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Gastritis is common worldwide. The combination of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection with background gastritis, including atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia is implicated as an important etiopathogenetic contributor to gastric cancer. Since the gastritis classification proposed by Schindler, research has focused on classification of gastritis for accurate diagnosis and prediction of prognosis. Advances in endoscopic technology have enabled more accurate visualization of the gastric mucosa and ‘targeted’ biopsies with the emergence of newer classifications based on visual findings (Kimura-Takemoto classification) and more specific histopathological findings using targeted biopsies (Whitehead classification). Following the discovery of H. pylori, it is mandatory to consider its role as an important contributor to gastritis. Therefore, it was necessary to redefine the classification of gastritis and arrive at a consensus, which led to the establishment of an international consensus classification, referred to as the Sydney system. However, the Sydney system alone cannot predict the gastric cancer risk, and scoring systems such as the Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment and the Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment based on Intestinal Metaplasia were proposed. These systems are based on histopathological findings observed in endoscopic biopsy specimens. However, availability of high-definition images following technological advances has facilitated the emergence of a visual classification, the Kyoto classification. In contrast to the Sydney system, the Kyoto classification is based exclusively on interpretation of visual findings and focuses on detection of H. pylori infection and gastric cancer prediction. In this review, we summarize the history and background of the various classifications of gastritis.
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Objectives@#Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a major contributor to mortality in immunocompromised patients. Few studies have discussed upper gastrointestinal CMV (UGICMV) disease in immunocompetent patients. We compared the clinical outcomes of UGI-CMV between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included patients with UGI-CMV disease from five tertiary hospitals across Korea (2010– 2022). Patients’ clinical data and outcomes were recorded. @*Results@#UGI-CMV was diagnosed in 54 patients; 27 (50.0%) had esophageal, 24 (44.4%) had gastric, and 3 patients (5.6%) had duodenal involvement. Patients’ median age was 64 years (interquartile range 53–75 years), and the most common comorbidities included hypertension (57.4%) and diabetes (38.9%). The predominant symptom was abdominal pain (46.3%), and the most common endoscopic finding was ulcers (70.4%). Antiviral treatment was administered to 31 patients, and 23 patients underwent observation without treatment. We investigated 32 immunocompromised (59.3%) and 22 immunocompetent (40.7%) patients and observed no intergroup differences in comorbidities and in laboratory and endoscopic findings. Immunocompromised patients had longer length of hospitalization (median 46.2 days vs. 20.0 days, p=0.001). However, treatment outcomes, including the need for intensive care unit admission and mortality did not significantly differ. The overall mortality rate was 13.0%; one patient from the immunocompromised group died of UGI-CMV disease. The treatment success rate was higher in immunocompromised patients who received antiviral therapy (p=0.011). @*Conclusions@#UGI-CMV disease is not uncommon in immunocompetent patients, although symptoms are milder than those in immunocompromised patients. Our findings emphasize the importance of clinical vigilance for accurate diagnosis of CMV infection, particularly in susceptible symptomatic patients and highlight the need for active antiviral treatment for management of immunocompromised patients.
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Sedation can resolve anxiety and fear in patients undergoing endoscopy. The use of sedatives has increased in Korea. Appropriate sedation is a state in which the patient feels subjectively comfortable while maintaining the airway reflex for stable spontaneous breathing. The patient should maintain a state of consciousness to the extent that he or she can cooperate with the needs of the medical staff. Despite its benefits, endoscopic sedation has been associated with cardiopulmonary complications. Such cardiopulmonary complications are usually temporary, and most patients recover without sequelae. However, these events may progress to serious complications, such as cardiovascular collapse. Therefore, it is essential to screen high-risk patients before sedation and reduce complications by meticulous monitoring. Additionally, physicians should be familiar with the management of emergencies. The first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic sedation was developed based on previous worldwide guidelines for endoscopic sedation using an adaptation process. The guideline consists of nine recommendations based on a critical review of currently available data and expert consensus when the guideline was drafted. These guidelines should provide clinicians, nurses, medical school students, and policy makers with information on how to perform endoscopic sedation with minimal risk.
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Sedation can resolve anxiety and fear in patients undergoing endoscopy. The use of sedatives has increased in Korea. Appropriate sedation is a state in which the patient feels subjectively comfortable while maintaining the airway reflex for stable spontaneous breathing. The patient should maintain a state of consciousness to the extent that he or she can cooperate with the needs of the medical staff. Despite its benefits, endoscopic sedation has been associated with cardiopulmonary complications. Cardiopulmonary complications are usually temporary. Most patients recover without sequelae. However, they may progress to serious complications, such as cardiovascular collapse. Therefore, it is essential to screen high-risk patients before sedation and reduce complications by meticulous monitoring. Additionally, physicians should be familiar with the management of emergencies. The first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic sedation was developed based on previous worldwide guidelines for endoscopic sedation using an adaptation process. The guideline consists of nine recommendations based on a critical review of currently available data and expert consensus when the guideline was drafted. These guidelines should provide clinicians, nurses, medical school students, and policy makers with information on how to perform endoscopic sedation with minimal risk.
ABSTRACT
Sedation can resolve anxiety and fear in patients undergoing endoscopy. The use of sedatives has increased in Korea. Appropriate sedation is a state in which the patient feels subjectively comfortable while maintaining the airway reflex for stable spontaneous breathing. The patient should maintain a state of consciousness to the extent that he or she can cooperate with the needs of the medical staff. Despite its benefits, endoscopic sedation has been associated with cardiopulmonary complications. Cardiopulmonary complications are usually temporary. Most patients recover without sequelae. However, they may progress to serious complications, such as cardiovascular collapse. Therefore, it is essential to screen high-risk patients before sedation and reduce complications by meticulous monitoring. Additionally, physicians should be familiar with the management of emergencies. The first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic sedation was developed based on previous worldwide guidelines for endoscopic sedation using an adaptation process. The guideline consists of nine recommendations based on a critical review of currently available data and expert consensus when the guideline was drafted. These guidelines should provide clinicians, nurses, medical school students, and policy makers with information on how to perform endoscopic sedation with minimal risk.
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Background/Aims@#With recent changes in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, patients’ active decision-making has become more important. Nevertheless, it is difficult to give patients proper insights into the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine associated factors between pancreatic cancer awareness and treatment decisions as well as how cancer awareness affects the timing of treatment decisions and the desired treatment method. @*Methods@#This is a retrospective study that reviewed and analyzed the electronic medical records of 110 patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer from January 2013 to April 2016. A "patient with pancreatic cancer awareness" means that the patient was informed of their disease state before making the first treatment decision. @*Results@#Of all, only 63.6% of patients (n=70) were shown to have pancreatic cancer awareness before making their first treatment decision. Compared to patients without pancreatic cancer awareness, patients with pancreatic cancer awareness were younger (65.00 vs. 76.98, t=6.70, p<0.001), were more likely to have presented their spouse as legal guardians (42.9% vs. 10.0%, χ2=31.70, p<0.001), and spent a shorter time for treatment decision-making (1.6 vs. 10.5 days, t=4.26, p<0.001). The patients without pancreatic cancer awareness were more likely to opt for best supportive care compared to the patients with pancreatic cancer awareness (79.5% vs. 28.6%, χ2=31.70, p<0.001). @*Conclusions@#This study provides insights into cancer awareness. Since cancer awareness appears to influence treatment decision, it is necessary to develop guidelines to improve cancer awareness of patients.
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Advanced colorectal cancer can cause acute colonic obstruction, which is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency bowel decompression. Malignant colonic obstruction has traditionally been treated using emergency surgery, including primary resection or stoma formation. However, relatively high rates of complications, such as anastomosis site leakage, have been considered as major concerns for emergency surgery. Endoscopic management of malignant colonic obstruction using a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) was introduced 20 years ago and it has been used as a first-line palliative treatment. However, endoscopic treatment of malignant colonic obstruction using SEMSs as a bridge to surgery remains controversial owing to short-term complications and longterm oncological outcomes. In this review, the current status of and recommendations for endoscopic management using SEMSs for malignant colonic obstruction will be discussed.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the treatment efficacy and renal safety of long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with preserved renal function. METHODS: The medical records of 919 CHB patients who were treated with TDF therapy were reviewed. All patients had preserved renal function with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: A total of 426 patients (184 treatment-naïve and 242 treatment-experienced) were included for analysis. A virologic response (VR) was defined as achieving an undetectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level, and the overall VR was 74.9%, 86.7%, and 89.4% at the 1, 2, and 3-year follow-ups, respectively. Achieving a VR was not influenced by previous treatment experience, TDF combination therapy, or antiviral resistance. In a multivariate analysis, being hepatitis B e antigen positive at baseline and having a serum HBV DNA level ≥2,000 IU/mL at 12 months were associated with lower VR rates during the long-term TDF therapy. The overall renal impairment was 2.9%, 1.8%, and 1.7% at the 1, 2, and 3-year follow-ups, respectively. With regard to renal safety, underlying diabetes mellitus (DM) and an initial eGFR of 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 were significant independent predictors of renal impairment. CONCLUSIONS: TDF therapy appears to be an effective treatment option for CHB patients with a preserved GFR. However, patients with underlying DM and initial mild renal dysfunction (eGFR, 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2) have an increased risk of renal impairment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antiviral Agents , Diabetes Mellitus , DNA , Follow-Up Studies , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Hepatitis B , Hepatitis B virus , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Medical Records , Multivariate Analysis , Renal Insufficiency , Tenofovir , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Managing acute pancreatitis is clinically challenging because of the generally poor patient condition, the variety of treatment options depending on the severity and complications, and the uncertainty of outcomes. Recently, the step-up approach, which involves less invasive initial treatment and more invasive subsequent treatment, where necessary, has been proposed as the mainstay of managing pancreatitis. This paper presents a case of a 57-year-old man with severe acute pancreatitis, who developed an unexpected fistula in the rectum, which was treated successfully using the step-up approach. In managing this case, the authors faced clinical challenges in determining the infection of necrotic tissue in the early phase of the disease, the optimal timing and method of drainage, and the fistula closure or repair technique. Successful management of this case using the step-up approach validated current recommendations and suggests that it is a reasonable treatment strategy for pancreatic-colonic fistulas. This case also highlights the importance of an awareness that pancreatitis-associated complications can develop in an unexpected manner.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Colon , Drainage , Fistula , Methods , Pancreatitis , Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing , Rectum , UncertaintyABSTRACT
Managing acute pancreatitis is clinically challenging because of the generally poor patient condition, the variety of treatment options depending on the severity and complications, and the uncertainty of outcomes. Recently, the step-up approach, which involves less invasive initial treatment and more invasive subsequent treatment, where necessary, has been proposed as the mainstay of managing pancreatitis. This paper presents a case of a 57-year-old man with severe acute pancreatitis, who developed an unexpected fistula in the rectum, which was treated successfully using the step-up approach. In managing this case, the authors faced clinical challenges in determining the infection of necrotic tissue in the early phase of the disease, the optimal timing and method of drainage, and the fistula closure or repair technique. Successful management of this case using the step-up approach validated current recommendations and suggests that it is a reasonable treatment strategy for pancreatic-colonic fistulas. This case also highlights the importance of an awareness that pancreatitis-associated complications can develop in an unexpected manner.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Colon , Drainage , Fistula , Methods , Pancreatitis , Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing , Rectum , UncertaintyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The association between depression and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or pegylated interferon α and ribavirin therapy (PR therapy) has not been extensively studied in Korea. We aimed to clarify the prevalence of depression and its incidence during PR therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, 114 CHC patients were screened for depression using two self-reported scales, the Beck Depression Inventory-I (BDI-I) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). The incidence of depression during PR therapy was evaluated in 62 patients who underwent PR therapy during the study period. RESULTS: The prevalence of baseline depression was 17.5% according to the BDI-I score ≥10 criterion and 4.4% according to the HADS-D score ≥8 criterion in the 114 CHC patients, and it was significantly associated with an unmarried state. During PR therapy, depression developed in 34.6% according to the BDI-I scale and 29.5% according to the HADS-D, which negatively affected sustained virologic response (SVR). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression in Korean CHC patients appears to be low compared to that in Western patients; however, its incidence during PR therapy (approximately 30%) was similar to that of other populations, which led to a lower SVR rate. Active screening and multidisciplinary management of depression during PR therapy is warranted.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anxiety , Depression , Hepacivirus , Hepatitis C, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Incidence , Interferons , Korea , Mass Screening , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Republic of Korea , Ribavirin , Single Person , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, many studies have reported the incidence of colorectal neoplasm (CRN) to be increased in patients with gastric cancer. Thus preoperative colonoscopy is recommended for the screening of CRN. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of colorectal adenoma and cancer in patients with gastric cancer and evaluate the necessity of preoperative colonoscopy in patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data from 293 patients who underwent gastrectomy due to gastric cancer at one tertiary institution between January to December 2015. Preoperative colonoscopy was performed in 127 patients of 293 patients. To compare the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm, we selected 900 persons who underwent upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy for health screening during 2015. RESULTS: The prevalence of overall CRN was similar in the gastric cancer group and the control group. The prevalence of colorectal advanced adenoma and cancer was higher in the gastric cancer group compared with control group, but it did not show statistical significance. The prevalence of colorectal advanced adenoma was significantly higher in the group of age ≥ years and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of advanced colorectal adenoma increases significantly in patients with old age but not in patients with gastric cancer. We suggest that all patients with gastric cancer might not carry a high risk for advanced colorectal adenoma compared with the normal population. Patients with old age might require surveillance colonoscopy.
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Humans , Adenoma , Colonoscopy , Colorectal Neoplasms , Endoscopy, Digestive System , Gastrectomy , Incidence , Mass Screening , Prevalence , Smoke , Smoking , Stomach NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Intramural esophageal dissection is a rare but clinically important condition in the field of gastroenterology. Classically, intramural esophageal dissection rarely occurs in patients who are anticoagulated or have poor medical condition, and its clinical presentation may include chest pain, dysphagia and hematemesis. Herein, we present a case of intramural esophageal dissection in an alcoholic hepatitis patient that was diagnosed by endoscopy and successfully treated with conservative management.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis , Enteral Nutrition , Esophageal Diseases/diagnosis , Esophagoscopy , Hepatitis, Alcoholic/pathology , Intubation, GastrointestinalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the incidence of GB polyps is increasing with improved surveillance, the study of predictive factors of malignant potential has not been sufficient. The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the predictive factors of malignant potential in GB polyps. METHODS: Among 3,159 patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Chonbuk National University hospital January 2009 to December 2013, 437 patients confirmed GB polyps pathologically were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups; one with benign GB polyp and another with GB adenoma and incidental GB cancer. RESULTS: Group I with benign GB polyp was seen in 359 patients. On the other hand, 53 patients with GB adenoma and 25 patients with GB cancer in gourp II were identified. The patients in group II had shown a significantly higher incidence of age older than 50 years (53/78, 67.9% vs. 163/359, 45.4%, p=0.001), size larger than 10mm (40/78, 51.3% vs. 37/359, 10.3%, p<0.001), and GB wall thickening (36/78, 46.2% vs. 77/359, 21.5%, p<0.001). The presence of GB stone had not shown significant differences between two groups (26/78, 33.3% vs. 96/359, 26.7%, p=0.378). CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystectomy should be considered for the patients with GB polyp with these predictive factors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adenoma , Cholecystectomy , Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic , Gallbladder Neoplasms , Gallbladder , Hand , Incidence , Polyps , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Balsalazide is an anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Balsalazide can reduce inflammatory responses via several mechanisms, including inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity. Parthenolide (PT) inhibits NF-kappaB and exerts promising anticancer effects by promoting apoptosis. The present investigated the antitumor effects of balsalazide, combined with PT, on NF-kappaB in a representative human colorectal carcinoma cell line, HCT116. METHODS: We counted cells and conducted annexin-V assays and cell cycle analysis to measure apoptotic cell death. Western blotting was used investigate the levels of proteins involved in apoptosis. RESULTS: PT and balsalazide produced synergistic anti-proliferative effects and induced apoptotic cell death. The combination of balsalazide and PT markedly suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit and the phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Moreover, PT and balsalazide dramatically enhanced NF-kappaB p65 phosphorylation. Apoptosis, through the mitochondrial pathway, was confirmed by detecting effects on Bcl-2 family members, cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase-3 and -8. CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with PT and balsalazide may offer an effective strategy for the induction of apoptosis in HCT116 cells.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Blotting, Western , Caspase 3 , Cell Cycle , Cell Death , Cell Line , Colorectal Neoplasms , Cytochromes c , HCT116 Cells , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases , NF-kappa B , PhosphorylationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Combination therapy utilizing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in conjunction with other anticancer agents, is a promising strategy to overcome TRAIL resistance in malignant cells. Recently, parthenolide (PT) has proved to be a promising anticancer agent, and several studies have explored its use in combination therapy. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which PT sensitizes colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. METHODS: HT-29 cells (TRAIL-resistant) were treated with PT and/or TRAIL for 24 hours. The inhibitory effect on proliferation was detected using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Annexin V staining, cell cycle analysis, and Hoechst 33258 staining were used to assess apoptotic cell death. Activation of an apoptotic pathway was confirmed by Western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with TRAIL alone inhibited the proliferation of HCT 116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas proliferation was not affected in HT-29 cells. Combination PT and TRAIL treatment significantly inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells. We observed that the synergistic effect was associated with misregulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family members, release of cytochrome C to the cytosol, activation of caspases, and increased levels of p53. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy using PT and TRAIL might offer an effetive strategy to overcome TRAIL resistance in certain CRC cells.