Long-term effectiveness and persistence rate of ustekinumab dose intensification in a South East Asian inflammatory bowel disease center.

Background And Aims: Ustekinumab (UST) is an effective biologic for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, some patients treated with UST have suboptimal clinical response with standard dosing. The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of UST dose intensification (DI), identify factors associated with DI, cumulative incidence of DI and persistence of UST among treated patients.

Open-Access Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy as an Effective and Safe Strategy for Patients With Non-alarming Symptoms.

Background: Open-access oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OAO) is defined as the performance of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) requested by referring physicians without a prior specialist consultation. With the increasing demand for specialist appointments, the use of OAO has helped to reduce healthcare utilization by decreasing prior clinic visits. This also allows endoscopies to be scheduled and performed earlier.

Approximately 1 in 10 ambulatory inflammatory bowel disease patients are at risk of malnutrition: A prospective Singapore cohort.

Objectives: Prevalence of malnutrition among ambulatory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in Singapore is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ambulatory IBD patients at risk of malnutrition (ARMN) using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and its clinical outcomes.

Methods: IBD patients were recruited from March to June 2018 and followed up for 6 months.

Clinical Features and Predictors of Dysplasia in Proximal Sessile Serrated Lesions.

Background/aims: Proximal colorectal cancers (CRCs) account for up to half of CRCs. Sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are precursors to CRC. Proximal location and presence of dysplasia in SSLs predict higher risks of progression to cancer.

Impact of enhanced personal protective equipment on colonoscopy performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce risk of disease transmission. During the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced PPE (EPPE) is recommended when performing endoscopy. We aimed to evaluate the impact of EPPE on colonoscopy performance when compared to standard PPE (SPPE).

A prospective randomized study of colonoscopy using blue laser imaging and white light imaging in detection and differentiation of colonic polyps.

 Published data on blue laser imaging (BLI) for detection and differentiation of colonic polyps are limited compared to narrow band imaging (NBI). This study investigated whether BLI can increase the detection rate of colonic polyps and adenomas when compared to white light imaging (WLI), and examined use of NICE (NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic) and JNET (Japan NBI Expert Team) classifications with BLI.  Patients aged 50 years and above referred for colonoscopy were randomized to BLI or WLI on withdrawal.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection of colorectal neoplasms: an audit of its safety and efficacy in a single tertiary centre in Singapore.

Introduction: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) provides a higher en bloc and R0 resection rate than endoscopic mucosal resection. Colorectal ESD is not widely used because of its technical difficulty and risk of complications, especially for right-sided colonic lesions. We audited the clinical outcomes of our initial experience with colorectal ESD.

Impact of Asia-Pacific guidelines on gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori infection on prevailing clinical practices.

Objective: To determine the impact of the Asia-Pacific guidelines on gastric cancer prevention and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on clinical practice.

Methods: An electronic survey was carried out among Asian Pacific Digestive Week (APDW) medical delegates in 2012.

Chemoprevention trials of GI cancers in Asia.

Cancers are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with gastrointestinal (GI) luminal cancers accounting for a large proportion of cancer incidence. Chemoprevention of GI luminal cancers is important to reduce this cancer burden. Screening for and eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H.