Lakshmi Lattimer

Hispanics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background:Historically, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was considered a disease, which predominately affects whites. As such, the majority of research in IBD has been conducted in this population. However, more research on this suggests that IBD affects other ethnic groups. Rapidly shifting demographics in the United States necessitates a better understanding of how IBD may affect Hispanics. We reviewed the current literature on IBD in Hispanics. Methods:A PubMed search was conducted using keywords inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns disease, Hispanics, Latinos, ethnicity, to identify existing literature with a focus on adult populations. Non-English language articles were excluded. Results:The existing data and literature on Hispanic patients with IBD remains sparse. Limited studies on prevalence suggest IBD may be more common in Hispanics in the United States compared with those in Latin America. Conflicting data exist as to whether Hispanics patients with IBD are more likely to have ulcerative colitis compared with Crohns disease. One study explored difference in IBD between foreign-born and U.S.-born Hispanics and found that ulcerative colitis was more common only in foreign-born Hispanics, whereas within 1 generation, U.S.-born Hispanics resemble their non-Hispanic white counterparts about development of Crohns disease. Such a rapid change in the proportion of ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease points strongly to environmental factors driving the change in proportion of disease subtypes. Additionally, a trend towards less use of biologic and immunomodulators in Hispanics was noted in several studies. Conclusions:Additional research is needed to better understand how diversity within the Hispanic population (U.S.-born and foreign-born) may be driving difference in disease manifestations. More investigations should focus on determining the cause of a potential disparity in the use of biologic and immunomodulators in Hispanics.

Endoscopic balloon catheter dilatation via retrograde or static technique is safe and effective for cricopharyngeal dysfunction

AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dilatation for cricopharyngeal (CP) dysfunction. To determine if: (1) indication for dilatation; or (2) technique of dilatation correlated with symptom improvement. METHODS All balloon dilatations performed at our institution from over a 3-year period were retrospectively analyzed for demographics, indication and dilatation site. All dilatations involving the UES underwent further review to determine efficacy, complications, and factors that predict success. Dilatation technique was separated into static (stationary balloon distention) and retrograde (brusque pull-back of a fully distended balloon across the UES). RESULTS Four hundred and eighty-eight dilatations were reviewed. Thirty-one patients were identified who underwent UES dilatation. Median age was 63 years (range 27-81) and 55% of patients were male. Indications included dysphagia (28 patients), globus sensation with evidence of UES dysfunction (2 patients) and obstruction to echocardiography probe with cricopharyngeal (CP) bar (1 patient). There was evidence of concurrent oropharyngeal dysfunction in 16 patients (52%) and a small Zenker’s diverticula (≤ 2 cm) in 7 patients (23%). Dilator size ranged from 15 mm to 20 mm. Of the 31 patients, 11 had dilatation of other esophageal segments concurrently with UES dilatation and 20 had UES dilatation alone. Follow-up was available for 24 patients for a median of 2.5 mo (interquartile range 1-10 mo), of whom 19 reported symptomatic improvement (79%). For patients undergoing UES dilatation alone, follow-up was available for 15 patients, 12 of whom reported improvement (80%). Nineteen patients underwent retrograde dilatation (84% response) while 5 patients had static dilatation (60% response); however, there was no significant difference in symptom improvement between the techniques (P = 0.5). Successful symptom resolution was also not significantly affected by dilator size, oropharyngeal dysfunction, Zenker’s diverticulum, age or gender (P > 0.05). The only complication noted was uvular edema and a shallow ulcer after static dilatation in one patient, which resolved spontaneously and did not require hospital admission. CONCLUSION UES dilatation with a through-the-scope balloon by either static or retrograde technique is safe and effective for the treatment of dysphagia due to CP dysfunction. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating retrograde balloon dilatation of the UES.

Sa1035 A High Stakes Learning Environment: Fellow-Performed Colonoscopies Are Associated With Lower ADRs

and presentation skills. Seventy-five percent of these fellows subsequently taught gastrointestinal pathophysiology. The majority of fellows organized teaching sessions locally, regionally and nationally in their current positions. One third perceived that the fellowship helped their academic promotions. On the basis of these data, we recommend that an optional, unfunded Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology Teaching Fellowship be incorporated into GI Fellowship Programs as a means of increasing academic teaching and leadership skill sets in interested fellows.

Su1101 Investigating the Smoking Gun: Should Tobacco Use Be Incorporated Into Colorectal Screening Guidelines?

Background: Inadequate bowel preparation before colonoscopy is common, resulting in clinical and economic harms. The US Multi-Society Taskforce advocates use of both written and oral instructions for patients before colonoscopy. However, little is known about the most effective method of patient education. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of patient-oriented educational interventions in improving the quality of bowel preparation. Methods: Studies were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Two investigators evaluated each abstract for the following inclusion criteria: evaluation of a patient-oriented educational intervention, prospective design, and measurement of bowel preparation quality with a validated scale. Included studies underwent duplicate data extraction by 2 investigators using a standardized approach. Extracted data included the method of intervention, timing of intervention, staffing of intervention, purgative used, bowel preparation scale used, and bowel preparation quality. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using amodified Downs and Black instrument. Due to significant heterogeneity in assessment of outcomes, meta-analysis was not performed. Results: 1080 unique published studies were identified, and 7 of these studies met inclusion criteria. Five studies were randomized controlled trials, and 2 were quasi-experimental. The number of patients analyzed ranged from 99 to 969. 3 studies were performed in the US, 2 in Taiwan, 1 in China, and 1 in Korea. 3 interventions used paper-based tools (1 cartoon, 2 illustrated brochures), 2 interventions used videos, 1 intervention used face-to-face education, and 1 used telephone calls. In 6 of the 7 studies, the educational intervention was effective in improving bowel preparation quality, with an absolute increase in bowel preparation adequacy ranging from 2% to 32%. No study accounted for all significant confounders of bowel preparation quality (i.e. constipation, diabetes, opiates, socioeconomic status, literacy rate, age, gender, BMI). Validity scores ranged from 12-23, with a median value of 18, indicating fair methodological quality. Conclusions: Patient-oriented educational interventions significantly improve bowel preparation quality, but existing studies are of variable quality and may have limited generalizability. Gastroenterologists should work internally and with referring practices to ensure that patients receive evidence-based preparation education. Future studies should focus on comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of educational interventions