Falk Gastro Info 12/2023

Mou Y et al, Am J Gastroenterol. 2023;118(10):1848–54

No impact of submucosal saline injection during cold snare polypectomy: Submucosal saline injection during cold snare polypectomy of colorectal polyps sized 3–9 mm did not decrease the rates of incomplete resection or adverse events but prolonged the procedure time in a randomized trial.

Yarur AJ et al, Gastroenterology. 2023;165(4):963–75.e5

Intra-abdominal visceral adipose tissue mass negatively affects clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Results of the Constellation trial indicate that higher intra-abdominal visceral adipose tissue in IBD patients is negatively associated with worse outcomes of biologic therapies. This association could be driven at least partially by discrete differences in inflammatory cytokine expression.

Kuter DJ, J Hepatol. 2023;79(5):1150–8

Long-term efficacy of givosiran in acute hepatic porphyria: A current trial demonstrates that the inhibitory RNA givosiran reduces the frequency of attacks in nearly all patients over 36 months and even results in freedom from attacks in around 90%.

Tonon M et al, Hepatology. 2023;78(4):1149–58

Treatment of the etiological liver disease in cirrhosis: A current study demonstrates that even in the first hydropic decompensation of cirrhosis, treatment of the underlying liver disease significantly improves prognosis. The diagnosis and treatment of the etiological liver disease thus plays an important role, even in advanced cirrhosis.

Chen YI et al, Gastroenterology. 2023;165(5):1249–61.e5

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy for malignant distal biliary obstruction: A current Canadian-French trial demonstrates that endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy is not inferior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with metal stenting in terms of technical success and stent function. In clinical practice, it thus represents an alternative first-line modality to ERCP in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction.

Schiepatti A et al, Gut. 2023;72(11):2095–102

Impact of persistent villous atrophy in adult patients with celiac disease: a cohort study revealed that risk of disease complications and mortality is increased in patients with persistent villous atrophy at follow-up biopsy. A simple clinical score predicted the risk of persistent villous atrophy and could be used to identify patients who require careful follow-up.

Agrawal M et al, Gastroenterology. 2023;165(4):976–85.e3

Early ileocecal resection versus TNF-antibody therapy for early Crohn’s disease: Data of this population-based cohort study suggest that ileocecal resection may have a role as first line therapy in the management of ileocecal Crohn’s disease and challenge the paradigm that surgery should be reserved for complicated or refractory disease course.

Chen H et al, N Engl J Med. 2023;389(18):1649–59

Thalidomide for recurrent bleeding due to small intestinal angiodysplasia: In a placebo-controlled trial with 150 patients suffering from recurrent angiodysplasia-related bleeding, treatment with thalidomide resulted in a significant reduction in bleeding as compared to placebo.