Efficacy and tolerability of colonoscopies in overweight and obese patients: Results from a national database on gastrointestinal endoscopic outcomes.

Gastroenterologists are encountering a rising number of obese patients requiring colonoscopy. Existing literature regarding colonoscopy outcomes in this population is scant and conflicting. We analyzed a nationwide cohort of patients to identify the effects of body mass index (BMI) on colonoscopy success, efficacy, and tolerability.

Identifying who best tolerates moderate sedation: Results from a national database of gastrointestinal endoscopic outcomes.

Background: With increasing volume and cost of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, the proper selection of patients for moderate sedation becomes increasingly relevant. The current literature lacks consistent findings that allow for appropriate selection of patients for moderate sedation.

Aim: To analyze a nationwide registry of patients to identify patient and procedural factors associated with lower sedation requirements for endoscopy.

Single-Organ and Multisystem Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Patients with Gastrointestinal Manifestations Share Common Characteristics.

Background: Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) are defined by marked eosinophilia in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract resulting in a wide variety of GI symptoms. When accompanied by blood hypereosinophilia (HE; absolute eosinophil count ≥1500/mm), EGID can occur as an isolated GI disorder (hypereosinophilic syndrome [HES]/EGID overlap) or as part of a multisystem hypereosinophilic syndrome (Multisystem HES).

Objective: To describe the GI disease of patients categorized as those with HES/EGID overlap versus those with Multisystem HES.

The Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Purpose Of Review: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is known to be a significant risk factor in the development of certain gastric conditions, such as ulcers, gastritis, and malignancy. Recently, however, the systemic effect of HP infection on other organ systems has come to be appreciated. In this review, we will explore the association between HP infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome.

Self-Reported Questionnaire Detects Family History of Cancer in a Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer death; approximately 5-10% of PDAC is hereditary. Self-administered health history questionnaires (HHQs) may provide a low-cost method to detail family history (FH) of malignancy. Pancreas Center patients were asked to enroll in a registry; 149 with PDAC completed a HHQ which included FH data.

Adenoma miss rates associated with a 3-minute versus 6-minute colonoscopy withdrawal time: a prospective, randomized trial.

Background And Aims: The 6-minute withdrawal time for colonoscopy, widely considered the standard of care, is controversial. The skill and technique of endoscopists may be as important as, or more important than, withdrawal time for adenoma detection. It is unclear whether a shorter withdrawal time with good technique yields an acceptable lesion detection rate.

Absence of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia predicts poor survival after resection of pancreatic cancer.

Objectives: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), thought to represent the dominant precursor of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is often found synchronously adjacent to resected PDAC tumors. However, its prognostic significance on outcome after PDAC resection is unknown.

Methods: A total of 342 patients who underwent resection for PDAC between 2005 and 2010 at a single institution were identified and stratified according to highest grade of PanIN demonstrated surrounding the tumor.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations are frequently demonstrated in both high-risk pancreatic cancer screening and pancreatic cancer cohorts.

Background: Approximately 10% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is due to a genetic predisposition, including the breast and ovarian cancer syndrome germline mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2. Knowledge of specific genetic mutations predisposing to PDAC may enable risk stratification, early detection, and the development of effective screening and surveillance programs. In the current study, the authors attempted to determine the diagnostic yield of testing for BRCA1/2 germline mutations in a PDAC screening cohort and a PDAC cohort referred for genetic testing.

Optical biopsy of sessile serrated adenomas: do these lesions resemble hyperplastic polyps under narrow-band imaging?

Background: Serrated colorectal lesions include hyperplastic polyps (HPs) and sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs). Optical biopsy could misclassify SSAs as unimportant if they resemble HPs.

Objective: To explore the narrow-band imaging (NBI) features of SSAs.

High prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations with loss of heterozygosity in a series of resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma and other neoplastic lesions.

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with the breast ovarian cancer syndrome (BRCA1/BRCA2) mutations. It is unknown if this association is causal.

Experimental Design: This is a single-site study of patients who underwent surgical pancreatic tumor resection and self-identified as Ashkenazi Jewish.

Review of the safety and efficacy of ustekinumab.

Ustekinumab is a subcutaneously and intravenously administered fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG1) antibody targeting the interleukin (IL)-12/23 shared P40 subunit. The pivotal role of IL-12/23 inflammatory-mediated pathways is increasingly recognized in a plethora of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders including Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis. In a randomized controlled trial of ustekinumab in moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease, clinical response was achieved most notably in infliximab-experienced primary and secondary nonresponders and suboptimal responders.