Influence of COVID-19 on Patients with Esophageal Varices under Prophylactic Endoscopic Band Ligation Therapy.

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) plays a critical role in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension, as variceal eradication (VE) is essential to prevent further variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GI). The emergence of COVID-19 has led to a dramatic reduction in endoscopic activity. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on VE, GI, and 6-month mortality of patients treated with prophylactic EBL therapy. In addition, our goal was to identify the risk factors for our proposed outcomes. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with esophageal varices treated with prophylactic EBL therapy between 2017 and 2021. To demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 on two independent groups on prophylactic EBL therapy with 1 year of follow-up, March 2019 was selected as the cut-off date. Clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic data were recovered from electronic reports. Results: Ninety-seven patients underwent 398 prophylactic EBL sessions, 75 men (77.3%) with mean age 59 ± 12 years. Most achieved VE (60.8%), 14.4% had GI bleeding post-therapy, and 15.5% died at 6 months. The rate of variceal obliteration was significantly lower in the pandemic group (40.9% vs. 77.4% in the pre-pandemic group, p = 0.001). Mean number of EBL sessions and pandemic group were independently associated with incomplete VE, while MELD-Na, portal vein thrombosis and failed VE were identified as risk factors associated with mortality at 6 months. Conclusions: Almost 60% of patients in the pandemic group failed to eradicate esophageal varices. Failure to achieve this result conferred a higher risk of GI bleeding and death at 6 months, the latter also significantly associated with the MELD-Na score and portal vein thrombosis. Our study is among the first to demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 in patients receiving prophylactic EBL therapy.

Introdução e objetivos: A laqueação elástica endoscópica (LEE) é crucial nos doentes com hipertensão portal clinicamente significativa, uma vez que permite a erradicação das varizes esofágicas (EVE) que, por sua vez, previne a hemorragia digestiva varicosa. Com o início da pandemia COVID-19, a atividade endoscópica foi drasticamente reduzida. Com este estudo pretendemos avaliar a influência da COVID-19 na EVE, hemorragia gastrointestinal (GI) e mortalidade aos 6 meses dos doentes sob LEE profilática, assim como identificar os seus fatores de risco. Métodos: Estudo de coorte monocêntrico e retrospetivo que incluiu doentes com varizes esofágicas sob LEE profilática entre 2017 e 2021. Para demonstrar o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 em dois grupos independentes sob LEE profilática durante um ano de follow-up, a escolha da data-limite foi Março de 2019. Os dados clínicos, laboratoriais e endoscópicos foram obtidos a partir dos relatórios eletrónicos. Resultados: Noventa e sete doentes cumpriram 398 sessões de LEE, 75 homens (77,3%), com idade média de 59 ± 12 anos. A maioria dos doentes obteve EVE (60,8%), 14,4% desenvolveu hemorragia GI e 15,5% faleceu nos primeiros 6 meses pós-terapêutica. A taxa de EVE foi significativamente inferior no grupo pandémico (40,9% vs. 77,4% no grupo pré-pandémico, p = 0.001). O número médio de sessões de LEE e o grupo pandémico foram independentemente associados à EVE incompleta; enquanto MELD-NA, trombose da veia porta e falha na EVE foram identificados como fatores de risco associados à mortalidade aos 6 meses. Conclusão: Cerca de 60% dos doentes no grupo pandémico não conseguiu erradicar as varizes esofágicas. A EVE incompleta aumenta o risco de hemorragia GI e mortalidade aos 6 meses, esta última também associada de forma significativa ao score MELD-Na e TVP. O nosso estudo foi pioneiro na demonstração do impacto da pandemia COVID-19 nos doentes sob LEE profilática.

Ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A associated with sexual transmission among men who have sex with men, Portugal, October 2023 to April 2024.

An outbreak of hepatitis A is ongoing in Portugal, with 71 confirmed cases from 7 October 2023 to 24 April 2024. Most cases are male, aged 18-44 years, with many identifying as men who have sex with men (MSM) and reported as suspected sexual transmission. Phylogenetic analysis identified the subgenotype IA, VRD 521-2016 strain, last observed in an MSM-associated multi-country outbreak in 2016 to 2018. We wish to alert colleagues in other countries to investigate potential similar spread.

Hepatitis B vaccination associated with low response in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with biologics.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is recommended for non-immunised patients with rheumatic diseases starting biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). There is some evidence that HBV vaccination is effective in patients under conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), but it is currently unclear whether this also applies to bDMARDs. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of HBV vaccination in patients with inflammatory arthritides treated with bDMARDs. METHODS: A prospective cohort with inflammatory arthritides treated with bDMARDs, negative for anti-HBs and anti-HBc and never vaccinated for HBV was recruited. Engerix B was administered at 0, 1 and 6 months and anti-HBs was reassessed ≥1 month after last dose. Response was defined as anti-HBs≥10 IU/L and compared against vaccinated healthy controls. Disease flare, serious adverse events and immune-related disorders not previously present were recorded. RESULTS: 62 patients, most treated with TNF inhibitors (TNFi), and 38 controls were recruited. Most patients were taking csDMARDs (67.7%) and were in remission/low disease activity (59.4%). Only 20/62 patients (32.3%) had a positive response to vaccination, in comparison to 36/38 age-matched controls (94.7%, p<0.001). Response was seen in 19/51 patients treated with TNFi (37.3%) and in 1/11 (9.1%) patients treated with non-TNFi (p=0.07), including 1/6 treated with tocilizumab (16.7%). Among TNFi, response rates ranged from 4/22 (18.2%) for infliximab to 8/14 (57.1%) for etanercept. No relevant safety issues were identified. CONCLUSIONS: HBV vaccination response in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with bDMARDs was poorer than expected. Our data reinforce the recommendation for vaccination prior to starting bDMARDs.

Simultaneous Gastric and Colonic Metastasis of Breast Cancer.

Although breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women, metastasization to the gastrointestinal tract is rare. We present a 59-year-old woman with simultaneous gastric and colonic metastasis of invasive lobular breast carcinoma. She had been diagnosed with BC and underwent surgery and systemic therapy. Two years later, an increase in tumor markers motivated investigation, including upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, which identified gastric ulcers and mucosal irregularity in the cecum. Histopathological analysis was compatible with gastric and colonic metastases from BC. We highlight the importance of biopsying every endoscopically visible lesion in patients with BC history.

Task Force for a rapid response to an outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children in Portugal in 2022.

On 5 April 2022, the United Kingdom reported an increase of cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children, several needing hospitalisation and some required liver transplant or died. Thereafter, 35 countries reported probable cases, almost half of them in Europe. Facing the alert, on 28 April, Portugal created a multidisciplinary Task Force (TF) for rapid detection of probable cases and response. The experts of the TF came from various disciplines: clinicians, laboratory experts, epidemiologists, public health experts and national and international communication. Moreover, Portugal adopted the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) case definition and recommendations. By 31 December 2022, 28 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology were reported: 16 male and 17 aged under 2 years. Of these cases, 23 were hospitalised but none required liver transplant or died. Adenovirus was detected from nine of 26 tested cases. No association was observed between adenovirus infection and hospital admission after adjusting for age, sex and region in a binomial regression model. The TF in Portugal may have contributed to increase awareness among clinicians, enabling early detection and prompt management of the outbreak.

Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Rectum in a Non-Immunosuppressed Patient with Ulcerative Colitis.

Introduction: The incidence of primary colorectal lymphoma in the gastrointestinal tract is very low, the rectum being infrequently affected. The development of this entity in inflammatory bowel disease patients usually occurs in a context of immunosuppression-based therapy, with only a few case reports describing its development in patients presenting no known risk factors. Moreover, the clinical presentation of primary colorectal lymphomas may be difficult to distinguish from an acute flare of ulcerative colitis (UC). Case Presentation: We present a case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the rectum in a 42-year-old male with a 7-year history of UC and no previous exposure to immunomodulatory agents. He presented with a history of mucous diarrhoea, tenesmus, proctalgia and weight loss, refractory to optimized therapy. A lower gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed revealing a circumferential ulcerated lesion of the rectum, from which histopathological analysis established the diagnosis of a non-Hodgkin diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Discussion/Conclusion: The present case suggests the existence of alternative mechanisms for the development of DLBCL in UC patients. The clinical presentation mimicking an acute flare of UC posed a diagnostic challenge, highlighting the complexity behind the management of UC patients.

Introdução: O linfoma não Hodgkin (LNH) difuso de grandes células B (DGCB) colorretal primário é uma entidade rara, estando a sua associação com a colite ulcerosa (CU) relacionada com a exposição a imunomoduladores. Apresentamos uma forma particularmente rara de LN-HDGCB primário, com atingimento do reto em doente com proctite ulcerosa sem história de imunossupressores, cuja apresentação simula agudização da CU. Descrição do caso clínico: Homem de 42 anos, com diagnóstico de proctite ulcerosa desde 2014, e sem história de terapêutica imunossupressora. Inicia quadro de diarreia com muco, proctalgia intensa, tenesmo e perda ponderal (10% em 2 meses), sem melhoria após otimização da terapêutica. Realiza colonoscopia que revela lesão ulcerada e circunferencial a nível do reto, condicionando estenose luminal, cujas biopsias revelaram LNHDGCB. Discussão/Conclusão: O presente caso sugere a existência de mecanismos fisiopatológicos alternativos à terapêutica imunossupressora para o desenvolvimento de LNH em doentes com CU. A apresentação clínica sugestiva de agudização da CU, constituiu um verdadeiro desafio diagnóstico, fazendo realçar a complexidade da abordagem destes doentes.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Validation of "PROMIS GI - Disrupted Swallowing" Scale for the Portuguese Language.

INTRODUCTION: Dysphagia is a prevalent condition (20%), and occurs more frequently in women and in older people. It negatively impacts innumerous aspects of patient's personal and professional lives. Patient-reported outcomes allow patients to directly quantify their experience regarding dysphagia and evaluate its true impact on quality of life. Among the scales available, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Gastrointestinal (PROMIS GI) Disrupted Swallowing stands out because it is a robust instrument that can be applied regardless of the type and etiology of dysphagia. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate PROMIS GI Disrupted Swallowing scale for the Portuguese-speaking population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Firstly, the seven items of the scale were translated and transculturally reviewed following the systematic method proposed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT). Afterwards, the pre-test version of the questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample (n = 6) for semantic evaluation, with the aim of detection and subsequent correction of possible problems in the translation. The final translated and certified version of the scale was administered to 200 voluntary adult participants (n = 123 healthy; n = 77 dysphagia) in Portugal, for evaluation of reliability and validity. RESULTS: The Portuguese version of PROMIS GI Disrupted Swallowing presented acceptable internal consistency (coefficient of Cronbach's α of 0.919) and adequate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.941). The translated version of the scale revealed a strong correlation with both Eckardt score (p < 0.001; ρ = 0.782) and the quality-of-life questionnaire EuroQol-5D (p < 0.001; ρ = -0.551), demonstrating evidence of convergent validity. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of PROMIS GI Disrupted Swallowing scale presented conceptual, semantic, cultural and measurement equivalence relatively to the original items. The results attained demonstrated that the translation of this scale to Portuguese is reliable and valid for use both in clinical practice and for research purposes.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: early results of a minimally invasive procedure in patients with obesity.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty at 3 months as well as to determine factors influencing post-procedural weight loss. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with obesity classes I, II and III (BMI 31.1-46.6 kg/m2) underwent ESG between September 2021 and April 2022 at a tertiary care hospital using Overstitch (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, TX). ESG's efficacy and safety was evaluated at 1 and 3 months post-procedure with regard to excess weight loss (EWL) and total weight loss (TWL). Categorical variables were expressed as percentages and compared with chi-square test while continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared with paired t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) as applicable. Pearson's correlation was used to determine association between factors at baseline and weight loss. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.2 ± 9.7 years with 61 (83.6%) patients being female. Mean initial weight was 105.7 ± 15.7 kg, and mean BMI was 38.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2. Median hospitalization was 2.0 ± 1.8 days with 62 (84.9%) patients discharged after 24 h. One patient had accidental suturing of the stomach to the abdominal wall and diaphragm which was managed laparoscopically. Mean %EWL was 25.4 ± 7.1 and 36.3 ± 11.4, and %TBWL was 11.2 ± 2.6 and 15.8 ± 4.2 at 1 and 3 months, respectively. Significant excess weight loss at 3 months was only observed in patients with BMI < 40 kg/m2 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ESG is safe and effective to manage obesity. Significant weight loss at 3 months was only observed in patients with obesity class I and class II.

Direct peroral cholangioscopy with conventional upper gastrointestinal endoscope.

An 83-year-old male with a history of Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) due to pancreatic cancer, underwent endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography (ERCP) for acute cholangitis. Because of the altered anatomy, an upper gastrointestinal endoscope was used. Severe stricture of the hepaticojejunal anastomosis was found. The anastomotic stricture was dilated with a 12mm through-the-scope (TTS) balloon under fluoroscopy and direct visualization. Right and left ducts were explored with Dormia basket and balloon, with extraction of bile duct stones and pus. Cholangioscopy with upper gastrointestinal endoscope was performed and residual cholesterol stones were identified in branches of the left hepatic duct and these were removed with the stone extraction balloon under endoscopic visualization. Ciprofloxacin was administered for 5 days and post interventional course was uneventful. Direct peroral colangioscopy using a conventional endoscope provides high quality endoscopic imaging, enabling access to virtual chromoendoscopy and the 2.8 mm diameter working channel allows for interventional procedures. This strategy is useful and economical, helping confirm clearance of common bile duct stones, while allowing extraction of any residual stones. New, cost effective scopes for peroral cholangioscopy are needed to improve the safety and success rate.

Transmural remission improves clinical outcomes up to 5 years in Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence supporting transmural remission (TR) as a long-term treatment target in Crohn's disease (CD) is still unavailable. Less stringent but more reachable targets such as isolated endoscopic (IER) or radiologic remission (IRR) may also be acceptable options in the long-term. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study including 404 CD patients evaluated by magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy. Five-year rates of hospitalization, surgery, use of steroids, and treatment escalation were compared between patients with TR, IER, IRR, and no remission (NR). RESULTS: 20.8% of CD patients presented TR, 23.3% IER, 13.6% IRR and 42.3% NR. TR was associated with lower risk of hospitalization (odds-ratio [OR] 0.244 [0.111-0.538], p < 0.001), surgery (OR 0.132 [0.030-0.585], p = 0.008), steroid use (OR 0.283 [0.159-0.505], p < 0.001), and treatment escalation (OR 0.088 [0.044-0.176], p < 0.001) compared to no NR. IRR resulted in lower risk of hospitalization (OR 0.333 [0.143-0.777], p = 0.011) and treatment escalation (OR 0.260 [0.125-0.540], p < 0.001), while IER reduced the risk of steroid use (OR 0.442 [0.262-0.745], p = 0.002) and treatment escalation (OR 0.490 [0.259-0.925], p = 0.028) compared to NR. CONCLUSIONS: TR improved clinical outcomes over 5 years of follow-up in CD patients. Distinct but significant benefits were seen with IER and IRR. This suggests that both endoscopic and radiologic remission should be part of the treatment targets of CD.

Refractory benign esophageal strictures - Cut or dilate?

A 67-year-old male patient with long term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on double dose proton pump inhibitors, presented with dysphagia for soft foods. He underwent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy which revealed a severe regular stricture at the level of the esophagogastric junction with a residual luminal orifice measuring 2 mm. Biopsies at the site of the stricture ruled out malignancy and were suggestive of peptic etiology. The patient underwent twelve endoscopic dilatation sessions, 11 of them with Savary-Guillard bougies and 1 with TTS balloon, up to a maximal diameter of 18 mm, with only partial relief of dysphagia symptoms. Due to the persistence of the stricture and dysphagia symptoms, incisional therapy was performed in two endoscopic sessions at the site of the stricture was performed with a Mori´s knife parallel to the longitudinal axis of the esophagus in a radial manner in all of the quadrants. There were no adverse events. On follow-up, 2 months later after the last session, the patient had a significant improvement and did not have any dysphagia symptoms. UGI endoscopy revealed minimal residual narrowing at the site of the previous stricture in the distal esophagus. He remains asymptomatic after 6 months follow-up.

Securing wider EU commitment to the elimination of hepatitis C virus.

In 2016, the Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association (HepBCPPA), gathered all the main stakeholders in the field of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to launch the now landmark HCV Elimination Manifesto, calling for the elimination of HCV in the EU by 2030. Since then, many European countries have made progress towards HCV elimination. Multiple programmes-from the municipality level to the EU level-were launched, resulting in an overall decrease in viremic HCV infections and liver-related mortality. However, as of 2021, most countries are not on track to reach the 2030 HCV elimination targets set by the WHO. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decrease in HCV diagnoses and fewer direct-acting antiviral treatment initiations in 2020. Diagnostic and therapeutic tools to easily diagnose and treat chronic HCV infection are now well established. Treating all patients with chronic HCV infection is more cost-saving than treating and caring for patients with liver-related complications, decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is more important than ever to reinforce and scale-up action towards HCV elimination. Yet, efforts urgently need the dedicated commitment of policymakers at all governmental and policy levels. Therefore, the third EU Policy Summit, held in March 2021, featured EU parliamentarians and other key decision makers to promote dialogue and take strides towards securing wider EU commitment to advance and achieve HCV elimination by 2030. We have summarized the key action points and reported the 'Call-to-Action' statement supported by all the major relevant European associations in the field.

Phylogeography of hepatitis B virus: The role of Portugal in the early dissemination of HBV worldwide.

In Portugal, the genetic diversity, origin of HBV and the Portuguese role in the dissemination of HBV worldwide were never investigated. In this work, we studied the epidemic history and transmission dynamics of HBV genotypes that are endemic in Portugal. HBV pol gene was sequenced from 130 patients followed in Lisbon. HBV genotype A was the most prevalent (n = 54, 41.5%), followed by D (n = 44, 33.8%), and E (n = 32, 24.6%). Spatio-temporal evolutionary dynamics was reconstructed in BEAST using a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, with a GTR nucleotide substitution model, an uncorrelated lognormal relaxed molecular clock model, a Bayesian skyline plot, and a continuous diffusion model. HBV subgenotype D4 was the first to be introduced in Portugal around 1857 (HPD 95% 1699-1931) followed by D3 and A2 a few decades later. HBV genotype E and subgenotype A1 were introduced in Portugal later, almost simultaneously. Our results indicate a very important role of Portugal in the exportation of subgenotypes D4 and A2 to Brazil and Cape Verde, respectively, in the beginning of the XX century. This work clarifies the epidemiological history of HBV in Portugal and provides new insights in the early and global epidemic history of this virus.

Severe acute autoimmune hepatitis: How to early predict who will not respond to corticosteroids and needs urgent liver transplantation?

BACKROUND: In acute severe autoimmune hepatitis (AS-AIH), the early identification of predictors of non-response to corticosteroids and the optimal timing for liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. AIMS: To determine early predictors of non-response to corticosteroids and to assess the usefulness of severity scores, namely the recently developed SURFASA. METHODS: Retrospective multicentre cohort study including consecutive patients admitted for AS-AIH between 2016 and 2020. Definitions- response to corticosteroids: LT-free survival at 90 days (D90); SURFASA score: -6.8 + 1.92x(D0-INR)+1.94xINR[(D3-D0)/D0]+1.64xbilirubin[(D3-D0)/D0]. RESULTS: We included 26 patients [median age 56 (45-69) years; 22 (84.6%) women]. All patients underwent corticosteroid therapy. Overall survival reached 73%. amongst the non-responders, 2 (7.8%) underwent LT and 5 (19.2%) died. The interval between admission and initiation of corticosteroids was not different between responders and non- responders [13 (7-23) vs. 8 (3-10), P:0.06], respectively. SURFASA and MELD-Na+ (D3) scores showed an AUROC of 0.96 (0.87-1) and 0.92 (0.82-0.99), respectively, for prediction of non-response. SURFASA >-2.5 had a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 100% and MELD-Na+ (D3) >26 had sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 78% for the prediction of non-response. CONCLUSIONS: SURFASA and MELD-Na+ at D3 scores are useful in early identification of non-responders to corticosteroids.

Detection and Characterization of Early Gastric Cancer.

In this review, we would like to focus on risk stratification and quality indicators of diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the detection and characterization of early gastric cancer. Preparation of the upper gastrointestinal tract with mucolytic agents or simethicone is often overlooked in the west, and this inexpensive step prior to endoscopy can greatly improve the quality of imaging of the upper digestive tract. Risk stratification based on epidemiological features including family history, Helicobacter pylori infection status, and tobacco smoking is often overlooked but may be useful to identify a subgroup of patients at higher risk of developing gastric cancer. Quality indicators of diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are now well defined and include: minimal inspection time of 3 min, adequate photographic documentation of upper gastrointestinal landmarks, utilization of advanced endoscopic imaging technology including narrow band imaging and blue laser imaging to detect intestinal metaplasia and characterize early gastric cancer; and standardized biopsy protocols allow for histological evaluation of gastric mucosa and detection of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. Finally, endoscopic and histologic classifications such as the Kimura-Takemoto Classification of atrophic gastritis and the OLGA-OLGIM classifications may help stratify patients at a higher risk of developing early gastric cancer.

Hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children - epidemiological overview of cases reported in Europe, 1 January to 16 June 2022.

Following the report of an excess in paediatric cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology by the United Kingdom (UK) on 5 April 2022, 427 cases were reported from 20 countries in the World Health Organization European Region to the European Surveillance System TESSy from 1 January 2022 to 16 June 2022. Here, we analysed demographic, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data available in TESSy. Of the reported cases, 77.3% were 5 years or younger and 53.5% had a positive test for adenovirus, 10.4% had a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and 10.3% were coinfected with both pathogens. Cases with adenovirus infections were significantly more likely to be admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.18-3.74) and transplanted (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.19-9.55) than cases with a negative test result for adenovirus, but this was no longer observed when looking at this association separately between the UK and other countries. Aetiological studies are needed to ascertain if adenovirus plays a role in this possible emergence of hepatitis cases in children and, if confirmed, the mechanisms that could be involved.