The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Middle East Perspective.

The gut microbiome is of paramount importance in preserving internal balance in the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, disruptions in its regulation have been linked to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This article explores the intricate details of the gastrointestinal microbiome as it pertains to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with an emphasis on the Middle East. The study reviews the typical gut microbiome, modifications in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), determinants impacting the gut microbiome of the Middle East, and prospective therapeutic interventions.

The development of a cryptoglandular anal fistula quality of life scale (AF-QoL).

Aim: Quality of life (QoL) is a crucial and core outcome in assessing the effectiveness of treatments for cryptoglandular anal fistula. Despite its extensive impact, there is a lack of patient-centred, disease-specific QoL measurement instruments of adequate quality. The aim of this study is to develop a disease-specific measurement instrument that can accurately measure QoL for patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula.

Critical shortfalls in the management of PBC: Results of a UK-wide, population-based evaluation of care delivery.

Background & Aims: Guidelines for the management of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) were published by the British Society of Gastroenterology in 2018. In this study, we assessed adherence to these guidelines in the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Methods: All NHS acute trusts were invited to contribute data between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022, assessing clinical care delivered to patients with PBC in the UK.

The adoption of artificial intelligence assisted endoscopy in the Middle East: challenges and future potential.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in endoscopy has shown immense potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline procedures, and improve patient outcomes. There are potential uses in every field of endoscopy, from improving adenoma detection rate (ADR) in colonoscopy to reducing read time in capsule endoscopy or minimizing blind spots in gastroscopy. Indeed, some of these systems are already licensed and in commercial use across the world.

Validation of the ACE [Albumin, CRP, and Endoscopy] Index in Acute Colitis: Analysis of the CONSTRUCT dataset.

Background And Aims: In 2020 we reported the ACE Index in acute colitis which used biochemical and endoscopic parameters to predict steroid non-response on admission in patients with acute ulcerative colitis [UC]. We aimed to validate the ACE Index in an independent cohort.

Methods: The validation cohort comprised patients screened as eligible for inclusion in the CONSTRUCT study, a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial which compared the effectiveness of treatment with infliximab vs ciclosporin in patients admitted with acute UC.

The Usefulness of Mayo End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and MELD-Sodium (MELD-Na) Scores for Predicting Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients With Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common infection in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Currently, the accuracy of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and MELD-sodium (MELD-Na) as prognostic scores in this cohort is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of MELD and MELD-Na for predicting 90-day mortality and determine whether the mortality risk estimates they provide accurately reflect the poor prognosis of patients with SBP Methods: Patients with cirrhosis and SBP were retrospectively identified from ascitic fluid samples sent for microscopy, culture and sensitivity analysis (1/1/18-31/12/20) and a previous audit.

Infliximab versus ciclosporin in steroid resistant acute severe ulcerative colitis: a model-based cost-utility analysis of data from CONSTRUCT pragmatic trial.

Background: There is limited evidence in the literature on the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC). The study aimed to perform decision analytic model-based long-term cost-utility analysis (CUA) of infliximab versus ciclosporin for steroid-resistant ASUC investigated in CONSTRUCT pragmatic trial.

Methods: A decision tree (DT) model was developed using two-year health effect, resource use and costs data from CONSTRUCT trial to estimate relative cost-effectiveness of two competing drugs from the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Services (NHS) perspective.

Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme in Southern Iraq: Challenges, Knowledge Gaps and Future Potential.

Data on current colorectal cancer screening practices in Iraq are limited. This study aimed to better understand the current colorectal cancer screening practice and perceived barriers. The project also aimed to use UK expertise to introduce Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in Basra, Iraq.

Quality of Life in Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Long-Term Follow-Up Results from the CONSTRUCT Trial.

Background: there is currently limited research examining the QoL of patients with Ulcerative colitis (UC) following treatment of acute severe colitis (ASUC).

Objective: to examine the long-term QoL of ASUC patients enrolled in the CONSTRUCT trial following treatment of UC with infliximab or ciclosporin and to compare the differences in the QoL between the two drug treatments over time.

Methods: The CONSTRUCT trial examined the cost and clinical effectiveness of infliximab and ciclosporin treatments for acute severe UC.

Do Patient-Reported Quality-of-Life (QoL) Scales Provide an Adequate Assessment of Patients with Cryptoglandular Anal Fistulae? A Systematic Review of Measurement Instruments and Their Content Validity.

Background: Cryptoglandular anal fistulae can significantly affect patient quality of life (QoL), making it essential to ensure that any study of fistula treatment assesses the impact on QoL. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the content validity of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) that assess QoL in patients with a fistula.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched and studies assessing the content validity of patient-reported QoL measurement instruments, or PROM development studies in patients with cryptoglandular anal fistulae, were included.

Further Validation of the Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Questionnaire-32 (CUCQ-32) to Measure the Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Biologics Therapy.

Background: Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Questionnaire-32 (CUCQ-32) is a validated questionnaire to measure the quality of life (QoL) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, it does not have stoma-specific questions and can be lengthy. This study aimed to validate a subset of the CUCQ-32 that would be suitable for patients with a stoma.

Saving time and effort: Best practice for adapting existing patient-reported outcome measures in hepatology.

It is increasingly recognised that collecting patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) data is an important part of healthcare and should be considered alongside traditional clinical assessments. As part of a more holistic view of healthcare provision, there has been an increased drive to implement PROM collection as part of routine clinical care in hepatology. This drive has resulted in an increase in the number of PROMs currently developed to be used in various liver conditions.

The National Audit of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in the United Kingdom: Defining the Audit Dataset and Data Collection System.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a debilitating chronic liver disease that progresses to cirrhosis with attendant complications in a substantial proportion of patients. It is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in the United Kingdom (UK). The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) published guidelines on PBC management, which included key audit standards.

Setting Up a Local Registry to Improve the Care of Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare but progressive chronic disease of the liver. The national guidelines aim to standardise the care of patients with PBC across the UK. The guidelines also recommend routine screening for the presence of symptoms in patients with PBC, although none suggest how such screening should be achieved in clinical practice.

Using Information Videos to Improve Patient Satisfaction in Endoscopy: A Prospective Service Improvement Project.

Background: Endoscopy is a rapidly developing discipline with new techniques and procedures being introduced each year. The consenting process is central to patient perception; using information videos as additional tools to aid consent and improve the quality of care in endoscopy is not well established. Our aim was to develop, implement and validate the use of patient educational videos to improve patients' satisfaction and experience in endoscopy.

Whether Screening for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Psoriasis Is Necessary: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project.

Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is strongly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Both conditions are associated with excess cardiovascular and liver-related morbidity and mortality. The severity of psoriasis correlates with the degree of liver inflammation and scarring, which can be further exacerbated by systemic immunomodulators such as methotrexate.

Living with cryptoglandular anal fistula: a qualitative investigation of the patient's experience through semi-structured patient interviews.

Purpose: Cryptoglandular anal fistula continues to be a subject of extensive surgical research due to the lack of effective and enduring treatments, some of which incur risks to continence and quality of life. However, the patient experience of disease has seldom been reported. The aims of this study are to understand the impact of living with a fistula and the treatment outcomes that are valued by patients.

Widespread gaps in the quality of care for primary biliary cholangitis in UK.

Objective: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a progressive, autoimmune, cholestatic liver disease affecting approximately 15 000 individuals in the UK. Updated guidelines for the management of PBC were published by The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in 2017. We report on the first national, pilot audit that assesses the quality of care and adherence to guidelines.

Disease-modifying therapies and symptomatic management for primary biliary cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic condition characterised by autoimmune destruction of intralobular bile ducts. Publications have shown widespread gaps in the care of patients with primary biliary cholangitis. This article reviews the literature regarding currently licensed first- and second-line therapies and evaluates therapeutic options for symptomatic management of primary biliary cholangitis.

Efficacy and Safety Outcomes of Short Duration Antiplatelet Therapy with Early Cessation of Aspirin Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy is a matter of ongoing research. Clinical studies are assessing the optimal duration with the most favourable risk to benefit ratio. The efficacy of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors comparable to aspirin in preventing recurrent ischaemic events in patients with coronary artery diseases.

Association between behavioural risk factors for chronic liver disease and transient elastography measurements across the UK: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a largely preventable condition with increasing burden on National Health Service resources. We aimed to determine the prevalence of behavioural risk factors for CLD and their association with liver stiffness and socioeconomic status in the UK.

Design: In this cross-sectional study, adults aged ≥18 years were invited to complete a liver health screener and have a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TA) to screen for alcohol intake, obesity and viral hepatitis risk across different areas in the UK.

The association of health behavioral risk factors with quality of life in northern Sweden-A cross-sectional survey.

Background: It is well known that behavioral risk factors such as obesity, smoking, physical activity, diet, and excessive alcohol are linked to general health in northern Sweden. This study aimed to explore the joint relationship between these risk factors and the quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Data were collected from Sweden's national public health survey between February and May 2014 in the four northern counties in Sweden.