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Objectives: We previously showed that a quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can predict mucosal healing (MH) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Fecal calprotectin (Fcal) has also been reported as an important biomarker of UC activity. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive ability of these two fecal markers for MH in UC., Methods: FIT and Fcal were examined in stool samples from consecutive UC patients who underwent colonoscopy. Mucosal status was assessed via the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES)., Results: In total, 105 colonoscopies in 92 UC patients were evaluated in conjunction with the FIT and Fcal results. Both FIT and Fcal results were significantly correlated with MES (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient: 0.61 and 0.58, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the FIT values (<100 ng/ml) for predicting MH (MES 0 alone) were 0.95 and 0.62, respectively, whereas those of Fcal (<250 μg/g) were 0.82 and 0.62, respectively. The sensitivities became similar when MH was defined as MES 0 or 1 (0.86 vs. 0.86). Although the predictability of MH evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was similar for the two fecal markers (FIT 0.83 vs. Fcal 0.82 for MES 0 alone), the FIT results were relatively robust regardless of the cutoff value selected., Conclusions: Both FIT and Fcal can efficiently predict MH in UC, but FIT appears to be more sensitive than Fcal for predicting MES 0 alone.

Background: Differentiating sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P) from hyperplastic polyp (HP) is clinically important in determining the necessity of endoscopic resection or recommending appropriate surveillance. There are few reports of characterization of SSA/P using narrowband imaging and chromoendoscopy with and without magnification. We aimed to establish imaging criteria to aid real-time diagnosis of SSA/P., Methods: Patients with pale sessile or flat lesions of 6 mm or greater were prospectively enrolled in this multicenter trial. Nine endoscopic criteria, determined in real time, were investigated for possible association with SSA/P. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed; specimens were retrieved and analyzed by histopathological examination., Results: In 63 patients, 89 lesions were detected, including 41 HP, 38 SSA/P, five mixed polyps, and five other lesions. Right-side colon location, lesion size of 10 mm or greater, excessive mucus, the presence of a varicose microvascular vessel (VMV) noted with high-magnification narrowband imaging, and type III(H) pit pattern were each commonly associated with SSA/P compared with HP. Multivariate analysis substantiated three independent endoscopic criteria for SSA/P: the presence of VMV (p = 0.001), lesion size of 10 mm or greater (p = 0.0017), and right-side location (p = 0.0041), with odds ratios of 8.2, 7.2, and 6.1, respectively. The presence of VMV had a significantly higher specificity (87.8%) than the other two independent endoscopic criteria (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0008, respectively), but a lower sensitivity (57.9%), whereas a combination of the three criteria (two or more positive) increased the sensitivity significantly (89.5% and p = 0.0033) and had a higher degree of accuracy (82.3%)., Conclusions: Three endoscopic criteria individually and in combination were effective in predicting a diagnosis of SSA/P without the need for chromoendoscopy.

Background/aims: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disorder that sometimes involves the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with colorectal involvement, and to provide criteria for colonoscopy., Methodology: Among 288 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 29 patients underwent colonoscopy. The clinical backgrounds were comparatively analyzed between the patients with colorectal involvements (n = 11, group A) and the patients without colorectal involvements (n = 18, group B). Endoscopic features were also evaluated in group A patients., Results: The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) of the group A patients was higher than that of the group B patients. Abdominal pain (n = 6) and diarrhea (n = 5) were significantly correlated with the presence of colorectal involvements, and other manifestations in group A patients included visible blood in stools (n = 5) and fever (n = 1). In colonoscopy, discrete ulcers (n = 5), longitudinal ulcers (n = 1), erosions and/or small ulcers (n = 2), edematous mucosa (n = 2), and concurrent ulcerative colitis (n = 1) were identified., Conclusions: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with SLEDAI scores > or = 5, or with gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly those who present with abdominal pain or diarrhea should undergo colonoscopy, because these patients are likely to have mucosal damage in the colorectum.

Background: Primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma is a subtype of follicular lymphoma that originates directly from the gastrointestinal tract. Pathologically, it exhibits substantial similarities with the secondary gastrointestinal involvement observed in nodal follicular lymphoma. However, primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma presents clinically distinct features, necessitating divergent considerations in treatment selection compared with nodal follicular lymphoma. Areas covered: This narrative review focused on recent articles (2018–2023) regarding the long-term prognosis and treatment options for gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma. In addition, a brief overview of gastrointestinal follicular lymphomas is provided. Expert opinion: Patients with primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma often present with a low tumor burden. Lymphoma lesions typically remain asymptomatic for several years or may undergo spontaneous regression without immediate treatment. Therefore, a 'watch and wait' approach is justified. Conversely, when large tumor masses are identified in the gastrointestinal tract, the potential for tumor bleeding or intestinal obstruction requires timely therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cases of rectal xanthomas are described. One case is that of a 56-year-old Japanese man in whom multiple yellowish spots measuring approximately 3 to 5 mm were observed in the rectum during colonoscopy. The other case is that of a 78-year-old Japanese man in whom colonoscopy showed a whitish plaque of 4 mm in diameter in the rectum. Biopsy examinations performed on both patients revealed the deposition of xanthoma cells within the rectal mucosa. Within the gastrointestinal tract, xanthomas most frequently arise in the stomach, whereas the colorectum is rarely affected. Despite this infrequency, the two cases indicate that xanthomas should be recalled when yellowish to whitish lesions are observed in the colorectum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]