Usefulness of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-Related Procedures for Gallstone Pancreatitis.

Introduction: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) are said to be useful procedures for gallstone pancreatitis. However, there have been few reports on a large number of patients to whom they were used. The clinical usefulness of ERCP and EST is herein examined retrospectively.

Usefulness of Elobixibat in Patients With Chronic Constipation After Cholecystectomy.

Background: There have been reports that elobixibat improves bowel movements in patients with chronic constipation. However, no studies have been conducted to date to examine bowel movements after the administration of elobixibat in patients with chronic constipation in terms of the presence or absence of the gallbladder. In this study, we examined the frequency of bowel movements and stool forms in patients with gallbladders and post-cholecystectomy patients before and after the administration of elobixibat for chronic constipation.

Natural history of asymptomatic gallbladder stones in clinic without beds: A long-term prognosis over 10 years.

Background: Several studies have explored the long-term prognosis of patients with asymptomatic gallbladder stones. These reports were primarily conducted in facilities equipped with beds for addressing symptomatic cases.

Aim: To report the long-term prognosis of patients with asymptomatic gallbladder stones in clinics without bed facilities.

Long-term outcome and risk factors associated with events in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with oral anticoagulants: The ASSAF-K registry.

Background: Oral anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) has changed dramatically. Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy is administered by general practitioners and specialists. However, the beneficial long-term effects and safety of DOACs have not been well investigated in real-world clinical practice.

Impact of Cognitive Frailty on Activities of Daily Living, Cognitive Function, and Conversion to Dementia Among Memory Clinic Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Very few studies have investigated the impact of cognitive frailty in clinical settings, especially in memory clinic populations.

Objective: To examine the impact of cognitive frailty on activities of daily living (ADL), cognitive function, and conversion to dementia among memory clinic patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: The subjects of this retrospective study were 248 MCI patients (mean age, 76.

Rationale and design of ASSAF-K (A study of the safety and efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in the treatment of atrial fibrillation in Kanagawa).

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmias associated with substantially increased risks of ischemic stroke and thromboembolism. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are the cornerstone of AF management and effectively prevent AF-related stroke. As new non-vitamin K antagonist OACs (NOACs) have become available, the landscape of stroke prevention in AF has changed.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Nilvadipine in Combination with an Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist in Patients with Essential Hypertension: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Uncontrolled Study.

Background: Combination therapy with different classes of antihypertensive drugs often is needed to achieve controlled blood pressure (BP). The combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (AIIA) and a calcium antagonist is a preferred option for reducing uncontrolled BP.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of nilvadipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, in combination with an AIIA.