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Background and Aim: AmplifEYE is a mucosal exposure device mounted to the tip of colonoscope to improve polyp or adenoma detection. We aim to compare the adenoma detection rates (ADR) of AmplifEYE‐assisted colonoscopy (AC) with standard colonoscopy (SC). Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial involving patients aged 50 to 79 who underwent AC or SC in two centers. Procedures were performed by five experienced colonoscopists. Results: Three hundred fifty‐five patients were recruited, with 334 patients (170 AC and 164 SC) included into analysis. The ADR was numerically higher in AC (47.1%) versus SC (40.9%), P = 0.253. The polyp detection rate (PDR) in AC was 68.2% versus 54.3% in SC, P = 0.009, and serrated polyp detection rate (SDR) in AC was 37.6% versus 20.1% in SC, P < 0.001, both statistically significant higher in the study group. The mean cecal intubation time was shorter with AmplifEYE (8.0 min in AC vs 8.9 min in SC, P = 0.030), and there was no difference in pain score (3 in AC vs 4 in SC, P = 0.121). Conclusions: AmplifEYE‐assisted colonoscopy significantly improved the PDR and SDR, while the ADR was numerically higher in AC that did not reach statistical significance. Using the device resulted in shorter cecal intubation time and did not cause more pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs but is often undiagnosed. The treatment paradigm for HCV patients has been changing since the availability of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. We aimed to evaluate the change in treatment paradigm of people who previously injected drugs (ex‐PWID) in Hong Kong before and after the availability of DAA. Method: Consecutive ex‐PWID referred from various nongovernmental organizations attended education talks at rehabilitation centers and received point‐of‐care rapid test for HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) at the same session. Subjects tested positive for anti‐HCV were invited to undergo further assessment. Afterwards, the patients were referred to the regional hospitals for follow‐up and/or treatment. Results: Three hundred sixty‐five ex‐PWID received HCV rapid test; 268 (73.4%) were found to be anti‐HCV positive. Among these 268 HCV‐positive ex‐PWID, 234 (87.3%) attended the assessment session (mean age 52 years, 90.2% male, 45.5% genotype 1b, 41.1% genotype 6a, and median liver stiffness 5.9 kPa); 187 (69.8%) attended follow‐up visits at regional hospitals. Seventy‐one patients received antiviral treatment for HCV; 69 first received peginterferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV), whereas 10 patients (eight PegIFN/RBV‐treated patients) received DAA treatment. Fifty‐two patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 or 24 weeks. Treatment uptake rates of PegIFN/RBV and DAA treatment in the pre‐DAA versus post‐DAA era were 22.3% versus 48.5% and 0% versus 15.6%, respectively. Conclusions: Targeted screening in ex‐PWID is effective in identifying patients with HCV infection in the community. To improve treatment uptake, further improvements in the referral system and treatment regimens are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim In registration studies, combination therapy of paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir (PrOD) with and without ribavirin for 12-24 weeks can achieve > 90% sustained virological response (SVR) for genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, data in Asia is scanty. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients in Hong Kong. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from six local hospitals that have prescribed PrOD with and without ribavirin to patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection as part of a global compassionate program. Results Among 41 patients treated, 35 (85%) patients had genotype 1b HCV infection, 6 (15%) had co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus, 35 (85%) failed previous peginterferon and ribavirin therapy, 25 (61%) had compensated liver cirrhosis, and 3 (7%) had liver transplantation. Thirty-five (85%) patients received 12-week treatment and six patients received 24-week treatment; 26 (63%) patients received ribavirin combination. Thirty-nine (95%; 95% confidence interval 88.5-100%) patients had undetectable HCV RNA at 12-week post-treatment, that is, SVR. The two patients who did not develop SVR discontinued treatment prematurely; both of them were treatment experienced with liver cirrhosis complicated by acute renal failure unrelated to the treatment of PrOD and ribavirin. No patient had hepatic decompensation. Conclusions Paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin is effective and safe in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection in real-life clinical setting in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]