Veterans with multiple risk factors for Barrett's esophagus are infrequently evaluated with upper endoscopy.

Recent guidelines recommend screening for patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease who have three or more additional risk factors for Barrett's esophagus (BE). Failure to screen high-risk individuals represents a missed opportunity in esophageal adenocarcinoma prevention and early detection. We aimed to determine the frequency of upper endoscopy and prevalence of BE and esophageal cancer in a cohort of United States veterans who possessed four or more risk factors for BE. All patients at VA New York Harbor Healthcare System with at least four risk factors for BE between 2012 and 2017 were identified. Procedure records were reviewed for upper endoscopies performed between January 2012 and December 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with undergoing endoscopy and factors associated with BE and esophageal cancer. 4505 patients with at least four risk factors for BE were included. 828 patients (18.4%) underwent upper endoscopy, of which 42 (5.1%) were diagnosed with BE and 11 (1.3%) with esophageal cancer (10 adenocarcinoma; 1 squamous cell carcinoma). Among individuals who underwent upper endoscopy, risk factors associated with undergoing endoscopy included obesity (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.41-2.30; P < 0.001) and chronic reflux (OR, 3.86; 95% CI, 3.04-4.90; P < 0.001). There were no individual risk factors associated with BE or BE/esophageal cancer. In this retrospective analysis of patients with 4 or more risk factors for BE, fewer than one-fifth of patients underwent upper endoscopy, supporting the need for efforts aimed at improving BE screening rates.

Metformin Use Is Inversely Associated with Prevalent, but Not Incident Colorectal Adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Chemoprevention for colorectal neoplasia has attracted growing interest, with multiple medications investigated. Metformin may decrease the overall incidence of cancer in patients with diabetes and may decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer. AIMS: We aimed to determine the impact of metformin use on the behavior of colorectal adenomas in a US veteran population. METHODS: All patients with at least two high-quality colonoscopies between January 1997 and December 2013 at Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System were identified. Outpatient prescription records were used to determine metformin exposure, and colonoscopy findings were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with adenoma detection on baseline and interval colonoscopy. RESULTS: In total, 1869 patients with two successive colonoscopies (median 4.5 years) were included. Four hundred and sixty patients had metformin exposure prior to baseline and/or interval colonoscopy. Overall adenoma detection rate was 59.7% at baseline and 45.9% at interval colonoscopy. On multivariable analysis, metformin use was associated with decreased adenoma prevalence at baseline (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.92; p = 0.015). Metformin did not impact adenoma incidence at interval colonoscopy whether prescribed before baseline (OR 1.26; 95% CI 0.60-2.67), after baseline (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.91-1.72), or before and after baseline (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.82-1.58). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of an average-risk cohort, metformin use was associated with a decreased prevalence of colorectal adenomas at baseline colonoscopy. This inverse association did not persist on interval colonoscopy. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate potential chemoprotective effects of metformin over time.

Impact of Fellow Participation During Colonoscopy on Adenoma Detection Rates.

BACKGROUND: An endoscopist's adenoma detection rate (ADR) is inversely related to interval colorectal cancer risk and cancer mortality. Previous studies evaluating the impact of gastroenterology fellow participation in colonoscopy on ADR have generated conflicting results. AIMS: We aimed to determine the impact of fellow participation, duration of fellowship training, and physician sex on ADR and advanced ADR (AADR). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed average-risk patients undergoing screening colonoscopy at Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System Brooklyn Campus and Kings County Hospital Center. Review of colonoscopy and pathology reports were performed to obtain adenoma-specific details, including the presence of advanced adenoma and adenoma location (right vs. left colon). RESULTS: There were 893 colonoscopies performed by attending only and 502 performed with fellow participation. Fellow participation improved overall ADR (44.6% vs. 35.4%, p < 0.001), right-sided ADR (34.1% vs. 25.2%, p < 0.001), and AADR (15.3% vs. 8.3%, p < 0.001); however, these findings were institution-specific. Year of fellowship training did not impact overall ADR or overall AADR, but did significantly improve right-sided AADR (p-value for trend 0.03). Female attending physicians were associated with increased ADR (47.1% vs. 37.0%, p = 0.0037). Fellow sex did not impact ADR. CONCLUSIONS: Fellow participation in colonoscopy improved overall ADR and AADR, and female attending physicians were associated with improved ADR. Year of fellowship training did not impact overall ADR or AADR.

Low Subcutaneous Adiposity and Mortality in Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that subcutaneous adiposity represents an independent prognostic marker in cancer. We aimed to determine whether subcutaneous adiposity estimated by the subcutaneous adiposity tissue index (SATI) was associated with mortality in esophageal cancer. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively enrolled cohort from 2009 to 2015 with esophageal cancer at two major cancer centers. CT scans for initial staging were used to quantify adiposity and skeletal muscle areas. Subjects were categorized as above or below median SATI using sex-specific values. Sarcopenia was defined using previously established skeletal muscle area cutoffs. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to determine associations between SATI and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of the original 167 patients, 78 met inclusion criteria and had CT images available. Mean age was 67 years, 81.8% had adenocarcinoma, and 58.9% had stage 3 or 4 disease. Median follow-up time was 29.5 months. Overall 5-year survival was 38.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 26.8-50.7]. Lower body mass index, higher Charlson comorbidity score, and more advanced stage were independently associated with low SATI. Patients with low SATI had increased mortality (unadjusted HR 2.23; 95% CI, 1.20-4.12), even when adjusted for sarcopenia or for percent weight loss. In a multivariable model including age, histology, stage, and receipt of curative surgery, the association between low SATI and mortality was attenuated (adjusted HR 1.64; 95% CI, 0.81-3.34). CONCLUSIONS: Low subcutaneous adiposity as estimated by SATI may be associated with increased mortality in esophageal cancer. IMPACT: Interventions to reduce loss of subcutaneous fat may improve survival in esophageal cancer.

Acute Esophageal Necrosis Associated With Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute esophageal necrosis or "black esophagus" is a rare clinical entity characterized by necrosis of the esophageal mucosa resulting from low-flow hemodynamic states. The disease commonly presents with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and the diagnosis is based on the presence of circumferential black appearance of the distal esophagus with variable proximal involvement and sparing of mucosa distal to the esophagogastric junction. The disease is associated with a high mortality rate, and treatment is supportive. We describe a case of acute esophageal necrosis associated with acute postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

Mitochondrial Iron Accumulation in Parietal and Chief Cells in Iron Pill Gastritis Following Billroth II Gastrectomy: Case Report Including Electron Microscopic Examination.

Iron pill gastritis has been shown to be associated with superficial gastric erosion and deposition of iron in lamina propria and gastric antral glands. However, iron absorption in gastric parietal and chief cells is rare. We present a case of a 62-year-old man with iron deficiency anemia. His past medical history is significant for Billroth II surgery. His medications include ferrous sulphate 325mg. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed diffuse circumferential abnormal mucosa at the gastro-jejunal anastomosis. The mucosa was erythematous and violaceous. Biopsy showed reactive gastropathy with iron deposits predominantly in macrophages, parietal cells, and chief cells. These findings were confirmed by iron stain and later by electron micrography of the gastric mucosa that showed iron deposits in mitochondria and cytoplasm of the parietal and chief cells.

Prediagnosis aspirin use and outcomes in a prospective cohort of esophageal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer remains associated with poor outcomes, yet little is known regarding factors that influence survival. Aspirin use prior to cancer diagnosis may influence outcomes. We aimed to assess the effects of prediagnosis aspirin use in patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of newly-diagnosed esophageal cancer patients at two tertiary care centers. We assessed history of prediagnosis aspirin use, and prospectively followed patients and assessed mortality, cause of death, and development of metastases. RESULTS: We enrolled 130 patients, the majority of whom were male (81.5%) and had adenocarcinoma (80.8%). Overall, 57 patients (43.9%) were regular aspirin users. In unadjusted analyses, we found no difference in all-cause mortality between aspirin users and nonusers. In multivariate analyses, prediagnosis aspirin use was not associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-1.57] or esophageal cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.52-2.21). Prediagnosis aspirin use was associated with a significantly increased risk of interval metastasis (HR 3.59, 95% CI 1.08-11.96). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of esophageal cancer patients, prediagnosis aspirin use was not associated with all-cause or cancer-specific mortality. However, risk of interval metastatic disease was increased among those who took aspirin regularly prediagnosis. Future studies are warranted to assess whether aspirin influences the molecular characteristics of esophageal tumors, with potential prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Acute liver injury associated with a newer formulation of the herbal weight loss supplement Hydroxycut.

Despite the widespread use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS), serious cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported. The popular herbal weight loss supplement, Hydroxycut, has previously been implicated in acute liver injury. Since its introduction, Hydroxycut has undergone successive transformations in its formulation; yet, cases of liver injury have remained an ongoing problem. We report a case of a 41-year-old Hispanic man who developed acute hepatocellular liver injury with associated nausea, vomiting, jaundice, fatigue and asterixis attributed to the use of a newer formulation of Hydroxycut, SX-7 Clean Sensory. The patient required hospitalisation and improved with supportive therapy. Despite successive transformations in its formulation, potential liver injury appears to remain an ongoing problem with Hydroxycut. Our case illustrates the importance of obtaining a thorough medication history, including HDS, regardless of new or reformulated product marketing efforts.

Radiofrequency Ablation Is Associated With Decreased Neoplastic Progression in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus and Confirmed Low-Grade Dysplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Barrett's esophagus (BE) with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) can progress to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for LGD in clinical trials, but its effectiveness in clinical practice is unclear. We compared the rate of progression of LGD after RFA with endoscopic surveillance alone in routine clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients who either underwent RFA (n = 45) or surveillance endoscopy (n = 125) for LGD, confirmed by at least 1 expert pathologist, from October 1992 through December 2013 at 3 medical centers in the United States. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between progression and RFA. RESULTS: Data were collected over median follow-up periods of 889 days (interquartile range, 264-1623 days) after RFA and 848 days (interquartile range, 322-2355 days) after surveillance endoscopy (P = .32). The annual rates of progression to HGD or EAC were 6.6% in the surveillance group and 0.77% in the RFA group. The risk of progression to HGD or EAC was significantly lower among patients who underwent RFA than those who underwent surveillance (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.06; 95% confidence interval: 0.008-0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with BE and confirmed LGD, rates of progression to a combined end point of HGD and EAC were lower among those treated with RFA than among untreated patients. Although selection bias cannot be excluded, these findings provide additional evidence for the use of endoscopic ablation therapy for LGD.