Prognostic performance of the 'DICA' endoscopic classification and the 'CODA' score in predicting clinical outcomes of diverticular disease: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification and to develop and validate a combined endoscopic-clinical score predicting clinical outcomes of diverticulosis, named Combined Overview on Diverticular Assessment (CODA).

Design: A multicentre, prospective, international cohort study.

Setting: 43 gastroenterology and endoscopy centres located in Europe and South America.

[A cross-sectional study on the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers in an Italian University Hospital-Umbria Region].

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in patients hospitalized in a University Hospital in central Italy.

Methods: We carried out a prevalence and incidence study on PUs and an additional prevalence estimate of PUs was also produced ten days after the first assessment. All data were explored by descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test and a multivariate analysis.

Preparation for colonoscopy: Recommendations by an expert panel in Italy.

Background: Despite several guidelines on bowel preparation being available, their applicability in Italy is poorly investigated.

Aims: (1) To create expert-based recommendations for the Italian setting based on available international guidelines on bowel preparation for colonoscopy; (2) to assess consensus across the Italian endoscopy community.

Methods: The study was conducted in 2 phases: (a) statements formulation, (b) assessment of consensus.

Development and validation of an endoscopic classification of diverticular disease of the colon: the DICA classification.

Background: A validated endoscopic classification of diverticular disease (DD) of the colon is lacking at present. Our aim was to develop a simple endoscopic score of DD: the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) score.

Methods: The DICA score for DD resulted in the sum of the scores for the extension of diverticulosis, the number of diverticula per region, the presence and type of inflammation, and the presence and type of complications: DICA 1 (≤ 3), DICA 2 (4-7) and DICA 3 (>7).

Prevalence of lesions detected at upper endoscopy: an Italian survey.

Background: Prevalence of gastroduodenal lesions is changing in the last decades. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy may be involved in such a phenomenon. We assessed gastroduodenal lesions prevalence in a nationwide study.

Detection of gastric precancerous conditions in daily clinical practice: a nationwide survey.

Background: The burden of gastric precancerous conditions and factors associated with their detection have not been fully investigated in community-based settings. Little is known about adherence to Sydney system for histopathology of gastric biopsies.

Objective: We aimed to investigate what really happens in clinical practice with regard to the detection of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in dyspeptic patients.

Appropriateness guidelines and predictive rules to select patients for upper endoscopy: a nationwide multicenter study.

Objectives: Selecting patients appropriately for upper endoscopy (EGD) is crucial for efficient use of endoscopy. The objective of this study was to compare different clinical strategies and statistical methods to select patients for EGD, namely appropriateness guidelines, age and/or alarm features, and multivariate and artificial neural network (ANN) models.

Methods: A nationwide, multicenter, prospective study was undertaken in which consecutive patients referred for EGD during a 1-month period were enrolled.