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International audience; Background: The identification of early prognostic factors during Crohn's disease (CD) remains needed for physician decision-making to minimize structural bowel damage, which this study aimed to assess in a population-based setting. Methods: All incident cases of CD were prospectively registered from 1994 to 1997 in Brittany, a limited area of France. All charts of patients were reviewed from the diagnosis to the last clinic visit in 2015. Disabling CD course was defined according to the Saint-Antoine criteria. Results: Among the 331 incident cases of CD, 272 (82%) were followed-up for a median time of 12.8 years. The cumulative probability of developing stricturing or fistulizing CD was 66% at 15 years, and 107 (39%) patients underwent surgery. The cumulative probabilities of immunosuppressant and TNF antagonist use at 15 years were 37% and 22%, respectively. The cumulative risks for disabling disease and bowel damage were 74% and 71% at 15 years, respectively. Systemic symptoms and perianal lesions at diagnosis were independently associated with a disabling disease course. Perianal disease and short disease extension were associated with the onset of bowel damage. Deep ulcers was not predictive of any outcome. Conclusions: A disabling disease course and bowel damage occurred early in the course of CD, which suggests the need for early diagnosis and early treatment, particularly for patients with systematic symptoms and perianal disease.

Resume Objectif L’objectif de l’etude etait de decrire et comprendre l’importance et la variabilite des situations d’urgence de fin de vie en etablissement d'hebergement pour personnes âgees dependantes (EHPAD) et la maniere d’y faire face en termes pratique et organisationnel. Methode Une enquete transversale a ete conduite dans un echantillon d’EHPAD bretons dans lesquels tous les residents en situation de fin de vie le jour de l’enquete et les residents decedes au cours des 3 derniers mois ont ete inclus. Resultats Au total, 602 residents ont ete inclus au sein de 125 EHPAD et 41 situations d’urgence de fin de vie ont ete identifiees. Un transfert hospitalier avait ete decide dans 41,5 % des cas. L’hospitalisation etait consideree evitable par le professionnel coordinateur dans 28,6 % des cas. Les equipes mobiles de soins palliatifs et l’hospitalisation a domicile etaient identifiees comme structures ressources dans respectivement 83,9 % et 62,9 % des cas. La formation des professionnels aux soins palliatifs etait tres heterogene suivant les etablissements et seuls 12,6 % des EHPAD identifiaient un infirmier referent. Conclusions Certaines hospitalisations apparaissent evitables dans un contexte d’urgence de fin de vie. Les organisations susceptibles de favoriser le maintien en EHPAD sont heterogenes. Une meilleure connaissance des structures specialisees, le developpement d’une reflexion institutionnelle sur l’accompagnement de la fin de vie ainsi que l’elaboration precoce d’un projet de vie partage par le resident, les proches et les professionnels de sante apparaissent comme des pistes d’amelioration pour une meilleure prise en soin des residents en fin de vie en EHPAD.

International audience; BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The natural history of perianal Crohn’s disease (PCD) remains poorly described and is mainly based on retrospective studies from referral centres. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, outcomes and predictors of the onset of PCD. METHODS: All incident cases of patients diagnosed with possible CD were prospectively registered from 1994 to 1997 in Brittany, a limited area in France. At diagnosis, the clinical features of perianal disease were recorded. All patient charts were reviewed from the diagnosis to the last clinic visit in 2015. RESULTS: Among the 272 out of 331 incident CD patients followed up, 51 (18.7%) patients had PCD at diagnosis. After a mean follow-up of 12.8 years, 93 (34%) patients developed PCD. The cumulative probabilities of perianal CD occurrence were 22%, 29%, and 32% after 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years, respectively. The cumulative probabilities of anal ulceration were 14%, and 19% after 1 year and 10 years, respectively. Extraintestinal manifestations were associated with the occurrence of anal ulceration. The cumulative probabilities of fistulizing PCD were 11%, 16%, and 19% after 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years, respectively. Extraintestinal manifestations, rectal involvement and anal ulceration were predictors of fistulizing PCD. The cumulative probability of developing anal stricture was 4% after 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: PCD is frequently observed during CD, in approximately one-third of patients. These data underline the need for targeted therapeutic research on primary perianal lesions (proctitis, anal ulceration) to avoid the onset of fistulizing perianal disease.

Few studies have evaluated the efficacy or the cost of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) in the conservation of extended criteria donor (ECD) grafts from donation after brain death (DBD) donors during liver transplantation (LT). We performed a prospective, monocentric study (NCT03376074) designed to evaluate the interest of HOPE for ECD-DBD grafts. For comparison, a control group was selected after propensity score matching among patients who received transplants between 2010 and 2017. Between February and November 2018, the HOPE procedure was used in 25 LTs. Immediately after LT, the median aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was significantly lower in the HOPE group (724UI versus 1284UI; P = 0.046) as were the alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 392UI versus 720UI; P = 0.01), lactate (2.2 versus 2.7; P = 0.01) There was a significant reduction in intensive care unit stay (3 versus 5 days; P = 0.01) and hospitalization (15 versus 20 days; P = 0.01). The incidence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD; 28% versus 42%; P = 0.22) was similar . A level of AST or ALT in perfusate >800UI was found to be highly predictive of EAD occurrence (areas under the curve, 0.92 and 0.91, respectively). The 12-month graft (88% versus 89.5%; P = 1.00) and patient survival rates (91% versus 91.3%; P = 1.00) were similar. The additional cost of HOPE was estimated at € 5298 per patient. The difference between costs and revenues, from the hospital's perspective, was not different between the HOPE and control groups (respectively, € 3023 versus € 4059]; IC, -€ 5470 and € 8652). HOPE may improve ECD graft function and reduce hospitalization stay without extra cost. These results must be confirmed in a randomized trial.

Background: A skeletal survey (SS) of high technical quality is the standard method of investigation for identifying bone injuries in suspected physical child abuse worldwide. We aimed to assess the contribution of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (WBMRI) and BS in addition to SS in detecting traumatic bone lesions and soft-tissue injuries. Methods: PEDIMA is a prospective, multicenter, diagnostic accuracy study. Eligible children were less than three years of age and suspected of non-accidental injury. Each child underwent SS, BS and WBMRI. A blinded first review was jointly conducted by five paediatric radiologists and three nuclear medicine physicians. A second review investigated the discrepancies, in full knowledge of the results of all the imaging modalities in order to reach a consensus as the reference standard. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and corresponding 95% confidence interval for each imaging modality (SS, WBMRI and BS) and for the combinations [SS+WBMRI] and [SS+BS]. Findings: 170 children under three years old were included. Sixty-four children had at least one lesion for a total of 146 lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of each examination was, respectively, as follows: 88.4% [95% CI: 82.0-93.1] and 99.7% [95% CI: 99.5-99.8] for the SS, 69.9% [95% CI: 61.7-77.2] and 99.5% [95% CI: 99.2-99.7] for WBMRI, and 54.8% [95% CI: 46.4-63.0] and 99.7% [95% CI: 99.5-99.9] for BS. Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 95.9% [95% CI: 91.3-98.5] and 99.2% [95% CI: 98.9-99.4] for the combination SS+WBMRI and 95.2% [95% CI: 90.4-98.1] and 99.4% [95% CI: 99.2-99.6] for the combination SS+BS, with no significant difference between them. Interpretation: SS is still the most sensitive imaging modality, but the combined examinations offer greater accuracy and WBMRI is emerging as a new imaging strategy that could influence a change of practice. Funding: French Ministry for Health as part of its interregional PHRC. Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The local ethics committees approved the protocol and all children’s parents gave written informed consent before enrolment in the study.

International audience; BACKGROUND: In relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), relapse severity and residual disability are difficult to predict. Nevertheless, this information is crucial both for guiding relapse treatment strategies and for informing patients. OBJECTIVE: We, therefore, developed and validated a clinical-based model for predicting the risk of residual disability at 6 months post-relapse in MS. METHODS: We used the data of 186 patients with RRMS collected during the COPOUSEP multicentre trial. The outcome was an increase of ≥ 1 EDSS point 6 months post-relapse treatment. We used logistic regression with LASSO penalization to construct the model, and bootstrap cross-validation to internally validate it. The model was externally validated with an independent retrospective French single-centre cohort of 175 patients. RESULTS: The predictive factors contained in the model were age > 40 years, shorter disease duration, EDSS increase ≥ 1.5 points at time of relapse, EDSS = 0 before relapse, proprioceptive ataxia, and absence of subjective sensory disorders. Discriminative accuracy was acceptable in both the internal (AUC 0.82, 95% CI [0.73, 0.91]) and external (AUC 0.71, 95% CI [0.62, 0.80]) validations. CONCLUSION: The predictive model we developed should prove useful for adapting therapeutic strategy of relapse and follow-up to individual patients.

SummaryBackground High doses of intravenous methylprednisolone are recommended to treat relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis, but can be inconvenient and expensive. We aimed to assess whether oral administration of high-dose methylprednisolone was non-inferior to intravenous administration. Methods We did this multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial at 13 centres for multiple sclerosis in France. We enrolled patients aged 18–55 years with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who reported a relapse within the previous 15 days that caused an increase of at least one point in one or more scores on the Kurtzke Functional System Scale. With use of a computer-generated randomisation list and in blocks of four, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients to either oral or intravenous methylprednisolone, 1000 mg, once a day for 3 days. Patients, treating physicians and nurses, and data and outcome assessors were all masked to treatment allocation, which was achieved with the use of saline solution and placebo capsules. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who had improved by day 28 (decrease of at least one point in most affected score on Kurtzke Functional System Scale), without need for retreatment with corticosteroids, in the per-protocol population. The trial was powered to assess non-inferiority of oral compared with intravenous methylprednisolone with a predetermined non-inferiority margin of 15%. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00984984. Findings Between Jan 29, 2008, and June 14, 2013, we screened 200 patients and enrolled 199. We randomly assigned 100 patients to oral methylprednisolone and 99 patients to intravenous methylprednisolone with a mean time from relapse onset to treatment of 7·0 days (SD 3·6) and 7·4 days (3·9), respectively. In the per-protocol population, 66 (81%) of 82 patients in the oral group and 72 (80%) of 90 patients in the intravenous group achieved the primary endpoint (absolute treatment difference 0·5%, 90% CI −9·5 to 10·4). Rates of adverse events were similar, but insomnia was more frequently reported in the oral group (77 [77%]) than in the intravenous group (63 [64%]). Interpretation Oral administration of high-dose methylprednisolone for 3 days was not inferior to intravenous administration for improvement of disability scores 1 month after treatment and had a similar safety profile. This finding could have implications for access to treatment, patient comfort, and cost, but indication should always be properly considered by clinicians. Funding French Health Ministry, Ligue Francaise contre la SEP, Teva

Objectif Comparer les sequences sagittale Phase-Sensitive T1 Inversion Recovery (PSIR) et sagittale Spin Echo T2 (T2SE) en IRM 3 T pour la detection de lesions medullaires de sclerose en plaques (SEP), en multicentrique. Materiel et methodes 36 patients atteints de SEP remittente ont beneficie d’une IRM medullaire avec sequences 2D sagittales PSIR et T2SE dans 5 centres. Deux radiologues (neuroradiologue experimente et interne) ont separement evalue la qualite des sequences et le nombre des lesions. Une 2electure consensuelle a classe les images decelees comme lesions ou faux positifs (FP) et mesure le contraste lesionnel par rapport a la moelle saine. Resultats La PSIR sur la moelle thoracique basse a ete frequemment (30,6 %) ininterpretable en raison d’inhomogeneites de champ magnetique. L’indice de masse corporelle (IMC) moyen etait significativement plus eleve pour les patients avec images de mauvaise qualite que de bonne qualite, respectivement 29,2 kg.m−2 (ecart-type (ET) 7,0 kg.m−2) et 22,9 kg.m−2 (ET 3,8 kg.m−2) (p Fig. 1 ). Conclusion La PSIR montre plus de lesions medullaires du fait d’un meilleur contraste lesionnel. Cependant sur la moelle thoracique elle presente frequemment des artefacts importants. Elle pourrait etre utilisee en complement du T2SE en particulier sur la moelle cervicale.

International audience; Background and study aims: The management of patients with colon polyps who are referred to surgery remains uncharacterized in a population-based setting. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of patients referred for surgical resection of colorectal polyps. Patients and methods: All patients who underwent a colonoscopy for positive fecal occult blood test in the setting of a population-based colorectal cancer screening program in France between 2003 and 2012 were analyzed. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients undergoing colorectal surgery for polyps without invasive carcinoma. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors for surgical resection. Results: Among 4251 patients with at least one colorectal polyp, 175 (4.1 %) underwent colorectal surgery. Risk factors for surgery included size, proximal polyp location, advanced histology (villous or high grade dysplasia), the endoscopy center, and colonoscopy performed during the first half of the study period. Subgroup analysis of 3475 colonoscopies performed by 22 endoscopists who performed at least 50 colonoscopies during the study period, identified the endoscopist as an additional risk factor. The adjusted proportions of referrals to surgery ranged from 0 to 46.6 % per endoscopist for polyps ≥ 20 mm (median 20.2 %). Overall, surgical complications occurred in 24.0 %, and one patient died following surgery (0.5 %). None of the 175 patients who underwent surgery were referred to a tertiary endoscopic center prior to surgery. Conclusions: In this population-based study, 4.1 % of patients with nonmalignant polyps were referred for surgical resection. The endoscopist was one important factor that was associated with surgical referral. To further decrease the proportion of inappropriate surgery in patients, endoscopists should refer their patients with large or difficult polyps to expert endoscopists prior to surgery

Objectif. - Nous avons explore les consequences ventriculaires de la fibrillation atriale paroxystique isolee et son traitement par ablation des veines pulmonaires. En effet, la relation entre arythmie et cardiomyopathie continue a faire debat. Les cardiomyopathies rythmiques sont pourtant definies par des cardiomyopathies regressant apres traitement de l'arythmie causale. Methode. - Nous avons etudie de maniere prospective 31 patients (56,4 ± 10 ans) adresses pour une fibrillation atriale isolee paroxystique et traitee avec succes par ablation. Un groupe temoin de 15 patients appareilles a ete etudie en parallele. Une echocardiographie a ete pratique avant, a trois et 12mois post procedure reussie d'ablation de la fibrillation atriale. Resultats. - Chez les patients en fibrillation atriale, bien que paroxystique, la fonction ventriculaire gauche etait legerement plus faible que dans le groupe temoin (fraction d'ejection du ventricule gauche 60 % versus 64 % ; p = 0,06). Plus impressionnant, le pic de vitesse enregistre en systole a l'anneau mitral etait significativement plus bas dans le groupe fibrillation atriale (9cm/s versus 12cm/s, p = 0,0004). Le strain global longitudinal etait aussi significativement plus bas dans le groupe arythmie (patients: —16% versus temoins: -19 % ; p =0,005). Ares un an de suivi, les parametres de fonction ventriculaires gauche n'etaient plus differents de ce qui fut observe dans le groupe temoin. Des resultats assez similaires furent observes pour ce qui concerne la fonction du ventricule droit. Conclusion. - Nous demontrons la presence d'un certain degre de cardiomyopathie rythmique meme chez des patients traites pour une fibrillation atriale paroxistique sur cœur « sain ». L'etude de la fonction longitudinale du ventricule gauche comme du ventricule droit s'est revelee etre l'approche la plus sensible pour etudier ces variations de fonction systolique.

PURPOSE: The aim was to determine the rate of high-grade dysplasia among patients with all adenomas, and its prevalence in patients with adenomas of different sizes in a well-defined population-based study. POPULATION AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of the 2295 colonoscopies performed following a positive fecal occult blood test result during the first round of colorectal cancer screening in one French district. The rates of high-grade dysplasia were calculated for 3 size categories of adenoma (diminutive, ≤5 mm; small, 6-9 mm; large, ≥ 10 mm). Predictive factors for high-grade dysplasia were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1284 adenomas were detected in 784 subjects. High-grade dysplasia was present in 32.1% of the 784 subjects and in 2.7%, 16.0%, and 51.1% of those whose adenomas were diminutive, small, and large, respectively. Among subjects with no more than 2 small adenomas, the proportion of those with high-grade dysplasia was 12.4%. Both adenoma size and a villous component within adenomas were found to be independent predictive factors for high-grade dysplasia by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high rate of high-grade dysplasia among small adenomas, our results reinforce the need to remove all small adenomas detected at colonoscopy. Furthermore, the results suggest that opting for CT colonography surveillance instead of colonoscopic removal among subjects with one or 2 small polyps revealed by CT colonography would have led to missed high-grade dysplasia in 12.4% of them.

Background There are few data about the performance variability among endoscopists participating to nationwide or regionwide colorectal cancer screening programs. Objective To assess the variability of neoplasia detection rates among endoscopists participating in a regional colorectal cancer screening program based on colonoscopy after biennial fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). Design Two rounds of colonoscopy were performed: round 1 took place in 2003 and 2004, and round 2 took place in 2005 and 2006. Secondary analysis of colonoscopy findings from the first 2 rounds was performed by using data drawn from all endoscopists who performed more than 30 colonoscopies in each round. Detection rates were adjusted for patient age and sex, and logistic regression analyses were conducted including these 2 variables and round number (1 or 2). Setting District of Ille-et-Vilaine in Brittany (population >900,000) between 2003 and 2007. Main Outcome Measurements The per-endoscopist adjusted rates of colonoscopies with at least 1, 2, or 3 adenomas, 1 adenoma 10 mm or larger, or a cancer. Results Among the 18 endoscopists who performed 3462 colonoscopies, the adjusted detection rates were in the following ranges: at least 1 adenoma, 25.4% to 46.8%; 2 adenomas, 5.1% to 21.7%; 3 adenomas, 2.7% to 12.4%; 1 adenoma 10 mm or larger, 14.2% to 28.0%; and cancer, 6.3% to 16.4%. Multivariate analyses showed that the endoscopist was not an independent predictor of cancer detection, but was an independent predictor of detecting adenomas, regardless of category; the R 2 of the models ranged from 6% to 13% only. Limitations Other factors known to influence colorectal neoplasia occurrence and withdrawal time could not be taken into account. Conclusions In a screening program with a high compliance rate with colonoscopy after FOBT, interendoscopist variability had no effect on cancer detection, but did influence identification of adenomas. The clinical impact of such findings merits further evaluation.

International audience; Objectives – To report on multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence in Brittany, north-western France. Materials & Methods – From 2000, we set up a population-based register for patients presenting a putative incident MS (PIMS), that is first symptoms compatible with MS onset. We used 3 medical sources of case ascertainment (neurologists, CSF, regional MS-Clinic). Eligibility criteria required both clinical onset and being permanent resident of Brittany in 2000 or 2001. From 2010, all medical records were tracked, the 10-year follow-up allowing previously reported data to be updated. Results – Of 313 eligible PIMS, there were 208 definite MS (both McDonald and Poser criteria), 41 CIS-probable MS (Poser criteria), 32 CIS-possible MS and 32 non-MS. Our incident cohort of 249 MS cases with definite/ probable MS (sex ratio 2.95) gave a crude annual incidence of 4.28 per 100,000 inhabitants (6.22 for women, 2.23 for men), and age-standardized rates (adjustment to the European population) of 4.41 [3.32–5.51], 6.68 [4.75–8.60], and 2.21 [1.12–3.31], respectively. Age-specific rates by gender and initial course showed that attack onset MS peaked at 25–29 years and progressive onset MS at 40–44 years in women (20–24 years and 45–49 years in men, respectively). Conclusions – Brittany is confirmed a high-risk region for MS. Our data show marked differences in sex-specific pattern of MS incidence by clinical course and point out 25-to 29-year-old women as having the highest MS risk. While temporal variations cannot be excluded, comparison with overall French data suggests that other factors rather than latitude may influence the MS risk in France.

International audience; Background and purpose - Multiple sclerosis (MS) prognosis remains a challenge for both patients and physicians. Complementary to natural history studies, updated population-based data from the first event suggestive of MS, at the time of the first approved disease modifying drug (DMD), are needed. Our objective was to provide a 10-year history of MS from clinical onset at time of first approved DMDs in a population-based cohort. Methods - A population-based cohort of patients whose first clinical event suggestive of MS had occurred in Brittany between 2000 and 2001 was prospectively selected. History of relapses, treatments and disability up to 10 years after onset were collected. Results - In all, 278 patients with either attack-onset (n = 244) or progressive-onset (n = 34) were recruited. Amongst attack-onset patients, 30% remained as clinically isolated syndrome and 70% had a second relapse after a median time of 1.7 years (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.4). 80% of relapsing-remitting MS patients received DMDs for at least 6 months. 29% reached disability status scale (DSS) 3 and 8% DSS 6. Amongst progressive-onset patients, 100% reached DSS 3 and 59% DSS 6. Conclusion(s) - Our population-based study reports a lower risk of disability progression at 10-year follow-up in the relapsing-remitting MS group than previously reported. This better prognosis was not observed in the progressive-onset MS group. This finding impacts the prognosis given to patients in clinical practice.

International audience; AIM To assess the interendoscopist variability in the detection of colorectal polyps according to their location and histological type. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a regional colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program; 2979 complete colonoscopies from 18 endoscopists were included. Variability in performance between endoscopists for detection of at least one adenoma (A), one proximal adenoma (PA), one distal adenoma (DA), and one proximal serrated polyp (PSP) was assessed by using multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS The observed detect ion rates among the 18 endoscopists ranged from 24.6% to 47.6% (mean = 35.7%) for A, from 19.1% to 39.0% (mean = 29.4%) for DA, from 6.0% to 22.9% (mean = 12.4%) for PA, and from 1.3% to 19.3% (mean = 6.9%) for PSP. After adjusting for patient-level variables (sex, age), the interendoscopist detection rates variability achieved a significant level for A, PA, and PSP but not for DA (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, P = 0.02 and P = 0.08, respectively). This heterogeneity, as measured by the variance partition coefficient, was approximately threefold higher for PA (6.6%) compared with A (2.1%), and twofold higher for PSP (12.3%) compared with PA. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate significant interendoscopist variability for proximal polyp particularly for serrated polyps, but not for distal adenoma detection. These findings contribute to explain the decreased effectiveness of complete colonoscopies at preventing proximal CRCs and the need to carefully assess the proximal colon during scope procedure.

International audience; BACKGROUND: Because of the lack of reliable echocardiographic parameters to predict recovery after surgery, the optimal timing of surgery for severe mitral regurgitation remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether global longitudinal strain (GLS) recorded preoperatively could help in predicting left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) postoperatively. METHODS: A total of 88 patients (mean age, 63 ± 13 years; 59 men) with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation were included prospectively in this study. Rest echocardiography was performed before and 6 ± 1 months after mitral valve surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (postoperative LVEF ≥ 50%) and group B (postoperative LVEF < 50%). RESULTS: In group B, patients had larger preoperative LV end-systolic diameters (21.6 ± 2.6 vs 19.2 ± 3.7 mm/m(2), P = .02) and impaired preoperative GLS (-17 ± 2.8% vs -19.6 ± 3.6%, P = .01), whereas there was no difference in preoperative LVEF. Preoperative LV end-systolic diameter ≥ 22 mm/m(2) and GLS < -18% were independent predictors of postoperative LV dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: LV end-systolic diameter is a well-recognized prognostic marker. In addition, this study demonstrates the additive and independent predictive value of preoperative GLS for predicting postoperative LV dysfunction.

We previously showed a significant variability in adenoma detection among colonoscopists who were participating in a mass screening program. The reasons for such variability remain largely unknown.To study intercenter variations in neoplasia detection.Secondary analyses of colonoscopy findings from the 2 first rounds of a French screening program: logistic regressions and repeated-measures analyses of variance.A total of 3487 colonoscopies performed by all 19 endoscopists who performed 30 examinations or more per round at 8 centers (6 private, 2 public).Probabilities of detecting 1, 2, or 3 or more adenomas, 1 adenoma 10 mm or larger, or colorectal cancer, as well as the corresponding adjusted (for patient age and sex) per-center detection rates.Endoscopy centers were not significant predictors of the probability of detecting any category of neoplasia with the exception of the 2 adenomas or more category (P.005). The ranges of the adjusted detection rates for each of these categories were 33.1% to 43.1%, 11.1% to 21.6%, 3.6% to 8.1%, 16.3% to 23.6%, and 8.3% to 12.6%, respectively. When the colonoscopies that were performed by the 11 endoscopists who performed 30 examinations or more per center in 2 or more centers were separately analyzed, no intercenter statistically significant variability was observed with the exception of 1 endoscopist and the 1 adenoma category. In a subgroup of 1100 colonoscopies performed by 6 endoscopists who were working at the same 3 centers, intercenter variability was not statistically significant.Type II error because of sample sizes.In our setting, intercenter variability did not explain interendoscopist variability for neoplasia detection rate.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may induce three kinds of atrial remodelling: morphological, contractile, and electrical. Maintain of sinus rhythm is usually associated with left atrial (LA) volume decrease, but little is known about the evolution of its mechanical properties. We sought to explore LA mechanical and morphological remodelling in patients with lone paroxysmal-AF treated by catheter ablation (CA).We prospectively included 31 patients (56.4 ± 10 years). We also followed 15 age- and gender-matched controls to get normal values. Each patient had a complete echocardiography at baseline and at 3-month and 1-year follow-up. LA-anatomical reverse remodelling was documented: indexed LA volume decreased from 39 mL/m(2) at baseline to 31 mL/m(2) at 1 year (P0.001). However, it remained larger than controls (31 vs. 23 mL/m(2), P = 0.001). LA compliance improved (LA lateral systolic peaks of strain = 50 vs. 31%, P0.05) without reaching controls values as estimated by 50 vs. 81%, P0.05). LA contractility increased as highlighted by A'-peak velocity (10 cm/s at 1Y-F/up vs. 7.5 at baseline, P = 0.01) and LA late diastolic peaks of strain rate (septal: -3 vs. -1 s(-1), lateral: -3 vs. -1.4 s(-1), P0.05). We show a functional remodelling at 1 year, with most contractile parameters being comparable to controls, whereas LA compliance remains significantly altered.AF-CA could reverse LA anatomical and functional remodelling. Despite improvement, LA compliance remains altered after 1 year, probably reflecting irreversible fibrosis.

Summary Background Meta-analyses have confirmed the high performance of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in coronary stenosis detection. Recent reports have described the study of left ventricular anatomy and function and coronary venous anatomy with MSCT. Aims We sought to compare, in patients with cardiomyopathy of unknown origin, the performance of MSCT versus angiography for significant coronary artery disease detection and versus transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for left ventricular anatomy and function evaluation, and to assess its ability to characterize coronary venous anatomy. Methods Fifty-nine patients with cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] less than or equal to 40%) of unknown origin, in sinus rhythm, underwent MSCT, TTE and coronary angiography. Results Twenty-four (3%) of 724 analysable coronary segments (97%) and 12 (20%) patients had significant coronary artery disease. MSCT sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for coronary artery disease detection were 87.5%, 98.5%, 67.7% and 99.6% in the per-segment assessment and 100%, 91%, 75% and 100% in the per-patient evaluation, respectively. Statistical analyses showed good agreement between MSCT and TTE in LVEF measurement (33 ± 10% vs 32 ± 11%, p = 0.4, mean difference = 0.7%, limits of agreement ± 13.6%) and a small LVED diameter overestimation (65.0 ± 9.3 mm vs 63.6 ± 9.4 mm, p = 0.03). MSCT allowed detection of the posterolateral vein in 86% of cases. Conclusions In selected patients presenting with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, MSCT is accurate for coronary artery disease detection and is a useful coronary venous imaging tool. MSCT studies of left ventricular function and morphology were mostly concordant with TTE measurements.