Data from adults aged ≥25 years were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control WONDER database. AAMRs per 100,000 people were standardized using the 2000 US census. AAMRs were assessed from 1999-2020 for context, while the primary comparative analysis focused on the pre-COVID-19 (2016-2019) and post-COVID-19 (2019-2022) periods using linear regression models. AAMRs were stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity and geographic region. Note: 2021-2022 trends were extrapolated, as finalized mortality records were not available at the time of analysis.

Results: Between 1999 and 2020, 115,009 DD-related deaths occurred (AAMR 2.4/100,000), including 70,648 DGS-related deaths (AAMR 1.5) and 17,405 CVS-related deaths (AAMR 0.4). Females (AAMR 2.6), elderly individuals (AAMR 11.1), and non-Hispanic whites (AAMR 2.5) had the highest mortality rates. Post-COVID-19, AAMRs increased from 1.8 to 2.0, with significant increases among rural populations. DGS-related deaths were most prevalent, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.

Conclusions: DD-related mortality has increased in the post-COVID-19 period, especially in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, rural residents and females. These findings highlight the need for equitable healthcare interventions and the continued monitoring of pandemic-era health disparities.

Gastroparesis, a chronic condition with complex etiopathogenesis, is associated with considerable symptom burden and significant morbidity. Dietary modifications and pharmacotherapy exhibit limited long-term efficacy, while surgical interventions are characterized by higher morbidity and variable efficacy. Endoscopic procedures, because of their less invasive nature, have been the focus of past and ongoing research. The majority of endoscopic treatment modalities target the pylorus: e.g., gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy, botulinum toxin injection, pyloric balloon dilatation, and transpyloric stent placement. Endoscopic feeding tube placement, endoscopic gastric electrical stimulation, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy have also been used to treat gastroparesis; however, these procedures are less well-studied. This critical review provides a detailed overview of the available endoscopic procedures for the management of gastroparesis, with emphasis on their pros and cons, quality of data and overall efficacy.

Background: Nurses are essential in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the competencies of IBD nurses in Italy still need to be studied. This research assessed Italian IBD nurses' fundamental and advanced skills, providing a baseline for future professional development.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online survey developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel, including gastroenterologists and IBD nurse specialists. The 53-item survey covered sociodemographics, professional characteristics, institutional context and competencies (fundamental and advanced), assessed via a 5-point Likert scale based on Nurse European Crohn and Colitis Organisation guidelines. Distributed nationwide from June to August 2024, descriptive statistics summarized participants' profiles, while inferential analyses, including Pearson's correlations and ANOVA, explored associations between competencies and variables such as experience, education, and institutional factors.

Results: The study analyzed responses from 50 IBD nurses, predominantly female (92%), with a mean age of 48.38±9.7 years. Fundamental competencies showed consistently higher mean scores compared to advanced competencies. High proficiency was noted in establishing empathetic relationships and recognizing the emotional impact of IBD (mean score: 4.06/5). Advanced competencies with the highest scores included caregiver education and multidisciplinary support (3.56/5 and 3.40/5, respectively). Significant correlations were observed between years of IBD-specific experience and competencies such as therapeutic management and stress handling.

Conclusions: Italian IBD nurses demonstrate fundamental solid and moderate skills in advanced competencies. Enhancing educational programs and multidisciplinary collaboration can improve the quality of care for IBD patients. Future studies should address integrating digital health tools to support self-management and patient outcomes.