Digestive diseases and sciences
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Multicenter Study
Dexlansoprazole for Heartburn Relief in Adolescents with Symptomatic, Nonerosive Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease.
Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used to treat gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and nonerosive GERD (NERD) in adolescents and adults. Despite the efficacy of available medications, many patients have persisting symptoms, indicating a need for more effective agents. ⋯ Use of 30-mg dexlansoprazole in adolescent NERD was generally well tolerated and had beneficial effects on improving heartburn symptoms and quality of life.
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Assessment of liver function is essential for management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade has been reported as a useful tool for assessing hepatic reserve in patients with HCC. The objective of this study was to determine whether ALBI grade could be used to predict the overall survival of very early-stage HCC patients treated with radiofrequency ablation (RF ablation). ⋯ Among patients with very early-stage HCC treated with RF ablation, ALBI grade was a good stratifying biomarker. ALBI grade was better tool for assessing liver function than Child-Pugh score for very early-stage HCC treated with RF ablation.
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miR-30a expression is down-regulated and regulates tumor suppressors in various cancers. ⋯ miR-30a functions as a tumor-suppressive miRNA, which may provide a therapeutic strategy for metastasis of CRC.
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Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has recently been shown to be a promising therapy for recurrent and refractory Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) despite lack of protocol standardization. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present a particular challenge to CDI therapy as they are reported to have worse clinical outcomes, including higher colectomy rates and increased mortality. We aimed to assess the outcomes of FMT for recurrent CDI in patients with IBD at our healthcare system. ⋯ Fecal microbiota transplantation provides a good alternative treatment option with high success rates for recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile infection in patients with well-controlled IBD who fail standard antimicrobial therapy.
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Scoping reviews are preliminary assessments intended to characterize the extent and nature of emerging research evidence, identify literature gaps, and offer directions for future research. We conducted a systematic scoping review to describe published scientific literature on strategies to identify and reduce opioid misuse among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and disorders. ⋯ Prescription drug monitoring and self-management interventions may be promising strategies to identify and reduce opioid misuse in GI care. Rigorous, empirical research is needed to evaluate the longer-term impact of these strategies.