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Background: Several studies have evaluated predictors for complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but their relative importance is unknown. In addition, currently used blood tests to detect post-ERCP pancreatitis are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of post-ERCP complications that could discriminate between patients at highest and lowest risk of post-ERCP complications and to develop a model that is able to identify patients that can safely be discharged shortly after ERCP.Methods: In a single-center, retrospective analysis over the period 2002-2007, predictors of post-ERCP complications were evaluated in a multivariable analysis and compared with those identified from a literature review. A prognostic model was developed based on these risk factors, which was further evaluated in a prospective patient population.Results: From our retrospective analysis and literature review, we selected the eight most important risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis and cholangitis. In the prognostic model, the risk factors (precut) sphincterotomy, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, younger age, female gender, history of pancreatitis, pancreas divisum, and difficult cannulation accounted for a score of 1 each, whereas primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) accounted for a score of 2. A sum score of 4 or more in the prognostic model was associated with a high risk of developing pancreatitis and cholangitis (27%; 6/22) in the prospective patient population, whereas a sum score of 3 or less was associated with a low to intermediate risk (8%; 20/252).Conclusions: We identified specific patient- and procedure-related factors that are associated with post-ERCP complications. The prognostic model based on these factors is able to identify patients who can be safely discharged the same day after ERCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the efficacy of antioxidants in acute (AP) pancreatitis., Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library for all randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving administration of antioxidants in the therapy of AP until February 2012. AP studies were pooled to analyze the effect of antioxidants on hospital stay, mortality, and complications. Subgroup analyses were performed on the use of the antioxidant glutamine., Results: In total, eleven RCTs were included. Among patients with AP, antioxidant therapy resulted in a borderline significant reduction in hospital stay (mean difference -1.74; 95%CI -3.56 to 0.08), a significant decrease in complications (RR 0.66; 95%CI 0.46-0.95) and a non-significant decrease in mortality rate (RR 0.66; 95%CI 0.30-1.46). Subgroup analyses showed that glutamine significantly reduced complications (RR 0.51; 95%CI 0.34-0.78) and mortality rate (RR 0.33; 95%CI 0.13-0.85)., Conclusion: The present meta-analysis shows a possible benefit of glutamine supplementation in patients with acute pancreatitis. However, large randomized trials are needed to confirm these observations., (Copyright © 2015 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Evidence of a protective effect of several antioxidants and other nutrients on pancreatic cancer risk is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association for prediagnostic plasma levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, retinol and tocopherols with risk of pancreatic cancer in a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). 446 incident exocrine pancreatic cancer cases were matched to 446 controls by age at blood collection, study center, sex, date and time of blood collection, fasting status and hormone use. Plasma carotenoids (α- and β-carotene, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein), α- and γ-tocopherol and retinol were measured by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography and plasma vitamin C by a colorimetric assay. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for pancreatic cancer risk were estimated using a conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusted for smoking status, smoking duration and intensity, waist circumference, cotinine levels and diabetes status. Inverse associations with pancreatic cancer risk were found for plasma β-carotene (IRR highest vs. lowest quartile 0.52, 95%CI 0.31-0.88, p for trend = 0.02), zeaxanthin (IRR highest vs. lowest quartile 0.53, 95%CI 0.30-0.94, p for trend = 0.06) and α-tocopherol (IRR highest vs. lowest quartile 0.62, 95%CI 0.39-0.99, p for trend = 0.08. For α- and β-carotene, lutein, sum of carotenoids and γ-tocopherol, heterogeneity between geographical regions was observed. In conclusion, our results show that higher plasma concentrations of β-carotene, zeaxanthin and α-tocopherol may be inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, but further studies are warranted., (© 2014 UICC.)

Previous epidemiological studies suggest an inverse association between allergies, marked by elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk. The evidence, however, is inconsistent and prospective data are sparse. We examined the association between prediagnostic total (low: <20; intermediate: 20-100; high >100 kU/l) and specific IgE (negative: <0.35; positive ≥0.35 kU/I) concentrations against inhalant antigens and lymphoma risk in a study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. A total of 1021 incident cases and matched controls of NHL, multiple myeloma (MM) and Hodgkin lymphoma with a mean follow-up time of 7 years were investigated. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by conditional logistic regression. Specific IgE was not associated with the risk of MM, B-cell NHL and B-cell NHL subtypes. In contrast, total IgE levels were inversely associated with the risk of MM [high level: OR = 0.40 (95% CI = 0.21-0.79)] and B-cell NHL [intermediate level: OR = 0.68 (95% CI = 0.53-0.88); high level: OR = 0.62 (95% CI = 0.44-0.86)], largely on the basis of a strong inverse association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL; intermediate level: OR = 0.49 (95% CI = 0.30-0.80); high level: OR = 0.13 (95% CI = 0.05-0.35)] risk. The inverse relationship for CLL remained significant for those diagnosed 5 years after baseline. The findings of this large prospective study demonstrated significantly lower prediagnostic total IgE levels among CLL and MM cases compared with matched controls. This corresponds to the clinical immunodeficiency state often observed in CLL patients prior to diagnosis. No support for an inverse association between prediagnostic levels of specific IgE and NHL risk was found., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background & Aims: Few modifiable risk factors have been implicated in the etiology of pancreatic cancer. There is little evidence for the effects of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, or tea intake on risk of pancreatic cancer. We investigated the association of total coffee, caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea consumption with risk of pancreatic cancer., Methods: This study was conducted within the European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition and Cancer cohort, comprising male and female participants from 10 European countries. Between 1992 and 2000, there were 477,312 participants without cancer who completed a dietary questionnaire and were followed up to determine pancreatic cancer incidence. Coffee and tea intake was calibrated with a 24-hour dietary recall. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were computed using multivariable Cox regression., Results: During a mean follow-up period of 11.6 y, 865 first incidences of pancreatic cancers were reported. When divided into fourths, neither total intake of coffee (HR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.27; high vs low intake), decaffeinated coffee (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.76-1.63; high vs low intake), nor tea were associated with risk of pancreatic cancer (HR, 1.22, 95% CI, 0.95-1.56; high vs low intake). Moderately low intake of caffeinated coffee was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02-1.74), compared with low intake. However, no graded dose response was observed, and the association attenuated after restriction to histologically confirmed pancreatic cancers., Conclusions: Based on an analysis of data from the European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition and Cancer cohort, total coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea consumption are not related to the risk of pancreatic cancer., (Copyright © 2013 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide with large geographical variation, which implies the contribution of diet and lifestyle in its etiology. We examined the association of meat and fish consumption with risk of pancreatic cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). A total of 477,202 EPIC participants from 10 European countries recruited between 1992 and 2000 were included in our analysis. Until 2008, 865 nonendocrine pancreatic cancer cases have been observed. Calibrated relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using multivariable-adjusted Cox hazard regression models. The consumption of red meat (RR per 50 g increase per day = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.93-1.14) and processed meat (RR per 50 g increase per day = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.71-1.23) were not associated with an increased pancreatic cancer risk. Poultry consumption tended to be associated with an increased pancreatic cancer risk (RR per 50 g increase per day = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.04-2.84); however, there was no association with fish consumption (RR per 50 g increase per day = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.92-1.62). Our results do not support the conclusion of the World Cancer Research Fund that red or processed meat consumption may possibly increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. The positive association of poultry consumption with pancreatic cancer might be a chance finding as it contradicts most previous findings., (Copyright © 2012 UICC.)

Diets high in vegetables and fruits have been suggested to be inversely associated with risk of gastric cancer. However, the evidence of the effect of variety of consumption is limited. We therefore investigated whether consumption of a variety of vegetables and fruit is associated with gastric and esophageal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Data on food consumption and follow-up on cancer incidence were available for 452,269 participants from 10 European countries. After a mean follow-up of 8.4 years, 475 cases of gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas (180 noncardia, 185 cardia, gastric esophageal junction and esophagus, 110 not specified) and 98 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas were observed. Diet Diversity Scores were used to quantify the variety in vegetable and fruit consumption. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to calculate risk ratios. Independent from quantity of consumption, variety in the consumption of vegetables and fruit combined and of fruit consumption alone were statistically significantly inversely associated with the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (continuous hazard ratio per 2 products increment 0.88; 95% CI 0.79-0.97 and 0.76; 95% CI 0.62-0.94, respectively) with the latter particularly seen in ever smokers. Variety in vegetable and/or fruit consumption was not associated with risk of gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas. Independent from quantity of consumption, more variety in vegetable and fruit consumption combined and in fruit consumption alone may decrease the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, residual confounding by lifestyle factors cannot be excluded., (Copyright © 2012 UICC.)

A high intake of dietary antioxidant compounds has been hypothesized to be an appropriate strategy to reduce gastric cancer (GC) development. We investigated the effect of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in relation to GC in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) study including 23 centers in 10 European countries. A total of 521,457 subjects (153,447 men) aged mostly 35-70 years old, were recruited largely between 1992 and 1998. Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), measuring reducing and chain-breaking antioxidant capacity were used to measure dietary TAC from plant foods. Dietary antioxidant intake is associated with a reduction in the risk of GC for both FRAP (adjusted HR 0.66; 95%CI (0.46-0.95) and TRAP (adjusted HR 0.61; 95%CI (0.43-0.87) (highest vs. lowest quintile). The association was observed for both cardia and noncardia cancers. A clear effect was observed in smokers with a significant reduction in GC risk for the fifth quintile of intake for both assays (highest vs. lowest quintile: adjusted HR 0.41; 95%CI (0.22-0.76) p for trend <0.001 for FRAP; adjusted HR 0.52; 95%CI (0.28-0.97) p for trend <0.001 for TRAP) but not in nonsmokers. In former smokers, the association with FRAP intake was statistically significant (highest vs. lowest quintile: adjusted HR 0.4; 95%CI (0.21-0.75) p < 0.05); no association was observed for TRAP. Dietary antioxidant capacity intake from different sources of plant foods is associated with a reduction in the risk of GC., (Copyright © 2011 UICC.)

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an invasive procedure that proves burdensome to patients. Nevertheless, very little data are available on patient tolerance of this procedure that may improve practice guidelines and could aid in decreasing the burden of ERCP. This study therefore investigated the burden of ERCP performed with the patient under conscious sedation., Methods: Consecutive patients receiving ERCP under conscious sedation between November 2007 and December 2008 at the University Medical Center Utrecht and Erasmus MC Rotterdam (The Netherlands) were asked to participate in this study. The patients completed questionnaires on demographics, medical history, burden of ERCP (mental health, discomfort, and pain), symptoms and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), including the EQ-VAS (lower EQ-5D scores and higher EQ-VAS scores represent a better quality of life). The paired t-test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression were used to evaluate the results., Results: The questionnaire was returned by 149 (54%) of 276 eligible patients, 139 of whom completed the entire questionnaire (54% males; mean age, 60 ± 14 years). Throat ache (p < 0.001) was the only symptom higher than baseline value 1 day after the ERCP. On day 1, about one-tenth of the patients experienced moderate to severe mental health problems, which were associated with a higher EQ-5D score before ERCP (p = 0.01). Slightly fewer than half of the patients experienced pain and discomfort during and immediately after ERCP. More discomfort was experienced by patients who underwent therapeutic ERCP (p < 0.05) and those with a higher EQ-5D score (p < 0.001) or lower VAS (p < 0.01). Pain was associated with younger age (p < 0.01), higher EQ-5D score (p < 0.001), and lower VAS (p < 0.01)., Conclusion: One-third to one-half of patients experience pain and discomfort during and immediately after ERCP when it is performed with conscious sedation for the patient. Other sedation strategies, such as the use of general anesthesia or propofol, may well reduce the burden of ERCP, particularly for patients with a higher EQ-5D score, younger age, or therapeutic ERCP treatment. However, randomized trials are warranted.

Even though recent studies suggest that a high intake of heme iron is associated with several types of cancer, epidemiological studies in relation to gastric cancer (GC) are lacking. Our previous results show a positive association between red and processed meat and non cardia gastric cancer, especially in Helicobacter pylori infected subjects. The aim of the study is to investigate the association between heme iron intake and GC risk in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EURGAST-EPIC). Dietary intake was assessed by validated center-specific questionnaires. Heme iron was calculated as a type-specific percentage of the total iron content in meat intake, derived from the literature. Antibodies of H. pylori infection and vitamin C levels were measured in a sub-sample of cases and matched controls included in a nested case-control study within the cohort. The study included 481,419 individuals and 444 incident cases of GC that occurred during an average of 8.7 years of followup. We observed a statistically significant association between heme iron intake and GC risk (HR 1.13 95% CI: 1.01-1.26 for a doubling of intake) adjusted by sex, age, BMI, education level, tobacco smoking and energy intake. The positive association between heme iron and the risk of GC was statistically significant in subjects with plasma vitamin C <39 mmol/l only (log2 HR 1.54 95% CI (1.01-2.35). We found a positive association between heme iron intake and gastric cancer risk., (Copyright © 2011 UICC.)

Excess body weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus, risk factors of pancreatic cancer, are characterized by decreased levels of adiponectin. In addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative actions, adiponectin has an important role in regulating glucose metabolism, i.e., decreasing circulating blood glucose levels. Prospectively, hyperglycemia has been associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of pre-diagnostic adiponectin levels with pancreatic cancer risk. We conducted a case-control study nested within European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Blood samples of 452 pancreatic cancer cases and 452 individually matched controls were analyzed by immunoassays. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, adiponectin showed no association with pancreas cancer risk; however, among never smokers, higher circulating levels of adiponectin were associated with a reduction in pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 0.44 [95% CI 0.23-0.82] for highest vs. lowest quartile), whereas among current smokers there was no significant association (OR = 1.59 [95% CI 0.67-3.76] for highest vs. lowest quartile; p-trend = 0.530; p-interaction = 0.309). In our study, lower adiponectin concentrations may be associated with the development of pancreatic cancer among never smokers, whereas the only other prospective study being conducted so far showed a decrease in risk among male smokers. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify the role of adiponectin in pancreatic cancer development., (Copyright © 2011 UICC.)

Background: In epidemiological studies, Helicobacter pylori infection is usually detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, infection can spontaneously clear from the mucosa during the progression of atrophy and could lead to substantial under-detection of infection and underestimation of its effect on gastric cancer (GC) risk. Antibodies detected by western blot are known to persist longer after the loss of the infection., Methods: In a nested case-control study from the Eurogast-EPIC cohort, including 88 noncardia GC cases and 338 controls, we assessed the association between noncardia GC and H. pylori infection comparing antibodies detected by western blot (HELICOBLOT2.1) to those detected by ELISA (Pyloriset EIA-GIII(®))., Results: By immunoblot, 82 cases (93.2%) were H. pylori positive, 10 of these cases (11.4%) were negative by ELISA and only 6 cases (6.8%) were negative by both ELISA and immunoblot. Multivariable odds ratio (OR) for noncardia GC comparing immunoglobulin G positive versus negative by ELISA was 6.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0-15.1], and by immunoblot, the OR was 21.4 (95% CI 7.1-64.4)., Conclusions: Using a western blot assay, nearly all noncardia GC were classified as H. pylori positive and the OR was more than threefold higher than the OR assessed by ELISA, supporting the hypothesis that H. pylori infection is a necessary condition for noncardia GC.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGE) and their receptors (RAGE) have been implicated in cancer development through their proinflammatory capabilities. However, prospective data on their association with cancer of specific sites, including pancreatic cancer, are limited., Methods: Prediagnostic blood levels of the AGE product Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and the endogenous secreted receptor for AGE (esRAGE) were measured using ELISA in 454 patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer and individually matched controls within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Pancreatic cancer risk was estimated by calculating ORs with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: Elevated CML levels tended to be associated with a reduction in pancreatic cancer risk [OR = 0.57 (95% CI, 0.32-1.01) comparing highest with lowest quintile), whereas no association was observed for esRAGE (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.62-1.54). Adjustments for body mass index and smoking attenuated the inverse associations of CML with pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.41-1.49). There was an inverse association between esRAGE and risk of pancreatic cancer for cases that were diagnosed within the first 2 years of follow-up [OR = 0.46 (95% CI, 0.22-0.96) for a doubling in concentration], whereas there was no association among those with a longer follow-up (OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.88-1.39; P(interaction) = 0.002)., Conclusions and Impact: Our results do not provide evidence for an association of higher CML or lower esRAGE levels with risk of pancreatic cancer. The role of AGE/RAGE in pancreatic cancer would benefit from further investigations., (©2012 AACR)

Aims/hypothesis: There has been long-standing debate about whether diabetes is a causal risk factor for pancreatic cancer or a consequence of tumour development. Prospective epidemiological studies have shown variable relationships between pancreatic cancer risk and blood markers of glucose and insulin metabolism, overall and as a function of lag times between marker measurements (blood donation) and date of tumour diagnosis., Methods: Pre-diagnostic levels of HbA(1c) and C-peptide were measured for 466 participants with pancreatic cancer and 466 individually matched controls within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs for pancreatic cancer., Results: Pancreatic cancer risk gradually increased with increasing pre-diagnostic HbA(1c) levels up to an OR of 2.42 (95% CI 1.33, 4.39 highest [≥ 6.5%, 48 mmol/mol] vs lowest [≤ 5.4%, 36 mmol/mol] category), even for individuals with HbA(1c) levels within the non-diabetic range. C-peptide levels showed no significant relationship with pancreatic cancer risk, irrespective of fasting status. Analyses showed no clear trends towards increasing hyperglycaemia (as marked by HbA(1c) levels) or reduced pancreatic beta cell responsiveness (as marked by C-peptide levels) with decreasing time intervals from blood donation to cancer diagnosis., Conclusions/interpretation: Our data on HbA(1c) show that individuals who develop exocrine pancreatic cancer tend to have moderate increases in HbA(1c) levels, relatively independently of obesity and insulin resistance-the classic and major risk factors for type 2 diabetes. While there is no strong difference by lag time, more data are needed on this in order to reach a firm conclusion.

Background: Few studies have reported on Barrett's esophagus (BE) in children. Moreover, information on the age at diagnosis and the duration between reflux-symptoms and diagnosis is lacking., Methods: A review of the literature was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane database., Results: Fourteen articles were included, of which 4 cohort studies and 10 studies investigating patients already diagnosed with BE. The cohort studies showed 37 patients diagnosed with BE (0.3-4.8%), mean age 12.4 years. Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 2.8 years. All 14 studies together showed 176 patients with BE (mean age 9.5 years). Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 5.3 years. During endoscopic follow-up of 45 patients, 26 still had BE, 17 no longer had evidence of BE, and two had developed esophageal-adenocarcinoma., Conclusion: This review shows that BE and esophageal-adenocarcinoma occur in children. However, criteria used to define BE by the included studies were not comparable to the current criteria and data on GERD symptoms may have been inaccurate. Therefore, we recommend performing a long-term prospective study on the relationship between (duration of) GERD and the development of BE in children in order to define screening guidelines., (Copyright © 2011 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Study Aims: Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a late complication of advanced gastric, periampullary, and duodenal malignancies. Palliation of obstruction is the primary aim of treatment in these patients. Self-expandable metal stents have emerged as a promising treatment option. Our aim was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a new non-foreshortening nitinol duodenal stent., Patients and Methods: A total of 52 patients with symptomatic malignant GOO were studied in this prospective multicenter cohort study. All patients received a D-Weave Niti-S duodenal stent (Taewoong Medical, Seoul, South Korea). Patients were followed up until withdrawal of informed consent or death., Results: The cause of GOO was pancreatic cancer in the majority of patients (62%). The technical and clinical success rates were 96% and 77%, respectively. The GOO Scoring System score improved significantly (P < 0.0001) when the scores before stenting were compared with the mean scores until death. Median survival was 82 days and stent patency was observed in 75% for up to 190 days, accounting for death as a competing risk. In 13 patients (25%) stent dysfunction occurred (tumor ingrowth in 11, stent migration in two). Over time, the body mass index, the World Health Organization performance score, and the EuroQol visual analog scale revealed a not significant change (P = 0.52, P = 0.43, and P = 0.15, respectively), whereas the global health status improved significantly (P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Placement of a new non-foreshortening nitinol enteral stent is safe and without major complications. This stent design produces significant relief of obstructive symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with incurable malignant GOO., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Gastrojejunostomy and stentplacement are the most commonly used treatments for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The preference for either treatment largely depends on the expected survival. Our objective was to investigate predictors of survival in patients with malignant GOO and to develop a model that could aid in the decision for either gastrojejunostomy or stentplacement., Methods: Prognostic factors for survival were collected from a literature search and evaluated in our patient population, which included 95 retrospectively and 56 prospectively followed cases. All 151 patients were treated with gastrojejunostomy or stentplacement., Results: A higher WHO performance score was the only significant prognostic factor for survival in our multivariable analysis (HR 2.2 95%CI 1.7-2.9), whereas treatment for obstructive jaundice, gender, age, metastases, weight loss, level of obstruction and pancreatic cancer were not. A prognostic model that includes the WHO score was able to distinguish patients with a poor survival (WHO score 3-4, median survival: 31 days) from those with a relatively intermediate or good survival (WHO score 2, median survival: 69 and WHO score 0-1, median survival: 139 days, respectively)., Conclusions: Only the WHO score is a significant predictor of survival in patients with malignant GOO. A simple prognostic model is able to guide the palliative treatment decision for either gastrojejunostomy (WHO score 0-1) or stentplacement (WHO 3-4) in patients with malignant GOO., (Copyright © 2011 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The worldwide incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) is lower in women than in men. Furthermore, cancer patients treated with estrogens have been reported to have a lower subsequent risk of GC. The authors conducted a prospective analysis of menstrual and reproductive factors, exogenous hormone use, and GC in 335,216 women from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition, a cohort study of individuals aged 35-70 years from 10 European countries. After a mean follow-up of 8.7 years (through 2004), 181 women for whom complete exposure data were available developed GC. Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Women who had ovariectomy had a 79% increased risk of GC (based on 25 cases) compared with women who did not (hazard ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.15, 2.78). Total cumulative years of menstrual cycling was inversely associated with GC risk (fifth vs. first quintile: hazard ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.31, 0.98; P(trend) = 0.06). No other reproductive factors analyzed were associated with risk of GC. The results of this analysis provide some support for the hypothesis that endogenous ovarian sex hormones lower GC incidence in women.

Background: Gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) and stent placement are the most commonly used palliative treatments for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). In a recent randomized trial, stent placement was preferred in patients with a relatively short survival and GJJ in patients with a longer survival. As health economic aspects have only been studied in general terms, we estimated the cost of GJJ and that of stent placement in such patients., Methods: In the SUSTENT study, patients were randomized to GJJ (n = 18) or stent placement (n = 21). Pancreatic cancer was the most common cause of GOO. We compared initial costs and costs during follow-up. For cost-effectiveness, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated., Results: Food intake improved more rapidly after stent placement than after GJJ, but long-term relief of obstructive symptoms was better after GJJ. More major complications (P = 0.02) occurred and more reinterventions were performed (P < 0.01) after stent placement than after GJJ. Initial costs were higher for GJJ compared to stent placement (euro8315 vs. euro4820, P < 0.001). We found no difference in follow-up costs. Total costs per patient were higher for GJJ compared to stent placement (euro12433 vs. euro8819, P = 0.049). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of GJJ compared to stent placement was euro164 per extra day with a gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) >or=2 adjusted for survival., Conclusions: Medical effects were better after GJJ, although GJJ had higher total costs. Since the cost difference between the two treatments was only small, cost should not play a predominant role when deciding on the type of treatment assigned to patients with malignant GOO (ISRCTN 06702358).

Background: Both gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) and stent placement are commonly used palliative treatments of obstructive symptoms caused by malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO)., Objective: Compare GJJ and stent placement., Design: Multicenter, randomized trial., Setting: Twenty-one centers in The Netherlands., Patients: Patients with GOO., Interventions: GJJ and stent placement., Main Outcome Measurements: Outcomes were medical effects, quality of life, and costs. Analysis was by intent to treat., Results: Eighteen patients were randomized to GJJ and 21 to stent placement. Food intake improved more rapidly after stent placement than after GJJ (GOO Scoring System score > or = 2: median 5 vs 8 days, respectively; P < .01) but long-term relief was better after GJJ, with more patients living more days with a GOO Scoring System score of 2 or more than after stent placement (72 vs 50 days, respectively; P = .05). More major complications (stent: 6 in 4 patients vs GJJ: 0; P = .02), recurrent obstructive symptoms (stent: 8 in 5 patients vs GJJ: 1 in 1 patient; P = .02), and reinterventions (stent: 10 in 7 patients vs GJJ: 2 in 2 patients; P < .01) were observed after stent placement compared with GJJ. When stent obstruction was not regarded as a major complication, no differences in complications were found (P = .4). There were also no differences in median survival (stent: 56 days vs GJJ: 78 days) and quality of life. Mean total costs of GJJ were higher compared with stent placement ($16,535 vs $11,720, respectively; P = .049 [comparing medians]). Because of the small study population, only initial hospital costs would have been statistically significant if the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing had been applied., Limitations: Relatively small patient population., Conclusions: Despite slow initial symptom improvement, GJJ was associated with better long-term results and is therefore the treatment of choice in patients with a life expectancy of 2 months or longer. Because stent placement was associated with better short-term outcomes, this treatment is preferable for patients expected to live less than 2 months. (, Clinical Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN 06702358.)., (2010 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Stent placement in the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum with a therapeutic gastroscope can be difficult, because of the reach of the endoscope, loop formation in the stomach, and flexibility of the gastroscope. The use of a colonoscope may overcome these problems., Objective: To report our experience with distal duodenal stent placement in 16 patients using a colonoscope., Methods: Multicenter, retrospective series of patients with a malignant obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum and treated by stent placement using a colonoscope. Main outcome measurements are technical success, ability to eat, complications, and survival., Results: Stent placement was technically feasible in 93% (15/16) of patients. Food intake improved from a median gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score of 1 (no oral intake) to 3 (soft solids) (p = 0.001). Severe complications were not observed. One patient had persistent obstructive symptoms presumably due to motility problems. Recurrent obstructive symptoms were caused by tissue/tumor ingrowth through the stent mesh [n = 6 (38%)] and stent occlusion by debris [n = 1 (6%)]. Reinterventions included additional stent placement [n = 5 (31%)], gastrojejunostomy [n = 2 (12%)], and endoscopic stent cleansing [n = 1 (6%)]. Median survival was 153 days., Conclusion: Duodenal stent placement can effectively and safely be performed using a colonoscope in patients with an obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum. A colonoscope has the advantage that it is long enough and offers good endoscopic stiffness, which avoids looping in the stomach.

Pancreatic cystic lesions are uncommon and consist of pseudocysts, congenital cysts and cystic neoplasms including mucinous cystic neoplasms, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and serous cystic neoplasms. Mucinous cystic neoplasms are large septated cysts without connection to the ductal system, characterised by the presence of thick-walled ovarian-type stroma and mucin. They occur predominantly in women and often are malignant. Therefore, surgical resection is recommended. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are neoplasms with tall, columnar, mucin-containing epithelium involving the main pancreatic ducts or major side branches. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms occur in men and women in their 60s and 70s and may differentiate into malignant neoplasms. Therefore, surgical resection is mandatory. Serous cystic neoplasms appear as multiple cysts lined with cubic flat epithelium containing glycogen-rich cells with clear cytoplasm. They mainly occur in women in their 50s and are generally benign. Therefore, a conservative approach is recommended. As both mucinous cystic neoplasm and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms have a high malignant potential, it is important to differentiate between the various pancreatic cystic lesions. Several imaging techniques and tumour markers have been evaluated. Nonetheless, definitive guidelines to differentiate between serous cystic neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are still poorly defined. A number of management issues regarding these neoplasms are still under debate, for example which imaging technique to use, differentiation between malignant or benign lesions and the preferred treatment modality for each pancreatic cystic neoplasm. Further research may lead to a definitive guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of mucinous cystic neoplasms, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and serous cystic neoplasms.

Background: ERCP on an outpatient basis could be as safe as on an inpatient basis and may also reduce medical costs., Objective: To review the available literature to determine the safety of an ERCP performed on an outpatient basis., Design: A review of the published literature was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and the Web of Science., Patients: Patients who were undergoing an ERCP., Interventions: An ERCP on an inpatient or outpatient basis., Main Outcome Measurements: Patient and treatment characteristics, complications, and prolonged hospital admissions and readmissions., Results: Eleven studies were included in this review, of which 5 were comparative studies, 5 were prospective studies, and 1 was a retrospective study. In these series, a total of 2483 patients underwent an ERCP on an outpatient basis and 2320 patients were admitted overnight after an ERCP. Complications were seen in 184 of 2483 outpatients (7%), of which 72% of complications (107/149) presented within 2 to 6 hours, 10% (15/149) within 6 to 24 hours, and 18% (27/149) more than 24 hours after the ERCP. Three percent of the inpatients (82/2320) developed a complication, of which 95% of complications (78/82) presented within 24 hours and 5% (4/82) presented more than 24 hours after the ERCP. A prolonged hospital stay after an ERCP was indicated in 6% of the designated outpatients (148/2483), whereas 3% of outpatients (74/2149) and <1% of inpatients (4/2320) were readmitted after discharge., Limitations: Limited data available., Conclusions: This review shows that, with a selective policy, an ERCP on an outpatient basis seems as safe as when performed on an inpatient basis.

Aim: Gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) and duodenal stent placement are the most commonly used palliative treatment modalities for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). In this retrospective study, we compared GJJ and stent placement with regard to medical effects., Methods: Medical records of 95 patients who had undergone palliative treatment between 1994 and 2006 in a Dutch university hospital, were reviewed. Study outcomes were improvement of food intake, complications, persistent and recurrent symptoms, re-interventions, hospital stay, and survival., Results: Fifty-three patients were referred for duodenal stent placement and 42 patients underwent GJJ. There were no differences in technical and clinical success and the incidence of minor and early major complications and survival. Food intake improved more rapidly after stent placement than GJJ (P = 0.01). The time to late major complications, recurrent obstructive symptoms and re-intervention was significantly shorter after stent placement than GJJ (P = 0.004, 0.002, and 0.004, respectively). Hospital stay was also shorter after stent placement than GJJ (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: These findings suggest that stent placement is associated with better short-term outcomes and GJJ with better long-term outcomes. A large randomized controlled trial is however needed to systematically compare stent placement with GJJ with regard to medical effects, quality of life and costs., (2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc)

Background: Gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) is the most commonly used palliative treatment modality for malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Recently, stent placement has been introduced as an alternative treatment. We reviewed the available literature on stent placement and GJJ for gastric outlet obstruction, with regard to medical effects and costs., Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching PubMed for the period January 1996 and January 2006. A total of 44 publications on GJJ and stents was identified and reported results on medical effects and costs were pooled and evaluated. Results from randomized and comparative studies were used for calculating odds ratios (OR) to compare differences between the two treatment modalities., Results: In 2 randomized trials, stent placement was compared with GJJ (with 27 and 18 patients in each trial). In 6 comparative studies, stent placement was compared with GJJ. Thirty-six series evaluated either stent placement or GJJ. A total of 1046 patients received a duodenal stent and 297 patients underwent GJJ. No differences between stent placement and gastrojejunostomy were found in technical success (96% vs. 100%), early and late major complications 7% vs. 6% and 18% vs. 17%, respectively) and persisting symptoms (8% vs. 9%). Initial clinical success was higher after stent placement (89% vs. 72%). Minor complications were less frequently seen after stent placement in the patient series (9% vs. 33%), however the pooled analysis showed no differences (OR: 0.75, p = 0.8). Recurrent obstructive symptoms were more common after stent placement (18% vs. 1%). Hospital stay was prolonged after GJJ compared to stent placement (13 days vs. 7 days). The mean survival was 105 days after stent placement and 164 days after GJJ., Conclusion: These results suggest that stent placement may be associated with more favorable results in patients with a relatively short life expectancy, while GJJ is preferable in patients with a more prolonged prognosis. The paucity of evidence from large randomized trials may however have influenced the results and therefore a trial of sufficient size is needed to determine which palliative treatment modality is optimal in (sub)groups of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

Objective: To compare the results of stent placement and gastrojejunostomy in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Design. Systematic review., Method: PubMed was searched for relevant articles from January 1996 to January 2006 and further articles were obtained from their reference lists. Using results from these publications, average study scores for improvement of oral intake, complications, survival and costs were calculated. Results from randomized and comparative studies were pooled and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for improvement oforal intake and complications were calculated., Results: A total of 44 publications were identified, including 2 randomized trials and 6 comparative studies. Information on study outcomes was not available in all publications. Long-term effectiveness was higher after gastrojejunostomy than after stent placement, with only 1% of patients needing a reintervention after gastrojejunostomy; more patients developed minor complications after gastrojejunostomy (33%) and the post-operative hospital stay was on average 13 days longer. After stent placement obstructive symptoms were relieved in 89% of patients and this effect was observed to occur more quickly after placement (within 0-2 days). More patients (approximately 20%) required a reintervention after stent placement due to stent migration or obstruction., Conclusion: Stent placement appeared to have favourable short-term results and gastrojejunostomy was associated with better long-term results. Well-performed clinical trials with an adequate number of patients were not found, which precluded more solid conclusions.

Gastric-outlet obstruction often results from inoperable distal stomach, periampullary (pancreatic or cholangio-), or duodenal carcinoma. Gastrojejunostomy and stent placement are standard palliative treatments. An advantage of gastrojejunostomy is the long-term efficacy; a disadvantage is the prolonged postoperative recovery time. The advantage of stent placement is the rapid ability to consume a soft diet; a disadvantage is that around 20% of the patients require re-intervention because of recurrent symptoms. A randomised multicentre study was started in January 2006 in the Netherlands in which gastrojejunostomy is compared with stent placement in the palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction: 'Surgery versus stent for malignant gastroduodenal obstruction', the SUSTENT-study. The primary-outcome measurement is survival adjusted for the time patients are not able to consume (soft) food. Other outcome measurements are medical effects (complications, re-interventions), quality of life, cost and cost-effectiveness. This study aims to provide individualised recommendations for effective palliative treatment of patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction.