Development of ulcer disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, incidence, risk factors, and patient presentation: a systematic review

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the gold standard in bariatric surgery. A long-term complication can be marginal ulceration (MU) at the gastrojejunostomy. The mechanism of development is unclear and symptoms vary. Management and prevention is a continuous subject of debate. The aim was to assess the incidence, mechanism, symptoms, and management of MU after LRYGB by means of a systematic review. Forty-one studies with a total of 16,987 patients were included, 787 (4.6%) developed MU. The incidence of MU varied between 0.6 and 25%. The position and size of the pouch, smoking, and nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs usage are associated with the formation of MU. In most cases, MU is adequately treated with proton pump inhibitors, sometimes reoperation is required. Laparoscopic approach is safe and effective.

The proximal stomach and postprandial symptoms in functional dyspeptics

OBJECTIVES

It remains unclear whether postprandial symptom profiles in patients with visceral hypersensitivity and in those with impaired fundic accommodation differ. Therefore, we evaluated the postprandial symptoms in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients classified according to proximal stomach function. In addition, the effect of gastric relaxation induced by sumatriptan on postprandial symptoms was studied in FD patients with impaired fundic accommodation.

METHODS

Twenty-five healthy volunteers (HVs) and 44 FD patients filled out a disease-specific questionnaire (Nepean Dyspepsia Index) and underwent a gastric barostat study to evaluate visceral sensitivity, meal-induced fundic relaxation, and postprandial symptoms. Postprandial symptoms evoked by a drink test or reported during the barostat study were compared between FD patients subdivided according to the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Finally, the effect of sumatriptan on postprandial symptoms evoked by a drink test was investigated in HVs and in FD patients with impaired fundic accommodation.

RESULTS

There was no clear relationship between any of the 15 Nepean Dyspepsia Index symptoms and proximal stomach function. Postprandial symptoms evoked during the barostat study or after the drink tests were significantly higher in FD patients than in HVs; however, no clear differences in symptom profile could be demonstrated between the different subclasses of FD. Sumatriptan did not affect the maximal ingested volume or the postprandial symptoms in HVs or FD patients after a drink test.

CONCLUSIONS

No clear relationship could be demonstrated between postprandial symptoms and proximal stomach function.

Adenoma detection with Endocuff colonoscopy versus conventional colonoscopy: a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Colonoscopy is the current reference standard for the detection of colorectal neoplasia, but nevertheless adenomas remain undetected. The Endocuff, an endoscopic cap with plastic projections, may improve colonic visualisation and adenoma detection. The aim of this study was to compare the mean number of adenomas per patient (MAP) and the adenoma detection rate (ADR) between Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy (EAC) and conventional colonoscopy (CC).

METHODS

We performed a multicentre, randomised controlled trial in five hospitals and included fecal immonochemical test (FIT)-positive screening participants as well as symptomatic patients (>45 years). Consenting patients were randomised 1:1 to EAC or CC. All colonoscopies were performed by experienced colonoscopists (≥500 colonoscopies) who were trained in EAC. All colonoscopy quality indicators were prospectively recorded.

FINDINGS

Of the 1063 included patients (52% male, median age 65 years), 530 were allocated to EAC and 533 to CC. More adenomas were detected with EAC, 722 vs 621, but the gain in MAP was not significant: on average 1.36 per patient in the EAC group versus 1.17 in the CC group (p=0.08). In a per-protocol analysis, the gain was 1.44 vs 1.19 (p=0.02), respectively. In the EAC group, 275 patients (52%) had one or more adenomas detected versus 278 in the CC group (52%; p=0.92). For advanced adenomas these numbers were 109 (21%) vs 117 (22%). The adjusted caecal intubation rate was lower with EAC (94% vs 99%; p<0.001), however when allowing crossover from EAC to CC, they were similar in both groups (98% vs 99%; p value=0.25).

INTERPRETATION

Though more adenomas are detected with EAC, the routine use of Endocuff does not translate in a higher number of patients with one or more adenomas detected. Whether increased detection ultimately results in a lower rate of interval carcinomas is not yet known.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

http://www.trialregister.nl Dutch Trial Register: NTR3962.

Urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy versus conservative treatment in predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis (APEC): a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary sphincterotomy improves the outcome of patients with gallstone pancreatitis without concomitant cholangitis. We did a randomised trial to compare urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy versus conservative treatment in patients with predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis.

METHODS

In this multicentre, parallel-group, assessor-masked, randomised controlled superiority trial, patients with predicted severe (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score ≥8, Imrie score ≥3, or C-reactive protein concentration >150 mg/L) gallstone pancreatitis without cholangitis were assessed for eligibility in 26 hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by a web-based randomisation module with randomly varying block sizes to urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy (within 24 h after hospital presentation) or conservative treatment. The primary endpoint was a composite of mortality or major complications (new-onset persistent organ failure, cholangitis, bacteraemia, pneumonia, pancreatic necrosis, or pancreatic insufficiency) within 6 months of randomisation. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN97372133.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 28, 2013, and March 1, 2017, 232 patients were randomly assigned to urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy (n=118) or conservative treatment (n=114). One patient from each group was excluded from the final analysis because of cholangitis (urgent ERCP group) and chronic pancreatitis (conservative treatment group) at admission. The primary endpoint occurred in 45 (38%) of 117 patients in the urgent ERCP group and in 50 (44%) of 113 patients in the conservative treatment group (risk ratio [RR] 0·87, 95% CI 0·64-1·18; p=0·37). No relevant differences in the individual components of the primary endpoint were recorded between groups, apart from the occurrence of cholangitis (two [2%] of 117 in the urgent ERCP group vs 11 [10%] of 113 in the conservative treatment group; RR 0·18, 95% CI 0·04-0·78; p=0·010). Adverse events were reported in 87 (74%) of 118 patients in the urgent ERCP group versus 91 (80%) of 114 patients in the conservative treatment group.

INTERPRETATION

In patients with predicted severe gallstone pancreatitis but without cholangitis, urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy did not reduce the composite endpoint of major complications or mortality, compared with conservative treatment. Our findings support a conservative strategy in patients with predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis with an ERCP indicated only in patients with cholangitis or persistent cholestasis.

FUNDING

The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, Fonds NutsOhra, and the Dutch Patient Organization for Pancreatic Diseases.

Relationship between symptoms and hypersensitivity to rectal distension in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Visceral hypersensitivity is considered an important pathophysiological mechanism in irritable bowel syndrome, yet its relationship to symptoms is unclear.

AIM

To detect possible associations between symptoms and the presence of hypersensitivity to rectal distension in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

METHODS

Ninety-two irritable bowel syndrome patients and 17 healthy volunteers underwent a rectal barostat study. The association between specific irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and the presence of hypersensitivity was examined using Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Irritable bowel syndrome patients had significantly lower thresholds for discomfort/pain than healthy volunteers: 24 (18-30) and 30 (27-45) mmHg above minimal distending pressure, respectively. Forty-one patients (45%) showed hypersensitivity to rectal distension. Proportions of patients with different predominant bowel habits were similar in hypersensitive and normosensitive subgroups (diarrhoea predominant: 39 and 41%, respectively; alternating type: 27 and 28%, respectively; constipation predominant: 34 and 31%, respectively). Severe abdominal pain was more frequent in hypersensitive, compared with normosensitive patients (88% vs. 67%, P = 0.02), but none of the individual irritable bowel syndrome symptoms could accurately predict the presence of hypersensitivity, as assessed by Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypersensitive and normosensitive irritable bowel syndrome patients present with comparable, heterogeneous symptomatology. Therefore, selection based on clinical parameters is unlikely to discriminate individual irritable bowel syndrome patients with visceral hypersensitivity from those with normal visceral sensitivity.

Symptomatic marginal ulcer disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: incidence, risk factors and management

BACKGROUND

One of the long-term complications of laparoscopic Roux-and-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the development of marginal ulcers (MU). The aim of the present study is to assess the incidence, risk factors, symptomatology and management of patients with symptomatic MU after LRYGB surgery.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients who underwent a LRYGB from 2006 until 2011 were evaluated in this study. Signs of abdominal pain, pyrosis, nausea or other symptoms of ulcer disease were analysed. Acute symptoms of (perforated) MU such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, melena and haematemesis were also collected. Patient baseline characteristics, medication and intoxications were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with MU.

RESULTS

A total of 350 patients underwent a LRYGB. Minimal follow-up was 24 months. Twenty-three patients (6.6%) developed a symptomatic MU of which four (1.1%) presented with perforation. Smoking, the use of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was significantly associated with the development of MU. Five out of 23 patients (22%) underwent surgery. All other patients could be treated conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Marginal ulcers occurred in 6.6% of the patients after a LRYGB. Smoking, the use of corticosteroids and the use of NSAIDs were associated with an increased risk of MU. Most patients were managed conservatively.

Role of nitric oxide in gastric motor and sensory functions in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Impaired accommodation and hypersensitivity to distension of the proximal stomach are considered to be important factors in the pathogenesis of dyspeptic complaints. As fundus relaxing agents may be effective in the treatment of these symptoms, insight into the mediators involved in fundic accommodation and associated perceptual responses is important. Therefore, we studied the effect of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) on fundic tone, postprandial sensations, and gastric perception in healthy volunteers.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised study. They underwent a gastric barostat study to evaluate the effect of L-NMMA on meal and distension induced sensations and on fundic relaxation in response to oral meal intake, intraduodenal lipid, and glucagon administration.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, L-NMMA decreased fundic volume after oral meal intake (438 (55) v 304 (67) ml; n=8; p<0.05) and during intraduodenal lipid infusion (384 (37) v 257 (43) ml; n=10; p<0.05) but not after glucagon injection (570 (62) v 540 (52) ml; n=4; p=0.4). In addition, basal fundic volume was significantly reduced by L-NMMA. Scores for nausea and satiation were decreased by L-NMMA after oral meal intake but not during intraduodenal lipid infusion. Perception scores to gastric distension were not altered by L-NMMA.

CONCLUSIONS

NO is involved in maintaining basal fundic tone and in meal induced fundic relaxation in humans, but not in visceral perception.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine does not change rectal sensitivity and symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although widely prescribed, the evidence for the use of antidepressants for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is limited. In this study, we hypothesized that fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has visceral analgesic properties, leading to increased sensory thresholds during rectal distention and improvement of symptoms, in particular in IBS patients with visceral hypersensitivity.

METHODS

Forty non-depressed IBS patients underwent a rectal barostat study to assess the sensitivity to rectal distention before and after 6 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg or placebo. Abdominal pain scores, individual gastrointestinal symptoms, global symptom relief, and psychologic symptoms were assessed before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

At baseline, 21 of 40 patients showed hypersensitivity to rectal distention. Fluoxetine did not significantly alter the threshold for discomfort/pain relative to placebo, either in hypersensitive (19 +/- 3 vs. 22 +/- 2 mm Hg above MDP) or in normosensitive (34 +/- 2 vs. 39 +/- 4 mm Hg above MDP) IBS patients. Overall, 53% of fluoxetine-treated patients and 76% of placebo-treated patients reported significant abdominal pain scores after 6 weeks (not significant). In contrast, in hypersensitive patients only, fluoxetine significantly reduced the number of patients reporting significant abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal symptoms, global symptom relief, and psychologic symptoms were not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoxetine does not change rectal sensitivity in IBS patients. Possible beneficial effects on pain perception need to be confirmed in larger trials.

Comparison of lumen-apposing metal stents versus double-pigtail plastic stents for infected necrotising pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are believed to clinically improve endoscopic transluminal drainage of infected necrosis when compared with double-pigtail plastic stents. However, comparative data from prospective studies are very limited.

DESIGN

Patients with infected necrotising pancreatitis, who underwent an endoscopic step-up approach with LAMS within a multicentre prospective cohort study were compared with the data of 51 patients in the randomised TENSION trial who had been assigned to the endoscopic step-up approach with double-pigtail plastic stents. The clinical study protocol was otherwise identical for both groups. Primary end point was the need for endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy. Secondary end points included mortality, major complications, hospital stay and healthcare costs.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients were treated with LAMS in 16 hospitals during 27 months. The need for endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy was 64% (n=34) and was not different from the previous trial using plastic stents (53%, n=27)), also after correction for baseline characteristics (OR 1.21 (95% CI 0.45 to 3.23)). Secondary end points did not differ between groups either, which also included bleeding requiring intervention-5 patients (9%) after LAMS placement vs 11 patients (22%) after placement of plastic stents (relative risk 0.44; 95% CI 0.16 to 1.17). Total healthcare costs were also comparable (mean difference -€6348, bias-corrected and accelerated 95% CI -€26 386 to €10 121).

CONCLUSION

Our comparison of two patient groups from two multicentre prospective studies with a similar design suggests that LAMS do not reduce the need for endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy when compared with double-pigtail plastic stents in patients with infected necrotising pancreatitis. Also, the rate of bleeding complications was comparable.

Development of a test to measure gastric accommodation in humans

Postprandial symptoms of bloating, distension, early satiety, and nausea are associated with impaired postprandial gastric accommodation, which is detectable by means of an intragastric, barostatically controlled balloon in the proximal stomach and by ultrasound in the distal stomach. Our aim was to develop a noninvasive method to measure the entire gastric accommodation reflex. In 10 healthy volunteers, we used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to measure fasting and postprandial gastric volumes. This method involved intravenous injection of (99m)Tc pertechnetate and gastric reconstruction of tomographic images with Analyze software. SPECT-Analyze imaging detects the postprandial gastric accommodation reflex in vivo. Mean fasting gastric volume was 182 +/- 11 (SE) ml and mean postprandial volume was 690 +/- 32 ml (P < 0.001). Both proximal and distal segments of stomach showed a two- to almost fourfold difference in volumes postprandially. Intraobserver coefficients of variation in estimated fasting and postprandial volumes were 9 and 8%; interobserver variations were 13 and 12%, respectively. SPECT-Analyze noninvasively measures postprandial gastric (total, proximal, and distal) accommodation in humans. This method appears promising to compare the accommodation response in health and disease and to perform mechanistic studies of the accommodation response.

Possible role of nitric oxide in visceral hypersensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Visceral hypersensitivity is a consistent finding in a considerable proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and may provide a physiological basis for the development of IBS symptoms. In this study, we aimed to confirm the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in maintaining visceral hypersensitivity in IBS. Ten healthy volunteers (HV) and 12 IBS patients with documented hypersensitivity to rectal distension underwent a rectal barostat study. The effect of placebo and the specific NO synthase inhibitor NG -monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) on resting volume, rectal sensitivity to distension and rectal compliance was evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over fashion. NG -monomethyl-L-arginine did not alter resting volumes in HV or IBS patients. In HV, l-NMMA did not alter rectal sensory thresholds compared to placebo (45 +/- 3 and 46 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively). In contrast, L-NMMA significantly increased the threshold for discomfort/pain in IBS patients (placebo: 18 +/- 2, l-NMMA: 21 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.05). Rectal compliance was not affected by L-NMMA. Although NO does not seem to play a major role in normal rectal sensation or tone, we provide evidence that NO may be involved in the pathophysiology of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS.

Early biliary decompression versus conservative treatment in acute biliary pancreatitis (APEC trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Acute pancreatitis is mostly caused by gallstones or sludge. Early decompression of the biliary tree by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with sphincterotomy may improve outcome in these patients. Whereas current guidelines recommend early ERC in patients with concomitant cholangitis, early ERC is not recommended in patients with mild biliary pancreatitis. Evidence on the role of routine early ERC with endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients without cholangitis but with biliary pancreatitis at high risk for complications is lacking. We hypothesize that early ERC with sphincterotomy improves outcome in these patients.

Methods/Design

The APEC trial is a randomized controlled, parallel group, superiority multicenter trial. Within 24 hours after presentation to the emergency department, patients with biliary pancreatitis without cholangitis and at high risk for complications, based on an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE-II) score of 8 or greater, Modified Glasgow score of 3 or greater, or serum C-reactive protein above 150 mg/L, will be randomized. In 27 hospitals of the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group, 232 patients will be allocated to early ERC with sphincterotomy or to conservative treatment. The primary endpoint is a composite of major complications (that is, organ failure, pancreatic necrosis, pneumonia, bacteremia, cholangitis, pancreatic endocrine, or exocrine insufficiency) or death within 180 days after randomization. Secondary endpoints include ERC-related complications, infected necrotizing pancreatitis, length of hospital stay and an economical evaluation.

Discussion

The APEC trial investigates whether an early ERC with sphincterotomy reduces the composite endpoint of major complications or death compared with conservative treatment in patients with biliary pancreatitis at high risk of complications.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN97372133 (date registration: 17-12-2012)

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-1132-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of long-term treatment with octreotide on rectal sensitivity in patients with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Acute administration of octreotide reduces visceral perception and therefore has been suggested as potential treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Whether prolonged treatment with octreotide also reduces visceral sensitivity and improves gastrointestinal symptoms remains, however, unknown.

AIM

To investigate the effect of a slow release preparation of octreotide on rectal sensitivity and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

METHODS

Forty-six non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome patients (52% female, 19-63 years) participated. Before and after 8 weeks of treatment with octreotide (Sandostatin LAR 20 mg i.m.) or placebo, patients underwent a barostat study to assess the rectal sensitivity. During a 2-week run-in period and treatment, abdominal pain, defecation frequency, consistency and symptom relief were scored weekly.

RESULTS

Octreotide, but not placebo, significantly increased the threshold for first sensation. Thresholds for urge to defecate and discomfort/pain and rectal compliance were not altered by either treatment. Octreotide improved stool consistency compared with placebo (loose stools after eight weeks: octreotide: 52%, placebo: 81%, P < 0.05). In contrast, abdominal pain and defecation frequency were not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the threshold of first rectal sensation increased and stool consistency improved, long-term treatment with octreotide, at least at the current dose used, has no visceral analgesic effect and fails to improve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Review article: drugs interfering with visceral sensitivity for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders--the clinical evidence

At present, the concept of visceral hypersensitivity provides the leading hypothesis regarding the generation of symptoms in functional gastrointestinal disorders. This paper discusses the current clinical evidence for drugs that have been proposed to interfere with visceral sensitivity in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Several possible pharmacological targets have been identified to reduce visceral pain and to reverse the processes underlying the persistence of visceral hypersensitivity. However, most of the available evidence comes from experimental animal models and cannot simply be extrapolated to patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. In this review, we selected five drug classes that have been shown to exhibit visceral analgesic properties in experimental studies, and of which data were available regarding their clinical efficacy. These included opioid substances, serotonergic agents, antidepressants, somatostatin analogues and alpha(2)-adrenergic agonists. Although clinical trials show a limited benefit, in particular for serotonergic agents, the evidence illustrating that these effects result from normalization of visceral sensation is currently lacking. Therefore, we conclude that the concept of targeting visceral hypersensitivity as a treatment for functional gastrointestinal disorders is still controversial. Future evaluations require patient selection based on the presence of visceral hypersensitivity and application of compounds that exhibit 'true' viscerosensory effects.

Sofosbuvir plus simeprevir for the treatment of HCV genotype 4 patients with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis is highly efficacious in real life

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver-related death. Recently, multiple regimens of different direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have been registered. Although treatment with sofosbuvir (SOF) and simeprevir (SMV) is registered for the treatment of genotype 4 patients in some countries, data on efficacy of this combination are lacking. We aimed to assess the efficacy of SOF and SMV with or without RBV during 12 weeks in a real-life cohort of genotype 4 HCV patients. A retrospective multicentre observational study was conducted in 4 hospitals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, including patients with advanced liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis treated with SOF plus SMV with or without RBV during 12 weeks for a genotype 4 chronic HCV infection from 1 January 2015 to 1 August 2015. Sustained viral response (SVR) was established at week 12 after end of treatment. A total of 53 patients with genotype 4 HCV infection, treatment naïve and experienced, were included. SVR was achieved in 49 of 53 patients (92%). The four failures all had a virological relapse and did not receive ribavirin. Three were nonresponder to earlier interferon-based treatment, and one was treatment naive. In this real-life cohort of patients with HCV genotype 4 infection and advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, we show that treatment with SOF and SMV is effective. The addition of RBV could be considered in treatment-experienced patients as recommended in guidelines.

Role of endogenous nitric oxide in regulating antropyloroduodenal motility in humans

OBJECTIVES

Previously we demonstrated the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of interdigestive small intestinal motility in humans. The role of NO in postprandial motility remains to be studied. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) on antral, pyloric, and small intestinal postprandial motility in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Ten healthy male volunteers (ages 19-29 yr) underwent stationary antropyloroduodenal manometry recording during administration of a placebo or a high dose of L-NMMA (12 mg/kg within 5 min, followed by a maintenance infusion of 6.7 mg/kg/h i.v.) in a double blind, randomized order. Motility was recorded before and after ingestion of a 300-kcal liquid meal.

RESULTS

Two and a half minutes (+/-0.4 min) after infusion of L-NMMA, rapidly propagated phase III-like activity was observed in the proximal duodenum in every subject. Mean propagation velocity was 26+/-5 cm/min. The duration of the phase III-like activity increased proximally (9.2+/-1.6 min) to distally (12+/-1.5 min), whereas the frequencies of contractions were similar in all manometric channels (10.8+/-0.3/min). Postprandial duodenal motility was disrupted by phase III-like activity in four of 10 subjects (15-58 min after the meal) during L-NMMA infusion, but not during placebo. Antral or pyloric motility and basal pyloric tone were not significantly altered by L-NMMA, relative to the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that inhibition of NO biosynthesis triggers the onset of a rapidly propagating phase III and shortens the postprandial period, indicating that NO is involved in the modulation of fasting and postprandial small intestinal motility in humans.

Effect of the low-affinity, noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist dextromethorphan on visceral perception in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

The use of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists may hold promise for the treatment of pain of visceral origin, in particular in conditions characterized by visceral hypersensitivity.

AIM

To study the effect of dextromethorphan, a low affinity, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on visceral perception in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Nine healthy volunteers (5 female, median age 22 years) underwent a gastric barostat study after oral administration of placebo, dextromethorphan 10 mg or dextromethorphan 30 mg, on three separate days in a double-blind, randomised order. Sensations induced by step-wise isobaric gastric distension (2 mmHg/2 min) were studied during fasting and 30 min after a meal. In addition, proximal gastric tone was measured during fasting and postprandially.

RESULTS

Compared to placebo, dextromethorphan 30 mg significantly increased the distension-evoked sensation scores for nausea (P=0.004) and satiation (P=0.004) during fasting; and for bloating (P= 0.001), nausea (P=0.000) and satiation (P=0.01) 30 min postprandially. Dextromethorphan did not alter pain scores, proximal gastric tone or gastric compliance.

CONCLUSIONS

Dextromethorphan increases the perception of non-painful sensations during gastric distension, without altering the perception of pain. Therefore, application of dextromethorphan as a visceral analgesic is questionable. Future studies with more specific NMDA receptor antagonist are warranted.

Incidence and predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare chronic liver disease of unknown aetiology; the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear and risk factors are not well-defined. We aimed to investigate the risk of HCC across a multicentre AIH cohort and to identify predictive factors.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, observational, multicentric study of patients included in the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group Retrospective Registry. The assessed clinical outcomes were HCC development, liver transplantation, and death. Fine and Gray regression analysis stratified by centre was applied to determine the effects of individual covariates; the cumulative incidence of HCC was estimated using the competing risk method with death as a competing risk.

RESULTS

A total of 1,428 patients diagnosed with AIH from 1980 to 2020 from 22 eligible centres across Europe and Canada were included, with a median follow-up of 11.1 years (interquartile range 5.2-15.9). Two hundred and ninety-three (20.5%) patients had cirrhosis at diagnosis. During follow-up, 24 patients developed HCC (1.7%), an incidence rate of 1.44 cases/1,000 patient-years; the cumulative incidence of HCC increased over time (0.6% at 5 years, 0.9% at 10 years, 2.7% at 20 years, and 6.6% at 30 years of follow-up). Patients who developed cirrhosis during follow-up had a significantly higher incidence of HCC. The cumulative incidence of HCC was 2.6%, 4.6%, 5.6% and 6.6% at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years after the development of cirrhosis, respectively. Obesity (hazard ratio [HR] 2.94, p = 0.04), cirrhosis (HR 3.17, p = 0.01), and AIH/PSC variant syndrome (HR 5.18, p = 0.007) at baseline were independent risk factors for HCC development.

CONCLUSIONS

HCC incidence in AIH is low even after cirrhosis development and is associated with risk factors including obesity, cirrhosis, and AIH/PSC variant syndrome.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

The risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) seems to be lower than for other aetiologies of chronic liver disease. Yet, solid data for this specific patient group remain elusive, given that most of the existing evidence comes from small, single-centre studies. In our study, we found that HCC incidence in patients with AIH is low even after the onset of cirrhosis. Additionally, factors such as advanced age, obesity, cirrhosis, alcohol consumption, and the presence of the AIH/PSC variant syndrome at the time of AIH diagnosis are linked to a higher risk of HCC. Based on these findings, there seems to be merit in adopting a specialized HCC monitoring programme for patients with AIH based on their individual risk factors.

Antimicrobial therapy of 3 days or less is sufficient after successful ERCP for acute cholangitis

Background

Recommendations for the duration of antimicrobial therapy in cholangitis after successful endoscopic biliary drainage vary. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of local infectious complications in patients with acute cholangitis treated with antibiotics for 3 days or less compared with 4 days or more.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multicentre study in seven hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients who received a successful biliary drainage by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography because of cholangitis due to common bile duct stones between 2012 and 2017 were included. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a local infectious complication within 3 months of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography. Secondary outcomes included Clostridioides difficile infection, total length of hospital stay and all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 426 patients with cholangitis were identified and 296 patients met all inclusion criteria. Therapy duration was ≤3 days in 137 patients (46.3%). During follow-up, 41 patients (13.9%) developed a local infectious complication. Occurrence of infectious complications did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.32). No patient developed Clostridioides difficile infection. Median hospital stay was 6 days (interquartile range 4–8 days) in the short antibiotic group compared with 7 days (interquartile range 5–9 days) in the long group (p = 0.03). Four (1.4%) patients died during follow-up, all were treated for ≥4 days (p = 0.13).

Conclusions

Antimicrobial therapy of 3 days or less seems to be sufficient after successful biliary drainage in patients with acute cholangitis. Randomized trials should confirm our findings.

Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnostic work-up of idiopathic acute pancreatitis (PICUS): study protocol for a nationwide prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) remains a dilemma for physicians as it is uncertain whether patients with IAP may actually have an occult aetiology. It is unclear to what extent additional diagnostic modalities such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) are warranted after a first episode of IAP in order to uncover this aetiology. Failure to timely determine treatable aetiologies delays appropriate treatment and might subsequently cause recurrence of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the aim of the Pancreatitis of Idiopathic origin: Clinical added value of endoscopic UltraSonography (PICUS) Study is to determine the value of routine EUS in determining the aetiology of pancreatitis in patients with a first episode of IAP.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

PICUS is designed as a multicentre prospective cohort study of 106 patients with a first episode of IAP after complete standard diagnostic work-up, in whom a diagnostic EUS will be performed. Standard diagnostic work-up will include a complete personal and family history, laboratory tests including serum alanine aminotransferase, calcium and triglyceride levels and imaging by transabdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography after clinical recovery from the acute pancreatitis episode. The primary outcome measure is detection of aetiology by EUS. Secondary outcome measures include pancreatitis recurrence rate, severity of recurrent pancreatitis, readmission, additional interventions, complications, length of hospital stay, quality of life, mortality and costs, during a follow-up period of 12 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

PICUS is conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. Five medical ethics review committees assessed PICUS (Medical Ethics Review Committee of Academic Medical Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Radboud University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center and Maastricht University Medical Center). The results will be submitted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Netherlands Trial Registry (NL7066). Prospectively registered.

Drug withdrawal in patients with autoimmune hepatitis in long-term histological remission: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Recommendations for drug withdrawal in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in longstanding remission are conflicting and rely on retrospective data. We prospectively investigated the predictive value of histological normalisation for successful treatment withdrawal in AIH patients.

METHODS

Non-cirrhotic patients with established AIH and complete biochemical remission (normalisation of serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] or aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and immunoglobulin G [IgG]) of at least 2 years were biopsied. Immunosuppressive therapy was only withdrawn in patients with histological normalisation (histological activity index [HAI] ≤3) with a minimum follow-up of 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients in biochemical remission for at least 2 years were included. Persistent histological inflammatory activity (HAI >3) precluded drug withdrawal in five patients. These had higher values of ALT (25 vs. 16 U/L; p = 0.01) and AST (26 vs. 22 U/L; p = 0.01) compared with patients in histological remission. Immunosuppressive medication was withdrawn in 12 patients; eight (67%, C.I. 40-93% p = 0.4) remained in remission during a median follow-up of 62 months (range: 13-75 months); and four (33%, C.I. 7-60% p = 0.4) required reinstitution of therapy after 1, 6, 11, and 40 months, all without clinical signs of disease progression or hepatic decompensation. No predictors of relapse were identified.

CONCLUSION

Two-thirds of the patients who prove to have histological normalisation after at least 2 years of biochemical remission achieve treatment-free remission. Although patient numbers were small and results should be interpreted with caution, these findings support a liver biopsy prior to drug withdrawal.

Patient selection for urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography by endoscopic ultrasound in predicted severe acute biliary pancreatitis (APEC-2): a multicentre prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Routine urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (ES) does not improve outcome in patients with predicted severe acute biliary pancreatitis. Improved patient selection for ERCP by means of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for stone/sludge detection may challenge these findings.

DESIGN

A multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients with predicted severe acute biliary pancreatitis without cholangitis. Patients underwent urgent EUS, followed by ERCP with ES in case of common bile duct stones/sludge, within 24 hours after hospital presentation and within 72 hours after symptom onset. The primary endpoint was a composite of major complications or mortality within 6 months after inclusion. The historical control group was the conservative treatment arm (n=113) of the randomised APEC trial (Acute biliary Pancreatitis: urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy versus conservative treatment, patient inclusion 2013-2017) applying the same study design.

RESULTS

Overall, 83 patients underwent urgent EUS at a median of 21 hours (IQR 17-23) after hospital presentation and at a median of 29 hours (IQR 23-41) after start of symptoms. Gallstones/sludge in the bile ducts were detected by EUS in 48/83 patients (58%), all of whom underwent immediate ERCP with ES. The primary endpoint occurred in 34/83 patients (41%) in the urgent EUS-guided ERCP group. This was not different from the 44% rate (50/113 patients) in the historical conservative treatment group (risk ratio (RR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.29; p=0.65). Sensitivity analysis to correct for baseline differences using a logistic regression model also showed no significant beneficial effect of the intervention on the primary outcome (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.90, p=0.92).

CONCLUSION

In patients with predicted severe acute biliary pancreatitis without cholangitis, urgent EUS-guided ERCP with ES did not reduce the composite endpoint of major complications or mortality, as compared with conservative treatment in a historical control group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN15545919.