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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission, making disease monitoring and management challenging. Endoscopy, the gold standard for assessing disease activity and severity, involves invasive procedures and is associated with patient discomfort and risks. Using machine learning (ML) to combine fecal calprotectin with other clinical or biological tests can significantly enhance the non-invasive prediction of endoscopic disease activity (EDA) in UC. Aim: To prove that by fusing fecal calprotectin with other clinical data into an ML model, the performance of the non-invasive prediction of EDA can be significantly improved. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, single-center study encompassing 103 patients diagnosed with UC. We employed multilayer perceptron models as the core ML algorithm for predicting EDA. For the constructed models, we utilized the varImp function from the caret library in R to assess the significance of each variable in predicting the outcome. Results: Calprotectin as a sole predictor obtained an accuracy of 70% and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.68. Combining calprotectin with the list of selected predictors that were fed to the MLP models improved accuracy and the AUC. The accuracy of the algorithm on the test set was 85%. Similarly, the AUC increased to 0.93. This is the first study to propose the use of calprotectin as a predictor in an ML model to estimate UC endoscopic disease activity. Conclusion: The deployment of this ML model can furnish doctors and patients with valuable evaluation of endoscopic disease activity which can be highly beneficial for individuals with UC who need long-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a global prevalence of around 4.1% and is associated with a low quality of life and increased healthcare costs. Current guidelines recommend that IBS is diagnosed using the symptom-based Rome IV criteria. Despite this, when patients seek medical attention, they are usually over-investigated. This issue might be resolved by novel technologies in medicine, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this context, this paper aims to review AI applications in IBS. AI in colonoscopy proved to be useful in organic lesion detection and diagnosis and in objectively assessing the quality of the procedure. Only a recently published study talked about the potential of AI-colonoscopy in IBS. AI was also used to study biofilm characteristics in the large bowel and establish a potential relationship with IBS. Moreover, an AI algorithm was developed in order to correlate specific bowel sounds with IBS. In addition to that, AI-based smartphone applications have been developed to facilitate the monitoring of IBS symptoms. From a therapeutic standpoint, an AI system was created to recommend specific diets based on an individual's microbiota. In conclusion, future IBS diagnosis and treatment may benefit from AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suitable, non-invasive biomarker for assessing endoscopic disease activity (EDA) in ulcerative colitis (UC) has yet to be identified. Our study aimed to develop a cost-effective and non-invasive machine learning (ML) method that utilizes the cost-free Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) score and low-cost biological predictors to estimate EDA. Four random forest (RF) and four multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifiers were proposed. The results show that the inclusion of IBDQ in the list of predictors that were fed to the models improved accuracy and the AUC for both the RF and the MLP algorithms. Moreover, the RF technique performed noticeably better than the MLP method on unseen data (the independent patient cohort). This is the first study to propose the use of IBDQ as a predictor in an ML model to estimate UC EDA. The deployment of this ML model can furnish doctors and patients with valuable insights into EDA, a highly beneficial resource for individuals with UC who need long-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 disease is yielding a global outbreak with severe threats to public health. In this paper, we aimed at reviewing the current knowledge about COVID-19 infectious risk status in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients requiring immunosuppressive medication. We also focused on several molecular insights that could explain why IBD patients appear not to have higher risks of infection and worse outcomes in COVID-19 than the general population in an attempt to provide scientific support for safer decisions in IBD patient care. Methods. PubMed electronic database was interrogated for relevant articles involving data about common molecular pathways and shared treatment strategies between SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Besides, Neural Covidex, an artificial intelligence tool, was used to answer queries about pathogenic coronaviruses and possible IBD interactions using the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19). Discussions. Few molecular and therapeutic interactions between IBD and pathogenic coronaviruses were explored. First, we showed how the activity of soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, CD209L other receptors, and phosphorylated α subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 might exert protective impact in IBD in case of coronavirus infection. Second, IBD medication was discussed in the context of possible beneficial effects on COVID-19 pathogeny, including "cytokine storm" prevention and treatment, immunomodulation, interferon signaling blocking, and viral endocytosis inhibition. Conclusions. Using the current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 as well as other pathogenic coronaviruses immunopathology, we showed why IBD patients should not be considered at an increased risk of infection or more severe outcomes. Whether our findings are entirely applicable to the pathogenesis, disease susceptibility, and treatment management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in IBD must be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric emptying and glycemic control pathways are closely interrelated processes. Gastric chyme is transferred into the duodenum with velocities depending on its solid or liquid state, as well as on its caloric and nutritional composition. Once nutrients enter the intestine, the secretion of incretins (hormonal products of intestinal cells) is stimulated. Among incretins, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has multiple glycemic-regulatory effects that include delayed gastric emptying, thus triggering a feedback loop lowering postprandial serum glucose levels. Glycemic values also influence gastric emptying; hyperglycemia slows it down, and hypoglycemia accelerates it, both limiting glycemic fluctuations. Disordered gastric emptying in diabetes mellitus is understood today as a complex pathophysiological condition, with both irreversible and reversible components and high intra- and interindividual variability of time span and clinical features. While limited delays may be useful for reducing postprandial hyperglycemias, severely hindered gastric emptying may be associated with higher glycemic variability and worsened long-term glycemic control. Therapeutic approaches for both gastric emptying and glycemic control include dietary modifications of meal structure or content and drugs acting as GLP-1 receptor agonists. In the foreseeable future, we will probably witness a wider range of dietary interventions and more incretin-based medications used for restoring both gastric emptying and glycemic levels to nearly physiological levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: to compare the efficacy and safety of Adalimumab(ADA) and Infliximab(IFX), in a large Romanian population and to identify predictors of response. Methods We performed a national retrospective cohort study including 265 patients (136 ADA, 129 IFX) between 2008-2014. Binary logistic regression was performed with the statistical program Minitab. Results: Patients were half women, with a median age of 36, a median disease duration of 2.5 years, 80% received Azathioprine. Mean therapy duration was 20 months in ADA group and 36 months in IFX group. Complete response to Adalimumab respectively Infliximab was recorded in 77%vs.65%, secondary loss of response in 18%vs.28%, statistically comparable. We failed to identify predictors of response. In 79.2%of patients with secondary loss of response to ADA, the dose was escalated, 12.5% were switched to Infliximab. In 70%of patients that lost response to IFX, the dose was increased, 30% were switched to Adalimumab. Conclusions: Adalimumab and Infliximab have similar efficacy, with a complete response rate of~70%. In case of secondary loss of response to IFX, the best solution is to switch to ADA, with 83% response rate, while in case of secondary loss of response to ADA, increasing the dose leads to 84 % response rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the impact of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) on the patients' quality of life (QoL) and to identify the significant changes in QoL depending on the developmental particularities of IBD and the epidemiological parameters. A prospective study was conducted over a period of 36 months (October 2011-October 2014) at the Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iai. The study was conducted on 254 patients diagnosed with IBD, 187 patients with UC and 67 patients with CD. The quality of life was assessed using the questionnaire IBDQ-32 (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire), which is one of the most widely used questionnaires in QoL assessment. The total IBDQ score was slightly more reduced in the patients with UC compared to the patients with CD. Of the 4 subscales of the IBDQ score, the scores highlighting the emotional and social component were significantly more reduced in the patients with UC, while the scores for the bowel symptoms were significantly more reduced in the patients with CD. In both the patients with UC and with CD, the correlations between the UCDAI, respectively CDAI score and the IBDQ score were indirect, highlighting reduced values of IBDQ in patients with a severe activity of the disease. The severe flare of the disease had a negative impact on the patients' QoL. The present study confirms the fact that the activity of the disease is the factor likely to have the highest impact on QoL in IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies indicate that persistent intestinal inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) might be caused by abnormal intestinal microbiota. This hypothesis may suggest a beneficial effect of antibiotics in CD therapy. So far, guidelines do not recommend antibiotics except in the treatment of complicated CD, and there are few studies on the effects of rifaximin in these patients. Methods: Between December 2011 and December 2012, we performed a blinded randomized trial in 168 patients with a previous history of moderately active CD concerning the efficacy of rifaximin. All the patients had previously achieved remission with standard therapy (prednisone/budesonide). Data from patients receiving 800 mg of rifaximin (83 patients) twice a day for 12 weeks were compared with those from patients who received placebo (83 patients). The primary endpoint was maintaining remission during the follow-up. Results: All the patients (100%; 83/83) on 800 mg of rifaximin were in remission after 12 weeks of treatment in comparison with 84% (70/83) of the placebo group. This significant difference was also persistent at the 24-week follow-up [78% (65/83) vs. 41% (34/83), respectively]. The last evaluation performed at 48 weeks revealed disease activity in 45% (38/83) of the patients of the rifaximin group, i.e. a significant decrease compared with the placebo group [75% (63 of 83)]. Conclusions: Remission previously obtained with standard treatment can be sustained in patients with moderately active CD after the administration of 800 mg of rifaximin. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial nutrition represents the whole set of medical therapies which totally or partially replace oral feeding when this is no longer possible. Artificial nutrition needs to be initiated and withdrawn depending on the balance between the advantages and disadvantages induced to the patient. The medical world frequently encounters dilemmas about initiating and withdrawing this treatment. Numerous controversies still exist regarding the appropriate use of enteral or parenteral nutrition in certain categories of patients, such as those with strokes, with persistent vegetative states, with dementia, with neoplasms or other terminal illnesses. The decision to initiate, withhold or withdraw this medical procedure needs to be based on the patient's autonomy. If the patient is no longer capable of making decisions and has not left previous clear directives, it is the responsibility of the patient's legal representative, of the family or of the Court to decide according to the medical data on the respective case and the legal provisions in force in each country. Other ethical issues are generated by the obligation to rationalize health care resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the excellent safety profile and the high efficacy rates, great benefits were expected with the availability of the new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Following the publication of two articles in 2016 on the high incidence rates of HCC following DAAs, several papers revealed contradictory results, thereby casting shadows on the role of DAAs in hepatocarcinogenesis. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of HCC in patients with HCV genotype 1b infection and compensated cirrhosis with the sustained virological response (SVR) following DAAs. Methods: This multicentric prospective study encompassed 479 patients with HCV genotype 1b compensated cirrhosis treated with paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir and dasabuvir (PrOD) +/- ribavirin (RBV) for 12 weeks in two tertiary centers in Northeastern Romania. The patients were prospectively followed up in the Institute of Gastroenterology Iasi, Romania, from November 2015 to December 2020. Results: During the follow-up period (mean 60.11-3.87 months), 23 patients (4.8%) developed HCC. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative incidence rates of HCC were 1.1, 1.9, and 2.6%, respectively. At the time of the diagnosis, 15 patients (65%)had a single tumor, 12 patients (52.2%)were within the Milan criteria, and nine persons (39%) had Barcelona liver cancer stage 0-A. In this regard, the mean AFP level was 35.3-93.1 ng/mL. A multivariate analysis, age above 65 years, and a cutoff point of AFP≥ 10 ng/mL at the end of treatment were independent factors associated with HCC. A majority of the patients (n = 11, 47.8%) received curative treatment by surgical resection. In this study, histopathological examination identified a moderately differentiated tumor (G2) in 5 patients, five patients had a poorly differentiated tumor (G3), and only one patient had a well-differentiated tumor (G1). Conclusions: Our study revealed no evidence of the high incidence rate of HCC after the long-term follow-up of patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis and SVR following DAA treatment. However, the cumulative 5-year risk remained above the cutoff point, and this makes the HCC screening cost-effective. The HCC occurrence appears to be associated with aging and a moderately increased AFP level at EOT (≥ 10 ng/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition present in daily practice with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. In this line, respiratory conditions may be associated with GERD. The Romanian Societies of Gastroenterology and Neurogastroenterology, in association with the Romanian Society of Pneumology, aimed to create a guideline regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions associated with GERD. Methods: Delphi methodology was used and eleven common working groups of experts were created. The experts reviewed the literature according to GRADE criteria and formulated 34 statements and recommendations. Consensus (>80% agreement) was reached for some of the statements after all participants voted. Results: All the statements and the literature review are presented in the paper, together with their correspondent grade of evidence and the voting results. Based on >80% voting agreement, a number of 22 recommendations were postulated regarding the diagnosis and treatment of GERD-induced respiratory symptoms. The experts considered that GERD may cause bronchial asthma and chronic cough in an important number of patients through micro-aspiration and vagal-mediated tracheobronchial reflex. GERD should be suspected in patients with asthma with suboptimal controlled or after exclusion of other causes, also in nocturnal refractory cough which needs gastroenterological investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Therapeutic test with double dose proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for 3 months is also useful. GERD induced respiratory conditions are difficult to treat; however, proton pump inhibitors and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are endorsed for therapy. Conclusions: This guideline could be useful for the multidisciplinary management of GERD with respiratory symptoms in current practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Identifying the risk factors for extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may optimize the therapeutic decision. We aimed to assess the prevalence of EIMs in IBD patients in Romania and to determine the risk factors. Methods: We analyzed 2,626 patients registered in the Romanian IBD Prospect National Registry. We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study to assess the point prevalence of EIMs, calculating global prevalence and analyzing the different types of EIMs and their respective frequencies were carried out. Demographic and clinical risk factors were researched as possible predictors for EIMs development, based on the results of the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The overall point prevalence of EIMs was 16.3%. A significantly higher frequency of EIMs in Crohn's disease (CD) was noted in comparison to ulcerative colitis (UC) and IBD unclassified (IBDU) (23.2% vs 11.3% and 16.3%, respectively, p<0.001). The most frequent type of EIM was peripheral arthropathy (8.3%), significantly associated with CD (p<0.001). Univariate analysis highlighted the significant independent common predictive risk factors for EIMs, in both CD and UC patients: female gender, patient's urban area of origin, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and high level of C-reactive protein (CRP), while significant independent IBD phenotype-related risk factors were ileocolonic location and concomitant involvement of upper gastrointestinal tract for CD, non-smoker status and both moderate and severe disease activity for UC (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis determined that female CD patients with moderate or severe disease activity, with other than isolated ileal disease, and female UC patients with moderate or severe extensive colitis are the most likely to develop EIMs. Conclusions: IBD patients are experiencing EIMs in a large proportion, with higher rates for CD. As EIMs negatively affect patient outcomes, foreseeing the risk by identifying independent and associated predictive factors could be a first step to optimal work-up and treatment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Fecal calprotectin (FC) is the most popular and well-studied non-invasive biomarker in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and it is routinely tested and widely used in clinical practice. Aim. to evaluate the usefulness of FC in predicting clinical relapse in IBD patients treated with anti-TNF agents, during one year of follow-up. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study including 50 IBD patients treated with anti-TNF agents (Infliximab, Adalimumab), in clinical remission (defined according to clinical Mayo and CDAI score) for at least 6 months, evaluated in a tertiary center between April 2021 through April 2022. For each patient, demographic and clinical parameters, data on the extent of the disease, type of treatment and FC value were collected. The patients included in the study were reevaluated 1 year later after the initial evaluation, regarding clinical remission/relapse. Results. There were 29 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (58 %) and 21 with Crohn's disease (CD) (42 %)), with a mean age of 42 years (21-63 years). 28 patients (18 with UC and 10 with CD) were treated with Infliximab and 22 (11 UC, 11 CD) with Adalimumab. Out of 50 IBD patients, 28 (56%) had FC <50 μg/g, 15 (30%) had FC between 50 - 150 μg/g and 7 (14%) had FC ≥ 150 μg/g. After 12 months, we observed persistent clinical remission rates of 82.75% (24) for UC and 71.42% (15) for CD. Clinical relapse was present in no patient with FC <50 μg/g, in 47% of patients with FC between 50 - 150 μg/g, and in 71.42% of the patients with FC ≥ 150 μg/g. All UC who relapsed had initial FC value more than 150 μg/g. There were no differences in clinical relapse in patients treated with Infliximab vs Adalimumab. Conclusion. FC more than 150 μg/g is a good noninvasive marker for 1 year clinical relapse in IBD patients treated with anti-TNF. The predictive role is more obvious for patients with UC compared to CD, regardless of the type of anti-TNF used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the association between metabolic syndrome (MeS) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver cirrhosis (compensated, genotype, 1b) and changes after sustained viral response (SVR) following a 12-week therapy with paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, dasabuvir, and ribavirin (PrOD+R). Methods: The current multicenter retrospective study included 809 patients diagnosed with compensated HCV cirrhosis (child class A), all 1b genotype treated for 12 weeks with direct acting antiviral agents - PrOD+R - regimen (according to the protocol practiced in Romania) and achieved SVR. The parameters of MeS (according to the definition of the International Diabetes Federation) were collected from medical records before and 12 weeks after the treatment. The results were collected in a central database and analyzed with SPSS 18.0. Statistical analysis used both descriptive and analytical methods with a significance level of 95% (CI 95%). Results: Out of the 809 patients, 105 (13%) demonstrated 3 out of the 5 criteria for MeS. Based on the MeS criteria, the commonest parameters were abnormal glycaemia (54.1%), followed by visceral obesity (38.6%), raised triglycerides (26.1%), high blood pressure (12.1%), and a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (4.6%). The re-assessment of MeS parameters after SVR showed favourable changes, which were statistically significant: a siginficanttly lower serum triglyeride level (182.32 vs. 153.50 mg/dL, P = 0.001), lower systolic arterial blood pressure (130.57 vs. 124.85 mmHg; P = 0.001), lower diastolic arterial blood pressure (80.26 vs. 78.42 mmHg; P = 0.001) and lower glyceamic levels (130.06 vs. 120.71 mg/dL; P = 0.001), as well as a significant rise in HDL-cholesterol levels (48.61 vs. 50.50 mg/dL; P = 0.003). Abdominal circumference was the only parameter, which did not change after SVR. Following the changes sustained after SVR, 26.7% of the patients no longer fulfilled the minimum 3 criteria for MeS. No correlation was observed between the presence of MeS and the risk of severe adverse events, but it was noted that 37.5% of the patients who decompensated, 66.7% of the ones who developed hepatocarcinoma and 100% of the ones that died of abnormal glycaemic levels. Conclusions: Hyperglycemia, and not MeS, is associated with HCV compensated liver cirrhosis genotype 1b, and is a risk factor for severe adverse events. The attainment of SVR through PrOD+R regimen results in short-term improvements in MeS parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple focal liver lesions can generate diagnosis difficulties in daily practice. This paper present the case of a 53 years old patient with multiple hyperechoic liver lesions suggestive for hepatic hemangiomas, detected during the ultrasonographic exam. Contrast enhanced ultrasonography indicated focal hepatic steatosis, while computed tomography proposed possible liver metastasis. The histological diagnosis was focal nodular hyperplasia associated with hepatic steatosis. The peculiarity of the case was the association of multiple focal nodular hyperplasia lesions with hepatic steatosis and atypical imaging findings that required histological confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Dysplastic nodules are regenerative nodules but with atypical cells and they don't show clearly signs of malignancy. This study evaluates the usefulness of CEUS in the characterization of dysplastic nodules and early HCC. Methods and materials: 64 cirrhotic patients with 110 nodules no more than 2 cm were evaluated in Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Iasi using CEUS with SonoVue and were analysed retrospectively. The CEUS findings were compared with clinical data and other dynamic contrast imaging such as CT and MRI Results: Enhancement patterns of all nodules were examined throughout the various vascular phases of CEUS and classified into 4 types. Type I, 47 (42.7%) nodules demonstrated simultaneous enhancement with the liver parenchyma and, therefore, the nodules appeared isoechoic to the liver throughout the arterial, portal and parenchymal phases. Type II, 29 (26.3%) nodules demonstrated delayed enhancement in the portal phase and then became isoechoic to the liver in parenchymal phase. Type III, 27 (24.5%) nodules presented delayed or simultaneous enhancement with the liver and then slight wash-out causing a hypoechoic appearance in the parenchymal phase. Type IV, 10 (9.09%) nodules presented slight enhancement with hyperechoic during arterial phase and slight wash-out with hypoechoic to the liver during the parenchymal phase. Type III and IV nodules (approximately 1/3) presented wash-out and could be mistakenly classified as malignant lesions. Conclusion: Contrast -enhanced ultrasound may be helpful in predicting the progress from dyplastic nodules to HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aim: In recent years, liver biopsy was replaced by non-invasive methods in the assessment of hepatic fibrosis (transient elastography, real time elastography, FibroTest). The aim of this study was to test whether there is any connection between food intake and the assessment of liver stiffness (LS) measured by non-invasive methods (Fibroscan) in the case of HCV infected patients. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study over a period of 2 years (January 2017 - January 2019). 66 patients with confirmed diagnosis of HCV infection which were evaluated in order to determine whether or not they qualify for the interferon free therapy and 25 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Demographic, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were collected from medical records. All patients included underwent Fibroscan. LS was measured before and 30 minutes after receiving a standard mixed solid meal. Results: 91 subjects (66 HCV patients/25 healthy volunteers) were included in the study. The mean BMI was 25.6 ± 4.5 kg/m2. In the HCV group, 52 had moderate fibrosis (F1-F3) and 14 cirrhosis (F4). LS significantly increased 30 min after food intake (pre-meal 9.1 kPa vs. after- meal 9.8 kPa; p < 0.001) in patients with HCV infection. There was no statistically significant difference in LS value measured before/after food intake in healthy volunteers. LS values increased after meals in all stages of fibrosis. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that LS measured by Fibroscan increases after food intake in patients with HCV infection. An accurate assessment of LS is important in these patients because its value represents an inclusion criteria for DAA therapy, therefore its measurement should be performed in standardized fasting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]