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Chronic pancreatitis is associated with impaired quality of life, high incidence of comorbidities, serious complications and mortality. Healthcare costs are exorbitant. Some medical societies have developed guidelines for treatment based on scientific evidence, but the gathered level of evidence for any individual topic is usually low and, therefore, recommendations tend to be vague or weak. In the present position papers on chronic pancreatitis from the Societat Catalana de Digestologia and the Societat Catalana de Pàncrees we aimed at providing defined position statements for the clinician based on updated review of published literature and on multidisciplinary expert agreement. The final goal is to propose the use of common terminology and rational diagnostic/therapeutic circuits based on current knowledge. To this end 51 sections related to chronic pancreatitis were reviewed by 21 specialists from 6 different fields to generate 88 statements altogether. Statements were designed to harmonize concepts or delineate recommendations. Part 2 of these paper series discuss topics on treatment and follow-up. The therapeutic approach should include assessment of etiological factors, clinical manifestations and complications. The complexity of these patients advocates for detailed evaluation in multidisciplinary committees where conservative, endoscopic, interventional radiology or surgical options are weighed. Specialized multidisciplinary units of Pancreatology should be constituted. Indications for surgery are refractory pain, local complications, and suspicion of malignancy. Enzyme replacement therapy is indicated if evidence of exocrine insufficiency or after pancreatic surgery. Response should be evaluated by nutritional parameters and assessment of symptoms. A follow-up program should be planned for every patient with chronic pancreatitis. © 2021 Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Resumen La pancreatitis cronica se asocia a calidad de vida deteriorada, elevada incidencia de comorbilidades, complicaciones graves y mortalidad. Los costes sanitarios son enormes. Algunas sociedades medicas han elaborado guias clinicas basadas en evidencia cientifica, pero el nivel de evidencia para cada aspecto de la enfermedad suele ser bajo y, consecuentemente, las recomendaciones tienden a ser vagas o debiles. En los presentes documentos de posicionamiento de la Societat Catalana de Digestologia y la Societat Catalana de Pancrees hemos buscado redactar declaraciones bien definidas orientadas al clinico, basadas en revisiones actualizadas de la literatura y acuerdos de expertos. El objetivo es proponer el uso de terminologia comun y circuitos diagnostico/terapeuticos racionales basados en el conocimiento actual. Para este fin se revisaron 51 secciones relacionadas con pancreatitis cronica por 21 expertos de 6 especialidades diferentes para generar finalmente 88 declaraciones que buscan armonizar conceptos y formular recomendaciones precisas. La parte 2 de esta serie de documentos discute temas sobre tratamiento y seguimiento. La aproximacion terapeutica debe incluir la evaluacion de factores etiologicos, manifestaciones clinicas y complicaciones. La complejidad de estos pacientes requiere un estudio detallado individualizado en comites multidisciplinares donde todas las opciones (conservadoras, endoscopicas, de radiologia intervencionista y quirurgicas) sean sopesadas. Deberian constituirse unidades especializadas de pancreatologia. Las indicaciones quirurgicas son dolor refractario, complicaciones locales y sospecha de neoplasia. El tratamiento enzimatico esta indicado si existe evidencia de insuficiencia exocrina o tras cirugia pancreatica. La respuesta debe evaluarse mediante parametros nutricionales y sintomas. Se debe planificar un programa de seguimiento para cada paciente.

Chronic pancreatitis tends to develop a number of complications that may constitute the form of presentation of the disease. Some societies have issued guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis complications, but the level of evidence for any topic is usually low and recommendations tend to be weak. We aimed at providing defined position statements for the clinician based on updated review of published literature and on multidisciplinary expert agreement. The goal was to propose defined terminology and rational diagnostic/therapeutic circuits based on current knowledge. To this end 14 sections related to complications and special forms of chronic pancreatitis (early chronic, groove and autoimmune pancreatitis) were reviewed by 21 specialists from 6 different fields to generate 32 statements. Featured statements assert common bile duct stenosis does not require invasive treatment (endoscopic or surgical) unless cholestasis, cholangitis, lithiasis or other symptoms develop. Pancreatic duct strictures and calculi should be approached (after ruling out malignancy) if causing pain, pancreatitis, pseudocysts or other complications. Treatment of symptomatic pseudocysts must be individualized, considering associated main duct stenosis, vascular and pericystic complications. Higher risk conditions for pancreatic cancer are advance age, smoking, genetic background, recent diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis or diabetes, and appearance of new symptoms. Groove pancreatitis can initially be treated with conservative measures. Both prednisolone or rituximab can induce remission and maintenance of autoimmune pancreatitis. Internal fistula, vascular complications, bacterial overgrowth, osteoporosis and renal lithiasis require specific therapeutic approaches.

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic fibroinflammatory disease of the pancreas with prevalence around 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It appears to originate from diverse and yet mixed etiological factors. It shows highly variable presenting features, complication types and disease progression rates. Treatment options are as wide as the multiple personalized scenarios the disease might exhibit at a given time point. Some medical societies have developed guidelines for diagnosis and treatment based on scientific evidence. Although these efforts are to be acknowledged, the gathered level of evidence for any topic is usually low and, therefore, recommendations tend to be vague or weak. In the present series of position papers on chronic pancreatitis from the Societat Catalana de Digestologia and the Societat Catalana de Pancrees we aimed at providing defined position statements for the clinician based on updated review of published literature and on interdisciplinary expert agreement. The final goal is to propose the use of common terminology and rational diagnostic/therapeutic circuits based on current knowledge. To this end 51 sections related to chronic pancreatitis were reviewed by 21 specialists from 6 different fields to generate 88 statements altogether. Statements were designed to harmonize concepts or delineate recommendations. Part 1 of this paper series discusses topics on aetiology and diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Main clinical features are abdominal pain, exocrine and endocrine insufficiency and symptoms derived from complications. Some patients remain symptom-free. Diagnosis (definitive, probable or uncertain) should be based on objective data obtained from imaging, histology, or functional tests. (C) 2021 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Anisakiosis is a fish-borne disease with gastrointestinal and/or allergic symptoms caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked fish parasitized with nematode larvae of the genus Anisakis. In Europe, Anisakis pegreffii has been detected as the causative agent, although the sibling species Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) is also known to cause the disease in other parts of the world, and discrepancies exist regarding their respective pathogenic potential. In Spain a high number of cases has been recorded, with marinated anchovies being the main source of infection, although no specific diagnosis has been documented in humans. In this study, we analyzed three cases of anisakiosis in patients from Barcelona (Spain) who had consumed undercooked hake. All patients described epigastric pain and several larval nematodes were removed endoscopically from their stomachs. Larvae were morphologically characterized as third-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex sensu lato (s.l.) and molecularly identified as A. simplex (s.s.) by means of PCR RFLP of the ITS region of the rDNA and sequencing of the elongation factor1 alpha1 (EF1 α-1) nDNA gen. This study represents the first specific identification of Anisakis larvae in clinical cases of anisakiosis reported in Spain. Specific molecular diagnosis is of crucial importance for assessing the health risk of Anisakis sibling species. Hake consumption stands out as a risk factor for anisakiosis, since this fish species can be highly parasitized.

Aim: to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Methods: a retrospective, analytic cohort study at a single, tertiary-care center. Results: thirty-six patients that underwent stent placement for GOO of malignant origin were identified during the study period. Technical success was achieved in 36 (100 %) patients and clinical success was achieved in 31 patients (86.1 %). Before the procedure, 17 (54.8 %) patients had a gastric outlet obstruction score (GOOSS) of 0, which is a complete inability of oral intake. Twenty-three patients were alive 30 days after the procedure, two (8.6 %) patients had a GOOSS of 1, ten (43.3 %) had a GOOSS of 2 and eleven (47.9 %) had a GOOSS of 3. Abdominal pain was present in all 31 patients before the procedure and only seven (22.6 %) patients continued with abdominal pain 24 hours after the procedure. During follow-up, ten (30.3 %) patients developed complications related to the stents and none of them was fatal. Additional therapy due to partial occlusion of the stent was necessary in three patients. The stents functional duration had a median of 72 days (IQR 25-75 15-105 days) and was closely related to overall survival. Conclusion: palliative stenting for gastroduodenal obstruction is a safe, feasible and effective therapy to treat patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

Several types of endoscopic suturing systems have been developed for the last two decades. OverStitch (Apollo Endosurgery Inc, Austin, TX, USA) is the most widely used endoscopic suturing device. The device assembly and use are straightforward, are easy, and closely resemble surgical suturing. Endoscopic suturing with the OverStitch device has been successfully used for numerous clinical indications: Closure of GI tract fistulas Fixation of internal stents to prevent stent migration Repair of dilated gastrojejunal anastomosis postprevious gastric bypass and primary bariatric procedures for treatment of obesity Facilitation of endoscopic submucosal dissection with a suture-pulley technique, repair of inadvertent iatrogenic GI tract perforations Closure of large mucosal defect postendoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) Closure of full-thickness GI wall defects postfull-thickness resection of GI tract lesions

Investigations indicate that natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures induce a less pronounced postoperative inflammatory response than open or laparoscopic surgery, inflicting less trauma. In NOTES procedures, no skin incision is performed. We compare the inflammatory response added by the type of incision by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumors necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α).Twenty-seven pigs were randomized to open surgical, laparoscopic, or transgastric NOTES abdominal access. After completion of the accesses, no surgery was performed. All accesses were left open for 40 minutes followed by closure, animals were survived for 7 days. Blood samples were drawn at the start of the accesses, at 20 and 40 minutes during the procedure, and at postoperative day (POD) 1, 3, and 7. Analyses of CRP and TNF-α were performed.CRP increased in all animals until POD1. This increase was greater in the open group (P = .006). No significant differences in CRP-levels were found at POD 1, 3, or 7. TNF-α showed a peak during the procedure, at 20 and 40 minutes, with normalization at POD1 for 1/3 of the open and laparoscopic animals, but not for the NOTES animals. Due to variations within the groups, no statistical difference was shown between them. At postmortem, 1/3 of the pigs in the laparoscopic and open groups had wound infections, while no NOTES animals showed infections.This study provides no statistically significant differences in inflammatory response after the different abdominal accesses. However, the lack of a TNF-α-peak in the NOTES group might indicate a less pronounced response, supporting the initial theories.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic immunoinflammatory diseases that place a considerable burden on patients, their families, and society. Quality of care plays an important role for patients. A questionnaire to measure quality of care through the eyes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (QUOTE-IBD) has been designed and validated specifically for the English language and culture. The objective was to translate the QUOTE-IBD into Spanish and to determine its validity in patients with IBD. Methods: This is a prospective study in 2 phases: first, translation and validation of the Spanish QUOTE-IBD. Translation was based on the validated QUOTE-IBD. Second, once the complete translation was finished, comprehension of the items was assessed with a specific questionnaire in a reduced number of patients. Criterion validity was assessed with the Pearson's correlation coefficient between scores of the QUOTE-IBD and visual analog scales (VAS). In order to analyze the reproducibility of the Spanish QUOTE-IBD, the questionnaire was completed by stable patients twice, with a span of time of at least 4 weeks. Results: A total of 103 patients (CD: 61, UC: 42) were included in the study. Pearson's correlation coefficient between total care Spanish QUOTE-IBD and VAS of health care items was 0.34 (P < 0.001). Correlations among all 6 care dimensions score of Spanish QUOTE-IBD and VAS were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Results of first and second administration of total care and dimensional care scores of Spanish QUOTE-IBD in 46 stable patients were not different. Conclusions: The Spanish QUOTE-IBD has proved to be a valid instrument to measure the quality of health care for patients with CD and UC. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009)

Resumen Objetivos describir la actividad desarrollada en la Unidad de Atencion Crohn-Colitis (UACC) en sus 9 anos de funcionamiento y su linea virtual ( http://www.ua-cc.org ). Material y metodos revision retrospectiva de la actividad presencial y a distancia desempenada en la UACC desde enero de 1999 a junio de 2007 (mediante el analisis de los datos disponibles en la base de datos), y del portal web de la UACC desde enero de 2002 (datos disponibles en el entorno web de uso privado). Resultados el numero de pacientes ha ido aumentando de forma progresiva, y actualmente es de 1.784. Hay una distribucion igual por genero (880 varones y 904 mujeres) y diagnostico (849 con enfermedad de Crohn y 893 con colitis ulcerosa). La poblacion atendida esencialmente es menor de 50 anos (1.404 pacientes). La atencion a distancia (telefonica y fax) ha sido la prioritaria, se han atendido 11.173 demandas y de forma presencial 5.164. La mayoria de las demandas (15.198) han sido consultas especificas sobre la enfermedad. Desde la UACC, tambien se registran los tratamientos corticoideos, inmunomoduladores, agentes biologicos y granulocitoaferesis (663 en el ultimo ano). El portal web ha recibido mas de 150.000 visitas y cuenta con 3.698 usuarios registrados (1.552 pacientes, 1.374 profesionales de la salud, 384 familiares de pacientes y 388 de otras instituciones), la mayoria espanoles y de paises sudamericanos (2.087 y 1.555, respectivamente). Conclusiones la UACC presta una atencion continuada, participativa y dinamica, que promociona el control a distancia y optimiza la atencion sanitaria de los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

To describe the activity performed in the Crohn-Colitis Care Unit (CCCU) and its web portal (http://www.ua-cc.org) during the first 9 years (1999-2007).We retrospectively reviewed the presential and non-presential activity carried out in the CCCU from January 1999 to June 2007 by analyzing the data available in the data base and in the CCCU web portal from January 2002 (data available from the private web environment).The number of patients has progressively increased, and currently stands at 1784. There is equal distribution by gender (880 men vs 904 women) and diagnosis (849 Crohn's disease vs 893 ulcerative colitis). Patients are mostly younger than 50 years old (1404 patients). The non-presential resources (telephone and fax) have been used to a greater extent than the presential resources (11,173 vs 5164). Most requests (15,198) have been specific consultations relating to the disease. The CCCU also monitors treatments such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biological agents and granulocyte apheresis (663 in the last year). The web portal has received more than 150,000 visits and has 3698 registered users (1552 patients, 1374 health professionals, 384 relatives of patients, and 388 institutions), mostly from Spain and Latin America (2087 and 1555 respectively).The CCCU offers continued, participative and dynamic care, which promotes remote healthcare and optimizes the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. Clinical success was achieved in 11/15 (73%) patients in the PD group, compared to 8/8 (100%) in the EUSD group; the EUSD group included 3 patients from the PD group who had recurrence of PFC after removal of the external drain. One patient with initial PD required two additional percutaneous procedures prior to complete PFC resolution. The median number of interventions was 1.5 (range 1-4) in the PD group and 2 (range 1-2) in the EUSD group. The median number of days the drainage catheters were in place was 43.5 (range 2-87) in the PD group, versus 50 (range 30-64) in the EUSD group. There were no immediate complications in either group. Delayed complications in the PD group: one patient with acute bloody output from the drainage catheter 8 days after placement required coil embolization of a splenic artery stump; one patient with pain at the drain site 3 weeks after removal required narcotic pain medication. One patient in the EUSD group developed fevers and abdominal pain 32 days after initial EUSD, and required endoscopic debridement and stent change. Conclusions: EUSD of postoperative PFCs appears to be safe and technically feasible. This technique appears to be as successful as PD in the management of PFCs, and should be considered as a therapeutic option in this group of patients. Further evaluation, with analysis of cost and quality of life, should be evaluated in a prospective randomized trial.