What Are the Clinical Features and Etiology of Eosinophilic Liver Infiltration?

Da Woon Sim,Dong Jun Son,Eunae Cho,Sung Kyu Choi,Sang Soo Shin,Chung Hwan Jun 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2019 Gut and Liver Vol.13 No.2

Background/Aims: Although eosinophilic liver infiltration (ELI) is not rare, few data exist regarding its clinical characteristics and etiology. Therefore, we evaluated these aspects to better understand the clinical implications of this lesion type, which is reasonably common in Korea. Methods: Patients suspected of having ELI, based on abdominal computed tomography results obtained between January 2010 and September 2017, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The presumptive etiologies of ELI were categorized as parasite infections, hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), malignancies, and unidentified. Clinical courses and treatment responses were also evaluated. Results: The mean age of the enrolled patients (male, 237/328) was 62 years. Most patients (63%) were diagnosed incidentally and had peripheral eosinophilia (90%). Only 38% of the enrolled patients (n=126) underwent further evaluations to elucidate the etiology of the suspected ELI; 82 (25%) had parasite infections, 31 (9%) had HES, five (2%) had EGPA, and five (2%) had drug reactions in conjunction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Almost half of the other enrolled patients had cancer. Radiologic resolution was achieved in 191 patients (61%; median time to radiologic resolution, 185 days). Resolution of peripheral eosinophilia was achieved in 220 patients (79%). In most cases, the course of ELI was benign. Conclusions: This large ELI study is unique in that the incidence rate, underlying diseases, and clinical courses were comprehensively evaluated. Clinicians should investigate the etiology of ELI, as several of the underlying diseases require intervention rather than observation.

Changes in the Long-term Prognosis of Crohn’s Disease between 1986 and 2015: The Population-Based Songpa-Kangdong Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study

Ye Byong Duk,Hong Sung Noh,Seo Seung In,Kim Ye-Jee,Cha Jae Myung,Rhee Kyoung Hoon,Yoon Hyuk,Kim Young-Ho,Kim Kyung Ho,Kim Kyung Ho,Jeong Seung Kyu,Lee Ji Hyun,Park Hyunju,Kim Joo Sung,Im Jong Pil,Kim 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2022 Gut and Liver Vol.16 No.2

Background/Aims: The long-term course of Crohn’s disease (CD) has never been evaluated in non-Caucasian population-based cohorts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the longterm prognosis of Korean CD patients in the well-defined population-based Songpa-Kangdong inflammatory bowel disease cohort. Methods: Outcomes of disease and their predictors were evaluated for 418 patients diagnosed with CD between 1986 and 2015. Results: During a median of 123 months, systemic corticosteroids, thiopurines, and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents were administered to 58.6%, 81.3%, and 37.1% of patients, respectively. Over time, the cumulative probability of starting corticosteroids significantly decreased (p=0.001), whereas that of starting thiopurines and anti-TNFs significantly increased (both p<0.001). The cumulative probability of behavioral progression was 54.5% at 20 years, and it significantly decreased during the anti-TNF era. Intestinal resection was required for 113 patients (27.0%). The cumulative probabilities of intestinal resection at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 25 years after CD diagnosis were 12.7%, 16.5%, 23.8%, 45.1%, and 51.2%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified stricturing behavior at diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 4.71), penetrating behavior at diagnosis (aHR, 11.15; 95% CI, 6.91 to 17.97), and diagnosis of CD during the anti-TNF era (aHR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.76) as independently associated with intestinal resection. The standardized mortality ratio among CD patients was 1.36 (95% CI, 0.59 to 2.68). Conclusions: The long-term prognosis of Korean patients with CD is at least as good as that of Western CD patients, as indicated by the low intestinal resection rate. Moreover, behavioral progression and intestinal resection rates have decreased over the past 3 decades.

Osteoporosis Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Colorectal Adenoma and High-Risk Adenoma: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study

Nam Ji Hyung,Koh Myung,Kang Hyoun Woo,Ryu Kum Hei,Lee Dong Seok,Kim Su Hwan,Jang Dong Kee,Jeong Ji Bong,Kim Ji Won,Lee Kook Lae,Oh Dong Jun,Lim Yun Jeong,Koh Seong-Joon,Im Jong Pil,Kim Joo Sung 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2022 Gut and Liver Vol.16 No.2

Background/Aims: The protective effects of vitamin D and calcium on colorectal neoplasms are known. Bone mineral density (BMD) may be a reliable biomarker that reflects the long-term anticancer effect of vitamin D and calcium. This study aimed to evaluate the association between BMD and colorectal adenomas including high-risk adenoma. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted among participants with average risk of colorectal cancer who underwent BMD and screening colonoscopy between 2015 and 2019. The main outcome was the detection of colorectal neoplasms. The variable under consideration was low BMD (osteopenia/osteoporosis). The logistic regression model included baseline demographics, components of metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease status, and aspirin and multivitamin use. Results: A total of 2,109 subjects were enrolled. The mean age was 52.1±10.8 years and 42.6% were male. The adenoma detection rate was 43%. Colorectal adenoma and high-risk adenoma were both more prevalent in subjects with low BMD than those with normal BMD (48.2% vs 38.8% and 12.1% vs 9.1%). In the univariate analysis, old age, male sex, smoking, metabolic components, fatty liver, and osteoporosis were significantly associated with the risk of adenoma and high-risk adenoma. In the multivariate analysis, osteoporosis was independently associated with risk of colorectal adenoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 2.46; p=0.014) and high-risk adenoma (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.29; p=0.014). Conclusions: Osteoporosis is an independent risk factor of colorectal adenoma and high-risk adenoma.

Metabolic Risk Factors Are Associated with the Disease Severity and Prognosis of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

Chen Lu,Dai Jinjin,Xie Qing,Wang Xiaolin,Cai Wei 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2022 Gut and Liver Vol.16 No.3

Background/Aims: Metabolic risk factors could accelerate hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related mortality; however, their impacts on disease severity in HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) patients remain unexplored. In this study, we assessed the effects of metabolic risk factors on the outcome of HBV-ACLF patients. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled antiviral therapy naïve HBV-ACLF patients from a single center in China. Patients were evaluated according to Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, 30-day, 90-day mortality and survival rate to estimate the prognosis of HBV-ACLF. The impacts of different metabolic risk factors were further analyzed. Results: A total of 233 patients, including 158 (67.8%) with metabolic risk factors and 75 (32.2%) without metabolic risk factors, were finally analyzed. Patients with metabolic risk factors had significantly higher MELD score (22.6±6.1 vs 19.8±3.8, p<0.001), 90-day mortality rate (56.3% vs 38.7%, p=0.017), and shorter median survival time (58 days vs 75 days: hazard ratio, 1.553; 95% confidence interval, 1.061 to 2.274; p=0.036) than patients without them. Moreover, metabolic risk factors were independently associated with patients’ 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.621; 95% confidence interval, 1.016 to 2.585; p=0.043). Prediabetes/diabetes and hypertension were related to higher rates of infection and worse renal function in HBV-ACLF patients. Conclusions: HBV-ACLF patients with metabolic risk factors, especially prediabetes/diabetes or hypertension, could have more severe disease and lower survival rates. In addition, the existence of metabolic disorder is an independent risk factor for HBV-ACLF patients’ 90-day mortality.

Real-World National Colonoscopy Volume in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study over 12 Years

Jae Myung Cha,Min Seob Kwak,Hyun-Soo Kim,Su Young Kim,Sohee Park,Geun U Park,Jung Kuk Lee,Soo Jin Kim,Hun Hee Lee,Joo Sung Kim,Won Ho Kim,Big Data Research Group of the Korean Society of Gastroenterol 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2020 Gut and Liver Vol.14 No.3

Background/Aims: Little is known about the national colonoscopy volume in Asian countries. This study aimed to assess the national colonoscopy volume in Korea over a 12-year period on the basis of a nationwide population-based database. Methods: We conducted a population-based study for colonoscopy claims (14,511,158 colonoscopies performed on 13,219,781 patients) on the basis of the Korean National Health Insurance Service database from 2002 to 2013. The 12-year national colonoscopy burden was analyzed according to patient age, patient sex, and healthcare facility type. Results: The overall volume of colonoscopy increased 8-fold over the 12-year period. The annual colonoscopic polypectomy rate significantly increased in all patient sex and age groups over the 12-years period (all p<0.001). The yearly colonoscopic polypectomy rate for men was significantly increased compared with that for women (2.3% vs 1.7%, p<0.001) and for the screening-age group compared with that for the young-age group (2.0% vs 1.6%, p<0.001). The yearly colonoscopic polypectomy rate relative to the total colonoscopy volume significantly increased in primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities by 2.4%, 1.9%, and 1.4% during the 12-year period (all p<0.001). In addition, the annual colonoscopy volume covered by high-volume facilities significantly increased by 1.8% in primary healthcare facilities over the 12-year period (p<0.001). Conclusions: Healthcare resources should be prioritized to allow adequate colonoscopic capacity, especially for men, individuals in the screening-age group, and at primary healthcare facilities. Cost-effective strategies to improve the quality of colonoscopy may focus on primary healthcare facilities and high-volume facilities in Korea.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Liver Disease: Present and Perspectives

Seong Hee Kang,Moon Young Kim,엄영우,Soon Koo Baik 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2020 Gut and Liver Vol.14 No.3

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is an emerging therapy for treating chronic liver diseases. The potential of this treatment has been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation are still not completely understood, accumulating evidence has revealed that their immunomodulation, differentiation, and antifibrotic properties play a crucial role in liver regeneration. The safety and therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with chronic liver disease have been observed in many clinical studies. However, only modest improvements have been seen, partly because of the limited feasibility of transplanted cells at present. Here, we discuss several strategies targeted at improving viable cell engraftment and the potential challenges in the use of extracellular vesicle-based therapies for liver disease in the future.

Chemopreventive Effect of Metformin on Gastric Cancer Development

Cheung Ka Shing,Chung Kit Lam,Leung Wai K. 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2022 Gut and Liver Vol.16 No.2

Although Helicobacter pylori infection is the most important causative factor for gastric cancer (GC), H. pylori eradication alone does not completely eliminate the GC risk. In addition to H. pylori eradication, other risk factors for GC should be identified and targeted. Diabetes mellitus (DM) confers a 20% increased risk of GC, which could be mediated via several biological mechanisms including the stimulation of cell proliferation via hyperinsulinemia and increased insulingrowth factor production, the promotion of angiogenesis, and DNA damage. With a current global prevalence of 9.3% and a predicted rise to 10.2% by 2030, DM could contribute substantially to the burden of GC cases worldwide. Emerging evidence showed that metformin possesses chemopreventive effects via both direct (e.g., adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation and subsequent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway) and indirect (e.g., modulation of the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment and gut microbiota) pathways. A recent meta-analysis of observational studies showed that metformin use was associated with 24% lower GC risk. However, many available observational studies related to metformin effects suffered from biases including the failure to adjust for the H. pylori infection status and serial glycemic control and time-related biases. Future prospective studies addressing these pitfalls are needed.

Increase in the Colorectal Cancer Screening Rate by a Round-Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Testing Kit and Associated Factors in Underserved Regions of Korea: A Community-Based Intervention Study

Seri Hong,Hye Young Shin,이봄이,Na Rae Hwang,Sang-Hyun Hwang,전재관 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2020 Gut and Liver Vol.14 No.3

Background/Aims: Postal distribution of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit has been recommended as an effective method of increasing participation in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The present study was performed to assess the impact of the round-mailed FIT kit on screening participation in underserved regions of Korea and to identify factors related to nonparticipation. Methods: Residents were recruited from three rural regions of Korea that lack screening units for the National Cancer Screening Program. A package containing a FIT kit for stool self-sampling and a return envelope addressed to the local health center was postally distributed to each subject. Thirty days after the kits were mailed, nonresponders were reminded via telephone as the second intervention. The participation rates and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each intervention response were calculated to evaluate the effect of the interventions and factors related to screening participation in response to the interventions. Results: CRC screening participation rates increased from 24.5% (95% CI, 21.6% to 27.4%) to 42.6% (95% CI, 39.3% to 46.0%) as a result of postal screening and increased further to 51.4% (95% CI, 48.0% to 54.9%) after the telephone reminder. After controlling for the sex, age, and household type of each subject, factors associated with poor response to postal screening were identified as low educational attainment and poor previous participation in the National Cancer Screening Program. Conclusions: Round-mailed FIT kits with phone call reminders were an effective intervention, nearly doubling the screening rate in underserved regions of Korea.

What Can We See in the Different Lights?

Noriya Uedo 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2008 Gut and Liver Vol.2 No.3

Endoscopic Experience Improves Interobserver Agreement in the Grading of Esophagitis by Los Angeles Classification: Conventional Endoscopy and Optimal Band Image System

이시형,장병익,김경옥,전성우,권중구,김은영,정진태,박경식,조광범,김은수,박창근,양창헌 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.2

Background/Aims: Interobserver variation by experiencewas documented for the diagnosis of esophagitis usingthe Los Angeles classification. The aim of this study was toevaluate whether interobserver agreement can be improvedby higher levels of endoscopic experience in the diagnosisof erosive esophagitis. Methods: Endoscopic images of51 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)symptoms were obtained with conventional endoscopy andoptimal band imaging (OBI). Endoscopists were divided intoan expert group (16 gastroenterologic endoscopic specialistsguaranteed by the Korean Society of GastrointestinalEndoscopy) and a trainee group (individuals with fellowships,first year of specialty training in gastroenterology). Allendoscopists had no or minimal experience with OBI. GERDwas diagnosed using the Los Angeles classification with orwithout OBI. Results: The mean weighted paired κ statisticsfor interobserver agreement in grading erosive esophagitisby conventional endoscopy in the expert group was betterthan that in the trainee group (0.51 vs 0.42, p<0.05). Themean weighted paired k statistics in the expert group and inthe trainee group based on conventional endoscopy with OBIdid not differ (0.42, 0.42). Conclusions: Interobserver agreementin the expert group using conventional endoscopy wasbetter than that in the trainee group. Endoscopic experiencecan improve the interobserver agreement in the grading ofesophagitis using the Los Angeles classification.