Real world evidence on the effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib in ulcerative colitis in Lebanon.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical practice in Lebanon.

Design: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The data were collected from hospital records.

Mesenteric Panniculitis.

Background: Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an uncommon non-neoplastic idiopathic inflammation of adipose tissue, mainly affecting the mesentery of the small intestine, with its etiology remaining largely speculative. The difference in prevalence of MP among females and males varies across multiple studies. In most cases, MP is asymptomatic; however, patients can present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms or can mimic underlying gastrointestinal and abdominal diseases.

Digital tools in allergy and respiratory care.

Patient care in the allergy and respiratory fields is advancing rapidly, offering the possibility of the inclusion of a variety of digital tools that aim to improve outcomes of care. Impaired access to several health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has considerably increased the appetite and need for the inclusion of e-health tools amongst end-users. Consequently, a multitude of different e-health tools have been launched worldwide with various registration and access options, and with a wide range of offered benefits.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part III: Management strategies in primary and cough-specialty care. .

Background: Chronic cough management necessitates a clear integrated care pathway approach. Primary care physicians initially encounter the majority of chronic cough patients, yet their role in proper management can prove challenging due to limited access to advanced diagnostic testing. A multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngologists and chest physicians, allergists, and gastroenterologists, among others, is central to the optimal diagnosis and treatment of conditions which underly or worsen cough.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part II: Phenotypes and mechanisms of abnormal cough presentation - .

Background: Chronic cough can be triggered by respiratory and non-respiratory tract illnesses originating mainly from the upper and lower airways, and the GI tract (ie, reflux). Recent findings suggest it can also be a prominent feature in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), laryngeal hyperresponsiveness, and COVID-19. The classification of chronic cough is constantly updated but lacks clear definition.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part 1: Role of TRP channels in neurogenic inflammation of cough neuronal pathways.

Background: Cough features a complex peripheral and central neuronal network. The function of the chemosensitive and stretch (afferent) cough receptors is well described but partly understood. It is speculated that chronic cough reflects a neurogenic inflammation of the cough reflex, which becomes hypersensitive.

Acute pancreatitis caused by intragastric balloon: A case report.

Obesity represents a global hazard that predisposes to many serious health problems. Various solutions have been proposed to overcome obesity ranging from dietary balance to bariatric surgery. Intragastric balloons are a widely used measure to decrease weight, although they are advocated as safe devices, some major complications have been reported.

Challenging the dogma: a randomized trial of standard vs. half-dose concomitant nonbismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Current treatment of Helicobacter pylori consists of three or four drugs for 7-14 days with important associated cost and adverse events.

Aims: This study compared efficacy and safety of standard dose vs. half-dose concomitant nonbismuth quadruple therapy (NBQT) for 7 days.

Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the combination of spiramycin plus metronidazole.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure and is the most frequent reason for post-marketing drug withdrawal. The spectrum of liver injury is wide, ranging from mild and subclinical injury, noticeable only on routine biochemical testing, to fulminant liver failure and death. Antibiotics, as a group, are a leading cause of DILI.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis.

Endoscopic celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) has become the procedure of choice for the management of patients with pancreatic cancer and abdominal pain unresponsive to medical treatment. It is necessary to differentiate between CPN and endoscopic celiac plexus block performed in patients with benign disease. In this review we describe the technique of this procedure with special emphasis on technical details.

A randomized controlled trial of imipramine in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Aim: To study the efficacy of low-dose imipramine in relieving symptoms associated with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: A randomized, double-blind trial of 25 mg imipramine vs matched placebo for 12 wk was performed. Doubling the dose was allowed once at week 2 in case of an unsatisfactory early response.

A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of the adjunct use of tegaserod in whole-dose or split-dose polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution for colonoscopy preparation.

Background: Problems of compliance, quality, and safety of colon preparation regimens have prompted continued investigation with alternative forms of cleansing.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of tegaserod as an adjunct to a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-E), given as a whole dose or split dose, in colonoscopy preparation.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Duodenal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma successfully treated by radiation therapy.

Duodenal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is very rare, and little is known about its clinical characteristics, endoscopic and endosonographic features, and treatment. We hereby report a case of duodenal MALT lymphoma successfully treated by radiation therapy (RT). The patient was referred to us with epigastric pain and positive fecal occult blood testing.

Prevalence of endoscopically identified heterotopic gastric mucosa in the proximal esophagus: endoscopist dependent?

Goals: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the proximal esophagus (HGMPE) and whether thorough endoscopic search may influence such prevalence.

Background: Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the esophagus (sometimes known as inlet patch) refers to a discrete area of gastric mucosa, with a spherical or ellipsoid configuration, that is typically located in the proximal esophagus. The prevalence of endoscopically diagnosed HGMPE varies from 0.

Clinical epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in Lebanon.

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a representative Lebanese cohort and to describe practice prevalence trends, disease characteristics, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of IBD patients in Lebanon.

Methods: All of a university-based health program's 2000-2004 computerized records that listed a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were reviewed. In addition, data on patients seen in the gastroenterology clinics and data from the IBD registry at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) from the same period were analyzed.

Massive gastric dilatation after a single binge in an anorectic woman.

Objective: Massive gastric dilatation is a very serious condition that is extremely rare in patients with no history of gastrointestinal disease. Several cases have been reported in patients with eating disorders, particularly after a binge. We report here the case of a young woman who developed severe gastric dilatation after a single binge.

A randomized single-blind trial of split-dose PEG-electrolyte solution without dietary restriction compared with whole dose PEG-electrolyte solution with dietary restriction for colonoscopy preparation.

Background: Colonoscopy preparation regimens are poorly tolerated, requiring the use of a large volume of an unpalatable solution and diet restriction for adequate cleansing. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two regimens of bowel preparation before colonoscopy: a whole dose of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-E), with diet restriction vs. a split dose with no diet restriction.