The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic on Gastroenterology Training.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about a radical change in our working patterns. These changes can affect the training that gastroenterology trainees undergo, especially endoscopy since these are aerosol-generating procedures. The aim of this survey was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastroenterology training across the European countries.

Colonic diverticulosis and the metabolic syndrome: an association?

Background And Objectives: Colonic diverticulosis (CD) is related to advanced age and a lack of dietary fiber. Recently, several studies have shown that metabolic syndrome (MS) is also implicated in the etiopathogenesis of CD. This study aimed to assess the association between MS, obesity and CD.

Impact of Early Surgery and Immunosuppression on Crohn's Disease Disabling Outcomes.

Background And Aims: The definition of early therapeutic strategies to control Crohn's disease aggressiveness and prevent recurrence is key to improve clinical practice. This study explores the impact of early surgery and immunosuppression onset in the occurrence of disabling outcomes.

Methods: This was a multicentric and retrospective study with 754 patients with Crohn's disease, who were stratified according to the need for an early surgery (group S) or not (group I) and further divided according to the time elapsed from the beginning of the follow-up to the start of immunosuppression therapy.

Seronegative Intestinal Villous Atrophy: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Celiac disease is the most important cause of intestinal villous atrophy. Seronegative intestinal villous atrophy, including those that are nonresponsive to a gluten-free diet, is a diagnostic challenge. In these cases, before establishing the diagnosis of seronegative celiac disease, alternative etiologies of atrophic enteropathy should be considered.

Development and Validation of Risk Matrices for Crohn's Disease Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Early Therapeutic Interventions.

Introduction: The establishment of prognostic models for Crohn's disease [CD] is highly desirable, as they have the potential to guide physicians in the decision-making process concerning therapeutic choices, thus improving patients' health and quality of life. Our aim was to derive models for disabling CD and reoperation based solely on clinical/demographic data.

Methods: A multicentric and retrospectively enrolled cohort of CD patients, subject to early surgery or immunosuppression, was analysed in order to build Bayesian network models and risk matrices.

Disseminated Tuberculosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: The Answer is in the Liver.

Tuberculosis, a chronic infectious disease caused by , may invade all organs but mainly affect the lungs. We report a case of disseminated tuberculosis with hepatic, pericardial and pleural involvement and a review of the relevant literature. A 64-year-old Portuguese male was admitted with epigastric and right upper quadrant pain associated with low grade fever, fatigue, nausea, anorexia, weight loss (6 kg) and mild jaundice.

Metabolic syndrome and colorectal neoplasms: An ominous association.

Aim: To evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) and colorectal cancer and adenomas in a Western country, where the incidence of MS is over 27%.

Methods: This was a prospective study between March 2013 and March 2014. MS was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-ATP III.

Management of variceal and nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage remains the most common medical emergency managed by gastroenterologists. Causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with liver cirrhosis can be grouped into two categories: the first includes lesions that arise by virtue of portal hypertension, namely gastroesophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy; and the second includes lesions seen in the general population (peptic ulcer, erosive gastritis, reflux esophagitis, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, tumors, etc.).

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes: a case report and literature review.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common and often serious complication of long standing ascites in the presence of advanced liver disease.1 We report a case of a 51- year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis admitted to our department with jaundice, ascitis and lower limbs edema. A diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was made and empiric therapy with cefotaxime was prescribed with no response.

Phenotype-genotype profiles in Crohn's disease predicted by genetic markers in autophagy-related genes (GOIA study II).

Background: About 70 loci are associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD), particularly in pathways of innate immunity, autophagy, and pathogen recognition. Phenotype-genotype associations are inconsistent.

Methods: CD susceptibility polymorphisms ATG16L1 rs2241880, ICAM1 rs5498, IL4 rs2070874, IL17F rs763780, IRGM rs13361189, ITLN1 rs2274910, LRRK2 rs11175593, and TLR4 rs4986790 were genotyped in a Portuguese population (511 CD patients, 626 controls) and assessed for association with CD clinical characteristics.

Review of the disease course among adult ulcerative colitis population-based longitudinal cohorts.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has a large impact on patients' lives. Clinical course studies of population-based cohorts contribute to our understanding of the disease as it progresses. We reviewed the clinical course of UC as reported in adult population-based longitudinal cohort studies.

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding management in Portugal: a multicentric prospective 1-year survey.

Introduction: Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) is a common event, which consumes considerable human and economic resources. Its incidence is expected to rise in the coming years due to an increasing aging population.

Patients And Methods: Multicentric prospective analysis of patients was carried out with ALGIB in 13 Portuguese hospitals from April 2008 to May 2009, using a protocol designed by the French Association Nationale des Hépato-Gastroentérologues des Hôpitaux Généraux.

Ulcerative colitis in a Southern European country: a national perspective.

Background: The incidence, prevalence, and even the clinical behavior of ulcerative colitis (UC) are highly variable in different world regions. In previous studies, Portugal was reported as having a milder clinical behavior. The aim of this study was to apply the Montreal Classification in a large group of UC Portuguese patients in order to describe their clinical characteristics and evaluate variables potentially useful for outcome prediction.