Daniel Mønsted Shabanzadeh

Laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery decreases surgical site infection in obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective:To compare surgical site infections rate in obese patients after laparoscopic surgery with open general abdominal surgery. Background:In mixed surgical populations, surgical site infections are fewer in laparoscopic surgery than in open surgery. It is not clear if this is also the case for obese patients, who have a higher risk of surgical site infections than nonobese patients. Methods:MEDLINE, Embase, and The Cochrane library (CENTRAL) were searched systematically for studies on laparoscopic surgery compared with open abdominal surgery. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting surgical site infection in groups of obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30) were included. Separate meta-analyses with a fixed effects model for RCTs and a random effects model for observational studies were performed. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed according to the Cochrane method and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results:Eight RCTs and 36 observational studies on bariatric and nonbariatric surgery were identified. Meta-analyses of RCTs and observational studies showed a significantly lower surgical site infection rate after laparoscopic surgery (OR = 0.19; 95% CI [0.08-0.45]; P = 0.0002 and OR = 0.33; 95% CI [0.26-0.42]; P = 0.00001). Sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of selection and detection bias confirmed the significant estimates with acceptable heterogeneity. No publication bias was present for the observational studies. Conclusions:Laparoscopic surgery in obese patients reduces surgical site infection rate by 70%–80% compared with open surgery across general abdominal surgical procedures. Future efforts should be focused on further development of laparoscopic surgery for the growing obese population.

Determinants for gallstone formation - a new data cohort study and a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective: Only few determinants of gallstone formation have been identified in cohort studies. The aim was to identify further determinants for gallstones in a Danish cohort and to perform a meta-analysis of results from existing cohorts. Material and methods: Data from a cohort study was used. Gallstone incidence was assessed through repeated ultrasound examinations. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, self-rated health, lifestyle variables, blood lipids, and use of female sex hormones were measured at the baseline examination. Statistical analyses included logistic regression. Based on a prospective protocol, a systematic review of the literature was performed identifying all articles dealing with determinants of incident gallstones. Meta-analyses of comparable determinants were performed through fixed effect models. Results: Participants with no gallstones at baseline and with at least one re-examination were followed-up completely (mean 11.6 years, N = 2848). The overall cumulative incidence of gallstones was 0.60% per year. Independent positive determinants for incident gallstones were age, female sex, non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, and gallbladder polyps. In addition, BMI was positively associated in men. The systematic review additionally identified associations for comorbidities, parity, and dietary factors. Meta-analysis confirmed the significant associations for incident gallstones and age, female sex, BMI, and non-HDL cholesterol. No significant associations were found for blood pressure, smoking, alcohol consumption, HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides in meta-analyses. Conclusions: Age, female sex, BMI, non-HDL cholesterol, and polyps are independent determinants for gallstone formation. Incident gallstones and the metabolic syndrome share common risk factors. More studies are needed for further exploration.

Determinants for Clinical Events in Gallstone Carriers Unaware of their Gallstones

Knowledge about determinants for clinical events in gallstone carriers is missing. The aim of this cohort study was to identify determinants of clinical gallstone events during long‐term follow‐up of a population unaware of their gallstones.

Vitamin D and gallstone disease—A population-based study

Gallstone disease is highly prevalent in the general population and is a major gastrointestinal cause of hospital admissions. The objectives were to determine whether circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were associated to ultrasound proven gallstones or cholecystectomy in a general population sample. Determinants of vitamin D status were also explored. A random sample of 4130 people from the population of Copenhagen with ages 41–71 years were invited (N = 4130) and 2650 participants were included. Ultrasound examinations were performed to assess gallstone status and blood samples were drawn to assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D and biomarkers of renal and hepatic function. Gallstone disease was found in 422 participants. Associations were estimated by logistic regression models. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was not significantly associated with gallstone disease. Time of birth during low vitamin D exposure was associated with gallstone disease (gallstone prevalence 18.0 versus 14.4 %, odds ratio 1.33, 95 % confidence interval [1.07; 1.65]). Highest quartile of cystatin C was significantly associated with gallstone disease (gallstone prevalence 22.1 versus 12.0 %, odds ratio 1.53, 95 % confidence interval [1.08; 2.18]). Serum levels of creatinine and alanine amino transferase were not associated with gallstone disease. Sensitivity analyses excluding participants with cholecystectomy did not alter results significantly. No association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and gallstone disease was identified. Findings suggest gallstones to be associated to low vitamin D exposure in utero and to renal failure suggesting that vitamin D might have an impact on gallstone disease. Future studies should explore associations for vitamin D and gallstone disease prospectively.

Abdominal Symptoms and Incident Gallstones in a Population Unaware of Gallstone Status

Introduction. Symptoms associated with newly formed gallstones have never been studied in a population unaware of their gallstones. The objective of this population-based cohort study was to determine which debut of abdominal symptoms was associated with newly formed gallstones. Materials and Methods. A cohort study was performed of a random sample from general population of Copenhagen. Participants had ultrasound examinations and answered questionnaires about abdominal symptoms at baseline and two reexaminations over 12 years. Participants were not informed of gallstone status. Inclusion criteria were no gallstones or cholecystectomy at baseline and attending a reexamination. Results. Of 3,785 participants, 2,845 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Changes in overall abdominal pain were not significantly different between incident gallstones or gallstone-free participants. Multiple adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that incident gallstones were significantly associated with debut of abdominal pain with projection, localized in the whole upper abdomen, and of longer duration. No significant associations for functional symptoms were identified. Conclusions. A new onset of abdominal pain with projection, localized in the whole upper abdomen, and of longer duration is associated with newly formed gallstones in participants unaware of gallstone status. Functional symptoms should not be the indication for surgical treatment.

Are incident gallstones associated to sex-dependent changes with age? A cohort study

Age and female sex have repeatedly been identified as gallstone determinants but the underlying mechanisms are not clarified. The objectives of this study were to determine if changes with age in physiology, lifestyle, or reproductive hormones were associated with incident gallstones. A cohort study of a general population random sample (N = 2366) aged 30–60 years was performed. Participants were ultrasound screened for gallstones in 1982–84 and again in 1993–94. Lifestyle data and blood samples were obtained and re‐analyzed in 2004. Changes with age in physiology (body mass index, blood pressure, blood lipids, self‐rated health), lifestyle (smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, dietary habits, physical activity level), and indices of reproductive function (number of births, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, male reproductive hormones) were explored in females and males separately. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed. Incident gallstones (gallstones and cholecystectomy) at ultrasound examination in participants initially free of gallstones at baseline occurred in 9.9% of the study population. In females, increasing alcohol consumption (odds ratio (OR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.90; 0.98]) and the cessation of hormone replacement therapy (OR 0.29, 95% CI [0.10; 0.83]) inversely determined incident gallstones. In males, increasing levels of SHBG (OR 0.97, 95% CI [0.94; 0.998]) inversely determined incident gallstones. Other changes with age in physiology, lifestyle, or reproductive hormones were not associated. High baseline free testosterone determined incident gallstones in males (OR 1.15, 95% CI [1.02; 1.30]). To conclude, changes with age in alcohol consumption in females and in reproductive hormones determined incident gallstones. Male reproductive hormones seem to have an impact on incident gallstones. Sex differences should be explored further in future studies.

Alcohol Consumption Increases Post-Operative Infection but Not Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption causes multiple comorbidities with potentially negative outcome after operations. The aims are to study the association between alcohol consumption and post-operative non-surgical site infections and mortality and to determine the impact of peri-operative interventions. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were searched systematically. Observational studies reporting patients with a defined amount of alcohol consumption and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed at reducing outcomes were included. Meta-analyses were performed separately for observational studies and RCTs. RESULTS Thirteen observational studies and five RCTs were identified. Meta-analyses of observational studies showed more infections in those consuming more than two units of alcohol per day compared with drinking less in both unadjusted and adjusted data. No association between alcohol consumption and mortality was found. Meta-analyses of RCTs showed that interventions reduce infections but not mortality in patients with alcohol abuse. CONCLUSIONS Consumption of more than two units of alcohol per day increases post-operative non-surgical site infections. Alcohol-refraining interventions in patients with high daily alcohol consumption appear to reduce infections. The impact in patients with lesser intake is unknown. Further studies are needed.

Metabolic biomarkers and gallstone disease – a population-based study

Abstract Objectives: The objectives for this study were to examine the associations between metabolic biomarkers of obesity including insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, systemic inflammation, genetic susceptibility and ultrasound proven gallstone disease or cholecystectomy in a population-based cross-sectional study. Material and methods: A total of 2650 participants were included, of whom 422 had gallstone disease. Associations between selected metabolic biomarkers and gallstone disease were estimated by multivariable logistic regression models and expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Gallstone disease was associated with fasting glucose (OR 1.14, 95% CI [1.05;1.24]), fasting insulin (OR 1.03, 95% CI [1.01;1.05]), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (OR 1.18, 95% CI [1.02;1.36]), the metabolic syndrome (OR 1.51, 95% CI [1.16;1.96]), white blood cell count (OR 1.07, 95% CI [1.00;1.15]) and C-reactive protein (OR 1.03, 95% CI [1.01;1.05]). A tendency towards an association for soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor was also found (OR 1.08, 95% CI [0.99;1.18]). The MC4R(rs17782313) (OR 1.27, 95% CI [1.02;1.58]), MAP2K5(rs2241423) (OR 1.80, 95% CI [1.04;3.41]), NRXN3(rs10146997) (OR 1.26, 95% CI [1.01;1.57]), HHEX(rs1111875) (OR 1.29, 95% CI [1.03;1.62]), FAIM2(rs7138803) (OR 0.66, 95% CI [0.48;0.91]), and apolipoprotein E4 allele (OR 0.76, 95% CI [0.59;0.98]) were associated with gallstone disease. Urinary albumin was not associated with gallstone disease. The association between BMI and gallstone disease was explained by insulin resistance. Conclusions: Biomarkers of insulin resistance, systemic inflammation and genetic obesity or type 2 diabetes risk alleles seem to be associated with gallstone disease. Future studies should explore temporal associations and genetic associations in other populations in order to clarify targets for prevention or intervention.

Pancreatic function following post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A controlled cohort study with long-term follow-up:

Background Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal-related hospitalization and the incidence is increasing. Endo- and exocrine pancreatic function can be compromised after acute pancreatitis. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the long-term consequences of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) on pancreatic function. Methods A follow-up study was carried out with prospective assessment of endo- and exocrine pancreatic function among cases with previous PEP and matched controls from a Danish cohort consisting of 772 patients undergoing first-time ERCP. Pancreatic function was evaluated by faecal-elastase-1 test, blood levels of haemoglobin A1c, C-peptide, vitamin B12, vitamin D and indirectly by changes in body weight. Results Twenty-nine cases and 49 controls participated in the study. Mean follow-up time (standard deviation) was 58 (21) months. Twelve (41%), eight (28%) and nine (31%) patients had mild, moderate and severe PEP, respectively. There was no difference between cases and controls with regard to pancreatic function parameters and PEP severity was not associated with pancreatic function. Factors associated with pancreatic function impairment included body mass index, alcohol consumption, age and smoking. Conclusion This study suggests that long-term pancreatic function following PEP is similar to the pancreatic function of other patients with comparable gallstone-related morbidity.

Quality of life, performance status, and work capacity after post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis

Abstract Objectives: This study evaluated the long-term consequences of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) on health related quality of life (HRQOL), performance status, and work capacity. Materials and methods: A follow-up study with prospective outcome measurements on patients with previous PEP and matched controls from a Danish cohort of 772 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). HRQOL was evaluated by the short form 36 health surveys, performance status by the Zubrod score, and work capacity by employment status. Multivariable models were applied to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Twenty-nine cases and 49 controls were included. Twelve (41%), eight (28%), and nine (31%) patients had mild, moderate, and severe PEP, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 4.8 ± 1.7 years. PEP was associated with long-term reduced mental HRQOL (−13.0 role-emotional score points, 95% CI: −25.4; −0.52). An increased Zubrod score representing reduced performance status was present in 12 of the 29 cases (41.4%) and in nine of the 49 controls (18.4%), p = .002. Reduced work capacity was present in 14 of the 29 cases (48.2%) and in 12 of the 49 controls (24.4%), p = .023. Conclusions: This study indicates that PEP has a detrimental effect on long-term HRQOL, performance score, and work capacity.