A wide variation of the quality of colonoscopy reporting system in the real clinical practice in southeastern area of Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Establishment of a colonoscopy reporting system is a prerequisite to determining and improving quality. This study aimed to investigate colonoscopists' opinions and the actual situation of a colonoscopy reporting system in a clinical practice in southeastern area of Korea and to assess the factors predictive of an inadequate reporting system. METHODS: Physicians who performed colonoscopies in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk province of Korea and were registered with the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE) were interviewed via mail about colonoscopy reporting systems using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 181 endoscopists invited to participate, 125 responded to the questionnaires (response rate, 69%). Most responders were internists (105/125, 84%) and worked in primary clinics (88/125, 70.4%). Seventy-one specialists (56.8%) held board certifications for endoscopy from the KSGE. A median of 20 colonoscopies (interquartile range, 10–47) was performed per month. Although 88.8% of responders agreed that a colonoscopy reporting system is necessary, only 18.4% (23/125) had achieved the optimal reporting system level recommended by the Quality Assurance Task Group of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. One-third of endoscopists replied that they did not use a reporting document for the main reasons of "too busy" and "inconvenience." Non-endoscopy specialists and primary care centers were independent predictive factors for failure to use a colonoscopy reporting system. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of colonoscopy reporting systems varies widely and is considerably suboptimal in actual clinical practice settings in southeastern Korea, indicating considerable room for quality improvements in this field.

A wide variation of the quality of colonoscopy reporting system in the real clinical practice in southeastern area of Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Establishment of a colonoscopy reporting system is a prerequisite to determining and improving quality. This study aimed to investigate colonoscopists' opinions and the actual situation of a colonoscopy reporting system in a clinical practice in southeastern area of Korea and to assess the factors predictive of an inadequate reporting system. METHODS: Physicians who performed colonoscopies in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk province of Korea and were registered with the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE) were interviewed via mail about colonoscopy reporting systems using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 181 endoscopists invited to participate, 125 responded to the questionnaires (response rate, 69%). Most responders were internists (105/125, 84%) and worked in primary clinics (88/125, 70.4%). Seventy-one specialists (56.8%) held board certifications for endoscopy from the KSGE. A median of 20 colonoscopies (interquartile range, 10–47) was performed per month. Although 88.8% of responders agreed that a colonoscopy reporting system is necessary, only 18.4% (23/125) had achieved the optimal reporting system level recommended by the Quality Assurance Task Group of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. One-third of endoscopists replied that they did not use a reporting document for the main reasons of "too busy" and "inconvenience." Non-endoscopy specialists and primary care centers were independent predictive factors for failure to use a colonoscopy reporting system. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of colonoscopy reporting systems varies widely and is considerably suboptimal in actual clinical practice settings in southeastern Korea, indicating considerable room for quality improvements in this field.

Old Age at Diagnosis Is Associated With Favorable Outcomes in Korean Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite the rising incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Asian populations, data regarding clinical characteristics of patients in Asia based on age at diagnosis are relatively sparse. The aim of this study was to compare clinical characteristics based on the age at diagnosis according to the Montreal Classification in Korean IBD patients. METHODS: We recruited consecutive patients with IBD at two tertiary hospitals and retrospectively reviewed their medical information. Patients were divided into three groups according to their age at diagnosis: youth (40 years). The main clinical characteristics for comparison were the achievement of a remission state at the last follow-up visit, cumulative rate of surgery, and cumulative use of immunomodulators and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) blockers during the follow-up period. RESULTS: In total, 346 IBD patients were included (Crohn's disease [CD] 146 and ulcerative colitis 200; 36 youth, 202 young adult, and 113 middle-old). The middle-old group with CD was characterized by a predominance of uncomplicated behavior (P=0.013) and a lower frequency of perianal disease (P=0.009). The middle-old group was associated more with a less aggressive disease course than the younger group, as shown by more frequent remission (P=0.004), being less likely to undergo surgery (P<0.001), and lower cumulative use of immunomodulators and TNFalpha blockers (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Age at diagnosis according to the Montreal Classification is an important prognostic factor for Korean IBD patients.

Chronological Outcomes and Learning Curve of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Colorectal Tumors / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective procedure for en-bloc curative resection of the colorectal tumor. As it requires high technical skills and experience in therapeutic endoscopy, it is important to understand learning curve of ESD technique. The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe the clinical results of ESD and to evaluate learning curve for the ESD of colorectal tumors. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with 90 colorectal neoplasms, who had undergone ESD at a tertiary referral hospital from July 2009 to December 2012, were enrolled. The ESD was performed by a single endoscopist. All ESD cases were divided into three periods: first, cases 1-30; second, cases 31-60; and third, cases 61-90. RESULTS: The en-bloc resection rates in third period (100%) was significantly higher than that of the first (93.3%) and second period (80%) (p=0.025). The perforation rate in third period (0%) also significantly decreased compared with that of the first (13.3%) and second period (20%) (p=0.032). To calibrate the difference of tumor size among periods, proficiency was calculated, as the procedure time per specimen area (min/cm2). The proficiency in third period (4.3) was significantly shorter than that of the first (16.8) and second period (10.2) (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve of colorectal ESD in our study shows that at least 60 cases of ESD have to be conducted to acquire sufficient skill of degree without perforation.

Is the Environment of the Endoscopy Unit a Reservoir of Pathogens?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Given the characteristic procedures involved in the endoscopy unit, the spread of pathogens is much more frequent in this unit than in other environments. However, there is a lack of data elucidating the existence of pathogens in the endoscopy unit. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of possible pathogens in the endoscopy unit. METHODS: We performed environmental culture using samples from the endoscopy rooms of 2 tertiary hospitals. We used sterile cotton-tipped swabs moistened with sterile saline to swab the surfaces of 197 samples. Then, we cultured the swab in blood agar plate. Samples from the colonoscopy room were placed in thioglycollate broth to detect the presence of anaerobes. After 2 weeks of culture period, we counted the colony numbers. RESULTS: The most commonly contaminated spots were the doctor's keyboard, nurse's cart, and nurse's mouse. The common organisms found were non-pathogenic bacterial microorganisms Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Streptococcus spp.. No definite anaerobe organism was detected in the colonoscopy room. CONCLUSIONS: Although the organisms detected in the endoscopy unit were mainly non-pathogenic organisms, they might cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, the environment of the endoscopy room should be managed appropriately; moreover, individual hand hygiene is important for preventing possible hospital-acquired infections.

Vesicoenteric Fistula due to Bladder Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Vesicoenteric fistula is a rare complication of bladder squamous cell carcinoma. We report the case of a 70-year-old male who complained of painless, total gross hematuria. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed an approximately 2.7-cm lobulated and contoured enhancing mass in the bladder dome. We performed partial cystectomy of the bladder dome after transurethral resection of the bladder. The biopsy result was bladder squamous cell carcinoma, with infiltrating serosa histopathologically, but the resection margin was free. Postoperatively, follow-up CT was done after 3 months. Follow-up CT revealed an approximately 4.7-cmx4.0-cm lobulated, contoured, and heterogeneous mass in the bladder dome. A vesicoenteric fistula was visible by cystography. Here we report this case of a vesicoenteric fistula due to bladder squamous cell carcinoma.

Efficacy of Bicalutamide 150-mg Monotherapy Compared With Combined Androgen Blockade in Patients With Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: We compared the efficacy, survival rate, and adverse events between bicalutamide 150-mg monotherapy and combined androgen blockade (CAB) in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2003 to July 2012, we retrospectively included 74 patients who were treated for more than 3 months and were followed up for more than 6 months. 25 men were treated with bicalutamide 150-mg only (group 1) and 49 men received CAB (group 2). Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) change, survival rate, and adverse events were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The PSA levels before and after treatment were 37.0+/-32.8 ng/mL and 9.5+/-27.0 ng/mL in group 1 (p<0.001) and 50.2+/-40.0 ng/mL and 20.0+/-35.8 ng/mL in group 2 (p<0.001). Mean survival rates were 78.9% in group 1 and 52.3% in group 2 (p=0.055). There were no statistically significant differences in adverse events between the 2 groups (p=0.304). The International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score before treatment was 19.3+/-5.9 in group 1 and 18.3+/-5.8 in group 2 (p=0.487). The IIEF-5 score after treatment was 17.1+/-6.3 in group 1 and 14.0+/-6.1 in group 2, which was a statistically significant difference (p=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The PSA change, mean survival rate, and adverse events in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer treated with bicalutamide 150-mg and CAB did not differ significantly. However, sexual function was better in the bicalutamide 150-mg group. Therefore, bicalutamide 150-mg monotherapy could be considered as a treatment for locally advanced prostate cancer in patients concerned about sexual function.

Effect of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate on Storage Symptoms in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia of Less than 30 ml

PURPOSE: Many patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not only voiding symptoms but also storage symptoms. Despite the many types of treatment that have been developed for BPH, storage symptoms persist. We conducted an assessment of the efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and the change in the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) storage sub-score after the procedure according to prostate size in patients with BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men aged 50 years or older who had BPH were enrolled in this study. 186 patients were divided into two groups according to prostate size measuring using transrectal ultrasonography: In group 1, prostate size was less than 30 ml (51 patients), and in group 2, prostate size was greater than 30 ml (135 patients). All of the patients underwent TURP. We examined whether the degree of change in the IPSS, voiding symptoms, storage symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) differed before and after TURP and according to prostate size. RESULTS: After three months of TURP, the subjects in both groups showed significant improvement in the IPSS, voiding symptoms, storage symptoms, QoL, and maximum flow rate (p<0.05). The scores for the IPSS, voiding symptoms, storage symptoms, and QoL of group 1 and 2 after three months of TURP were 16.36, 14.25 (p=0.233), 8.21, 8.24 (p=0.980), 8.11, 5.16 (p=0.014), 2.89, and 2.10 (p=0.030), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TURP is an effective treatment for patients with BPH, regardless of prostate size. However, while the improvement in the storage symptoms of patients with a prostate size of less than 30 ml was not significant, it was in patients with a prostate size greater than 30 ml.

Malacoplakia of the Epididymis

Malacoplakia is a chronic inflammatory disease. The disease mainly affects the urinary bladder, although involvement of extravesical sites is increasingly being documented. Most frequently involved is the urinary tract, particularly the urinary bladder, although the testis, epididymis, lungs, bone, colon, prostate, female genital organs, and retroperitoneum can also be involved. Here we report the case of a 61-year-old man with a scrotal mass with histology that was specific for malacoplakia of the epididymis. The histologic workup demonstrated extensive involvement of the epididymis by diffuse infiltrates of large histiocytes with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and numerous Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, which were diagnostic of malakoplakia. This is the first case of epididymal malacoplakia in our country and the first case of epididymal malacoplakia without concurrent involvement of the testis. There have been few reports of this condition worldwide.

A Case of Avascular Necrosis of Bone as the Initial Manifestation of Polyarteritis Nodosa / 대한류마티스학회지

We describe a 28-year old man in otherwise apparently good health, in whom pain in his left knee joint caused by avascular necrosis led to a diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). The angiogram showed multiple microaneurysmal and thrombotic lesions, notably in the renal, mesenteric and tibial arteries. A skin biopsy of the upper dermis of the left thigh with an erythematous skin rash showed the infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes in the perivascular area. During hospitalization, he was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, and was treated with lamivudine, and corticosteroid, azathioprine to control the PAN. The knee joint pain improved progressively, and the patient could walk normally after several months. This case is an unusual presentation because the initial manifestation of PAN was avascular necrosis.

Changes in Hemodynamics and Plasma Catecholamine Levels following Midazolam Premedication / 대한마취과학회지

The present study atternpted. to expiore the new benzodiazepine, midazolam, which is water-soluble, shorter-acting, more potent, and less irritating to inject than diazepam, and which has been used as premedication before induction of anesthesia in various elective surgeries. Forty patients (aged 20 to 50 and in ASA class I or II ) about to undergo simple elective surgery under general anesthesia entered the study. The patients were divided into the study group (n=20) that recieved 0.07 mg/Kg i.m midazolan premedication and the control group (n= 20) that recieved normal saline as sham premedication. The changes in the values of various hemodynamic parameters, i.e., heart rate and systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressures, were monitored first before tracheal intubation, then at the time of intubation and 5, 10 and 30 minutes after intubation. The concentrations of plasma catecholamines i.e., epinephrine and norepinephrine, were measured before intubation and 5, 30 minutes after intubation. Systolic pressure and plasma epinephrine concentration before induction was significantly low in the study compared with the controls. At the time of intubation, sytolic, diastolic & mean arterial pressures were significantly low in the study group compared with the controls. Heart rates measured at 10 and 30 minutes postintubation were significantly low at 30 minutes postintubation in the study group compared with the controls as was plasma epinephrine levels at each instance of its measurement. In conclusion, midazolam-premedicated patients appear to maintain stable hemodynamies and plasma catecholamine levels. Our findings support that midazolam premedication effectively reduces stress response during induction period making it suitable induction for elective surgery.