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Ethnic differences in achalasia presentations have scarcely been described. The association between achalasia and immunologic HLA haplotypes suggests that there may be a genetic predisposition. We aimed to evaluate differences in demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and manometric findings between two distinct ethnic groups with achalasia-Israeli Arabs (IA) and Israeli Jews (IJ).A retrospective study was performed at two medical centers. High-resolution manometry (HRM) reports were reviewed for newly-diagnosed achalasia patients. Demographic data, clinical presentations, endoscopy reports, and HRM metrics including the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) were all reviewed.Overall, 94 achalasia patients were included (53.2% male; mean age 54.5 ± 18.0). 43 patients were IA (45.7%). Body mass index (BMI) was similar in both groups. Compared to IJ, the IA patients had more esophageal dysphagia (100% vs. 88.2%; P = 0.022), chest pain (46.5% vs. 25.5%; P = 0.033), and a tortuous esophagus on endoscopy (23.3% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.005). IA patients were also diagnosed at a younger age than IJ patients (50.9 ± 17.5 vs. 57.5 ± 18.0; p = 0.039). Furthermore, IRP values were higher among IA patients than IJ patients (32.2 ± 13.8 vs. 23.3 ± 8.4; p 0.001). A regression model analysis found that ethnicity significantly predicted IRP (β = - 10, p .001).Ethnicity appears to affect achalasia clinical presentation and HRM findings. IA achalasia patients are diagnosed at a younger age, present with more severe esophageal symptoms, and have a higher IRP compared to IJ patients. Additional studies of diverse, multiethnic populations, especially with genetic evaluations, are required to further assess the role of ethnicity in achalasia.

Objective Different infectious agents have been presumed to be candidates acting as an etiologic factor or trigger of Crohn's disease (CD). Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common human infection agent that can also trigger post-infectious immune-mediated conditions. The current study aimed to examine whether the immunogenic activity induced by GAS may trigger new-onset of CD. Methods Data for antistreptolysin O (ASO) level, throat culture for GAS, and history of streptococcal infection were collected from 91 patients with CD that were divided into three groups including; new-onset CD, CD in remission and active CD. The data were compared with the control group. Results All participants had negative results of throat culture for GAS and had no history of documented streptococcal infection in the past year. Our results indicate that new-onset CD, but not CD in remission or active CD, is associated with significantly increased positive ASO compared to controls. Half of the patients in the new-onset CD group were ASO positive, which was significantly higher compared to the control group in a univariant (OR: 4.00; 95% CI 1.27-12.58; P=0.02) and multivariant analysis (OR: 4.41; 95% CI 1.35-14.37; P=0.014). Conclusion Our study is the first to focus on ASO levels in patients with CD and to demonstrate a significant association between ASO and new-onset of CD. Large prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the validity of this data and to further clarify the clinical significance of our findings.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised concerns among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients fearing an increased risk of infection and poor outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 among IBD patients; its influence on disease severity and outcome; its relationship to medication use and how the pandemic affected IBD management. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was posted online to members of the Israel Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation (November 2020-January 2021). The questionnaire addressed the course of IBD disease and COVID-19 infection over the past year. RESULTS: Total 2152 IBD patients completed the questionnaire. Of which 104 (4.8%) had been infected with COVID-19, significantly lower than the 'expected' infected cases among the Israeli population (P = 0.033). The median age of participants was 39 years; 60.5% were female. Most patients (75.6%) had no comorbidities other than IBD. No correlation was found between IBD type or disease severity and COVID-19 infection. Most IBD patients reported mild COVID-19 disease, regardless of the type of IBD medications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, elevated BMI and diabetes were independent risk factors for COVID-19 infection. IBD treatment methods including 5-aminosalicylic acid, smoking and hypertension were protective factors. In total 25.2% of COVID-19 patients discontinued their IBD treatment, compared to 8.5% of non-COVID-19-infected patients. IBD flares were significantly higher in those who discontinued treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IBD patients do not have an increased risk for COVID-19, regardless of IBD activity or treatment. Patients should be encouraged to continue effective IBD therapy, including biologics and steroids, to minimize active IBD.

Anorectal manometry may be performed by a nurse or physician, yet little has been written about what training is needed. Additionally, many gastroenterology nurses receive little exposure to motility studies such as anorectal manometry, limiting their ability to learn these procedures. We therefore sought to evaluate whether a short didactic course on anorectal manometry would increase nurses' knowledge about the procedure and stimulate their interest in becoming trained to perform it. To accomplish this, gastroenterology nurses attended a series of three lectures on anorectal manometry. A 15-question quiz was given as a pre-test and again as a post-test after completing the course. Thirteen nurses participated (11 female, mean age 46). None had experience performing anorectal manometry. Due to the course, test scores increased from a mean of 8.4 (55.9%) correct to 13.3 (88.7%) (p < .001), with improvements noted in 12 of 13 participants (92.3%). All of the nurses felt that the course increased their knowledge of anorectal manometry and reported that they would recommend it to other nurses. Most (61.5%) also expressed an interest in becoming trained to perform anorectal manometry. In conclusion, a short didactic course has been shown to increase nurses' knowledge and interest in performing anorectal manometry.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns among IBD patients fearing an increased risk of infection and poor outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 among IBD patients; its influence on disease severity and outcome; its relationship to medication use; and how the pandemic affected IBD management. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was posted online to members of the Israel Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation (November 2020- January 2021). The questionnaire addressed the course of IBD disease and COVID-19 infection over the past year. Results 2152 IBD patients completed the questionnaire. 104 (4.8%) had been infected with COVID-19, significantly lower than the “expected” infected cases among the Israeli population (p=0.033). The median age of participants was 39; 60.5% were female. Most patients (75.6%) had no comorbidities other than IBD. No correlation was found between IBD type or disease severity and COVID-19 infection. Most IBD patients reported mild COVID-19 disease, regardless of the type of IBD medications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, elevated BMI, and diabetes were independent risk factors for COVID-19 infection. IBD treatment including 5-aminosalicylic acid, smoking, and hypertension were protective factors. 25.2% of COVID-19 patients discontinued their IBD treatment, compared to 8.5% of non-COVID-19 infected patients. IBD flares were significantly higher in those who discontinued treatment (p Conclusion IBD patients do not have an increased risk for COVID-19, regardless of IBD activity or treatment. Patients should be encouraged to continue effective IBD therapy, including biologics and steroids, to minimize active IBD.