Impact of Evolutionary Changes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on Lung Function Decline

Background/Aims@#A relationship between fatty liver and lung function impairment has been identified, and both are independently associated with metabolic dysfunction. However, the temporal relationship between changes in fatty liver status and lung function and their genome-wide association remain unclear. @*Methods@#This longitudinal cohort consisted of subjects who received serial health check-ups, including liver ultrasonography and spirometry, for ≥3 years between 2003 and 2015. Lung func-tion decline rates were classified as “slow” and “accelerated” and compared among four different sonographic changes in steatosis status: “normal,” “improved,” “worsened,” and “persistent.” A genome-wide association study was conducted between the two groups: normal/improved steatosis with a slow decline in lung function versus worsened/persistent steatosis with an accelerated decline in lung function. @*Results@#Among 6,149 individuals, the annual rates of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume measured in the first second of exhalation (FEV 1 ) were higher in the worsened/persistent steatosis group than in the normal/improved steatosis group. In multivariable analysis, persistent or worsened status of fatty liver was significantly associated with accelerated declines in FVC (persistent status, odds ratio [OR]=1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04–1.44; worsened status, OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.12–1.50), while improved status of fatty liver was significantly associated with slow declines in FEV 1 (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.64–0.92). The PNPLA3 risk gene was most strongly associated with steatosis status change and accelerated declines in FVC (rs12483959, p=2.61×10 -7 ) and FEV 1(rs2294433, p=3.69×10 -8 ). @*Conclusions@#Regression of fatty liver is related to lung function decline. Continuing efforts to improve fatty liver may preserve lung function, especially for subjects with a high genetic risk.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Background@#Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a wide spectrum of metabolic abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate whether NAFLD is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) independent of other risk factors. @*Methods@#A total of 3,508 subjects who underwent prostate and hepatic ultrasonography were enrolled. NAFLD was diagnosed and graded by ultrasonographic findings. BPH was defined by total prostate volume. @*Results@#The prevalence of BPH was significantly increased according to NAFLD severity (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that NAFLD was associated with a 22% increase in the risk of BPH (odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.45). In non-obese subjects, NAFLD was associated with a 41% increase in the risk of BPH (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.14–1.73), and an incremental increase in the risk of BPH according to NAFLD severity was pronounced (adjusted OR [95% CI], 1.32 [1.05–1.68] for mild NAFLD, 1.55 [1.15–2.10] for moderate to severe NAFLD vs. no NAFLD, P for trend = 0.004). However, in the obese population, the association of NAFLD in the risk of BPH was insignificant (P = 0.208). @*Conclusion@#NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of BPH regardless of metabolic syndrome, especially in non-obese subjects. An incrementally increased risk of BPH according to NAFLD severity is prominent in non-obese subjects with NAFLD. Thus, physicians caring for non-obese patients with NAFLD may consider assessing the risk of BPH and associated urologic conditions.

Genetic Polymorphisms of PNPLA3 and SAMM50 Are Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Korean Population

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with multiple genetic and environmental factors. METHODS: We performed a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic factors related to NAFLD in a Korean population-based sample of 1,593 subjects with NAFLD and 2,816 controls. We replicated the data in another sample that included 744 NAFLD patients and 1,137 controls. We investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were related to NAFLD. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex and body mass index, rs738409, rs12483959 and rs2281135, located in the PNPLA3 gene, were validated in our population (p < 8.56×10⁻⁸) in the same linkage disequilibrium block. Additionally, rs2143571, rs3761472, and rs2073080 in the SAMM50 gene showed significant associations with NAFLD (p < 8.56×10⁻⁸). Furthermore, these six SNPs showed significant associations with the severity of fatty liver (all p < 2.0×10⁻¹⁰ in the discovery set and p < 2.0×10⁻⁶ in the validation set) and NAFLD, with elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (all p < 2.0×10⁻¹⁰ in the discovery set and p < 2.0×10⁻⁶ in the validation set). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the PNPLA3 and SAMM50 genes are significantly associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD in a Korean population. These findings confirm the important roles of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

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.

Sub-classification of Advanced-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cohort Study Including 612 Patients Treated with Sorafenib / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with various clinical conditions including major vessel invasion, metastasis, and poor performance status. The aim of this study was to establish a prognostic scoring system and to propose a sub-classification of the Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who received sorafenib for BCLC stage C HCC at a single tertiary hospital in Korea. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to develop a scoring system, and internal validationwas performed by a 5-fold cross-validation. The performance of the model in predicting risk was assessed by the area under the curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: A total of 612 BCLC stage C HCC patients were sub- classified into strata depending on their performance status. Five independent prognostic factors (Child-Pugh score, α-fetoprotein, tumor type, extrahepatic metastasis, and portal vein invasion) were identified and used in the prognostic scoring system. This scoring system showed good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.734 to 0.818) and calibration functions (both p < 0.05 by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test at 1 month and 12 months, respectively). The differences in survival among the different risk groups classified by the total score were significant (p < 0.001 by the log-rank test in both the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0 and 1 strata). CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity of patientswith BCLC stage C HCC requires sub-classification of advanced HCC. A prognostic scoring system with five independent factors is useful in predicting the survival of patients with BCLC stage C HCC.

Is Vitamin D an Independent Risk Factor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?: a Cross-Sectional Study of the Healthy Population

The association between vitamin D levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized. However, few studies showed independent associations between vitamin D deficiency and NAFLD after a sex-related adjustment for metabolic factors. We aimed to study whether vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor of NAFLD even after controlling for metabolic syndrome and visceral fat in both sexes. In this cross-sectional study, 7,514 Korean adults (5,278 men, 2,236 women) participated in a health check-up program. They underwent blood tests, abdominal computed tomography (CT) of the visceral fat area, and ultrasonography for NAFLD screening. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of vitamin D deficiency with NAFLD according to the sex differences. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with NAFLD. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for NAFLD increased sequentially with decreasing vitamin D level, even after adjusting for metabolic syndrome and visceral fat. The subjects in the vitamin D sufficiency group (20–30 ng/mL) had an aOR for NAFLD of 1.18 (95% CI, 1.00–1.39), whereas the deficiency group (< 20 ng/mL) had an aOR of 1.29 (95% CI, 1.10–1.52). However, we have detected a significant sex-related interaction when analyzing the results. A significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and NAFLD was found in men (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11–1.60) but not in women.

Tenofovir has inferior efficacy in adefovir-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients compared to nucleos(t)ide-naïve patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A recent study reported that entecavir had inferior efficacy in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients compared to NA-naïve patients. We sought to compare the efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in NA-experienced and NA-naïve CHB patients. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 252 consecutive patients who had a serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level greater than 2,000 IU/mL at the initiation of TDF treatment and who received TDF for at least 6 months. Complete virologic suppression (CVS) was defined as undetectable serum HBV DNA. We generated a multivariate Cox proportional-hazard model to examine predictive factors that were independently associated with time to CVS. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 48.2 years, and the cohort included 181 NA-naïve patients and 71 NA-experienced patients. The median duration of TDF treatment was 14.4 (interquartile range, 9.5-17.8) months. A total of 167 (92.3%) of 181 NA-naïve patients achieved CVS, and 60 (84.5%) of 71 NA-exposed patients achieved CVS. Forty-nine (89.1%) of 55 patients who previously took an NA aside from adefovir and 11 (68.8%) of 16 adefovir-experienced patients achieved CVS. In multivariable analysis, previous adefovir exposure significantly influenced time to CVS (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.72; P=0.003), after adjusting for HBeAg positivity, baseline HBV DNA level and cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Tenofovir had inferior efficacy in adefovir-experienced CHB patients compared to NA-naïve patients. The response of patients with previous adefovir exposure to TDF monotherapy should be monitored closely.

Development of Metachronous Tumors after Endoscopic Resection for Gastric Neoplasm according to the Baseline Tumor Grade at a Health Checkup Center / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic resection (ER) procedure has been performed widely to treat gastric neoplasms. Here, we compared the long-term prognosis based on the clinical features of three types of recurred gastric neoplasms after ER, including low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and early gastric carcinoma (EGC). METHODS: Between 2003 and 2014, subjects who were diagnosed with gastric neoplasm during screening endoscopy were included. The baseline clinicopathologic and tumor recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 316 patients enrolled, 170 patients (53.8%) were categorized into the LGD group, 34 patients (10.8%) into the HGD group, and 112 patients (35.4%) into the EGC group. The median follow-up duration was 4.2 years. Among the total, 14 patients experienced a development of metachronous gastric cancer; 4 patients (2.3%) in the LGD group, 3 patients (8.3%) in the HGD group, and 7 patients (6.1%) in the EGC group. Metachronous gastric neoplasm had developed in 17 LGD patients (10.0%), 5 HGD patients (14.7%), and 14 EGC patients (12.5%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of metachronous gastric cancer and neoplasm among the three groups (p=0.15 and p=0.72, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We identified that the incidence rates of gastric neoplasm and cancer after endoscopic treatment were not significantly different between the LGD, HGD, and EGC groups.

The serum vitamin D level is inversely correlated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A low vitamin D level has been associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes. However, an association between a low vitamin D level and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been definitively established. This study aimed to characterize the relationship between a vitamin D level and NAFLD in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 6,055 health check-up subjects was conducted. NAFLD was diagnosed on the basis of typical ultrasonographic findings and a history of alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The subjects were aged 51.7±10.3 years (mean±SD) and 54.7% were female. NAFLD showed a significant inverse correlation with the vitamin D level after adjusting for age and sex [odds ratio (OR)=0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.75-0.96]. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of NAFLD decreased steadily with increasing vitamin D level [OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.60-0.90, lowest quintile (≤14.4 ng/mL) vs highest quintile (≥28.9 ng/mL), p for trend 20 ng/mL) [OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.75-0.99] and the quintiles of the vitamin D level in a dose-dependent manner (p for trend=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum level of vitamin D, even when within the normal range, was found to be inversely correlated with NAFLD in a dose-dependent manner. Vitamin D was found to be inversely correlated with NAFLD independent of known metabolic risk factors. These findings suggest that vitamin D exerts protective effects against NAFLD.

Epidemiology of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 대한내과학회지

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the most common liver disease with an estimated prevalence of 20-30% in the Western world and 16-33% in Korea. NAFLD encompasses a broad spectrum of hepatic dysfunction ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The increasing prevalence of NAFLD is particularly worrying because patients appear to have higher non-liver-related and liver-related death, as compared to the general population. Given its well-known association with metabolic comorbidities, NAFLD is commonly associated with obesity, type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. The natural history of NAFLD remains unclear due to its indolent clinical course and the lack of well-designed prospective studies. The prognosis of NAFLD depends on the histological subtype, while NASH may be associated with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall and liver-related mortality are increased in patients with NASH, as compared to NAFL and the general population. NAFLD is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, so it should also be considered a metabolic liver disease. Further long-term studies of the natural course of NAFLD are warranted.

Noninvasive markers: a double-edged sword that stratifies nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

No abstract available.

Serum bilirubin levels are inversely associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum bilirubin exerts antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. In addition, elevated serum bilirubin levels are associated with a decreased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have evaluated whether serum bilirubin is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is closely associated with other metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was thus to elucidate the association between serum total bilirubin levels and NAFLD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 17,348 subjects undergoing a routine health check-up was conducted. Subjects positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus, or with other hepatitis history were excluded. NAFLD was diagnosed on the basis of typical ultrasonographic findings and an alcohol consumption of less than 20 g/day. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 49 years and 9,076 (52.3%) were men. The prevalence of NAFLD decreased steadily as the serum bilirubin level increased in both men and women (P<0.001 for both). Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for other metabolic risk factors showed that serum bilirubin level was inversely associated with the prevalence of NAFLD [odds ratio (OR)=0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.80-0.97]. Furthermore, there was an inverse, dose-dependent association between NAFLD and serum total bilirubin levels (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.75-0.93 in the third quartile; OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.71-0.90 in the fourth quartile vs. lowest quartile, P for trend <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum bilirubin levels were found to be inversely associated with the prevalence of NAFLD independent of known metabolic risk factors. Serum bilirubin might be a protective marker for NAFLD.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A and Associated Socioeconomic Factors in Young Healthy Korean Adults

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An epidemiologic shift of hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence is expected due to an improvement in socioeconomic status in young adults in Korea. We investigated the age-specific seroprevalence and socioeconomic factors associated with HAV seropositivity in young, healthy Korean adults. METHODS: Between March 2009 and February 2010, a total of 5,051 persons from 20 to 49 years of age presenting for a health check-up were included and responded to a questionaire. The seroprevalence of HAV was investigated by measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV. A total of 984 pairs of cases and age- and sex-matched controls were analyzed for associated socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of seropositive HAV was 6.2% in the 20 to 29 age range, 33.1% in the 30 to 39 range and 82.4% in the 40 to 49 range (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in any group according to gender. A multivariate analysis for paired cases indicated that HAV seropositivity was significantly higher in the low monthly income (below five million won, approximately 4,300 dollars) group and the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-positive group (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-2.14; p<0.001; OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.19-1.76; p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: HAV seropositivity in young adults presenting for a health checkup appears to be decreasing, and the prevalence was significantly higher in the low monthly income group and the H. pylori-positive group.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori causes extragastric manifestations, including dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. However the effects of eradication of H. pylori infection on dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome have shown conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the effect of eradication therapy on parameters of dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects who received eradication therapy between August 2004 and June 2010 and who underwent health checkup one year after eradication were enrolled in this study. Parameters of dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome before and after eradication were collected and tested for significant changes. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome before eradication was also compared with that after treatment. RESULTS: Of the 452 subjects enrolled, 324 subjects were males. In male, HDL cholesterol was significantly elevated after eradication treatment in both young (50) age group. Other metabolic parameters such as waist circumference, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and c-reactive protein were not significantly different after eradication in both age group. In female, triglyceride increased significantly and HDL cholesterol decreased after eradication in the old age group. But in the young age female group all the metabolic parameters showed no changes. There were no significant changes in prevalence of metabolic syndrome after eradication treatment in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter eradication caused elevation of HDL cholesterol in males. Eradication therapy showed no effect on prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Validation of P2/MS and Other Noninvasive Fibrosis Scoring Systems in the Korean Population with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: P2/MS is a noninvasive marker for detecting hepatic fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis. However, the applicability of P2/MS in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been validated. This study aimed to validate P2/MS and compare it to other noninvasive fibrosis scoring systems in Korean patients with NAFLD. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent liver biopsy between January 2002 and December 2009 at Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea were enrolled in this study. Fibrosis stage was determined using the METAVIR scoring system. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients were included in the study: advanced fibrosis (METAVIR F3-F4) was present in 7 patients. No patient was over-staged among 162 patients with a P2/MS score above the high cut-off (95), resulting in a high negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% (95% confidence interval, 97.1-100). There was no significant difference between the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the FIB-4 (0.964) and the AUROC of the NAFLD fibrosis score (0.964) or P2/MS (0.940) for detecting advanced fibrosis. If P2/MS was implemented in the Korean patients with NAFLD, 68.9% of liver biopsies might be avoided. CONCLUSIONS: P2/MS has a high NPV for excluding advanced fibrosis in Korean patients with NAFLD, and can reduce the burden of liver biopsy in the majority of cases. Since there were few patients with advanced fibrosis, further studies are warranted in a cohort including more patients with advanced fibrosis to validate the low cut-off value.

Validation of P2/MS for reflecting hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: P2/MS is known as a simple, accurate, and noninvasive marker for determination of the degree of hepatic fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis. We aimed to validate P2/MS in patients with HCC. METHODS: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent surgical resection between June 2007 and March 2009 at Seoul National University Hospital were enrolled. Fibrosis stage was reviewed and assessed according to METAVIR scoring. P2/MS values [platelet count (109/L)]2/[monocyte fraction (%)xsegmented neutrophil fraction (%)] and other noninvasive fibrosis scoring systems were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included; seven patients with METAVIR F1, 31 with F2, 41 with F3, and 92 with F4. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of P2/MS was 0.804 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.681~0.927] for detection of significant fibrosis (F2-F4) and 0.769 (95% CI, 0.698~0.839) for detection of histological cirrhosis (F4). At a value 115, P2/MS ruled out significant fibrosis with a sensitivity of 90.2% (95% CI, 84.4~94.1) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.34 (95% CI, 0.106~0.095). P2/MS had a superior efficacy for detection of hepatic fibrosis in patients with HCC compared to the other noninvasive panels. CONCLUSIONS: P2/MS can accurately detect fibrosis in patients with HCC. Thus, P2/MS might be utilized as a noninvasive index reflecting the degree of hepatic fibrosis in HCC patients.

Comparison of the Eradication Rates of One-week Low-dose Triple Therapy with Standard-dose Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We can expect to reduce costs and decrease adverse events by using low-dose triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. However, the efficacy of low-dose triple therapy for Koreans is questionable. In this study, we compared the efficacy of low-dose triple therapy with standard-dose triple therapy. METHODS: We enrolled 480 patients who were diagnosed as suffering with H. pylori infection via endoscopy with biopsy or CLO testing. Thirty patients were excluded due to malignancy or having undergone previous antibiotics medication. Two hundred and eighty patients received standard-dose triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg b.d, amoxicillin 1,000 mg b.d., and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d.), and 170 patients received low-dose triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg b.d., amoxicillin 750 mg b.d., and clarithromycin 250 mg b.d.). Eradication was evaluated 4~6 weeks after administering the medication. RESULTS: The H. pylori eradication rate was 77.9% in the standard-dose group, and 74.7% in the low-dose group. There was no significant difference in the H. pylori eradication rate between the two groups (p=0.444). The adverse events were significantly more frequent in the standard-dose group. One patient each in both groups discontinued medication because of an adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of low-dose therapy is similar to standard-dose therapy, and the adverse events are less frequent with low-dose therapy. This suggests that low-dose therapy would be preferred when considering the cost- benefit and low rate of adverse drug events.

The Eradication Rate of Helicobacter pylori on the Remnant Stomach after Curative Resection for Gastric Cancer and the Influence of Eradication / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are few reports on the rate of H. pylori eradication and the influence of this eradication in the remnant stomach after a curative resection for a gastric carcinoma. METHODS: The medical records of patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy for carcinoma between May, 2003 and June, 2006 were reviewed to evaluate the serial H. pylori status. The eradication regimen was a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based triple therapy (PPI, amoxicillin, clarithromycin). After eradication, the histological changes were reviewed based on the updated Sidney system. In addition, a CLO test and urea breath test were used for the evaluation. RESULTS: Eighty five patients were found to be positive for a H. pylori infection after the curative gastrectomy. Fifty two patients received eradication therapy and the other 33 patients did not. The eradication rate in patients who received therapy was 82.7% and spontaneous resolution rate in the patients who did not receive therapy was 78.8% (p=0.654). After eradication, the remnant stomach showed a significant decrease in the inflammation and activity scores. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication rate of H. pylori by PPI based triple therapy in the remnant stomach is similar to that in a non-surgical stomach. The decrease in the inflammation and activity score suggests that the eradication may prevent H. pylori related carcinogenesis. However, the high spontaneous negative conversion rate (78.8%) in the remnant stomach after gastrectomy will require further study.

Efficacy of Combination of Intravenous Cyclosporin A and Steroid Therapy versus Prolonged Intravenous Steroid Therapy Alone in Patients with Severe Ulcerative Colitis Refractory to Initial Intravenous Steroid Therapy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Maximal duration of intravenous (IV) corticosteroid (CS) treatment and efficacy of cyclosporin A (CsA) have not been clarified for patients with severe ulcerative colitis. We aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of CS and CsA combination therapy with prolonged CS therapy alone in patients with severe UC refractory to initial CS therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 84 episodes of severe UC in 59 patients between April 1999 and May 2005. RESULTS: Among 84 episodes with IV CS therapy, 45 (53.6%) experienced an early response, while 39 (46.4%) did not respond within 2 weeks. The remaining 36 episodes excluding 3 which underwent colectomy were assigned to either combination therapy of IV CS and CsA or prolonged IV CS treatment alone for additional 2 weeks. Twelve of 16 episodes (75.0%) responded to therapy with combinations of IV CsA and CS, and 16 of 20 episodes (80.0%) to prolonged IV CS treatment alone. There was no statistical difference in response and colectomy rate after 4 weeks between CsA-use group and CsA-non-use group (p=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CS and CsA combination has no additional benefit over prolonged CS therapy alone in terms of short-term response and that CS can be safely prolonged even after the first 14 days of treatment for severe UC.

A Case of Cystic Duct Carcinoma with Hepatic Duct Invasion / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A primary carcinoma of the cystic duct is extremely rare, accounting for 2.6% of all biliary carcinomas. However, the prognosis is better than other biliary carcinomas. The median survival is 20.4 months. In Korea, three cases have been reported and there is no case where a pre-operative MRI has been performed. We report a case of a primary carcinoma of the cystic duct with hepatic duct invasion, which presented as a painless right upper quadrant mass, that was diagnosed by MRCP in a pre-operative situation.