Alarming endoscopic data in young and older asymptomatic people: Results of an open access, unlimited age colonoscopic screening for colorectal cancer.

There is a lack of a national organized screening program for colorectal cancer in Greece, and asymptomatic detection is usually the result of individual decisions. The collection of epidemiologic endoscopic data from a population of interest would therefore provide valuable information for future treatment guidance, especially during periods of economic austerity. The current cross-sectional study included 380 asymptomatic, average risk individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy for the first time, during the period of one year in a tertiary public hospital in Athens.

Proton pump inhibitor and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy for the management of noncardiac chest pain.

Introduction: Although gastroesophageal reflux disease is the main cause of noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) benefit a minority of patients. Our prospective study evaluated the effect of PPI and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on the different subtypes of NCCP characterized by impedance-pH monitoring.

Methods: All NCCP patients underwent impedance-pH monitoring and on the basis of the results, those with abnormal distal esophageal acid exposure received PPIs twice daily (group A), those with a positive symptom index for chest pain received citalopram 20 mg and PPI once daily (group B), and those with a negative symptom index for chest pain received citalopram 20 mg once daily (group C).

Predictors of tissue healing in ulcerative colitis patients treated with anti-TNF.

Aim: To identify factors predicting mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis patients treated with anti-TNFα agents with or without azathioprine.

Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, one-year study biologic naïve patients aged 25-65 years, with corticosteroid-dependent or refractory colitis received combination treatment with anti-TNFα and azathioprine for 6 months followed by anti-TNFα monotherapy. Patients who denied combination therapy or were outside this age range received anti-TNFα monotherapy (controls).

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.

Long term benefit of one year infliximab administration for the treatment of chronic refractory pouchitis.

Background-aim: The aim of this study is to identify the long term benefit of one year infliximab administration for the treatment of chronic refractory pouchitis following ileo-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Seven patients with chronic refractory pouchitis diagnosed by clinical, endoscopic and histological criteria received infliximab 5 mg/kg at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and thereafter every 2 months for 1 year. Three patients had fistulae (1 pouch-bladder, 2 perianal) and 4 extraintestinal manifestations (2 erythema nodosum, 2 arthralgiae).