Reviews
Brain involvement in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A systematic review
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which usually is considered to be related to cardiac involvement, while scarce attention is addressed to brain damage. Viceversa NAFLD is associated with asymptomatic brain lesions, alterations in cerebral perfusion and activity, cognitive impairment and brain aging and with increased risk and severity of both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Besides known metabolic risk factors, NAFLD is characterized by a pro inflammatory state, which contributes to atherosclerosis and microglia activation, endothelial dysfunction, pro-coagulant state and platelets activation, which in turn promote both micro and macrovascular damage eventually responsible for clinical and subclinical cerebrovascular alterations.Primary Biliary Cholangitis: advances in management and treatment of the disease
Primary Biliary Cholangitis, previously known as Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, is a rare disease, which mainly affects women in their fifth to seventh decades of life. It is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a progressive damage of interlobular bile ducts leading to ductopenia, chronic cholestasis and bile acids retention. Even if the disease usually presents a long asymptomatic phase and a slow progression, in many patients it may progress faster toward cirrhosis and its complications.Meta-analysis of the impact of SPINK1 p.N34S gene variation in Caucasic patients with chronic pancreatitis. An update
SPINK1 p.N34S gene variation is one of the endogenous factors which seem to be associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, in literature there is no clear agreement regarding its contribution in different ethnicity and CP etiologies.AISF position paper on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Updates and future directions
This review summarizes our current understanding of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a multi-factorial systemic disease resulting from a complex interaction between a specific genetic background and multiple environmental/metabolic “hits”. The role of gut microbiota, lipotoxicity, inflammation and their molecular pathways is reviewed in-depth. We also discuss the epidemiology and natural history of NAFLD by pinpointing the remarkably high prevalence of NAFLD worldwide and its inherent systemic complications: hepatic (steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis), cardio-metabolic (cardiovascular disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and type 2 diabetes) and neoplastic (primary liver cancers and extra-hepatic cancers).The molecular landscape of colitis-associated carcinogenesis
In spite of the well-established histopathological phenotyping of IBD-associated preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions, their molecular landscape remains to be fully elucidated. Several studies have pinpointed the initiating role of longstanding/relapsing inflammatory insult on the intestinal mucosa, with the activation of different pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ), chemokines and metabolites of arachidonic acid resulting in the activation of key transcription factors such as NF-κB.Unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms: Think mitochondrial disease
Defects in mitochondrial function are increasingly recognised as central to the pathogenesis of many diseases, both inherited and acquired. Many of these mitochondrial defects arise from abnormalities in mitochondrial DNA and can result in multisystem disease, with gastrointestinal involvement common. Moreover, mitochondrial disease may present with a range of non-specific symptoms, and thus can be easily misdiagnosed, or even considered to be non-organic. We describe the clinical, histopathological and genetic findings of six patients from three families with gastrointestinal manifestations of mitochondrial disease.Different Antibiotic No Culture Eradicating (DANCE) strategy: An easy way to manage H. pylori eradication
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection is becoming a very relevant problem especially in industrialized Countries. Although different therapeutic regimens are currently available, treatment failure remains a growing problem in daily medical practice. Several factors could play a role in the eradication failure, but the most relevant are antibiotic resistance and patient's compliance. While Helicobacter pylori resistance to amoxicillin is rare, clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance varies significantly from close to zero up to 25%.Management of gastrointestinal stromal tumours of limited size: Proposals from a French panel of physicians
A number of guidelines on the management of gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) have been published, mostly based on expert consensus. However, these guidelines have generally failed to address the specific problem of GISTs of limited size (i.e. those measuring a few centimetres in diameter) with which gastroenterologists are increasingly confronted. The aim of the present work was to draw up proposals for the diagnosis and treatment of GISTs measuring less than 5 cm in diameter. For this purpose, a number of practical questions were put to a panel of French experts.Recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C in special population groups (migrants, intravenous drug users and prison inmates)
The global spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), their high chronicity rates and their progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, are major public health problems. Research and intervention programmes for special population groups are needed in order to assess their infection risk and set up suitable prevention and control strategies. Aim of this paper is to give health care professionals information on HBV and HCV infections amongst migrants, drug users and prison inmates.Beclomethasone dipropionate in Crohn's ileitis: A randomised, double-blind trial
Steroids, the mainstay of Crohn's disease treatment, have been associated with systemic side effects.The Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE) and the Italian Group for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IG-IBD) Clinical Practice Guidelines: The use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Biological therapies are an important step in the management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. In consideration of high cost and safety issues there is the need to have clear recommendations for their use. Despite the American Gastroenterological Association and the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation have published exhaustive Inflammatory Bowel Disease guidelines, national guidelines may be necessary as cultural values, economical and legal issues may differ between countries. For these reasons the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Group for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease have decided to elaborate the Italian guidelines on the use of biologics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Cholangiocarcinoma: A position paper by the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterology (AIGO), the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) and the Italian Association of Oncological Radiotherapy (AIRO)
The incidence of Cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA) is increasing, due to a sharp increase of the intra-hepatic form. Evidence-ascertained risk factors for CCA are primary sclerosing cholangitis, Opistorchis viverrini infection, Caroli disease, congenital choledocal cist, Vater ampulla adenoma, bile duct adenoma and intra-hepatic lithiasis. Obesity, diabetes, smoking, abnormal biliary-pancreatic junction, bilio-enteric surgery, and viral cirrhosis are emerging risk factors, but their role still needs to be validated.Familial pancreatic cancer in Italy. Risk assessment, screening programs and clinical approach: A position paper from the Italian Registry
In Italy, pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of tumor related death with about 7000 new cases per year and a mortality rate of 95%. In a recent prospective epidemiological study on the Italian population, a family history was found in about 10% of patients suffering from a ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (PDAC). A position paper from the Italian Registry for Familial Pancreatic Cancer was made to manage these high-risk individuals. Even though in the majority of high-risk individuals a genetic test to identify familial predisposition is not available, a screening protocol seems to be reasonable for subjects who have a >10-fold greater risk for the development of PDAC.Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A decalogue from the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) Expert Committee
We report the evidence-based Italian Association for the Study of Liver guidelines for the appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in clinical practice and its related research agenda. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease varies according to age, gender and ethnicity. In the general population, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is about 25% and the incidence is of two new cases/100 people/year. 2–3% of individuals in the general population will suffer from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Bowel preparation before colonoscopy in the era of mass screening for colo-rectal cancer: A practical approach
Colonoscopy constitutes the principal investigation for colo-rectal neoplasms due to its ability to detect and remove most of precancerous lesions; due to the ongoing or planned colon cancer screening programs in many European countries we should expect an enormous increase in colonoscopic demand over the next few years. Diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic safety of colonoscopy strictly depends upon the quality of bowel cleansing which is often perceived as the most unpleasant part of the procedure in individuals undergoing this examination.Alcohol and viral hepatitis: A mini-review
Due to their high prevalence in the general population, alcohol use and abuse can be associated with hepatitis B and C virus infections and it has been demonstrated that alcohol plays a role as a co-morbid factor in the development of liver disease. There is evidence that alcohol abuse accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis and affects the survival of patients with chronic hepatitis C. The mechanism by which alcohol worsens hepatitis C virus-related liver disease has not been fully clarified, but enhanced viral replication, increased oxidative stress, cytotoxicity and impairment of immune response could play a relevant role.Treatment of chronic hepatitis B: Recommendations from an Italian workshop
The changing scenario of hepatitis B virus therapy has encouraged the organisation of a workshop, endorsed by three Italian scientific societies, aimed at defining the current recommendations for hepatitis B virus treatment. Liver histology and stage of disease remain fundamental for treatment decisions; interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues-based therapy represent different strategies for different phases of the hepatitis B virus disease. The recommendations defined: new and lower cut-off of hepatitis B virus–DNA for eligibility to therapy according to disease stage, how to optimise the use of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues and to individualise the monitoring of response and what to do with treatment failures.Reprocessing in digestive endoscopy units in Lombardy: Results of a regional survey
Inadequate disinfection of endoscopes and associated instrumentation can result in transmission of infections to patients. The aim of this study is to assess cleaning and disinfection practice in gastrointestinal endoscopy units in public and private institutions in the Lombardy region.Muscle cramps in cirrhosis: The therapeutic value of quinine. Is it underused?
Muscle cramps are a common and recurring symptom in patients with cirrhosis. Although, the pathophysiology has not been specifically studied in cirrhosis, this is thought to be the same for cramps in general, originating in the motorneurone, with high frequency firing of motor unit action potentials. However precise pathophysiological mechanisms are not known. Risk factors in cirrhosis have been little studied. Neither aetiology, nor pre-ascitic or ascitic stage, nor electrolyte disturbances, nor use of diuretic therapy has been found to have a statistical association with cramps in patients with cirrhosis.Neurological complications after orthotopic liver transplantation
The number of orthotopic liver transplantation performed each year is increasing due to increased safety and logistic facilities. Therefore, the importance of reducing adverse events is progressively growing.Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a progressive disease
It is controversial whether gastrooesophageal reflux disease represents a spectrum disease from a nonerosive to a complicated one, or whether it is a categorial disease, i.e. it can be divided into three categories, such as nonerosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease, erosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus (BE) with little or no transition from one category to the other. This controversy might be of general interest, because it has some implications in the management of the patient.Nutritional aspects in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders and motor dysfunction in the gut: Working team report of the Swedish Motility Group (SMoG)
In reviews regarding the management of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders and motility disturbances within the gut nutritional aspects and dietary advice is often put forward as being of great importance. However, there are relatively few high-quality, interventional studies in the literature supporting an important role for general dietary advice to improve symptoms in these patients. Nutritional supplementation to patients with malnutrition due to severe dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is of course less controversial, even though different views on how this should be performed exist.Push-and-pull enteroscopy using the double-balloon technique/double-balloon enteroscopy
Push-and-Pull enteroscopy/Double balloon enteroscopy (PPE/DBE) allows enteroscopy of the entire small bowel, or at least a substantial part of it. The complication rate is acceptably low. Severe complications such as pancreatitis and perforation were encountered in the literature in approximately 1% of all diagnostic PPE/DBEs. It can be expected that the complication rate of therapeutic PPE/DBEs is higher, comparable with the conventional endoscopy. The diagnostic yield is high, at approximately 75%, as is the therapeutic yield.Antibiotic resistance: the pros and cons of probiotics
For the prevention of intestinal disorders, probiotics can be rendered multidrug resistant to survive in the presence of co-administered antibiotics. This generates the possibility of resistance transfer from the probiotic to human bacterial pathogens, either directly or indirectly via the commensal flora. This article reviews the experiments to be performed and the criteria for assessment of safety of antibiotic resistant probiotics.New frontiers in biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma represents the fifth most frequent cancer in the world; it commonly occurs on cirrhotic liver. Prognosis and survival are still poor, mainly because of diagnosis at a late stage and/or recurrence of the disease. For this reason, surveillance strategies are widely used to screen for early occurrence of cancer in populations at risk. Alpha-foetoprotein is so far the only serological marker available, but its diagnostic accuracy is unsatisfactory because of low sensitivity despite reliable specificity.
