Publications by authors named "Bermont A"

Introduction: There is limited data on the histopathological effects of hemostatic agents (HAs) used during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We used an porcine model to compare the tissue effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) and adrenaline (epinephrine) compared to controls.

Methods: Standard ESD, using a 2 mm flash-knife, was performed in three pigs.

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Esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for diagnosing esophageal motility disorders, but it may be poorly tolerated and unsuccessful. We sought to evaluate a protocol for sedation and endoscopy-assisted (SEA) HRM in patients who previously failed standard HRM and assess patient perspectives towards it. Adult patients who previously failed HRM were prospectively enrolled.

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Article Synopsis
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) slow down gastric emptying and may affect bowel preparation for colonoscopy, but their impact on bowel preparation adequacy was under-studied.
  • A multicenter study compared 4,876 patients using GLP-1RAs with 4,876 matched controls, finding that 10% of GLP-1RA users had inadequate bowel preparation (IBP), compared to just 4% of controls.
  • Results indicated that both diabetes and GLP-1RA usage independently increased the risk of IBP, suggesting that special attention is needed for these patients.
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: Terminal ileitis (TI) is often identified on CT scans in emergency settings. Diagnosing Crohn's disease (CD) as a cause of TI is crucial due to its significant long-term implications. This study aimed to differentiate CD from other causes of acute TI and develop a predictive model for CD diagnosis.

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  • Recent guidelines suggest that upfront pH testing in patients with EE-GERD could reduce unnecessary GI investigations and lower costs if a negative result is found.
  • A study involving 59 patients showed that 64.4% had negative pH tests, but those results did not lead to fewer follow-up appointments or less reliance on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
  • The findings challenge the effectiveness of upfront pH testing, as many patients remained on PPIs despite negative results and continued to have similar rates of GI follow-ups as those with positive tests.
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  • Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD) is a rare condition, with an overall prevalence of 0.092%, primarily affecting older adults, particularly those aged 71-80, where the prevalence peaks at 0.37%.
  • A study identified significant risk factors for GIAD, including liver cirrhosis, hypertension, and aortic stenosis, along with demographic factors like female gender, and noted that GIADs are less common in patients with malignancies.
  • Understanding the associated clinical conditions and demographics of GIAD can aid in better recognizing its causes and developing effective treatment strategies for this rare gastrointestinal issue.
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Background: Abnormal colonic pressure profiles have been associated with an increased risk of colonic diverticulosis. A surgical history is a known risk factor for abdominal adhesions and these may lead to increased intraluminal colonic pressure.

Aim: To assess whether previous abdominal surgery is associated with colonic diverticulosis or diverticulitis.

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Background And Aims: Prior studies have identified predictors of inadequate preparation with limited success. We aimed to build a model that could predict the likelihood of inadequate preparation by also including factors related to the patient's reaction to drinking the laxative preparation.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, and preparation-related data were prospectively collected on patients undergoing colonoscopy.

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High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for diagnosing esophageal motility disorders, yet it can be poorly tolerated and technically challenging. Epiphrenic diverticula (ED) are located in the distal esophagus and are associated with underlying motility disorders. ED patients (2008-2022) were retrospectively compared to achalasia patients (2008-2022) and all other patients (2021-2022) who underwent HRM at a single center.

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Objectives: Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) are a known risk factor for esophageal candidiasis (EC), but this relation has not been described particularly well. We sought to evaluate the predictors of underlying EMDs in patients presenting with EC.

Methods: Cases of EC at a single medical center between 2010 and 2021 were identified retrospectively based on the code.

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Background/aims: Clinical rates of fecal incontinence (FI) are known to vary based on race and ethnicity. It is unclear if anorectal manometry (ARM) findings in patients with FI differ based on ethnicity.

Methods: High-resolution ARM studies performed between 2014-2021 due to FI at 2 hospitals with multiethnic populations were retrospectively reviewed.

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Article Synopsis
  • A survey of Israeli gastroenterologists revealed that 62% prescribed biosimilar drugs in the past year, mostly to patients who were new to biologics.
  • Most gastroenterologists (75%) believe that biosimilars have the same effectiveness as brand-name drugs but show resistance to switching patients, especially those in remission for over two years and pregnant women.
  • Overall, while there is a general confidence in biosimilars' safety and efficacy, many physicians prefer to prescribe brand-name medications like adalimumab.
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Background: Achalasia is characterized by aperistalsis with poor relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). We aimed to systematically assess whether LES metrics on high-resolution manometry (HRM) correlate with the symptomatic or endoscopic presentation of patients with achalasia.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed at two tertiary medical centers.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates how achalasia, a condition affecting the esophagus, presents differently between two ethnic groups: Israeli Arabs (IA) and Israeli Jews (IJ), with a focus on demographic, clinical, and medical findings.
  • - Results show that IA patients have more severe symptoms like esophageal dysphagia, chest pain, and a higher integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) on manometry tests, and they are diagnosed at a younger age compared to IJ patients.
  • - The findings suggest that ethnicity influences achalasia presentations and underline the need for further research into how genetic factors might play a role in this condition among diverse populations.
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Background: Patients with absent contractility (AC) often suffer from either reflux or dysphagia. It remains unclear what factors determine which phenotype patients present with. We sought to evaluate if high-resolution manometry metrics, especially integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), could explain this.

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Background: One of the main causes of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is chronic gastrointestinal blood loss. The use of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) after negative bidirectional endoscopy in patients with IDA is controversial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of VCE in the management and long-term outcomes of IDA patients.

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(1) Background: Absent contractility (AC) is an esophageal motility disorder defined as a normal integrated relaxation pressure with 100% failed peristalsis. We sought to clarify the natural history of this disorder and its relationship with rheumatologic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). (2) Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with AC based on high-resolution manometry findings at three referral institutions and then matched them with controls with esophageal complaints who had normal manometries.

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Background: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens and telemedicine services are both options for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) within the prison setting. We aimed to compare factors associated with HCV treatment success over the past decade in Israeli prisons, specifically the influence of DAAs and telemedicine.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of inmates with HCV infection in Israeli prisons from 2010 through 2020.

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Anorectal manometry may be performed by a nurse or physician, yet little has been written about what training is needed. Additionally, many gastroenterology nurses receive little exposure to motility studies such as anorectal manometry, limiting their ability to learn these procedures. We therefore sought to evaluate whether a short didactic course on anorectal manometry would increase nurses' knowledge about the procedure and stimulate their interest in becoming trained to perform it.

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Background And Study Aims: Esophageal ulcers are a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal morbidity and may be due to different etiologies. We sought to systematically evaluate patients with esophageal ulcers and describe their presentations, endoscopic findings, etiologies, treatments, and outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Patients diagnosed with esophageal ulcers over an 11-year period were retrospectively identified from our institution's electronic medical records.

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Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised concerns among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients fearing an increased risk of infection and poor outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 among IBD patients; its influence on disease severity and outcome; its relationship to medication use and how the pandemic affected IBD management.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was posted online to members of the Israel Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation (November 2020-January 2021).

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Objective: Different infectious agents have been presumed to be candidates acting as an etiologic factor or trigger of Crohn's disease (CD). Group A (GAS) is a common human infection agent that can also trigger post-infectious immune-mediated conditions. The current study aimed to examine whether the immunogenic activity induced by GAS may trigger new-onset of CD.

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