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BACKGROUND: Obesity is a known risk factor of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, precise interconnections between excessive body fat and CRC are still vague. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether stage of CRC detected in overweight and obese individuals differs from individuals with normal body mass index (BMI). A secondary aim of this study was to elucidate whether overweight and obesity influence the overall survival in CRC. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 163,129 individuals who underwent screening colonoscopy performed on data from a prospectively maintained database of the Polish Colonoscopy Screening Program. RESULTS: Overweight and obese individuals present with a less advanced CRC in screening setting (p = 0.014). This trend is the most pronounced in males (p = 0.001). Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed that obesity was a negative predictor of detection of advanced CRC with odds ratio 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.52–1.00; p = 0.047). Furthermore, overweight and obesity were not statistically significant predictors of risk of death (p = 0.614 and p = 0.446, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Obese screenees present with a less advanced disease in comparison to non-obese. Moreover, survival stratified by clinical stage seems to not be influenced by BMI category. Therefore, a higher proportion of early diagnosed cancers can potentially create a survival benefit in this group.

Aim Chronic radiation proctitis is a long-term complication of radiation therapy for pelvic malignancy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two treatment regimens, sucralfate or placebo, following argon plasma coagulation (APC) for chronic haemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Method A single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was performed on patients with haemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis after irradiation for prostate, uterine, cervical, rectal or vaginal cancer. All patients received APC, and were then randomized to oral sucralfate (6 g twice a day) or placebo treatment for 4 weeks. APC was repeated every 8 weeks if necessary after the first session. Patients were graded clinically and endoscopically according to the Chutkan and Gilinski scales before and at 8 and 16 weeks after initial APC treatment (1.5–2 l/min, 25–40 W) and after 52 weeks (clinical only). Results Of 122 patients, 117 completed the entire protocol, with 57/60 in the sucralfate group and 60/62 in the placebo group. At baseline there were no significant differences between the sucralfate and placebo groups. At 1 year, a significant improvement in the clinical scale in both groups occurred compared with baseline. After 16 weeks, the median overall clinical severity scores fell from 4 to 2 points and the median bleeding score from 2 to 0 in both groups. Conclusion APC is safe and effective for the management of chronic radiation proctitis. Additional sucralfate treatment did not influence the clinical or endoscopic outcome.

To identify reasons for the high incidence rates of stomach cancer in Poland, we conducted a population-based case-control study in Warsaw. Cases were residents aged 21 to 79 years who were newly diagnosed with stomach cancer between March 1, 1994, and April 30, 1997. Controls were randomly selected from Warsaw residents registered at the nationwide Polish Electronic System of Residence Evidency, frequency-matched to cases by age and sex. Information on demographic characteristics; consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee; diet; medical history; family history of cancer; occupational history; and living conditions during adolescence was elicited by trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire. Included were 464 cases (90% of eligible) and 480 controls (87% of eligible). Among men, the risk of stomach cancer was significantly elevated among current smokers (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.7) but not among former smokers. The excess risk was largely confined to long-term and heavy smokers, with significant 2-fold excess risk among men who smoked 40 or more pack-years. Among women, an 80% increase in risk was observed in both current and former smokers but dose-response trends were less consistent than among men. Alcohol consumption was not clearly related to risk, and no association was found for drinking regular coffee or herbal tea or using milk/cream in coffee or tea. A significant reduction in risk was linked to daily tea drinking among women, but not among men. Our findings confirm an association with cigarette smoking, which is estimated to account for approximately 20% of stomach cancers diagnosed among Warsaw residents during the study period.

Background: A novel 1-h topical method eradicated Helicobacter pylori in 96% of dyspeptic patients. The eradication rate of amoxycillin/omeprazole therapy varies from 0 to 93%. Aim: To compare both methods in patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer. Methods: Eighty patients (59 males, 21 females; median age 43 years) were randomized into two therapeutic groups. The first group (group A) was treated with a 6-week course of ranitidine 300 mg/day, then omeprazole 20 mg b.d. with pronase 36 000 units/day for 2 days, followed by 1-h topical therapy with a solution of bismuth, metronidazole, amoxycillin and pronase. The second group (group B) consisted of patients treated with omeprazole 20 mg b.d. and amoxycillin 2 g/day for 2 weeks, followed by a 4-week course of ranitidine 300 mg/day. Eradication of H.␣pylori was assessed by urease test, histology, a polymerase chain reaction and a 13C-urea breath test, all of which were performed 4 weeks after discontinuation of the antibacterial treatment. Results: Eradication rates in groups A and B were 2.5% and 35% in an intention-to-treat analysis, respectively. Side-effects were encountered in 40.5% and 12.5% of subjects in groups A and B, respectively. Treatment tolerance was rated as poor by 54% of patients in group A and 2.5% of patients in group B. Conclusions: Both treatment regimens, the 1-h topical method and amoxycillin with omeprazole, have low eradication rates in patients with duodenal ulcer. In addition, the topical treatment is characterized by a high rate of side-effects and poor tolerance. Based on the results of our study, neither method can be recommended for eradication of H. pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer.

United European Gastroenterology is a successful federation of gastroenterological societies (called member societies). Thanks to its organizational success it may allocate as much as half a million Euro to support postgraduate teaching in gastroenterology in Europe. Every gastroenterological society that is a member of UEG (16 specialist societies “Ordinary Members” and 46 national societies “National Society Members”) may apply. This is a great opportunity! Two main forms of postgraduate teaching are supported. One is the support of a single regular educational meeting (up to 25,000 euro may be granted). Second is the support of a long-term educational project planned for three consecutive years with the intention to develop stand-alone long-term educational event. In this type of event, the first year is granted with up to € 50,000 and the subsequent two years with up to €25,000 euro each year. For the last two years a specially designed scoring system to evaluate applications is in place. It promotes several aspects of teaching that are regarded by UEG to be very important. Namely, the high scores are applied for such aspects like interactivity and multidisciplinarity. Therefore we check whether organizers allowed enough time for discussion, whether they are planning to use voting interactive system or include in the programme case presentation with participation of the audience in solving clinical problems. We also look at such aspects as balance in geographical distribution of speakers and attendees, age and gender of speakers, location of the postgraduate course and planned cooperation with other society. Of course, the typical and obvious criteria are also applied as justification of undertaking the course, the topic of the course, well-structured budget etc. Well visible is also such preparation of the course that the materials (e.g. recordings) may be used by the UEG e-learning platform. All applications are scored by the members of the Educational Committee that consists of one representative from each Ordinary Member Society of UEG. Of course, members are excluded from judging their own society application. The system of voting and democratic methodology is regarded as fair and valuable. For example the number of applications per society as well as number of granted support per society is not limited. So, if there are many good proposals from a given society they all could be granted. In order to keep the high standards it was decided that the score below the 50% of attainable scoring will not be considered for support. Of course, nothing is ideal; but we think that such evaluation system is better than the old, opinion-based system. Results of the last two years application process are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Statistics of the last two years after introduction of new scoring system There are several criteria that have to be fulfilled not only during application process but also during and after the education event. Examples are: a need to place a logo of UEG at all event materials and the event website, or a need to submit a report after the meeting has taken place. These points and others are required and if not fulfilled the grant will not be paid. Details for those who want to place application may be found at www.ueg.eu/education/ts/.. This year application is open from February 17 until May 12 for 2015 events. We invite all gastroenterological societies to try. We want to sponsor the best education in gastroenterology.