A 13-year time trend analysis of 3724 small bowel video capsule endoscopies and a forecast model during the financial crisis in Greece.

Introduction: Since its introduction, small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) use has evolved considerably.

Aim: Evaluation of the temporal changes of small bowel VCE utilization in three tertiary centers in Greece in Era 1 (2002-2009) and Era 2 (2010-2014) and the development a forecast model for future VCE use during 2015-2017.

Materials And Methods: Data from all small bowel VCE examinations were retrieved and analyzed in terms of the annual number of the performed examinations, their indications and the significance of their findings.

Colon capsule endoscopy is feasible to perform after incomplete colonoscopy and guides further workup in clinical practice.

Background: Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) could be an option to examine the colon after incomplete colonoscopy.

Objective: To investigate the extent that CCE complements incomplete colonoscopy and guides further workup.

Design: Prospective, follow-up study.

One-year infliximab administration for the treatment of chronic refractory pouchitis.

Aim: To determine the efficacy of infliximab in the treatment of chronic refractory pouchitis, following ileo-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Seven patients (4 females, 3 males) with chronic refractory pouchitis were included in an open study. Pouchitis was diagnosed by clinical plus endoscopic and histological criteria.

A Greek survey of community prevalence and characteristics of constipation.

Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence and the main characteristics of constipation in the Greek general population.

Methods: The study sample included 1000 individuals, 15-64-years-old, who were citizens of Athens, Thessaloniki, or one of 11 Greek cities with a population of greater than 10 000, and the sample was selected by a stratified, multistage, random sampling procedure. Questionnaires were completed for each individual by personal interviews.

Evaluation of a conventional ELISA (Novitec) and a near patient immunochromatographic test (Stick H. pyl) for Helicobacter pylori antigen detection in stool.

Background/aims: The detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antigen in stool by conventional ELISA is a reliable non-invasive method for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in untreated patients.

Potential role of apoptosis and apoptotic regulatory proteins in colorectal neoplasia: correlations with clinico-pathological parameters and survival.

An imbalance between apoptotic and proliferative processes is believed to underlie colorectal neoplasia. We evaluated the expression of bcl-2, p53, mdm2 proteins, and apoptosis in colorectal neoplasms, as well as their correlation with clinico-pathological parameters, using image analysis. Biopsies from 46 colorectal cancers, 121 adenomas, and 25 controls were studied using monoclonal antibodies against p53, bcl-2, mdm2 and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method for apoptosis.

Premalignant lesions and conditions for gastric adenocarcinoma: diagnosis, management and surveillance guidelines.

Despite universal trends of declining mortality rates, gastric cancer remains a major health problem. The advent of endoscopy has made a major impact in the diagnosis and management of early gastric cancer as well as of the premalignant lesions of the stomach. Nevertheless the disagreement between Japanese and Western histopathologists regarding the nomenclatures of the gastric precancerous lesions resulted in different recommendations and therapeutic guide lines.