bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A133 DEVELOPMENT OF TYPE 3 ACHALASIA WITH DISTANT PANCREATIC MALIGNANCY
Authors: Leung K , Habal F , Alrukaibi M , Liu L W 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Pseudoachalasia is often caused by malignant involvement at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) leading to dysphagia.

Aims
We describe a case of type 3 achalasia presenting in a woman with metastatic pancreatic cancer with no direct involvement at the GEJ, fundus or cardia.

Methods
A case report and literature review were performed.

Results
A 53-year-old woman presented with a 2-month-history of progressive abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting with a 30-pound weight loss. She had a remote history of breast cancer in remission after surgery and chemoradiation. On presentation, she denied chest pain, reflux, dysphagia or odynophagia. Abdominal exam revealed focal epigastric tenderness and jaundice. Abdominal CT showed a 6.7 x 5.8 cm conglomerate mass involving the hepatic hilum, pancreatic head, duodenum, common bile duct, and portal vein with gastric outlet and biliary obstruction. This mass was confirmed to be a pancreatic adenocarcinoma on pathology. She then underwent nasogastric tube decompression. Initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) confirmed a stenotic area at the distal duodenal cap. A duodenal stent and common bile duct stent were placed during a second EGD. The esophagus and GEJ were unremarkable on both endoscopic exams. She was started on chemotherapy with gemcitabine and abraxane. Two weeks after her stent placement, she rapidly developed severe retrosternal squeezing discomfort and choking occurring with swallowing. CT chest and abdomen were negative for any intrathoracic and diaphragmatic involvement with stability of the mass. A barium swallow study demonstrated tertiary contractions in the thoracic esophagus with marshmallow hold-up in the distal esophagus. She then underwent a high-resolution esophageal manometry study that demonstrated an elevation of integrated residual pressure (IRP) of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absence of peristalsis, with the distal 2/3rds of the esophagus showing a simultaneous and prolonged pressure front consistent with type 3 achalasia, Chicago classification v3.0 [Figure 1]. All contractions had a distal contractile integral (DCI) of &gt;8000 mmHg-cm-s. She experienced significant symptom improvement with pinaverium bromide, a gut-specific calcium channel antagonist.
A review of the literature revealed that there have been 4 English-language cases published on pseudoachalasia associated with pancreatic cancer, with all cases describing direct infiltration of pancreatic cancer in the GEJ, cardia or fundus with manometric features of type I achalasia.

Conclusions
We report the first case of type 3 achalasia with no evidence of direct malignant infiltration at the GEJ on radiographic and endoscopic evaluations. Possible mechanisms to explain this phenomenon include paraneoplastic antibody-mediated impairment of enteric neurons that decrease nitric oxide availability, or microscopic disease involvement at the GEJ.

Funding Agencies
None
A154 ASSESSING COLON SCREENING PROGRAM COLONOSCOPIES IN A NON-HOSPITAL ENDOSCOPY CLINIC
Authors: Gillies A N , Chow R , Galorport C , Macdonnell C A , Yonge J , Telford J J , Rosenfeld G , Bressler B , Whittaker S , Lam E , Ramji A , Enns R A 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Colorectal cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in British Columbia, affecting 1 in 6 persons. The BC Colon Screening Program (CSP) screens individuals 50–74 years of age with biennial FIT (cut-off 10 mcg/g) with follow-up colonoscopy for positive results. In Vancouver, colonoscopies are performed in a hospital environment; however non-hospital endoscopy clinics have been used in other jurisdictions.

Aims
To investigate the quality of procedure, rate of complications and need to repeat procedures in a hospital setting for colonoscopies performed on CSP patients in a non-hospital setting.

Methods
A retrospective chart review for all CSP colonoscopies performed from 04/19 to 07/19 in a non-hospital endoscopy clinic. Data was collected from an electronic medical record system and included adenoma detection rates; any repeat procedures required in a hospital setting and adverse event rates. Criteria for a repeat in hospital colonoscopy were inadequate bowel preparation, body mass index exceeding the allowable threshold for a non-hospital colonoscopy and identification of a difficult to remove polyp such as a polyp &gt; 20 mm or in a difficult location.

Results
801 FIT positive patients (ages 50–74) underwent colonoscopy in the non-hospital endoscopy clinic. The mean age was 60 years (51% female). The mean time between referral date and procedure date was 192 days. The neoplasia detection rate was 60.2%, there was one (0.1%) adverse event (post-polypectomy bleed) and 21 (2.6%) patients required a repeat colonoscopy in a hospital setting.

Conclusions
Colonoscopy to follow-up a positive FIT in an non-hospital endoscopy clinic was safe and effective with a low number of repeat, in hospital colonoscopies required.

Funding Agencies
None
A159 ARE MOBILE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORTING COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER PATIENT OUTCOMES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS
Authors: El Sheikh M , Lee G , El Bizri M , Sewitch M J 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Mobile health technologies are innovative solutions for delivering instructions to patients preparing for their colonoscopy appointments.

Aims
To systematically review the literature of the effect of smartphone-based technologies supporting colonoscopy appointment preparation on patient outcomes.

Methods
With the assistance of a librarian, one author searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of smartphone-based technologies for colonoscopy preparation on bowel cleanliness and user satisfaction. Two independent reviewers extracted data on patient and intervention characteristics and study outcomes, and appraised study quality using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool. Summary statistics were generated using random effects models for the trials that used either the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BPPS) or the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale (OBPS). Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using I2.

Results
Ten RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Smartphone-based interventions included apps, SMS text messages, video clips, camera apps, and social media apps. Most studies showed smartphone-based interventions were associated with better quality bowel cleanliness scores and higher user satisfaction compared to usual care. Standardized mean differences for the BBPS and OBPS differed between the intervention and control groups [SMD 0.57, 95%CI 0.18, 0.95] and [SMD -0.39, 95%CI -0.59, -0.19], respectively. Statistically significant statistical heterogeneity was found for the meta-analyses for the trials employing the BBPS (I2=80%, p=0.03) but not for the trials using the OBPS (I2=45%, p=0.16). All RCTs were at high risk of bias from non-blinded participants, and most studies were at high or unclear risk of bias due to lack of allocation concealment. Funnel plots to evaluate publication bias were not generated as there were too few studies with sufficient data to analyze.

Conclusions
This systematic review found that smartphone-based technology users had better bowel cleanliness quality scores and higher satisfaction with the method of delivering instructions compared to patients given usual care. Given that all RCTs were at high risk of bias, high-quality RCTs that blind participants and conceal study group allocation are needed.

Funding Agencies
CIHRDepartment of Medicine, McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
A162 THE UTILITY OF FECAL CALPROTECTIN IN PREDICTING SEVERITY OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Yusuf A , Tandon P , Huang V 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus, and a leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity, and places an enormous burden on the healthcare system. Symptoms and severity of CDI vary widely, from illness that resolves with antibiotics, to toxic megacolon, colectomy, and death. The ability to risk-stratify patients to predict severe versus non-severe outcomes at baseline would be clinically useful. The role of fecal calprotectin in predicting severity of CDI has not been well established.

Aims
To perform a systematic review of the literature on the ability of fecal calprotectin to predict disease severity in patients with CDI.

Methods
PubMed, OVID (EMBASE/MedLine) and Cochrane Library databases were searched up until October 2, 2019. Publications of pediatric populations, Inflammatory Bowel diseases, and those only published as abstracts were excluded.

Results
130 non-duplicate citations were screened; after title/abstract screening, and full-text review, 7 articles were included for analysis. Articles were from 2014 onwards, and varied from 29 to 232 patients/samples analyzed; 832 patients in total were analyzed. Three studies were conducted in the USA, two in Europe, one in Israel and in South Korea. Four studies were prospective, and the remaining three were retrospective cohort studies. There was significant heterogeneity between studies with respect to population size, age (when reported), fecal calprotectin assay and cutoff used, method of diagnosis of CDI, and criteria for defining disease severity. There was wide variation in median fecal calprotectin levels between studies. Four studies demonstrated a statistically significant difference of fecal calprotectin according to disease severity, and three did not, of which two of these demonstrated an overall predictive trend with fecal calprotectin.

Conclusions
It is unclear whether fecal calprotectin is predictive of severity of CDI in adult patients without IBD. In the existing literature, there seems to be a statistically significant association or trend towards association in most studies, but due to heterogeneity of methods, assays, cutoffs and populations, the data within these studies cannot be pooled in meta-analysis. Further high-powered, well-designed studies are required to clarify this important clinical question.

Funding Agencies
None
A165 ASSESSING ATTENDANCE OF SUBSTANCE USER ENDOSCOPIES (A.S.U.R.E)
Authors: Chow R , Gillies A , Enns R A , Telford J J , Galorport C 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
In Canada, British Columbia (BC) is the leading province in opioid deaths with 30.6 per 100,000 population. Since substance users are stigmatized in health care, patient care requires specific, individualized management strategies, which often creates a gap between the patient and health care service. Diagnostic studies remain a challenge due to lack of funding and the unique requirements necessary to treat this patient population efficiently. Thus, new methods of prevention must be cultivated to ensure ideal patient care.

Aims
To investigate the proportion of patients on restricted narcotics that failed to attend scheduled gastroenterology and hepatology appointments at our center.

Methods
A retrospective chart review from 01/05 – 07/19 and data analysis of patients (≥ 19 yrs.) referred to a Downtown Gastroenterology office was performed. Data was collected from an electronic medical record system and filtered through a keyword search for ‘Methadone’, ‘Suboxone’, ‘Dilaudid’, and ‘Morphine’ to create a sample size of patients with recent/ongoing use of narcotic agents. Patients with chronic pain, or terminal illness prescribed these drugs were not included. Demographic information, type of appointment scheduled and failure to attend were recorded.

Results
Acquired data yielded 2630 patients of which 350 patient were included. Mean age was 47 years (61% male). 35% of the patients were current narcotics users, the rest being previous users of these agents. Scheduled appointments and non-attendance are shown in Tables 2 and 3. Most patients (70%) were referred for various general GI complaints with HCV accounting for 23% of the consults. Despite the use of confirmation lines, 20% of HCV referred patients and 29% of non-HCV referred patients did not attend their first appointment.

Conclusions
Current and prior narcotic users failed to attend more than one quarter of scheduled gastroenterology/hepatology appointments. Ideal management of care for GI disease can’t be obtained without contact with those that provide the service. Creative, innovative management strategies are required to ensure ideal care for this unique group of patients.

Funding Agencies
None
A171 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN CHILDREN WITH EARLY ONSET INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE- A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY
Authors: Eindor A , Meleady L , Lakhani A , Lawrence S , Krikler G , Hamilton Z , Jacobson K 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging is the preferred imaging method in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients to investigate for small bowel disease. There are challenges in performing MR imaging in Early Onset IBD (EO-IBD) patients, and in particular in children with Very Early Onset IBD (VEO-IBD). These children often need a general anaesthetic which exposes them to adverse effects and preclude conventional luminal distention influencing the quality of the test. Therefore, the utility of MR imaging in this age group is questionable.

Aims
To assess the quality of MRI studies in VEO-IBD and EO-IBD patients and to compare the utility of this test between the two groups.

Methods
We retrospectively identified and reviewed IBD patients diagnosed under 10 years of age, between January 1999 and December 2011, from the British Columbia Children’s Hospital (BCCH) GI Division IBD database. Patients’ first diagnostic MRI results were recorded. Disease location and severity were documented according to the Paris classification.

Results
124 patients were included in the cohort, 54 VEO-IBD and 70 EO-IBD patients (See Table 1). Median age at diagnosis was 6.46 (IQR 3.94–8.71), 65.32% males and 43.54% were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Overall, 52 patients underwent MRI, 17 (31.48%) in the VEO-IBD group and 35 (50%) in the EO-IBD group; median time from diagnosis to MRI was 3.02 years (IQR 1.08–5.83) for VEO-IBD and 0.44 years (IQR 0.07–1.58) for EO-IBD (p&lt;0.001). In the EO-IBD group there was a significantly higher percentage of patients with MRI findings than in the VEO-IBD group, 23 (67.31%) and 5 (29.41%) respectively (p=0.014). Only one patient in the VEO-IBD group had a disease characteristic identified by MR imaging that could not be diagnosed by endoscopy (small bowel disease).

Conclusions
The diagnostic yield of MRI in children with VEO-IBD appears to be quite limited but requires further study.

Funding Agencies
None
A180 SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING SCORES TO PREDICT ADVERSE OUTCOMES: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Almaghrabi M M , Gandhi M , Iansavitchene A , Jairath V , Sey M 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common reason for emergency hospitalization. In most patients bleeding resolves spontaneously, although some presentations result in adverse outcome such as transfusion, therapeutic intervention, rebleeding and mortality. Risk prediction scores are important to stratify patients at presentation with LGIB.

Aims
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing LGIB risk prediction scores. We provide a summary effect measure of their predictive values for 30-day mortality, safe discharge, rebleeding, need for blood transfusion, and need for endoscopic therapy/IR/surgery.

Methods
Electronic search for relevant publications after 1990 was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NIH ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We also searched relevant published conference abstracts over the past 5 years. Studies with a primary goal of deriving or validating a LGIB risk score were included. Title and abstracts were reviewed by two independent reviewers and then full text review was done by both reviewers.

Results
Our search identified 1,832 citations for review. After title and abstract review, 68 publications were selected for full text review. So far, a total of 16 citations were excluded since we started full text review including: insufficient information (n=14), review article (n=2). Thus far, we identified 14 risk scores and algorithms from 9 studies. Two of the risk scores are UGIB risk scores that were assessed for LGIB. Of these studies, 3 were validation studies, one derivation study and five for both validation and derivation. The scores assessed safety of discharge (n=3), mortality (n=4), need for therapy (n=8), severe bleeding (n=8) and requirement for blood transfusion (n=1). A meta-analysis will follow.

Conclusions
We conducted a systematic review of LGIB risk scores, with a meta-analysis to follow if appropriate, for use to predict 30-day mortality, safe discharge, rebleeding, required blood transfusion, endoscopic therapy/IR/surgery.

Funding Agencies
None
A185 ABDOMINAL WALL VARICES: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Aruljothy A , Russell L , Nair S , Albashir S 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Portal hypertension in cirrhosis results in variable and numerous portosystemic collateral circulations. Computed tomography (CT) and Doppler ultrasound (US) can identify these collateral vessels, especially abdominal wall varices, which can be encountered during a bedside paracentesis.

Aims
Describe a case of traumatic abdominal wall variceal bleed.

Methods
Case report.

Results
A 53 year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department (ED) with 4-days of abdominal pain and 2-months of increased abdominal girth. His medical history included Child Pugh Class B alcoholic liver cirrhosis diagnosed 1 year ago. No prior history of ascites, esophageal variceal bleed or hepatic encephalopathy. In the ED, his US showed moderate ascites with right portal vein flow reversal. A diagnostic RLQ paracentesis showed yellow ascitic fluid, no spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and he was discharged home with diuretics.
He returned to the ED the next day for increased abdominal girth with a Hb of 103 g/L. A diagnostic RLQ paracentesis showed orange-red ascitic fluid and no SBP. The following day, a therapeutic US-guided paracentesis was attempted in the RLQ and left-lower quadrant LLQ; however, ascitic fluid aspirate was grossly bloody. The procedure was aborted. Hb was 82 g/L and progressively decreased. CT angiogram was performed and showed a 10.7 x 4.7 x 8.0 cm hyperdense fluid in the right paracolic gutter near the paracentesis site, consistent with intraperitoneal hemorrhage (Figure A). The insertion site was seen as abdominal wall musculature focal thickening around abdominal wall varices and no contrast extravasation was seen. Gastroesophageal, splenic hilar and omental varices were seen. Doppler US showed no sonographic signs of active extravasation. Interventional Radiology performed a US-guided paracentesis and aspirated 3650 mL of hemorrhagic fluid. Color Doppler US showed small varices within the subcutaneous soft tissues (Figure A).
The patient later developed hematemesis with an EGD showing a large high-risk esophageal varix actively bleeding that was banded. Given the refractory variceal bleeding, a Minnesota tube was inserted 4 days later and a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was inserted the following day. Unfortunately, the patient developed progressive worsening hepatic encephalopy, multi-organ failure and expired 7-days later.

Conclusions
Adjunct imaging modalities such as color flow Doppler US or CT can be used as a screening tool to identify abdominal wall varices and reduce paracentesis bleeding complications.

Funding Agencies
None
A190 POST-PARTUM PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS (PBC) AFTER RESOLUTION OF INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS OF PREGNANCY (ICP) IN FIRST NATION’S PATIENTS OF BC: A CASE SERIES
Authors: Chahal D , Yoshida E M , Arbour L , Wallach J 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
PBC is a progressive cholestatic disease characterized by destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, peri-portal inflammation and fibrosis. PBC is the leading indication for liver transplantation in First Nations of British Columbia. Diagnosis of PBC during pregnancy is difficult due to clinical overlap with ICP and pregnancy induced immune tolerance (4–6). We present 3 cases of clinically diagnosed ICP in First Nations women who were later diagnosed with PBC post-partum.

Aims
To investigate the potential relationship between ICP and PBC in the First Nations community of BC.

Methods
Retrospective review of relevant cases.

Results
Case 1: A 27-year-old woman with history of ICP at 31 weeks during her 3rd pregnancy and family history of PBC presented with ursodiol and cholestyramine responsive pruritis and jaundice 20 weeks into her 4th pregnancy. Bilirubin was 103 µmol/L, ALP 371 IU/L, ANA and AMA negative. Symptoms and biochemistry remained in remission after delivery at 33 weeks. Discontinuation of medications led to recurrent pruritis 4 months later. Bilirubin was 6 µmol/L, ALP 272 IU/L, GGT 153 IU/L and ALT 204 IU/L. Liver biopsy was consistent with PBC, F1. Pruritis has now been refractory to ursodiol, cholestyramine and rifampin.
Case 2: A 30-year-old woman with history of ICP at 20 weeks during 2 prior pregnancies presented with ursodiol responsive pruritis 20 weeks into her 3rd pregnancy. Symptoms and biochemistry remained in remission after delivery at 35 weeks. Post-partum discontinuation of ursodiol led to recurrent pruritis 2 months later. ALP was 876 and AMA &gt;1:640. Re-initiation of ursodiol improved symptoms and biochemical abnormalities.
Case 3: A 30-year-old woman with family history of PBC (mother) presented with ursodiol responsive pruritis and jaundice 20 weeks into her 4th pregnancy. Symptoms and biochemistry remained in remission after delivery at 37 weeks. Post-partum discontinuation of ursodiol led to recurrence jaundice 4 months later. Bilirubin was 68, ALP 1279, total cholesterol 7.72, IgM 18.98, ANA &gt;1:640 and AMA 1:320. Jaundice and biochemical abnormalities persisted despite re-initiation of ursodiol. Obeticholic acid has been initiated.

Conclusions
First Nations communities of BC are disproportionately affected by PBC, due to both genetic and epigenetic phenomena. We present 3 patients who were diagnosed with ICP that resolved post-partum but with the subsequent development of PBC. The intrapartum cholestasis did not have clinical features of PBC during pregnancy. Although not previously reported, ICP may predispose to PBC in this specific community. It remains to be seen if there is a genetic association. Clinicians must remain suspicious of PBC during pregnancy in this population and ongoing monitoring in the post-partum period is paramount.

Funding Agencies
None