Treatment and outcome of gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and erosions - (BLUE study).

OBJECTIVES: Peptic ulcers and erosions are the most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to investigate the management and outcomes of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 543 patients with endoscopically confirmed bleeding from peptic ulcers and erosions were included from March 2015 to December 2017. The patient characteristics, endoscopic findings, Forrest classification and endoscopic treatment were recorded. Moreover, the rebleeding rates, repeated endoscopies and transcatheter angiographic embolization and surgery incidences were registered. A follow-up endoscopy after discharge from the hospital was scheduled. RESULTS: Among the patients, high-risk stigmata ulcers were present in 36% (198/543) and low-risk stigmata ulcers and erosions in 60% (327/543) at first endoscopy. Endoscopic therapy was performed in 30% (165/543) of the patients, and hemostasis was achieved in 94% (155/165). The incidence of rebleeding was 9% (49/543) for the whole cohort and 14.8% (23/155) for those patients who had received successful endoscopic treatment. Moreover, rebleeding was significantly more frequent in duodenal ulcers than in gastric ulcers (11.9% vs 4.0%, p = .004). In a multivariable analysis, rebleeding was significantly related to comorbidity and Forrest classification. Transcatheter angiographic embolization and surgery were required in 6% (34/543) and 0.07% (4/543) of patients, respectively. Complete peptic ulcer healing was found at follow-up in 73.3% (270/368) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic hemostasis was achieved in the majority of patients with high-risk ulceration, although the occurrence of rebleeding is a significant challenge, especially in patients with duodenal ulcers. Clinical trial registration: Bleeding Ulcer and Erosions Study (BLUE Study), ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03367897.

Gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and erosions - a prospective observational study (BLUE study).

OBJECTIVES: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a well-recognized complication of peptic ulcers and erosions. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence rate and identify risk factors for this complication in southeastern Norway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2015 and December 2017, a prospective observational study was conducted at two Norwegian hospitals with a total catchment area of approximately 800,000 inhabitants. Information regarding patient characteristics, comorbidities, drug use, H. pylori status and 30-day mortality was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 543 adult patients were included. The incidence was 30/100,000 inhabitants per year. Altogether, 434 (80%) of the study patients used risk medication. Only 46 patients (8.5%) used proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for more than 2 weeks before the bleeding episode. H. pylori testing was performed in 527 (97%) patients, of whom 195 (37%) were H. pylori-positive. The main comorbidity was cardiovascular disease. Gastric and duodenal ulcers were found in 183 (34%) and 275 (51%) patients, respectively. Simultaneous ulcerations at both locations were present in 58 (10%) patients, and 27 (5%) had only erosions. Overall, the 30-day mortality rate was 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and erosions was found to be lower than previously demonstrated in comparable studies, but the overall mortality rate was unchanged. The consumption of risk medication was high, and only a few patients had used prophylactic PPIs. Concurrent H. pylori infection was present in only one-third of the patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Bleeding Ulcer and Erosions Study 'BLUE Study', ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier. NCT03367897.

Magnetic endoscopic imaging during colonoscopy is associated with less pain and decreased need of analgesia and sedation--results from a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Colonoscopy is the method of choice for examining patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms. The procedure is, however, in many cases, associated with pain and impaired compliance. Magnetic endoscopic imaging (MEI) generates a three-dimensional image of the colonoscope on a computer screen which may enable the colonoscopist to avoid looping, and consequently improve patient satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 200 outpatients referred to colonoscopy at Østfold Hospital Trust, Fredrikstad, Norway, were included. Patients were randomized to either the standard arm (using fluoroscopy on demand, n = 100), or the MEI arm (n = 100). End points were time to cecum, subjective pain experiences, and use of sedation or analgesics. RESULTS: Out of a total of 200 patients, 54% were men. However, no significant differences between the groups according to gender were found. Fluoroscopy was applied in 23% of the cases in the standard group. Use of MEI was associated with decreased time to cecum (p < 0.05), decreased pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale, p < 0.05), decreased need of analgesia (p < 0.01), and decreased amount of administered midazolam and pethidin (p < 0.05 in both). CONCLUSIONS: MEI during colonoscopy was associated with decreased pain and less on-demand requests for sedation and analgesia. In addition, the use of MEI reduced the cecal intubation time. Consequently the implementation of magnetic endoscopic imaging in the endoscopy suits may be beneficial, particularly in the clinically difficult cases.

Long-term outcome of palliative treatment with self-expanding metal stents for malignant obstructions of the GI tract.

BACKGROUND: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are commonly used in the palliative treatment of malignant gastrointestinal (GI) obstructions with favorable short-term outcome. Data on long-term outcome are scarce, however. AIM: To evaluate long-term outcome after palliative stent treatment of malignant GI obstruction. METHOD: Between October 2006 and April 2008, nine Norwegian hospitals included patients treated with SEMS for malignant esophageal, gastroduodenal, biliary, and colonic obstructions. Patients were followed for at least 6 months with respect to stent patency, reinterventions, and readmissions. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in 229 of 231 (99%) and clinically successful after 1 week in 220 of 229 (96%) patients. Long-term follow-up was available for 219 patients. Of those, 72 (33%) needed reinterventions. Stent occlusions or migrations (92%) were the most common reasons. Esophageal stents required reinterventions most frequently (41%), and had a significantly (p = 0.02) shorter patency (median 152 days) compared to other locations (gastroduodenal, 256 days; colon, 276 days; biliary, 460 days). Eighty percent of reinterventions were repeated endoscopic procedures that successfully restored patency. Readmissions were required for 156 (72%) patients. Progression of the underlying cancer was the most common reason, whereas 24% were readmitted due to stent complications. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcome after palliative treatment with SEMS for malignant GI and biliary obstruction shows that 70% had a patent stent until death, and that most reobstructions could be solved endoscopically. Hospital readmissions were mainly related to progression of the underlying cancer disease.

Patient-reported outcomes in palliative gastrointestinal stenting: a Norwegian multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical effect of stent treatment has been evaluated by mainly physicians; only a limited number of prospective studies have used patient-reported outcomes for this purpose. The aim of this work was to study the clinical effect of self-expanding metal stents in treatment of malignant gastrointestinal obstructions, as evaluated by patient-reported outcomes, and compare the rating of the treatment effect by patients and physicians. METHODS: Between November 2006 and April 2008, 273 patients treated with SEMS for malignant GI and biliary obstructions were recruited from nine Norwegian hospitals. Patients and physicians assessed symptoms independently at the time of treatment and after 2 weeks using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire supplemented with specific questions related to obstruction. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients (99 males; median age = 72 years) completed both assessments and were included in the study. A significant improvement in the mean global health score was observed after 2 weeks (from 9 to 18 on a 0-100 scale, P < 0.03) for all stent locations. Both patients and physicians reported a significant reduction in all obstruction-related symptoms (>20 on the 0-100 scale, P < 0.006) after SEMS treatment. The physicians reported a larger mean improvement in symptoms than did the patients, mainly because they reported more severe symptoms before treatment. CONCLUSION: SEMS treatment is effective in relieving symptoms of malignant GI and biliary obstruction, as reported by patients and physicians. The physicians, however, reported a larger reduction in obstructive symptoms than did the patients. A prospective assessment of patient-reported outcomes is important in evaluating SEMS treatment.

[Risk factors for peptic ulcer bleeding]. / Risikofaktorer for blødende magesår.

BACKGROUND: Many drugs increase the risk for gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. The aim of this study was to investigate Helicobacter pylori infection and drug use in patients who had gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding in 2002 or 2007, and possible differences between the periods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding were prospectively included in the periods 1.1 - 31.12. 2002 and 1.1 - 31.12. 2007. Information was recorded about Helicobacter pylori infection and intake of NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin, clopidogrel, low-molecular heparine, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), corticosteroids, paracetamol and proton pump inhibitors. Inhabitants in Oslo age >or= 60 years in 2007, were used as a control for drug use. RESULTS: 78.2 % of patients in 2002 and 90.7 % of those in 2007 used at least one of the drugs (p = 0.01). In 2002, 25.7 % of patients used non-selective NSAIDs and in 2007 46.1 % used such drugs (p = 0.001). In 2002, 36.7 % of patients used more than one of the studied drugs, versus 50.9 % in 2007 (p = 0.02). Compared to controls, the patients used more NSAIDs, acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, low- molecular heparine, SSRIs and corticosteroids. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in 51.0 % of patients in 2002, versus 41.1 % in 2007 (p = 0.11). INTERPRETATION: Most patients with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding use drugs that have a known risk of adverse effects such as ulcer and/or gastrointestinal bleeding.