Sunil G. Sheth

AST/ALT Ratio Predicts Cirrhosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Objective:A liver biopsy is necessary to grade and stage chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In a previous study of patients with nonalcoholic liver disease, an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio > 1 suggested cirrhosis. We sought to examine the value of the AST/ALT ratio in distinguishing cirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infection from noncirrhotic patients and to correlate the ratio with the grade and stage of hepatitis and other biochemical indices.Methods:We retrospectively studied 139 patients with chronic HCV infection. Routine biochemical indices were determined, and the histological grade of necroinflammatory activity and the stage of fibrosis of the liver biopsy specimens were scored.Results:The mean AST/ALT ratio in the cirrhotic patients (n = 47) was higher than in the noncirrhotic patients (n = 92) (1.06 ± 0.06 vs 0.60 ± 0.09; p < 0.001). A ratio ≥1 had 100% specificity and positive predictive value in distinguishing cirrhotic from noncirrhotic patients, with a 53.2% sensitivity and 80.7% negative predictive value. The ratio correlated positively with the stage of fibrosis but not with the grade of activity or other biochemical indices. Of the cirrhotic patients, 17% had no clinical or biochemical features suggestive of chronic liver disease except for an AST/ALT ratio ≥1.Conclusion:The AST/ALT ratio is a dependable marker of fibrosis stage and cirrhosis in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Multicenter randomized trial of the spiral Z-stent compared with the Wallstent for malignant biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND The industry standard since 1990 for self-expanding biliary metallic stents has been the Wallstent. In 1998 the Spiral Z-stent was released. This randomized trial compared the Z-stent with the Wallstent in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. METHODS Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction distal to the bile duct bifurcation were randomized to receive a 10-mm diameter Wallstent or a 10-mm diameter Z-stent. RESULTS A total of 145 patients were randomized; 13 were excluded. Sixty-four patients who received a Z-stent and 68 who had a Wallstent are included in the analysis. Tumors responsible for bile duct obstruction were pancreatic cancer (108), cholangiocarcinoma (15), metastatic cancer (6), and papillary cancer (3). Metallic stents were successfully placed in all patients. Seven technical problems were encountered during placement of the Z-stent and 5 with the Wallstent. There were 21 occlusions requiring reintervention (8 Z-stent, 13 Wallstent; p = 0.30). Median time to reintervention was the following: Z-stent, 162 days; Wallstent, 150 days (p = 0.22). A total of 104 patients died of progressive disease or other cause; 7 patients remain alive with patent stents. The overall calculated median patency rates were: Z-stent, 152 days; Wallstent, 154 days (p = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS The Spiral Z-stent is comparable with the Wallstent in terms of placement, occlusion rates, and overall patency. Occasional early occlusion of both stents suggests tumor characteristics instead of the size of the mesh openings in the stents as important factors.

Systematic review: the quality of the scientific evidence and conflicts of interest in international inflammatory bowel disease practice guidelines.

Guidelines published by the international gastroenterology societies establish standards of care and seek to improve patient outcomes.

Evaluation of Splenomegaly in Portal Hypertension

Splenomegaly is obvious in portal hypertension, but controversy still exists over the relationship between splenic size or size of esophageal varices. Previous methods to assess spleen size are less accurate than ultrasonic estimation of spleen size by splenic volumetric index (SVI). In a prospective study, we evaluated 101 consecutive patients with portal hypertension for spleen size measured ultrasonically by SVI, presence and size of esophageal varices, and etiology of portal hypertension. A total of 219 age-matched controls were evaluated ultrasonically to define a normal SVI. Splenomegaly defined by 1 or 2 standard deviations of normal SVI had high accuracy in predicting portal hypertension, presence of esophageal varices, and provided a clue to the etiology of portal hypertension. However, there was no correlation between spleen size and size of esophageal varices.

Systematic Analysis Underlying the Quality of the Scientific Evidence and Conflicts of Interest in Interventional Medicine Subspecialty Guidelines

OBJECTIVE To determine the validity of guidelines published by interventional medical societies. METHODS We reviewed the interventional medicine subspecialty society websites of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP), American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) as of November 15, 2012, for published interventional guidelines. The study was performed between November 15, 2012, and January 1, 2013. The AABIP did not publish guidelines, so American Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians guidelines were reviewed. All the guidelines were reviewed for graded levels of evidence, methods used to grade the evidence, and disclosures of conflicts of interest (COIs). RESULTS Of 153 interventional guidelines evaluated, 4 were duplicates. Forty-six percent of guidelines (69 of 149) graded the quality of evidence using 7 different methods. The ASGE graded 71% of guidelines (46 of 65) compared with 29% (23 of 78) by the SCAI and 0 by the ASDIN (n=4) and the pulmonary societies (n=2). Of the 3425 recommendations reviewed, 11% (n=364) were supported by level A, 42% (n=1432) by level B, and 48% (n=1629) by level C. The mean age of the guidelines was 5.2 years. Additionally, 62% of the guidelines (92 of 149) failed to comment on COIs; when disclosed, 91% of guidelines (52 of 57) reported COIs. In total, 1827 COIs were reported by 45% of the authors (317 of 697), averaging 5.8 COIs per author. CONCLUSION Most of the interventional guidelines failed to grade the evidence. When present, most guidelines used lower-quality evidence. Furthermore, most guidelines failed to disclose COIs. When commented on, numerous COIs were present. Future guidelines should clearly state the quality of evidence, use a standard grading system, be transparent regarding potential biases, and provide frequent updates.

Systematic Analysis Underlying the Quality of the Scientific Evidence and Conflicts of Interest in Gastroenterology Practice Guidelines

OBJECTIVES:The practice guidelines published by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) are used to establish standards of care and improve patient outcomes. We examined the guidelines for quality of evidence, methods of grading evidence, and conflicts of interest (COIs).METHODS:All 81 (AGA and ACG) guidelines available online on 26 July 2012 were reviewed for the presence of grading of evidence and COIs. In total, 570 recommendations were evaluated for level of evidence and methods used to grade the evidence. The data were evaluated in aggregate and by society.RESULTS:Only 31% (n=25) of the guidelines graded the levels of evidence. A total of 12 systems were used to grade the quality of evidence in these 25 guidelines. Of the 570 recommendations reviewed, only 29% (n=165) were supported by the highest quality of evidence, level A; 37% (n=210) level B, 29% (n=165) level C, and 5% (n=30) level D. Since 2007, 87% (n=13/15) of the ACG guidelines graded the evidence compared with only 33% of the AGA guidelines (n=4/12). Furthermore, 70% (n=57/81) of the guidelines failed to disclose any information regarding COIs. Of the 24 articles commenting on COIs, 67% reported COIs.CONCLUSIONS:Although the majority of the gastroenterology guidelines fail to grade the quality of evidence, more recent ACG guidelines grade majority of their recommendations. When the evidence is graded, most of the supporting evidence is based on lower-quality evidence. In addition, most of the guidelines fail to comment on COIs, and when disclosed, numerous COIs were present. This study highlights the critical need to revise the guideline development process. Future guidelines should clearly state the quality of evidence for their recommendations, utilize a standard grading system, and be transparent regarding all COIs.

Intravenous, contrast-enhanced MR colonography using air as endoluminal contrast agent: Impact on colorectal polyp detection.

PURPOSE To compare diagnostic accuracy and patient tolerance of MR colonography with intravenous contrast and luminal air (MRC) to conventional colonoscopy (CC). MATERIALS AND METHODS IRB approval and written informed consent were obtained. Forty-six patients, both screening and symptomatic, underwent MRC followed by CC. The MRC technique employed 3D T1W spoiled gradient echo sequences performed after the administration of gadopenetate dimeglumine, with parallel imaging. The diagnostic accuracy and tolerance of patients for MRC was compared to CC. RESULTS Twenty-four polyps were detected in eighteen patients with CC (5 polyps ≥ 10 mm, 4 polyps 6-9 mm, 15 polyps ≤ 5 mm). MRC was 66.7% (12/18) sensitive and 96.4% (27/28) specific for polyp detection on a per-patient basis. When analyzed by polyp size, sensitivity and specificity of MRC was 100% (5/5) and 100% (19/19), respectively, for lesions greater than 10mm, 100% (4/4) and 100% (20/20) for lesions 6-9 mm, and sensitivity of 20% (3/15) lesions less than 5mm. The sensitivity and specificity of MRC for detecting significant lesions (>6mm) was 100% (9/9) and 100% (15/15), respectively. Regarding tolerance of the exams, there were no significant differences between MRC and CC. Thirty-five percent (n=16) of patients preferred MRC as a future screening test compared to 33% (n=15) for CC. CONCLUSION MRC using air as an intraluminal contrast agent is a feasible and well-tolerated technique for detecting colonic polyps ≥ 6 mm in size. Further studies are warranted.

What are really the true late complications of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) of the ampulla of Vater was first performed almost three decades ago (1, 2) and is the treatment of choice for choledocholithiasis, especially in elderly or high risk patients. With the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, ES has been widely used for extracting common bile duct stones even in younger and healthier patients. The immediate or short-term complications have been extensively studied; they occur uncommonly and include pancreatitis, bleeding, and duodenal perforation (3). Long-term complications of biliary ES have been the subject of several recent reports and have gained much attention, as sphincterotomies are frequently carried out in young patients (<60 yr). Several large studies including that by Sugiyama and Atomi (4) in the current issue of the Journal have shown that stone recurrence, ascending cholangitis, cholecystitis, and papillary restenosis are among the most common complications that occur 8–14 yr after ES. Finally, biliary tract malignancy, although not conclusively demonstrated, is a realistic concern.

Gastrointetinal Problems in the Chronically Critically Ill Patient

Although they occur less frequently than cardiopulmonary events, gastrointestinal complications now are recognized increasingly in chronically critically ill patients. These are usually the consequence of systemic processes and multiorgan dysfunction that are prevalent in this patient population. Recognition of gastrointestinal complications in critically ill patients is extremely challenging because classic signs and symptoms are often absent or masked by the frequent use of sedative and narcotic medications in intubated patients. Moreover, laboratory and radiologic studies are not always helpful. This situation often results in delayed diagnosis which, in turn, leads to increased mortality. In this article, the authors review the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, prevention, and management of the various gastrointestinal complications that occur in a chronically ventilated patient. These critically ill patients receive their care both in long-term acute care facilities and in intensive care units (ICUs).

Fellowship Colonoscopy Training and Preparedness for Independent Gastroenterology Practice.

Goals: To objectively assess when gastroenterology (GI) fellows achieve technical competency to perform colonoscopy independently. Background: New guidelines to assess the procedural competency of GI fellows in training have been developed. Although comprehensive, they do not account for the quality metrics to which independently practicing gastroenterologists are held. Study: We performed a prospective study examining consecutive colonoscopies performed by GI fellows from November 2013 through March 2014 at an academic medical center. Using a brief postprocedure questionnaire and the online medical record, we measured rates of independent fellow cecal intubation rate (CIR), insertion time to the cecum (cecal IT), and independent polypectomy rate. Our secondary outcomes were adenoma detection rate and polyp detection rate. Results: A total of 898 colonoscopies performed by 10 GI fellows were analyzed. In the multivariate analysis, CIR [odds ratio (OR)=1.29, P=0.012], cecal IT (&bgr;-coefficient=0.19, P=0.006), and rates of unassisted independent snare polypectomy (OR=1.36, P<0.001) all improved significantly with increased number of procedures performed (OR and &bgr;-coefficient per 100 colonoscopies performed). After performing 500 colonoscopies, fellows achieved a mean CIR>90%, cecal IT between 7 and 10 minutes, and independent polypectomy rate of 90% with further improvement in cecal IT to <7 minutes, and independent snare polypectomy of >95% after 700 cases. Conclusions: Current procedural recommendations for fellowship training may underestimate the technical skill necessary for independent GI practice upon completion of fellowship. Technical proficiency in snare polypectomy may lag behind proficiency in cecal intubation.