Seasonal variation in occurrence of ischemic colitis: a retrospective study

National trends in hospitalizations for gastrointestinal bleeding in Japan

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a significant public health concern, predominantly associated with high morbidity. However, there have been no reports investigating the trends of GIB in Japan using nationwide data. This study aims to identify current trends and issues in the management of GIB by assessing Japan's national data. We analyzed National Database sampling data from 2012 to 2019, evaluating annual hospitalization rates for major six types of GIB including hemorrhagic gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, esophageal variceal bleeding, colonic diverticular bleeding, ischemic colitis, and rectal ulcers. In this study, hospitalization rates per 100,000 indicated a marked decline in hemorrhagic gastric ulcers, approximately two-thirds from 41.5 to 27.9, whereas rates for colonic diverticular bleeding more than doubled, escalating from 15.1 to 34.0. Ischemic colitis rates increased 1.6 times, from 20.8 to 34.9. In 2017, the hospitalization rate per 100,000 for colonic diverticular bleeding and ischemic colitis surpassed those for hemorrhagic gastric ulcers (31.1, 31.3, and 31.0, respectively). No significant changes were observed for duodenal ulcers, esophageal variceal bleeding, or rectal ulcers. The findings of this study underscore a pivotal shift in hospitalization frequencies from upper GIB to lower GIB in 2017, indicating a potential shift in clinical focus and resource allocation.

Clinical features and risk factors for ischemic colitis in young and middle-aged patients

Background and study aims: Ischemic colitis (IC) is thought to occur more frequently in the elderly, but the incidence in young and middle-aged adults is increasing. This study determined the clinical characteristics of and risk factors for young and middle- aged IC patients. Patients and methods: The medical records of 190 IC patients from 2010-2020 were reviewed. The clinical features of the young and middle-aged IC group (group A, < 60 years [n=70]) were compared to the elderly IC (group B, ≥60 years [n=120]) and age- and gender-matched colon polyp groups (group C, <60 years [n=272]). Independent risk factors for IC in group A were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in groups A and B with respect to season of onset, symptoms, signs, treatment, or recurrences. The main symptoms of group A were abdominal pain (98.6%) and hematochezia (98.6%). Lesions commonly involved the left half of the colon (87.1%) and the clinical conditions were generally not severe. The percentage of patients with constipation (11.4% vs. 4.0%, P=0.034) and using a calcium channel antagonist (21.4% vs. 11.4%, P=0.028) was significantly higher in group A than group C. Regression analysis demonstrated that constipation (OR 2.831, P=0.037) and taking a calcium channel antagonist (OR 2.486, P=0.012) were closely associated with the occurrence of IC in group A. Conclusions: Constipation and taking a calcium channel antagonist were independent risk factors for the onset of IC in young and middle-aged adults. Among young and middle-aged adults with abdominal pain and bloody stools who also have constipation or are taking a calcium channel antagonist to treat hypertension, the diagnosis of IC should be considered.

Acute vascular insufficiency of intestine: incidence highest in summer, outcomes worst in winter

BACKGROUND

The incidence of acute vascular insufficiency of intestine (AVII) is on the rise in the USA and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Seasonal variations have been observed in the onset of several gastrointestinal diseases. It is thus far unknown whether the incidence, in-hospital mortality rates, and length of hospital stay (LOS) of AVII vary in different seasons.

AIMS

The aims of this study were to study the seasonal variations in the (1) incidence, (2) in-hospital mortality, and (3) LOS of AVII in the USA.

METHODS

We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify patients aged ≥ 18 years hospitalized from the years 2000-2014. We used the Edwards recognition with estimation of cyclic trend method to study the seasonal variation of AVII hospitalizations and z test to compare the seasonal incidences (peak-to-low ratio), mortalities, and LOS.

RESULTS

A total of 1,441,447 patients were hospitalized with AVII (0.3% of all hospitalizations). Patients with AVII were older (69.0 ± 0.1 vs 56.9 ± 0.1) and more commonly females (65.4% vs 35.5%) than patients without AVII (p < 0.001). The incidence of AVII increased through the summer to peak in September (peak/low ratio 1.028, 95% CI 1.024-1.033, p < 0.001). Patients with AVII hospitalized in winter had the highest mortality (17.3%, p < 0.001) and LOS (9.2 ± 0.7 days, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of AVII in the USA peaks in late summer. The in-hospital mortality rates and LOS associated with AVII are the highest in winter. Physicians could be cognizant of the seasonal variations in the incidence, in-hospital mortality, and LOS of AVII.