Psychomotor speed as a predictor of functional status in older chronic heart failure (CHF) patients attending cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: The association among psychological, neuropsychological dysfunctions and functional/clinical variables in Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) has been extensively addressed in literature. However, only a few studies investigated those associations in the older population.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychological/neuropsychological profile of older CHF patients, to explore the interrelation with clinical/functional variables and to identify potential independent predictors of patients' functional status.

Oropharyngeal acid reflux and motility abnormalities of the proximal esophagus.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between pathological oropharyngeal (OP) acid exposure and esophageal motility in patients with extra-esophageal syndromes.

Methods: In this prospective study we enrolled consecutive outpatients with extra-esophageal symptoms suspected to be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We enrolled only patients with a reflux symptom index (RSI) score-higher than 13 and with previous lung, allergy and ear, nose and throat evaluations excluding other specific diagnoses.

2-Litre polyethylene glycol-citrate-simethicone plus bisacodyl versus 4-litre polyethylene glycol as preparation for colonoscopy in chronic constipation.

Background: Chronic constipation is a risk factor of inadequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy; however, no large clinical trials have been performed in this subgroup of patients.

Aims: To compare bowel cleansing efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of 2-L polyethylene-glycol-citrate-simethicone (PEG-CS) plus 2-day bisacodyl (reinforced regimen) vs. 4-L PEG in patients with chronic constipation undergoing colonoscopy.

Long-term efficacy of transoral incisionless fundoplication with Esophyx (Tif 2.0) and factors affecting outcomes in GERD patients followed for up to 6 years: a prospective single-center study.

Background: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with the EsophyX™ device creates an antireflux valve with good functional results in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of TIF 2.0 on pathological reflux and symptoms in GERD patients with daily dependence on proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

Improved 5-year survival of patients with immunochemical faecal blood test-screen-detected colorectal cancer versus non-screening cancers in northern Italy.

Background: Colorectal cancer screening may reduce disease-related mortality by early-stage detection of cancers.

Aims: To study the effect of a single immunochemical faecal occult blood test (i-FOBt) screening round on reduction in colorectal cancer-related-mortality among average risk subjects.

Methods: Comparison of 5-year mortality rates in 3 cohorts from a Northern Italian province: (1) colorectal cancers detected at the 1st biennial round of a mass-screening programme targeting 50-69 years old subjects, (2) non-screening cancers symptomatically diagnosed during the same time period, and (3) cancers detected in the pre-screening biennium.

Correlation between oropharyngeal pH-monitoring and esophageal pH-impedance monitoring in patients with suspected GERD-related extra-esophageal symptoms.

Background: 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance (pH-MII) is not totally reliable for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Oropharyngeal (OP) pH-monitoring with the Dx-pH probe may detect LPR better. The correlation between these two techniques is not thoroughly established.

Anatomic distribution of cancers and colorectal adenomas according to age and sex and relationship between proximal and distal neoplasms in an i-FOBT-positive average-risk Italian screening cohort.

Background And Aims: Subsite-specific incidence rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas may vary considerably by race, sex and age as well as due to different screening strategies. We assessed variations in the anatomical distribution of adenomas according to age and sex in an average-risk screening cohort testing positive at immunological faecal occult blood test (i-FOBT) in northern Italy.

Methods: Data from 2,281 consecutive asymptomatic i-FOBT-positive subjects ageing 50-70 years undergone colonoscopy were reviewed.

High-definition with i-Scan gives comparable accuracy for detecting colonic lesions by non-expert and expert endoscopists.

Background: Lesion detection rate during colonoscopy may be influenced by the endoscopist's experience. EPK-i system colonoscopy (i-Scan) can improve mucosal and vascular visualization for detecting lesions.

Aim: To compare mucosal lesions detection rate and the withdrawal time of the instrument among non-expert and expert endoscopists.

Oropharyngeal pH monitoring for laryngopharyngeal reflux: is it a reliable test before therapy?

Objective: Current methods of measuring pharyngeal pH are problematic. The aim of the study was to assess the ability of the oropharyngeal pH monitoring (Restech) in predicting the response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease-related laryngopharyngeal symptoms.

Study Design: The study design is prospective and uncontrolled.

High-definition colonoscopy with i-Scan: better diagnosis for small polyps and flat adenomas.

Aim: To investigate if high-definition (HD) colonoscope with i-Scan gave a higher detection rate of mucosal lesions vs standard white-light instruments.

Methods: Data were collected from the computerized database of the endoscopy unit of our tertiary referral center. We retrospectively analyzed 1101 consecutive colonoscopies that were performed over 1 year with standard white-light (n = 849) or HD+ with i-Scan (n = 252) instruments by four endoscopists, in an outpatient setting.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication with EsophyX® for treatment of gastro-oesphageal reflux disease.

Gastro-oesphageal reflux disease results primarily from the loss of an effective antireflux barrier, which forms a mechanical barrier against the retrograde movement of gastric content. This review describes the technique of performing a transoral incisionless fundoplication with the EsophyX® device. Transoral incisionless fundoplication reconfigures the tissue so as to establish serosa-to-serosa plications which include the muscular layers, and construct 3-5 cm long valves 200-300° in circumference.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF 2.0) with EsophyX for gastroesophageal reflux disease: long-term results and findings affecting outcome.

Introduction: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with the EsophyX(™) device is reported to be effective for creating a continent gastroesophageal valve and for good functional results, as measured by pH impedance in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study is to assess the long-term effect of TIF in patients with symptomatic GERD.

Patients And Methods: TIF 2.

Precut sphincterotomy, repeated cannulation and post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with bile duct stone disease.

Background: Repeated attempts at cannulating the papilla of Vater and "needle-knife" precut sphincterotomy are independent risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis. Whether precut alone or repeated attempts at cannulation is the culprit factor in the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis remains controversial.

Aim: To retrospectively assess the role of precutting and multiple cannulation in the occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis in a consecutive series of patients with bile stone disease.

Risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis in high- and low-volume centers and among expert and non-expert operators: a prospective multicenter study.

Objectives: Prospective studies have identified a number of patient- and procedure-related independent risk factors for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, with different conclusions, so various questions are still open. The endoscopist's expertise, case volume, and case mix can all significantly influence the outcome of ERCP procedures, but have been investigated little to date.

Methods: We identified patient- and procedure-related risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis and the impact of the endoscopist's experience and the center's case volume, using univariate and multivariate analysis, in a multicenter, prospective study involving low- and high-volume centers, over a 6-month period.

Effect of transoral incisionless fundoplication on symptoms, PPI use, and ph-impedance refluxes of GERD patients.

Background: Three previous studies from the same institution have reported that transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with the EsophyX device is effective for creating a continent gastroesophageal valve and for good functional results as measured only by pH-metry in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of TIF on symptoms, use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), esophageal motility, and pH-impedance in patients with symptomatic GERD.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients were enrolled to complete the GERD-HRQL and GERD-QUAL questionnaires while on and off PPI.

ERCP-induced and non-ERCP-induced acute pancreatitis: Two distinct clinical entities with different outcomes in mild and severe form?

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography. Aim of the study was to compare endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related acute pancreatitis with attacks caused by other factors.

Methods: A series of consecutive patients with non-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related acute pancreatitis referred to our hospital in 2007-2008 were examined retrospectively, and compared with the same number of patients with post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography acute pancreatitis done in the same institution.