Multi-ancestry genome- and phenome-wide association studies of diverticular disease in electronic health records with natural language processing enriched phenotyping algorithm.

Objective: Diverticular disease (DD) is one of the most prevalent conditions encountered by gastroenterologists, affecting ~50% of Americans before the age of 60. Our aim was to identify genetic risk variants and clinical phenotypes associated with DD, leveraging multiple electronic health record (EHR) data sources of 91,166 multi-ancestry participants with a Natural Language Processing (NLP) technique.

Materials And Methods: We developed a NLP-enriched phenotyping algorithm that incorporated colonoscopy or abdominal imaging reports to identify patients with diverticulosis and diverticulitis from multicenter EHRs.

Use of Six-Minute Walk Test to Measure Functional Capacity After Liver Transplantation.

Background: Functional impairment is common in people with chronic liver disease (CLD), and improvement is expected following liver transplantation (LT). The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is an objective measure of functional performance.

Objective: The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of 6MWT performance after LT, (2) to compare post-LT 6MWT performance over time between patients with and without CLD, (3) to determine when post-LT 6MWT performance approaches expected values, and (4) to investigate predictors of poor 6MWT performance.

Low incidence of acute rejection in hepatitis B virus positive liver transplant recipients and the impact of hepatitis B immunoglobulin.

Historically, hepatitis B virus (HBV) liver transplantation (LT) recipients have less acute cellular rejection (ACR) than those without HBV. We questioned whether this has persisted in an era of decreased Hepatitis B immunoglobulin use (HBIG) given its in vitro immunoregulatory effects. We compared the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of ACR among 40,593 primary LT recipients with HBV, hepatitis C, steatohepatitis, and immune liver disease (OPTN 2000-2011).

High success rate of repeat colonoscopy with standard endoscopes in patients referred for prior incomplete colonoscopy.

Background: In patients with incomplete colonoscopy, cecal intubation is sometimes unsuccessful due to a redundant or tortuous colon. Repeat colonoscopy may be successful with the use of alternate endoscopes or careful attention to technique but limited outcomes data is available. The aim of this study was to describe the technique, success rate and outcomes of consecutive patients referred for previous incomplete colonoscopy.

Delaying cholecystectomy for complicated gallstone disease in pregnancy is associated with recurrent postpartum symptoms.

Introduction: Pregnancy is a risk factor for gallstone disease; in some patients, cholecystectomy may be delayed to the postpartum period. Our aim was to examine the effect of antepartum interventions on postpartum outcomes in complicated gallstone disease (CGD) during pregnancy.

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients seeking medical care for CGD (cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, or gallstone pancreatitis) during pregnancy at a single tertiary care institution over a 10-year period (2002-2012).

Impact of an incomplete colonoscopy referral program on recommendations after incomplete colonoscopy.

Background: There are limited data on recommendations and adherence to complete colon evaluation (CCE) after incomplete colonoscopy (IC).

Aims: Our objectives were to (1) identify recommendations and adherence to recommendations after IC, (2) determine the diagnostic yield of CCE after IC, and (3) determine the effect of an IC referral program on recommendations for CCE.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of IC procedures at a teaching hospital over two time periods (January 1 to May 1 2004 and July 1 to November 1 2010).