In recent years, several case reports have been published suggesting an association between the use of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the development of chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis. Apart from lesions associated to 5-ASA treatment, however, it is clear that IBD itself may also induce renal impairment, albeit the frequency is unknown.During 1 year, all IBD patients seen at the outpatient clinic of 27 European centres of gastro-enterology were registered and screened for renal impairment controlling for a possible association with 5-ASA therapy. Patients were questioned about their medical and drug history and their IBD disease activity. Renal screening (calculated creatinine clearance) was performed at baseline, after 6 and 12 months.Included patients (n = 1,529) had a mean age of 39 (range 14-98), 56% had Crohn's disease, 42% ulcerative colitis and 2% indeterminate colitis. Half of the patients used 5-ASA during the study period. Decreased creatinine clearance was observed in 34 patients, among them 13 with chronic renal impairment. Comparing patients with and without renal impairment, no difference could be observed in 5-ASA consumption. In contrast, patients with renal impairment were significantly older, had a lower body mass index and showed a higher frequency of male sex, bowel resection and stoma.Although the association between 5-ASA therapy and chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis is clearly described in several case reports, this prospective study came to the reassuring conclusion that renal impairment in IBD patients is not frequently observed and is rarely associated with 5-ASA therapy.
Introduction: COVID-19 significantly affected endoscopic practice, as gastrointestinal endoscopy is considered a risky procedure for transmission of infection to patients and personnel of endoscopy units (PEU). This multicenter study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy during the first European lockdown (March-May 2020). Aims & Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopy during the period of the first European lockdown for COVID-19 (March-May 2020) were included. Those deemed as low risk or negative for COVID-19 via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing were contacted 7-14 days later to assess infection status. Information for possible COVID-19 infection of PEU and number of weekly endoscopies in each center during the lockdown period were also recorded. Results: One thousand two hundred sixty-seven endoscopies were performed in 1222 individuals, across 9 European centers (6 countries). Among the 1135 pre-endoscopically low risk or PCR negative for COP0911 VID-19, 254 (22.4%) were tested post-endoscopy and 8 were eventually found positive, resulting in an infection rate of 0.7% (95%CI: 0.2-0.12). The majority (6 patients, i.e., 75%) turned positive after esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Of these, 4 (50%) were considered obviously irrelevant to endoscopy, but for the other 50% the route of transmission remained obscure. Data regarding 163 PEU was recorded;5 [3%;95%CI: 0.4-5.7) tested positive during the study period. In 4 of them (2% of the total), the infection was considered to be associated to their work environment. A decrease of 68.7% (95%CI: 64.8-72.7) in the number of weekly endoscopies was recorded in all centers after March 2020. All centers implemented appropriate personal protective measures (PPM) from the initial phases of the lockdown. Conclusion: COVID-19 transmission in endoscopic units is highly unlikely in a lockdown setting, provided endoscopies are reduced to emergency cases and PPM are implemented.
Introduction: Non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection are two most important independent risk factors involved in the etiopathogenesis of gastroduodenal mucosal injury with a clear and critical role in both uncomplicated and complicated peptic ulcer disease. It is estimated that up to 90% of all peptic ulcers result from the effect of one or both of these factors. AIM: To determine the frequency of NSAIDs use and Hp infection in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients and methods: Study evaluated data from 500 patients in whom esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed following presentation in emergency unit with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Anamnestic data was collected together with detailed information on previous salicilates and/or NSAIDs use. Hp status was determined and anatomic localization of bleeding lesion was also registered. Results: Acute upper GIT bleading was caused solely by NSAIDs in 55 (11%), by aspirin in 66 (13.2%), while combined NSAID/aspirin therapy was identified in 19 (3.8%) of patients. In total NSAID and/or aspirin use were diagnosed in 139 (27.8%). while in 122 (24.4%) only Hp infection was diagnosed. Both risk factors were identified in 144 (28.8%) patients (Hp+NSAIDs in 12.2%, Hp+aspirin in 10.8% and Hp+aspirin+NSAIDs in 5.8%) . In 19.8% of the cases (14% of males and 27% of females) neither NSAID/aspirin use nor presence of Hp infection was noted. Out of 500 patients enrolled, 63% were mails. In females, bleeding lesion was most frequently localized in gastric mucosa, while males had equal chance of bleeding from either gastric or duodenal mucosa. Fortunately, only 5 to 7% of patients were bleeding from both gastric and duodenal lesion. Conclusion : Prevention of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be achieved trough strict and limited use of aspirin and NSAIDs, eradication of Hp infection and use of gastroprotective therapy in well-defined risk patients that need chronic NSAIDs and/or aspirin therapy. In all patients starting long-term NSAID and/or aspirin therapy and all patients already on long-term aspirin therapy test and treat strategy for Hp infection should be used. On the other hand, only in high risk patients (more than 65 years, history of peptic ulcer disease, concomitant corticosteroid, aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin therapy) already on chronic NSAID therapy long-term PPI therapy should be prescribed after testing and treating of Hp infection.
Introduction: Emergency endoscopy plays the most important role in diagnosis and treatment of patients with esophageal variceal bleeding. Endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST), placement of esophageal band ligatures (EVL), medicamentous treatment using somatostatin and its derivatives and balloon tamponade are the methods most frequently applied in treatment of the bleeding esophageal varices. Patients and methods: Endoscopic reports on the patients with bleeding esophageal and gastric varices were retrospectively analyzed in the emergency unit of the Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Serbia over the five-year period - since January 2001 till December 2005. Results: The total of approximately 3, 954 emergency upper endoscopies were performed due to the upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Out of the total number of patients, bleeding was diagnosed in 324 (8.2%) patients due to the esophageal varices. In the group of patients with bleeding esophageal varices, the total of 252 (77.8%) males and 72 (22.2%) females averagely aged 56.8+7.5 years (range 24 - 80 years) were examined. The primary sclerosant therapy with absolute alcohol was applied in 118 (36.4%) patients, while Blakemore probe tamponade was performed in 145 (44.8%) patients with bleeding esophageal varices. The total of 240 (74.1%) patientswere treated with vasoactive substances (somatostatin and its analogues), as additional therapy and control of the primary hemostasis. It was evidenced that out of 118 patients intra and paravariceally treated with the sclerosant agent (absolute alcohol) hemostasis was achieved in 47 (39.8%). Out of 145 patients subjected to Blakemore probe placement, bleeding was successfully arrested in 117 (80.7%) patients. Somatostatin and its analogues as primary and only treatment of the bleeding esophageal varices were applied in 71 (29.6%) patients, while in the remaining 169 (70.4%) patients, they were applied as additional therapy to the endoscopic sclerotherapy and mechanical treatment of bleeding. Out of 71 patients treated with somatostatin preparations as the only therapeutic option, 45 (63.4%) responded positively by arrest of bleeding for 72 hours. Conclusion: Treatment of the acute bleeding esophageal varices is focused on the arrest of bleeding, prevention of early recurrent bleeding and reduction of mortality. Based on the most recent studies, efficacy of the modern endoscopic therapy in the form of sclerotherapy and band ligature placement, as well as application of vasoactive substances reaches up to 90%. Our results evidence minimal efficacy of the sclerotherapy (approximately 40%), which indicates the need of better preparation of patients for the intervention itself and additional education of the personnel.
<i>Background/Aims:</i> There are few reports focusing on therapeutic small bowel endoscopy. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of therapeutic small bowel endoscopy in a large cohort of patients. <i>Methods:</i> A retrospective study of a prospectively collected database comprising all patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic small bowel endoscopy in three centers. <i>Results:</i> A total of 614 double-balloon enteroscopies were performed in 534 patients. The most common pathological findings were angiodysplasias and vascular lesions (n = 98, 18%), mucosal ulcers and erosions (n = 95, 17.8%), polyps and tumors (including patients with familiar polyposis syndrome such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, familiar adenomatous polyps syndrome, neurofibromatosis, adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors) (n = 52, 9.7%), and strictures (Crohn’s disease, ischemia, tumors) (n = 12, 2.2%). The mean duration of therapeutic small bowel enteroscopy was 67 min (range 30–115) compared to 50 min (range 25–105) for diagnostic procedures (p < 0.05). A therapeutic small bowel endoscopy was performed in 121 patients (22%). Therapeutic procedures included argon plasma coagulation of vascular lesions (n = 73), polypectomy (n = 49), mucosectomy (n = 5), stricture dilation (n = 7), foreign body extraction (n = 7), injection of fibrin glue (n = 10), and clip placement (n = 5). There were a total of 5 complications (0.9%; paralytic ileus, n = 2, pancreatitis, n = 1, bleeding n = 2). No perforations or deaths occurred. <i>Conclusion:</i> Endoscopists performing double-balloon enteroscopy should be trained and prepared to provide therapeutic interventions for small bowel disorders including argon plasma coagulation, injection, hemoclipping, polypectomy, mucosectomy and foreign body extraction. Therapeutic small bowel endoscopy, albeit associated with complications in about 1% of cases, can be considered a relatively safe procedure.
Introduction: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is the commonest emergency managed by gastroenterologists. It manifests like: haematemesis, melaena or haemochezia. Diagnostic endoscopy accurately defining the cause of hemorrhage, while therapeutic endoscopy improves prognosis in patients who present with severe bleeding. Endoscopic therapies can be classified as those based on injection, application of heat, or mechanical clips. Patients and methods: This investigation was conducted in Department of endoscopic haemostasis, Clinic for gastroenterology and hepatology, CCS, using retrospective analysis of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding during the last five years. The aim of this study was to establish the number of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in our hospital during the last five years, and distribution of income according to type, difficulty, cause factors and risk factors of gastrointestinal bleeding and method of haemostasis. Results: In Department of endoscopic haemostasis 3954 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were endoscoped, and 33,4% of them had bleeding duodenal ulcer. Male patients were statistically significant more present than female patients in group with duodenal ulcer ( 71,8%: 28,2%). 79.7% patients with duodenal ulcer had only haematemesis, while 14,4% patients had haematemesis and melaena. 59,1% patients with bleeding duodenal ulcer consumed salicylates and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS) ( statistical significant differences ?2 test; p=0.007). Only endoscopic injection was used: in 36.8% of patients used injection of adrenaline solutions, while in 5,9% of patients used injection of adrenaline and absolute alcohol solutions. Conclusion: Using of therapeutic endoscopy improves better prognosis in patients who present with severe acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopist?s experience is an important independent prognostic factor for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in consecutive newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a tertiary care referral center. The initial evaluation included patient-reported outcome for stool frequency subscore and rectal bleeding. Endoscopic activity was determined using the Mayo scoring system for ulcerative colitis and the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease. Histopathological activity was assessed using a validated numeric scoring system.We included 159 patients (63 Crohn's disease with colonic involvement and 96 with ulcerative colitis). We found significant correlation between the Mayo endoscopic subscoring system and histology activity in ulcerative colitis, while no correlation was found in patients with Crohn's disease. Patient-reported outcome showed inverse correlation with endoscopic and histological activity in Crohn's disease (rs = -0.67; rs = -0.72), while positive correlation was found in ulcerative colitis (rs = 0.84; rs = 0.75). Interpretation and Conclusions. Patient-reported outcome is a practical and noninvasive tool for assessment of disease activity in ulcerative colitis patients but not in Crohn's disease.
Introduction. Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a pathological communication between the bronchial system and the biliary tree that presents with bilioptysis. Many conditions can cause its development. There is still no optimal therapy for BBF. Conservative treatment is rarely indicated, as was published before in a few cases. Case report. We presented a 71-year-old Caucasian Serbian woman with BBF secondary to previous laparotomy due to multiple echinococcus liver cysts. The diagnosis was established by the presence of bilirubin and bile acids in sputum and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). A repeat MRCP performed after conservative procedure, did not reveal fistulous communication. Conclusion. We suggest that in small and less severe fistulas between the biliary and the bronchial tract, conservative treatment may be used successfully, and invasive treatment methods are not needed in all patients.