Pilot model of hepatitis C virus micro-elimination in high-risk populations in Hong Kong: Barriers and facilitators.

Background: Although the general seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Hong Kong is <0.5 %, Hong Kong is still striving for HCV elimination owing to barriers in care cascade encompassing linkage-to-care (LTC), treatment initiation and adherence. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a pilot model of micro-elimination to strengthen the HCV care cascade for high-risk groups in Hong Kong.

Endocuff With or Without Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Colonoscopy in Detection of Colorectal Adenoma: A Randomized Colonoscopy Trial.

Introduction: Both artificial intelligence (AI) and distal attachment devices have been shown to improve adenoma detection rate and reduce miss rate during colonoscopy. We studied the combined effect of Endocuff and AI on enhancing detection rates of various colonic lesions.

Methods: This was a 3-arm prospective randomized colonoscopy study involving patients aged 40 years or older.

Blue-light imaging or narrow-band imaging for proximal colonic lesions: a prospective randomized tandem colonoscopy study.

Background And Aims: Blue-light imaging (BLI) is a new image-enhanced endoscopy with a wavelength filter similar to narrow-band imaging (NBI). We compared the 2 with white-light imaging (WLI) on proximal colonic lesion detection and miss rates.

Methods: In this 3-arm prospective randomized study with tandem examination of the proximal colon, we enrolled patients aged ≥40 years.

Linked color imaging versus narrow-band imaging for colorectal polyp detection: a prospective randomized tandem colonoscopy study.

Background And Aims: Linked color imaging (LCI) is a newly available image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) system that emphasizes the red mucosal color. No study has yet compared LCI with other available IEE systems. Our aim was to investigate polyp detection rates using LCI compared with narrow-band imaging (NBI).

Prevention of post-sphincterotomy bleeding by proton pump inhibitor: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Although the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduces the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding, their role in preventing EST bleeding has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the use of pre-emptive PPIs in patients undergoing EST.

Clarithromycin-amoxycillin-containing triple therapy: a valid empirical first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Hong Kong?

Background: Recent studies have suggested the eradication rate for Helicobacter pylori infection with standard amoxycillin-clarithromycin-containing triple therapy as first-line treatment have fallen below 80%. Levofloxacin-containing triple therapy was proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the standard 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy against the 7-day levofloxacin-containing triple therapy, and to assess whether the classical triple therapy is still valid as empirical first-line treatment for H.

Famotidine is inferior to pantoprazole in preventing recurrence of aspirin-related peptic ulcers or erosions.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the efficacy of H(2)-receptor antagonists in preventing recurrence of aspirin-related peptic ulcers. We compared the efficacy of high-dose famotidine with that of pantoprazole in preventing recurrent symptomatic ulcers/erosions.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of 160 patients with aspirin-related peptic ulcers/erosions, with or without a history of bleeding.

Management and outcome of peptic ulcers or erosions in patients receiving a combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel.

Background: This multicenter retrospective study investigated the management and outcome of patients with peptic ulcer/erosion-related aspirin and clopidogrel (A + C) cotherapy.

Methods: From January 2002 to September 2006, patients with endoscopically proven peptic ulcers/erosions after receiving A + C cotherapy were analyzed.

Results: This group consisted of 106 patients (age, 69.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with aspirin and clopidogrel co-therapy.

Introduction: The major complication of aspirin and clopidogrel (A+C) co-therapy is upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). However, data are unavailable for real-life situations. Furthermore, the treatment effect of antisecretory agents is unknown.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients receiving a combination of aspirin, clopidogrel, and enoxaparin in acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The combination of aspirin, clopidogrel, and enoxaparin (combination therapy) is the standard treatment for acute coronary syndrome but is associated with gastrointestinal bleeding. However, information in this area is scarce.

Aim: This retrospective study aimed to determine the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a real-life situation.

Prevalence of colorectal neoplasm among patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease.

Context: Colorectal neoplasm and coronary artery disease (CAD) share similar risk factors, and their co-occurrence may be associated.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in patients with CAD in a cross-sectional study and to identify the predisposing factors for the association of the 2 diseases.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Patients in Hong Kong, China, were recruited for screening colonoscopy after undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD during November 2004 to June 2006.

Evaluation of two stool antigen tests for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Chinese population.

Background And Aim: The stool antigen test, the HpSA test, has been validated mainly in Western countries, but not properly in the Chinese population. Recently, another stool antigen test, the Apollo test, was developed, but its accuracy has rarely been validated. The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of these two tests in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Chinese population.

[13C]-urea breath test without prior fasting and without test meal is accurate for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese.

Background And Aim: Conventional [13C]-urea breath test ([13C]-UBT) requires prior fasting and a test meal, which theoretically improves the accuracy of the test. However, recent studies have suggested that prior fasting and test meal may not be essential. We aimed to determine the accuracy of a new [13C]-UBT protocol without fasting in Chinese.