Jeong Seop Moon

The prevalence of and risk factors for erosive oesophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease: a nationwide multicentre prospective study in Korea

Background  Prospective nationwide multicentre studies that have evaluated endoscopic findings and reflux symptoms using a well‐designed questionnaire are very rare.

Comparison of 22-gauge aspiration needle with 22-gauge biopsy needle in endoscopic ultrasonography-guided subepithelial tumor sampling

Abstract Objective. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may facilitate tissue sampling for histopathological diagnosis of subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, immunohistochemistry is not always feasible using EUS-FNA samples due to the low quality of specimens often obtained by aspiration. This study aimed to compare the use of 22-gauge (G) EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with 22G EUS-FNA for core sampling used for histopathological examination, including immunohistochemistry, in patients with GI SETs. Methods. Twenty-eight patients with GI SETs ≥2 cm in size were prospectively enrolled at five university hospitals in Korea between January and June 2013. They were randomized to undergo either EUS-FNB or EUS-FNA. Results. A total of 22 patients was finally analyzed in this study: 10 and 12 patients underwent EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB, respectively. Compared to the EUS-FNA group, the EUS-FNB group had a significantly lower median number of needle passes to obtain macroscopically optimal core samples (4 vs. 2, p = 0.025); higher yield rates of macroscopically and histologically optimal core samples with three needle passes (30% vs. 92%, p = 0.006; 20% vs. 75%, p = 0.010, respectively); and a higher diagnostic sufficiency rate (20% vs. 75%, p = 0.010). No technical difficulties were encountered in either group. Conclusions. This study shows that EUS-FNB has a better ability to obtain histological core samples and a higher diagnostic sufficiency rate than EUS-FNA and that EUS-FNB is a feasible, safe, and preferable modality for adequate core sampling for histopathological diagnosis of GI SETs.

Clinical Characteristics of Colonic Diverticulosis in Korea: A Prospective Study

Background/Aims The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has been reported to be lower in Korea than in Western countries. This disease also shows markedly different characteristics in the Korean population. We describe herein a prospective investigation, based on colonoscopic examination, of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with colonic diverticulosis in Korea. Methods The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has been reported to be lower in Korea than in Western countries. This disease also shows markedly different characteristics in the Korean population. We describe herein a prospective investigation, based on colonoscopic examination, of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with colonic diverticulosis in Korea. Results The overall prevalence of colonic diverticulosis was 12.1% (103 / 848). The right side of the colon was involved in 84.5% of patients (87 / 103); patients with right side diverticula were, on average, younger than those with left side diverticulosis (p = 0.014). Multiple diverticula were observed in 60.2% (62 / 103) of patients. Age greater than 60 years, a high-fat diet, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with the presence of colonic diverticulosis (p < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in Korea is increasing and is most commonly located in the right side of the colon. Further, old age and diet may affect the risk of development of this disease.

Abdominal pain accompanied by weight loss may increase the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy : A Korean multicenter study

Objective. Capsule endoscopy (CE) is approved for the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and its use has increased in the assessment of patients with various small-bowel disorders. The yield of CE for indications of disorders other than GI bleeding is not yet well described. The aim of the present study was to determine in which subgroup of patients with unexplained abdominal pain, CE would be a helpful evaluation tool. Material and methods. The results of CE in 110 patients (70 M, 40 F, mean age 50.8±14.1 years) with unexplained abdominal pain from 12 tertiary referral centers between September 2002 and September 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Results. The visualization of the small bowel to the cecum was successfully carried out in 69.1% of the patients. Nineteen out of the 110 cases revealed positive findings that explained the symptoms of the patient (diagnostic yield = 17.3%). Diagnosis included small-bowel stricture (5), Crohns disease (3), small-bowel tumor (2), radiation-induced enteritis (1), NSAID-induced enteropathy (1), ischemic ileitis (1), diffuse lymphangiectasia (1), and significant erosion or ulceration (5). By univariate logistic regression analysis, the positive findings of CE were significantly associated with weight loss (odds ratio (OR), 11.9; 95% CI [2.0, 70.6]), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (>20 mm/h) (OR, 11.5; 95% CI (1.9, 69.5)), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (≥0.4 mg/dL) (OR, 5.0; 95% CI (1.6, 15.9)), and hypoalbuminemia (albumin <3 g/dL) (OR, 23.1; 95% CI (2.4, 223.1)). Using a multivariate analysis, weight loss was found to be a significant risk factor for positive findings of CE (OR, 18.6; 95% CI (1.6, 222.4), p = 0.02). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that CE can be helpful in patients suffering from abdominal pain that cannot be explained by established examinations, if the pain is accompanied by weight loss.

Long-term outcome of capsule endoscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS The clinical impact of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) remains undetermined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical impact of VCE in patients with OGIB using a nationwide registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from 305 patients who underwent VCE for OGIB from 13 hospitals in Korea between January 2006 and March 2009 were analyzed. Prospectively collected VCE registry data were reviewed, and follow-up data were collected by chart review and telephone interviews with patients. Multivariate regression analyses using hazard ratios (HR) were performed to determine risk factors for rebleeding. RESULTS Significant findings were detected in 157 patients (51.5%). After VCE, interventional treatment was performed in 36 patients (11.8%). The overall rebleeding rate was 19.0% during a mean (±SD) follow-up of 38.7±26.4 months. Rebleeding rate did not differ by positive VCE results or application of interventional treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that angiodysplasia (HR 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.20; P=0.037) and duration of OGIB >3 months (HR 1.64; 95%CI 1.10-2.46; P=0.016) were independent prognostic factors associated with rebleeding. In a subgroup analysis of patients taking anticoagulants, patients who discontinued drugs after VCE showed a lower rebleeding rate than those who did not discontinue this therapy (P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS VCE did not have a significant impact on the long-term outcome of patients with OGIB. Patients with angiodysplasia on VCE or OGIB>3 months need to be closely followed even after interventional treatment. In patients who are taking anticoagulants, discontinuation of drugs is necessary in order to lower the risk of rebleeding.

Endoscopic resection for duodenal carcinoid tumors: A multicenter, retrospective study

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors < 10 mm in diameter and limited to the submucosal layer demonstrate a low frequency of lymph node and distant metastasis, and are suitable for endoscopic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and long‐term prognosis of endoscopic resections for the treatment of duodenal carcinoid tumors.

Guidelines for Bowel Preparation before Video Capsule Endoscopy

The preparation for video capsule endoscopy (VCE) of the bowel suggested by manufacturers of capsule endoscopy systems consists only of a clear liquid diet and an 8-hour fast. While there is evidence for a benefit from bowel preparation for VCE, so far there is no domestic consensus on the preparation regimen in Korea. Therefore, we performed this study to recommend guidelines for bowel preparation before VCE. The guidelines on VCE were developed by the Korean Gut Image Study Group, part of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Four key questions were selected. According to our guidelines, bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution enhances small bowel visualization quality (SBVQ) and diagnostic yield (DY), but it has no effect on cecal completion rate (CR). Bowel preparation with 2 L of PEG solution is similar to that with 4 L of PEG in terms of the SBVQ, DY, and CR of VCE. Bowel preparation with fasting or PEG solution combined with simethicone enhances the SBVQ, but it does not affect the CR of VCE. Bowel preparation with prokinetics does not enhance the SBVQ, DY, or CR of VCE.

Guideline for Capsule Endoscopy: Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is considered as a noninvasive and reliable diagnostic tool of examining the entire small bowel. CE has been performed frequently at many medical centers in South Korea; however, there is no evidence-based CE guideline for adequate diagnostic approaches. To provide accurate information and suggest correct testing approaches for small bowel disease, the guideline on CE was developed by the Korean Gut Image Study Group, a part of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Operation teams for developing the guideline were organized into four areas: obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel preparation, Crohns disease, and small bowel tumor. A total of 20 key questions were selected. In preparing this guideline, MEDLINE, Cochrane library, KMbase, KISS, and KoreaMed literature searches were performed. After writing a draft of the guideline, opinions from various experts were reflected before approving the final document. The guideline should be regarded as recommendations only to gastroenterologists in providing care to their patients. These are not absolute rules and should not be construed as establishing a legal standard of care. Although further revision may be necessary as new data appear, this guideline is expected to play a role for adequate diagnostic approaches of various small bowel diseases.

Bowel preparation for capsule endoscopy: a prospective randomized multicenter study.

Background/Aims The ability to visualize the small bowel mucosa by capsule endoscopy is limited. Moreover, studies involving small-bowel preparation with purgative drugs have failed to establish which preparations produce better images and higher diagnostic yields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacies and diagnostic yields of different bowel preparations. Methods A cohort of 134 patients with suspected small bowel disease was randomly assigned to 3 groups. Patients in group A (n=44) fasted for 12 h before being administered an M2A capsule (Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel). Patients in group B (n=45) were asked to drink two doses of 45 mL of sodium phosphate (NaP) with water during the afternoon and evening on the day before the procedure and to drink at least 2 L of water thereafter. Patients in group C (n=45) drank 2 L of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solution the evening before the procedure. Results Overall cleansing of the small bowel was adequate in 43% of patients in group A, 77% of those in group B, and 56% of those in group C (group A vs group B, p=0.001). Diagnoses for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were established in 9 patients (39%) in group A, 16 patients (69%) in group B, and 14 patients (50%) in group C. No significant difference in diagnostic yield was observed between groups. Conclusions Bowel preparation with NaP for capsule endoscopy improved small-bowel mucosal visualization when compared to 12-h overnight fasting.

Trichuris trichiura Infection Diagnosed by Colonoscopy: Case Reports and Review of Literature

Trichuris trichiura, commonly referred to as a whipworm, has a worldwide distribution, particularly among countries with warm, humid climates. In Korea, trichuriasis was a highly prevalent soil-transmitted helminthiasis until the 1970s. However, the nationwide prevalence decreased to 0.02% in 2004 as a result of national control activities and improvement in the socioeconomic status of Koreans. Most infected individuals have no distinct symptoms, if lightly infected. The diagnosis is typically confirmed by detection of T. trichiura eggs on examination of a stool sample; few reports have described detection of the parasite during colonoscopy. Recently, we managed 4 patients with trichuriasis who were diagnosed by detection of the parasite on colonoscopy, and we reviewed the literature on the colonoscopic diagnosis of T. trichiura in Korea. We suggest that colonoscopy might be a useful diagnostic tool, especially when infected by only a few male worms with no eggs in the stool.