Influence of sample return time and ambient temperature on the performance of an immunochemical faecal occult blood test with a new buffer for colorectal cancer screening.

The haemoglobin concentration measured by faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) may be decreased in cases of delayed sample return or high temperature. It is an issue of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sample return time and of season on the performance of an FIT (FOB-Gold) with a new buffer.

Causes of death in people with chronic HBV infection: A population-based cohort study.

Background & Aims: Mortality related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) is not well known in developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate in a population-based cohort the excess risk of death in HBV patients compared with mortality in the general population and to identify risk factors related to all-cause mortality and HBV-related mortality.

Methods: A specialized population-based registry has recorded data from patients with chronic HBV infection in a population of one million inhabitants in France since 1994.

Long-term effect of faecal occult blood screening on incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer.

Background: Several randomized trials have shown a reduction of colorectal cancer mortality by screening using guaiac-based faecal occult blood tests. However, little is known on the long-term effect of screening at the population level in everyday practice.

Methods: Small-sized geographic areas including a total of 91,199 individuals were allocated to either biennal screening using the Hemoccult-II test or no screening.

Trends in incidence and management of cancer of the ampulla of Vater.

Aim: To provide trends in incidence, management and survival of cancer of the ampulla of Vater in a well-defined French population.

Methods: Data were obtained from the population-based digestive cancer registry of Burgundy over a 34-year period. Age-standardized incidence rates were computed using the world standard population.

Toxicity of oxaliplatin plus fluorouracil/leucovorin adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage III colon cancer: a population-based study.

Background: Results concerning the side effects of oxaliplatin associated with fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLFOX) in older patients are controversial. The objective of this study was to assess the use and the toxicity of FOLFOX in patients aged 70 years and older as administered in current practice.

Methods: Among 305 stage III colon cancers registered in a well-defined population in Burgundy between 2004 and 2009, 210 had adjuvant chemotherapy, including 156 with FOLFOX.

Trends in the management of gastric cancer over a 32-year period: a French population-based study.

Background: Gastric cancer is still generating interest because of its poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate time trends in diagnostic assessment, patterns of care, and survival of gastric cancers.

Methods: We considered 5,010 gastric cancers diagnosed between 1976 and 2007 in a well-defined French population.

Impact of liver disease severity and etiology on the occurrence of diabetes mellitus in patients with liver cirrhosis.

The association between liver cirrhosis (LC) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is well known. However, the impact of the severity or etiology of LC on the occurrence of DM is relatively unknown. We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of DM in a large cohort of patients with cirrhosis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the management of acute variceal hemorrhage.

Acute variceal hemorrhage, a life-threatening condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach for effective therapy, is defined as visible bleeding from an esophageal or gastric varix at the time of endoscopy, the presence of large esophageal varices with recent stigmata of bleeding, or fresh blood visible in the stomach with no other source of bleeding identified. Transfusion of blood products, pharmacological treatments and early endoscopic therapy are often effective; however, if primary hemostasis cannot be obtained or if uncontrollable early rebleeding occurs, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended as rescue treatment. The TIPS represents a major advance in the treatment of complications of portal hypertension.

Association between the PNPLA3 (rs738409 C>G) variant and hepatocellular carcinoma: Evidence from a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

Unlabelled: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in Western countries. Although several clinical factors have been identified, many individuals never develop HCC, suggesting a genetic susceptibility. However, to date, only a few single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been reproducibly shown to be linked to HCC onset.

Lipiodol trans-arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with idarubicin: first experience.

Background: There is still no consensus about the best chemotherapeutic agent for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). A recent in vitro study demonstrated that idarubicin, an anthracycline, was by far the most cytotoxic drug on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Idarubicin is much more lipophilic than doxorubicin, leading to higher cell penetration through lipidic membranes and greater accumulation of the drug in the lipiodol.

Pharmacokinetic and clinical evaluation of esomeprazole and ASA for the prevention of gastroduodenal ulcers in cardiovascular patients.

Introduction: Low-dose aspirin (ASA, 75 - 325 mg/day) is widely used for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. However, the value of primary prevention ASA is uncertain as the reduction in occlusive events needs to be weighed against the significant increase in major bleedings. Prevention with antisecretory drugs has been proposed to reduce the incidence of ASA-induced gastrointestinal (GI) bleedings, but non-adherence to gastro-protection is of concern, as it significantly increases the risk of upper GI adverse events.

Prediction for steatosis in type-2 diabetes: clinico-biological markers versus 1H-MR spectroscopy.

Objectives: The SteatoTest, fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) are clinico-biological scores of steatosis validated in general or selected populations. Serum adiponectin (s-adiponectin) and retinol binding protein 4 (s-RBP4) are adipokines that could predict liver steatosis. We investigated whether the Steatotest, FLI, HSI, s-adiponectin and s-RBP4 could be valid predictors of liver steatosis in type-2 diabetic (T2D) patients.

[Epidemiology and screening of colon cancer].

Colon cancer is a major health problem in industrialized countries. It ranks at the first place among digestive cancers, with a sex ratio of 1. Colon cancer incidence increased between 1975 and 2005.