Prognostic Value of CRP/25 OH Vitamin D Ratio for Glucocorticoid Efficacy in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis Patients.

: Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) represents a life-threatening medical emergency. One-third of ASUC patients are steroid non-responders. Our study aimed to create a new ASUC algorithm to predict corticosteroid response in the early course of the disease.

Dyspepsia in Montenegrin chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis: endoscopic and histopathological features.

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of dyspepsia and contributing factors in Montenegrin maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Methods: The study included 43 patients undergoing hemodialysis with symptoms of dyspepsia and 40 control dyspeptic subjects with preserved kidney function. All subjects underwent an interview about dyspeptic symptoms, physical and biochemical examination, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with pathohistological analysis of biopsy specimens.

COVID-19 in the endoscopy unit: How likely is transmission of infection? Results from an international, multicenter study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly affected endoscopy practice, as gastrointestinal endoscopy is considered a risky procedure for transmission of infection to patients and personnel of endoscopy units (PEU).

Aim: To assess the impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy during the first European lockdown (March-May 2020).

Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopy in nine endoscopy units across six European countries during the period of the first European lockdown for COVID-19 (March-May 2020) were included.

Correlation of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO-2) with Endoscopic and Histological Features in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in consecutive newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a tertiary care referral center. The initial evaluation included patient-reported outcome for stool frequency subscore and rectal bleeding. Endoscopic activity was determined using the Mayo scoring system for ulcerative colitis and the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease.

Proton Pump Inhibitors and Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is characterized by acid and bile reflux in the distal oesophagus, and this may cause the development of reflux esophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus (BE). The natural histological course of untreated BE is non-dysplastic or benign BE (ND), then lowgrade (LGD) and High-Grade Dysplastic (HGD) BE, with the expected increase in malignancy transfer to oesophagal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The gold standard for BE diagnostics involves high-resolution white-light endoscopy, followed by uniform endoscopy findings description (Prague classification) with biopsy performance according to Seattle protocol.

MDR1 gene polymorphisms are associated with ulcerative colitis in a cohort of Serbian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology in which genetic factors contribute to development of disease. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene encoding transporter P-glycoprotein have been associated with IBD, but their role in disease susceptibility remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of three MDR1 polymorphisms, C1236T (rs1128503), G2677T/A (rs2032582) and C3435T (rs1045642), with Serbian IBD patients.

Manual versus target-controlled infusion of balanced propofol during diagnostic colonoscopy – A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: There is an increasing interest in balanced propofol sedation (BPS) for colonoscopy in outpatient settings. Propofol is a potent anesthetic agent for this purpose and has a narrow therapeutic range, which increases a risk of cardiovascular and respiratory complications in case of improper administration.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare patients’ safety and comfort of endoscopists in two methods of BPS targeting deep sedation – propofol target-controlled infusion (TCI) and manual intravenous titration technique (MT) – during colonoscopy.

The Polymorphism rs3024505 (C/T) Downstream of the IL10 Gene Is Associated with Crohn's Disease in Serbian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), manifesting as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is characterized by recurring episodes of inflammation in gastrointestinal tract, in which aberrant production of regulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) presumably plays important role. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect IL-10 production, such as rs1800896 (G/A) at position -1082 and rs1800871 (C/T) at position -819 in the promoter region of the IL10 gene, have been associated with CD and/or UC, but the results were inconsistent. Another SNP that may alter IL-10 production, rs3024505 (C/T) located immediately downstream of the IL10 gene has been recently identified.

Conservative treatment of bronchobiliary fistula evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a pathological communication between the bronchial system and the biliary tree that presents with bilioptysis. Many conditions can cause its development. There is still no optimal therapy for BBF.

Assessment of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background/aim: In recent years mental health of patients including those with chronic liver disease (CLD), has become interesting because its disturbance leads to reduced quality of life, that is associated with worsening of clinical outcome, reduced compliance and increased mortality. The aim of the study was to determinate the frequency and severity of depression and frequency of anxiety in patients with CLD and to assess the contribution of selected socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory risk factors for depression and anxiety.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS) in patients with CLD.

Colorectal cancer screening in a low-incidence area: general invitation versus family risk targeting: a comparative study from Montenegro.

Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of two different screening approaches in a small country (Montenegro, 650,000 inhabitants) with a CRC incidence lower than the European average.

Methods: Two structured invitation programs were compared with respect to compliance and neoplasia yield: (i) program A focused on first-degree relatives of CRC patients diagnosed in two hospitals (n=206), inviting them for colonoscopy; (ii) program B was an invitation program for fecal occult blood testing, followed by colonoscopy if positive, conducted in University Hospital, Podgorica, Montenegro, on 2760 randomly selected average-risk persons, age 50-74 years, living in a single municipality.

Isolated hepatic sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Although hepatic granulomas occur in 50-65% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis, isolated liver sarcoidosis is rare. Clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic to manifest.

Bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers in patients without Helicobacter pylori infection and without exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background/aim: A high risk of bleeding in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-negative, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)-negative ulcers highlights the clinical importance of analysis of the changing trends of peptic ulcer disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for ulcer bleeding in patients with non-H.

Primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatic sarcoidosis--a case report.

Introduction: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an immune-mediated chronic progressive inflammatory liver disease leading to destruction of small interlobular bile ducts. Sarcoidosis is a chronic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by non-caseous granulomas.

Case Report: We reported a 69-year-old female patient with abdominal pain, malaise, vertigo, headaches, hands tremor and partial loss of hearing.

[Whipple's disease: a case report].

Introduction: Whipple's disease is a chronic, multisystem, infectious disease caused by Tropheryma whipplei. It most commonly affects Caucasian males, middle-aged. Morbus Whipple is primarily gastrointestinal disease, manifested as malabsorption syndrome, and diagnosed by endoscopy and intestinal biopsy.

Therapeutic double-balloon enteroscopy: a binational, three-center experience.

Background/aims: There are few reports focusing on therapeutic small bowel endoscopy. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of therapeutic small bowel endoscopy in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of a prospectively collected database comprising all patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic small bowel endoscopy in three centers.

[Congenital intestinal lymphangiectasia].

Background: Congenital intestinal lymphangiectasia is a disease which leads to protein losing enteropathy. Tortuous, dilated lymphatic vessels in the intestinal wall and mesenterium are typical features of the disease. Clinical manifestations include malabsorption, diarrhea, steatorrhea, edema and effusions.

Frequency and clinical caracteristics of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma in women.

Introduction: Available literature states that the incidence of colorectal adenomas and cancer is more common in men, however, lately has been observed increasing number of patients among women.

Aim: to analyze the frequency and clinical characteristics of colorectal adenomas and cancer in women.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective study in which data of 695 patients with colorectal adenomas and carcinomas have been analyzed from a total of 10,659 patients who underwent colonoscopy.

[Cholestatic hepatitis associated with nimesulide--a case report].

Introduction: A toxic effect of drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may be one of aetiological factors for the occurrence of acute hepatitis. Nimesulide is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, whose adverse effects on the liver range from acute hepatitis to more serious conditions, involving the development of acute liver failure and fatal outcome.

Case Outline: A female patient, aged 73, was admitted to the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic of the Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade because of liver failure.

[Upper gastrointestinal bleeding--five-year experience from one centre].

Introduction: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is the commonest emergency managed by gastroenterologists.

Objective: To assess the frequency of erosive gastropathy and duodenal ulcer as a cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding as well as its relation to age, gender and known risk factors.

Method: We conducted retrospective observational analysis of emergency endoscopy reports from the records of the Emergency Department of Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, during the period from 2000 to 2005.

Right liver lobe/albumin ratio: contribution to non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension.

Aim: To study the value of biochemical and ultraso-nographic parameters in prediction of presence and size of esophageal varices.

Methods: The study includes selected cirrhotic patients who underwent a complete biochemical workup, upper digestive endoscopic and ultrasonographic examinations. Albumin/right liver lobe diameter and platelet count/spleen diameter ratios were calculated.

Double common bile duct: a case report.

Double common bile duct (DCBD) is a rare congenital anomaly in which two common bile ducts exist. One usually has normal drainage into the papilla duodeni major and the other usually named accessory common bile duct (ACBD) opens in different parts of upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach, duodenum, ductus pancreaticus or septum). This anomaly is of great importance since it is often associated with biliary lithiasis, choledochal cyst, anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (APBJ) and upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies.

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix associated with adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon and hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver: report of a case.

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix is a rare condition and represents one of the three entities with the common name mucocele of the appendix. It is characterized by a cystic dilatation of the lumen with stasis of mucus inside it. Histopathologically mucocele is divided into three groups: focal or diffuse mucosal hyperplasia, mucinous cystadenoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.