European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite the improving efficacy of antiviral therapy, a significant proportion of chronic hepatitis C patients never start treatment. We determined the magnitude and reasons for no treatment in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients visiting tertiary liver centers in Greece. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 1146 consecutive anti-HCV-positive patients who visited four physicians at two tertiary liver centers between 2002 and 2010...

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Germany. Screening colonoscopies have been offered in Germany since 2002. However, validation of screening programs for CRC relies on estimates up to date. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the risk factor tumor-suspicious symptoms on the prevalence of CRC and its precursor lesions in patients at least 55 years of age undergoing colonoscopy in comparison with an age-matched and sex-matched control population undergoing screening colonoscopy...

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) play a well-documented role as a gastroprotective agent among NSAID users at an increased risk of peptic ulcer and bleeding. Observational studies have, however, suggested that the clinical efficacy of PPI therapy may be reduced because of poor adherence. AIM: To study the association between adherence to concomitant PPI in current NSAID users and the risk of peptic ulcer and bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case-control study linking nationwide data from the Swedish Patient Registry with the Swedish Drug Prescription Database...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nowadays, interferon alfa-2b is still in widespread use for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in China. In this study, peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin was compared with interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for the initial treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 168 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C were assigned peginterferon alfa-2a (135-180 µg subcutaneously/week) plus ribavirin (800-1200 mg/day orally) or interferon alfa-2b (300-500 million units, once every other day) plus ribavirin (800-1200 mg/day)...

AIM: Peripheral neuropathy is often described in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to assess the need for neurophysiological testing in IBD patients without neurological symptoms or signs to detect early subclinical neuropathy and its possible correlations with clinical and demographic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive IBD patients were screened for neurological symptoms and clinical signs, and those without symptoms or signs were included...

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, treatment of acute diverticulitis has mostly been based on inpatient care. The question arises whether these patients can be treated on an outpatient basis as the admissions for diverticular disease have been shown to be increasing every year. We studied whether outpatient treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is feasible and safe, and which patients could benefit from outpatient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in two teaching hospitals using hospital registry codes for diverticulitis...