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Both environmental factors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking, and genetic factors are strongly associated with the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, comprehensive understanding of their impacts on the progression of CP remains elusive.A prospective cohort study was performed on a large cohort of CP patients with known genetic backgrounds. The cumulative incidence of pancreatic insufficiency after the onset of CP was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis also was performed.A total of 798 patients were enrolled in the study and followed up for 10.5 years. Rare pathogenic genotypes in the SPINK1, PRSS1, CTRC, or CFTR genes were identified in 410 (51.4%) patients. The development of pancreatic insufficiency was significantly earlier in patients with a history of smoking and/or alcohol consumption in both the positive (P.001) and negative (P = .001) gene mutation groups. However, the development of pancreatic insufficiency did not differ significantly between patients with and without gene mutations despite alcohol and/or smoking status, with P values of .064 and .115, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age at onset of CP (hazard ratio, [HR], 1.02; P.001) and alcohol consumption (HR, 1.86; P.001) were independent risk factors for the development of diabetes, while male sex (HR, 1.84; P = .022) and smoking (HR, 1.56; P = .028) were predictors of steatorrhea.Although rare pathogenic mutations in the 4 major susceptibility genes for CP were not correlated significantly with the development of pancreatic insufficiency, environmental factors (either alcohol consumption or smoking) significantly accelerated disease progression (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04574297).

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most frequent major complication of antiplatelet therapy. In patients at low bleeding risk, however, clinically overt gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively uncommon.The authors sought to assess the effects of different antiplatelet regimens on gastrointestinal mucosal injury by means of a novel magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy system in patients at low bleeding risk.Patients (n = 505) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in whom capsule endoscopy demonstrated no ulcerations or bleeding (although erosions were permitted) after 6 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were randomly assigned to aspirin plus placebo (n = 168), clopidogrel plus placebo (n = 169), or aspirin plus clopidogrel (n = 168) for an additional 6 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of gastrointestinal mucosal injury (erosions, ulceration, or bleeding) at 6-month or 12-month capsule endoscopy.Gastrointestinal mucosal injury through 12 months was less with single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) than with DAPT (94.3% vs 99.2%; P = 0.02). Aspirin and clopidogrel monotherapy had similar effects. Among 68 patients without any gastrointestinal injury at randomization (including no erosions), SAPT compared with DAPT caused less gastrointestinal injury (68.1% vs 95.2%; P = 0.006), including fewer new ulcers (8.5% vs 38.1%; P = 0.009). Clinical gastrointestinal bleeding from 6 to 12 months was less with SAPT than with DAPT (0.6% vs 5.4%; P = 0.001).Despite being at low risk of bleeding, nearly all patients receiving antiplatelet therapy developed gastrointestinal injury, although overt bleeding was infrequent. DAPT for 6 months followed by SAPT with aspirin or clopidogrel from 6 to 12 months resulted in less gastrointestinal mucosal injury and clinical bleeding compared with DAPT through 12 months. (OPT-PEACE [Optimal Antiplatelet Therapy for Prevention of Gastrointestinal Injury Evaluated by Ankon Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy]; NCT03198741).

The relationship between chronic pancreatitis (CP) and acute pancreatitis (AP) is complex and not well understood. CP could be preceded by antecedent episodes of AP.The aim of this study was to explore both genetic and environmental factors associated with AP episodes before the diagnosis of CP.This was a cross-sectional study including 1022 patients. Detailed demographic, genetic, and clinical data were collected. Based on the presence of AP episode(s) before diagnosis of CP, patients were divided into AP group (further classified into single episode of AP group and recurrent AP group) and non-AP group. Related factors among these groups were assessed using multivariate logistic regression model.Before diagnosis of CP, 737 patients (72.1%) had a history of AP. Smoking(P = 0.005) and heavy alcohol consumption(P = 0.002) were risk factors for AP while age at CP onset(P 0.001), harboring the SPINK1 mutation(P 0.001), diabetes(P 0.001) and steatorrhea(P 0.001) were protective factors. Further, alcoholic CP(P = 0.019) was the only independent risk factor for recurrent AP attacks while age at onset of CP(P 0.001), pancreatic stones(P = 0.024). and pseudocysts(P = 0.018) served as protective factors.SPINK1 mutations served as protective factor for AP episodes, suggesting SPINK1 mutation might play a pathogenic role in CP occurrence with occult clinical manifestations.

Objective The relationship between SPINK1 and pancreatic cancer (PC) remains controversial. The current study aimed to determine the effect of SPINK1 mutations on PC development among patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods This is a prospective observational study including a large cohort of 965 CP patients with 11-year follow-up. Patients’ demographic characteristics and clinical CP outcomes were documented in detail. Genetic testing was performed. The effect of SPINK1 mutations on the clinical development of PC was explored using Cox proportional hazards regression. Subgroup analyses conducted included the consideration of gender, onset age of CP (early- and late-onset), etiologies of CP, smoking, and alcoholic drinking status. Results PC was diagnosed in 2.5% (24/965) of patients, and the cumulative incidence rates were 0.2%, 0.8%, and 1.5% at 3, 5, and 10 years since the onset of CP, respectively. In this cohort, SPINK1 c.194+2T > C was the most common variant with a proportion of 39.1%. And the risk of PC development varied marginally between patients with and without SPINK1 mutations (Cox HR 0.39(0.14–1.04), P = 0.059). In the subgroup analyses, patients carrying SPINK1 mutations had a significantly lower risk of PC (Cox HR 0.18(0.04–0.80), P = 0.025) in the non-smoking group. SPINK1 mutations showed no significant effect in the other subgroups considered. Conclusions CP patients harboring SPINK1 mutations do not have an elevated risk of PC development compared to mutation-negative CP patients. On the contrary, SPINK1 mutations may be a protective factor in non-smoking patients with CP.

Objective The topical antispasmodic agent l‐menthol is commonly used for gastric peristalsis suppression during diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a single dose l‐menthol solution in suppressing gastric peristalsis during upper GI endoscopy in Chinese patients. Methods In this phase III, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03263910), 220 patients scheduled to undergo upper GI endoscopy at five Chinese referral centers received a single dose of either 160 mg of l‐menthol (n = 109) or placebo (n = 111). Both treatments were sprayed endoscopically on the gastric mucosa. An independent committee evaluated the degree of gastric peristalsis (peristaltic score: grade 1–5). Results At baseline, the proportion of patients with grade 1 peristalsis (no peristalsis) did not differ between the groups. The proportion of patients with grade 1 peristalsis post‐treatment was significantly higher in the l‐menthol group (40.37%, 44/109) versus the placebo group (16.22%, 18/111; P

The aim of the study was to investigate the global research levels in chronic pancreatitis (CP) fields.The term "chronic pancreatitis" was used to retrieve articles published between 2009 and 2018 from the Web of Science database. The 15 highest-output countries' gross domestic product was retrieved to analyze the correlation between output and economic development. The 5 top-ranking countries were compared in quantity and quality. The frequently used terms of all articles were retrieved to conduct co-occurrence analysis to reveal research highlights for CP.There were 6094 articles included and 6007 articles were from 15 highest-output countries. There was a positive correlation between output and gross domestic product (r = 0.928, P0.001). The United States, China, and Japan had increasing trends in total output (P = 0.022, P0.001, and P = 0.021, respectively). China and Japan had increasing trends in output per capita (P0.001 and P = 0.023). However, in average impact factor, all 5 countries did not show increasing trends (all P0.05). For research highlights, mass lesion and autoimmune pancreatitis were the notable aspects.The global output for CP will continue increasing and research quality will be stable.

OBJECTIVES The lack of risk profile data on changes in multiple polyps identified by a colonoscopy constrains the creation of evidence-based guidelines. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between size, location and histology of multiple polyps and patients' characteristics in a large teaching hospital-based Chinese population. METHODS We conducted a large, case-control, retrospective analysis on polyps obtained from 8308 patients who presented at the Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital (Shanghai, China) from January 2013 to August 2015. In total 10572 polyps were analyzed, with risk factors extrapolated through chart reviews of patients' electronic medical records. RESULTS Single polyps were identified in 6843 (82.4%) patients while multiple polyps were found in 1465 (17.6%). A multivariate analysis indicated that men were more likely than women to have multiple polyps (P < 0.001). Compared with the single polyps group, the numbers of patients with multiple polyps increased significantly with age (P < 0.001). Multiple small (6-9 mm) non-advanced adenomas were more likely to be found than were diminutive (

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is accepted as a standard therapeutic technique for superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs). However, esophageal refractory stricture is a serious adverse event secondary to extensive ESD (≥ 3/4 of the luminal circumference). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the risk factors for refractory postoperative stricture after extensive ESD.The data of patients who underwent esophageal ESD at the Endoscopy Center of Changhai Hospital were reviewed between January 2011 and September 2019. Risk factors for postoperative refractory stricture [≥ 6 sessions of endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD)] after extensive ESD were then identified using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.A total of 69 SENs in 67 patients treated by extensive ESD were enrolled in this study. The refractory stricture incidence was 62% (43/69). Significant differences between non-refractory stricture group and refractory stricture group were observed in depth of infiltration (m1or m2/m3 or sm1:20/6 vs. 17/26, P = 0.003), longitudinal resection length (50 mm/ ≥ 50 mm:19/7 vs. 10/33, P0.001), circumferential range (3/4~1/1:20/6 vs. 19/24, P = 0.008), muscular injury (NO/YES:18/8 vs. 19/24, P = 0.043), and clip number (≤ 5/5:15/11 vs. 12/31, P = 0.014). Multivariate analysis revealed that longitudinal resection length ≥ 50 mm (odds ratio [OR] 11.099, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.620-47.019), depth of infiltration above m2 (OR 5.716, 95%CI 1.324-24.672) and muscular injury happened (OR 4.431, 95%CI 1.052-18.659) were independent risk factors for refractory stricture. In addition, the EBD sessions for treatment of refractory stricture was related to longitudinal resection length (relation coefficient γ = 0.528; P 0.05).The longitudinal resection length, depth of tumor infiltration and muscular injury are the reliable risk factors for esophageal refractory stricture after extensive ESD.

Background. Optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy is fundamental to a successful examination. The FODMAP diet can increase the content of intestinal water and gas, but its impact on bowel cleanliness and bubbles has not been reported. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the effect of the FODMAP diet on the quality of bowel preparation and the adenoma detection rate (ADR). Methods. This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study involving consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy in two centers in China. Patients were assigned to one of two groups: high-FODMAP or nonhigh-FODMAP diet. ODMP Software was used for the identification of FODMAP diet types. The primary outcome was ADR; secondary outcomes were the quality of bowel preparation, measured by the Boston bowel preparation scale and bubble scores. Results. There were 365 patients included. Patients in the high-FODMAP-diet group showed poor bowel cleansing efficacy: BBPS≥6 in 76.8% vs. 90.3% (P<0.01) and bubble scores of 2.42±1.69 vs. 1.32±1.63 (P<0.001). The intubation time was significantly longer in the high-FODMAP-diet group (7.07±5.18 vs. 5.46±3.05 min; P=0.002). The High-FODMAP diet was an independent risk predictor for inadequate bowel preparation. There were no statistically significant differences in ADR between the two dietary groups. Conclusion. The high-FODMAP diet significantly reduced the quality of bowel preparation. We recommend the consumption of nonhigh-FODMAP diet in bowel preparation as a reference standard for dietary regimen. This method was effective, flexible, referable, and well tolerated, which could help to provide patients a valuable dietary guidance in bowel preparation.

Early diagnosis of gastric cancer is difficult in China due to the lack of a valid method for endoscopic screening. Early gastric cancer, especially flat gastric cancer, lacks specific endoscopic features. Many cases appear to be similar to ordinary gastritis cases under normal white light endoscopy, which can lead to misdiagnosis. In order to find a new method to improve detection rate of early gastric cancer in China, we designed a trial to validate linked color imaging (LCI) for screening of early gastric cancer in a high-risk population, as compared to white light imaging (WLI). Subjects were randomly allocated to either the LCI + WLI or WLI group and then subjected to gastroscopy and all endoscopies were made after special preparation. All endoscopists had knowledge of this experiment. The main indicator was the rate of detection of gastric neoplastic lesions. The difference in the detection rate between the two groups is reported. The detection rate was 4.31% in the WLI group and 8.01% in the LCI + WLI group. This is a difference of 3.70% with a P value

Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has become a routine procedure in clinical practice for evaluation of small bowel diseases (SBDs). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic value of DBE in patients with suspected SBDs according to the patients’ age and indications for the procedure. The data of patients who underwent DBE at the endoscopy center of Changhai hospital between July 2013 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. All features including demographic characteristics, indications, endoscopic findings, interventions and complications were collected. A total of 1291 consecutive patients who underwent 1531 DBE procedures (1375 diagnostic and 156 therapeutic) were included. The total diagnostic yield of DBE in cases of suspected SBDs was 58.9% (761/1291). The most common SBDs were Crohn’s disease (CD) followed by tumors. The detection rates of CD and tumors by DBE were 18.3% (236/1291) and 12.7% (164/1291), respectively. The most frequent site of CD was the ileum (199/236, 84.3%), while that of tumors was the proximal small bowel (duodenum and jejunum, 115/164, 70.1%). In the young group (

Background and aims The SPINK1 c.194 + 2T > C variant has been increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, there is no clear agreement on its contribution to different ethnicities and CP etiologies. To address this issue, a meta-analysis of literature was performed. Methods Studies addressing the presence of the SPINK1 c.194 + 2T > C variant in CP patients and controls were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. Initial analysis included all CP patients, followed by subgroup analyses for East Asian and non-East Asian patients, and for idiopathic CP (ICP) and non-ICP. Results A total of 13 studies were retrieved for analysis, comprising 2097 cases and 4019 controls. There were 126 cases (10.01%) carrying the SPINK1 c.194 + 2T > C variant in cases, while only two controls were carriers (0.05%). Overall, the variant was significantly associated with an increased risk of CP (OR = 25.73). In the subgroup, the variant was significantly associated with increased risk of CP in East Asians (OR = 73.16), and in non-East Asians (OR = 10.21). Further, the contribution of the variant in ICP (OR = 35.31) was found to be higher than in non-ICP (25.75). Conclusions The SPINK1 c.194 + 2T > C variant is a strong risk factor for CP, especially in East Asian patients with ICP.

Background Ideal bowel cleansing regimens should be both effective and well tolerated. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends 4L Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as the standard regimen for the bowel preparation (BP). This large volume of PEG ensures a better-quality bowel cleansing but might be poorly tolerated amongst the Chinese population given their different characteristics. The current study compared the 3L and 4L PEG with regard to their effectiveness, tolerability, and safety amongst Chinese patients to identify the better suitable bowel cleansing method for this population. Methods This study employed a prospective, observer-blinded, randomized and controlled design in a high-volume endoscopic center. Consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomly assigned (1:1) to the 3L-PEG or 4L-PEG group. The quality of bowel cleansing, procedure time, adenoma detection rate (ADR), patient tolerance, and adverse events were compared. Results A total of 330 patients were included in the study. The quality of the bowel cleansing (Boston Bowel Preparation Scale) for both the whole intestine and each segment showing no significant differences between the groups. No significant differences were present with regard to the procedure time or ADR. The incidences of adverse events such as nausea (P = 0.001) and bloating (P

Background and Aims Actual behaviors of drugs in the upper GI tract are not well elucidated. We assess the feasibility of magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) in direct and real-time visualization of oral drug behaviors in the stomach. Methods From November 2019 to December 2019, 9 patients with a recent history of upper GI symptoms and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Participants swallowed magnetically controlled capsules to examine the whole stomach. After baseline examination, participants ingested dyed sucralfate gel, and MCE recorded the adhesion time, retention time, and distribution area of sucralfate gel. Outcomes included behaviors of sucralfate gel, safety, and satisfaction assessment of the procedures. Results Adhesion time of sucralfate gel in the abdominal symptoms group was significantly shorter than in the healthy control group (23.76 ± 1.37 minutes vs 31.96 ± 3.09 minutes; P = .032), whereas retention time was longer (98.85 ± 13.94 minutes vs 63.93 ± 8.57 minutes; P = .043). The distribution area of sucralfate gel in the abdominal symptoms group was significantly larger than in healthy control group in cardia (24.29 ± 7.39 vs 9.18 ± 4.06; P < .0001), fundus (18.90 ± 7.08 vs 8.49 ± 4.10; P = .0015), and pylorus (4.64 ± 2.72 vs 0.94 ± 0.90; P = .0019). No adverse events were observed. All participants had a high degree of satisfaction. Conclusions MCE is a feasible and noninvasive tool for direct and real-time visualization of drug behaviors (eg, sucralfate gel) in the stomach. (ClinicalTrials.gov. ID: NCT04327869.), Video Video 1 Magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy direct visualization of drug behaviors in the stomach.

Background Despite pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) is a minimally invasive treatment for pancreatic stones, complications exist. Case presentation A 37-year-old male was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and admitted to our hospital for recurrent acute pancreatitis. After the first P-ESWL session, the patient complained of a new type of pain different from the previous pain pattern. Computerized tomography and colonoscopy were arranged and colonic hematoma was found. Since the patient had stable vital signs, no special treatment was given focusing on the colonic hematoma. Five days later, P-ESWL treatment was repeatedly performed for four consecutive days. Two days after the last P-ESWL session, the patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. At the three-month follow up visit, the colonic hematoma disappeared and pancreatic stones decreased significantly. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, colonic hematoma after P-ESWL for pancreatic stones has never been reported. Here, we present the only case of colonic hematoma after P-ESWL, which was coincidentally found in more than 6000 P-ESWL sessions in our hospital. As the symptoms of colonic hematoma are mild, we believe the incidence of colonic hematoma has been underestimated. Many people with colonic hematoma after P-ESWL may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Treatment for colonic hematoma depends on whether there is severe clinical state. Exploration of more precise location method for pancreatic stones may reduce the probability of P-ESWL complication.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for extraction of common bile duct (CBD) stones in Billroth II anatomy patients is still a technical challenge and factors affecting stone extraction have not yet been clarified. This study aimed to analyze our experience and evaluate potential factors affecting CBD stone extraction. A retrospective analysis of CBD stones patients with a history of Billroth II gastrectomy, who underwent therapeutic ERCP for stone extraction at our center from August 1999 to December 2017, was conducted. The outcomes of ERCP and potential factors affecting stone extraction were examined. A total of 227 patients were enrolled, and 176 patients (77.5%) achieved technical success. The success rate of duodenal ampullary access and selective biliary cannulation was 84.1% (191/227) and 92.1% (176/191), respectively. The mean CBD diameter was 15 mm (range 6–35 mm), and the largest stone size was 13 mm (range 4–36 mm). CBD stones were ultimately removed in 137 patients (77.8%), and 105 patients (59.7%) for the first session. Mechanical lithotripsy was used in 17 patients (9.7%). The overall ERCP-related complication rate was 6.3% (11/176), including bleeding in 3 patients (1.7%) and mild pancreatitis in 6 patients (3.4%). The multivariate analysis indicated that CBD stone number ≥ 2 (OR 2.171; 95% CI 1.095–4.306; p = 0.027), and the largest CBD stone size ≥ 12 mm (OR 3.646; 95% CI 1.833–7.251; p

Background Autoimmune factor was regarded as one of the risk factors in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), especially for autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). However, whether autoimmune factor plays a role in non-AIP CP or not was unknown. Methods Hospitalized patients with non-AIP CP from January 2010 to October 2016 were detected for 22 autoantibodies at the time of hospital admission. Autoantibodies with frequency > 0.5% were enrolled to calculate the frequency in historial healthy controls through literature search in PubMed. Differentially expressed autoantibodies were determined between patients and historial healthy controls, and related factors were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results In a total of 557 patients, 113 cases were detected with 19 kinds of positive autoantibodies, among them anti-β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) antibody was most frequent (9.16%). Compared with historial healthy controls, the frequencies of serum β2-GPI and anti SS-B antibody in patients were significantly higher, while frequencies of anti-smooth muscle antibody and anticardiolipin antibody were significantly lower (all P

OBJECTIVE Adequate bowel preparation is essential for a successful colonoscopy; clinical studies suggest reinforced education can improve the preparation process. However, there have been no trials to compare WeChat directions (the most widely used social media app in China) with those of the short message service (SMS). This study was aimed to assess the effect of WeChat and SMS on the bowel preparation quality. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS This was a single-center, prospective, endoscopically blinded, randomized, controlled study. Patients in reinforced education groups received additional reminder messages by WeChat and SMS 2 days before colonoscopy. The primary outcome was bowel preparation quality evaluated by the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) score and the rate of adequacy (BBPS score ≥6). Secondary outcomes included polyp detection rate, adenoma detection rate, and mean total adenomas detected. Patient tolerance level and subjective feelings were also evaluated. RESULTS The total BBPS score and the percentage of adequacy were significantly higher in the reinforced education groups compared with the control (WeChat vs. control, P

BACKGROUND Endoscopic intervention combined with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is recommended as the first line therapy for large pancreatic stones, yet both can cause adverse events. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors for post-procedural pancreatitis. METHODS Consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic stones treated with both ESWL and subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) from October 2016 to December 2019 were prospectively enrolled. Multivariate logistic analyses were performed to detect risk factors for post-ESWL and post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). RESULTS A total of 714 patients (507 males, 45.60 ± 12.52 years) were included in this study. A total of 80 patients (11.2%) developed post-ESWL pancreatitis,while 33 patients (4.6%) suffered from PEP. Steatorrhea (P = .018), multiple stones (P = .043), and stones located at the head combined with the body or tail of the pancreas (P = .015) were identified as independent protective factors for post-ESWL pancreatitis. The history of acute exacerbations (P = .013), post-ESWL pancreatitis (P

Objectives The interval between extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may cause differences in cannulation and stone removal. This study was to investigate the optimal timing of ERCP after ESWL. Methods Patients with chronic calcified pancreatitis, who underwent ESWL and subsequent ERCP in Changhai Hospital from February 2012 to February 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. The interval between ESWL and ERCP was used to divide patients into groups A ( 36 hours). Cannulation success, stone clearance, and post-ESWL/ERCP complications were compared. Results A total of 507 patients were enrolled. There were no significant differences regarding the successful cannulation and stone removal rates between the 3 groups. In patients without prior ERCP, the successful cannulation rates were 71.4%, 81.9%, and 90.9% (P = 0.004), and the successful clearance rates were 76.2%, 85.1%, and 90.9% (P = 0.031) for these 3 groups, respectively, showing significant differences. There were no differences in the successful cannulation and stone extraction rates for patients with prior ERCP. Conclusions The interval between ESWL and ERCP in chronic calcified pancreatitis patients with prior ERCP is not relevant, while delaying endoscopic intervention is recommended in those with native papilla.

Background: Studies of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in geriatric patients have mainly examined patients with biliary diseases, rather than chronic pancreatitis (CP). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and success rate of therapeutic ERCP in geriatric patients with CP. Methods: This was an observational study from prospectively collected data. The medical records of patients with CP aged over 65 years (Group A) were collected in a tertiary hospital from January 2013 to December 2018. Sex-matched CP patients under 65 years (Group B) were randomly selected into the control group (matching ratio = 1:2). Collected data included demographic data, endoscopic findings, interventions, success, and complications. The success rate and the complication rate of therapeutic ERCP in two groups were compared with chi-square test. The risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: A total of 268 ERCPs were performed in 179 patients of Group A and 612 ERCPs in 358 patients of Group B. The success rate of ERCP in Group A was similar to that of Group B (92.16% vs 92.32%; P=0.936). The overall incidence of post-ERCP complications was 7.09% (19/268) and 5.72% (35/612) in Group A and B, respectively (P=0.436). However, geriatric patients had a significantly increased occurrence of moderate to severe complications (2.61% vs 0.16%; P=0.002). Female gender (OR=3.40; 95% CI, 1.02-11.31; P=0.046), pancreas divisum (OR=7.15; 95% CI, 1.01-50.62; P=0.049), dorsal pancreatogram (OR=7.40; 95% CI, 1.63-33.64; P=0.010), and lithotripsy (OR=0.15; 95% CI, 0.03-0.70; P=0.016) were significantly associated with risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis in geriatric patients.Conclusions: Therapeutic ERCP is safe and feasible in elderly patients with CP. However, occurrence of moderate to severe complications after ERCP increased in geriatric patients.Trial registration: retrospectively registered.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) is an intractable disease that carries large financial burden as well as emotional and physical stress. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the newly developed smartphone-controlled vibrating capsule (VC) in patients with FC. Methods: This was a multicenter, blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial in six top general hospitals in China focusing on patients aged 18 to 80 with FC. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive VCs or placebo treatment for six weeks (two capsules per week) after two-week baseline period. The primary outcome was the responder rate, defined as the proportion of patients with an increase of at least one complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) per week during treatment compared to baseline in the full analysis set. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04671264, and is completed. Findings: From December 2018 to February 2020, 107 patients were randomly assigned to receive VCs (n=53) or placebo treatment (n=54). The responder rate in the VC group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (64·2% vs. 35·8%; difference, 27·7% [95% CI, 10·4% to 45·1%]; P = 0·005). More patients in the VC group reported weekly CSBMs ≥ 1 for at least four weeks during treatment ( P =0·022) and follow-up period ( P =0·041). The mean PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL total scores differed significantly from the baseline in both groups (all P < 0·0001). The most common adverse event associated with VC was abdominal discomfort (3·8%). Interpretation: VCs can greatly promote defecation, as well as ameliorating symptoms and improving the quality of life in patients with FC with sustained efficacy. Funding Statement: The funding source of our work is "One hundred leading scientists for 21st century" of Health Department of Shanghai Municipal Government (to ZL, No.2017BR005). Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the institutional review board at all participating centers. No subsequent amendments of the protocol were made in the process of study implementation. The trial was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and reported in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. An independent Data and safety monitoring committee (DSMC) appointed by the ethics committee and the Shanghai and National Medical Products Administration provided trial regular oversight. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04671264, and is completed.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Gastric precancerous conditions are generally considered to play an essential role in the gastric carcinogenesis cascade. This study identified risk factors of gastric precancerous conditions in a nationwide multicenter cross-sectional study. METHODS Individuals who made their visit to 115 hospitals in China for gastric cancer screening were recruited. Lifestyle habits and personal information were collected through a series of questionnaires. Serum biomarker test (pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrin-17, and anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G antibody) and endoscopy were then performed. Risk factors for gastric precancerous conditions were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Of 14,929 subjects eligible for analysis, 4477 (30.0%) developed gastric precancerous conditions and 405 (2.71%) developed gastric cancer. In multiple logistic regression, precancerous conditions were associated with advanced age [odds ratio (OR)=1.027; 95% confidence interval (Cl), 1.023-1.032; P

Although current quality indicators of colonoscopy recommend 6 minutes as the minimum standard for withdrawal time (WT), the impact of a WT longer than 6 minutes on neoplasia detection is unclear.A multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 1027 patients was conducted from January 2018 to July 2019. Participants were randomly divided into a 9-minute (n = 514) and 6-minute (n = 513) WT group, and a timer was used to adjust the withdrawal speed. The primary outcome was the adenoma detection rate (ADR).Intention-to-treat analysis showed a significantly higher ADR in the 9-minute versus 6-minute WT group (36.6% vs. 27.1%, P = .001). Prolonging WT from 6 to 9 minutes significantly increased ADR of the proximal colon (21.4% vs. 11.9%, P.001) as well as of the less experienced colonoscopists (36.8% vs. 23.5%, P = .001). Improvements were also observed in the polyp detection rate (58.0% vs. 47.8%, P.001), and mean number of polyps and adenomas detected per colonoscopy (1.1 vs. 0.9, P = .002; 0.5 vs. 0.4, P = .008, respectively). The higher ADRs in 9-minute WT were also confirmed by the per-protocol (PP) analysis and subgroup analyses, with an increased rate of sessile serrated lesion detection in the 9-minute WT by PP analysis (4.0% vs. 1.3%, P = .04). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the 9-minute WT was independently associated with increased ADR (P = .005).Prolonging WT from 6 to 9 minutes significantly improved ADR, especially in the proximal colon and for less experienced colonoscopists. A 9-minute WT benchmark should be considered as one of the quality indicators of colonoscopy. ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier, NCT03399045).

OBJECTIVE The study concerns identifying risk factors and developing nomogram for pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) to facilitate early diagnosis. METHODS From January 2000 to December 2013, ICP patients admitted to our center were enrolled. Cumulative incidence of PPC was determined by Kaplan-Meier method. Patients were randomized into training group and validation group in a 2:1 ratio. Risk factors of PPC were determined through Cox proportional hazards regression model based on training cohort. The nomogram was constructed according to risk factors. RESULTS Totally, 1633 ICP patients were included with a median follow-up duration of 9.8 years. Pancreatic pseudocyst was observed in 14.7% (240/1633) of patients after ICP onset. The cumulative incidences of PPC were 8.2%, 10.4%, and 12.9% at 3, 5, and 10 years after ICP onset, respectively. Male sex, smoking history, history of severe acute pancreatitis, and chronic pain at/before diagnosis of ICP and complex pathologic changes in main pancreatic duct were recognized as risk factors of PPC development. The nomogram constructed with these risk factors achieved good concordance indexes. CONCLUSIONS Risk for PPC could be estimated through the nomogram. High-risk patients were suggested to be followed up closely to help early diagnosis of PPC.

The high incidence of osteopathy among patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) has garnered increased attention over recent years. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence and risk factors for osteopathy in Chinese patients with CP. This was a cross-sectional study of CP patients from a large center in China; patients were recruited between 31 January 2017 and 31 January 2018. Bone density and laboratory tests, including bone-related biochemical, inflammatory, and hormone parameters, were assessed prospectively. Differences between patients with and without osteopathy were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between variables. In total, 104 CP patients were enrolled in this study (68.3% idiopathic and 31.7% alcoholic). According to the M-ANNHEIM classification, 87.5% of the patients were at an early stage (0–II). Osteopenia was diagnosed in 30.8% of patients and osteoporosis in 5.8%; thus, a total of 36.5% of patients presented with osteopathy. In multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for osteopathy in CP patients were age (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.00–1.08; P = 0.030), BMI (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.58–0.89; P = 0.003), and PTH (OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.93–1.00; P = 0.022). This study is the first to report the prevalence of osteopathy in Chinese patients with CP. It found that age and low BMI are significant risk factors for osteopathy. Low PTH (but within the normal range) showed a weak association with osteopathy, which warrants further exploration.

Background Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most frequently performed procedures for the treatment of biliary-pancreatic diseases. The most frequent complications of ERCP include pancreatitis, haemorrhage, perforation and cholangitis. While post-ERCP biliary bleeding leading to biliary obstruction is rare. Case presentation We herein report a case of exceptional post-ERCP cholangitis due to a blood clot in the common bile duct (CBD). This case involves a 75-year-old woman with a history of recurring upper abdominal pain. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) revealed dilatation of the extrahepatic bile duct with stones at the lower CBD. After ERCP, clearance of stones was obtained. The post-ERCP course was symptomatic with upper abdominal pain and a significant increase in cholestatic parameters. A second CT scan demonstrated a markedly dilated biliary tree with a longitudinal high-density image at the middle CBD. The patient was successfully treated with a repeated ERCP, and a blood clot was extracted. We also present a review of the literature published between 1985 and 2016 in PubMed. Four similar cases were reported during this period from France, Turkey, the USA and the UK, separately. Our case is the first reported in China. Conclusions Post-ERCP biliary bleeding leading to biliary obstruction is rare. We describe a rare case of post-ERCP cholangitis due to a blood clot in the common bile duct (CBD), which is consistent with most clinical presentations of similar cases already described. An analysis of the possible pathophysiological mechanisms and a review of the current literature are provided. We attempt to attract clinicians’ attention to the differential diagnosis of post-ERCP obstruction. The complications might be severe or even fatal. The diagnosis of blood clot is based on clinical and laboratory data, particularly imaging. Repeated ERCP is often necessary and effective.

Background and aim The treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) remains unsatisfactory. We assessed the efficacy of Zhizhu Kuanzhong (ZZKZ) capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, in patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) of FD. Methods The study was designed as a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Three-hundred ninety-two patients with PDS defined by Rome III criteria from 16 centers in China were randomly assigned to receive either ZZKZ or placebo. The proportion of the responders at 4 weeks after randomization was considered primary endpoint. Secondary endpoint was the symptom score reduction of each dyspeptic symptom relative to the baseline at 4 weeks after randomization in all subjects. Results In terms of the primary endpoint, the proportion of the responders concerning the composite PDS symptom score was 38.8% and 54.7% in placebo group and ZZKZ group, respectively (P = 0.003), in per protocol analysis at 4 weeks after randomization. Concerning the individual evaluated upper gastrointestinal symptoms, only postprandial fullness and early satiety showed significant difference in symptom score reduction at 4 weeks after randomization between placebo and ZZKZ groups. Conclusions Zhizhu Kuanzhong is superior to placebo in the treatment of PDS with FD. The exact mechanisms by which ZZKZ improves symptoms remain to be established (http://www.chictr.org.cn/ChinCTR-TRC-14004714).

Background and aim Although several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported that supplemental simethicone (SIM) can improve bowel preparation based on polyethylene glycol, there is no consensus as to whether SIM can ultimately increase the adenoma detection rate (ADR) during colonoscopy. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of SIM on ADR during colonoscopy. Methods Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to find relevant RCTs. RCTs evaluating the effect of pre-procedure SIM on the ADR during colonoscopy were finally included, and fixed effect models were applied. Results Six trials involving 1855 patients were finally included. The present meta-analysis suggested that the ADR during colonoscopy was significantly increased by supplemental SIM (27.9% vs 23.3%, P = 0.02), with a relative risk of 1.20 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.39). Subgroup analysis suggested that supplemental SIM may be more useful to improve ADR during colonoscopy in endoscopic centers with low baseline ADR. Conclusions Supplemental SIM for bowel preparation based on polyethylene glycol is useful to improve the ADR during colonoscopy.

Objectives The aim of this study was to establish a standard to describe the spatial distribution of pancreatic stones in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods Two hundred forty-seven CP patients with pancreatic stones from June to December 2012 were enrolled. Two-dimensional images from coronal projection of 3-dimensional computed tomography images of pancreatic stones were gained. The number (n) of all stones and the geometric standard deviation (σ) of distances between the centroid of all stones and the centroids of every stone that represented the spatial distribution nonuniformity were calculated by Stone Reconstruction and Identification Programming System. Results The mean value of n and σ were 13.6 and 22.5; n > 13.6 and σ > 22.5 were determined as "multistones" and "nonuniform," respectively. Compared with alcoholic CP, idiopathic CP was less prone to multistones (odds ratio [OR], 0.310) and more prone to nonuniform (OR, 3.247). Pancreatic pseudocyst (OR, 2.211) in CP course was a risk factor of multistones, whereas diabetes mellitus in first-/second-/third-degree relatives (OR, 0.382) was a protective factor. Age at diagnosis of pancreatic stones (OR, 1.022) was a risk factor of nonuniformity. Conclusions Compared with idiopathic CP, alcoholic CP patients were prone to more pancreatic stones that distribute more uniformly.

Objective Colonoscopy performed in the afternoon, rather than morning, has been reported to be associated with lower rates of adenoma and polyp detection (ADR and PDR) and cecal intubation (CIR). This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of afternoon colonoscopy relative to morning colonoscopy. Methods The databases MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify potential relevant studies. The primary outcome was ADR and the secondary outcomes were CIR and PDR. The outcomes were estimated by relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with a random effects model. Results Sixteen studies with 38,063 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled analyses indicated that ADR (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00–1.17) and CIR (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02) were stable during the whole day. In subgroup analyses, the effect of full-day block or inferior bowel preparation were more prominent, reflected by a significant reduction of ADR (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.09–1.28; RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.24) and CIR (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.13; RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03) in the afternoon, respectively. Conclusions Colonoscopy quality, as indicated by the ADR and CIR, is not affected by the time of day for procedures performed in block shifts. However, endoscopists’ working full-day blocks and inferior bowel preparation are associated with a significant decrease in ADR and CIR in the afternoon.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) in chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with pancreatic stones after previous pancreatic surgery. Methods This is a single-center study prospectively conducted in pained CP patients undergoing P-ESWL. Patients with a pancreatic surgery history (PSH) were included in the PSH group, and patients without a PSH during the same period were assigned to the control group. The primary outcomes included complications associated with P-ESWL and pain relief. Secondary outcomes included stone clearance and improved quality-of-life scores. Results From March 2011 to October 2014, P-ESWLs were performed on 1017 patients (50 in the PSH group, 967 in the control group). No significant difference was observed in the frequency of occurrence of P-ESWL complications between the PSH group and control group (14.0% vs 13.2%, P = 0.877). At follow-up (2.6 years; range, 1.0-4.5 years), pain relief was achieved in 36 patients (75.0%), and 37 patients (77.1%) experienced complete stone clearance. No significant differences were observed between these patients and the matched controls. Conclusions For CP patients who develop painful stones after pancreatic surgery, P-ESWL safely achieves significant pain relief and stone clearance, preventing the need for a repeat surgery.

Objective To determine the etiologies of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) in a Chinese population using a retrospective case series and a systematic analysis of the literatures on OGIB in Chinese patients. Methods A large enteroscopy database in a tertiary endoscopic center was searched to identify patients with OGIB from 2010 to 2016. The patients' characteristics and diagnostic findings were collected and analyzed. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out to harvest all relevant studies published from 2004 to 2016. Results In total, 708 patients were included in the case series. The most common causes of OGIB were inflammatory diseases (36.3%), non-small bowel lesions (10.2%) and neoplasms (10.0%). A systematic analysis of the literatures included 39 studies providing relevant data for 3145 patients with a pooled detection rate of 84.2%. Inflammatory lesions (27.4%), neoplasms (18.5%), vascular lesions (16.1%) and diverticula or intestinal duplication (11.9%) were the most common causes of OGIB. Conclusions Inflammatory lesions, neoplasms, vascular lesions and diverticula or intestinal duplication are the most common in Chinese OGIB patients, while in pediatric patients diverticula or intestinal duplication, vascular lesions and Crohn's disease are prevalent. Furthermore, the etiologies of OGIB distribute differently across different areas in China.

Objective To compare the efficiency of plastic and metal stents for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) drainage and analyze other main associated factors that affect the outcome of drainage therapy. Method Rates of technical and clinical success, procedure-related side effects (hemorrhage, stent migration, and cyst rupture), reinterventions, and duration of hospital stay. Results There were 52 patients, 40 patients underwent plastic stent placement and 12 patients underwent lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) placement. The total rate of technical success was 100%. The total rate of clinical success was 100%. The total rate of adverse events was 7.7% (4/52). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the use of plastic stents (P < 0.05, Exp B = 12.168) and the presence of a large cyst (P < 0.05, Exp B = 1.036) were shown to significantly increase the risk of reintervention. On multivariate linear regression analysis, etiology of pseudocyst (P < 0.05, B = −8.427, −9.785, −5.514) was associated with prolonged hospital stent, while stent type was not shown be a factor (P > 0.05). Conclusion Both plastic and LAMSs are proven to be highly efficient in PP drainage. The LAMS is superior in preventing complications such as migration and cyst leakage and reducing the rate of reintervention.

This study aimed to develop and validate an effective prognostic nomogram for advanced PDAC patients. We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study involving 1,526 advanced PDAC patients from three participating hospitals in China between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013. Two thirds of the patients were randomly assigned to the training set (n = 1,017), and one third were assigned to the validation set (n = 509). Multivariate cox regression analysis was performed to identify significant prognostic factors for overall survival to develop the nomogram. Internal and external validation using C-index and calibration curve were conducted in the training set and validation set respectively. As results, seven independent prognostic factors were identified: age, tumor stage, tumor size, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALB (albumin), CA 19-9, HBV infection status, and these factors were entered into the nomogram. The proposed nomogram showed favorable discrimination and calibration both in the training set and validation set. The C-indexes of the training set and validation set were 0.720 and 0.696 respectively, which were both significantly higher than that of the staging system (C-index = 0.613, P

Background and Aims Gum chewing can accelerate motility in the GI tract; clinical studies suggested gum chewing can reduce postoperative ileus. However, no trial has investigated the effect of gum chewing on bowel preparation for colonoscopy in addition to polyethylene glycol (PEG). The objective of this study was to investigate whether gum chewing before colonoscopy can increase the quality of bowel preparation. Methods This was a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to the gum group or the control group. Patients in the gum group chewed sugar-free gum every 2 hours for 20 minutes each time from the end of drinking 2 L of PEG to the beginning of colonoscopy. Patients in the control group only received 2 L of PEG before colonoscopy. The quality of bowel preparation, procedure time, adenoma detection rate, patients' tolerance, and adverse events were compared. Results Three hundred patients were included in the study (150 in the control group, 150 in the gum group). More than 90% of patients in both groups were satisfied with the process of bowel preparation, and the incidence of adverse events was comparable in the 2 groups (41.3% vs 46.0%, P = .42). The mean Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score was 6.2 ± 1.4 and 6.1 ± 1.2 in the control group and the gum group, respectively, and the difference between the 2 groups was not significant ( P = .51). Conclusions This study indicates that gum chewing does not improve the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy, but it can improve patients' satisfaction with the process of bowel preparation and does not have negative effects on cleanliness. (Clinical trials registration number: NCT02507037.)

Background and Aim Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis. The identification of risk factors and development of a nomogram for pancreatic pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis patients may contribute to the early diagnosis and intervention of pancreatic pseudocysts. Methods Patients with chronic pancreatitis admitted to our center from January 2000 to December 2013 were enrolled. Cumulative rates of pancreatic pseudocysts after the onset of chronic pancreatitis and after the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis were calculated. Patients were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, to the training and validation cohort. Based on the training cohort, risk factors were identified through Cox proportional hazards regression model, and nomogram was developed. Internal and external validations were performed based on the training and validation cohort, respectively. Results With a total of 1,998 patients, pancreatic pseudocysts were detected in 228 (11.41%) patients. Age at the onset of chronic pancreatitis, smoking, and severe acute pancreatitis were identified risk factors for pancreatic pseudocysts development while steatorrhea and pancreatic stones were protective factors. Incorporating these 5 factors, the nomogram achieved good concordance indexes of 0.735 and 0.628 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, with well-fitted calibration curves. Conclusion The nomogram achieved an individualized prediction of pancreatic pseudocysts development in chronic pancreatitis. It may help the early diagnosis and management of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (SETs) may harbor potential malignancy. Although it is well recognized that large SETs should be resected, the treatment strategy remains controversial. Compared to surgical resection, endoscopic resection has many advantages such as less invasive, shorter hospital stay, lower costs, and better quality of life. However, Endoscopic resection of large SETs in the cardia is challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the treatment of such SETs. A total of 41 patients with large SETs (≥3 cm in diameter) located in the cardia were involved in the study. All patients underwent ESD. Data on therapeutic outcomes and follow-up were collected, for analysis of risk factors of complication rates. The average tumor size was 4.7 ± 1.7 cm. The average procedure time was 69.3 ± 32.7 min and the average postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 ± 1.1 days. A total of 41 tumors were removed successfully, in which 35 were leiomyomas, three were gastrointestinal stromal tumors, two were lipomas, and one was gastritis cystica profunda. The en bloc resection rate was 90.2%, and was significantly higher for tumors with a round or oval shape (100%) than for those with an irregular shape (75.0%) (P

Background and Aim With increased availability of imaging technology, detection of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) is on the rise. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) improves the diagnosis accuracy of PCLs. Systematic evaluation of morbidity and mortality associated with EUS-FNA for PCLs has not been performed. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of morbidity and mortality associated with EUS-FNA. Methods A literature search for relevant English-language articles was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE databases. Main outcome measures for this analysis were adverse effects of diagnostic EUS-FNA, and the associated morbidity and mortality, in patients with PCLs. Results Forty studies, with a combined subject population of 5,124 patients with PCLs, qualified the inclusion criteria. The overall morbidity due to adverse events of EUS-FNA was 2.66% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.84%-3.62%), and the associated mortality was 0.19% (95% CI: 0.09%-0.32%). Common post-procedure adverse events included pancreatitis 0.92% (95% CI: 0.63%-1.28%), hemorrhage 0.69% (95% CI: 0.42%-1.02%), pain 0.49% (95% CI: 0.27%-0.79%), infection 0.44% (95% CI: 0.27%-0.66%), desaturation 0.23% (95% CI: 0.12%-0.38%) and perforation 0.21% (95% CI: 0.11%-0.36%). There was no peritoneal seeding in our study. Incidence of adverse events associated with prophylactic periprocedural antibiotic use was 2.77% (95% CI: 1.87%-3.85%). Conclusions EUS-FNA is a safe procedure for diagnosis of PCLs and is associated with a relatively low incidence of adverse events. Most adverse events were mild, self-limiting, and did not require medical intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Rare functionally defective carboxypeptidase A1 (CPA1) variants have been reported to predispose to nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis, mainly the idiopathic subtype. However, independent replication has so far been lacking, particularly in Asian cohorts where initial studies employed small sample sizes. Herein we performed targeted next-generation sequencing of the CPA1 gene in 1112 Han Chinese idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) patients – the largest ICP cohort so far analyzed in a single population – and 1580 controls. Sanger sequencing was used to validate called variants, and the CPA1 activity and secretion of all newly found variants were measured. A total of 18 rare CPA1 variants were characterized, 11 of which have not been previously described. However, no significant association was noted with ICP irrespective of whether all rare variants [20/1112 (1.8%) in patients vs. 24/1580 (1.52%) in controls; P = 0.57] or functionally impaired variants [3/1112 (0.27%) in patients vs. 2/1580 (0.13%) in controls; P = 0.68] were considered. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been used to remove submucosal tumors. However, with regard to the potential malignant behavior of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), whether ESD can be recommended for treatment is still controversial. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of ESD for removal of GISTs in the muscularis propria (MP) layer and to assess the possible risk factors for a gastric-wall defect (GWD). For 168 GISTs located in the MP layer from 168 consecutive patients, the baseline information, complications, and therapeutic outcomes were recorded. Subsequently, risk factors for a GWD were analyzed. Most GISTs (106/168) were located in the fundus of the stomach. Tumor shapes in 154 patients (91.7%) were regular, and the median size of the tumor was 1.5 (range 0.5–6.0) cm. The en bloc resection rate was 100% and the median procedure time was 46.5 (33–181) min. A GWD was observed in 71 patients (42.3%) and delayed bleeding occurred in 2 patients (1.2%), and they were treated by clips. A total of 117 patients with a GIST were at very low risk, 37 patients were at low risk, and 14 patients were at mild risk. No local recurrences or distant metastases were observed during a median follow-up of 25 (6–67) months. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified the tumor type to be an independent risk factor for a GWD during ESD (odds ratio 29.82, 95% confidence interval 10.87–81.80, P

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of YKL-40 expression in patients undergoing curative resection of pancreatic cancer. METHODS This cohort study included 234 consecutive patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection. Surgical specimens were immunohistochemically assessed for YKL-40 expression. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic impact of YKL-40 expression. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to examine the correlation between YKL-40 expression and tumor stage. RESULTS Of the 234 patients, YKL-40 overexpression was detected in 149 (63.7%) patients. Survival curves showed that patients with YKL-40 overexpression had significantly shorter survival time than those with low YKL-40 expression (P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis indicated that YKL-40 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (hazard ratio, 3.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.38-6.13) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 3.73; 95% CI, 2.33-5.99). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that YKL-40 overexpression was an independent predictor for advanced tumor stage (odds ratio 4.15; 95% CI, 1.35-12.71). CONCLUSIONS YKL-40 overexpression predicts poor prognosis and advanced tumor stage in patients undergoing curative resection of pancreatic cancer. Application of adjuvant treatment targeting the YKL-40 pathway may improve prognosis.

We read with interest the study by Guo et al , evaluating the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in aspirin users after Helicobacter pylori eradication.1 It revealed a higher risk of GIB in new aspirin users even after H. pylori eradication than chronic aspirin users as well as non-users. The propensity score matching method was also performed to balance the potential differences of baseline characteristics among groups, which largely compensate for the deficiencies of retrospective research. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection among Chinese population remains high (40%–60%).2 3 We hope to explicitly demonstrate the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric diseases to justify the necessity of H. pylori eradication. In our recent retrospective study, a …