A new colonic lavage system to prepare the colon for colonoscopy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: One of the most unpleasant and sometimes difficult elements of colonoscopic examination is the bowel preparation which is usually performed 6 or more hours prior to the examination ("early" preparation), causing many patients to refrain from undergoing this procedure. We present a novel technique for bowel preparation that begins approximately 30 min prior to the introduction of the colonoscope and eliminates the need for significant pre-procedure preparation. METHODS: The medical records of all consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy without "early" preparation (CWEP) from May 2009 through June 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The procedure was performed using a novel cleansing device, the "ColonoScoPrep™", with which the colon is prepared about half an hour prior to insertion of the colonoscope. The only medication required is two to three bisacodyl tablets the night before. The quality of bowel preparation was graded as excellent, good, satisfactory, or poor, and patient satisfaction was assessed according to a prospective protocol. RESULTS: During this period, 125 patients underwent CWEP. Of these, 110 (89.4 %) patients had an excellent or good preparation, permitting complete colonoscopic examination unimpeded by fecal matter. In 11 patients, preparation was satisfactory, in 2 it was poor and in 2, colonoscopy was not completed due to unsatisfactory preparation. None of the patients suffered from abdominal pain or cramps during or after the CWEP and none had post-colonoscopy diarrhea. All patients were satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the study is retrospective, CWEP appears safe and easy to perform. A prospective study comparing conventional bowel preparation and CWEP is now underway.

Comparison of central and intraesophageal factors between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients and those with GERD-related noncardiac chest pain.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes a wide range of symptoms. Some patients present with typical symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation and others with atypical symptoms such as chest pain. The mechanism responsible for the varying clinical presentation of GERD is still not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate differences in central and local intraesophageal factors between patients with typical GERD symptoms and those with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Patients presenting with typical and atypical symptoms suspicious of GERD underwent upper endoscopy and 24-hour pH monitoring with four sensors, each positioned at a different esophageal level. All patients completed GERD symptom, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Symptom Stress Rating questionnaires. From January 2006 to December 2009, 50 patients were recruited, 29 with typical symptoms, and 21 with NCCP. Patients with proven GERD and NCCP had higher proximal extension of acid during reflux episodes than patients with typical symptoms. They were found to be older, had a shorter history of symptom onset, worse anxiety scores, and more endoscopic findings compatible with gastritis. Proximal extension of acid during the reflux episodes in patients with GERD presenting with NCCP may play a role in symptom generation.

Validation of the Capsule Endoscopy Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CECDAI or Niv score): a multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The Capsule Endoscopy Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CECDAI or Niv score) was devised to measure mucosal disease activity using video capsule endoscopy (VCE). The aim of the current study was to prospectively validate the use of the scoring system in daily practice. METHODS: This was a multicenter, double-blind, prospective, controlled study of VCE videos from 62 consecutive patients with isolated small-bowel Crohn's disease. The CECDAI was designed to evaluate three main parameters of Crohn's disease: inflammation (A), extent of disease (B), and stricture (C), in both the proximal and distal segments of the small bowel. The final score was calculated by adding the two segmental scores: CECDAI = ([A1 × B1] + C1) + ([A2 × B2] + C2). Each examiner in every site interpreted 6 - 10 videos and calculated the CECDAI. The de-identified CD-ROMs were then coded and sent to the principal investigator for CECDAI calculation. RESULTS: The cecum was reached in 72 % and 86 % of examinations, and proximal small-bowel involvement was found in 56 % and 62 % of the patients, according to the site investigators and principal investigator, respectively. Significant correlation was demonstrated between the calculation of the CECDAI by the individual site investigators and that performed by the principal investigator. Overall correlation between endoscopists from the different study centers was good, with r = 0.767 (range 0.717 - 0.985; Kappa 0.66; P < 0.001). There was no correlation between the CECDAI and the Crohn's Disease Activity Index or the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire or any of their components. CONCLUSION: A new scoring system of mucosal injury in Crohn's disease of the small intestine, the CECDAI, was validated. Its use in controlled trials and/or regular follow-up of these patients is advocated.

Evidence for aberrant regulation of MAP kinase signal transduction pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with active celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant signaling via the p21/mitogen-activated proteins (MAP) kinase pathway has been described in lymphocytes of patients with various autoimmune diseases. There is little published data about the intracellular mediators and signals that regulate expression and activity of transcription factors and their effect on celiac disease induction and progression. AIM: To investigate the possible involvement of MAP kinase pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in celiac disease and its correlation with disease activity. METHODS: Expression of the total and activated forms of two MAP kinases [extracellular response kinase (ERK) and c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK)] were studied by Western blots in PBMC of 17 untreated and 19 treated celiac patients, and 17 controls. Seven of these untreated celiac patients were studies before and after 6 months of gluten-free diet. RESULTS: Phosphorylated ERK of active celiac disease patients was significantly lower compared with controls (P < 0.01) and was increased towards normal after 6 month of gluten-free diet (P < 0.01). Phosphorylated JNK was increased significantly in the untreated celiac group (P < 0.01) and normalized towards the control level after 6 months of gluten-free diet (P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant MAP-kinase pathway activity is associated with active celiac disease (CD). Further studies should examine the potential role of this aberration in pathogenesis of CD.

Antiplatelet therapy and the risk of bleeding induced by gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. A systematic review of the literature and recommendations.

Antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of bleeding induced by gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. The antiplatelet effect of cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors lasts less than 4 h. Skin and colonic bleeding times are prolonged for 3 and 5 days after aspirin and ticlopidine withdrawal respectively. Major bleeding from endoscopic biopsies is extremely rare. In the four recent largest series, the general incidence of polypectomy-induced major bleeding was 0.11-0.42%. In more than half of the cases the bleeding was delayed, usually up to 2 weeks after the endoscopy. Although three retrospective studies suggested that aspirin does not increase the risk of polypectomy-induced bleeding, the power of these studies is limited. Similarly, it is difficult to draw conclusions from the two studies that assessed the risk of aspirin use during sphincterotomy. Aspirin withdrawal may be harmful in susceptible patients, mainly if it is for more than 7 days. There is no indication to stop aspirin before esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which may reveal aspirin-induced lesions. We recommend discontinuation of aspirin 4-7 days (according to the cardiovascular risk) before other endoscopic procedures. When aspirin is indicated for primary prevention, it can be resumed 14 and 10 days after polypectomy and sphincterotomy respectively. In cases of secondary prevention, it should be resumed after 1 week.

Chronic hepatitis C infection in children.

Hepatitis C virus infection may differ in the pediatric age group with respect to transmission, natural history and response to treatment. Most infected children develop chronic hepatitis but with a relatively mild course of the disease. The most efficient transmission of hepatitis C virus is through direct percutaneous exposure to infected blood or blood products. However, the major risk factor for acquisition of hepatitis C virus in children at present is maternal-infant transmission. The rate of progression to advanced liver disease seems to be more rapid in post transfusional and vertically acquired hepatitis C virus infection than in sporadic hepatitis C virus infection acquired postnatally, or in those without known risk factors. There is a wide variety of histopathological expression, depending on the geographical distribution of the different countries. Treatment for hepatitis C virus in children has not yet been approved. However, combination treatment with peginterferon-alpha-2b with ribavirin shows encouraging results and is generally well tolerated. More randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to optimize the approach to hepatitis C virus infection in children.

Comparison of capsule endoscopy with ileocolonoscopy for detecting small-bowel lesions in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Patients with spondyloarthropathies are often found to have signs of small-bowel inflammation when examined by ileocolonoscopy. Because capsule endoscopy has been found to be superior to other endoscopic and radiological modalities in the detection of small-bowel inflammation, we aimed to compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy with that of ileocolonoscopy in the detection of small-bowel lesions in patients with spondyloarthropathies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with documented seronegative peripheral arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or sacroiliitis, who had not taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the preceding 2 months, participated in the study. The patients underwent capsule endoscopy, followed by ileocolonoscopy within 7 days, with blinded assessment of both examinations. Biopsies were taken when indicated and adverse events were monitored. Patients completed a questionnaire on their satisfaction with the two procedures. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (11 men, 9 women; mean age 41+/-13 years) with seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathies but without abdominal complaints completed the study. No adverse effects were reported and all the capsules were excreted. Of these 20 patients, 11 (55%) had a normal small bowel on both examinations. Significant small-bowel findings (erythema, mucosal breaks, aphthous or linear ulcers, erosions) were detected by capsule endoscopy in six patients (30%) and by ileocolonoscopy in only one patient. In addition, capsule endoscopy detected significant upper gastrointestinal pathology in 40% of patients. The patients preferred capsule endoscopy to ileocolonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy detected more small-bowel lesions than ileocolonoscopy, and provided additional potentially relevant information on upper gastrointestinal pathology in patients with spondyloarthropathies.

Levels of muscle enzymes in the serum after esophageal pneumatic dilation in patients with achalasia.

The success rate of pneumatic dilation of the esophagus in patients with achalasia is variable. We aim to assess whether levels of muscle enzymes in the serum are useful for predicting the efficacy of this procedure. Consecutive adults with symptomatic achalasia treated with pneumatic dilation were included. Blood samples were taken immediately before the procedure and after 12, 24 and 32 h. Clinical efficacy of the pneumatic dilation was evaluated on the basis of a symptom score defined prior to, and 2 months after the procedure. Eleven patients underwent 13 pneumatic dilations. In nine patients this was the first dilation attempt. Ten dilations were clinically effective. The study was discontinued after enzyme levels did not show a trend of increase in any of our patients. Moreover, a statistically significant unexpected decrease in creatine phosphokinase values was found 12 h after the procedure, among the 10 successful dilations. We believe that levels of muscle enzymes in the serum cannot predict the efficacy of pneumatic dilation in patients with achalasia.

Enhanced glucose-dependent glucagon-like peptide-1 and insulin secretion in Crohn patients with terminal ileum disease is unrelated to disease activity or ileal resection.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been reported in patients with Crohn disease (CD). However, the correlation between the enteropancreatic axis and the activity of CD remains unclear. METHODS: Plasma glucose, insulin, GLP-1 levels and insulin sensitivity were determined before and after oral glucose tolerance tests in 13 patients with CD of the terminal ileum, in 13 patients after resection of the terminal ileum and in 7 healthy controls. Basal and stimulated insulin sensitivities were determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) methods, respectively. RESULTS: Basal and stimulated glucose levels were comparable in patients and controls. The peak stimulated GLP-1 secretion was significantly higher in the patient group compared to controls: 12.2 +/- 1.24 pM/L and 8.1 +/- 1.72 pM/L, respectively, P=0.03. This was associated with 52% increased overall insulin secretion in the patients' group as compared to controls (P=0.007) and a higher peak insulin response: 63.5 +/- 9.69 mU/L and 41.5 +/- 6.85 mU/L for patients and controls, respectively, P=0.04. Operated patients had similar GLP-1 levels but higher peak and overall insulin secretions compared with those in non-operated patients (P=0.01). Fasting and stimulated insulin sensitivities were reduced only in patients with ileal resection as compared to controls: P=0.01 and P=0.05, respectively. No correlation was found between the CD activity index and GLP-1 or insulin secretion. CONCLUSIONS: CD of the terminal ileum is associated with enhanced glucose-dependent GLP-1 secretion, which is unrelated to disease activity or ileal resection.

Diagnosing small bowel Crohn's disease with wireless capsule endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The small bowel is the most commonly affected site of Crohn's disease (CD) although it may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The current methodologies for examining the small bowel are x ray and endoscopy. AIMS: To evaluate, for the first time, the effectiveness of wireless capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected CD of the small bowel undetected by conventional modalities, and to determine the diagnostic yield of the M2A Given Capsule. PATIENTS: Seventeen patients (eight males, mean age 40 (15) years) with suspected CD fulfilled study entry criteria: nine had iron deficiency anaemia (mean haemoglobin 10.5 (SD 1.8) g%), eight had abdominal pain, seven had diarrhoea, and three had weight loss. Small bowel x ray and upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopic findings were normal. Mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 6.3 (SD 2.2) years. METHODS: Each subject swallowed an M2A Given Capsule containing a miniature video camera, batteries, a transmitter, and an antenna. Recording time was approximately eight hours. The capsule was excreted naturally in the patient's bowel movement, and the data it contained were retrieved and interpreted the next day. RESULTS: Of the 17 study participants, 12 (70.6%, six males, mean age 34.5 (12) years) were diagnosed as having CD of the small bowel according to the findings of the M2A Given Capsule. CONCLUSIONS: Wireless capsule endoscopy diagnosed CD of the small bowel (diagnostic yield of 71%). It was demonstrated as being an effective modality for diagnosing patients with suspected CD undetected by conventional diagnostic methodologies.

Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite E3174 in healthy volunteers.

Grapefruit juice (GJ), a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor, may affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs metabolized through CYP 3A4. Losartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, is converted into its main active metabolite E3174 by CYP 3A4 and CYP 2C9. The effect of GJ on losartan pharmacokinetics was assessed in a randomized crossover trial. Losartan was given to 9 volunteers with and without GJ. Concentrations of losartan and its E3174 metabolite were determined in serum by a high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC). Significant differences were observed in some of the pharmacokinetic parameters of losartan and its metabolite E3174 after losartan administration with and without co-administered GJ. The lag time (time to drug appearance in serum) of losartan increased significantly with co-administered GJ. The mean residence time (MRT) and half-life (t(1/2)) of the E3174 metabolite were significantly longer and the area under the concentration--time curve (AUC) of the E3174 metabolite was significantly smaller after concomitant GJ administration. The ratio AUC(losartan)/AUC(E3174) was significantly increased after concurrent grapefruit juice intake. The increased lag time of losartan and the increased MRT and t1/2 and decreased AUC of E3174 were considered indicative of simultaneous CYP 3A4 inhibition and P-glycoprotein activation. The significantly increased AUC(losartan)/AUC(E3174) ratio, however, indicates reduced losartan conversion to E3174 by CYP 3A4 metabolism as a result of co-administered GJ.

Effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of childhood constipation.

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of acupuncture on chronic constipation in children and to investigate their basal plasma panopioid level and the changes of this treatment. Seventeen children constipated for at least six months were treated by five weekly placebo acupuncture sessions, followed by 10 weekly true acupuncture sessions. Their parents filled a bowel habit questionnaire. Panopioid activity was measured at time 0 and after 5, 10, and 15 acupuncture sessions. The frequency of bowel movements in males increased more gradually compared to females and reached a maximal improvement only after 10 true acupuncture sessions, from 1.4 +/- 0.6/week to 4.4 +/- 0.6/week and females from 1.4 +/- 0.3/week up to 5.6 +/- 1.2/week. The basal panopioid activity was lower in constipated children as compared to the control population and increased gradually up to control level after 10 true acupuncture sessions. This study is the first to describe a successful treatment by acupuncture of constipated children.

A randomized trial comparing wireless capsule endoscopy with push enteroscopy for the detection of small-bowel lesions.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Wireless capsule endoscopy is a new, painless method of imaging the entire small bowel. It has not been compared with push enteroscopy. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and safety of capsule and push enteroscopy in detecting small-bowel lesions. METHODS: Nine to 13 radiopaque, colored beads (3-6 mm diameter) were sewn in random order inside 9 canine small bowels, half within the first meter, and confirmed on x-ray. After recovery, the number, order, and color of beads were assessed in 23 capsule enteroscopies and 9 push enteroscopies in a random order. The surgeons, push enteroscopists, capsule video interpreters, and pathologist were blinded to the others' findings. RESULTS: The capsules identified more beads than push enteroscopy (median, 6 [range, 2-9] vs. 3 [range, 2-6 beads]; P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the capsule was 64% compared with 37% for push enteroscopy. The specificity was 92% for capsule enteroscopy and 97% for push enteroscopy. The capsules identified significantly more beads beyond the reach of the push enteroscope (median, 4 [range, 2-7] vs. 0; P < 0.0001). Hair, ingested plastic, ulceration, submucosal swelling, and worms were clearly identified by the capsule. The capsules passed safely through the animals with no significant histologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Wireless capsule endoscopy detected more abnormalities in the small bowel than push enteroscopy.

Prevalence of celiac antibodies in children with neurologic disorders.

Neurologic complications are a recognized but unusual manifestation of celiac disease (CD) in adults and children. The use of antigliadin and antiendomysial antibodies in screening has revealed the frequency of CD among symptom-free individuals to be high. Recently, a high frequency (57%) of antigliadin antibodies was demonstrated in adult patients with neurologic dysfunctions of unknown cause. We investigated the yield of screening for CD in children with common neurologic disorders. One hundred sixty-seven children, 1-16 years of age, were included in the study: 41 with migraine headaches, 39 with attention-deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, 36 with epileptic disorders, and 51 with hypotonia and motor abnormalities. Positive IgG antigliadin antibodies were evident in 22 children (13%) in the study group compared with three children (9%) in the control group. However, in all children, negative IgA and endomysial antibodies were observed; thus duodenal biopsies were not performed. Contrary to studies performed in adults, these results did not demonstrate any relationship between common neurologic disorders without a specific diagnosis during childhood and CD. Thus screening for CD does not need to be routinely included in the diagnostic evaluation of children with these disorders.

Superoxide dismutase activity in children with chronic liver diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver disease in infancy has multiple etiologies. As reactive oxygen intermediates are involved in several types of tissue damage, we have investigated whether different forms of liver disease in infancy are associated with increased free radical generation, using an indirect approach in which superoxide dismutase (a free radical scavenger) activity is determined in the liver tissue. METHODS: A total of 48 liver biopsies performed at diagnosis were evaluated retrospectively. Nine infants had biliary atresia, eight Alagille syndrome, seven alantitrypsin deficiency and 12 cryptogenic hepatitis. As controls we studied 12 biopsies with normal histology obtained from seven children with portal vein thrombosis and five children who underwent biopsy for management reason but had no liver disease. Superoxide dismutase activity in liver biopsy specimens was measured using the cytochrome C method by spectrophotometry and expressed as U SOD/mg protein. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased in biliary atresia (1.25 +/- 0.56 U SOD/mg protein, p<0.0001) and Alagille syndrome (1.31 +/- 0.56 U SOD/mg protein, p<0.0001) as compared with al-antitrypsin deficiency (0.75 +/- 0.3 U SOD/mg protein), neonatal hepatitis (0.72 +/- 0.37 U. SOD/mg protein) and normal controls (0.4 +/- 0.7 U. SOD/mg protein). The highest level of SOD activity was found, however, in control children with portal vein thrombosis (2.09 +/- 0.96 U SOD/mg protein; p<0.0001 as compared to the other groups). CONCLUSION: Superoxide dismutase, a key enzyme in free radical protection, is increased significantly in the liver tissue of infants with cholestatic liver disease due to bile duct damage and in children with portal vein thrombosis, suggesting that products of free radical reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in a patient with no malignancy.

Carcinoembryonic antigen rarely exceeds serum levels of 10-12 ng/mL in benign diseases and has never been found above 24 ng/ml. We report a case in which carcinoembryonic antigen serum levels reached the value of 44.9 ng/ml without any overt reason (after 22 months of follow-up). A decline of the carcinoembryonic antigen to normal ranges was noticed after a radiolabeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibody scan was performed. The reason for this phenomenon is unclear.