Long-term efficacy and safety of CT-P13, a biosimilar of infliximab, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A retrospective multicenter study.

Background And Aim: A biosimilar of infliximab, CT-P13 (Remsima®) has the potential to reduce treatment costs and enhance access to biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, long-term clinical data on its use for IBD treatment are currently sparse. We aimed to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of CT-P13 therapy in a large, real-life IBD cohort.

Three-year colonoscopy surveillance after polypectomy in Korea: a Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID) multicenter prospective study.

Background/aims: Colonoscopic surveillance is currently recommended after polypectomy owing to the risk of newly developed colonic neoplasia. However, few studies have investigated colonoscopy surveillance in Asia. This multicenter and prospective study was undertaken to assess the incidence of advanced adenoma based on baseline adenoma findings at 3 years after colonoscopic polypectomy.

Post-marketing study of biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13) to evaluate its safety and efficacy in Korea.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT-P13 (Remsima(®)) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in South Korea.

Methods: This post-marketing study included patients with active moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD), fistulizing CD (FCD), or moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with CT-P13 and followed for 30 weeks. Assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and disease-specific clinical response and remission.

High-risk metachronous polyps are more frequent in patients with traditional serrated adenomas than in patients with conventional adenomas: a multicenter prospective study.

Background And Aims: Although the malignant progression of serrated polyps has been clearly documented, the malignant potential of the traditional serrated adenoma (TSA) subtype has not been established. We compared the prevalence of metachronous polyps in surveillance colonoscopies between patients with TSA and those with conventional adenomas (CAs).

Methods: Four hundred twenty patients were diagnosed with TSAs by current diagnostic criteria at 10 tertiary care university hospitals in Korea from January 2003 to December 2005; 186 patients who received surveillance colonoscopy after removal of initial polyps were enrolled.

Long-term clinical outcomes of korean patient with Crohn's disease following early use of infliximab.

Background/aims: Several recent studies have reported that the early use of infliximab (IFX) improves the prognosis of Crohn's disease (CD). However, no data are available from Asian populations, as the forementioned studies have all been conducted in Western countries. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of early use of IFX on the prognosis of Korean patients with CD.

The effect of infliximab on patients with ulcerative colitis in Korea.

Background/aims: Infliximab was introduced recently as a rescue therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients refractory to conventional treatments such as therapy with 5-amiono salicylic acids (5-ASA), immune modulators, and corticosteroids. However, there is insufficient data about its efficacy and safety in Korea.

Methods: From 7 tertiary referral hospitals, 33 patients who were treated with infliximab for moderate to severe (Mayo score 6-12) UC refractory to conventional treatment were recruited to this study.

Sodium Picosulfate with Magnesium Citrate (SPMC) Plus Laxative Is a Good Alternative to Conventional Large Volume Polyethylene Glycol in Bowel Preparation: A Multicenter Randomized Single-Blinded Trial.

Background/aims: We investigated whether sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (SPMC) plus bisacodyl compares favorably with conventional polyethylene glycol (PEG) with respect to bowel cleansing adequacy, compliance, and safety.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, prospective, single-blinded study in outpatients undergoing daytime colonoscopies. Patients were randomized into a split preparation SPMC/bisacodyl group and a conventional split PEG group.

Pathological Predictors for Defining a Therapeutic Strategy for Early Colon Cancer after Endoscopic Resection: Multicenter Retrospective Analysis from Surgically Resected Specimens.

Background/aims: For the possibility of regional lymph node metastasis (LNM), early colon cancer (ECC) is a boundary lesion between endoscopic resection and surgery. The aim of study is to clarify risk factors for LNM and to determine therapeutic strategy after endoscopic resection in patients with ECC.

Methodology: The histopathology of patients with ECC underwent surgery with LN dissection in 8 university hospitals were reviewed by experienced pathologist blinded to LN status.

Comparison of endoscopic band ligation and endoclip closure of colonic perforation: technical feasibility and efficacy in an ex vivo pig model.

Background And Aim: Recent reports have indicated several instances of successful treatment of bowel perforation by using endoscopic band ligation (EBL) when treatment with endoclipping is unsuccessful, but this salvage method has not been investigated in any prospective model. Herein we aimed to compare the technical feasibility and efficacy of EBL and endoclip use in intraluminal closure of colon perforation, in an ex vivo model.

Methods: Standardized colonic perforations were created using fresh porcine colon and subsequently closed by full-thickness interrupted sutures, endoclip (QuickClip2(TM)), or EBL.

Colonoscopy scheduling influences adenoma and polyp detection rates.

Background/aims: Because colonoscopy can be a technically challenging procedure, endoscopist fatigue, which usually increases as day progresses, may impact procedural performance. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of colonoscopy scheduling on adenoma and polyp detection rates (ADR and PDR, respectively).

Methodology: This was a retrospective study of data prospectively collected on 1,293 consecutive, asymptomatic, average-risk patients.

[Usefulness of polyp and adenoma detection rate in the proximal and distal colon].

Background/aims: The polyp detection rate (PDR) has been suggested as a surrogate for adenoma detection rate (ADR). The purpose of this study was to determine the level of agreement between PDR and ADR in the proximal and distal colon.

Methods: A total of 1,937 consecutive, asymptomatic individuals aged 40 years and older who underwent colonoscopies at six academic teaching hospitals in Korea were included in this study.

A clear liquid diet is not mandatory for polyethylene glycol-based bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopy in healthy outpatients.

Background/aims: A dietary regimen consisting of a clear liquid diet (CLD) for at least 24 hours is recommended for colonoscopy preparation. However, this requirement results in problems in patient compliance with bowel preparation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a CLD compared with a regular diet (RD) for colonoscopy preparation using a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution.

Seasonal variation in months of birth and symptom flares in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background/aims: Seasonal variation may influence the development and exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, most epidemiologic studies on this topic have been conducted in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to determine whether birth dates and symptom flares follow a seasonal pattern in Korean patients with IBD.

Patients with Crohn's disease on anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy are at significant risk of inadequate response to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

Background/aims: The effect of immunosuppressants on the efficacy of a variety of vaccines is a controversial issue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study we determined whether specific immunosuppressants impair the serological response to the standard 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in a large cohort of patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: This was a multi-center, prospective observational study of adult patients with CD at 15 academic teaching hospitals in Korea.

Clinical features and predictors of clinical outcomes in Korean patients with Crohn's disease: a Korean association for the study of intestinal diseases multicenter study.

Background And Aim: Although differences in genetic susceptibility and the clinical features of Crohn's disease (CD) have been reported between Asian and Caucasian patients, the disease course and predictors of CD in Asians remains poorly defined. The study therefore aimed to investigate factors predictive of the clinical outcomes of patients with CD in a Korean population.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included 728 Korean CD patients from 13 university hospitals.

Endoscopic Removal of a Proximally Migrated Metal Stent during Balloon Sweeping after Stent Trimming.

Placement of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) is an effective method for palliation of a malignant biliary obstruction. However, metal stents can cause various complications, including stent migration. Distally migrated metal stents, particularly covered SEMS, can be removed successfully in most cases.

Efficacy, safety, and predictors of response to infliximab therapy for ulcerative colitis: a Korean multicenter retrospective study.

Background/aims: Infliximab is currently used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) with an inadequate response to conventional agents. The efficacy and safety of infliximab in Korean patients with UC were assessed.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study including all adult patients who received at least one infliximab infusion for UC.

Clinical significance of the first surveillance colonoscopy after endoscopic early colorectal cancer removal.

Background/aims: We investigated the clinical significance of the first surveillance colonoscopy after endoscopic cancer removal.

Methodology: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single center. Patients diagnosed with early colon cancer after endoscopic removal (index colonoscopy) and who underwent surveillance colonoscopy within 1 year were enrolled.

Quantifying exposure to diagnostic radiation and factors associated with exposure to high levels of radiation in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Several recent studies have revealed that diagnostic imaging can result in exposure to potentially harmful levels of ionizing radiation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, these studies have been conducted exclusively in Western countries, and no data are available in Asian populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the diagnostic radiation exposure in Korean patients with IBD and to determine the factors associated with high radiation exposure.

Rescue endoscopic band ligation of iatrogenic gastric perforations following failed endoclip closure.

Iatrogenic gastric perforation is one of the most serious complications during therapeutic endoscopy, despite significant advances in endoscopic techniques and devices. This case study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of the rescue endoscopic band ligation (EBL) technique in iatrogenic gastric wall perforation following the failure of primary endoclip closure. Five patients were enrolled in this study.

A Survey of the Radiation Exposure Protection of Health Care Providers during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Korea.

Background/aims: During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), all efforts should be made to be aware of radiation hazards and to reduce radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of radiation protective equipment and the awareness of radiation exposure in health care providers performing ERCP in Korean hospitals.

Methods: A survey with a total of 42 questions was sent to each respondent via mail or e-mail between October 2010 and March 2011.

Human applications of submucosal endoscopy under conscious sedation for pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Background: The submucosal endoscopy provide not only a reliable methods of access and closure for peritoneoscopy, but also an endoscopic working space for full-thickness resection. The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcome of submucosal endoscopy for pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 10 patients who received submucosal endoscopies.

How do I overcome difficulties in insertion?

Demand for colonoscopy is increasing because it is an important tool not only for screening of colorectal neoplasm but also for resection of such lesions in early stage. Cecal intubation requires expertise on shortening of the examination time and improvement of the cecal intubation rate without causing pain to the patients. About 5% to 10% of patients still experience difficulties or failure of the cecal intubation.

[A Korean national survey for colorectal cancer screening and polyp diagnosis methods using web-based survey].

Background/aims: There is a paucity of national guideline for colorectal cancer screening and polyp diagnosis in Korea. Thus, we investigated the present state of colorectal cancer screening and polyp diagnosis methods using web-based survey to use as reference data for developing a guideline.

Methods: A multiple choice questionnaires of screening recommendations was sent via e-mail to members of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases and primary care physicians who participated in the national colonoscopy surveillance program.