The Camden and Islington Viral Hepatitis Identification Tool (CIVHIT): Use of a Clinical Database Case-Finding Tool for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV in Primary Care.

Despite the availability of effective treatment and vaccines for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV), many people are still infected and remain unaware of their infection. The Camden and Islington Viral Hepatitis Identification Tool (CIVHIT), a computer-based search tool, was introduced in 60 general practices (GPs) in April 2014 to support identification, testing and treatment of individuals at high risk for blood-borne viruses (BBVs). CIVHIT searched electronic medical records (EMRs), flagging all those with codes linked to risk factors or medical conditions associated with BBVs.

Safety, Effectiveness, and Treatment Persistence of Subcutaneous Vedolizumab in IBD: A Multicenter Study From the United Kingdom.

Background And Aims: Despite intravenous (IV) vedolizumab being established for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the novel subcutaneous (SC) route of administration may provide numerous incentives to switch. However, large-scale real-world data regarding the long-term safety and effectiveness of this strategy are lacking.

Methods: IBD patients on IV vedolizumab across 11 UK sites agreed to transition to SC injections or otherwise continued IV treatment.

The fate of indeterminate liver lesions: What proportion are precursors of hepatocellular carcinoma?

Background: The natural history and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising from indeterminate liver lesions are not well described. We aimed to define the incidence of HCC in a cohort of patients undergoing surveillance by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and estimate any associations with incident HCC.

Methods: We performed a retrospective follow-up study, identifying MRI scans in which indeterminate lesions had been reported between January 2006 and January 2017.

Validation of the Italian translation of the perceived stigma scale and resilience assessment in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Background: Stigmatization is the separation of an individual from a group due to aspects that make them different. Resilience may in turn influence the perception of stigma. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are susceptible to stigma, although data are very limited.

Liver-spleen axis dysfunction in COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an acute infectious disease that spreads mainly through the respiratory route. Besides interstitial pneumonia, a number of other clinical manifestations were noticed in COVID-19 patients. In particular, liver and spleen dysfunctions have been described both as complications of COVID-19 and as potential predisposing factors for severe COVID-19.

Is there scope to improve the selection of patients with alcohol-related liver disease for referral to secondary care? A retrospective analysis of primary care referrals to a UK liver centre, incorporating simple blood tests.

Objectives: Twenty per cent of people with alcohol use disorders develop advanced fibrosis and warrant referral to secondary care. Improving outcomes in alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) relies on its earlier detection in primary care with non-invasive tests (NIT). We aimed to determine the proportion of alcohol-related referrals who were diagnosed with advanced fibrosis in secondary care, the prevalence of both alcohol and fatty liver disease ('BAFLD') and the potential impact of NIT on referral stratification.

Multidimensional Prognostic Index Predicts Clinical Outcome and Mortality in Hospitalised Older Patients with Diverticular Disease.

Introduction: The Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) is a validated tool for assessing mortality risk in hospitalised patients. We aimed to evaluate whether the MPI predicted mortality and the risk of developing diverticular disease (DD) complications in older patients.

Methods: This is a multicentre study conducted in January 2016-March 2018.

Uncovering unsuspected advanced liver fibrosis in patients referred to alcohol nurse specialists using the ELF test.

Background And Aims: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) cause 7.2% of UK hospital admissions/year. Most are not managed by hepatologists and liver disease may be missed.

Systematic review: Accuracy of the enhanced liver fibrosis test for diagnosing advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: The rising incidence of chronic liver disease (CLD) has increased the need for early recognition. This systematic review assesses the diagnostic accuracy of the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test in cases of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis due to multiple etiologies in at-risk populations.

Methods: Studies evaluating the ELF accuracy in identifying advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, defined as METAVIR stage F ≥ 3 and F = 4 or equivalent, in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcohol liver disease (ALD), or viral hepatitis were included.

Safety and durability of PEG-J: a single-centre experience.

Introduction: Although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG-J) is currently indicated in a variety of conditions, limited data are available regarding its safety and the best timing for its replacement. We herein describe a single-centre cohort of patients who underwent PEG-J placement or replacement to assess the short- and long-term safety of the procedure.

Methods: Demographic and procedure-related data regarding all patients undergoing a PEG-J procedure between March 2010 and 2020, either first placement or any replacement, at the Endoscopy Unit of a University Hospital in Northern Italy (IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy), were retrospectively collected.

Impact of COVID-19 on liver function: results from an internal medicine unit in Northern Italy.

Little is known regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical spectrum in non-Asian populations. We herein describe the impact of COVID-19 on liver function in 100 COVID-19 consecutive patients (median age 70 years, range 25-97; 79 males) who were admitted to our internal medicine unit in March 2020. We retrospectively assessed liver function tests, taking into account demographic characteristics and clinical outcome.

Preventing Infections by Encapsulated Bacteria Through Vaccine Prophylaxis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which comprises ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is an immune-mediated, chronic-relapsing, disabling disorder which is associated with increased mortality and poor patients' quality of life. Patients with IBD are at increased risk of infections for many reasons. In fact, IBD often requires a lifelong immunosuppressive and/or biologic therapy, both commonly associated with respiratory and opportunistic infections, but also gastrointestinal, urinary tract infections, and sepsis.

Stigmatisation and resilience in inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is an immune-mediated, chronic relapsing disorder characterised by severe gastrointestinal symptoms that dramatically impair patients' quality of life, affecting psychological, physical, sexual, and social functions. As a consequence, patients suffering from this condition may perceive social stigmatisation, which is the identification of negative attributes that distinguish a person as different and worthy of separation from the group. Stigmatisation has been widely studied in different chronic conditions, especially in mental illnesses and HIV-infected patients.

Cell Blood Count Alterations and Patterns of Anaemia in Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis at Diagnosis: A Multicentre Study.

Background: Autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG) leads to iron and/or vitamin B12 malabsorption, with subsequent haematological alterations which could represent the sole clinical manifestation. We aimed to assess patterns of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies in patients with AAG at the time of diagnosis.

Methods: Observational, multicentre, cross-sectional study including consecutive adult patients diagnosed with AAG within the last ten years.

Defective spleen function in autoimmune gastrointestinal disorders.

Defective spleen function increases susceptibility to bacterial infections which can be prevented by vaccine prophylaxis. Splenic hypofunction can be found in a number of autoimmune disorders; however, no data are available regarding autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG), autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) and autoimmune liver disease (AILD). Peripheral blood samples from patients with AAG (n = 40), AIE (n = 3) and AILD (n = 40) were collected.

Determinants of diagnostic delay in autoimmune atrophic gastritis.

Background: Autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG) is characterised by a wide clinical spectrum that could delay its diagnosis.

Aims: To quantify the diagnostic delay in patients suffering from AAG and to explore possible risk factors for longer diagnostic delay.

Methods: Consecutive patients with AAG evaluated at our gastroenterological outpatient clinic between 2009 and 2018 were included.

Controlling Gut Inflammation by Restoring Anti-Inflammatory Pathways in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by a dysregulated immune response against normal components of the intestinal microflora combined with defective functioning of anti-inflammatory pathways. Currently, all therapies approved for IBD manipulate the immune system by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mechanisms, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, gut-homing αβ integrin, interleukin-12/interleukin-23, and Janus kinases. However, some IBD patients are non-responders to these drugs, which are also associated with serious side effects.

Mortality rate and risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients.

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is burdened by high mortality rate that increases with aging. Elderly patients may be exposed to multiple risk factors for GIB. We aimed at defining the impact of GIB in elderly patients.

Risk of microangiopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without chronic hepatitis C: Results of a retrospective long-term controlled cohort study.

Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis C have an increased risk of diabetes mellitus but the type and risk of developing diabetes-related complications have not yet been evaluated.

Methods: In order to compare the incidence of diabetic microangiopathy in patients with new onset diabetes without microangiopathy we recruited 54 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive and 119 HCV-negative patients from January 2005 to December 2006. All patients were followed-up every 6 months for liver and diabetic complications and incidence of cardiovascular diseases up to December 2012 when data were retrospectively analyzed.