Ultrasound Assessment of Sarcopenia in Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Malnutrition frequently affects patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), with important impacts on disease prognosis. Sarcopenia, the clinical phenotype of malnutrition characterized by skeletal muscle loss, is the major component responsible for adverse events in this population. The aim of this study is to assess the use of ultrasound (US) skeletal muscle performance in stratifying ALD disease severity.

Model of disease severity in alcoholic hepatitis and novel prognostic insights.

Introduction: Harmful alcohol consumption is one of the leading risk factors for global disease burden and injury condition, causing death and disability early in life, with over 3 million deaths worldwide every year. Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by hepatic failure with recent onset of jaundice, consequence of a heavy chronic alcohol drinking. The disease severity ranges from mild to severe cases, with high short-term mortality.

Association between Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance (MNBI) and Post-Reflux Swallow-Induced Peristaltic Wave Index (PSPW) in GERD Patients.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the world. Two parameters, mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) and post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index (PSPW), have been recently proposed to help differentiate GERD phenotypes. Our study aimed to assess whether there is any correlation between the two parameters, while also taking a look at their ability to distinguish between GERD phenotypes.

The Role of Distal Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance in Differentiating GERD Phenotypes.

Background And Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most frequent digestive pathologies. The current diagnosis of GERD either by trial of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), endoscopy or by multichannel impedance pH study (MII/pH) has limitations. Our study aims to show if mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) can differentiate between the GERD phenotypes.

The Effects of Cardioprotective Antidiabetic Therapy on Microbiota in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-A Systematic Review.

As the pathophysiologic mechanisms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are discovered, there is a switch from glucocentric to a more comprehensive, patient-centered management. The holistic approach considers the interlink between T2DM and its complications, finding the best therapies for minimizing the cardiovascular (CV) or renal risk and benefitting from the treatment's pleiotropic effects. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) fit best in the holistic approach because of their effects in reducing the risk of CV events and obtaining better metabolic control.

A Comparison of C-Methacetin and C-Octanoate Breath Test for the Evaluation of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Background: While non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a wide-spread liver disease, only some patients progress towards steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.

Aim: We comparatively analyzed the methacetin breath test (MBT) for the microsomal function of the liver and the octanoate breath test (OBT) for mitochondrial activity, in detecting patients with steatohepatitis and estimating fibrosis.

Methods: 81 patients with histologically proven NAFLD (SAF score) were evaluated.

The Role of Noninvasive C-Octanoate Breath Test in Assessing the Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Background: The diagnosis of NASH needs a liver biopsy, an invasive procedure that is not frequently accepted by patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of the C-Octanoate breath test (OBT) as a non-invasive surrogate marker to differentiate patients with NASH from patients with simple steatosis (NAFL).

Methods: We performed a prospective study on patients with histologically established non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and no other hepatic disease.

Physicians' responsibility toward environmental degradation and climate change: A position paper of the European Federation of Internal Medicine.

The current data on climate change and environmental degradation are dramatic. The consequences of these changes are already having a significant impact on people's health. Physicians - as advocates of the patients, but also as citizens - have an ethical obligation to be involved in efforts to stop these changes.

Clinical Model for the Prediction of Severe Liver Fibrosis in Adult Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related severe liver fibrosis is associated with a higher risk of progressing to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic failure and developing NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in populations with diabetes. Our pilot study aims to evaluate the performances of various noninvasive methods in predicting liver fibrosis in a population of patients with diabetes and to establish a new scoring system for the prediction of severe fibrosis (>F3). Materials and Methods: A total of 175 patients with diabetes were enrolled for liver fibrosis evaluation.

A Primer into the Current State of Artificial Intelligence in Gastroenterology.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new idea or field of research. However, recent advancements in computing technology as well as increasing worldwide experience in applying AI to various fields have enabled us to hope that applying it to the medical practice could improve outcomes. The aim of the article was to evaluate potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the clinical practice of gastroenterology.

Predictors of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in Romanian adults with liver cirrhosis: Focus on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a severe complication of liver cirrhosis whose diagnosis is based on a polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) value >250 mm, yet this PMN value cannot identify all existing types. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical and biological factors that were associated with SBP and predict its occurrence, focusing on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as one of them. Our retrospective study included 216 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized between December 2019 and January 2010 at the Emergency County Clinical Hospital of 'St.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: update on diagnosis and treatment.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, with an increased risk of mortality. For this reason, a diagnostic paracentesis should be performed in all patients with ascites and clinical features with high diagnostic suspicion. Although literature data abound in identifying new diagnostic markers in serum or ascites, they have not yet been validated.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis mortality trends of cirrhotic patients in the last decade in Constanta County.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a complication of liver cirrhosis with an increased in-hospital mortality rate. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to examine the main predictors of mortality in order to be able to identify high-risk patients in time and to guide the optimal treatment for prognosis improvement. We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical, laboratory and treatment data as well as data regarding length of stay and cost of hospitalization from 72 patients diagnosed with SBP between January 2010 and December 2019 in the Emergency Clinical Hospital St.

The Impact of Increased Fib-4 Score in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus on Covid-19 Disease Prognosis.

Emerging evidence suggests that patients with metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are prone to severe forms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), especially those with underlying liver fibrosis. The aim of our study is to assess the association of an increased FIB-4 score with COVID-19 disease prognosis. We performed a prospective study on hospitalized patients with known type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and confirmed COVID-19, with imaging evidence of liver steatosis within the last year or known diagnosis of MAFLD.

Manometric changes of the esophagus in morbidly obese patients.

This prospective study aimed to determine the manometric pattern and the prevalence of esophageal dysmotility in 79 morbidly obese patients selected for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. After clinical evaluation and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry was performed. The esophageal peristalsis, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal pressure, and LES relaxation were evaluated.

Impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on esophageal physiology.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular weight loss surgery technique, but the impact on esophageal physiology and esophagogastric junction is still debatable. The aim of our study was to evaluate the manometric changes of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) after LSG in order to indicate LES manometry pre- procedure. In a prospective study we evaluated clinically, with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and high-resolution esophageal manometry 45 morbidly obese patients before, and 6-12 months after LSG.

Non-invasive laboratory, imaging and elastography markers in predicting varices with high risk of bleeding in cirrhotic patients.

Upper digestive tract endoscopy remains the gold-standard for detecting esophageal or gastric varices and assessment of bleeding risk, but this method is invasive. The aim of the study was to identify non-invasive factors that could be incorporated into an algorithm for estimating the risk of variceal bleeding. A prospective study was performed on 130 cirrhotic patients.

Non-invasive Ultrasonographic Score for Assessment of the Severity of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Intestinal ultrasound and shear wave elastography have gained increasing interest because of their promising results in the assessment of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to find an ultrasonographic score to replace invasive endoscopic procedures for the management of these patients. The score includes ultrasound parameters that correlate well with clinical severity scales and inflammatory markers: bowel wall thickness, the Limberg score, disease extension and acoustic radiation force impulse measurements.

Assessment of severity of acute pancreatitis over time.

In recent years there has been an increase in the incidence of acute pancreatitis worldwide. In spite of efforts to improve the treatment and care of patients with acute pancreatitis, to develop imaging investigations and interventional diagnostic and treatment techniques and to facilitate patients' access to them, acute pancreatitis continues to be associated with significant mortality and morbidity, and the treatment of patients suffering from this disease entails significant costs for healthcare systems. Researchers are in a permanent quest to get to a global consensus for stratifying the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Spleen Stiffness as Predictor of Esophageal Varices in Cirrhosis of Different Etiologies.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether esophageal varices (EV) can be identified through the evaluation of spleen stiffness (SSM) via acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI). A total of 135 patients suffering from cirrhosis underwent a clinical exam, laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, liver stiffness (LSM) measurement, SSM evaluation and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Based on the endoscopy results, the patients were classified into three groups: those with no evident EV, those with small EV and those with varices needing treatment (VNT).

The role of spleen stiffness using ARFI in predicting esophageal varices in patients with Hepatitis B and C virus-related cirrhosis.

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend that all patients with cirrhosis undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) screening for esophageal varices (EV). Unfortunately, UGE has a lot of disadvantages, consequently various non-invasive methods of diagnosing EV have been proposed. We evaluated if spleen stiffness (SS) measured by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) is a viable technique in diagnosing EV.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Status Quo.

Nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) is a hot topic for gastroenterologists and hepatologists and clinical practitioners must be kept abreast with the rapid progress of knowledge in this field. The Romanian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (RSGH) has elaborated this review dedicated to evidence-based data on pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of this condition. The term NAFLD includes two distinct conditions, with different histologic features and prognosis: non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the second with the highest risk of evolution to cirrhosis and its complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastroesophageal reflux.

The prevalence of obesity is rising, becoming a medical problem worldwide. Also GERD incidence is higher in obese patients compared with normal weight, with an increased risk of 2.5 of developing symptoms and erosive esophagitis.