The efficacy of Elbasvir/Grazoprevir fixed-dose combination for 8 weeks in HCV treatment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in treatment-naïve, non-cirrhotic, genotype 4-infected patients (ELEGANT-4): A single-center, single-arm, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: Cost, adverse events, and long treatment duration can be significant obstacles in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals. Shortening the treatment regimen can minimize these barriers, thereby enhancing adherence and increasing medication availability to more patients.

Methods: This is a single-centre, single-arm, open-label, phase 3 clinical trial on treatment naïve, non-cirrhotic, HCV genotype 4 patients.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia: A multicenter Middle Eastern experience.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was proposed in 2010 as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of achalasia. In this article, we describe the Middle Eastern experience with the procedure in terms of efficacy, length of admission, and short- and long-term complications.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of our prospectively collected data on patients who underwent a POEM procedure was conducted between March 2019 and May 2020.

Revealing Hepatitis B Virus as a Silent Killer: A Call-to-Action for Saudi Arabia.

Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was the first country in the Middle East to adopt the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. Despite an expanded HBV immunization program and significant progress in HBV prevention in the country, HBV infection is a significant public health burden. This review lists coordinated solutions for healthcare stakeholders, patients, and health authorities to curb HBV and its impact in KSA.

Peripancreatic fluid collections, plastic stents, and different sub-types of metal stents: Where does the evidence land?

Background: Peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are a frequent complication of acute pancreatitis. Symptomatic PFCs may need to be drained, and there are multiple endoscopic accessories that can facilitate the procedure. This paper aims to compare the success rate, number of procedures required for resolution and adverse events rate for PFCs EUS-guided drainage with plastic stents and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS).

The utility of digital cholangioscopy (SpyGlass DS) in biliary and pancreatic diseases: A clinical feasibility study at two tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia (with Videos).

Background And Study Aim: Since its inception in 2007, single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) has gained popularity for many diagnostically and therapeutically challenging biliary and pancreatic conditions. Many studies have been published to evaluate the feasibility, usefulness, cost-effectiveness, and safety profile of the first generation. This paper is a descriptive study in which we aim to share the experience of two tertiary care centers with the novel version of SOC, SpyGlass DS.

Streamlining and cycle time reduction of the startup phase of clinical trials.

Objective: The startup phase of a clinical trial (CT) plays a vital role in the execution of new drug development. Hence, the aim of this study is to identify the factors responsible for delaying the CT startup phase. Further, it focuses on streamlining and reducing the cycle time of the startup phase of newly sponsored CTs.

The utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and screening in the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing bariatric surgery: A cross-sectional, single-center study in Saudi Arabia.

Background/aim: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and Helicobacter pylori screening are routine parts of the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing bariatric surgery at many centers around the world. The reason for this step is to identify abnormalities that may change the surgical approach. In this study, we aim to evaluate the extent to which endoscopic findings and H.

Acute Pancreatitis: An Exploratory, Cross-sectional, Single-center Study of the Epidemiological Features of the Disease in a Sample of Saudi Patients.

Epidemiological studies on Acute Pancreatitis (AP) are significantly scarce in the Saudi Arabian Literature. In this paper, we aim to explore the current trends of AP in a sample of Saudi patients. This is a cross-sectional study in which we reviewed AP-related admissions from 2014 to 2017.

Microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel diseases: results of a metagenomic study in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC)and Crohn disease (CD).

Methods: Metagenomic studies were used to study microbiota in the diagnosed cases of UC and CD at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Each segment of the colon was flushed with distilled water during colonoscopy, and the material was aspirated, immediately frozen for the study.

ERCP quality indicators: The experience of a high-volume tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most technically demanding and high-risk procedures performed by GI endoscopists. Therefore, guidelines or position statements on various aspects of quality indicators, safety indicators and credentialing for ERCP have been developed by gastroenterology associations. In this paper, we evaluate the ERCP quality in a single, high-volume, tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia using a number of measures commonly stated by these organizations, and compare the experience of that center to the previously-published standards in this regard.

Colonic Mucosal Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer: A Single-Center Metagenomic Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background And Aim: Because genetic and geographic variations in intestinal microbiota are known to exist, the focus of this study was to establish an estimation of microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Saudi Arabia by means of metagenomic studies.

Methods: From July 2010 to November 2012, colorectal cancer patients attending our hospital were enrolled for the metagenomic studies. All underwent clinical, endoscopic, and histological assessment.