Clinical efficacy of serum lipase subtype analysis for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic and non-pancreatic lipase elevation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-pancreatic elevations of serum lipase have been reported, and differential diagnosis is necessary for clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of serum lipase subtype analysis for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic and non-pancreatic lipase elevation. METHODS: Patients who were referred for the serum lipase elevation were prospectively enrolled. Clinical findings and serum lipase subtypes were analyzed and compared by dividing the patients into pancreatitis and non-pancreatitis groups. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (12 pancreatitis vs. 22 non-pancreatitis cases) were enrolled. In univariate analysis, the fraction of pancreatic lipase (FPL) in the total amount of serum lipase subtypes was statistically higher in patients with pancreatitis ([median, 0.004; interquartile range [IQR], 0.003 to 0.011] vs. [median, 0.002; IQR, 0.001 to 0.004], p = 0.04). Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the prediction of acute pancreatitis, FPL was the most valuable predictor (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.86; sensitivity, 83.3%; specificity, 63.6%; positive predictive value, 55.6%; negative predictive value, 97.5%). In multivariate analysis, a cut-off value higher than 0.0027 for the FPL was associated with acute pancreatitis (odds ratio, 8.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 51.7; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results did not support that serum lipase subtype analysis could replace standard lipase measurement for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. However, the test demonstrated adequate sensitivity for use in triage or as an add-on test for serum lipase elevation.

An Electroactive, Tunable, and Frequency Selective Surface Utilizing Highly Stretchable Dielectric Elastomer Actuators Based on Functionally Antagonistic Aperture Control.

An active, frequency selective surface utilizing a silver-nanowire-coated dielectric elastomer with a butterfly-shaped aperture pattern is realized by properly exploiting the electroactive control of two antagonistic functions (stretching vs compression) on a patterned dielectric elastomer actuator.

Helicobacter pylori Eradication for Prevention of Metachronous Recurrence after Endoscopic Resection of Early Gastric Cancer.

Controversies persist regarding the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the development of metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication after endoscopic resection of EGC for the prevention of metachronous gastric cancer. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted using the core databases PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The rates of development of metachronous gastric cancer between the Helicobacter pylori eradication group vs. the non-eradication group were extracted and analyzed using risk ratios (RRs). A random effect model was applied. The methodological quality of the enrolled studies was assessed by the Risk of Bias table and by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was evaluated through the funnel plot with trim and fill method, Egger's test, and by the rank correlation test. Ten studies (2 randomized and 8 non-randomized/5,914 patients with EGC or dysplasia) were identified and analyzed. Overall, the Helicobacter pylori eradication group showed a RR of 0.467 (95% CI: 0.362-0.602, P < 0.001) for the development of metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection of EGC. Subgroup analyses showed consistent results. Publication bias was not detected. Helicobacter pylori eradication after endoscopic resection of EGC reduces the occurrence of metachronous gastric cancer.

Osteoporosis and bone fractures in alcoholic liver disease: a meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the association between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and bone fractures or osteoporosis. METHODS: Non-randomized studies were identified from databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library). The search was conducted using Boolean operators and keywords, which included "alcoholic liver diseases", "osteoporosis", or "bone fractures". The prevalence of any fractures or osteoporosis, and bone mineral density (BMD) were extracted and analyzed using risk ratios and standardized mean difference (SMD). A random effects model was applied. RESULTS: In total, 15 studies were identified and analyzed. Overall, ALD demonstrated a RR of 1.944 (95%CI: 1.354-2.791) for the development of bone fractures. However, ALD showed a RR of 0.849 (95%CI: 0.523-1.380) for the development of osteoporosis. BMD was not significantly different between the ALD and control groups, although there was a trend toward lower BMD in patients with ALD (SMD in femur-BMD: -0.172, 95%CI: -0.453-0.110; SMD in spine-BMD: -0.169, 95%CI: -0.476-0.138). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results. CONCLUSION: Current publications indicate significant associations between bone fractures and ALD, independent of BMD or the presence of osteoporosis.

Four additional cases of Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense infection confirmed by analysis of COX1 gene in Korea.

Most of the diphyllobothriid tapeworms isolated from human samples in the Republic of Korea (= Korea) have been identified as Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense by genetic analysis. This paper reports confirmation of D. nihonkaiense infections in 4 additional human samples obtained between 1995 and 2014, which were analyzed at the Department of Parasitology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Korea. Analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene revealed a 98.5-99.5% similarity with a reference D. nihonkaiense sequence in GenBank. The present report adds 4 cases of D. nihonkaiense infections to the literature, indicating that the dominant diphyllobothriid tapeworm species in Korea is D. nihonkaiense but not D. latum.

Effect of intragastric injection of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of obesity: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Controversies persist regarding the effect of intragastric injection of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of obesity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of intragastric botulinum toxin injection for the treatment of obesity. DESIGN: A systematic literature review was conducted by using the core databases. Pre- and posttreatment body weight data were extracted and analyzed by using Hedges' g. A random-effects model was applied. The methodological quality of the enrolled studies was assessed by the risk of bias table and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was evaluated via the funnel plot, trim and fill method, Egger's test, and rank correlation test. SETTING: Meta-analysis of 8 studies. PATIENTS: A total of 115 patients (79 treated vs 36 placebo). INTERVENTION: Intragastric botulinum toxin A injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Hedges' g, calculated from pre- and posttreatment body weight data and comparison of body weight changes between treatment and placebo group. RESULTS: The treatment group was associated with weight loss in a pre/post comparative approach and compared with the placebo group (Hedges' g: -0.443; 95% confidence interval, -0.845 to -0.040; P = .031; and Hedges' g: -0.521; 95% confidence interval, -0.956 to -0.085; P = .019). Wide area injection including the fundus or body rather than the antrum only was associated with weight loss. Multiple injections (>10) were associated with weight loss. However, a large amount of botulinum toxin A (500 IU) was not associated with weight loss. Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results. Meta-regression for the botulinum toxin A dose and number of injections showed consistent results. Publication bias was not detected. CONCLUSION: In this analysis, intragastric injection of botulinum toxin A is effective for the treatment of obesity.

Clinical Relationship between Steatocholecystitis and Gallbladder Contractility Measured by Cholescintigraphy.

Objective. Contractility of gallbladder is known to be decreased in fatty gallbladder diseases. However, clinical estimation data about this relationship is still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between steatocholecystitis and contractility of gallbladder. Methods. Patients with cholecystitis (steatocholecystitis versus nonsteatocholecystitis) who underwent cholescintigraphy before cholecystectomy were retrospectively evaluated in a single teaching hospital of Korea. The association of steatocholecystitis with contractility of gallbladder, measured by preoperative cholescintigraphy, was assessed by univariable and multivariable analysis. Results. A total of 432 patients were finally enrolled (steatocholecystitis versus nonsteatocholecystitis; 75 versus 357, calculous versus acalculous cholecystitis; 316 versus 116). In the multivariable analysis, age (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.99, P = 0.01) and total serum cholesterol (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, P = 0.04) were related to steatocholecystitis in patients with acalculous cholecystitis. Only age (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, P = 0.004) was significantly related to steatocholecystitis in patients with calculous cholecystitis. However, ejection fraction of gallbladder reflecting contractility measured by cholescintigraphy was not related to steatocholecystitis irrespective of presence of gallbladder stone in patients with cholecystitis. Conclusion. Ejection fraction of gallbladder measured by cholescintigraphy cannot be used for the detection or confirmation of steatocholecystitis.

Mosapride treatment for functional dyspepsia: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of mosapride in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mosapride for the treatment of FD performed between 2002 and 2013 were identified from databases. Symptom response rates were extracted and analyzed using risk ratios (RRs). A random effect model was applied based on Higgins I(2) tests. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot, Egger's test, trim and fill, and the rank correlation test. RESULTS: In total, 13 RCTs, which included 1091 mosapride-treated patients and 1129 control patients (on placebo or other drugs), were identified and analyzed. Overall, mosapride showed an RR of 0.999 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.869-1.150, P = 0.992) for improving global efficacy or symptom-based scores. In a sensitivity analysis of the high-quality RCTs, mosapride showed an RR of 1.114 (95% CI: 1.011-1.227, P = 0.029). However, in the studies using the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of FD, mosapride showed an RR of 0.906 (95% CI: 0.807-1.016, P = 0.092). In the studies having funding source, mosapride showed an RR of 1.131 (95% CI: 1.028-1.244, P = 0.012), whereas an RR of 0.966 (95% CI: 0.896-1.042, P = 0.367) was observed in the studies without funding source. Publication bias was not detected. CONCLUSION: In this analysis, we could not find a significant effect of mosapride on FD. Inconsistent diagnostic criteria for FD and different assessment outcomes are causes of heterogeneity. Further studies using common validated outcomes or questionnaires and high-quality RCTs will elucidate the real effect of this medication on FD.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Young Military Men.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the associated psychological factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in males in their twenties who are currently enrolled in military service. METHODS: A total of 1,073 men in the Korean army were asked to complete questionnaires based on the Rome III criteria and Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90R). The prevalence of FGIDs was estimated, and the associated psychological factors were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 967 men participated. The total prevalence of FGIDs was 18.5% (age-adjusted prevalence, 18.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.3% to 20.8%). The total SCL-90R scores were higher in men with FGIDs than men without FGIDs (24 [interquartile range, 13 to 44] vs. 13 [5 to 28], p<0.001) and higher in men with overlapping syndromes than in those with single FGIDs (31 [18 to 57] vs. 14 [5.75 to 29], p<0.001). Somatization (odds ratio [OR], 1.141; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.20; p<0.001), obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OR, 1.084; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.14; p=0.002) and depression (OR, 0.943; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99; p=0.020) were identified as independent predictive factors for FGIDs. CONCLUSIONS: FGIDs are common among men in their twenties who are fulfilling their military duty. Somatization and obsessive-compulsive features from the tense atmosphere are associated with the development or progression of FGIDs. Patients who exhibit overlapping syndromes require greater attention given their more severe psychopathology.

Additive Effect of Pronase on the Eradication Rate of First-Line Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori colonizes on the apical surface of gastric surface mucosal cells and the surface mucous gel layer. Pronase is a premedication enzyme for endoscopy that can disrupt the gastric mucus layer. We evaluated the additive effects of pronase combined with standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. METHODS: This prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled study was conducted between June and October 2012. A total of 116 patients with H. pylori infection were enrolled in the study (n=112 patients, excluding four patients who failed to meet the inclusion criteria) and were assigned to receive either the standard triple therapy, which consists of a proton pump inhibitor with amoxicillin and clarithromycin twice a day for 7 days (PAC), or pronase (20,000 tyrosine units) combined with the standard triple therapy twice a day for 7 days (PACE). RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis, the eradication rates of PAC versus PACE were 76.4% versus 56.1% (p=0.029). In the per-protocol analysis, the eradication rates were 87.5% versus 68.1% (p=0.027). There were no significant differences concerning adverse reactions between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to the interim analysis of the trial, pronase does not have an additive effect on the eradication of H. pylori infection (ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01645761).

Effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng), urushiol (Rhus vernicifera Stokes), and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) on the gut-liver axis of alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Roles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). METHODS: We evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: No between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group (0.37 ± 0.06 ng/mL, 0.39 ± 0.12 ng/mL, and 0.33 ± 0.07 ng/mL, respectively, vs. 0.88 ± 0.31 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Interleukin-1ß levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-α level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group. CONCLUSION: The pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

Peptic ulcer disease in liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis: impact of portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in liver cirrhosis (LC) and chronic hepatitis has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the role of portal hypertension from PUD in patients with LC and chronic hepatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 455 hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy patients who had LC or chronic hepatitis in a single tertiary hospital. The association of PUD with LC and chronic hepatitis was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 72 PUD cases were detected. PUD was associated with LC more than with chronic hepatitis (odds ratio [OR]: 4.13, p = 0.03). In the univariate analysis, taking an ulcerogenic medication was associated with PUD in patients with LC (OR: 4.34, p = 0.04) and smoking was associated with PUD in patients with chronic hepatitis (OR: 3.61, p = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, taking an ulcerogenic medication was associated with PUD in patients with LC (OR: 2.93, p = 0.04). However, HVPG was not related to PUD in patients with LC or chronic hepatitis. CONCLUSION: According to the present study, patients with LC have a higher risk of PUD than those with chronic hepatitis. The risk factor was taking ulcerogenic medication. However, HVPG reflecting portal hypertension was not associated with PUD in LC or chronic hepatitis (Clinicaltrial number NCT01944878).

Clinical impact of body mass index on bactibilia and bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and infected bile or bacteremia in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis. METHODS: Authors analyzed the medical records of 139 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis from January 2007 to June 2013 in a single teaching hospital. Association of body mass index (BMI) with bactibilia and bacteremia was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Clinical findings and biliary infection related data were recorded for the following variables: gender, age, alcohol and smoking history, the results of blood and bile cultures, cholesterolosis, diabetes, hypertension, and duration of the hospital stay. RESULTS: The microbial culture rate of bactibilia and bacteremia were 50.4% and 21.6%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, bacteremia was associated with bactibilia (OR: 4.33, p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis for the risk factors of bactibilia, BMI and bacteremia were related with bactibilia (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.84, p = 0.003) (OR: 3.32, 95% CI: 1.22-9, p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis for the risk factors of bacteremia, BMI, bactibilia and age were related with bacteremia (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.99, p = 0.04) (OR: 3.46, 95% CI: 1.27-9.45, p = 0.02) (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, BMI was inversely correlated with bacteremia or bactibilia, which means obese or overweight patients are less likely to be associated with bacteremia or bactibilia in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis.

Transarterial chemoembolization in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage 0/A hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0 and A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Between January 2001 and September 2011, 129 patients with BCLC stage 0 and stage A HCC who underwent TACE were retrospectively enrolled. Patient characteristics, routine computed tomography and TACE findings, survival time and 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates, risk factors for mortality, and survival rates according to the number of risk factors were assessed. RESULTS: The mean size of HCC tumors was 2.4 ± 1.1 cm, and the mean number of TACE procedures performed was 2.5 ± 2.1. The mean overall survival time and 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 80.6 ± 4.9 mo and 91%, 63% and 49%, respectively. In the Cox regression analysis, a Child-Pugh score > 5 (P = 0.005, OR = 3.86), presence of arterio-venous shunt (P = 0.032, OR = 4.41), amount of lipiodol used (> 7 mL; P = 0.013, OR = 3.51), and female gender (P = 0.008, OR = 3.47) were risk factors for mortality. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates according to the number of risk factors present were 96%, 87% and 87% (no risk factors), 89%, 65%, and 35% (1 risk factor), 96%, 48% and unavailable (2 risk factors), and 63%, 17%, and 0% (3 risk factors), respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TACE may be used as curative-intent therapy in patients with BCLC stage 0 and stage A HCC. The Child-Pugh score, arterio-venous shunt, amount of lipiodol used, and gender were related to mortality after TACE.

The Impact of Body Mass Index as a Predictive Factor of Steatocholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition and is strongly linked to raised levels of pro-inflammatory factors and may lead to fatty infiltration of multiple internal organs including the gallbladder and liver, causing organ dysfunction. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and acute and chronic cholecystitis, and cholecystitis and cholesterolosis. We investigated the clinical implications of BMI as a predictive factor of cholesterol associated cholecystitis. METHODS: This retrospective study covered the period from January 2007 to December 2011, we included 1,158 patients who had cholecystectomy. We excluded patients with gallbladder cancer, adenomyomatosis, and cholesterolosis without cholecystitis. Finally, we investigated the data of a total of 1,109 patients with cholecystitis. Laboratory test results and clinical data such as age, sex, BMI, height, weight and underlying diseases were examined. We retrospectively investigated acute and chronic cholecysti tis, cholesterol polyps, and other gallbladder diseases such as gallbladder cancer and adenomyomatosis according to the histopathologic findings. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of BMI between patients with cholecystitis with cholesterolosis and without cholesterolosis (P = 0.001). Among patients who had cholecystitis with cholesterolosis, the BMI was 25.2 kg/m2. Among patients with cholecystitis without cholesterolosis, the average BMI was 24.3 kg/m2. Weight, systolic blood pressure, platelet count, glucose, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol were different between the groups above (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in BMI between acute and chronic cholecystitis (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BMI was associated with steatocholecystitis. However, we cannot predict whether cholecystitis is acute or chronic according to the BMI. We suggest that BMI can be used as one of the predictive factors of steatocholecystitis for obese patients.

Characteristics of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with chronic kidney disease.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (NGIH) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: From 2003 to 2010, a total of 72 CKD patients (male n = 52, 72.2%; female n = 20, 27.8%) who had undergone endoscopic treatments for NGIH were retrospectively identified. Clinical findings, endoscopic features, prognosis, rebleeding risk factors, and mortality-related factors were evaluated. The characteristics of the patients and rebleeding-related data were recorded for the following variables: gender, age, alcohol use and smoking history, past hemorrhage history, endoscopic findings (the cause, location, and size of the hemorrhage and the hemorrhagic state), therapeutic options for endoscopy, endoscopist experience, clinical outcomes, and mortality. RESULTS: The average size of the hemorrhagic site was 13.7 ± 10.2 mm, and the most common hemorrhagic site in the stomach was the antrum (n = 21, 43.8%). The most frequent method of hemostasis was combination therapy (n = 32, 44.4%). The incidence of rebleeding was 37.5% (n = 27), and 16.7% (n = 12) of patients expired due to hemorrhage. In a multivariate analysis of the risk factors for rebleeding, alcoholism (OR = 11.19, P = 0.02), the experience of endoscopists (OR = 0.56, P = 0.03), and combination endoscopic therapy (OR = 0.06, P = 0.01) compared with monotherapy were significantly related to rebleeding after endoscopic therapy. In a risk analysis of mortality after endoscopic therapy, only rebleeding was related to mortality (OR = 7.1, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Intensive combined endoscopic treatments by experienced endoscopists are necessary for the treatment of NGIH in patients with CKD, especially when a patient is an alcoholic.

Silk fibroin hydrolysate exerts an anti-diabetic effect by increasing pancreatic ß cell mass in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

Components of silk including silk fibroin have long been used as anti-diabetic remedies in oriental medicine. However, detailed mechanisms underlying these antidiabetic effects remain unclear. In this study, we examined the anti-diabetic activity of silk fibroin hydrolysate (SFH) in C57BL/KsJ db/db (db/db) mice, a well-known animal model of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. When the db/db mice were administered SFH in drinking water for 6 weeks, hyperglycemia in the animals gradually disappeared and the level of glycosylated hemoglobin decreased, indicating that SFH plays important role in reducing the symptoms of diabetes. In addition, SFH-treated db/db mice exhibited improved glucose tolerance with increased plasma insulin levels. Immunohistochemical and morphological analyses showed that SFH up-regulated insulin production by increasing pancreatic ß cell mass in the mice. In summary, our results suggest that SFH exerts anti-diabetic effects by increasing pancreatic ß cell mass in a non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus mouse model.

Trends in the eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori infection for eleven years.

AIM: To evaluate the trends in the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) over the past 11 years in a single center. METHODS: This retrospective study covered the period from January 2000 to December 2010. We evaluated 5746 patients diagnosed with gastric ulcers (GU), duodenal ulcers (DU), GU + DU, or nonpeptic ulcers associated with an H. pylori infection. We treated them annually with the 2 wk standard first-line triple regimen, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) + amoxicilin + clarithromycin (PAC; PPI, clarithromycin 500 mg, and amoxicillin 1 g, all twice a day). The follow-up test was performed at least 4 wk after the completion of the 2 wk standard H. pylori eradication using the PAC regimen. We also assessed the eradication rates of 1 wk second-line therapy with a quadruple standard regimen (PPI b.i.d., tripotassium dicitrate bismuthate 300 mg q.i.d., metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d., and tetracycline 500 mg q.i.d.) after the failure of the first-line therapy. Statistical analysis was performed with 95%CI for the differences in the annual eradication rates. RESULTS: A total of 5746 patients [2333 males (58.8%), 1636 females (41.2%); mean age of males vs females 51.31 ± 13.1 years vs 52.76 ± 13.6 years, P < 0.05, total mean age 51.9 ± 13.3 years (mean ± SD)] were investigated. Among these patients, 1674 patients were excluded: 35 patients refused treatment; 18 patients ceased H. pylori eradication due to side effects; 1211 patients had inappropriate indications for H. pylori eradication, having undergone stomach cancer operation or chemotherapy; and 410 patients did not undergo the follow-up. We also excluded 103 patients who wanted to stop eradication treatment after only 1 wk due to poor compliance or the side effects mentioned above. Finally, we evaluated the annual eradication success rates in a total of 3969 patients who received 2 wk first-line PAC therapy. The endoscopic and clinical findings in patients who received the 2 wk PAC were as follows: gastric ulcer in 855 (21.5%); duodenal ulcer in 878 (22.1%); gastric and duodenal ulcer in 124 (3.1%), erosive, atrophic gastritis and functional dyspepsia in 2055 (51.8%); and other findings (e.g., MALToma, patients who wanted to receive the therapy even though they had no abnormal endoscopic finding) in 57 (0.5%). The overall eradication rate of the 2 wk standard first-line triple regimen was 86.5%. The annual eradication rates from 2000 to 2010 were 86.7%, 85.4%, 86.5%, 83.3%, 89.9%, 90.5%, 88.4%, 84.5%, 89.1%, 85.8%, and 88.3%, sequentially (P = 0.06). No definite evidence of a significant change in the eradication rate was seen during the past eleven years. The eradication rates of second-line therapy were 88.9%, 82.4%, 85%, 83.9%, 77.3%, 85.7%, 84.4%, 87.3%, 83.3%, 88.9%, and 84% (P = 0.77). The overall eradication rate of 1 wk quadruple second-line therapy was 84.7%. There was no significant difference in the eradication rate according to the H. pylori associated diseases. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there was no trend change in the H. pylori eradication rate over the most recent 11 years in our institution.

Identification of patients with decompensated cirrhosis at high risk for death: improving the prediction by hepatic venous pressure gradient?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incremental usefulness of adding hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) for predicting the risk of death has not, to our knowledge, been evaluated among patients with decompensated cirrhosis. We investigated whether the incorporation of the HVPG in an established model improved the prediction of death in a cohort of decompensated cirrhosis patients. METHODOLOGY: We used data from 106 consecutive patients with decompensated cirrhosis who underwent a hemodynamic study between January 2006 and December 2007, to investigate whether the HVPG improved the risk discrimination of a patient beyond an assessment that was based on the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) or MELD-Na. We used occurrence vs. non-occurrence of events within 12 months as the outcome for analysis. RESULTS: For prediction of 12 months survival, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for the MELD-Na was significantly greater than that of the MELD (79.4% vs. 70.5%, p=0.05). The MELD performed similar to the HVPG (70.5% vs. 71.2%, p=0.471). Adding the HVPG measurement to the MELD or the MELD-Na did not result in significant increase of the AUROC,with only a small improvement of about 5% in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: The MELD-Na is the most predictive for 12-month survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The addition of the HVPG to the MELD or the MELD-Na score does not appear to improve the prognostic accuracy of the MELD or the MELD-Na score significantly.

Comparison of the Eradication Rate between 1- and 2-Week Bismuth-Containing Quadruple Rescue Therapies for Helicobacter pylori Eradication.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: First-line therapies against Helicobacter pylori, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) plus two antibiotics, may fail in up to 20% of patients. 'Rescue' therapy is usually needed for patients who failed the first-line treatment. This study evaluated the eradication rate of bismuth-containing quadruple rescue therapy over a 1- or 2-week period. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 169 patients with a persistent H. pylori infection after the first-line triple therapy, which was administered from October 2008 to March 2010. The patients were randomized to receive a 1- or 2-week quadruple rescue therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg b.i.d., tripotassium dicitrate bismuthate 300 mg q.i.d., metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d., and tetracycline 500 mg q.i.d.). After the 'rescue' therapy, the eradication rate, compliance, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: The 1-week group achieved 83.5% (71/85) and 87.7% (71/81) eradication rates in the intention to treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses, respectively. The 2-week group obtained 87.7% (72/84) and 88.9% (72/81) eradication rate in the ITT and PP analyses, respectively. There was no significant difference in the eradication rate, patient compliance or rate of adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: One-week bismuth-containing quadruple therapy can be as effective as a 2-week therapy after the failure of the first-line eradication therapy.