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Background/Aims: Airway difficulties leading to cardiac arrest are frequently encountered during propofol sedation in patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. With a noticeable increase in the use of propofol for endoscopic sedation, we decided to examine the incidence and outcome of cardiac arrests in patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy with sedation. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, cardiac arrest data obtained from the clinical quality improvement and local registry over 5 years was analyzed. The information of patients who sustained cardiac arrest attributable to sedation was studied in detail. Analysis included comparison of cardiac arrests due to all causes until discharge (or death) versus the cardiac arrests and death occurring during the procedure and in the recovery area. Results: The incidence of cardiac arrest and death (all causes, until discharge) was 6.07 and 4.28 per 10,000 in patients sedated with propofol, compared with non–propofol-based sedation (0.67 and 0.44). The incidence of cardiac arrest during and immediately after the procedure (recovery area) for all endoscopies was 3.92 per 10,000; of which, 72% were airway management related. About 90.0% of all peri-procedural cardiac arrests occurred in patients who received propofol. Conclusions: The incidence of cardiac arrest and death is about 10 times higher in patients receiving propofol-based sedation compared with those receiving midazolam–fentanyl sedation. More than two thirds of these events occur during EGD and ERCP.

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The hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a significant medical and economic impact on societies around the world, and it has been estimated that 130-180 million people are infected with HCV. Therapies for HCV are currently undergoing a revolution. In recent years, several new treatments have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and many other treatments are in phase II or III clinical trials, including direct antiviral agents (DAAs). Due to recent major advances in the field of HCV therapy, a summary of findings on new HCV therapies are provided in this review article, including reports on new DAAs.

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Background and Aim: To evaluate a high effective and practical regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients and Methods: The 298 patients with H. pylori infection, diagnosed by biopsies performed during the endoscopy, were randomized into two groups. Group 1: Treated for one week with a combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (OAC), named by OAC-1 group (n = 143); Group 2: OAC-2 group (n = 155) treated for two weeks with OAC. The OAC-1 group was treated with triple therapy of omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg bid for 1 week. OAC-2 group was treated likewise, but for two weeks. A ¹³C-urea breath test was used to monitorH. pylori after four to eight weeks following therapy. Results: The eradication of infection was 55% and 68% in the OAC-1 and OAC-2 groups, respectively. Moreover, the eradication rates in the two groups were 63% and 75%, respectively. Compared with the OAC-1 group, the efficacy of treatment in the OAC-2 group is significantly higher (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Two-week OAC regimen yields a higher eradication rate of H. pylori, which might be a practical regimen for the eradication of H. pylori.

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Background/Aim: Epidemiological studies of celiac disease (CD) among Saudi children have been performed only within some groups who are at a high risk of developing CD. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CD among symptom-free children from the public schools of the military campus of National Guard in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: Between 2012 and 2014, serum samples were collected from 1141 students (age 6–18 years) attending nine public schools of the military campus of National Guard in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were screened for CD by testing for anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (IgA-tTG) and IgG antibodies (IgG-tTG). Small intestinal biopsy was offered to all participants who tested positive for IgA-tTG [IgA-tTG >20 relative units (RU)/ml]. Results: Of the 1141 participants, 32 were IgA-tTG positive. Thus, the estimated serology-positive prevalence was 3%. An intestinal biopsy was performed in 10 of the participants with antibody positivity. The biopsy findings of all 10 children were consistent with CD. Thus, the estimated biopsy-confirmed prevalence was about 1%. Conclusions: The prevalence of CD was estimated to be about 1% among symptom-free children from the public schools of the military campus of National Guard in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

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Background and Aim: With increasing numbers of patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it is important to identify noninvasive methods of detecting disease activity. The aim of this study is to examine the diagnostic accuracy of fecal rapid calprotectin (FC) testing in the detection of endoscopically active IBD. Patients and Methods: All consecutive patients presenting to outpatient clinics with lower gastrointestinal symptoms were prospectively recruited. Patients provided FC samples. Sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for FC were calculated. Receiver–operator characteristics (ROC) curve was used to identify the ideal FC cutoff that predicts endoscopic disease activity. Correlation between FC and endoscopic disease activity, disease location, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. Results: One hundred and twenty-six patients, of whom 52% were females, were included in the final analysis with a mean age of 44.4 ± 16.7 years. Comparing FC to endoscopic findings, the following results were calculated: A cutoff point of 100 μg/g showed Sn = 83%, Sp = 67%, PPV = 65%, and NPV = 85%; and 200 μg/g showed Sn = 66%, Sp = 82%, PPV = 73%, and NPV = 77%. Based on ROC curve, the best FC cutoff point to predict endoscopic disease activity was 140 μg/g. Using this reference, FC levels strongly correlated with colorectal, ileocolonic, and ileal disease and predicted endoscopic activity. Conclusions: FC is an accurate test when used as an initial screening tool for patients suspected of having active IBD. Given its noninvasive nature, it may prove to reduce the need for colonoscopy and be an added tool in the management of IBD.

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Background/Aims: Somatostatin is regarded as a prophylactic agent on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP), but studies are still controversial. Materials and Methods: Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and the Science Citation Index, were searched to retrieve relevant trials. In addition, meeting abstracts and the reference lists of retrieved articles were reviewed for further relevant studies. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs), enrolling a total of 2869 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. After data were pooled from somatostatin trials, PEP occurred in 8.36% of controls versus 5.62% of the treated group, with a slight significance [relative risk (RR) =0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35–0.98, P = 0.04]. The funnel plot showed no asymmetry with a negative slope (P = 0.108). The meta-analysis produced negative results for short-term infusion of somatostatin (RR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.93–2.12, P = 0.11), whereas a bolus or long-term injection of the drug proved effective (RR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.47,P < 0.0001; RR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.27–0.71,P = 0.0008). Postprocedure hyperamylasemia and pain was also observed in the meta-analysis, the pooled RR was significant for reduced risk of postprocedure hyperamylasemia (RR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.63 to 0.81,P < 0.00001), but not for the pain (RR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.08,P= 0.10). Conclusion: The current meta-analysis on the prophylactic use of somatostatin in patients undergoing ERCP documents a lack of benefit when given as short-term infusion, but showed an advantage of a single bolus or long-term injection. The beneficial effect of somatostatin, in reducing the incidence of postprocedural hyperamylasemia seems of marginal clinical significance. However, more new confirmatory data are needed to settle residual doubts.

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Background/Aim: Hepatic steatosis may influence the response to antivirals in chronic hepatitis B patients. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of entecavir and tenofovir in nucleos(t) ide-naive chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatosteatosis during 48 weeks of therapy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our data for chronic hepatitis B patients. Nucleos(t) ide-naive patients with hepatosteatosis who took entecavir or tenofovir for at least 48 weeks were included. We compared entecavir and tenofovir after 48 weeks of therapy with respect to virological, biochemical, and serological responses in patients with hepatosteatosis. Results: Of the 63 patients, 21 received entecavir and 42 received tenofovir. Baseline characteristics of the patients were similar except for body mass index. At the end of week 48, there was no statistically significant difference between tenofovir and entecavir treatment regarding total HBV-DNA negativity and alanine transferase normalization in patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatosteatosis. Conclusions: Entecavir and tenofovir are similarly effective in nucleos(t)ide-naive chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatosteatosis after 48 weeks of therapy.

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Background/Aim: Despite the safety and high diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS FNA) for the evaluation of gastrointestinal diseases in adults, literature discussing the therapeutic use of EUS FNA in pediatrics remains limited. This study reports our experience with the use of EUS in children with pancreaticobiliary disorders. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate safety, clinical utility, and impact of therapeutic EUS on the management of children (<18 years) at a tertiary referral center. Data were collected from January 1, 2011, to April 30, 2014. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and EUS procedure data were reviewed. Continuous variables were described using the mean and standard deviation. Categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 6 therapeutic EUS procedures were performed in 5 children (3 F/2 M). The mean age was 13 years (range 6–17) with a mean body mass index of 28.2 (range 18.5–38.8). The indications for EUS procedures were abdominal pain with chronic pancreatitis (3) and management of symptomatic pancreaticobiliary cysts/pseudocysts observed on previous imaging (3). All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. The 6 therapeutic procedures performed were celiac plexus block (3), cyst gastrostomy with stents placement (2), and cyst aspiration using EUS FNA (1). A celiac plexus block effectively relieved abdominal pain in 2 patients with chronic pancreatitis. Cyst gastrostomy successfully resulted in pseudocyst resolution in the follow up imaging of 2 patients (up to 6 months after the procedure). Cyst aspiration with EUS guided FNA resulted in cyst resolution and confirmation of the benign nature of the cyst in 1 patient. All the procedures were successfully completed with no reported complications. Conclusion: The therapeutic use of endoscopic ultrasound in the pediatric population is safe and has a high success rate.

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Background/Aim: In celiac disease (CD), there is increased mRNA coding for tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and interferon gamma (IFNα). In seronegative celiac patients, the mucosal immune complexes anti-tTG IgA/tTG are found. We assayed tTG- and IFNα-mRNA in the mucosa of patients with a clinical suspicion of seronegative CD and correlated the values with intraepithelial CD3 lymphocytes (IELs). Materials and Methods: Distal duodenum specimens from 67 patients were retrieved and re-evaluated for immunohistochemically proven CD3 IELs. Five 10 μm sections were used for the extraction and assay of tTG and IFNα coding mRNA levels using reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Samples from 15 seropositive CD patients and 15 healthy subjects were used as positive and negative controls. Results were expressed as fold-change. Results: Our series was divided into three groups based on IEL count: >25 (14 patients: group A), 15–25 (26 patients: group B), and 0–15 (27 patients: Group C). tTG-mRNA levels were (mean ± SD): CD = 9.8 ± 2.6; group A = 10.04 ± 4.7; group B = 4.99 ± 2.3; group C = 2.26 ± 0.8, controls = 1.04 ± 0.2 (CD = group A > group B > group C = controls). IFNα-mRNA levels were: CD = 13.4 ± 3.6; group A = 7.28 ± 3.6; group B = 4.45 ± 2.9; group C = 2.06 ± 1.21, controls = 1.04 ± 0.4. Conclusions: Our results suggest that tTG- and IFNγmRNA levels are increased in both seropositive and potential seronegative patients with CD, showing a strong correlation with the CD3 IEL count at stage Marsh 1. An increase in both molecules is found even when IELs are in the range 15–25 (Marsh 0), suggesting the possibility of a "gray zone" inhabited by patients which should be closely followed up in gluten-related disorders.

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Background/Aims: Endoscopic biliary stent drainage plays an important role in the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of occlusion of first metal inserted stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Patients and Methods: The retrospective analysis was performed in 178 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Factors associated with stent occlusion were analyzed by Cox regression analysis. Results: Median overall stent patency was 178 days. Total cumulative obstruction rate of the first stents during the follow up was 33%, 57%, 83%, and 96% at 90, 180, 360, and 720 days. Multivariate analysis revealed that hilar obstruction (hazard ratio [HR] =3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI, 2.31–4.61), metastasis cancer (HR = 2.61, 95% CI, 1.79–3.80), and length of stent (HR = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.24–2.46) were independent predictors of stent occlusion. Conclusions: Hilar biliary stricture, metastatic cancer, and length of stent were important predictors of occlusion of first-inserted metal stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.

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Gastrointestinal lesions resulting from immunoglobulin G4-related disease are classified into two types: One is a gastrointestinal lesion showing marked thickening of the wall, and the other is an IgG4-related pseudotumor. We report the case of a woman with gastric calcifying fibrous tumor undergoing endoscopic resection that contained 62 IgG4+ plasma cells per high-power field and an IgG4-to-IgG ratio of 41% in lesional plasma cells, which shared clinical and histopathological features associated with gastric IgG4-related pseudotumor. So, we postulate that calcifying fibrous tumor as part of the spectrum of IgG4-related disease might be the unifying concept with IgG4-related pseudotumor. Meanwhile, the patient had coexistent autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune atrophic gastritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and possible primary biliary cirrhosis. The clinical follow-up evaluation was uneventful.

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Objectives: Inflammation is critical in the early phases of wound healing. It has been reported previously that small intestinal and colonic wounds display a more rapid healing than those of other organs. However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Here we examined whether differences in the time course of specified cytokine expression, in colonic and small intestinal anastomotic lesions, might play a major role in this observation in comparison to lesions effecting skin and muscle tissue. Materials and Methods: Tissue lesions were applied to 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats. Tissue samples were harvested at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days postoperatively with the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-α determined by ELISA-derived methods. Results: The characteristics of TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-α expression during the healing process for intestinal and colonic lesions were comparable. However, data differed significantly with that observed during healing of skin and muscle lesions. Intestinal and colonic lesions exhibited a significant and sustained increase in specified cytokine levels on day 5 to day 14 as compared with day 1 and 3. Skin and muscle lesions had random or unaltered cytokine levels throughout the study period. Conclusion: Differences in expression of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-α indicate that these play an important role underlying the more rapid healing processes observed in small intestinal and colonic lesions.

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Background/Aims: Diagnostic miss rate and time consumption are the two challenging limitations of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). In this study, we aimed to know whether using of the blue mode (BM) combined with QuickView (QV) at a high reviewing speed could influence SBCE interpretation and accuracy. Materials and Methods: Seventy CE procedures were totally reviewed in four different ways; (1) using the conventional white light, (2) using the BM, [on a viewing speed at 10 frames per second (fps)], (3) using white light, and (4) using the BM (on a viewing speed at 20 fps). In study A, the results of (1) were compared with those of (2), and in study B, the results of (3) and (4) were separately compared with those of (1). Results: In study A, the total number of the vascular (P < 0.001) and the inflammatory lesions (P = 0.005) detected by BM was significantly higher than that detected by the white light. No lesion was found using the white light that was not detected by the BM. Moreover, the BM highly improved the image quality of all the vascular lesions and the erythematous ones from the nonvascular lesions. In study B, the total number of only the vascular lesions, detected by the BM on a rapid speed of viewing at 20 fps was significantly higher than that detected by the white light (P = 0.035). However, the true miss rate for the BM was 4%. Conclusion: BM imaging is a new method that improved the detection and visualization of the vascular and erythematous nonvascular lesions of SB as compared with the conventional white light imaging. Using of the BM at a slow viewing speed, markedly reduced the diagnostic miss rate of CE.

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