BMJ Open Gastroenterology最新文献

Background: Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are considered premalignant conditions to pancreatic adenocarcinoma with varying degrees of cancerous potential. Management for individuals who do not require surgical treatment involves surveillance to assess for cancerous progression. Little is known about patients' experience and the impact of living with surveillance for these lesions.

Aims: To explore the experiences of patients living with surveillance for PCNs.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with patients under surveillance for pancreatic cystic neoplasms in the UK. Age, gender, time from surveillance and surveillance method were used to purposively sample the patient group. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: A PCN diagnosis is incidental and unexpected and for some, the beginning of a disruptive experience. How patients make sense of their PCN diagnosis is influenced by their existing understanding of pancreatic cancer, explanations from clinicians and the presence of coexisting health concerns. A lack of understanding of the diagnosis and its meaning for their future led to an overarching theme of uncertainty for the PCN population. Surveillance for PCN could be seen as a reminder of fears of PCN and cancer, or as an opportunity for reassurance.

Conclusions: Currently, individuals living with surveillance for PCNs experience uncertainty with a lack of support in making sense of a prognostically uncertain diagnosis with no immediate treatment. More research is needed to identify the needs of this population to make improvements to patient care and reduce negative experiences.

Objective: To estimate the strength of association between exposure to selected classes of prescribed medications and the risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), specifically considering oral anticoagulants (OACs), antidepressants, antiplatelet agents, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Design: A case-control study involving the analysis of community repeat prescriptions among subjects referred with IDA, and unmatched controls referred as gastroenterology fast-tracks for other indications. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to calculate ORs for the association between IDA presentation and each medication class, adjusted for age, sex and coprescribing. For those classes showing significance, it was also used to calculate risk differences between those in the IDA group with or without haemorrhagic lesions on investigation.

Results: A total of 1210 cases were analysed-409 in the IDA group, and 801 in the control group. Significant associations were identified between presentation with IDA and long-term exposure to PPIs (OR 3.29, 95% CI: 2.47 to 4.41, p<0.001) and to OACs (OR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.29 to 3.24, p=0.002). IDA was not associated with long-term exposure to any of the other three drug classes. In contrast to the relationship with PPIs, the association with OACs was primarily in the IDA sub-group with haemorrhagic lesions.

Conclusion: Long-term exposure to PPIs and OACs are independently associated with the risk of developing IDA. There are grounds for considering that these associations may be causal, though the underlying mechanisms probably differ.

Objective: To investigate (1) the UK-wide inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) uptake in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), (2) the association between vaccination against influenza and IBD flare and (3) the effectiveness of IIV in preventing morbidity and mortality.

Design: Data for adults with IBD diagnosed before the 1 September 2018 were extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Gold. We calculated the proportion of people vaccinated against seasonal influenza in the 2018-2019 influenza cycle. To investigate vaccine effectiveness, we calculated the propensity score (PS) for vaccination and conducted Cox proportional hazard regression with inverse-probability treatment weighting on PS. We employed self-controlled case series analysis to investigate the association between vaccination and IBD flare.

Results: Data for 13 631 people with IBD (50.4% male, mean age 52.9 years) were included. Fifty percent were vaccinated during the influenza cycle, while 32.1% were vaccinated on time, that is, before the seasonal influenza virus circulated in the community. IIV was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (aHR (95% CI): 0.73 (0.55,0.97) but not hospitalisation for pneumonia (aHR (95% CI) 0.52 (0.20-1.37), including in the influenza active period (aHR (95% CI) 0.48 (0.18-1.27)). Administration of the IIV was not associated with IBD flare.

Conclusion: The uptake of influenza vaccine was low in people with IBD, and the majority were not vaccinated before influenza virus circulated in the community. Vaccination with the IIV was not associated with IBD flare. These findings add to the evidence to promote vaccination against influenza in people with IBD.

Introduction: The management of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an unmet clinical need. Misoprostol, a structural analogue of naturally occurring prostaglandin E1, has been reported to decrease proinflammatory cytokine production and may have a potential role in treating NASH. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of misoprostol in treating patients with NASH.

Methods: In this phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, patients with NASH were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 200 µg of misoprostol or placebo thrice daily for 2 months. The primary endpoint was an improvement in liver function tests (LFTs), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and endotoxin levels. The secondary endpoint was improvement in insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, hepatic fibrosis and hepatic steatosis.

Results: A total of 50 patients underwent randomisation, of whom 44 (88%) were males. The age range was 25-64 years (mean±SE of mean (SEM) 38.1±1.4). 19 (38%) patients had concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus. 32 (64%) patients were either overweight or obese. At the end of 2 months' treatment, a reduction in total leucocyte count (TLC) (p=0.005), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p<0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p=0.002) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) (p=0.003) was observed in the misoprostol group, whereas placebo ensued a decline in ALT (p<0.001), AST (p=0.018), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p=0.003), CAP (p=0.010) and triglycerides (p=0.048). There was no diminution in insulin resistance, hepatic fibrosis (elastography) and dyslipidaemia in both groups. However, misoprostol resulted in a significant reduction in CAP as compared with the placebo group (p=0.039). Moreover, in the misoprostol group, pretreatment and post-treatment IL-6 and endotoxin levels remained stable, while in the placebo group, an increase in the IL-6 levels was noted (p=0.049). Six (12%) patients had at least one adverse event in the misoprostol group, as did five (10%) in the placebo group. The most common adverse event in the misoprostol group was diarrhoea. No life-threatening events or treatment-related deaths occurred in each group.

Conclusion: Improvement in the biochemical profile was seen in both misoprostol and placebo groups without any statistically significant difference. However, there was more improvement in steatosis, as depicted by CAP, in the misoprostol group and worsening of IL-6 levels in the placebo group.

Trial registration number: NCT05804305.

Background and aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a standard treatment option for achalasia patients. Treatment response varies due to factors such as achalasia type, degree of dilatation, pressure and distensibility indices. We present an innovative approach for treatment response prediction based on an automatic three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of the tubular oesophagus (TE) and the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) in patients undergoing POEM for achalasia.

Methods: A software was developed, integrating data from high-resolution manometry, timed barium oesophagogram and endoscopic images to automatically generate 3-D reconstructions of the TE and LES. Novel normative indices for TE (volume×pressure) and LES (volume/pressure) were automatically integrated, facilitating pre-POEM and post-POEM comparisons. Treatment response was evaluated by changes in volumetric and pressure indices for the TE and the LES before as well as 3 and 12 months after POEM. In addition, these values were compared with normal value indices of non-achalasia patients.

Results: 50 treatment-naive achalasia patients were enrolled prospectively. The mean TE index decreased significantly (p<0.0001) and the mean LES index increased significantly 3 months post-POEM (p<0.0001). In the 12-month follow-up, no further significant change of value indices between 3 and 12 months post-POEM was seen. 3 months post-POEM mean LES index approached the mean LES of the healthy control group (p=0.077).

Conclusion: 3-D reconstruction provides an interactive, dynamic visualisation of the oesophagus, serving as a comprehensive tool for evaluating treatment response. It may contribute to refining our approach to achalasia treatment and optimising treatment outcomes.

Trial registration number: 22-0149.

Objective: Patients with coeliac disease (CD) need to follow a strict gluten-free diet to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Restrictions imposed by the diet can be challenging and affect quality of life (QoL). We explored sources of variation in QoL among patients with CD.

Design: We conducted an online survey of coeliac patients in the UK, including a CD-specific QoL tool (CD-QOL V.1.0), questions on diet adherence and an optional comment box at the end. The survey was disseminated via social media and went live between January and March 2021. We performed multiple linear regression and free text analysis.

Results: We found a median CD-QOL score of 61 (IQR 44-76, range 4-100, n=215) suggesting good QoL (Good >59); however, the individual QoL scores varied significantly. Regression analyses showed that people who found diet adherence difficult and people adhering very strictly had a lower QoL. Free text comments suggested that people who adhered very strictly may do so because they have symptoms with minimal gluten exposure. People who found diet adherence difficult may be people who only recently started the diet and were still adjusting to its impact. Comments also highlighted that individuals with CD often perceive a lack of adequate follow-up care and support after diagnosis.

Conclusion: Better support and follow-up care is needed for people with CD to help them adjust to a gluten-free diet and minimise the impact on their QoL. Better education and increased awareness are needed among food businesses regarding cross-contamination to reduce anxiety and accidental gluten exposure.

Background: Timely diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: Examine associations between time to diagnosis, patterns of prior healthcare use, and clinical outcomes in IBD.

Design: Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink we identified incident cases of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), diagnosed between January 2003 and May 2016, with a first primary care gastrointestinal consultation during the 3-year period prior to IBD diagnosis. We used multivariable Cox regression to examine the association of primary care consultation frequency (n=1, 2, >2), annual consultation intensity, hospitalisations for gastrointestinal symptoms, and time to diagnosis with a range of key clinical outcomes following diagnosis.

Results: We identified 2645 incident IBD cases (CD: 782; UC: 1863). For CD, >2 consultations were associated with intestinal surgery (adjusted HR (aHR)=2.22, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.39) and subsequent CD-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.80, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.50). For UC, >2 consultations were associated with corticosteroid dependency (aHR=1.76, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.41), immunomodulator use (aHR=1.68, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.26), UC-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.43, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.95) and colectomy (aHR=2.01, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.27). For CD, hospitalisation prior to diagnosis was associated with CD-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.30, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68) and intestinal surgery (aHR=1.71, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.58); for UC, it was associated with immunomodulator use (aHR=1.42, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.81), UC-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.36, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.95) and colectomy (aHR=1.54, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.34). For CD, consultation intensity in the year before diagnosis was associated with CD-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.19, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.28) and intestinal surgery (aHR=1.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.23); for UC, it was associated with corticosteroid use (aHR=1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.13), corticosteroid dependency (aHR=1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11), and UC-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.12, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.21). For CD, time to diagnosis was associated with risk of CD-related hospitalisation (aHR=1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68); for UC, it was associated with reduced risk of UC-related hospitalisation (aHR=0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98) and colectomy (aHR=0.59, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.80).

Conclusion: Electronic records contain valuable information about patterns of healthcare use that can be used to expedite timely diagnosis and identify aggressive forms of IBD.

Objective: Dieulafoy's lesions (DLs) are a rare but potentially life-threatening source of gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage. They are responsible for roughly 1%-6.5% of all cases of acute non-variceal GI bleeding.Here, we describe retrospectively the clinical and endoscopic features, review the short-term and long-term outcomes of endoscopic management of bleeding DLs and we identify rate and risk factors, of recurrence and mortality in our endoscopic unit.

Design: Data were collected from patients presenting with GI haemorrhagic secondary to DLs between January 2018 and August 2023. Patients' medical records as well as endoscopic databases were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, risk factors, bleeding site, outcomes of endoscopy techniques, recurrence and mortality rate were taken into account.

Results: Among 1170 cases of GI bleeding, we identified only seven cases involving DLs. Median age was 74 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5. 75% of patients had significant comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular diseases. Only anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents were significantly associated with DLs. All patients were presented with GI bleeding as their initial symptom. The initial endoscopy led to a diagnosis in 85% of the cases. Initial haemostasis was obtained in all patients treated endoscopically. Nevertheless, the study revealed early recurrence in two out of three patients treated solely with epinephrine injection or argon plasma coagulation. In contrast, one of three patients who received combined therapy, experienced late recurrence (average follow-up of 1 year). Pathological diagnosis was necessary in one case. One patient (14%) died of haemorrhagic shock. Average length of hospital stay was 3 days.

Conclusion: Although rare, DLs may be responsible for active, recurrent and unexplained GI bleeding. Thanks to the emergence of endoscopic therapies, the recurrence rate has decreased and the prognosis has highly improved. Therefore, the endoscopic approach remains the first choice to manage bleeding DLs.

Objective: It is unclear whether widespread use of biologics is reducing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) surgical resection rates. We designed a population-based study evaluating the impact of early antitumour necrosis factor (TNF) on surgical resection rates up to 5 years from diagnosis.

Design: We evaluated all patients with IBD diagnosed in Cardiff, Wales 2005-2016. The primary measure was the impact of early (within 1 year of diagnosis) sustained (at least 3 months) anti-TNF compared with no therapy on surgical resection rates. Baseline factors were used to balance groups by propensity scores, with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) methodology and removing immortal time bias. Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) with IBD unclassified (IBD-U) (excluding those with proctitis) were analysed.

Results: 1250 patients were studied. For CD, early sustained anti-TNF therapy was associated with a reduced likelihood of resection compared with no treatment (IPTW HR 0.29 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.65), p=0.003). In UC including IBD-U (excluding proctitis), there was an increase in the risk of colectomy for the early sustained anti-TNF group compared with no treatment (IPTW HR 4.6 (95% CI 1.9 to 10), p=0.001).

Conclusions: Early sustained use of anti-TNF therapy is associated with reduced surgical resection rates in CD, but not in UC where there was a paradoxical increased surgery rate. This was because baseline clinical factors were less predictive of colectomy than anti-TNF usage. These data support the use of early introduction of anti-TNF therapy in CD whereas benefit in UC cannot be assessed by this methodology.

Objective: In 2019, a BMJ Rapid Recommendation advised against colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for adults with a predicted 15-year CRC risk below 3%. Using Switzerland as a case study, we estimated the population-level impact of this recommendation.

Design: We predicted the CRC risk of all respondents to the population-based Swiss Health Survey. We derived the distribution of risk-based screening start age, assuming predicted risk was calculated every 5 years between ages 25 and 70 and screening started when this risk exceeded 3%. Next, the MISCAN-Colon microsimulation model evaluated biennial faecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening with this risk-based start age. As a comparison, we simulated screening initiation based on age and sex.

Results: Starting screening only when predicted risk exceeded 3% meant 82% of women and 90% of men would not start screening before age 65 and 60, respectively. This would require 43%-57% fewer tests, result in 8%-16% fewer CRC deaths prevented and yield 19%-33% fewer lifeyears gained compared with screening from age 50. Screening women from age 65 and men from age 60 had a similar impact as screening only when predicted risk exceeded 3%.

Conclusion: With the recommended risk prediction tool, the population impact of the BMJ Rapid Recommendation would be similar to screening initiation based on age and sex only. It would delay screening initiation by 10-15 years. Although halving the screening burdens, screening benefits would be reduced substantially compared with screening initiation at age 50. This suggests that the 3% risk threshold to start CRC screening might be too high.