Intestinal Anti-Endomysium Antibodies Are a Useful Tool for Diagnosing Celiac Disease in Pediatric and Adult Patients.

Intestinal anti-endomysium antibodies are a specific marker of celiac disease. The diagnostic accuracy of this marker seems high in pediatric patients and has not yet been investigated in adults, so the aim of this prospective multicentric study was to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of this marker in childhood and adulthood. Pediatric and adult patients undergoing intestinal endoscopy for any intestinal condition were enrolled.

The Impact of Dietician Support and Behavioural Therapy in Addition to Concomitant Treatment with Intragastric Balloon in Obese Patients.

Introduction And Aims: Patients treated with intragastric balloon (IGB) may benefit from treatment and follow-up by a multidisciplinary team, where the dietician is considered the only essential professional besides the endoscopist. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of dietician support and behavioral therapy in terms of weight loss in patients concomitantly treated with IGB while the device is in situ.

Methods: Patients with IGB in situ, in period 2005-2018, were invited to undergo a dietician check-up (DC) every 1.

Endo-therapies for biliary duct-to-duct anastomotic stricture after liver transplantation: Outcomes of a nationwide survey.

Background: The most appropriate endo-therapeutic approach to biliary anastomotic strictures is yet to be defined.

Aim: To retrospectively report on the endo-therapy of duct-to-duct anastomotic strictures during 2013 in Italy.

Methods: Data were collected from 16 Endoscopy Units at the Italian Liver Transplantation Centers (BASALT study group).

First-line endoscopic treatment with over-the-scope clips in patients with either upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a multicenter study.

Endoscopic treatment is the mainstay approach for gastrointestinal bleeding, in either upper (UGIB) or lower (LGIB) tract. The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) may overcome limitations of standard clips or thermocoagulation in high-risk bleeding lesions. We evaluate the main clinically relevant outcomes following endoscopic hemostasis with OTSC in high-risk lesions and/or patients.

Prevalence of Extrapancreatic Malignancies Among Patients With Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas.

Objectives: We conducted a study in order to assess the prevalence of extrapancreatic malignancies (EPMs) in a cohort of patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) from northeastern Italy.

Methods: A study was conducted in hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy. Hospital records were screened in order to identify newly diagnosed IPMN cases in the period from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2015.

Microscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis in gastric cancer: Prevalence, prognosis and predictive factors.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is typically identified in advanced stage gastric cancer and is frequently considered to be an incurable disease. Along with macroscopic PC, microscopic PC may be diagnosed through pathological examination of tissue specimens and is not detectable during surgical intervention. The present study aimed to analyse the prevalence, prognostic value and predictive factors for microscopic PC.

Transition of gastroenterological patients from paediatric to adult care: A position statement by the Italian Societies of Gastroenterology.

In 2013, four Italian Gastroenterological Societies (the Italian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, the Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists, the Italian Society of Endoscopy, and the Italian Society of Gastroenterology) formed a joint panel of experts with the aim of preparing an official statement on transition medicine in Gastroenterology. The transition of adolescents from paediatric to adult care is a crucial moment in managing chronic diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and liver transplantation. Improved medical treatment and availability of new drugs and surgical techniques have improved the prognosis of many paediatric disorders, prolonging survival, thus making the transition to adulthood possible and necessary.

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).

Predictors of endoscopic treatment outcome in the management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Background And Aims: The most common complications after liver transplantation nowadays affect the biliary tract.We carried out a retrospective study to identify predictors of endoscopic treatment outcome in the management of post-transplantation biliary complications.

Methods: Data from all patients with post-transplantation biliary complications subjected to endoscopic treatment at the University of Udine between 2000 and 2012 were extracted.

Intragastric balloon for obesity treatment: results of a multicentric evaluation for balloons left in place for more than 6 months.

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases. The BioEnterics(®) Intragastric Balloon (BIB(®)) is used worldwide as a short-term (6 months) treatment in morbid obese patients. However, removal of BIB(®) past 6 months is a common occurrence in clinical practice often as a result of patient factors.

Biliary strictures after liver transplantation: role of interleukin 28B genotypes in cyclosporine treated.

Introduction: The role of Interleukin 28B (IL-28B) genetic polymorphisms in influencing the occurrence of biliary complications after liver transplantation has never been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate whether IL-28B rs12979860C/T polymorphisms associate with the occurrence of biliary complications after liver transplantation and if these complications may influence survival.

Methods: One hundred seventy one recipients (133 males) who underwent liver transplantation were recruited.

Clinical outcome in patients with hilar malignant strictures type II Bismuth-Corlette treated by minimally invasive unilateral versus bilateral endoscopic biliary drainage.

Background: Stenting of malignant hilar strictures remains a standard endoscopic treatment in patients with unresectable tumors. The aim of this two-center prospective study was to compare unilateral versus bilateral drainage in hilar malignant stenosis Bismuth-Corlette type II.

Methods: During a 3-year period, a total of 49 patients with hilar tumors (Bismuth-Corlette type II) were referred for endoscopic treatment, following the criteria of unresectability.

Italian consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis.

This paper gives practical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Statements have been elaborated by working teams of experts, by searching for and analysing the literature, and submitted to a consensus process by using a Delphi modified procedure. The statements report recommendations on clinical and nutritional approach, assessment of pancreatic function, treatment of exocrine pancreatic failure and of secondary diabetes, treatment of pain and prevention of painful relapses.

Diagnostic value of faecal calprotectin in unselected outpatients referred for colonoscopy: A multicenter prospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of faecal calprotectin in consecutive outpatients referred for colonoscopy.

Methods: Outpatients undergoing colonoscopy at five participating institutions were eligible. Demographic and clinical data were collected.

Treatment effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on symptoms and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. A multicenter randomized open trial.

The effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) were compared in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, at 10 g/day (N = 40) and 5 g/day (N = 46) for 12 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS), quality of life (SF-36), and psychological symptoms (HADS) were evaluated at baseline, during treatment (months 1 and 3), and at follow-up (month 6). In both groups symptoms and quality of life improved significantly after the first month of administration until follow-up compared to those at baseline.

Celiac disease and intestinal metaplasia of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus).

Previous studies on celiac patients demonstrated that exposure to gliadin alters the motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract, leading to increased acid reflux. No literature is available regarding the possible presence of specialized intestinal metaplasia of the esophagus as a consequence of chronic reflux in adult celiac patients. Our purpose was to evaluate endoscopically and histologically the esophagi of a group of untreated celiac patients.