Diagnostic value of the C methacetin breath test in various stages of chronic liver disease.

The accuracy of the (13)C-methacetin breath test ((13)C-MBT) in differentiating between various stages of liver disease is not clear. A cross-sectional study of Asian patients was conducted to examine the predictive value of the (13)C-MBT in various stages of chronic liver diseases. Diagnostic accuracy of the breath test was determined by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the curve analysis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is a significant cause of peptic ulcer disease in a tertiary hospital in Singapore: a prospective study.

Background: Peptic ulcers due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use may have contributed to the static prevalence of ulcer disease in Asia.

Goal: We aimed to determine the current etiology of peptic ulcer disease in Singapore.

Study: Consecutive patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy who had not been exposed to antibiotics, or antiulcer therapy within the past 6 months, and in whom peptic ulcers were found, were prospectively studied.

Complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the post-MRCP era: a tertiary center experience.

Aim: To evaluate our experience in endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in terms of fulfilling the ASGE guidelines in indications, positive findings, and complications in the post-magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) era.

Methods: Between November 2001 and February 2003, consecutive ERCP cases were prospectively evaluated with regard to the indications, findings, cannulation techniques, devices used during the procedure, sedation given, duration of procedure, and complications. These data were entered in a database for subsequent processing and analysis.