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Ram E, Zager Y, Carter D, Saukhat O, Anteby R, Nachmany I, Horesh N. A Prospective, Single-Arm Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of an Autologous Blood Clot Product in the Treatment of Anal Fistula. Dis Colon Rectum 2024; 67:541-548. [PMID: 38149981 PMCID: PMC10901226 DOI: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000003190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgical treatment of complex perianal fistula is technically challenging, associated with risk of failure, and may require multiple procedures. In recent years, several biologic agents have been developed for permanently eradicating anal fistulous disease with variable success. In this study, the treatment is an autologous whole-blood product created from the patients' blood. It forms a provisional matrix that was found to be safe and effective in healing acute and chronic cutaneous wounds. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of an autologous blood clot product as a treatment for transsphincteric perianal fistulas. DESIGN A prospective single-arm study. SETTINGS A single tertiary medical center. PATIENTS Patients with simple or complex transsphincteric fistulas confirmed by MRI were included in the study. Cause was either cryptoglandular or Crohn's disease related (in the absence of active luminal bowel disease). INTERVENTION The outpatient procedure was performed under general anesthesia and consisted of: 1) physical debridement and cleansing of the fistula tract; 2) suture closure of the internal opening; and 3) instillation of the autologous blood clot product into the entire tract. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Safety and efficacy at 6- and 12-months after surgery. RESULTS Fifty-three patients (77% men) with a median age of 42 (20-72) years were included in the study. Three patients withdrew consent, and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. At the time of this interim analysis, 49 and 33 patients completed the 6- and 12-month follow-up period. Thirty-four of the 49 patients achieved complete healing (69%) at 6 months, but 20 of the 33 patients (60%) achieved healing after 1 year. All patients who achieved healing at 6 months remained healed at the 1-year mark. In a subgroup analysis of patients with Crohn's disease, 7 of 9 patients completed 1-year follow-up, with 5 patients (71%) achieving clinical remission. No major side effects or postoperative complications were noted, but 2 adverse events occurred (admission for pain control and coronavirus 2019 infection). LIMITATIONS Noncomparative single-arm pilot study. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with an autologous blood clot product in perianal fistular disease was found to be feasible and safe, with an acceptable healing rate in both cryptoglandular and Crohn's disease fistula-in-ano. Further comparative assessment is required to determine its potential role in the treatment paradigm of fistula-in-ano. See Video Abstract . BRAZO PARA EVALUAR LA SEGURIDAD Y EFICACIA DE RDVER, UN COGULO DE SANGRE AUTLOGO, EN EL TRATAMIENTO DE LA FSTULA ANAL ANTECEDENTES:El tratamiento quirúrgico de la fístula perianal compleja es técnicamente desafiante, se asocia con riesgo de fracaso y puede requerir múltiples procedimientos. En los últimos años, se han desarrollado varios agentes biológicos con el fin de erradicar permanentemente la enfermedad fistulosa anal con éxito variable. El tratamiento RD2-Ver.02 es un producto de sangre total autólogo creado a partir de la sangre de los pacientes, que forma una matriz provisional que resultó segura y eficaz para curar heridas cutáneas agudas y crónicas.OBJETIVO:Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de RD2-Ver.02 como tratamiento para las fístulas perianales transesfinterianas.DISEÑO:Un estudio prospectivo de un solo brazo.LUGARES:Un único centro médico terciario.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron en el estudio pacientes con fístulas transesfinterianas simples o complejas confirmadas mediante resonancia magnética. La etiología fue criptoglandular o relacionada con la enfermedad de Crohn (en ausencia de enfermedad intestinal luminal activa).INTERVENCIÓN:El procedimiento ambulatorio se realizó bajo anestesia general y consistió en: 1) desbridamiento físico y limpieza del trayecto fistuloso; 2) cierre con sutura de la abertura interna; y 3) instilación de RD2-Ver.02 en todo el tracto.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:Seguridad y eficacia a los 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía.RESULTADOS:Se incluyeron en el estudio 53 pacientes (77% varones) con una mediana de edad de 42 (20-72) años. Tres pacientes retiraron su consentimiento y un paciente se perdió durante el seguimiento. En el momento de este análisis intermedio, 49 y 33 pacientes completaron el período de seguimiento de 6 y 12 meses, respectivamente. Treinta y cuatro (34) pacientes lograron una curación completa (69%) a los 6 meses, mientras que 20 de 33 pacientes (60%) lograron una curación después de un año. Todos los pacientes que lograron la curación a los 6 meses permanecieron curados al año. En un análisis de subgrupos de pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn, 7/9 pacientes completaron un seguimiento de un año y 5 pacientes (71%) alcanzaron la remisión clínica. No se observaron efectos secundarios importantes ni complicaciones postoperatorias, mientras que ocurrieron 2 eventos adversos (ingreso para control del dolor e infección por COVID-19).LIMITACIONES:Estudio piloto no comparativo de un solo brazo.CONCLUSIONES:Se encontró que el tratamiento con RD2-Ver.02 en la enfermedad fístula perianal es factible y seguro, con una tasa de curación aceptable tanto en la fístula criptoglandular como en la de Crohn en el ano. Se requiere una evaluación comparativa adicional para determinar su papel potencial en el paradigma de tratamiento de la fístula anal. (Pre-proofed version ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Ram
- Department of General Surgery B and Transplantation, Sheba Medical Hospital Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yaniv Zager
- Department of General Surgery B and Transplantation, Sheba Medical Hospital Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Olga Saukhat
- Department of Radiology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Roi Anteby
- Department of General Surgery B and Transplantation, Sheba Medical Hospital Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ido Nachmany
- Department of General Surgery B and Transplantation, Sheba Medical Hospital Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Nir Horesh
- Department of General Surgery B and Transplantation, Sheba Medical Hospital Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Carter D, Bykhovsky D, Hasky A, Mamistvalov I, Zimmer Y, Ram E, Hoffer O. Convolutional neural network deep learning model accurately detects rectal cancer in endoanal ultrasounds. Tech Coloproctol 2024; 28:44. [PMID: 38561492 PMCID: PMC10984882 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-024-02917-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imaging is vital for assessing rectal cancer, with endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) being highly accurate in large tertiary medical centers. However, EAUS accuracy drops outside such settings, possibly due to varied examiner experience and fewer examinations. This underscores the need for an AI-based system to enhance accuracy in non-specialized centers. This study aimed to develop and validate deep learning (DL) models to differentiate rectal cancer in standard EAUS images. METHODS A transfer learning approach with fine-tuned DL architectures was employed, utilizing a dataset of 294 images. The performance of DL models was assessed through a tenfold cross-validation. RESULTS The DL diagnostics model exhibited a sensitivity and accuracy of 0.78 each. In the identification phase, the automatic diagnostic platform achieved an area under the curve performance of 0.85 for diagnosing rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS This research demonstrates the potential of DL models in enhancing rectal cancer detection during EAUS, especially in settings with lower examiner experience. The achieved sensitivity and accuracy suggest the viability of incorporating AI support for improved diagnostic outcomes in non-specialized medical centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - D Bykhovsky
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Shamoon College of Engineering, Beer-Sheba, Israel
| | - A Hasky
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - I Mamistvalov
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Zimmer
- School of Medical Engineering, Afeka College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E Ram
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - O Hoffer
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Gu P, Mendonca O, Carter D, Dube S, Wang P, Huang X, Li D, Moore JH, McGovern DPB. AI-luminating Artificial Intelligence in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Narrative Review on the Role of AI in Endoscopy, Histology, and Imaging for IBD. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024:izae030. [PMID: 38452040 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Endoscopy, histology, and cross-sectional imaging serve as fundamental pillars in the detection, monitoring, and prognostication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, interpretation of these studies often relies on subjective human judgment, which can lead to delays, intra- and interobserver variability, and potential diagnostic discrepancies. With the rising incidence of IBD globally coupled with the exponential digitization of these data, there is a growing demand for innovative approaches to streamline diagnosis and elevate clinical decision-making. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies emerge as a timely solution to address the evolving challenges in IBD. Early studies using deep learning and radiomics approaches for endoscopy, histology, and imaging in IBD have demonstrated promising results for using AI to detect, diagnose, characterize, phenotype, and prognosticate IBD. Nonetheless, the available literature has inherent limitations and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed before AI can transition into a mainstream clinical tool for IBD. To better understand the potential value of integrating AI in IBD, we review the available literature to summarize our current understanding and identify gaps in knowledge to inform future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Gu
- F. Widjaja Inflammatory Bowel Disease Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shishir Dube
- F. Widjaja Inflammatory Bowel Disease Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul Wang
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiuzhen Huang
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Debiao Li
- Biomedical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason H Moore
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dermot P B McGovern
- F. Widjaja Inflammatory Bowel Disease Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Margalit-Yehuda R, Maradey-Romero C, Davidov Y, Ram E, Carter D. Comparison of etiological and physiological characteristics of fecal incontinence in men and women. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2024; 326:G274-G278. [PMID: 38193161 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00113.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Fecal incontinence (FI) is often underreported and underestimated in men. Our aims were to clarify the causes and the physiological characteristics of FI in men and to underline the differences between etiological and physiological factors in men and women diagnosed with FI. The study cohort encompassed 200 men and 200 women who underwent anatomical and physiological evaluation for FI in a tertiary referral center specializing in pelvic floor disorders. All patients underwent endoanal ultrasound and anorectal manometry. Evacuation proctography was performed in some patients. Demographic, medical, anatomical, and physiological parameters were compared between the two study groups. Urge incontinence was the most frequent type of FI in both genders. In men, anal fistula, history of anal surgeries, rectal tumors, and pelvic radiotherapy were common etiologic factors, whereas history of pelvic surgeries was more common in women. Associated urinary incontinence was reported more frequently by women. External anal sphincter defects, usually anterior, were more common in women (M: 1.5%, F: 24%, P < 0.0001), whereas internal anal sphincter defect prevalence was similar in men and women (M: 6%, F: 12%, P = 0.19). Decreased resting and squeeze pressures were less common in men (M: 29%, F: 46%, P < 0.0001: M: 44%, F: 66%, P < 0.0001). The incidence of rectal hyposensitivity was higher in men (M: 11.1%, F: 2.8%, P < 0.0001), whereas rectal hypersensitivity was higher in women (M: 5.8%, F: 10.8%, P < 0.0001). Anorectal dyssynergia was more common in men (M: 66%, F: 37%, P < 0.0001). Significantly different etiological factors and physiological characteristics for FI were found in men. Acknowledging these differences is significant and may yield better treatment options.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Fecal incontinence (FI) in men has different etiological factors when compared with women. The prevalence of internal anal sphincter defect among men with FI was similar to women. Different manometric measurements were found among men with FI: decreased anal pressures were less common among men, whereas rectal hyposensitivity and anorectal dyssynergia were more common among men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuma Margalit-Yehuda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Carla Maradey-Romero
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yana Davidov
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Liver Diseases Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | - Edward Ram
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Horesh N, Maman R, Zager Y, Anteby R, Weksler Y, Carter D, Nachmany I, Ram E. Surgical outcomes of minimally invasive trephine surgery for pilonidal sinus disease with and without laser therapy: a comparative study. Tech Coloproctol 2023; 28:13. [PMID: 38093161 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-023-02897-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last decades, novel therapeutic options have emerged for the surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of trephine/pit excision surgery with or without laser therapy in patients with PSD. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a large tertiary medical center, including all adult patients with PNS who underwent trephine surgery with/without laser therapy between 2016 and 2021[AUTHORS TO INSERT MONTH]. Propensity score matching was used to address confounding factors, and the primary outcome was the 1-year recurrence rate. RESULTS The study included 221 patients with PSD, with a mean age of 23.73 years (87.7% male). In the unmatched cohort (130 trephine surgery alone, 91 trephine surgery + laser therapy), significant differences were observed in mean age (23 vs. 25 years; p < 0.01)[AUTHROS TO USE MEDIAN PLUS RANGE OR ADD SD] and surgeons' experience (p = 0.014). Propensity score matching was applied to overcome confounding factors, resulting in a matched cohort including 73 patients in each group. The addition of laser therapy demonstrated a significantly lower recurrence rate (8.2% vs. 32.9%; p < 0.001) compared to pit excision without laser therapy. Logistic regression analysis showed that the addition of laser was significantly associated with a lower risk for recurrence (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.089-0.633; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The incorporation of laser therapy along with trephine/pit excision surgery significantly reduces the recurrence rate in patients with PNS. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Horesh
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA.
| | - R Maman
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Zager
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - R Anteby
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Weksler
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Carter
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - I Nachmany
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E Ram
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Carter D, Albshesh A, Shimon C, Segal B, Yershov A, Kopylov U, Meyers A, Brzezinski RY, Ben Horin S, Hoffer O. Automatized Detection of Crohn's Disease in Intestinal Ultrasound Using Convolutional Neural Network. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2023; 29:1901-1906. [PMID: 36794834 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for the diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease is steadily growing. Although access to educational platforms of IUS is feasible, novice ultrasound operators lack experience in performing and interpreting IUS. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based operator supporting system that automatically detects bowel wall inflammation may simplify the use of IUS by less experienced operators. Our aim was to develop and validate an artificial intelligence module that can distinguish bowel wall thickening (a surrogate of bowel inflammation) from normal bowel images of IUS. METHODS We used a self-collected image data set to develop and validate a convolutional neural network module that can distinguish bowel wall thickening >3 mm (a surrogate of bowel inflammation) from normal bowel images of IUS. RESULTS The data set consisted of 1008 images, distributed uniformly (50% normal images, 50% abnormal images). Execution of the training phase and the classification phase was performed using 805 and 203 images, respectively. The overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for detection of bowel wall thickening were 90.1%, 86.4%, and 94%, respectively. The network exhibited an average area under the ROC curve of 0.9777 for this task. CONCLUSIONS We developed a machine-learning module based on a pretrained convolutional neural network that is highly accurate in the recognition of bowel wall thickening on intestinal ultrasound images in Crohn's disease. Incorporation of convolutional neural network to IUS may facilitate the use of IUS by inexperienced operators and allow automatized detection of bowel inflammation and standardization of IUS imaging interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ahmed Albshesh
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Carmi Shimon
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Batel Segal
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alex Yershov
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Kopylov
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adele Meyers
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rafael Y Brzezinski
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shomron Ben Horin
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oshrit Hoffer
- School of Electrical Engineering, Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
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McAuley A, Palmateer N, Goldberg DJ, Shivaji T, Ritchie T, Licence K, Carter D, Hutchinson SJ. Increased risk of non-fatal overdose associated with non-prescribed benzodiazepine use in Scotland, UK. Int J Drug Policy 2023:104236. [PMID: 37865531 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug-related deaths (DRDs) in Scotland increased for seven years in a row between 2014 and 2020, consolidating Scotland's place at the top of the United Kingdom and European drug-related mortality charts. One of the defining features of this recent and rapid rise has been the role of benzodiazepines, which are now involved in the majority of all DRDs. These deaths are linked to use of non-prescribed, benzodiazepine-type novel psychoactive substances (NPS) which have been identified by the United Nations as a global threat to public health. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determinants of non-prescribed benzodiazepine use and its association with recent non-fatal overdose among a national sample of people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS Data from the 2019-20 Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative (NESI) was analysed using logistic regression. NESI is a voluntary, anonymous, biennial, cross-sectional, bio-behavioural survey of PWID attending community-based services providing injecting equipment in mainland Scotland. RESULTS Prevalence of non-prescribed benzodiazepine use in the past six months was 52% and significantly associated with age (aOR 0.97, 0.96-0.98), frequent incarceration (aOR 1.29, 1.07-1.57), recent public injecting (aOR 3.25, 2.33-4.55), a recent methadone prescription (aOR 1.87, 1.51-2.33), and a history of benzodiazepine prescription (aOR 1.92, 1.47-2.52). In addition, non-prescribed benzodiazepine use was significantly associated with non-fatal overdose in the past year among PWID (aOR 2.47, 1.90-3.21). CONCLUSION This study found a high prevalence of non-prescribed benzodiazepine use among a national sample of PWID in Scotland. Prevalence was highest among populations known to be at increased risk of drug-related death and use was strongly associated with overdose. These novel findings highlight the scale of the non-prescribed benzodiazepine issue Scotland faces, and the urgency required to expand its harm reduction infrastructure to address this unique element of its overdose crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK; School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
| | - N Palmateer
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK; School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - D J Goldberg
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK; School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - T Ritchie
- Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - D Carter
- Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, Glasgow, UK
| | - S J Hutchinson
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK; School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
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St-Pierre J, Delisle M, Kheirkhahrahimabadi H, Goodsall TM, Bryant RV, Christensen B, Vaughan R, Al-Ani A, Ingram RJM, Heatherington J, Carter D, Lu C, Ma C, Novak KL. Bedside Intestinal Ultrasound Performed in an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Urgent Assessment Clinic Improves Clinical Decision-Making and Resource Utilization. Crohns Colitis 360 2023; 5:otad050. [PMID: 37809033 PMCID: PMC10558199 DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require accessible, timely, and noninvasive strategies to monitor disease. The aim was to assess the integration of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) on decision-making and endoscopy utilization in a standardized care pathway. Methods This prospective, multicenter, international, observational cohort study included patients seen within a centralized model for IBD care was conducted during the COVID pandemic. Patients were evaluated with IUS alone or in combination with an in-clinic, unsedated sigmoidoscopy. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data, clinical decisions, and need for urgent endoscopy, hospitalization, and surgeries were recorded. Results Of the 158 patients included, the majority had an established diagnosis of Crohn's disease (n = 123, 78%), and 47% (n = 75) of patients were on biologic therapy. IUS identified active inflammation in 65% (n = 102) of patients, and strictures in 14% (n = 22). Fecal calprotectin levels correlated with inflammation detected on IUS (median of 50 μg/g [Q1-Q3: 26-107 μg/g] without inflammation and 270 μg/g [Q1-Q3: 61-556 μg/g] with inflammation; p = 0.0271). In the majority of patients, clinical assessment with IUS led to an acute change in IBD-specific medications (57%, n = 90) and avoided or delayed the need for urgent endoscopy (85%, n = 134). Four patients were referred for urgent surgical consultation. Conclusions Point-of-care IUS used in a flare clinic pathway is a useful strategy to improve effective IBD care delivery and to assist in therapeutic management decisions, in many cases avoiding the acute need for endoscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle St-Pierre
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maxime Delisle
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Thomas M Goodsall
- IBD Service, Department of Gastroenterology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert V Bryant
- IBD Service, Department of Gastroenterology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Britt Christensen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rose Vaughan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aysha Al-Ani
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard J M Ingram
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joan Heatherington
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Cathy Lu
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher Ma
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kerri L Novak
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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9
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Pujara P, Carter D, Bolton K, Nicholson R. 20 Simultaneous development of acute acquired concomitant esotropia in two siblings during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case report. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2023; 8:A7. [PMID: 37798005 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2023-biposa.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A 5-year-old boy (sibling one) and his 11-year-old sister (sibling two) were presented to the hospital eye service in early 2021, having both developed acute-onset large angle esotropia within three months of each other. Neither had any significant past medical, ophthalmic, or family history. The siblings lived in the same household, and both experienced lifestyle changes as a result of the UK lockdown in response to COVID-19.Sibling one had a moderate right esotropia, initially maintained straight by corneal light reflex. He measured 45/50 prism dioptres (Δ) base out at near and 45Δ base out at distance. Sibling two had esophoria which broke down into a right esotropia immediately on dissociation. The esotropia measured 30Δ base out at near and 20Δ base out at distance. At four month follow up, both siblings demonstrated a constant large angle esotropia (sibling one: 54Δ base out at near and 45Δ base out at distance, sibling two: 45Δ base out at near and 40/45Δ base out at distance).Each sibling was treated with right medial rectus recession (5.5 mm) and right lateral rectus resection (7 mm), and at a three-month follow-up, both were minimally esophoric with restored binocularity.The unusual and abrupt changes in lifestyle imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the likelihood of an environmental aetiology for some forms of esotropia and raise the possibility that extended screen time may be a contributory factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pujara
- Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - D Carter
- Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - K Bolton
- Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - R Nicholson
- Portsmouth University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
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10
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Hochstein D, Tejman-Yarden S, Saukhat O, Vazgovski O, Parmet Y, Nagar N, Ram E, Carter D. Three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography colonography
discloses anatomic features associated with colonoscopy failure. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2023; 16:17562848231160625. [PMID: 36968619 PMCID: PMC10031618 DOI: 10.1177/17562848231160625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Three-dimensional virtual reality (3D VR) permits precise reconstruction of
computed tomography (CT) images, and these allow precise measurements of
colonic anatomical parameters. Colonoscopy proves challenging in a subset of
patients, and thus CT colonoscopy (CTC) is often required to visualize the
entire colon. The aim of the study was to determine whether 3D
reconstructions of the colon could help identify and quantify the key
anatomical features leading to colonoscopy failure. Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Using 3D VR technology, we reconstructed and compared the length of various
colonic segments and number of bends and colonic width in 10 cases of CTC in
technically failed prior colonoscopies to 10 cases of CTC performed for
non-technically failure indications. Results: We found significant elongation of the sigmoid colon (71 ± 23 cm
versus 35 ± 9; p = 0.01) and of
pancolonic length (216 ± 38 cm versus 158 ± 20 cm;
p = 0.001) in cases of technically failed colonoscopy.
There was also a significant increase in the number of colonic angles
(17.7 ± 3.2 versus 12.7 ± 2.4; p = 0.008)
in failed colonoscopy cases. Conclusion: Increased sigmoid and pancolonic length and more colonic bends are novel
factors associated with technical failure of colonoscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hochstein
- St. Goerge’s University of London, London,
UK
- Engineering Medical Laboratory, The Edmond J.
Safra International Congenital Heart Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center,
Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shai Tejman-Yarden
- Engineering Medical Lab, The Edmond J. Safra
International Congenital Heart Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat
Gan, Israel
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv
University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Olga Saukhat
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv
University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Radiology, Chaim Sheba Medical
Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Oliana Vazgovski
- Engineering Medical Lab, The Edmond J. Safra
International Congenital Heart Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat
Gan, Israel
| | - Yisrael Parmet
- Industrial Engineering and Management
Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Netanel Nagar
- Engineering Medical Lab, The Edmond J. Safra
International Congenital Heart Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat
Gan, Israel
| | - Edward Ram
- Surgery B, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat
Gan, Israel
- Sackler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv
University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Horesh N, Meiri H, Anteby R, Zager Y, Maman R, Carter D, Meyer R, Nachmany I, Ram E. Outcomes of Laser-Assisted Closure (SiLaC) Surgery for Chronic Pilonidal Sinus Disease. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2023. [PMID: 36888964 DOI: 10.1089/lap.2022.0567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Management of pilonidal sinus (PNS) disease has changed notably in the past decade, with the introduction of novel surgical techniques and technological innovation. In this study, we summarized our initial experience with sinus laser-assisted closure (SiLaC) of pilonidal disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database of all patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery combined with laser therapy for PNS between September 2018 and December 2020 was performed. Patients' demographics, clinical and perioperative data, as well postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 92 patients (86 males, 93.4%) underwent SiLaC surgery for pilonidal sinus disease during the study period. Patients' median age was 22 (range 16-62 years), and 60.8% of them previously underwent abscess drainage due to PNS. SiLaC was performed under local anesthesia in 85.7% of cases (78 patients) with a median energy of 1081 J (range 13-5035 J). One patient was lost to follow-up, leaving 91 patients for final analysis. The primary outcome was complete healing rate, standing at 81.3% (74/91 patients). In 8 patients (8.8%), there was minor incomplete healing that did not require reintervention. Recurrent/nonhealing disease was seen in 9 patients (9.9%), requiring reoperation in 7 patients (8.4%). Of those, 4 patients underwent repeat SiLaC and 3 patients underwent wide excision. Analysis of risk factors for PNS recurrence demonstrated that general anesthesia (P = .02) was associated with increased risk for recurrence along with a trend for increased risk in patients with significant hairiness (P = .078). No differences were seen in age (P = .621), gender (P = .475), median sinus length (P = .397), and energy used (P = .904). Conclusion: Primary healing rate after SiLaC surgery for chronic PNS was >80% in our series. Ten percent of patients did not achieve complete healing but did not require surgery due to lack of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Horesh
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, USA
| | - Hila Meiri
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roi Anteby
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yaniv Zager
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronny Maman
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, and Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raanan Meyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ido Nachmany
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Edward Ram
- Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Ram E, Kayzer M, Zager Y, Anteby R, Nachmany I, Carter D, Meyer R, Horesh N. Laser hemorrhoidoplasty for II-IV grade hemorrhoids: should we treat them the same? Updates Surg 2023; 75:635-642. [PMID: 36881287 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-023-01480-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is a novel therapeutic option for hemorrhoids. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing LHP surgery based on hemorrhoid grade. A retrospective analysis of a prospective database of all patients who underwent LHP surgery between September 2018 and October 2021 was performed. Patients' demographics, clinical perioperative data, and post-operative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. One hundred and sixty two patients that underwent laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) were included. Median operative time was 18 min (range 8-38). Median total energy applied was 850 Joule (450-1242). Complete remission of symptoms following surgery was reported by 134 patients (82.7%), while 21 patients (13%) reported partial symptomatic relief. Nineteen patients (11.7%) presented with post-operative complications, and 11 patients (6.75%) were re-admitted following surgery. Post-operative complication rate was significantly higher in patients with grade 4 hemorrhoids compared to grades 3 or 2, due to a higher rate of post-operative bleeding (31.6% vs. 6.5% and 6.7%, respectively; p = 0.004). Furthermore, post-operative readmission rate (26.3% vs. 5.4% and 6.2%; p = 0.01) and reoperation rate were also significantly higher in grade IV hemorrhoids (21.1% vs. 2.2% and 0%; p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis found that grade IV hemorrhoids had a significantly higher risk for post-operative bleeding (OR 6.98, 95% CI 1.68-28.7; p = 0.006), 30-day readmission (OR 5.82, 95% CI 1.27-25.1; p = 0.018), and hemorrhoids recurrence (OR 11.4, 95% CI 1.18-116; p = 0.028). LHP is an effective treatment for hemorrhoids grades II-IV, but carries significant risk for bleeding and re-intervention in patients with grade IV hemorrhoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Ram
- Department of General Surgery B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Matan Kayzer
- Department of General Surgery B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yaniv Zager
- Department of General Surgery B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Roi Anteby
- Department of General Surgery B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ido Nachmany
- Department of General Surgery B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Raanan Meyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty Of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Horesh
- Department of General Surgery B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. .,Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA. .,Department of Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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13
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Carter D, Ram E, Engel T. Combined 3D Endoanal Ultrasound and Transperineal Ultrasound Improves the Detection of Anal Sphincter Defects. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13040682. [PMID: 36832170 PMCID: PMC9955566 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13040682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anal sphincter injury, mainly due to obstetric or iatrogenic etiology, is the most common cause of fecal incontinence (FI). Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D EAUS) is used for assessment of the integrity and the degree of anal muscle injury. However, 3D EAUS accuracy may be hampered by regional acoustic effects, such as intravaginal air. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether a combination of transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and 3D EAUS would improve the accuracy of detection of anal sphincter injury. METHODS We prospectively performed 3D EAUS followed by TPUS in every patient evaluated for FI in our clinic between January 2020 and January 2021. The diagnosis of anal muscle defects was assessed in each ultrasound technique by two experienced observers that were blinded to each other's assessments. Interobserver agreement for the results of the 3D EAUS and the TPUS exams was examined. A final diagnosis of anal sphincter defect was based on the results of both ultrasound methods. Discordant results were re-analyzed by the two ultrasonographers for a final consensus on the presence or absence of defects. RESULTS A total of 108 patients underwent ultrasonographic assessment due to FI (mean age 69 ± 13). Interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of tear on EAUS and TPUS was high (83%) with Cohen's kappa of 0.62. EAUS confirmed anal muscle defects in 56 patients (52%), while TPUS confirmed them in 62 patients (57%). The final consensus agreed on the diagnosis of 63 (58%) muscular defects and 45 (42%) normal exams. The Cohen's kappa coefficient of agreement between the results of the 3D EAUS and the final consensus was 0.63. CONCLUSIONS The combination of 3D EAUS and TPUS improved the detection of anal muscular defects. The application of both techniques for the assessment of the anal integrity should be considered in every patient going through ultrasonographic assessment for anal muscular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hasomer, Ramat Gan 5266202, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-35307729
| | - Edward Ram
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department Surgery B, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 5266202, Israel
| | - Tal Engel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hasomer, Ramat Gan 5266202, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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14
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Ram E, Zager Y, Meyer R, Carter D, Joubran S, Horesh N. Management of Chronic Anal Fissure with a Novel Topical Hemp-Herbal-Based Ointment: A Pilot Study. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids 2023; 6:15-20. [PMID: 36814684 PMCID: PMC9940646 DOI: 10.1159/000528119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anal fissure (AF) is a common anorectal disease. Although several pharmacological treatments are available, many patients still require surgical interventions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an ointment based on a multifunctional blend of herbal ingredients including hemp (ProctoFiz) for chronic AF. Methods A single-arm, questionnaire-based prospective study was conducted in a large tertiary center to evaluate the outcomes of patients suffering from chronic AF treated with topical ProctoFiz. Results Ninety-two patients were included in the study, 54 (58.7%) were females with a median age of 39 (range 17-78). 32 patients (34.7%) suffered from recurrent AF before enrolling in the study, and 5 patients (5.4%) underwent previous surgical interventions for AF. Three patients (3.2%) were lost to follow-up, leaving 89 patients for analysis. Eighty patients (89.9%) reported significant improvement of symptoms after 1 week using ProctoFiz, and 79 patients reported continued improvement after 1 month of treatment. The mean pain Visual Analog Score (VAS) declined by 6.6 points (8.9 vs. 2.3; 95% CI: 7.20 to -5.99, p < 0.0001) following 1 week of treatment, with continuous improvement to a mean of 0.64 after 1 month. Negative impact on quality of life significantly decreased from a mean of 8.8 to 0.38 following a month of treatment (p < 0.0001), with significant reduction in the number of patients suffering from bleeding following bowel movements (64.1-2.5%; p = 0.0001). Conclusion Hemp-based topical treatment of AF is feasible and significantly improves AF-correlated symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Ram
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yaniv Zager
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raanan Meyer
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel,Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Samia Joubran
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Nir Horesh
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantations, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel,Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel,*Nir Horesh,
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15
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Venturero M, Yehuda-Margalit R, Maradey-Romero C, Corcos Y, Carter D, Beer-Gabel M. Clinical outcomes with of the Contix Faecal Incontinence Management System: preliminary results. Ann Coloproctol 2023; 39:89-93. [PMID: 36472049 PMCID: PMC10009070 DOI: 10.3393/ac.2022.00563.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecal incontinence (FI) has a significant long-term impact on patient quality of life for which there is a range of medical and surgical management alternatives. We report the preliminary outcome using the ForConti Contix Faecal Incontinence Management System (FIMS) in FI patients who had failed conservative therapy and who were recruited at 2 tertiary institutions between September 2018 and September 2020. Comparative assessments were made before and after 2 week periods of treatment using bowel diaries and subjective Wexner and Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores. Of 17 patients enrolled, 11 completed an 8-week assessment with a significant fall in the average percentage of FI days reported from 84% before treatment to 16.8% at the first posttreatment assessment and down to 13.2% by the second assessment period. This finding correlated with a similar reduction in the total weekly number of episodes of frank FI, minor soiling, and fecal urgency reported by patients along with concomitant improvements in the Wexner scores. For those using the device, there was less concern about accidental bowel leakage, high rates of satisfaction, and minimal problems with the device. Initial results are encouraging warranting further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moris Venturero
- Department of Surgery, Laniado Hospital, Sanz Medical Center, Netanya, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Dan Carter
- Gastroenterology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Marc Beer-Gabel
- Neurogastroenterology and Pelvic Floor Disorders Unit, Laniado Hospital, Sanz Medical Center, Netanya, Israel
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16
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Carter D, Ben-Horin S, Horesh N, Saukhat O. Ultrasound-Tomographic Image Fusion: A Novel Imaging Technique for Follow-Up of Penetrating Complications of Crohn's Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2022; 28:1451-1453. [PMID: 35134965 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izab363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
We herein report the first use, to our knowledge, of computed tomography-ultrasound (US) fusion technique to follow-up Crohn's disease complications. This novel technique employs real-time reconstructed fusion of previously obtained tomographic images onto the US image software, allowing accurate bedside spatial resolution, localization, and lesion characterization by US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shomron Ben-Horin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Horesh
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Surgery B, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Olga Saukhat
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Radiology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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17
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Madsen GR, Wilkens R, Boysen T, Burisch J, Bryant R, Carter D, Gecse K, Maaser C, Maconi G, Novak K, Palmela C, Nayahangan LJ, Tolsgaard M. The knowledge and skills needed to perform intestinal ultrasound for inflammatory bowel diseases-an international Delphi consensus survey. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:263-270. [PMID: 35488472 PMCID: PMC9325538 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a non-invasive modality for monitoring disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IUS training currently lacks well-defined standards and international consensus on competency criteria. AIM To achieve international consensus on what competencies should be expected from a newly certified IUS practitioner. METHODS A three-round, iterative Delphi process was conducted among 54 IUS experts from 17 countries. Round 1 was a brainstorming phase with an open-ended question to identify the knowledge and skills that experts believe a newly certified IUS practitioner should possess. The experts' suggestions were then organised into statements by a Steering Committee. In round 2, the experts commented upon and rated the statements, which were revised accordingly. In round 3, the experts rated the revised statements. Statements meeting the pre-defined consensus criterion of at least 70% agreement were included in the final list of statements. RESULTS In total, 858 items were suggested by the experts in the first round. Based on these suggestions, 55 statements were organised into three categories: knowledge, technical skills and interpretation skills. After the second round, 53 revised statements remained. After the final round, a total of 41 statements had achieved consensus. CONCLUSIONS We established international, expert consensus on the knowledge and skills that should be expected from newly certified IUS practitioners. These consensus statements are the first step towards mastery learning for IUS training. Educators can utilise these statements to design training programmes and evaluate the competencies of trainees before they engage in independent practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorm Roager Madsen
- Gastrounit, Medical DivisionCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark,Copenhagen Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Adolescents and AdultsCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark,Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, Centre for HR and EducationCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Rune Wilkens
- Gastrounit, Medical DivisionCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark,Copenhagen Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Adolescents and AdultsCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark
| | - Trine Boysen
- Gastrounit, Medical DivisionCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark,Copenhagen Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Adolescents and AdultsCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark
| | - Johan Burisch
- Gastrounit, Medical DivisionCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark,Copenhagen Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Adolescents and AdultsCopenhagen University Hospital – Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark
| | - Robert Bryant
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service, Department of GastroenterologyThe Queen Elizabeth HospitalAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel and Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Krisztina Gecse
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyAcademic Medical CenterAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Christian Maaser
- Outpatients Department of Gastroenterology, Department of GeriatricsHospital LüneburgLüneburgGermany
| | - Giovanni Maconi
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences"L.Sacco" University HospitalMilanItaly
| | - Kerri Novak
- Department of Medicine, Division of GastroenterologyUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Carolina Palmela
- Division of Gastroenterology, Surgical DepartmentHospital Beatriz ÂngeloLouresPortugal
| | - Leizl Joy Nayahangan
- Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, Centre for HR and EducationCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Martin Grønnebæk Tolsgaard
- Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, Centre for HR and EducationCopenhagenDenmark,Department of ObstetricsCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
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18
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Kucharzik T, Tielbeek J, Carter D, Taylor SA, Tolan D, Wilkens R, Bryant RV, Hoeffel C, De Kock I, Maaser C, Maconi G, Novak K, Rafaelsen SR, Scharitzer M, Spinelli A, Rimola J. ECCO-ESGAR Topical Review on Optimizing Reporting for Cross-Sectional Imaging in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Crohns Colitis 2022; 16:523-543. [PMID: 34628504 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The diagnosis and follow up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] requires cross-sectional imaging modalities, such as intestinal ultrasound [IUS], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and computed tomography [CT]. The quality and homogeneity of medical reporting are crucial to ensure effective communication between specialists and to improve patient care. The current topical review addresses optimized reporting requirements for cross-sectional imaging in IBD. METHODS An expert consensus panel consisting of gastroenterologists, radiologists and surgeons convened by the ECCO in collaboration with ESGAR performed a systematic literature review covering the reporting aspects of MRI, CT, IUS, endoanal ultrasonography and transperineal ultrasonography in IBD. Practice position statements were developed utilizing a Delphi methodology incorporating two consecutive rounds. Current practice positions were set when ≥80% of the participants agreed on a recommendation. RESULTS Twenty-five practice positions were developed, establishing standard terminology for optimal reporting in cross-sectional imaging. Assessment of inflammation, complications and imaging of perianal CD are outlined. The minimum requirements of a standardized report, including a list of essential reporting items, have been defined. CONCLUSIONS This topical review offers practice recommendations to optimize and homogenize reporting in cross-sectional imaging in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Kucharzik
- Department of Gastroenterology, Klinikum Lüneburg, University of Hamburg, Bögelstr. 1, 21339 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Jeroen Tielbeek
- Department of Radiology, Spaarne Gasthuis, Boerhaavelaan 22, Haarlem, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hasomher, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Stuart A Taylor
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Damian Tolan
- Radiology Department, St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
| | - Rune Wilkens
- Gastrounit, Division of Medicine, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Adolescents and Adults, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert V Bryant
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Christine Hoeffel
- Department of Abdominal Radiology, CHU Reims and CRESTIC, URCA, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Isabelle De Kock
- Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Maaser
- Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Klinikum Lüneburg, University of Hamburg, Bögelstr. 1, 21339 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Maconi
- Gastroenterology Unit, 'Luigi Sacco' University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Kerri Novak
- Department of Radiology and Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Søren R Rafaelsen
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Martina Scharitzer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonino Spinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jordi Rimola
- IBD unit, Radiology Department, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Ilvemark JFKF, Hansen T, Goodsall TM, Seidelin JB, Al- Farhan H, Allocca M, Begun J, Bryant RV, Carter D, Christensen B, Dubinsky MC, Gecse KB, Kucharzik T, Lu C, Maaser C, Maconi G, Nylund K, Palmela C, Wilson SR, Novak K, Wilkens R. Defining Transabdominal Intestinal Ultrasound Treatment Response and Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Systematic Review and Expert Consensus Statement. J Crohns Colitis 2021; 16:554-580. [PMID: 34614172 PMCID: PMC9089416 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS No consensus exists on defining intestinal ultrasound response, transmural healing, or transmural remission in inflammatory bowel disease, nor clear guidance for optimal timing of assessment during treatment. This systematic review and expert consensus study aimed to define such recommendations, along with key parameters included in response reporting. METHODS Electronic databases were searched from inception to July 26, 2021, using pre-defined terms. Studies were eligible if at least two intestinal ultrasound [IUS] assessments at different time points during treatment were reported, along with an appropriate reference standard. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to examine study-level risk of bias. An international panel of experts [n = 18] rated an initial 196 statements [RAND/UCLA process, scale 1-9]. Two videoconferences were conducted, resulting in additional ratings of 149 and 13 statements, respectively. RESULTS Out of 5826 records, 31 full-text articles, 16 abstracts, and one research letter were included; 83% [40/48] of included studies showed a low concern of applicability, and 96% [46/48] had a high risk of bias. A consensus was reached on 41 statements, with clear definitions of IUS treatment response, transmural healing, transmural remission, timing of assessment, and general considerations when using intestinal ultrasound in inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSIONS Response criteria and time points of response assessment varied between studies, complicating direct comparison of parameter changes and their relation to treatment outcomes. To ensure a unified approach in routine care and clinical trials, we provide recommendations and definitions for key parameters for intestinal ultrasound response, to incorporate into future prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan F K F Ilvemark
- Corresponding author: Johan Ilvemark, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 1 2730, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Tawnya Hansen
- Department of Medicine, Section Gastroenterology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, MN, Canada
| | - Thomas M Goodsall
- Department of Gastroenterology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jakob B Seidelin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heba Al- Farhan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Al Amiri Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Mariangela Allocca
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Jakob Begun
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Robert V Bryant
- Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Britt Christensen
- Department of Gastroenterology, TRoyal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marla C Dubinsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Susan and Leonard Feinstein IBD Clinical Center, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Krisztina B Gecse
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Torsten Kucharzik
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Teaching Hospital Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Cathy Lu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine. University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christian Maaser
- Outpatients Department of Gastroenterology, University Teaching Hospital Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Maconi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Kim Nylund
- National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Carolina Palmela
- Division of Gastroenterology, Surgical Department, Hospital Beatriz Angelo, Loures, Portugal
| | - Stephanie R Wilson
- Department of Radiology and Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Dickman R, Levy S, Perets TT, Hazani-Pauker M, Boltin D, Schmilovitz-Weiss H, Nidal I, Siterman M, Carter D, Fass R, Gingold-Belfer R. Effect of the transcutaneous electrical stimulation system on esophageal-acid exposure in patients non-responsive to once-daily proton-pump inhibitor: proof-of-concept study. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2021; 9:323-328. [PMID: 34567564 PMCID: PMC8460107 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder. Overall, ≤35% of GERD patients fail the standard dose of proton-pump-inhibitor (PPI) treatment. Due to the high prevalence and low satisfaction rate with treatment failure, there is an unmet need for new treatment. Our aim was to evaluate whether the use of the transcutaneous electrical stimulation system (TESS) can reduce esophageal-acid exposure in GERD patients unresponsive to standard-dose PPI. Methods We enrolled 10 patients suffering from heartburn and regurgitation with an abnormal esophageal-acid exposure (off PPIs) who failed standard-dose PPI. After the placement of a wireless esophageal pH capsule, all patients were treated with TESS. The primary end point was the reduction in the baseline (pretreatment) 24-hour percent total time pH <4 and/or DeMeester score by 50%. Results Seven GERD patients (five females and two males, aged 49.3 ± 10.1 years) completed the study. At baseline, the mean percent total time pH <4 was 12.0 ± 4.9. Following TESS, the mean percent total time pH <4 dropped to 5.5 ± 3.4, 4.5 ± 2.6, 3.7 ± 2.9, and 4.4 ± 2.5 on Days 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At baseline, the mean DeMeester score was 39.0 ± 18.5. After TESS, the mean DeMeester score dropped to 15.8 ± 9.2, 13.2 ± 6.8, 11.2 ± 9.4, and 12.0 ± 6.8 on Days 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Conclusion TESS is a safe and potentially effective modality in reducing esophageal-acid exposure in GERD patients unresponsive to standard-dose PPI. A larger and prospective controlled study is needed to verify these preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Dickman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sigal Levy
- Statistics Education Unit, Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Tsachi Tsadok Perets
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maor Hazani-Pauker
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Doron Boltin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hemda Schmilovitz-Weiss
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Issa Nidal
- Department of Surgery B, Rabin Medical Center, Hasharon Campus, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Matan Siterman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronnie Fass
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Metrohealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rachel Gingold-Belfer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campuses, Petah Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Al-Akwaa S, Carter D, Tezel F, Kruczek B. Characterization of defect-containing zeolite membranes by single gas permeation experiments before and after calcination. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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22
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Rosa A, Dissanayake M, Carter D, Sibbald S. Community paramedicine to support palliative care. Progress in Palliative Care 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09699260.2021.1912690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Rosa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - M. Dissanayake
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - D. Carter
- Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, London, Canada
| | - S. Sibbald
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
- Department of Medicine and The Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
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Novak KL, Nylund K, Maaser C, Petersen F, Kucharzik T, Lu C, Allocca M, Maconi G, de Voogd F, Christensen B, Vaughan R, Palmela C, Carter D, Wilkens R. Expert Consensus on Optimal Acquisition and Development of the International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score [IBUS-SAS]: A Reliability and Inter-rater Variability Study on Intestinal Ultrasonography in Crohn's Disease. J Crohns Colitis 2021; 15:609-616. [PMID: 33098642 PMCID: PMC8023841 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaa216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intestinal ultrasound [IUS] is an accurate, patient-centreed monitoring tool that objectively evaluates Crohn's disease [CD] activity. However no current, widely accepted, reproducible activity index exists to facilitate consistent IUS identification of inflammatory activity. The aim of this study is to identify key parameters of CD inflammation on IUS, evaluate their reliability, and develop an IUS index reflecting segmental activity. METHODS There were three phases: [1] expert consensus Delphi method to derive measures of IUS activity; [2] an initial, multi-expert case acquisition and expert interpretation of 20 blinded cases, to measure inter-rater reliability for individual measures; [3] refinement of case acquisition and interpretation by 12 international experts, with 30 blinded case reads with reliability assessment and development of a segmental activity score. RESULTS Delphi consensus: 11 experts representing seven countries identified four key parameters including: [1] bowel wall thickness [BWT]; [2] bowel wall stratification; [3] hyperaemia of the wall [colour Doppler imaging]; and [4] inflammatory mesenteric fat. Blind read: each variable exhibited moderate to substantial reliability. Optimal, standardised image and cineloop acquisition were established. Second blind read and score development: intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] for BWT was almost perfect at 0.96 [0.94-0.98]. All four parameters correlated with the global disease activity assessment and were included in the final International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score with almost perfect ICC (0.97 [0.95-0.99, p <0.001]). CONCLUSIONS Using expert consensus and standardised approaches, identification of key activity measurements on IUS has been achieved and a segmental activity score has been proposed, demonstrating excellent reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri L Novak
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kim Nylund
- National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University in Bergen, Klinisk institutt 1, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christian Maaser
- Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Teaching Hospital Lueneburg, Lueneburg, Germany
| | - Frauke Petersen
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Teaching Hospital Lueneburg, Lueneburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Kucharzik
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Teaching Hospital Lueneburg, Lueneburg, Germany
| | - Cathy Lu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mariangela Allocca
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Italy
- Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maconi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences. FBF- L.Sacco University Hospital, Milan. Italy
| | - Floris de Voogd
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Britt Christensen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Rose Vaughan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Carolina Palmela
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rune Wilkens
- Gastrounit, Division of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Adolescents and Adults, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kedem S, Yust-Katz S, Carter D, Levi Z, Kedem R, Dickstein A, Daher S, Katz LH. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and gastrointestinal morbidity in a large cohort of young adults. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:6626-6637. [PMID: 33268951 PMCID: PMC7673962 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i42.6626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with psychiatric disorders is well known, its association with somatic diseases is unclear. Only few studies have investigated the gastrointestinal (GI) morbidity in adult patients with ADHD.
AIM To measure gastrointestinal comorbidity and its burden on healthcare in young adults with ADHD.
METHODS The cohort included subjects aged 17-35 years recruited to the Israel Defense Forces in 2007-2013, 33380 with ADHD and 355652 without (controls). The groups were compared for functional and inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and clinic and specialist visits for gastrointestinal symptoms/disease during service (to 2016). Findings were analyzed by generalized linear models adjusted for background variables.
RESULTS Compared to controls, the ADHD group had more diagnoses of functional gastrointestinal disorders (referred to as FGID), namely, dyspepsia [odds ratio (OR): 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-1.57, P < 0.001], chronic constipation (OR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.48-1.81, P < 0.001), and irritable bowel syndrome (OR: 1.67, 95%CI: 1.56-1.80, P < 0.001) but not of organic disorders (inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease). They had more frequent primary care visits for gastrointestinal symptoms [rate ratio (RR): 1.25, 95%CI: 1.24-1.26, P < 0.001] and referrals to gastrointestinal specialists (RR: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.88-2.03, P < 0.001) and more episodes of recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms (RR: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.21-1.38, P < 0.001). Methylphenidate use increased the risk of dyspepsia (OR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.28-1.73, P < 0.001) and constipation (OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.09-1.84, P = 0.009).
CONCLUSION ADHD in young adults is associated with an excess of FGID and increased use of related health services. Research is needed to determine if an integrative approach treating both conditions will benefit these patients and cut costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivan Kedem
- Medical Corps, Israeli Defense Forces, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel
- Medical School, Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Shlomit Yust-Katz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 77096, Israel
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 77096, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52361, Israel
| | - Zohar Levi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 77096, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Ron Kedem
- Medical Corps, Israeli Defense Forces, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Adi Dickstein
- Medical Corps, Israeli Defense Forces, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Salah Daher
- Medical Corps, Israeli Defense Forces, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Lior H Katz
- Medical Corps, Israeli Defense Forces, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Albshesh A, Ungar B, Ben-Horin S, Eliakim R, Kopylov U, Carter D. Terminal Ileum Thickness During Maintenance Therapy Is a Predictive Marker of the Outcome of Infliximab Therapy in Crohn Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020; 26:1619-1625. [PMID: 32860057 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal healing has been associated with long-term response to therapy for Crohn disease (CD). However, little is known about the significance of terminal ileum (TI) transmural thickness in predicting clinical outcomes. METHODS In this retrospective observational cohort study, we examined the association of an index ultrasonographic assessment of TI thickness during the maintenance phase and the subsequent clinical outcome of CD in a cohort of patients treated with infliximab (IFX). Treatment failure was defined as treatment discontinuation because of lack of efficacy, a need for dose escalation, or surgery. Clinical response was defined as treatment continuation in the absence of any of the aforementioned failure criteria. RESULTS Sixty patients with CD receiving IFX therapy were included in the study. The patients were followed for a median of 16 months (5-24 months) after an index intestinal ultrasound. Thirty-eight patients (63.3%) maintained response to the therapy and 22 patients (36.6%) failed the treatment, with a mean follow up of 10.5 months (6.5-17 months) vs 9.25 months (1-10.25 months), respectively. On univariate analysis, the only variables differing between treatment response and failure were a TI thickness of 2.8 vs 5 mm (P < 0.0001) and an IFX trough level of 6.6 vs 3.9 µg/mL (P = 0.008).On multivariable analysis, only a small bowel thickness of ≥4 mm was associated with the risk of treatment failure (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.49-5.55; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that transmural thickness of ≥4 mm can predict subsequent treatment failure in patients with CD treated using IFX, indicating transmural thickness <4 mm as a potential novel valuable therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Albshesh
- Gastroenterology Department, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bella Ungar
- Gastroenterology Department, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shomron Ben-Horin
- Gastroenterology Department, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rami Eliakim
- Gastroenterology Department, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Kopylov
- Gastroenterology Department, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Gastroenterology Department, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Carter D, Tezel FH, Kruczek B, Kärger J, Chmelik C. Determination of the adsorption isotherms and transport diffusivities of gases in mixtures inside zeolitic crystals using Infra-Red Micro-imaging. MethodsX 2020; 7:100993. [PMID: 32742944 PMCID: PMC7387814 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.100993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Different regions of Infra-Red (IR) light absorption by guest molecules inside a zeolitic crystal are measured and quantified to determine binary adsorption isotherms and transport diffusivities. This has been achieved using a vacuum capable setup which includes an Infra-Red Microscope (IRM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectrometer. By utilizing IR light and FTIR spectroscopy, this method can be used to describe the behavior of low concentrations of relatively fast molecules inside zeolitic crystals as an alternative to chromatographic pulse methods. To demonstrate the capabilities of this method, binary adsorption isotherms and transport diffusivities of CO2 in mixtures composed of CO2 and N2 inside silicalite have been determined. From the fundamental measurements determined using this method, complex gas separation processes such as swing adsorption and multi stage membrane systems can be designed for novel zeolite materials. This method can also be used to develop models for complex adsorption and diffusion systems, and validate sophisticated molecular simulation models.•IR microimaging with static gas dosing system for measuring transient uptake, diffusion and chemical reactions of gases and their mixtures in individual crystals or particles of nanoporous materials•Using giant crystals the setup allows to study adsorption and transport of single components and mixtures in nanoporous materials also for fast diffusing guest molecules.
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Meyer R, Alcalay M, Jamal R, Horesh N, Friedman T, Nadler R, Carter D, Ram E. Validation of the Wexner scale in a Hebrew-speaking population. Int Urogynecol J 2020; 31:2583-2587. [DOI: 10.1007/s00192-020-04400-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Ram E, Meyer R, Carter D, Gutman M, Rosin D, Horesh N. The efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of low anterior resection syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Tech Coloproctol 2020; 24:803-815. [PMID: 32350733 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-020-02231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has become one of the main treatment options in patients with fecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). METHODS A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted using the Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane databases, restricted to the English language and to articles published from 2000 to November 2018. RESULTS A total of 434 articles on the efficacy of SNM in the treatment of LARS were retrieved, and 13 studies were included in the final analysis, with a total of 114 patients treated with SNM for LARS The overall success rate excluding study heterogeneity was 83.30% [95% CI (71.33-95.25%)]. Improvement in anal continence was seen in several clinical and functional parameters, including the Wexner Score [10.78 points, 95% CI (8.55-13.02), p < 0.0001], manometric maximum resting pressure [mean improvement of 6.37 mm/Hg, 95% CI (2.67-10.07), p = 0.0007], maximum squeeze pressure [mean improvement of 17.99 mm/Hg, 95% CI (17.42-18.56), p < 0.0001] and maximum tolerated volume [mean improvement of 22.74 ml, 95% CI (10.65-34.83), p = 0.0002]. Quality of life questionnaires also demonstrated significant improvement in patients' quality of life, but were reported only in a small group of included patients. CONCLUSIONS SNM significantly improves symptoms and quality of life in patients suffering from fecal incontinence following low anterior resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ram
- Department of Surgery B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - R Meyer
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - D Carter
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - M Gutman
- Department of Surgery B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Rosin
- Department of Surgery B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - N Horesh
- Department of Surgery B, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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29
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Eliakim R, Yablecovitch D, Lahat A, Ungar B, Shachar E, Carter D, Selinger L, Neuman S, Ben-Horin S, Kopylov U. A novel PillCam Crohn's capsule score (Eliakim score) for quantification of mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease. United European Gastroenterol J 2020; 8:544-551. [PMID: 32213037 DOI: 10.1177/2050640620913368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Capsule endoscopy is an important modality for monitoring of Crohn's disease. Recently, a novel panenteric capsule, PillCam Crohn's (Medtronic, USA), was approved for use. No quantitative index of inflammation for this method is currently available. This sub-study of a prospective randomized controlled Comprehensive individUalized pRoactive ThErapy of Crohn's Disease trial (CURE-CD) which aimed to compare the correlation and reliability of the novel PillCam Crohn's score with the existing small bowel capsule Lewis inflammatory score. METHODS The study cohort included Crohn's disease patients in remission who were evaluated with PillCam Crohn's. Each result was independently reviewed by two experienced readers. Inflammation was scored in all studies using Lewis inflammatory score and PillCam Crohn's score (comprised of a sum of scores for most common and most severe lesions multiplied by percentage of segmental involvement + stricture score). RESULTS Fifty-four PillCam Crohn's studies from 41 patients were included. The median Lewis inflammatory score was 225 for both readers. The median PillCam Crohn's score was six (0-14) and four (3-15) for readers 1 and 2, respectively. There was a high inter-rater reliability coefficient between the two readers for Lewis inflammatory and PillCam Crohn's score (0.9, p < 0.0001 for both). The correlation between PillCam Crohn's score and fecal calprotectin was stronger than for Lewis inflammatory score (r = 0.32 and 0.54 respectively, p = 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS The novel panenteric capsule score correlates well with the Lewis inflammatory score, has excellent reliability, and may be potentially more accurate in estimation of the panenteric inflammatory burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Eliakim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Doron Yablecovitch
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Lahat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Bella Ungar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Eyal Shachar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Limor Selinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sandra Neuman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shomron Ben-Horin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Kopylov
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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30
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Pounder KC, Mukhida F, Brown RP, Carter D, Daltry JC, Fleming T, Goetz M, Halsey LG, Hughes G, Questel K, Saccheri IJ, Williams R, Soanes LM. Testing for hybridisation of the Critically Endangered Iguana delicatissima on Anguilla to inform conservation efforts. CONSERV GENET 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-020-01258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe Caribbean Island of Anguilla in the north-eastern Lesser Antilles is home to one of the last populations of the Critically Endangered Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima. This population is highly threatened primarily because of hybridisation with non-native Iguana iguana. This study assesses the degree of hybridisation between Anguilla’s Iguana species firstly using morphological characteristics and then genetic analysis to validate the genetic integrity of morphologically identified I. delicatissima. We also examined the genetic diversity of Anguilla’s I. delicatissima population, and that of a population on the nearby island of Îlet Fourchue, St Barthélemy. Forty-five iguanas were captured in Anguilla and 10 in St Barthélemy, and sequences from 3 nuclear and 1 mtDNA genes were obtained for each. Of the 45 iguanas captured in Anguilla, 22 were morphologically identified as I. delicatissima, 12 as I. iguana and the remainder were identified as hybrids. Morphological assignments were all confirmed by genetic analyses except for one I. iguana and one hybrid individual. These two individuals appeared likely to have originated following ancestral hybridisation events several generations ago. A significant paucity of genetic diversity was found within Anguillan and St Barthélemy I. delicatissima populations, with a single haplotype being identified for each of the three nuclear genes and the mtDNA sequence. This study highlights the urgency for immediate action to conserve Anguilla’s remnant I. delicatissima population. Protection from hybridisation will require translocation to I. iguana-free offshore cays, with supplementary individuals being sourced from neighbouring islands to enhance the genetic diversity of the population.
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31
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Carter D, Hartzell CM. Experimental methodology for measuring in-vacuum granular tribocharging. Rev Sci Instrum 2019; 90:125105. [PMID: 31893812 DOI: 10.1063/1.5111983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We have developed an experimental methodology for measuring the charge distribution in granular mixtures due solely to particle-to-particle triboelectric charge exchange. Our experiment isolates the charging process from common influencing factors such as particle-to-container contact and atmospheric effects, creating conditions ideal for studying charge exchange on airless, dusty extraterrestrial bodies like the Moon and Mars. Charged grains are observed using high-speed videography as they fall through a uniform electric field, and their charge and size are characterized from their trajectories. This no-contact measurement method does not influence the charge and allows for the characterization of the overall distribution of charge by grain size in an arbitrary mixture. Our preliminary results indicate that charging measured with this test stand agrees well with computational charging models.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Carter
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - C M Hartzell
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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32
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Kafetzopoulou LE, Efthymiadis K, Lewandowski K, Crook A, Carter D, Osborne J, Aarons E, Hewson R, Hiscox JA, Carroll MW, Vipond R, Pullan ST. Assessment of metagenomic Nanopore and Illumina sequencing for recovering whole genome sequences of chikungunya and dengue viruses directly from clinical samples. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 30563591 PMCID: PMC6299504 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.50.1800228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background The recent global emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses has caused significant human disease. Common vectors, symptoms and geographical distribution make differential diagnosis both important and challenging. Aim To investigate the feasibility of metagenomic sequencing for recovering whole genome sequences of chikungunya and dengue viruses from clinical samples. Methods We performed metagenomic sequencing using both the Illumina MiSeq and the portable Oxford Nanopore MinION on clinical samples which were real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) positive for chikungunya (CHIKV) or dengue virus (DENV), two of the most important arboviruses. A total of 26 samples with a range of representative clinical Ct values were included in the study. Results Direct metagenomic sequencing of nucleic acid extracts from serum or plasma without viral enrichment allowed for virus identification, subtype determination and elucidated complete or near-complete genomes adequate for phylogenetic analysis. One PCR-positive CHIKV sample was also found to be coinfected with DENV. Conclusions This work demonstrates that metagenomic whole genome sequencing is feasible for the majority of CHIKV and DENV PCR-positive patient serum or plasma samples. Additionally, it explores the use of Nanopore metagenomic sequencing for DENV and CHIKV, which can likely be applied to other RNA viruses, highlighting the applicability of this approach to front-line public health and potential portable applications using the MinION.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana E Kafetzopoulou
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Kyriakos Efthymiadis
- Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kuiama Lewandowski
- Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Ant Crook
- Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Carter
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Osborne
- Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Public Health England, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Aarons
- Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Public Health England, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Hewson
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Julian A Hiscox
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Miles W Carroll
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Vipond
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Steven T Pullan
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Public Health England, National Infections Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
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33
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Akbar N, Corbin A, Hogg E, Banerjee A, Lee C, Melling G, Edgar L, Dragovic R, Carter D, Riley P, Udalova I, Anthony D, Choudhury R. 2379Endothelial cell derived extracellular vesicles mediate immune cell deployment from the spleen and transcriptional programming following acute myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) induces transcriptional activation of monocyte en route to the injured myocardium, possibly through interactions involving plasma liberated extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are enriched for proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) post-AMI. Neutrophils are the first immune cells to arrive at sites of injury and mediate further damage to the ischaemic myocardium. Here, we describe neutrophil-deployment from the spleen in AMI and by endothelial cell (EC) derived-EVs.
Methods
Patients presenting AMI provided informed consent as part of the Oxford Acute Myocardial Infarction Study (OxAMI). Plasma EV were isolated by differential ultra-centrifugation (120,000g, 2 hours) followed by washing and characterised for: morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), size and concentration profiling by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, EV markers (TSG101, ALIX, CD9, HSP70) by western blot, and miRNAs by RT-qPCR. Mouse and human EC were used in vitro to derive EC-EV under control conditions or after inflammatory stimulation with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (10ng/mL) and from CRISPR-edited miRNA-126 knock-out ECs. EC-EVs were tail vein injected into wild-type mice or exposed to primary human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro.
Results
Patients presenting with AMI (N=15) have significantly more plasma EV at time of injury vs a 6-month follow-up measurement (2.2-fold more, P=0.008). Plasma EVs at the time of AMI presentation correlate significantly with the extent of ischaemic injury (R=0.046, P=0.006) and plasma neutrophils (R=0.37, P=0.017). Experimental AMI in wild-type mice induced a significant increase in peripheral blood neutrophils and a simultaneous reduction in splenic-neutrophils, suggesting splenic-neutrophil deployment (P=0.004). Human plasma EV are enriched for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and EC-associated miR-126 post-AMI (Akbar et al 2017). miRNA-126-mRNA targets are significantly over represented when compared to neutrophil Gene Ontology terms for: degranulation (P<0.001), activation (P<0.001), chemotaxis (P=0.008) and migration (P=0.008). Human and mouse EC release more EV after inflammatory stimulation and show enrichment for miRNA-126. CRISPR-edited miRNA-126 deficient human EC express more VCAM-1 (P<0.001) and release more EC-EVs (P<0.001). EC-EV exposure to primary human neutrophils alters inflammatory gene expression (IL-6 (P<0.05), CCL7 (P<0.001) and CCL18 (P<0.001)). EC-EV tail vein injected into wild-type mice mobilise splenic-neutrophils to peripheral blood (P<0.001).
Conclusions
Neutrophil deployment from the spleen is a novel finding in acute injury and interactions with EC-EV may mediate their splenic liberation and transcriptional programming following AMI, en route to the injured myocardium. The splenic neutrophil reserve may be a novel therapeutic target in AMI to modulate the inflammatory response before recruitment of cells to sites of injury.
Acknowledgement/Funding
British Heart Foundation Project Grant and Centre for Research Excellence Awards (RE/13/1/30181), Nuffield Benefaction for Medicine and ISSF
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Affiliation(s)
- N Akbar
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - A Corbin
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - E Hogg
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - A Banerjee
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - C Lee
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - G Melling
- Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - L Edgar
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - R Dragovic
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - D Carter
- Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - P Riley
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - I Udalova
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - D Anthony
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - R Choudhury
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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34
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Ungar B, Ben-Shatach Z, Selinger L, Malik A, Albshesh A, Ben-Horin S, Eliakim R, Kopylov U, Carter D. Lower adalimumab trough levels are associated with higher bowel wall thickness in Crohn's disease. United European Gastroenterol J 2019; 8:167-174. [PMID: 32213067 DOI: 10.1177/2050640619878974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Crohn's disease, higher adalimumab trough levels and negative anti-adalimumab-antibodies associate with better clinical and endoscopic outcomes. Intestinal ultrasound has become a relevant non-invasive method to monitor treatment. However, data on the association between adalimumab levels and bowel wall thickness measured with ultrasound is limited. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the possible association between the sonographic transmural-thickness and adalimumab trough levels. METHODS This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at Sheba Medical Center in 2014-2018. Crohn's disease patients on adalimumab maintenance therapy with intestinal ultrasound performed within <30 days of trough level measurement were included. Associations between terminal ileum and colonic thickness, adalimumab levels and therapy retention were assessed. RESULTS Fifty events of ultrasound with concomitant adalimumab trough level measurements in 44 Crohn's disease patients were included. Patients with trough level <3 μg/ml had significantly higher bowel wall thickness, both for terminal ileum (p = 0.04) and colon (p = 0.02). Thirty-two patients continued adalimumab therapy over one year. The adalimumab retention rate was higher among those with terminal ileum thickness <4 mm (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Lower adalimumab trough levels were associated with higher bowel wall thickness indicating poorer therapy outcome. Transmural thickness measurement with ultrasound may be a useful target for guiding biologic therapy in Crohn's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bella Ungar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Zohar Ben-Shatach
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Limor Selinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Alona Malik
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ahmad Albshesh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shomron Ben-Horin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Rami Eliakim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Kopylov
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Abstract
Functional abdominal bloating and distension (FABD) are common gastrointestinal complaints, encountered on a daily basis by gastroenterologists and healthcare providers. Functional abdominal bloating is a subjective sensation that is commonly associated with an objective abdominal distension. FABD may be diagnosed as a single entity (the sole or cardinal complaint) or may overlap with other functional gastrointestinal disorders such as functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of FABD is not completely understood. Proposed underlying mechanisms include visceral hypersensitivity, behavioral induced abnormal abdominal wall-phrenic reflexes, the effect of poorly absorbed fermentable carbohydrates, and microbiome alterations. Management includes behavioral therapy, dietary interventions, microbiome modulation, and medical therapy. This review presents the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of FABD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mari
- Gastroenterology Institute, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
- Gastroenterology Institute, Nazareth EMMS Hospital, Nazareth, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Fadi Abu Backer
- Gastroenterology Institute, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Mahmud Mahamid
- Gastroenterology Institute, Nazareth EMMS Hospital, Nazareth, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hana Amara
- Gastroenterology Institute, Nazareth EMMS Hospital, Nazareth, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Doron Boltin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ram Dickman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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36
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Carter D, Bardan E, Maradey-Romero C. Clinical and physiological risk factors for fecal incontinence in chronically constipated women. Tech Coloproctol 2019; 23:429-434. [PMID: 31016549 DOI: 10.1007/s10151-019-01985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fecal incontinence (FI) and chronic constipation (CC) are disabling symptoms that cause a significant public health problem. The pathophysiology of combined constipation and FI is not fully understood. Our aim was to delineate the clinical, physiological and anatomical factors that may contribute to the association of FI and CC. METHODS A retrospective study was performed in a pelvic floor unit in a tertiary medical center. Consecutive female patients diagnosed with CC were included, and further divided into two groups according to the co-occurrence of FI. Demographic characteristics, anorectal physiology (obtained by manometry) and pelvic anatomical pathology (as assessed by dynamic pelvic ultrasound) were recorded and subsequently compared. RESULTS A total of 267 women were included in the study. Of those, 62 patients (23%) had an associated FI (CCFI). The CCFI group had higher body mass index (BMI) levels and a trend toward younger average age as compared to the group without FI (CCNFI). The number of vaginal and instrumental deliveries was similar in both groups. Anal resting and squeeze pressures were significantly lower in the CCFI group (64 ± 21 vs 48 ± 18, p = 0.004 and 141 ± 136.2 vs. 97.5 ± 38.6, p = 0.02, respectively). Rectal sensation abnormalities were common, but did not differ between both groups. Dyssynergic defecation and rectocele were more common in the CCNFI group (68% vs. 51%, p = 0.04 and 39% vs. 24%, p = 0/045, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Lower anal pressures and higher BMI were found among women with coexisting FI and CC. Pelvic floor anatomical and functional abnormalities are common in women diagnosed with CC and FI, but dyssynergia and diagnosis of significant rectocele, which cause obstructed defecation, were more common in the CCNFI group.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - E Bardan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - C Maradey-Romero
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
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37
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Eapen A, Joing M, Kwon P, Tong J, Maneta E, De Santo C, Mussai F, Lissauer D, Carter D. Recombinant human granulocyte- colony stimulating factor in women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy losses: a randomized clinical trial. Hum Reprod 2019; 34:424-432. [PMID: 30776296 PMCID: PMC6389865 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in the first trimester improve pregnancy outcomes, among women with a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss? SUMMARY ANSWER rhG-CSF administered in the first trimester of pregnancy did not improve outcomes among women with a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The only previous randomized controlled study of granulocyte colony stimulating factor in recurrent miscarriage in 68 women with unexplained primary recurrent miscarriage found a statistically significant reduction in miscarriage and improvement in live birth rates. A further four observational studies where G-CSF was used in a recurrent miscarriage population were identified in the literature, two of which confirmed statistically significant increase in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial involving 150 women with a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss was conducted at 21 sites with established recurrent miscarriage clinics in the United Kingdom between 23 June 2014 and 05 June 2016. The study was coordinated by University of Birmingham, UK. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS One hundred and fifty women with a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: 76 were randomized to rhG-CSF and 74 to placebo. Daily subcutaneous injections of recombinant human granulocyte - colony stimulating factor 130 μg or identical appearing placebo from as early as three to five weeks of gestation for a maximum of 9 weeks. The trial used central randomization with allocation concealment. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy at 20 weeks of gestation, as demonstrated by an ultrasound scan. Secondary outcomes included miscarriages, livebirth, adverse events, stillbirth, neonatal birth weight, changes in clinical laboratory variables following study drug exposure, major congenital anomalies, preterm births and incidence of anti-drug antibody formation. Analysis was by intention to treat. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 340 participants were screened for eligibility of which 150 women were randomized. 76 women (median age, 32[IQR, 29-34] years; mean BMI, 26.3[SD, 4.2]) and 74 women (median age, 31[IQR, 26-33] years; mean BMI, 25.8[SD, 4.2]) were randomized to placebo. All women were followed-up to primary outcome, and beyond to live birth. The clinical pregnancy rate at 20 weeks, as well as the live birth rate, was 59.2% (45/76) in the rhG-CSF group, and 64.9% (48/74) in the placebo group, giving a relative risk of 0.9 (95% CI: 0.7-1.2; P = 0.48). There was no evidence of a significant difference between the groups for any of the secondary outcomes. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 52 (68.4%) participants in rhG-CSF group and 43 (58.1%) participants in the placebo group. Neonatal congenital anomalies were observed in 1/46 (2.1%) of babies in the rhG-CSF group versus 1/49 (2.0%) in the placebo group (RR of 0.9; 95% CI: 0.1-13.4; P = 0.93). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This trial was conducted in women diagnosed with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss and therefore no screening tests (commercially available) were performed for immune dysfunction related pregnancy failure/s. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To our knowledge, this is the first multicentre study and largest randomized clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of granulocyte human colony stimulating factor in women with recurrent miscarriages. Unlike the only available single center RCT, our trial showed no significant increase in clinical pregnancy or live births with the use of rhG-CSF in the first trimester of pregnancy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was sponsored and supported by Nora Therapeutics, Inc., 530 Lytton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA. Darryl Carter was the co-founder and VP of research, Nora Therapeutics, Inc. and held shares in the company. He holds a patent for the use of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor to reduce unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Mark Joing, Paul Kwon and Jeff Tong were or are employees of Nora Therapeutics, Inc. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER EUDRACT No: 2014-000084-40; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02156063. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 31 Mar 2014. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT 23 Jun 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Eapen
- Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Carver college of Medicine, IA, USA
| | - M Joing
- Nora Therapeutics, Inc., 530 Lytton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - P Kwon
- Nora Therapeutics, Inc., 530 Lytton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - J Tong
- Nora Therapeutics, Inc., 530 Lytton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - E Maneta
- Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - C De Santo
- Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - F Mussai
- Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - D Lissauer
- Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - D Carter
- Nora Therapeutics, Inc., 530 Lytton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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McLean K, Glasbey J, Borakati A, Brooks T, Chang H, Choi S, Goodson R, Nielsen M, Pronin S, Salloum N, Sewart E, Vanniasegaram D, Drake T, Gillies M, Harrison E, Chapman S, Khatri C, Kong C, Claireaux H, Bath M, Mohan M, McNamee L, Kelly M, Mitchell H, Fitzgerald J, Bhangu A, Nepogodiev D, Antoniou I, Dean R, Davies N, Trecarten S, Henderson I, Holmes C, Wylie J, Shuttleworth R, Jindal A, Hughes F, Gouda P, Fleck R, Hanrahan M, Karunakaran P, Chen J, Sykes M, Sethi R, Suresh S, Patel P, Patel M, Varma R, Mushtaq J, Gundogan B, Bolton W, Khan T, Burke J, Morley R, Favero N, Adams R, Thirumal V, Kennedy E, Ong K, Tan Y, Gabriel J, Bakhsh A, Low J, Yener A, Paraoan V, Preece R, Tilston T, Cumber E, Dean S, Ross T, McCance E, Amin H, Satterthwaite L, Clement K, Gratton R, Mills E, Chiu S, Hung G, Rafiq N, Hayes J, Robertson K, Dynes K, Huang H, Assadullah S, Duncumb J, Moon R, Poo S, Mehta J, Joshi K, Callan R, Norris J, Chilvers N, Keevil H, Jull P, Mallick S, Elf D, Carr L, Player C, Barton E, Martin A, Ratu S, Roberts E, Phan P, Dyal A, Rogers J, Henson A, Reid N, Burke D, Culleton G, Lynne S, Mansoor S, Brennan C, Blessed R, Holloway C, Hill A, Goldsmith T, Mackin S, Kim S, Woin E, Brent G, Coffin J, Ziff O, Momoh Z, Debenham R, Ahmed M, Yong C, Wan J, Copley H, Raut P, Chaudhry F, Nixon G, Dorman C, Tan R, Kanabar S, Canning N, Dolaghan M, Bell N, McMenamin M, Chhabra A, Duke K, Turner L, Patel T, Chew L, Mirza M, Lunawat S, Oremule B, Ward N, Khan M, Tan E, Maclennan D, McGregor R, Chisholm E, Griffin E, Bell L, Hughes B, Davies J, Haq H, Ahmed H, Ungcharoen N, Whacha C, Thethi R, Markham R, Lee A, Batt E, Bullock N, Francescon C, Davies J, Shafiq N, Zhao J, Vivekanantham S, Barai I, Allen J, Marshall D, McIntyre C, Wilson H, Ashton A, Lek C, Behar N, Davis-Hall M, Seneviratne N, Esteve L, Sirakaya M, Ali S, Pope S, Ahn J, Craig-McQuaide A, Gatfield W, Leong S, Demetri A, Kerr A, Rees C, Loveday J, Liu S, Wijesekera M, Maru D, Attalla M, Smith N, Brown D, Sritharan P, Shah A, Charavanamuttu V, Heppenstall-Harris G, Ng K, Raghvani T, Rajan N, Hulley K, Moody N, Williams M, Cotton A, Sharifpour M, Lwin K, Bright M, Chitnis A, Abdelhadi M, Semana A, Morgan F, Reid R, Dickson J, Anderson L, McMullan R, Ahern N, Asmadi A, Anderson L, Boon Xuan JL, Crozier L, McAleer S, Lees D, Adebayo A, Das M, Amphlett A, Al-Robeye A, Valli A, Khangura J, Winarski A, Ali A, Woodward H, Gouldthrope C, Turner M, Sasapu K, Tonkins M, Wild J, Robinson M, Hardie J, Heminway R, Narramore R, Ramjeeawon N, Hibberd A, Winslow F, Ho W, Chong B, Lim K, Ho S, Crewdson J, Singagireson S, Kalra N, Koumpa F, Jhala H, Soon W, Karia M, Rasiah M, Xylas D, Gilbert H, Sundar-Singh M, Wills J, Akhtar S, Patel S, Hu L, Brathwaite-Shirley C, Nayee H, Amin O, Rangan T, Turner E, McCrann C, Shepherd R, Patel N, Prest-Smith J, Auyoung E, Murtaza A, Coates A, Prys-Jones O, King M, Gaffney S, Dewdney C, Nehikhare I, Lavery J, Bassett J, Davies K, Ahmad K, Collins A, Acres M, Egerton C, Cheng K, Chen X, Chan N, Sheldon A, Khan S, Empey J, Ingram E, Malik A, Johnstone M, Goodier R, Shah J, Giles J, Sanders J, McLure S, Pal S, Rangedara A, Baker A, Asbjoernsen C, Girling C, Gray L, Gauntlett L, Joyner C, Qureshi S, Mogan Y, Ng J, Kumar A, Park J, Tan D, Choo K, Raman K, Buakuma P, Xiao C, Govinden S, Thompson O, Charalambos M, Brown E, Karsan R, Dogra T, Bullman L, Dawson P, Frank A, Abid H, Tung L, Qureshi U, Tahmina A, Matthews B, Harris R, O'Connor A, Mazan K, Iqbal S, Stanger S, Thompson J, Sullivan J, Uppal E, MacAskill A, Bamgbose F, Neophytou C, Carroll A, Rookes C, Datta U, Dhutia A, Rashid S, Ahmed N, Lo T, Bhanderi S, Blore C, Ahmed S, Shaheen H, Abburu S, Majid S, Abbas Z, Talukdar S, Burney L, Patel J, Al-Obaedi O, Roberts A, Mahboob S, Singh B, Sheth S, Karia P, Prabhudesai A, Kow K, Koysombat K, Wang S, Morrison P, Maheswaran Y, Keane P, Copley P, Brewster O, Xu G, Harries P, Wall C, Al-Mousawi A, Bonsu S, Cunha P, Ward T, Paul J, Nadanakumaran K, Tayeh S, Holyoak H, Remedios J, Theodoropoulou K, Luhishi A, Jacob L, Long F, Atayi A, Sarwar S, Parker O, Harvey J, Ross H, Rampal R, Thomas G, Vanmali P, McGowan C, Stein J, Robertson V, Carthew L, Teng V, Fong J, Street A, Thakker C, O'Reilly D, Bravo M, Pizzolato A, Khokhar H, Ryan M, Cheskes L, Carr R, Salih A, Bassiony S, Yuen R, Chrastek D, Rosen O'Sullivan H, Amajuoyi A, Wang A, Sitta O, Wye J, Qamar M, Major C, Kaushal A, Morgan C, Petrarca M, Allot R, Verma K, Dutt S, Chilima C, Peroos S, Kosasih S, Chin H, Ashken L, Pearse R, O'Loughlin R, Menon A, Singh K, Norton J, Sagar R, Jathanna N, Rothwell L, Watson N, Harding F, Dube P, Khalid H, Punjabi N, Sagmeister M, Gill P, Shahid S, Hudson-Phillips S, George D, Ashwood J, Lewis T, Dhar M, Sangal P, Rhema I, Kotecha D, Afzal Z, Syeed J, Prakash E, Jalota P, Herron J, Kimani L, Delport A, Shukla A, Agarwal V, Parthiban S, Thakur H, Cymes W, Rinkoff S, Turnbull J, Hayat M, Darr S, Khan U, Lim J, Higgins A, Lakshmipathy G, Forte B, Canning E, Jaitley A, Lamont J, Toner E, Ghaffar A, McDowell M, Salmon D, O'Carroll O, Khan A, Kelly M, Clesham K, Palmer C, Lyons R, Bell A, Chin R, Waldron R, Trimble A, Cox S, Ashfaq U, Campbell J, Holliday R, McCabe G, Morris F, Priestland R, Vernon O, Ledsam A, Vaughan R, Lim D, Bakewell Z, Hughes R, Koshy R, Jackson H, Narayan P, Cardwell A, Jubainville C, Arif T, Elliott L, Gupta V, Bhaskaran G, Odeleye A, Ahmed F, Shah R, Pickard J, Suleman Y, North A, McClymont L, Hussain N, Ibrahim I, Ng G, Wong V, Lim A, Harris L, Tharmachandirar T, Mittapalli D, Patel V, Lakhani M, Bazeer H, Narwani V, Sandhu K, Wingfield L, Gentry S, Adjei H, Bhatti M, Braganza L, Barnes J, Mistry S, Chillarge G, Stokes S, Cleere J, Wadanamby S, Bucko A, Meek J, Boxall N, Heywood E, Wiltshire J, Toh C, Ward A, Shurovi B, Horth D, Patel B, Ali B, Spencer T, Axelson T, Kretzmer L, Chhina C, Anandarajah C, Fautz T, Horst C, Thevathasan A, Ng J, Hirst F, Brewer C, Logan A, Lockey J, Forrest P, Keelty N, Wood A, Springford L, Avery P, Schulz T, Bemand T, Howells L, Collier H, Khajuria A, Tharakan R, Parsons S, Buchan A, McGalliard R, Mason J, Cundy O, Li N, Redgrave N, Watson R, Pezas T, Dennis Y, Segall E, Hameed M, Lynch A, Chamberlain M, Peck F, Neo Y, Russell G, Elseedawy M, Lee S, Foster N, Soo Y, Puan L, Dennis R, Goradia H, Qureshi A, Osman S, Reeves T, Dinsmore L, Marsden M, Lu Q, Pitts-Tucker T, Dunn C, Walford R, Heathcote E, Martin R, Pericleous A, Brzyska K, Reid K, Williams M, Wetherall N, McAleer E, Thomas D, Kiff R, Milne S, Holmes M, Bartlett J, Lucas de Carvalho J, Bloomfield T, Tongo F, Bremner R, Yong N, Atraszkiewicz B, Mehdi A, Tahir M, Sherliker G, Tear A, Pandey A, Broyd A, Omer H, Raphael M, Chaudhry W, Shahidi S, Jawad A, Gill C, Fisher IH, Adeleja I, Clark I, Aidoo-Micah G, Stather P, Salam G, Glover T, Deas G, Sim N, Obute R, Wynell-Mayow W, Sait M, Mitha N, de Bernier G, Siddiqui M, Shaunak R, Wali A, Cuthbert G, Bhudia R, Webb E, Shah S, Ansari N, Perera M, Kelly N, McAllister R, Stanley G, Keane C, Shatkar V, Maxwell-Armstrong C, Henderson L, Maple N, Manson R, Adams R, Semple E, Mills M, Daoub A, Marsh A, Ramnarine A, Hartley J, Malaj M, Jewell P, Whatling E, Hitchen N, Chen M, Goh B, Fern J, Rogers S, Derbyshire L, Robertson D, Abuhussein N, Deekonda P, Abid A, Harrison P, Aildasani L, Turley H, Sherif M, Pandey G, Filby J, Johnston A, Burke E, Mohamud M, Gohil K, Tsui A, Singh R, Lim S, O'Sullivan K, McKelvey L, O'Neill S, Roberts H, Brown F, Cao Y, Buckle R, Liew Y, Sii S, Ventre C, Graham C, Filipescu T, Yousif A, Dawar R, Wright A, Peters M, Varley R, Owczarek S, Hartley S, Khattak M, Iqbal A, Ali M, Durrani B, Narang Y, Bethell G, Horne L, Pinto R, Nicholls K, Kisyov I, Torrance H, English W, Lakhani S, Ashraf S, Venn M, Elangovan V, Kazmi Z, Brecher J, Sukumar S, Mastan A, Mortimer A, Parker J, Boyle J, Elkawafi M, Beckett J, Mohite A, Narain A, Mazumdar E, Sreh A, Hague A, Weinberg D, Fletcher L, Steel M, Shufflebotham H, Masood M, Sinha Y, Jenvey C, Kitt H, Slade R, Craig A, Deall C, Reakes T, Chervenkoff J, Strange E, O'Bryan M, Murkin C, Joshi D, Bergara T, Naqib S, Wylam D, Scotcher S, Hewitt C, Stoddart M, Kerai A, Trist A, Cole S, Knight C, Stevens S, Cooper G, Ingham R, Dobson J, O'Kane A, Moradzadeh J, Duffy A, Henderson C, Ashraf S, McLaughin C, Hoskins T, Reehal R, Bookless L, McLean R, Stone E, Wright E, Abdikadir H, Roberts C, Spence O, Srikantharajah M, Ruiz E, Matthews J, Gardner E, Hester E, Naran P, Simpson R, Minhas M, Cornish E, Semnani S, Rojoa D, Radotra A, Eraifej J, Eparh K, Smith D, Mistry B, Hickling S, Din W, Liu C, Mithrakumar P, Mirdavoudi V, Rashid M, Mcgenity C, Hussain O, Kadicheeni M, Gardner H, Anim-Addo N, Pearce J, Aslanyan A, Ntala C, Sorah T, Parkin J, Alizadeh M, White A, Edozie F, Johnston J, Kahar A, Navayogaarajah V, Patel B, Carter D, Khonsari P, Burgess A, Kong C, Ponweera A, Cody A, Tan Y, Ng A, Croall A, Allan C, Ng S, Raghuvir V, Telfer R, Greenhalgh A, McKerr C, Edison M, Patel B, Dear K, Hardy M, Williams P, Hassan S, Sajjad U, O'Neill E, Lopes S, Healy L, Jamal N, Tan S, Lazenby D, Husnoo S, Beecroft S, Sarvanandan T, Weston C, Bassam N, Rabinthiran S, Hayat U, Ng L, Varma D, Sukkari M, Mian A, Omar A, Kim J, Sellathurai J, Mahmood J, O'Connell C, Bose R, Heneghan H, Lalor P, Matheson J, Doherty C, Cullen C, Cooper D, Angelov S, Drislane C, Smith A, Kreibich A, Palkhi E, Durr A, Lotfallah A, Gold D, Mckean E, Dhanji A, Anilkumar A, Thacoor A, Siddiqui Z, Lim S, Piquet A, Anderson S, McCormack D, Gulati J, Ibrahim A, Murray S, Walsh S, McGrath A, Ziprin P, Chua E, Lou C, Bloomer J, Paine H, Osei-Kuffour D, White C, Szczap A, Gokani S, Patel K, Malys M, Reed A, Torlot G, Cumber E, Charania A, Ahmad S, Varma N, Cheema H, Austreng L, Petra H, Chaudhary M, Zegeye M, Cheung F, Coffey D, Heer R, Singh S, Seager E, Cumming S, Suresh R, Verma S, Ptacek I, Gwozdz A, Yang T, Khetarpal A, Shumon S, Fung T, Leung W, Kwang P, Chew L, Loke W, Curran A, Chan C, McGarrigle C, Mohan K, Cullen S, Wong E, Toale C, Collins D, Keane N, Traynor B, Shanahan D, Yan A, Jafree D, Topham C, Mitrasinovic S, Omara S, Bingham G, Lykoudis P, Miranda B, Whitehurst K, Kumaran G, Devabalan Y, Aziz H, Shoa M, Dindyal S, Yates J, Bernstein I, Rattan G, Coulson R, Stezaker S, Isaac A, Salem M, McBride A, McFarlane H, Yow L, MacDonald J, Bartlett R, Turaga S, White U, Liew W, Yim N, Ang A, Simpson A, McAuley D, Craig E, Murphy L, Shepherd P, Kee J, Abdulmajid A, Chung A, Warwick H, Livesey A, Holton P, Theodoreson M, Jenkin S, Turner J, Entwisle J, Marchal S, O'Connor S, Blege H, Aithie J, Sabine L, Stewart G, Jackson S, Kishore A, Lankage C, Acquaah F, Joyce H, McKevitt K, Coffey C, Fawaz A, Dolbec K, O'Sullivan D, Geraghty J, Lim E, Bolton L, FitzPatrick D, Robinson C, Ramtoola T, Collinson S, Grundy L, McEnhill P, Harbhajan Singh G, Loughran D, Golding D, Keeling R, Williams R, Whitham R, Yoganathan S, Nachiappan R, Egan R, Owasil R, Kwan M, He A, Goh R, Bhome R, Wilson H, Teoh P, Raji K, Jayakody N, Matthams J, Chong J, Luk C, Greig R, Trail M, Charalambous G, Rocke A, Gardiner N, Bulley F, Warren N, Brennan E, Fergurson P, Wilson R, Whittingham H, Brown E, Khanijau R, Gandhi K, Morris S, Boulton A, Chandan N, Barthorpe A, Maamari R, Sandhu S, McCann M, Higgs L, Balian V, Reeder C, Diaper C, Sale T, Ali H, Archer C, Clarke A, Heskin J, Hurst P, Farmer J, O'Flynn L, Doan L, Shuker B, Stott G, Vithanage N, Hoban K, Nesargikar P, Kennedy H, Grossart C, Tan E, Roy C, Sim P, Leslie K, Sim D, Abul M, Cody N, Tay A, Woon E, Sng S, Mah J, Robson J, Shakweh E, Wing V, Mills H, Li M, Barrow T, Balaji S, Jordan H, Phillips C, Naveed H, Hirani S, Tai A, Ratnakumaran R, Sahathevan A, Shafi A, Seedat M, Weaver R, Batho A, Punj R, Selvachandran H, Bhatt N, Botchey S, Khonat Z, Brennan K, Morrison C, Devlin E, Linton A, Galloway E, McGarvie S, Ramsay N, McRobbie H, Whewell H, Dean W, Nelaj S, Eragat M, Mishra A, Kane T, Zuhair M, Wells M, Wilkinson D, Woodcock N, Sun E, Aziz N, Ghaffar MKA. Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study. Br J Anaesth 2019; 122:42-50. [PMID: 30579405 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery. METHODS This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy. RESULTS Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI. CONCLUSIONS After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.
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Abstract
As little is known on the subject, our aim was to compare practice styles, knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs), and gastroenterology specialists (GIs) regarding the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).An internet survey designed by the authors was sent nationwide and randomly to 290 GIs and 1312 GPs. We assessed for the burden of GERD, indications for referral for a GI consultation, criteria for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) selection, and main unmet treatment needs.Forty (14%) GIs and 132 (10%) GPs returned the questionnaire. Both groups treat 13 to 14 GERD patients weekly (mean age 41-50 years). The most common first and second line drug of choice in both groups was omeprazole and esomeprazole, respectively. GIs stated that the most important consideration for the selection of treatment was high safety profile, whereas GPs considered it to be a rapid symptomatic relief. In the case of first and second line PPI failures, GIs tended to prescribe a non PPI treatment, whereas GPs restarted esomeprazole. GIs stated that the most prevalent conceived limitations of PPI treatment were nighttime heartburn and undesirable side effects, whereas GPs considered treatment inflexibility and drug interactions.GIs and GPs hold different practice styles, knowledge, and attitudes on the treatment of GERD. Our findings ascertain the need for the development of updated National Clinical Guidelines focusing on GERD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Medical Center
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ram Dickman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To overview the current medical literature on the efficacy of botulism toxin treatment (BTX-A) for lower gastrointestinal disorders (GIT). RECENT FINDINGS BTX-A was found to have a short-term efficacy for the treatment of dyssynergic defecation. Surgical treatment was found to be more effective than BTX-A for the healing of chronic anal fissures, and BTX-A can be considered when surgery is undesirable. Data regarding the effects of BTX-A injection for the treatment of chronic anal pain is limited. Beneficial effects were observed only in a minority of patients. BTX-A treatment was found to be effective for the treatment of obstructive symptoms after surgery for Hirsprung's disease as well as for the treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia. BTX-A treatment has a short-term efficacy and is safe. Further research is still needed in order to establish the exact place of BTX-A treatment of lower GIT disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Derech Sheba 2, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B 39040, 69978, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Ram Dickman
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B 39040, 69978, Ramat Aviv, Israel. .,Division of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Ze'ev Jabotinsky St 39, 4941492, Petah Tikva, Israel.
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Hinchcliff R, Debono D, Carter D, Banks M. ISQUA18-2585Systematic Reviews of the Evidence Supporting Three Methods of External Accreditation Assessment. Int J Qual Health Care 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzy167.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - D Debono
- Centre for Health Services Management
| | - D Carter
- Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney
| | - M Banks
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Sydney, Australia
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Carter D, Katz LH, Bardan E, Salomon E, Goldstein S, Ben Horin S, Kopylov U, Eliakim R. The accuracy of intestinal ultrasound compared with small bowel capsule endoscopy in assessment of suspected Crohn's disease in patients with negative ileocolonoscopy. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2018; 11:1756284818765908. [PMID: 29662538 PMCID: PMC5894899 DOI: 10.1177/1756284818765908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small bowel involvement in Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently proximal to the ileocecal valve and inaccessible by conventional ileocolonoscopy (IC). Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is among the prime modalities for assessment of small bowel disease in these patients. Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is an accurate bedside fast and low-cost diagnostic modality utilized in CD for both diagnosis and monitoring. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of IUS in patients with suspected CD after a negative IC, and to evaluate the correlation of IUS with SBCE, inflammatory biomarkers and other cross-sectional imaging techniques. METHODS Prospective single center study in which patients with suspected CD underwent IUS and SBCE examinations within 3 days. IUS results were blindly compared with SBCE that served as the gold standard. A post hoc comparison was performed of IUS and SBCE results and available cross-sectional imaging results (computed tomography or magnetic resonance enterography) as well as inflammatory biomarkers if measured. The study cohort was followed for 1 year. In case of discordance between the IUS and SBCE results, the diagnosis at 1 year was reported. RESULTS Fifty patients were included in the study. The diagnostic yield of both IUS and SBCE for the diagnosis of small bowel CD was 38%. The IUS findings significantly correlated to small bowel inflammation detected by SBCE (r = 0.532, p < 0.001), with fair sensitivity and specificity (72% and 84%). Cross-sectional imaging results significantly correlated to IUS as well (r = 0.46, p = 0.018). Follow up was available in 8 of the 10 cases of discordance between IUS and SBCE. In all of these cases, diagnosis of CD was not fully established at the end of the follow up. CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic yield of CE and IUS for detection of CD in patients with negative ileocolonoscopy was similar. IUS can be a useful diagnostic tool in suspected CD when IC is negative.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lior H. Katz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eytan Bardan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eti Salomon
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shulamit Goldstein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shomron Ben Horin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Kopylov
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rami Eliakim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Carter D, Bardan E, Dickman R. Comparison of strategies and goals for treatment of chronic constipation among gastroenterologists and general practitioners. Ann Gastroenterol 2018; 31:71-76. [PMID: 29333069 PMCID: PMC5760770 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2017.0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although guidelines have been published for the treatment of chronic constipation, little is known about the actual treatment strategies, the definitions of drug efficacy, the parameters for drug selection, and the conceived limitations of the available treatments. The purpose of this study was to address these issues by comparing treatment strategies among gastroenterology specialists (GIs) and general practitioners (GPs). METHODS An internet survey was sent nationwide and at random to GIs and GPs in order to define treatment strategies, drug efficacy, main parameters for drug selections and the main limitations of the available drug therapy. RESULTS Forty GIs and 132 GPs answered the survey. The maximal sample error was ±13.4% and ±8.8%. Treatment strategies varied considerably between GPs and GIs. The major parameters for drug selection were related to drug safety among GIs and to clinical outcome among GPs. The conceived limitations of drug therapy included lack of experience and unwanted side effects. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of the possible treatment options and the recommended order of prescription differs between GIs and GPs. There are still unmet needs for optimizing the treatment for chronic constipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer (Dan Carter, Eytan Bardan), Israel
- Sackler faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Dan Carter, Eytan Bardan, Ram Dickman), Israel
| | - Eytan Bardan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer (Dan Carter, Eytan Bardan), Israel
- Sackler faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Dan Carter, Eytan Bardan, Ram Dickman), Israel
| | - Ram Dickman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva (Ram Dickman), Israel
- Sackler faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Dan Carter, Eytan Bardan, Ram Dickman), Israel
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Carter D, Tezel F, Kruczek B, Kalipcilar H. Investigation and comparison of mixed matrix membranes composed of polyimide matrimid with ZIF – 8, silicalite, and SAPO – 34. J Memb Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Benizri S, Agmon-Levin N, Kitrey ND, Carter D, Goshen E, Sharabi Y. Clinical Problem Solving: A Tobacco Merchant Who Can't Spit. Isr Med Assoc J 2017; 19:786-791. [PMID: 29235746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A 47 year old man presented with a combination of dry mouth and lightheadedness while standing. His medical background was unremarkable except for cigarette smoking and hyperlipidemia. Sjögren's syndrome was ruled out, and he was referred for evaluation of orthostatic hypotension, which by then included syncopal episodes and injuries. Additional symptoms included dry eyes, constipation, reduced sweating, and erectile dysfunction. After excluding medications and structural cardiac abnormalities as causes of orthostatic hypotension, a clinical autonomic evaluation was performed. The pattern of beat-to-beat blood pressure associated with performance of the Valsalva maneuver, and a low plasma norepinephrine level that did not increase in response to standing, established that the orthostatic hypotension was neurogenic. Treatment with an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist and fludrocortisone yielded partial improvement. After systemic diseases involving autonomic failure were excluded, cardiac sympathetic neuroimaging was performed by 123I-metaliodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scanning. The normal uptake seen in the heart indicated intact post ganglionic sympathetic innervation. There were no signs of central neurodegeneration or peripheral neuropathy. Because of symptoms and signs of both parasympathetic and sympathetic failure without denervation, an autonomic ganglionopathy was considered. A high titer of antibody to the neuronal nicotinic receptor, which mediates ganglionic neurotransmission, was obtained. The diagnosis of autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) was made, and the management strategy shifted to first lowering the antibody burden by plasma exchanges and then instituting chronic anti-autoimmune treatment with rituximab and a low dose of cortiosteroid. The patient showed remarkable improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Benizri
- Dysautonomia Clinic, Hypertension Unit, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Movement Disorders Institute, Department of Neurology, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Nancy Agmon-Levin
- Department of Urology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam D Kitrey
- Dysautonomia Clinic, Hypertension Unit, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Urology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Dysautonomia Clinic, Hypertension Unit, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Urology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Elinor Goshen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yehonathan Sharabi
- Dysautonomia Clinic, Hypertension Unit, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Abstract
In recent years, the therapeutic paradigm in Crohn's disease has shifted from a mere symptom-oriented approach, to aiming to healing of the underlying inflammation and prevention of long-term structural complications. Such 'treat-to-target' approach may allow for a more stable disease course with less hospitalizations, lower requirement for surgery and improved quality of life. In Crohn's disease, the small bowel is affected in the majority of patients; frequently, Crohn's involves only the small bowel, which remains inaccessible to conventional ileocolonoscopic techniques. Thus, non-invasive monitoring techniques are crucial for accurate disease assessment. Areas covered: This review addresses the indications and clinical implications of non-invasive small bowel monitoring modalities (magnetic resonance enterography, intestinal ultrasound, capsule endoscopy) in the assessment and management of Crohn's disease. Expert commentary: This review addresses the limitations of the current knowledge and future areas of research, including the possible utilization of transmural healing as an imaging target and the need to establish clear quantitative target values to guide treatment by imaging findings in Crohn's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Kopylov
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Medical School , Tel Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Anastasios Koulaouzidis
- b Centre for Liver & Digestive Disorders , The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Eyal Klang
- c Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Medical School , Tel Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Medical School , Tel Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Shomron Ben-Horin
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Medical School , Tel Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Rami Eliakim
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Medical School , Tel Aviv University , Tel-Aviv , Israel
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Carter D, Ron Y, Dickman R. [THE ISRAELI NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC CONSTIPATION]. Harefuah 2017; 156:725-729. [PMID: 29198092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This article summarizes the recommendations of the Israeli Neurogastroenterology and Motility Branch of the Israeli Gastroenterology Association for diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation. It encompasses an overview of the definitions, the diagnostic approach and the possible treatment options in chronic constipation. This document is suitable for primary care physicians who are interested in understanding the major physiologic mechanisms for chronic constipation and the possible treatment options, as well as for the gastroenterology consultant who faces patients with tenacious chronic constipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- The Israeli Neurogastroenterology and Motility Branch of the Israeli Gastroenterology and Hepatology Association
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yishai Ron
- The Israeli Neurogastroenterology and Motility Branch of the Israeli Gastroenterology and Hepatology Association
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ram Dickman
- The Israeli Neurogastroenterology and Motility Branch of the Israeli Gastroenterology and Hepatology Association
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Zecevic A, Carter D, Bauer M. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFT-ASSISTS PROVIDED TO OLDER ADULTS BY PARAMEDIC SERVICES. Innov Aging 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.1358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. Zecevic
- Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
| | - D. Carter
- Middlesex-London EMS, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - M.A. Bauer
- Western University, London, Ontario, Canada,
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Davidov Y, Ungar B, Bar-Yoseph H, Carter D, Haj-Natour O, Yavzori M, Chowers Y, Eliakim R, Ben-Horin S, Kopylov U. Association of Induction Infliximab Levels With Clinical Response in Perianal Crohn's Disease. J Crohns Colitis 2017; 11:549-555. [PMID: 28453755 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of infliximab [IFX] trough levels with clinical and endoscopic outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease is well established. However, there is scarce data regarding the association of perianal fistula response with IFX. The aim of this study was to establish whether early induction infliximab levels and anti-infliximab antibodies [ATIs] are associated with perianal fistula response. METHODS Consecutive CD patients with perianal fistulae that were treated with IFX between 2008 and 2016 were included in the study. Response was defined as cessation or significant improvement of fistula drainage. Patients with unavailable IFX level or ATI measurements and/or missing clinical follow-up at Week 14 were excluded. RESULTS A total of 36 patients with perianal fistulae were included; 25/36 [69.4%] responded to treatment by Week 14. The median induction IFX levels at Weeks 2, 6 and 14 in the responders group at Week 14 were higher compared with those of the non-responders group [20/5.6 µg/mL, P = 0.0001; 13.3/2.55 µg/mL P = 0.0001; 4.1/0.14 µg/mL, P = 0.01]. On multivariate analysis, IFX leve at Weeks 2 and 6 were significantly associated with fistula response at Weeks 14 and 30. IFX drug levels of 9.25 µg/mL at Week 2 and 7.25 µg/mL at Week 6 were the best predictors of fistula response. CONCLUSION High IFX trough levels during induction are associated with favorable fistula response to anti-TNF treatment. If validated in a larger prospective study, our findings may help guide anti-TNF treatment in patients with perianal CD, and suggest serum level-guided treatment escalation in non-responders or prompt changing of biologic treatment in non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Davidov
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Bella Ungar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv ; Israel
| | - Haggai Bar-Yoseph
- Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa; Israel
| | - Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv ; Israel
| | - Ola Haj-Natour
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Miri Yavzori
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yehuda Chowers
- Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa; Israel
| | - Rami Eliakim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv ; Israel
| | - Shomron Ben-Horin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv ; Israel
| | - Uri Kopylov
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv ; Israel
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Carter D, Eliakim R. Feasibility of Bedside Bowel Ultrasound Performed by a Gastroenterologist for Detection and Follow-Up of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Isr Med Assoc J 2017; 19:139-142. [PMID: 28457088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bowel ultrasound has several possible uses in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the initial evaluation of suspected IBD, monitoring of therapeutic response, detection of relapse, and diagnosis of complications as well as of extra-intestinal manifestations. However, its use has been limited mainly to countries where it is performed by the attending physician. OBJECTIVES To investigate the feasibility and sensitivity of bedside bowel ultrasound performed by a gastroenterologist for assessing disease activity and complications in IBD. METHODS We performed a feasibility study to compare the results of bowel ultrasound examination with those of another cross-sectional imaging modality (computed tomographic enterography or magnetic resonance enterography) in Crohn's disease, or with colonoscopy in ulcerative colitis. RESULTS Between May 2015 and March 2016, 178 bowel ultrasound examinations were performed in 178 patients with suspected or established diagnosis of IBD. In 79 cases the results of another cross-sectional imaging or endoscopic examination performed within 3 months prior to the ultrasound exam were available. The sensitivity for detection of intestinal bowel thickening (a surrogate of inflammation) was 90%, and for detection of Crohn's disease complications, namely bowel stenosis and inflammatory mass, was 94% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Bowel ultrasound is a useful and feasible bedside imaging tool for the detection of inflammation and complications in IBD patients. Bedside bowel ultrasound can be a valuable non-invasive tool to assess disease activity and complications in IBD patients when performed by the attending physician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Carter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rami Eliakim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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