Search

Somchai Amornyotin1,3, Udom Kachintorn2,3, Wiyada Chalayonnawin1,3, Siriporn Kongphlay1,31Department of Anesthesiology, 2Department of Medicine, 3Siriraj GI Endoscopy Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandIntroduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of propofol-based deep sedation (PBDS) for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure in sick (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] physical status III–IV) and nonsick (ASA physical status I–II) elderly patients in a teaching hospital in Thailand.Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of the anesthesia or sedation service records of elderly patients who underwent ERCP procedures from October 2007 to September 2008. All patients were classified into two groups according to the ASA physical status. In group A, the patients had ASA physical status I–II, while in group B, the patients had ASA physical status III–IV. The primary outcome variable of the study was the successful completion of the procedure. The secondary outcome variables were sedation-related adverse events during and immediately after the procedure.Results: There were 158 elderly patients who underwent ERCP procedure by using PBDS during the study period. Of these, 109 patients were in group A and 49 patients were in group B. There were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, duration of ERCP, indication of procedure, and the mean dose of fentanyl, propofol, and midazolam between the two groups. All patients in both groups successfully completed the procedure except eight patients in group A and three patients in group B (P = 0.781). Overall, respiratory and cardiovascular adverse events in both groups were not significantly different. All adverse events were easily treated, with no adverse sequelae.Conclusion: In the setting of a developing country, PBDS for ERCP procedure in sick elderly patients by trained anesthetic personnel with appropriate monitoring was safe and effective. The clinical efficacy of this technique in sick elderly patients was not different or worse than in nonsick elderly patients. Serious adverse events were rare in our population.Keywords: deep sedation, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, propofol (ERCP), sick, elderly, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), developing country

A prospective study was designed to investigate the causes of chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients in Thailand. Forty-five patients from Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Hospital were enrolled. Extensive investigations included multiple stool examinations for ova and parasites, using the stool formalin-ether concentration method, stool culture, stool acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stain, stool modified AFB stain, esophagogastroduoscopy with duodenal aspirate and biopsy, and colonoscopy with biopsy. Biopsied specimens were examined with H&E, Giemsa, Gram, Periodic acid Schiff, and AFB stains. Definitive causes were found in 29 patients (64.4%). Of these 29, 7 patients were found to habor more than 1 pathogen (15.5%). The most commonly found enteric pathogen was Cryptosporidium parvum (20.0%). Less frequently found pathogens were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (17.8%), Salmonella spp. (15.5%), Cytomegalovirus (11.1%), Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (6.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.4%), Giardia lamblia (4.4%), Cryptococcus neoformans (2.2%), Histoplasma capsulatum (2.2%), Campylobacter jejun (2.2%), and Cyclospora cayetanensis (2.2%). Salmonella spp., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infections were shown to be more common in Thailand than in African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The attachment of a transparent hood to the colonoscope tip has been reported to offer some benefits, such as enabling the endoscopist to perform the colonoscopy more easily and to save time. However, there have been no randomized, controlled trials concerning these benefits, nor have any reports been published regarding the use of hoods for the purpose of training colonoscopists. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the possible benefits of the transparent soft short hood when used by both experienced and trainee endoscopist groups.Methods: This randomized, controlled trial to assess the results of using a transparent soft short hood attached to the tip of the colonoscope was undertaken by two groups of investigators: experienced endoscopists and gastroenterologist trainees. The cecal and ileal intubation times, as well as the doses of sedative medication required, were analyzed.Results: A total of 112 patients, 65 of whom were female, underwent colonoscopy by 2 endoscopists and 5 gastroenterologist trainees. Colonoscopy was complete in 100% of the patients. The study showed significant shortening of the cecal intubation time when using the soft short hood, in both the endoscopist and gastroenterologist trainee groups (6.8/4.61 min, P = 0.006; and 9.36/7.36 min, P = 0.03). The ileal intubation time had a trend to be significantly less when using the transparent hood in the trainee group (126.4/52.9 s), although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). The average dose of propofol, when using the transparent hood, was significantly lower in the endoscopist group (180/120 mg, P = 0.001). No significant complications occurred in the hood or non-hood groups.Conclusions: The transparent soft short hood shortened the cecal intubation time in both the experienced endoscopist and gastroenterologist trainee groups, as well as reducing the dose of sedative medication required in the experienced endoscopist group. Interestingly, it also reduced the trainee ileal intubation time. The attachment of this type of hood enabled both the experienced endoscopists and gastroenterological trainees to perform colonoscopy more quickly and easily, without any complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Age and alarm features are commonly used as indicators for endoscopy in dyspeptic patients; however, the age cut-off and the predictive value of these parameters for identifying upper gastrointestinal (UGI) malignancies are uncertain., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Data were extracted from the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Centre of Siriraj Hospital, Thailand, during 2005-2011., Participants: Consecutive patients underwent a first-time upper endoscopy for dyspepsia. Patients with previous surgery, suspected UGI malignancy by imaging, or indefinite biopsy results on prior examination were excluded., Main Outcome Measures: Alarm features included dysphagia, unintentional weight loss, GI bleeding/anaemia, and persistent vomiting. The diagnostic performance of each alarm feature and different age cut-off values were evaluated., Results: A total of 4664 patients (mean age: 52.0±14.4 years, 66% female) were included. Alarm symptoms were presented in 21.6%. The prevalence of active Helicobacter pylori infection was 26.3%. Fifty-eight (1.2%) patients had UGI malignancy. The prevalence of malignancy significantly increased with increasing age (0.6% in patients aged <50 years, and 1.8% in patients aged >60 years (p<0.001)). Cancer was found in two patients aged <50 years who did not have alarm features. Patients with alarm features had a higher prevalence of malignancy (OR 22.3, 95% CI 10.5 to 47.4; p<0.001) than those without. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of alarm features for UGI malignancy were 87.0%, 79.1%, 4.7% and 99.8%, respectively. Among all age groups, persistent vomiting had a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) >10, while dysphagia and GI bleeding/anaemia had a PLR >10 in patients <50 years old., Conclusion: Despite the overall limited value of age and alarm features, persistent vomiting, dysphagia, and GI bleeding/anaemia are strong predictors for malignancy in patients aged <50 years. Without these symptoms, cancer prevalence is negligible; thus, they are worthy guidance for endoscopic evaluation in this age group., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: The Asia-Pacific consensus on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the GERD treatment guidelines of 2015 drawn up by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology were proposed, and GERD management in Asian regions was assumed to be performed based on these consensuses. In this environment, the current status of GERD management in clinical practice among Asian regions is less well-known., Objective: This questionnaire-based consensus survey was performed to clarify the current status of management of GERD in clinical practice in Asian regions., Methods: A questionnaire related to management of GERD was distributed to members of the International Gastroenterology Consensus Symposium Study Group. We analyzed the questionnaire responses and compared the results among groups., Results: The frequencies of erosive GERD (ERD), non-ERD, uninvestigated GERD, and Barrett's esophagus varied significantly among Asian countries. The most important factor in diagnosing GERD was the presence of symptoms in all countries. A proton pump inhibitor was the most commonly prescribed drug to treat GERD in all countries. Endoscopic surveillance for GERD was performed regularly., Conclusion: This questionnaire survey revealed the current status of management of GERD in clinical practice in various Asian countries., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background/aims: To elucidate the current management of ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated cancer, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to gather current opinions on colitis-associated cancer in different East Asian countries., Methods: The questionnaire, based on physicians, contains 9 questions focused on UC management and cancer surveillance. In addition, the questionnaire based on neoplastic cases, which contains 17 questions, was collected and analyzed., Results: With regard to the diagnosis of UC-associated cancer, most respondents started surveillance colonoscopy within 10 years from onset, favored targeted biopsies, and thought advanced imaging was useful. As for morphology, the frequency of elevated lesion and type 4 lesions was most common in early and advanced cancer, respectively. Peritoneal metastasis was frequently observed, and undifferentiated tumor was frequently developed. Laparoscopic surgery was widely used because it is less invasive. The prognostic outcome was poor, particularly in stage III and undifferentiated type., Conclusions: The current survey elucidated the current management in Asian countries and characteristics of colitis-associated cancer in these countries., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: Guidelines on the management of antithrombotic therapy for endoscopic procedures vary among countries. Differences in the management of antithrombotic agents for endoscopic procedures between Western and Eastern countries have already been reported. However, no study has investigated the differences among Asian countries. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in the etiology of gastrointestinal bleeding and management of antithrombotic agents during endoscopic procedures between Japan and other Asian countries (OAC)., Methods: Questionnaires regarding gastrointestinal bleeding in clinical practice and management of antithrombotic agents during endoscopy were distributed to members of the International Gastroenterology Consensus Symposium Study Group. We analyzed the questionnaire answers and compared the results between Japan and OAC., Results: The cause of and treatment methods for gastrointestinal bleeding differed between Japan and OAC. In Japan, the trend was to continue drugs at the time of biopsy and endoscopic therapy. Even in cases of discontinuation, the drug withdrawal period was as short as <3 days. Thrombotic complications caused by the withdrawal of antithrombotic agents were observed more frequently in Japan (34.78%) than in OAC (22.46%; p = 0.016)., Conclusion: Due to differences in guidelines and complications associated with discontinuation of drugs, the antithrombotic withdrawal period in Japan tended to be shorter than that in OAC., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary among countries in terms of availability of modalities, affordability of health care resource, health care policy and cultural background. This may be the case in different countries in Eastern Asia. The aim of this study was to determine and understand the differences in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of IBD between Japan and the rest of Asian countries (ROA)., Methods: Questionnaires with regard to clinical practice in IBD were distributed to members of the International Gastroenterology Consensus Symposium Study Group. The responders were allowed to select multiple items for each question, as multiple modalities are frequently utilized in the diagnosis and the management of IBD. Dependency and independency of selected items for each question were evaluated by the Bayesian network analysis., Results: The selected diagnostic modalities were not very different between Japan and ROA, except for those related to small bowel investigations. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy and small bowel follow through are frequently used in Japan, while CT/MR enterography is popular in ROA. Therapeutic modalities for IBD depend on availability of such modalities in clinical practice. As far as modalities commonly available in both regions are concerned, there seemed to be similarity in the selection of each therapeutic modality. However, evaluation of dependency of separate therapeutic modalities by Bayesian network analysis disclosed some difference in therapeutic strategies between Japan and ROA., Conclusion: Although selected modalities showed some similarity, Bayesian network analysis elicited certain differences in the clinical approaches combining multiple modalities in various aspects of IBD between Japan and ROA., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Although gastroesophageal reflux disease is not as common in Asia as in western countries, the prevalence has increased substantially during the past decade. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with considerable reductions in subjective well-being and work productivity, as well as increased healthcare use. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are currently the most effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, there are limitations associated with these drugs in terms of partial and non-response. Dexlansoprazole is the first PPI with a dual delayed release formulation designed to provide 2 separate releases of medication to extend the duration of effective plasma drug concentration. Dexlansoprazole has been shown to be effective for healing of erosive esophagitis, and to improve subjective well-being by controlling 24-hour symptoms. Dexlansoprazole has also been shown to achieve good plasma concentration regardless of administration with food, providing flexible dosing. Studies in healthy volunteers showed no clinically important effects on exposure to the active metabolite of clopidogrel or clopidogrel-induced platelet inhibition, with no dose adjustment of clopidogrel necessary when coprescribed. This review discusses the role of the new generation PPI, dexlansoprazole, in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia.

Background: Gastrointestinal endoscopy and Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) eradication therapy are commonly performed even among the elderly population. The aim of this study was to understand the way endoscopists viewed the application of endoscopy and H. pylori eradication in the elderly of East Asian countries., Methods: Self-administered questionnaires containing 13 questions on endoscopy and H. pylori eradication in the elderly were distributed to major institutions in Japan, South Korea, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines., Results: Two hundred and fifteen endoscopists (111 in Japan, 39 in China, 24 in Korea, 21 in Indonesia, and 20 in the Philippines) participated in this study. In the institutions where these endoscopists were associated, around 50% of patients undergoing endoscopy were above the age of 60 years. The participating endoscopists indicated that the necessity of screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy was lower in populations aged over 81 than the other age groups. They hesitated to perform therapeutic endoscopy, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, more often in patients over 85. They also hesitated to perform H. pylori eradication in patients aged over 81, especially in Japan., Conclusion: Endoscopists had significantly different attitudes regarding the indications for screening or therapeutic endoscopy and H. pylori eradication therapy in younger and elderly populations in East Asian countries., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Aim: Sociocultural factors are important because their different effects on the features of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) between countries will provide clues towards solving this problem. The aims of this study were to depict the clinical realities of IBS in East Asian countries and test the hypothesis that the diagnosis and treatment of IBS differ between countries., Subjects and Methods: Study participants were 251 physicians involved in the clinical practice of IBS at major institutions in Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore. The questionnaire contained 45 questions focused on the clinical practice of IBS., Results: Subjects in Japan, South Korea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore accounted for 55.4, 17.9, 8.8, 8.0, 6.4 and 3.6% of the study cohort, respectively. Amongst East Asian physicians, the most important symptom was considered to be abdominal pain by 33.4%, whilst 24.3% regarded alternating diarrhea and constipation to be the most important symptoms. Total colonoscopy and histopathology use showed no difference among countries. Prescriptions given for mild (p < 0.0001), moderate (p < 0.0001), severe (p < 0.0001), intractable (p = 0.002), diarrheal (p < 0.0001) and constipating (p < 0.0001) patients with IBS significantly differed between the countries. Except for several minor points, IBS specialists showed no significant difference in their diagnosis and treatment of IBS when compared to nonspecialists., Conclusion: This survey provided data on the clinical treatment of IBS among East Asian countries. The results supported the hypothesis that the diagnosis and treatment of IBS differs between countries., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The symptoms of small bowel malignancies are mild and frequently nonspecific, thus patients are often not diagnosed until the disease is at an advanced stage. Moreover, the lack of sufficient studies and available data on small bowel cancer makes diagnosis difficult, further delaying proper treatment for these patients. In fact, only a small number of published studies exist, and there are no studies specific to Thailand. Radiologic and endoscopic studies and findings may allow physicians to better understand the disease, leading to earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes., Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical, radiologic, and endoscopic characteristics of small bowel cancer patients in Thailand's Siriraj Hospital., Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis included 185 adult patients (97 men, 88 women; mean age = 57.6±14.9) with pathologically confirmed small bowel cancer diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2013. Clinical, radiologic, and endoscopic findings were collected and compared between each subtype of small bowel cancer., Results: Of the 185 patients analyzed, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) was the most common diagnosis (39.5%, n=73). Adenocarcinoma was the second most common (25.9%, n = 48), while lymphoma and all other types were identified in 24.3% (n = 45) and 10.3% (n = 19) of cases, respectively. The most common symptoms were weight loss (43.2%), abdominal pain (38.4%), and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (23.8%)., Conclusions: Based on radiology and endoscopy, this study revealed upper gastrointestinal bleeding, an intra-abdominal mass, and a sub-epithelial mass as common symptoms of GIST. Obstruction and ulcerating/circumferential masses were findicative of adenocarcinoma, as revealed by radiology and endoscopy, respectively. Finally, no specific symptoms were related to lymphoma.

Background and Aim: Data on patient satisfaction with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are scarce in Asia. The perspectives of Asian patients with GERD and their satisfaction with PPI therapy were investigated., Methods: The GERD in Asia Pacific Survey (GAPS) was conducted from December 2011 to March 2012. Patients aged 21-55 years with self-reported doctor-diagnosed GERD, who had experienced symptoms in the previous 12 months, and were currently taking PPIs were enrolled. After a pilot study, a questionnaire was completed by respondents from six Asian countries during face-to-face interviews., Results: A total of 450 patients with GERD participated in the GAPS. Although the respondents generally complied with treatment, response to therapy was only partially successful. Most respondents indicated that PPIs eliminated pain (72%), took effect within 30 min (76%), provided sustained relief (73%), and provided nocturnal relief (77%). However, 45% of respondents reported limited improvement in nocturnal symptoms, and 49% continued to take adjunctive therapy to manage their symptoms. After treatment, respondent's "well-being" had improved. However, GERD still had a negative impact on well-being for 76% of respondents after treatment, compared with 94% before treatment., Conclusions: Asian patients reported a negative impact of GERD on their daily lives. Many respondents continued to experience symptoms despite reporting good compliance with PPI therapy, emphasizing the shortcomings of currently available therapy for GERD. This survey is the first to highlight Asian patients' perspectives of GERD and PPI therapy, and provides a platform for further evaluation., (© 2014 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Background/aims: To report gastric emptying scintigraphy, normal values should be established for a specific protocol. The aim of this study was to provide normal gastric emptying values and determine factors affecting gastric emptying using Asian rice-based meal in healthy volunteers., Methods: One hundred and ninety-two healthy volunteers were included at 7 tertiary care centers across Thailand. Gastric emptying scintigraphy was acquired in 45 degree left anterior oblique view immediately after ingestion of a 267 kcal steamed-rice with technetium-99m labeled-microwaved egg meal with 100 mL water for up to 4 hours., Results: One hundred and eighty-nine volunteers (99 females, age 43 ± 14 years) completed the study. The medians (5-95th percentiles) of lag time, gastric emptying half time (GE T1/2) and percent gastric retentions at 2 and 4 hours for all volunteers were 18.6 (0.5-39.1) minutes, 68.7 (45.1-107.8) minutes, 16.3% (2.7-49.8%) and 1.1% (0.2-8.8%), respectively. Female volunteers had significantly slower gastric emptying compared to male (GE T1/2, 74 [48-115] minutes vs. 63 (41-96) minutes; P < 0.05). Female volunteers who were in luteal phase of menstrual cycle had significantly slower gastric emptying compared to those in follicular phase or menopausal status (GE T1/2, 85 [66-102] mintes vs. 69 [50-120] minutes or 72 [47-109] minutes, P < 0.05). All of smoking volunteers were male. Smoker male volunteers had significantly faster gastric emptying compared to non-smoker males (GE T1/2, 56 [44-80] minutes vs. 67 [44-100] minutes, P < 0.05). Age, body mass index and alcohol consumption habits did not affect gastric emptying values., Conclusions: A steamed-rice with microwaved egg meal was well tolerated by healthy volunteers. Gender, menstrual status and smoking status were found to affect solid gastric emptying.

Background and Aim: The prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are lower in East Asia than in Western countries; however, marked increases have recently been reported. The clinical diagnosis and medical management of IBD in East Asia differ from those in Western countries. A questionnaire-based survey was performed to gather physicians' current opinions on IBD in different East Asian countries., Methods: Representative International Gastrointestinal Consensus Symposium (IGICS) committee members provided a questionnaire to physicians in each East Asian country studied. The questionnaire mainly focused on the diagnosis and management of IBD., Results: There were 19 respondents from Japan, 10 from South Korea, 9 from the Philippines, 6 from China and 4 from Indonesia. Colonoscopy (100%) and histopathology (63%) were commonly used for the diagnosis in ulcerative colitis (UC). Conventional small bowel enteroclysis was still the most common diagnostic tool for assessing small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease (CD) in East Asia. The percentage of physicians who investigated the reactivation of Cytomegalovirus in severe or refractory patients with UC ranged from 0% in the Philippines and Indonesia to 100% in Japan and Korea. Most physicians in Korea, the Philippines, China and Indonesia chose thiopurines or anti-TNF therapy as the second-line treatment in severe refractory UC, whereas Japanese physicians preferred to use tacrolimus or leukocyte apheresis. Physicians in the Philippines and Indonesia preferred to use oral 5-aminosalicylic acid for newly diagnosed severe ileocecal CD. In contrast, Korean physicians chose oral steroids and most physicians in China and Japan preferred to use anti-TNF. Nutritional therapy to induce or maintain remission in patients with CD was commonly used in Indonesia, Japan and China. Targeted biopsies by conventional colonoscopy were the most preferred strategy for cancer surveillance in long-standing UC over random biopsies in this region., Conclusions: The present survey found that current diagnostic approaches and clinical management of IBD vary within East Asian countries.

Aim: To investigate the yield, etiologies and impact of capsule endoscopy (CE) in Thai patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB)., Methods: The present study is a retrospective cohort study. All patients with OGIB who underwent CE in Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand during 2005-2009 were included in the study. All the patients' medical records and results of the CE videos were reviewed. CE findings were classified as significant, suspicious/equivocal and negative. Sites of the lesions were located to duodenum, jejunum, jejunoileum, ileum and diffuse lesions by the localization device of the CE. Impact of CE on the patients' management was defined by any investigation or treatment given to the patients that was more than an iron supplement or blood transfusion. Patients' outcomes (rebleeding, persistent bleeding, anemia or requirement of blood transfusion) were collected from chart reviews and direct phone interviews with the patients., Results: Overall, there were 103 patients with OGIB included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 64 ± 16 years (range 9-88 years) and 57 patients (55%) were male. Types of OGIB were overt in 80 (78%) and occult in 23 patients (22%). The median time interval of CE after onset of OGIB was 10 d (range 1-180 d). The median time of follow-up was 19 mo (range 1-54 mo). Capsules reached caecum in 77 patients (74%) and capsule retention was found in 1 patient (1%). The diagnostic yield of CE revealed significant lesions in 37 patients (36%), suspicious/equivocal lesions in 15 patients (15%) and 51 patients (49%) had negative CE result. Among the significant lesions, the bleeding etiologies were small bowel ulcers in 44%, angiodysplasia in 27%, small bowel tumor in 13%, miscellaneous in 8% and active bleeding without identifiable causes in 8%. Patients with small bowel ulcers were significantly associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (48%, P = 0.034), while patients with small bowel tumors were more commonly female (86%, P = 0.043) compared to the other etiologies. The rate of rebleeding, persistent bleeding or anemia in patients with positive, equivocal and negative CE results were 5%, 0% and 18%, respectively (P = 0.078). All the 9 patients with rebleeding after negative CE were subsequently found to be from hematologic disorders (4), colonic diverticulosis (2), colonic Dieulafoy's (1), hemorrhoid (1) and hemosuccus pancreaticus (1). Results of CE had a positive impact on the patients' management in 35% of the patients whose results were positive, but none on the patients whose results were equivocal or negative CE (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: In Thai OGIB patients, CE had low yield and small bowel ulcer was most common. Positive CE impacted managements and outcomes. Negative CE caused low rebleeding.

Aim: To study the anesthetic management of patients undergoing small bowel enteroscopy in the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) Endoscopy Training Center in Thailand., Methods: Patients who underwent small bowel enteroscopy during the period of March 2005 to March 2011 in Siriraj Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' characteristics, pre-anesthetic problems, anesthetic techniques, anesthetic agents, anesthetic time, type and route of procedure and anesthesia-related complications were assessed., Results: One hundred and forty-four patients underwent this procedure during the study period. The mean age of the patients was 57.6 ± 17.2 years, and most were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class II (53.2%). Indications for this procedure were gastrointestinal bleeding (59.7%), chronic diarrhea (14.3%), protein losing enteropathy (2.6%) and others (23.4%). Hematologic disease, hypertension, heart disease and electrolyte imbalance were the most common pre-anesthetic problems. General anesthesia with endotracheal tube was the anesthetic technique mainly employed (50.6%). The main anesthetic agents administered were fentanyl, propofol and midazolam. The mean anesthetic time was 94.0 ± 50.5 min. Single balloon and oral (antegrade) intubation was the most common type and route of enteroscopy. The anesthesia-related complication rate was relatively high. The overall and cardiovascular-related complication rates including hypotension in the older patient group (aged ≥ 60 years old) were significantly higher than those in the younger group., Conclusion: During anesthetic management for small bowel enteroscopy, special techniques and drugs are not routinely required. However, for safety reasons anesthetic personnel need to optimize the patient's condition.

Background and Aim: Environmental factors such as food, lifestyle and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection are widely different in Asian countries compared with the West, and physiological functions and genetic factors of Asians may also be different from those of Westerners. Establishing an Asian consensus for functional dyspepsia is crucial in order to attract attention to such data from Asian countries, to articulate the experience and views of Asian experts, and to provide a relevant guide on management of functional dyspepsia for primary care physicians working in Asia., Methods: Consensus team members were selected from Asian experts and consensus development was carried out by using a modified Delphi method. Consensus teams collected published papers on functional dyspepsia especially from Asia and developed candidate consensus statements based on the generated clinical questions. At the first face-to-face meeting, each statement was reviewed and e-mail voting was done twice. At the second face-to-face meeting, final voting on each statement was done using a keypad voting system. A grade of evidence and strength of recommendation were applied to each statement according to the method of the GRADE Working Group., Results: Twenty-nine consensus statements were finalized, including seven for definition and diagnosis, five for epidemiology, nine for pathophysiology, and eight for management. Algorithms for diagnosis and management of functional dyspepsia were added., Conclusions:   This consensus developed by Asian experts shows distinctive features of functional dyspepsia in Asia and will provide a guide to the diagnosis and management of functional dyspepsia for Asian primary care physicians., (© 2011 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the demographic data, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) characteristics of the sub-epithelial lesions, pathology results, complications and long-term follow-up of the patients whom referred for EUS evaluation at Siriraj Hospital., Material and Method: From January 2008-June 2011, a total of 61 cases was referred for EUS evaluation due to subepithelial lesions. The endoscopic reports, pathology results and the patients' medical records were reviewed. The present study was approved by Siriraj Institutional Review Board., Results: A total of 61 patients were referred for evaluation of subepithelial lesions, 6 of them were excluded. Thus, 55 cases were analyzed. The mean age was 57.7 +/- 13.8 years (27-87 years). Sixty seven percent were female. Only one-third of the patients had symptoms. The provisional diagnosis of the sub-epithelial lesions, regarding only clinical and endosonographic characteristics were GIST neuroendocrine tumor (NET), pancreatic rest, lipoma, granular cell tumor and others (70.9%, 9.1%, 9.1%, 3.6%, 3.6% and 3.6% respectively). All the lesions were diagnosed as GIST originating from either the forth layer (97.4%) or the second layer (2.6%) of gastric or duodenal wall. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 13 patients (23.6%). The positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of diagnosis of GIST made by endosonographers based on only endosonographic characteristics were 85, 100 and 86% (95% CI: 62.4%-94.4%) respectively., Conclusion: Most of the subepithelial lesions which were referred for EUS evaluation at Siriraj Hospital were GISTs. The diagnosis of GISTcan be accurately made by using the EUS based on only endosonographic characteristics. FNA should be done for the large sized GIST. For small sized GIST (< 3 cm), FNA might not be beneficial but a 1year interval follow-up with EUS is recommended.

Objective: To examine the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) guided Fine needle Aspiration of liver nodules in patients suspected of having primary and metastatic malignancy, as well as the sonographic characteristics of liver nodules, complications and impact on long-term treatment., Material and Method: The medical records and endoscopic reports of 14 patients, performed by single endoscopist, who underwent EUS guided FNA of liver nodules from January 2009 to December 2010 and who were enrolled in the present study., Results: 12 male and 2 female patients were enrolled, aged between 53-82 median 63 years. 21% of the cases were hepatocellular carcinoma. The sensitivity of diagnosis of malignant liver lesions according to cytology was 78.5%. When the clinical course and pathology which indicated atypical cells were combined, the sensitivity was 100% for malignancy. There were no complications after the procedure. The impact on the treatment plan was 64%., Conclusion: The sensitivity for EUS guided FNA for liver nodules which were suspicious for liver malignancy was high. No complications were observed and the pathology results had 64% impact on the treatment plan.

The term "Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer syndrome (AHRUS)" has been denoted as a pathological entity that consists of lower gastrointestinal bleeding with unique clinical features. The common setting can be found in elderly patients who were hospitalized with multiple comorbidities. The typical location is around the dentate line. The predominant feature of these ulcers is profuse and painless rectal bleeding. Currently, this condition has not been established worldwide and it has never been reported in Thailand. The authors reported nine cases of AHRUS. These cases were reviewed from the records of endoscopic procedures which were performed at Siriraj Endoscopy Center between September-December 2006. All underwent complete colonoscopy to evaluate endoscopic appearances. Histopathologic findings were thoroughly reviewed. The characteristics of the ulcers are multiple, round or oval shape located just above the dentate line, with/without evidence of bleeding stigmata. Histopathologic features included superficial necrosis, erosions with acute inflammatory cell infiltration and evidence of recent hemorrhage, all of which were confined to the mucosal layer. No organisms were discovered from the lesions. In conclusion, this is the first review of AHRUS which is an uncommon cause of hematochezia in Thailand. Although this clinical entity is not well established in Western countries, the rising incidence of AHRUS in Asia warrants further investigation into its pathogenesis, treatment and prevention.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is considered as an effective technique to obtain cytology specimens for definite diagnosis of the patients who were suspected of having pancreatic cancer and unknown intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. The value of repeated EUS-FNA in these patients who had inconclusive first EUS-FNA cytology is not well established., Objective: To determine the yield of repeated EUS-FNA in obtaining a definite diagnosis in patients with clinically suspect for pancreatic cancer and unknown intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy including the reasons for which initial EUS-FNA failed., Material and Method: The authors retrospectively reviewed the EUS database of Siriraj endoscopy center from January 2007 to May 2011, to identify all patients who underwent repeated EUS-FNA for high index suspicion of pancreatic cancer and unknown intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. The inconclusive results of the first EUS-FNA, the factors associated with non-diagnosed versus diagnosed cytology results were compared., Results: A total of 478 EUS- FNA were performed in our institution. Fifteen patients (6M, 9F), mean age of 57 +/- 11.8 years (30-72 years) had repeated EUS-FNA done for the evaluation of possible malignant diseases. Eight of these patients presented with pancreatic masses and the other seven patients had unknown intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. The second EUS-FNA diagnosed and was truly benign in 4 patients. Repeated EUS-FNA facilitated determination of the true status of the disease in 13 of 15 patients which 9 of whom were malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of repeated EUS-FNA for both inconclusive pancreatic masses and unknown intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy were 90%, 100%, 100%, 80% and 92.8% respectively., Conclusion: Repeated EUS-FNA for inconclusive initial cytology of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer and unknown intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy provided a very high yield for definite tissue diagnosis and should be recommended.

Background and Aim. New diagnostic or therapeutic methods in endoscopy have been used. Current clinical application of these procedures is not well known. The aim of this study is to investigate the present situation on endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in East Asian countries. Method. A representative member from the International Gastrointestinal Consensus Symposium Committee provided a questionnaire to physicians in China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. Results. In total, 514 physicians including gastroenterologists, surgeons, and general practitioners enrolled. The most frequently occurring disorder as the origin of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is gastric ulcer. Capsule endoscopy is selected as the first choice for the diagnosis of small intestine bleeding. The second choice was double-balloon endoscopy or angiography. For patients with gastric adenoma, the number of physicians who choose endoscopic mucosal resection is larger than those selecting endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. ESD is chosen first in Japan and Korea. Conclusion. New instruments or techniques on endoscopy have not come into wide use yet, and there is diversity in the situation on it in Asian countries. We should unify the endoscopic diagnostic criteria or treated strategy in patients with GI disease.

Background/aims: Endoscopic definitions and management of Barrett's esophagus vary widely among countries. To examine the current situation regarding diagnosis, epidemiology, management and treatment of Barrett's esophagus in East Asian countries using a questionnaire-based survey., Methods: Representative members of the Committee of the International Gastrointestinal Consensus Symposium developed and sent a questionnaire to major institutions in China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines., Results: A total of 56 institutions in the 6 countries participated in the survey. We found that the presence of specialized columnar metaplasia is considered to be important for diagnosing Barrett's esophagus in East Asian countries except for Japan. C&M criteria have not been well accepted in East Asia. The palisade vessels are mainly used as a landmark for the esophagogastric junction in Japan. The prevalence of long segment Barrett's esophagus is extremely low in East Asia, while the prevalence of short segment Barrett's esophagus is very high only in Japan, likely due to different diagnostic criteria., Conclusion: Among East Asian countries, we found both similarities and differences regarding diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus. The findings in the present survey are helpful to understand the current situation of Barrett's esophagus in East Asian countries., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Results of screening colonoscopy from Western countries reported adenoma detection rates (ADRs) of 30-40% while those from Asia had ADR as low as 10%. There have been limited data regarding screening colonoscopy in Thailand. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine polyp and adenoma detection rates in Thai people, to evaluate the incidence of colorectal cancer detected during screening colonoscopy and to determine the endoscopic findings of the polyps which might have some impact on endoscopists to perform polypectomy., Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective electronic chart review of asymptomatic Thai adults who underwent screening colonoscopy in our endoscopic center from June 2007 to October 2010., Results: A total of 1,594 cases were reviewed. The patients had an average age of 58.3 ± 10.5 years (range 27-82) and 55.5% were female. Most of the cases (83.8%) were handled by staff who were endoscopists. A total of 488 patients (30.6%) were reported to have colonic polyps. Left-sided colon was the most common site (45.1%), followed by right-sided colon (36.5%) and the rectum (18%). Those polyps were removed in 97.5% of cases and 88.5 % of the polyps were sent for histopathology (data lost 11.5%). Two hundred and sixty three cases had adenomatous polyps, accounting for 16.5 % ADR. Advanced adenomas were detected in 43 cases (2.6%). Hyperplastic polyps were mainly located distal to the splenic flexure of the colon whereas adenomas were found throughout the large intestine. Ten cases (0.6%) were found to have colorectal cancer. Four advanced adenomas and two malignant polyps were reported in lesions ≤ 5 mm., Conclusion: The polyp detection rate, adenoma detection rate, advanced adenoma detection rate and colorectal cancer detection rate in the screening colonoscopy of Thai adults were 30.9%, 16.5%, 2.6% and 0.6% respectively. Malignant transformation was detected regardless of the size and location of the polyps. Therefore, new technology would play an important role indistinguishing polyps.

Background: The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is high, and colorectal cancer (CRC) has significantly increased in Asian countries., Aim: To examine the current screening for GC and CRC within East Asia by means of a questionnaire survey., Methods: Representative members of the Committee of the International Gastrointestinal Consensus Symposium provided a questionnaire to physicians in six East Asian countries., Results: A total of 449 physicians participated in this survey. In all countries, more than 70% of physicians started GC screening between 40 and 59 years. The most popular method to screen for GC was endoscopy (92.7%), but combination methods such as Helicobacter pylori (HP) antibody, barium X-ray, and tumor marker with endoscopy differed by country. For HP-positive individuals, most physicians screened every year by endoscopy, and for individuals post-HP eradication, about half of physicians (56.3%) thought there was a need to follow-up with GC screening. Among all physicians, the most common age to start CRC screening was in the 40s (39.8%) and 50s (40.9%). Based on the American Cancer Society Recommendations, a fecal occult blood test every year was the most popular method for CRC screening overall. However, among each country, this test was most popular in only Japan (76.9%) and Indonesia. In other countries, sigmoidoscopy every 5 years and total colonoscopy every 10 years were the most popular methods., Conclusion: There are similarities and differences in the screening of GC and CRC among East Asian countries., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Dyspepsia is a syndrome consisting of epigastric pain, burning, fullness, discomfort, early satiety, nausea, vomiting and belching. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is diagnosed if upper gastrointestinal endoscopy does not show structural abnormality explaining these symptoms. 8%-30% and 8%-23% of Asian people suffer from of uninvestigated dyspepsia and FD, respectively. Most patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia are found to have FD. Patients with FD are usually young and there is no predilection to any gender. Overlap of FD with other functional bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in Asia. Cultural difference in reporting of symptoms of dyspepsia is well-known. Moreover, dietary factors, socio-cultural and psychological issues, gastrointestinal infection including that caused by Helicobacter pylori, frequency of organic diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer responsible for dyspeptic symptoms in the study population may also influence epidemiology of dyspepsia. There is considerable heterogeneity in the above issues among different Asian countries. More studies on epidemiology of FD are needed in Asia.