Framingham risk score and risk of incident chronic kidney disease: A community-based prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease share several common risk factors. The Framingham risk score is hypothesized to predict chronic kidney disease development. We determined if the Framingham risk scoring system can correctly predict incident chronic kidney disease in the general population. METHODS: This study included 9,080 subjects who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study between 2001 and 2014 and had normal renal function. The subjects were classified into low- ( 20%) risk groups based on baseline Framingham risk scores. The primary endpoint was de novo chronic kidney disease development (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²). RESULTS: During a mean follow-up duration of 8.9 ± 4.3 years, 312 (5.3%), 217 (10.8%), and 205 (16.9%) subjects developed chronic kidney disease in the low, intermediate, and high risk groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis after adjustment for confounding factors showed the hazard ratios for the high- and intermediate risk groups were 2.674 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.197–3.255) and 1.734 (95% CI, 1.447–2.078), respectively. This association was consistently observed irrespective of proteinuria, age, sex, obesity, or hypertension. The predictive power of this scoring system was lower than that of renal parameters, such as eGFR and proteinuria, but increased when both were included in the prediction model. CONCLUSION: The Framingham risk score predicted incident chronic kidney disease and enhanced risk stratification in conjunction with traditional renal parameters in the general population with normal renal function.

Early versus late bedside endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a life-threatening complication in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of bedside endoscopy in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, and to compare the outcomes of early endoscopy (within 24 hours of detecting GI bleeding) with late endoscopy (after 24 hours). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent bedside endoscopy for nonvariceal upper GI bleeding and lower GI bleeding that occurred after ICU admission at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2010 to May 2015. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-three patients underwent bedside esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for upper GI bleeding (early, 187; late, 66) and 69 underwent bedside colonoscopy (CS) for lower GI bleeding (early, 36; late, 33). Common endoscopic findings were peptic ulcer, and acute gastric mucosal lesion in the EGD group, as well as ischemic colitis and acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcers in the CS group. Early EGD significantly increased the rate of finding the bleeding focus (82% vs. 73%, p = 0.003) and endoscopic hemostasis (32% vs. 12%, p = 0.002) compared with late EGD. However, early CS significantly decreased the rate of identifying the bleeding focus (58% vs. 82%, p = 0.008) and hemostasis (19% vs. 49%, p = 0.011) compared with late CS due to its higher rate of poor bowel preparation and blood interference (38.9% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Early EGD may be effective for diagnosis and hemostatic treatment in ICU patients with GI bleeding. However, early CS should be carefully performed after adequate bowel preparation.

Training Effect on the Inter-observer Agreement in Endoscopic Diagnosis and Grading of Atrophic Gastritis according to Level of Endoscopic Experience

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic diagnosis of atrophic gastritis can contribute to risk stratification and thereby tailored screening for gastric cancer. We aimed to evaluate the effect of training on inter-observer agreement in diagnosis and grading of endoscopic atrophic gastritis (EAG) according to the level of endoscopists' experience. METHODS: Twelve endoscopists (six less-experienced and six experienced) participated in this prospective study. The training session consisted of 1) four interventions with two-week intervals, and 2) a follow-up period (two follow-up assessments without feedback). EAG was categorized as C1 to O3 according to the Kimura-Takemoto classification. Kappa statistics were used to calculate inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: At baseline, kappa indexes were 0.18 in the less-experienced group and 0.32 in the experienced group, respectively. After four interventions with feedback, the kappa index improved in both groups and was sustained during the follow-up period. Overall diagnostic yields of EAG were 43.1% ± 10.7% in pre-intervention and 46.8% ± 5.9% in post-intervention. Variability in the rate of diagnosis of EAG significantly decreased in the less-experienced group (r = 0.04, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Irrespective of experience level, inter-observer agreement for diagnosis and grading of EAG improved after training and remained stable after intervention.

Association Between Anxiety and Depression and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Results From a Large Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The different clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be influenced by associated psychological factors. We evaluated the psychological status (anxiety and depression) according to each subtype of GERD. METHODS: Subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and completed a symptom questionnaire between January 2008 and December 2011 were analyzed. The subjects were classified into the following groups: erosive reflux disease (ERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), asymptomatic erosive esophagitis (AEE), and controls. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. RESULTS: We analyzed 19 099 subjects: 16 157 (84.6%), 176 (0.9%), 1398 (7.3%), and 1368 (7.2%) in the control, ERD, NERD, and AEE groups, respectively. Multiple multinomial logistic regression revealed a significant association of increased state (adjusted OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.53–2.33) and trait anxiety (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34–2.35) and depression (adjusted OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.75–2.80) with NERD. ERD group showed a significant association only with state anxiety (adjusted OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.27–3.81) and depression (adjusted OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.18–4.22). The AEE group, however, did not show any significant association with psychological factors. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study revealed that anxiety and depression levels were significantly higher in subjects with GERD (notably in the NERD) than in controls.

The Increased Level of Depression and Anxiety in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients Compared with Healthy Controls: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients commonly experience psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. This meta-analysis sought to compare depression and anxiety levels between IBS patients and healthy controls. METHODS: We searched major electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane library) to find comparative studies on IBS patients and healthy controls. The primary outcome was a standardized mean difference (SMD) of anxiety and depression levels; sub-group analyses were conducted according to IBS-subtypes. RESULTS: In total, 2293 IBS patients and 4951 healthy controls from 27 studies were included. In random effect analysis, depression and anxiety levels were significantly higher in IBS patients (pooled SMD = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62–0.90; P < 0.001; I² = 77.2% and pooled SMD = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67–1.01; P < 0.001; I² = 85.6%, respectively). Both analyses’ funnel plots showed symmetry. In meta-regression analysis, heterogeneity was due to the studied region and questionnaire type for both depression and anxiety. In sub-group analyses of IBS-subtype, the pooled SMDs of depression and anxiety levels (IBS with predominant constipation: 0.83 and 0.81, IBS with predominant diarrhea: 0.73 and 0.65, and IBS with mixed bowel habits: 0.62 and 0.75; P < 0.001, respectively) were significantly higher in all IBS-subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis showed depression and anxiety levels to be higher in IBS patients than in healthy controls, regardless of IBS-subtype. However, the gender effect on psychological factors among IBS patients could not be determined and should be evaluated in prospective studies.

Management of Suspicious Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma in Gastric Biopsy Specimens Obtained during Screening Endoscopy

It is often difficult to differentiate gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma from Helicobacter pylori-associated follicular gastritis, and thus, it becomes unclear how to manage these diseases. This study aimed to explore the management strategy for and the long-term outcomes of suspicious gastric MALT lymphoma detected by forceps biopsy during screening upper endoscopy. Between October 2003 and May 2013, consecutive subjects who were diagnosed with suspicious gastric MALT lymphomas by screening endoscopy in a health checkup program in Korea were retrospectively enrolled. Suspicious MALT lymphoma was defined as a Wotherspoon score of 3 or 4 upon pathological evaluation of the biopsy specimen. Of 105,164 subjects who underwent screening endoscopies, 49 patients with suspicious MALT lymphomas who underwent subsequent endoscopy were enrolled. Eight patients received a subsequent endoscopy without H. pylori eradication (subsequent endoscopy only group), and 41 patients received H. pylori eradication first followed by endoscopy (eradication first group). MALT lymphoma development was significantly lower in the eradication first group (2/41, 4.9%) than in the subsequent endoscopy only group (3/8, 37.5%, P = 0.026). Notably, among 35 patients with successful H. pylori eradication, there was only one MALT lymphoma patient (2.9%) in whom complete remission was achieved, and there was no recurrence during a median 45 months of endoscopic follow-up. H. pylori eradication with subsequent endoscopy would be a practical management option for suspicious MALT lymphoma detected in a forceps biopsy specimen obtained during screening upper endoscopy.

Thirty-day mortality after percutaneous gastrostomy by endoscopic versus radiologic placement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A percutaneous gastrostomy can be placed either endoscopically (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, PEG) or radiologically (radiologically-inserted gastrostomy, RIG). However, there is no consistent evidence of the safety and efficacy of PEG compared to RIG. Recently, 30-day mortality has become considered as the most important surrogate index for evaluating the safety and efficacy of percutaneous gastrostomy. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the 30-day mortality rates between PEG and RIG. METHODS: Major electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane library) were queried for comparative studies on the two insertion techniques of gastrostomy among adults with swallowing disturbance. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate after gastrostomy insertion. Forest and funnel plots were generated for outcomes using STATA version 14.0. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (n=2,183) met the inclusion criteria. PEG was associated with a lower risk of 30-day mortality after tube placement compared with RIG (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–0.94; P=0.026). The pooled prevalence of 30-day mortality of PEG was 5.5% (95% CI, 4.0%–6.9%) and that of RIG was 10.5% (95% CI, 6.8%–14.3%). No publication bias was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis demonstrated that PEG is associated with a lower probability of 30-day mortality compared to RIG, suggesting that PEG should be considered as the first choice for long-term enteral tube feeding. Further prospective randomized studies are needed to evaluate and compare the safety of these two different methods of gastrostomy.

Thirty-day mortality after percutaneous gastrostomy by endoscopic versus radiologic placement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A percutaneous gastrostomy can be placed either endoscopically (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, PEG) or radiologically (radiologically-inserted gastrostomy, RIG). However, there is no consistent evidence of the safety and efficacy of PEG compared to RIG. Recently, 30-day mortality has become considered as the most important surrogate index for evaluating the safety and efficacy of percutaneous gastrostomy. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the 30-day mortality rates between PEG and RIG. METHODS: Major electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane library) were queried for comparative studies on the two insertion techniques of gastrostomy among adults with swallowing disturbance. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate after gastrostomy insertion. Forest and funnel plots were generated for outcomes using STATA version 14.0. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (n=2,183) met the inclusion criteria. PEG was associated with a lower risk of 30-day mortality after tube placement compared with RIG (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–0.94; P=0.026). The pooled prevalence of 30-day mortality of PEG was 5.5% (95% CI, 4.0%–6.9%) and that of RIG was 10.5% (95% CI, 6.8%–14.3%). No publication bias was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis demonstrated that PEG is associated with a lower probability of 30-day mortality compared to RIG, suggesting that PEG should be considered as the first choice for long-term enteral tube feeding. Further prospective randomized studies are needed to evaluate and compare the safety of these two different methods of gastrostomy.

Characteristics and outcomes of endoscopically resected colorectal cancers that arose from sessile serrated adenomas and traditional serrated adenomas

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection of colorectal cancer derived from sessile serrated adenomas or traditional serrated adenomas are still unknown. The aims of this study were to verify the characteristics and outcomes of endoscopically resected early colorectal cancers developed from serrated polyps. METHODS: Among patients who received endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancers from 2008 to 2011, cancers with documented pre-existing lesions were included. They were classified as adenoma, sessile serrated adenoma, or traditional serrated adenoma according to the baseline lesions. Clinical characteristics, pathologic diagnosis, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 208 colorectal cancers detected from 198 patients were included: 198 with adenoma, five with sessile serrated adenoma, and five with traditional serrated adenoma. The sessile serrated adenoma group had a higher prevalence of high-grade dysplasia (40.0% vs. 25.8%, P<0.001) than the adenoma group. During follow-up, local recurrence did not occur after endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancers developed from serrated polyps. In contrast, two cases of metachronous recurrence were detected within a short follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Cautious observation and early endoscopic resection are recommended when colorectal cancer from serrated polyp is suspected. Colorectal cancers from serrated polyp can be treated successfully with endoscopy.

Usefulness of the Cytomegalovirus Antigenemia Assay in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at high risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. The usefulness of the CMV antigenemia assay in active UC patients has rarely been studied. We assessed whether the assay detects CMV colitis and predicts clinical outcomes in patients with UC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients hospitalized for moderate-to-severe UC from 2003 to 2012. Positive CMV antigenemia was defined as > or =1 pp65-positive cell per 2x10(5) polymorphonuclear neutrophils. CMV colitis was defined as the presence of inclusion bodies and/or positive immunohistochemistry in the colonic mucosa. The primary outcome was steroid refractoriness, defined as the absence of clinical improvement after intravenous high-dose steroid administration. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were enrolled. CMV antigenemia was detected in 12 (27.9%) patients. Positive CMV antigenemia was significantly associated with CMV colitis (P =0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of positive CMV antigenemia for diagnosing CMV colitis were 66.7% and 87.1%, respectively. Steroid refractoriness was found in 11 of 12 (91.7%) and 12 of 31 (38.7%) patients with positive and negative CMV antigenemia, respectively (P =0.002). The independent predictors for steroid refractoriness were positive CMV antigenemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-49.19; P =0.030) and a shorter duration from the diagnosis of UC (adjusted OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99; P =0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The CMV antigenemia assay shows low sensitivity but high specificity for detecting CMV colitis and may predict steroid-refractory UC. Early rescue therapy might be considered in UC patients positive for CMV antigenemia.

Metastatic Recurrence of Small Bowel Cancer in Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Detailed Distribution of Liver Enzymes according to Gender, Age, and Body Mass Index in Health Check-up Subjects / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of range of liver enzymes according to age and BMI in each gender using large-scale data. METHODS: Data were gathered from 65,715 subjects who underwent a routine health check-up and did not have HBsAg and anti-HCV. Boxplot analysis was used to examine the distribution of range of liver enzymes according to age and BMI in each gender. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed for assessment of the association of liver enzymes with age and BMI, and to determine whether the range of liver enzymes was affected by risk factors for metabolic syndrome in each gender. RESULTS: ALT, AST, and GGT levels showed significant association with BMI in both male and female after adjusting for age. The range of ALT, AST, and GGT levels varied more widely according to the increase in BMI in males than in females, and this finding was more prominent in younger subjects than in older subjects. All risk factors for metabolic syndrome were shown to affect liver enzyme levels in male subjects. However, although most risk factors for metabolic syndrome affected liver enzyme levels, there might be weak or no effect of fasting hyperglycemia on AST, and low serum HDL-cholesterol level on GGT in female subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Age, BMI, and other risk factors for metabolic syndrome had a significant effect on the distribution of range of liver enzymes in each gender, even in this study conducted from Korean health checkup subjects.

A Case of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Associated with Preexisting Ulcerative Colitis Treated with Colectomy and Splenectomy

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, associated with extraintestinal manifestations, including the rarely reported immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Here, we present a case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with preexisting ulcerative colitis. The patient was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 13 years ago. Two years after diagnosis, he presented with hematochezia and active ulcerative colitis. Despite steroid use, the platelet count gradually decreased to 21,000/mm3. Hematochezia and the platelet count recovered after the administration of cyclosporine, and ulcerative colitis was in near complete remission for 11 years. However, the patient was re-admitted for hematochezia and thrombocytopenia persisting over a month. Medical management including increased doses of steroids in combination with cyclosporin failed to control hematochezia and thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura was suspected on the basis of normocellular marrow with a normal number of megakaryocytes. To treat uncontrolled colitis and steroid-refractory thrombocytopenia, total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and splenectomy were performed. The patient was followed up for 10 months after surgery and was found to be in good health with a normal platelet count. Therefore, colectomy alone or in combination with splenectomy should be considered in cases of life-threatening ulcerative colitis complicated with steroid-refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Clinical Characteristics of Lower Gastrointestinal Cancer in Crohn's Disease: Case Series of 5 Patients

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract. Several studies indicate that Crohn's patients with long disease duration have an increased risk of small bowel or colorectal cancer. In Korea, only a few cases of Crohn's disease-related small bowel or colorectal cancer have been reported. Here, we described 3 cases of colorectal cancer and 2 cases of small bowel cancer in patients with Crohn's disease. Among 5 patients, 3 had Crohn's disease-related lower gastrointestinal malignancy and the other 2 had sporadic lower gastrointestinal malignancies. Since the diagnosis of Crohn's disease-related lower gastrointestinal malignancy tends to be delayed, the development of malignancy should be considered in patients with long duration of Crohn's disease if patients have refractory symptoms despite intensive medical treatment. Surgical consultation should not be delayed.

Status of Primary Liver Cancer Found through Routine Health Check-up

This study aimed to investigate the status of primary liver cancers found through a routine health check-up. The data of subjects who were diagnosed with primary liver cancer for the first time through a routine health check-up during a period of 8-yr were analyzed. Primary liver cancers were detected for the first time in 34 subjects among 91,219 routine health check-up subjects. Only 11.8% of primary liver cancer subjects had been under previous surveillance. Of them, 55.8% were positive for HBsAg, 17.7% were positive for anti-HCV, and 8.8% were heavy alcohol comsumers. However, 17.7% of the subjects were neither heavy alcohol consumers nor positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. Of the subjects, 50.0% had a single nodular tumor, 23.5% had multi-nodular tumors, and 26.5% had an infiltrative tumor. A routine health check-up may provide beneficial opportunities to detect a liver cancer in a very early stage. It is beneficial to start surveillance in high-risk subjects for liver cancer or to detect any liver cancer in subjects without risk factors of chronic viral hepatitis or heavy alcohol consumption.