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Background/Aims Improving quality of life has been gaining importance in ulcerative colitis (UC) management. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL) and related factors in patients with moderate-to-severe UC. Methods A multicenter, hospital-based, prospective study was performed using a Moderateto- Severe Ulcerative Colitis Cohort in Korea (the MOSAIK). Changes in HRQL, evaluated using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), were analyzed at the time of diagnosis and 1 year later. Results In a sample of 276 patients, the mean age was 38.4 years, and the majority of patients were male (59.8%). HRQL tended to increase in both the IBDQ and SF-12 1 year after diagnosis. A higher partial Mayo score was significantly related to poorer HRQL on the IBDQ and SF-12 in a linear mixed model (p

Background/Aims Few studies have investigated terminal ileal lesions and their prognostic value in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We evaluated the clinical significance of these lesions as a prognostic factor in patients with UC who were in clinical remission. Methods We retrospectively selected 567 of 4,066 colonoscopy reports that included positive findings from orificial observations of the terminal ileum (TI) and appendix in patients with UC. We finally recruited patients who were in clinical remission (n=204). We compared the clinical courses, including relapse and other prognostic parameters associated with UC, between the groups. Results The baseline patient characteristics were not significantly different between patients with (n=69, TI+ group) and without TI lesions (n=135, TI– group), although there were more never-smokers in the TI+ group (n=57 [82.6%] in the TI+ group; n=86 [63.7%] in the TI– group; p=0.005). Of note, appendiceal orifice inflammation (AOI) was less frequently found in the TI+ group (14.5%) than in the TI– group (71.9%, p

Background/Aims Previous studies have investigated the relationship between visceral obesity and the risk of colorectal tumors. Visceral obesity may affect the outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC), including survival and metastasis. We investigated the associations between visceral adipose tissue and oncologic outcomes in stage III CRC. Methods Four hundred seventy-two patients with stage III CRC were identified. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue areas were measured volumetrically via computed tomography for each patient at different levels of the lumbar spine. After adjusting for age, sex, and other clinical factors, the effects of visceral adipose tissue area on mortality and recurrence were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results In univariate and multivariate analyses, a higher visceral adipose tissue to total adipose tissue (VT) ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 1.041; 95% CI, 1.008 to 1.075; p=0.015) and higher visceral adipose tissue to subcutaneous adipose tissue (VS) ratio (HR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.028; p=0.006) were both associated with poor CRC-specific survival. Interestingly, in the evaluation of each site of recurrence, a higher VT ratio (HR, 1.069; 95% CI, 1.010 to 1.131; p=0.020) and higher VS ratio (HR, 1.024; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.045; p=0.023) were both related to a higher risk of peritoneal seeding and tumor recurrence. The VT ratio at the L3-L4 level was significantly associated with a higher risk of peritoneal seeding and tumor recurrence (HR, 4.969; 95% CI, 1.303 to 18.949; p=0.019), while other levels showed no such relationship. Conclusions Visceral obesity is closely related to increased risks of CRC-specific mortality and peritoneal seeding metastasis in stage III CRC patients.

Background/Aims: A considerable number of patients with Crohn’s disease still need intestinal resection surgery. Postoperative recurrence is an important issue in Crohn’s disease management, including the selection of high-risk patients. Eastern Asian patients showed several differences from Caucasian patients. Therefore, we investigated the postoperative surgical recurrence outcome and identified risk factors in Korean patients. Methods: Clinical data of 372 patients with Crohn’s disease who underwent first intestinal resection between January 2004 and August 2014 at 14 hospitals in Korea were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Over the follow-up period, 50 patients (17.1%) showed surgi cal recurrence. The cumulative surgical recurrence rate was 6.5% at 1 year and 15.4% at 7 years. Age under 16 (p=0.011; hazard ratio [HR], 5.136; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.576 to 16.731), colonic involvement (p=0.023; HR , 2.011; 95% CI, 1.102 to 3.670), and the presence of perianal disease at surgery (p=0.008; HR, 2.239; 95% CI, 1.236 to 4.059) were independent risk factors associated with surgical recurrence. Postoperative thiopurine treatment (p=0.002; HR, 0.393; 95% CI, 0.218 to 0.710) was a protective factor for surgical recurrence. Conclusions: Among the disease characteristics at surgery, younger age, colonic location, and perianal le sions were independent risk factors for surgical recurrence. Postoperative thiopurine treatment significantly reduced the incidence of surgical recurrence. (Gut Liver 2020;14:331-337)

Background/Aims: Bicarbonate-containing alginate formula tions are reported to be effective for controlling reflux symp toms. However, the efficacy of Lamina G alginate without gas production has not been reported. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of a non-bicarbonate alginate in individuals with reflux symptoms without reflux esophagitis. Methods: Par ticipants who had experienced heartburn or regurgitation for 7 consecutive days were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: proton pump inhibitors (PPI) plus alginate (combination) or PPI plus placebo (PPI only). In addition, as a reference group, patients received placebo plus alginate (alginate only). The primary endpoint compared the percent age of patients with complete resolution of symptoms for the final 7 days of the treatment. Secondary endpoints com pared changes in symptom score, symptom-free days during the treatment period, the Reflux Disease Questionnaire, Pa tient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders (PAGI)-Quality of Life and PAGI-Symptoms Severity Index scores, the investigator’s assessment of symptoms, and incidence of ad verse events. Results: Complete resolution of heartburn or regurgitation was not significantly different between the com bination and PPI only groups (58.7% vs 57.5%, p=0.903). The secondary endpoints were not significantly different between the two groups. Complete resolution of heartburn or regurgitation, did not differ between the alginate only reference group and the PPI only group (75.0% vs 57.5%, p=0.146). Conclusions: The addition of non-bicarbonate al ginate to PPI was no more effective than PPI alone in control ling reflux symptoms. (Gut Liver 2019;13:642-648)

Background/Aims Many patients with Crohn's disease (CD) undergo intestinal resection during the disease course. Despite surgery, postoperative recurrence (POR) commonly occurs. Although postoperative use of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors is known to be effective in preventing POR, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of continuing the same TNF-α inhibitors postoperatively in patients who received TNF-ɑ inhibitors before surgery. Methods This retrospective observational study was performed in a single tertiary medical center. We retrospectively reviewed patients who had undergone the first intestinal resection due to CD and divided them into two groups: TNF-α inhibitor users in both the preoperative and postoperative periods, and TNF-α inhibitor users in only the preoperative period. We compared the clinical outcomes between these two groups. Results In total, 45 patients who used TNF-α inhibitors preoperatively were recruited. Among them, TNF-α inhibitors were used postoperatively in 20 patients (44.4%). The baseline characteristics except age at diagnosis were similar in both groups. The rates of surgical and endoscopic recurrence were not different between the two groups, but the cumulative clinical recurrence rate was significantly lower in the postoperative TNF-α inhibitors group (log-rank p=0.003). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, postoperative TNF-α inhibitors use was significantly associated with a decreased risk of clinical recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.204; 95% confidence interval, 0.060 to 0.691; p=0.011). Conclusions Continuing TNF-α inhibitors postoperatively in patients who were receiving TNF-α inhibitors before surgery significantly reduced the rate of clinical recurrence. For patients with CD who received TNF-α inhibitors preoperatively, continuing their use after surgery could be recommended.

Background/Aims We aimed to estimate the cumulative incidence of advanced colonic neoplasia and analyze the risk factors for advanced colonic neoplasia according to risk components and adenoma location at index colonoscopy. Methods We reviewed 1,974 subjects who underwent a follow-up colonoscopy after a complete screening colonoscopy and the removal of all polyps. We estimated the cumulative incidence of a subsequent advanced neoplasia according to risk groups (normal, low-risk, and high-risk). Risk factors were analyzed by risk components (≥3 adenomas, adenoma ≥1 cm, and villous-type adenoma) and adenoma location. Results Overall, 111 advanced neoplasias (5.6%) were newly diagnosed at the follow-up colonoscopy. The 3-year cumulative incidences of advanced neoplasia were 0.8%, 3.1%, and 10.2% in the normal, low-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively (p

Background/Aims: Benign intestinal strictures are common complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to assess the long-term prognosis of endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) to treat benign strictures in IBD patients. Methods: Patients with IBD who had benign strictures and who underwent EBD in four tertiary referral university hospitals between January 2004 and February 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Technical success was defined as the ability to pass the scope through the stricture after balloon dilation, and clinical success was defined as improved obstructive symptoms. Results: Forty-two benign strictures were identified in 30 patients (15 males and 15 females). Technical success was achieved in 26 patients (86.7%) at the first EBD attempt and in all 30 patients (100%) at the second EBD attempt. Clinical success was seen in 28 patients (93.3%). The median follow-up duration was 134.8 months (range, 10.2 to 252.0 months), and recurrence occurred in eight patients (26.7%), who required repeat EBD. The median duration to relapse was 1.7 months (range, 0.2 to 6.3 months). During repeat EBD, perforation occurred in two cases (6.7%), which were both clipped successfully. Finally, only one patient (3.3%) underwent surgery for the relief of recurrent obstructive symptoms during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The experience of 10 years shows that EBD is safe and effective for the treatment of benign strictures in IBD patients. Importantly, EBD may allow long-term effective palliation of the symptoms associated with benign intestinal strictures in IBD patients. (Gut Liver 2018;12:530-536)

Background/Aims This study sought to determine the natural course of Crohn's disease (CD) and identify predictors that could indicate responsiveness to corticosteroid (CS) therapy. Methods Patients with active CD who were treated with oral CS at a single institution between August 1994 and February 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical outcomes at 1 month, 4 months, and 1 year after the treatment, as well as clinical and biochemical parameters at the time of CS initiation, were evaluated. Results A total of 96 patients with CD were enrolled. In this study, 37 patients achieved complete remission (38.5%), 49 achieved partial remission (51.0%), and 10 (10.4%) showed no response at 1 month after the initiation of CS treatment. At 4 months and 1 year after treatment, 66 (69.5%) and 47 (56.6%) patients showed prolonged response, 22 (23.2%) and 20 (24.1%) showed steroid dependency, and 7 (7.4%) and 16 (19.3%) showed refractoriness, respectively. Nonstricturing and nonpenetrating behaviors and a lower CD activity index demonstrated clinical significance for mid-term or mid- and long-term steroid responses, respectively. Conclusions The short-term response rate to initial oral CS therapy in CD was considerably high, but responsiveness thereafter showed a tendency to decrease with time. Clinical parameters reflecting mild inflammation were associated with responsiveness after CS treatment.