Achmad Fauzi

Changing trends in gastrointestinal malignancy in Indonesia: The Jakarta experience

Aims: To identify changing trends in gastrointestinal cancer incidence in Indonesia according to age, gender, histopathology, and cancer location. Methods: We examined retrospectively the demography, cancer location, and pathological characteristics of 295 consecutive gastrointestinal cancer patients admitted to Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital in 2002–2006. We compared these data with data from 343 gastrointestinal cancer patients admitted in 2007–2011. The data were analyzed by chi-square, analysis of variance, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, and Mann–Whitney U tests using SPSS 21.0. Results: The most prevalent gastrointestinal cancers in 2002–2006 and 2007–2011 were colorectal cancer (76.3% and 71.4%), followed by gastric cancer (15.6% and 14.9%), esophageal cancer (7.4% and 7.6%), and duodenal cancer (0.7% and 6.1%).There was an increase in esophageal adenocarcinoma prevalence from 36.4% to 69.2% (p = 0.023). The mean age at diagnosis of esophageal cancer decreased from 53.02 ± 13.12) to 50.43 ± 11.93) years (p = 0.031). The percentage of patients with gastric cancer aged 30–60 years increased from 60.9% to 82.4% (p = 0.018) and the percentage of patients aged > 60 years decreased from 34.8% to 13.7% (p = 0.015). In the histopathological analysis of gastric cancer, the prevalence of adenocarcinoma increased from 58.7% to 78.4% (p = 0.036), whereas the prevalence of signet ring cell carcinoma decreased from 21.7% to 5.9% (p = 0.022). The prevalence of gastric cancer lesions extending to >1 location increased from 2.2% to 27.5% (p = 0.001).The frequency of duodenal cancer among women increased non significantly from 0% to 52.4% (p = 0.261). The demography, histopathology, and location of colorectal cancers did not change between the two periods. Conclusions: Our study shows some changing trends in gastrointestinal malignancy in Indonesia in terms of demography, histopathology, and the location of cancers from 2002–2006 to 2007–2011.

Hospital-based Survey on Knowledge and Attitude toward Colorectal Cancer Screening among Indonesian Population

Background: Several western countries have recommended colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, however the yield of CRC screening is still low. The acceptability of CRC screening is influenced by people’s knowledge and attitude. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Indonesian people toward CRC screening. Method: Adult Indonesian population aged 19–65 years was recruited in this hospital-based survey. Knowledge and attitude toward CRC screening were assessed by using structured questionnaires consisting of nine chapters. Result: There were 614 respondents recruited in this study. Most respondents (36.2%) incorrectly pointed out abdominal pain or pain around anus as the symptom of bowel cancer. Regarding CRC risk factors, eating fruits or vegetables rarely was the most frequent answer (28.5%) encountered. Only one-third (28%) of respondents mentioned colonoscopy as the Method for CRC screening. There were 38.1% of respondents who believed that CRC screening test might be harmful to the body. Up to 70.8% of the respondents agreed and strongly agreed that CRC screening test might cause physical discomfort. Two fifth (41.5%) of respondents believed that CRC screening test was embarrassing. More than half (58.8%) of respondents were afraid of having the CRC screening test. The test was too expensive according to 79.5% of respondents. Conclusion: The knowledge on CRC symptoms, risk factors, and screening tests is still low among Indonesian population. Our study result indicates that the lack of knowledge and the discouraging attitude among Indonesian population will be the major barriers to implement CRC screening in Indonesia. Keywords : colorectal cancer, screening, knowledge, attitude

Sensitivity and Specificity of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography versus Endoscopic Ultrasonography against Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Diagnosing Choledocholithiasis: The Indonesian Experience

Background/Aims Biliary stone disease is one of the most common conditions leading to hospitalization. In addition to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are required in diagnosing choledocholithiasis. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of EUS and MRCP against ERCP in diagnosing choledocholithiasis. Methods This retrospective study was conducted after prospective collection of data involving 62 suspected choledocholithiasis patients who underwent ERCP from June 2013 to August 2014. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group (31 patients) underwent EUS and the second group (31 patients) underwent MRCP. Then, ERCP was performed in both groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS and MRCP were determined by comparing them to ERCP, which is the gold standard. Results The male to female ratio was 3:2. The mean ages were 47.25 years in the first group and 52.9 years in the second group. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for EUS were 96%, 57%, 87%, 88%, and 80% respectively, and for MRCP were 81%, 40%, 68%, 74%, and 50%, respectively. Conclusions EUS is a better diagnostic tool than MRCP for diagnosing choledocholithiasis.

Candida Esophagitis: A Retrospective Study of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Grading and the Characteristic Profile

Background: Candida esophagitis is a common abnormality found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure in patients with recognizable risk factors. However, the finding is frequently incidental as most of them are asymptomatic. There has been no study on the characteristics of Candida esophagitis in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to describe the degree of Candida esophagitis and its characteristics in patients who underwent EGD procedure at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Method: A retrospective study was conducted on all EGD procedures at the Gastroenterology Procedure Room, Internal Medicine Department, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, between January 2007 and December 2009 with a total of 2,311 samples. The study was carried out by visually examining all endoscopic procedures and grading them according to the Kodsi severity grading (1976), and evaluating medical records. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2007. Results: During the study period, Candida esophagitis was found in 2.6% patients with predominant male (68.9%) and the average age was 49.8 ± 15 years. The chief complaints found were dyspepsia (34.4%), melena (21.3%) and dysphagia (4.9%) and 32.8% patients were asymptomatic. The most frequent risk factors were age ≥ 60 years old (28.3%), proton pump inhibitor or H2 receptor antagonist user (26.4%), and antibiotics (17.0%). Grade II Kodsi candidiasis was the most prevalent degree in this study (44.3%). Conclusion: Candida esophagitis was one frequent finding in endoscopy based on the complaint of dyspepsia in patients with certain risk factors. However, the results of this study still need further validation in prospective studies. Keywords: Candida esophagitis, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, risk factors, grading

Diagnostic and Prevention Approach in Post Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis

Obstructive jaundice (icterus) was an emergency situation in gastroenterology. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was a nonsurgical approach to release obstruction, mostly in common bile duct. Nowadays, this procedure was become frequently used in daily practice, but several complications also emerging. One of the severe complication was Post-ERCP Pancreatitis (PEP). Since it has a high mortality and morbidity, and also reduce patient quality of life, several approaches have been developed to reduce its incidence. In general, approaches consist of patient identification, efficient procedure, until pharmacological agent prevention. Although there were still contradiction among these, careful approach should be considered for each patients for a better outcomes.

National Consensus on the Use of Sedation Drugs in the Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is rapidly developing and several gastrointestinal endoscopy equipment are available for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Proper sedation is critical in performing endoscopic procedures, both for patients and physicians. This consensus is used as a guideline and not as a legal standard in performing endoscopic services. This consensus explained the definition, indication, contraindication, and complication prevention during sedation. Factors affecting the need of sedation is patient factors, procedure factors, and sedation level. Diagnostic or therapeutic upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy which not complicated can be performed with minimal sedation or moderate sedation, while deep sedation can be considered for longer and more complex procedures. Furthermore, assessment and selection of sedation was explained, followed by the guide to choose pharmacological sedation and analgesics. Currently, diazepam, midazolam, propofol, fentanyl, and pethidine is the most likely used sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy, with midazolam as the preferred medication of choice. This consensus also explained the antidote of each drug and the recovery after procedure. This consensus aimed to improve gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure services in Indonesia.

The Role of EUS-BD in the Management of Malignant Biliary Obstruction: The Indonesian Perspective

Aims To evaluate the success rate and related factors of endoscopic ultrasound guided-biliary drainage (EUS-BD). Material and Methods We conducted a retrospective study among 24 patients with malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EUS-BD after failed ERCP from January 2015 to December 2016 in a tertiary health center. The bilirubin levels before and after the procedure were used to define the clinical success rate, while the stent deployment was used to define the technical success rate. We placed either transluminal biliary stents or transpapillary biliary stents. Results Among 24 patients, choledochoduodenostomy technique was conducted in 23 patients (95.8%) and hepaticogastrostomy technique in 1 patient (4.2%). Transluminal stent placement was conducted in 23 patients, while transpapillary stent placement was conducted in 1 patient. The clinical success rate was 78.2% (18) in choledochoduodenostomy route and 100% (1) in hepaticogastrostomy route. EUS-BD was 2.37 times and 2.11 times more likely to be successful in reducing the bilirubin level in patients with tumor of the head of pancreas and periampullary tumor, respectively, but not in cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusions EUS-BD is an effective and efficient procedure to achieve biliary drainage among patients with malignant biliary obstruction after ERCP failure.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a clinical condition, in which excess amounts of bacteria are found in small intestine. SIBO occurred when normal homeostatic mechanism which control enteric bacteria population disrupted. Elderly patients are more vulnerable to SIBO which can be caused by two conditions, which are gastric acid reduction and disproportionately drugs consumption which then caused hypomotility. There are several methods to diagnose SIBO, but diagnose often begin with suspicion and history of risk factors of SIBO. There are two most frequent tests in SIBO diagnostic, which are bacterial culture examination and breath test. Treatments of SIBO are: (1) Treatment of underlying disease and improvement of medical condition; (2) Eradication of excess bacterial growth; (3) Resolve nutritional deficiencies which related to SIBO.

Diagnostic Approach to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: The Role of GERD Questionnaire and PPI Test

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), according to American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), is symptoms or mucosal damage produced by abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. In most patients with GERD, showed no abnormalities in the endoscopic picture. This is what underlies the importance of a diagnostic tool in the form of assessment for the degree of severity of the disease based on symptoms, response to therapy and effect on the patients’ quality of life. This diagnostic tool is then formulated in the form of a questionnaire ( GERD Questionnaire ). Response to treatment with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs is also often used to support the diagnosis of this disease . DIAMOND study is a large study which aim to assess the accuration of the questionnaire and use of PPI test. Diagnostic method with questionnaire modality and followed by PPI test have sensitivity and specificity value, which are relatively similar to the symptoms-based diagnoses performed by general practitioners or gastroenterologist, as well as when compared to endoscopy and esophageal pH monitoring. Although the diagnosis by methods of questionnaires and PPI test is not the most ideal test in term of accuracy, but these tests are not expensive, readily available and worked mainly on primary health care. These test methods are favored compared to other tests.

Gastrointestinal Amyloidosis: Diagnostic Approach and Treatment

Amyloidosis is a disease marked by deposition of misfolded proteins, known as amyloids, in the extracellular space, including gastrointestinal tract. According to the precursor protein, amyloidosis is classified into six types; all of which can be involved in the gastrointestinal tract. Amyloidosis has weight loss and gastrointestinal bleeding as the most frequent symptoms. Gastrointestinal tract biopsy is diagnostic in most cases of amyloidosis and Congo red stain is used to confirm the amyloid proteins deposit. Treatment of amyloidosis consists of controlling symptoms, terminating protein formation and deposit, and treating the underlying diseases. Chemotherapy might be applied depends on the type of amyloidosis.