Aim Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a recently encountered disease that was declared a pandemic by WHO in 2020. Obesity and other components of the metabolic syndrome may aggravate the severity of COVID-19. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between MAFLD and COVID-19 severity. Methods We performed a retrospective, case-control study, enrolling 71 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of fatty liver by computed tomography scan. All medical records of eligible patients were reviewed including demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters and data regarding the presence of NAFLD and COVID-19 severity. Results NAFLD was identified in 22/71 (31%) of the study group. Out of 71, thirteen suffered from severe COVID-19. NAFLD patients had more severe COVID-19 compared with non-NAFLD subjects, 8/22 (36.3%) vs. 5/49(10.2%), ( P < 0.005), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that NAFLD subjects were more likely to have severe COVID-19 disease (odds ratio 3.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.22, 14.48, P = 0.0031). Conclusion NAFLD represents a high risk for severe COVID-19 irrespective to gender, and independent of metabolic syndrome specifically in male gender. Moreover, obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome were also significantly associated with severe COVID-19.

Objectives:The low FODMAPs diet has emerged as an option for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One major challenge of this diet is that it is very restrictive, and compliance is usually low. Preliminary findings suggest an association between eating disorder (ED) and the risk of developing IBS. The primary aim of the study is to assess the correlation between compliance to low FODMAPs diet and risk of eating disorder behaviours among an irritable bowel syndrome cohort. Methods:We report a single centre study in the IBS patient population at University College London Hospital (UCLH). 233 patients (186 female) who commenced a low FODMAPs group programme for IBS (Rome III or IV). Self-reported diet adherence at the end of the 6week programme was measured. At baseline, participants completed the SCOFF questionnaire (a validated 5-item screening tool for EDs), the validated HADS questionnaire and the validated IBS-symptom severity score (IBS-SSS). Results:The SCOFF questionnaire identified 54 (23%) patients at an increased risk of ED behaviour. Overall, 95 (41%) participants were diet-adherent at 6 weeks, with significantly greater adherence in identified ED individuals (57%). The highest adherence rate (51%) was in the IBS-D subtype and the lowest rate (10%) in IBS-C. There was no significant relationship between IBS symptom severity and either adherence or ED severity. Conclusion:In our IBS patient cohort greater adherence to a low FODMAPs diet is associated with eating disorder behaviour. The implications of our study are for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion of EDs in IBS patients, but also that low FODMAPs dietary advice to the general IBS population should be couched alongside psychological support.

Background and aim The progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is believed to be the driver for future development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of NASH. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting histological severity in NAFLD. Patients and methods We performed a single-center retrospective study in EMMS Nazareth Hospital from July 2014 to May 2017. Liver biopsies were evaluated using the steatosis, activity, and fibrosis scoring system, which includes three components: (i) steatosis (0–3), (ii) activity grade (0–4), and (iii) fibrosis (0–4). Patients were divided into two groups. The first group was considered to have NAFLD when fibrosis grade was 0–1 and inflammatory activity was 0–1, whereas the second group included patients with fibrosis grade of 2–4 and inflammatory activity grade of 2–3, considered to have NASH. Results Ninety-one (91) patients with biopsy-proven fatty liver were included. The average age was 42.13 ± 11.5 (18–74) years. Fifty-seven (62.6%) patients were male. Univariate analysis revealed several factors to be associated with advanced fibrosis and inflammatory activity, including NLR, C-reactive protein, and HOMA-IR, which correlated with fibrosis [odds ratio (OR): 1.405, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–1.63, P < 0.0001; OR: 1.329, 95% CI: 1.05–1.68, P = 0.016; and OR: 1.922, 95% CI: 1.18–3.11, P = 0.007, respectively], and NLR, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR, which correlated with hepatocyte inflammation (OR: 1.210, 95% CI: 1.08–1.35, P = 0.0009; OR: 0.984, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99, P = 0.01; and OR: 2.069, 95% CI: 1.28–3.34, P = 0.003, respectively). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, NLR remains independently associated with advanced fibrosis grade and inflammatory activity (OR: 0.734, 95% CI: 0.631–0.854, P < 0.0001, area under the curve: 0.8622 and OR: 0.836, 95% CI: 0.74–0.95, P = 0.006, area under the curve: 0.7845, respectively). Our second major finding was defining an NLR cut-off point that was associated with inflammatory activity and fibrosis grade using receiver operating characteristic analysis based on the Youden index (J), which is defined by the maximal sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion NLR showed significant independent correlation with advanced inflammation and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. This simple available laboratory tool may be incorporated into future diagnostic scores.

The intestinal microbiota is one of the most rapidly evolving areas in biology and medicine. Extensive research in the last decade has escalated our understanding of the role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of several intestinal and extra-intestinal disorders. Marked by high prevalence, substantial morbidity, and enormous costs, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an important chronic gastrointestinal disorder that is widely encountered by gastroenterologists. Despite advances in our understanding of its pathophysiology, curative interventions have yet to be discovered, and therapeutic approaches remain symptom-driven. Recently, accumulating evidence has enlightened the possible impact of an imbalanced gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of IBS. In fact, several studies have documented altered microbiota in patients, while others have shown that IBS severity was associated with a distinct microbiota signature. These findings may pave the way for the use of microbiota manipulation strategies as an attractive option for IBS management, and may have an essential role in efforts to reduce the societal and economic effects of this ever-growing disorder. In this review, we have outlined the results of the latest research on the association between microbiota and IBS and their implications for the clinical management of affected patients.

Functional abdominal bloating and distension (FABD) are common gastrointestinal complaints, encountered on a daily basis by gastroenterologists and healthcare providers. Functional abdominal bloating is a subjective sensation that is commonly associated with an objective abdominal distension. FABD may be diagnosed as a single entity (the sole or cardinal complaint) or may overlap with other functional gastrointestinal disorders such as functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of FABD is not completely understood. Proposed underlying mechanisms include visceral hypersensitivity, behavioral induced abnormal abdominal wall-phrenic reflexes, the effect of poorly absorbed fermentable carbohydrates, and microbiome alterations. Management includes behavioral therapy, dietary interventions, microbiome modulation, and medical therapy. This review presents the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of FABD.

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Background: Inadequate bowel preparation is still the main obstacle to a complete colonoscopy in many patients and necessitates many repeated procedures. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation and to better characterize these patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study that reviewed electronic reports of colonoscopy procedures over a 10-year period. Patients were divided into 2 groups: adequate vs. non-adequate bowel preparation. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables associated with inadequate bowel preparation, including age, sex, setting (inpatient/outpatient), preparation regimen and procedures’ indications. We examined the effect of inadequate preparation on colonoscopy quality indicators. Results: Of the 28,725 patients included in the study, 6,702 (23.3%) had inadequate bowel preparation. In the multivariate analysis, advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.015, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.013-1.017; P<0.01), male sex (OR 1.353, 95%CI 1.286-1.423; P<0.01) and a minority population (OR 1.635, 95%CI 1.531-1.746; P<0.01) were significantly associated with inadequate bowel preparation. The inpatient setting was among the most prominent factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation (OR 2.018, 95%CI 1.884-2.163; P<0.01). Adequate bowel preparation was associated with a higher polyp detection rate (26.8% vs. 23.6%; OR 1.22, 95%CI 1.109-1.347; P<0.01) and colorectal cancer (2.8% vs. 2.4%; OR 1.402, 95%CI 1.146-1.716; P<0.01), and higher frequencies of cecal (96.4% vs. 73.5%; OR 2.243, 95%CI 2.095-2.403; P<0.01) and terminal ileum intubation (8.1% vs. 5.4%; OR 1.243, 95%CI 1.088-1.434; P<0.01). Conclusion: We outlined various factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation and confirmed its adverse effect on colonoscopy quality indicators.

Background: Propofol-mediated sedation is safe and clearly associated with increased patient satisfaction. However, whether it results in a favorable effect on colonoscopy outcomes and performance compared to standard sedation with benzodiazepines/opiates remains unclear. Objectives: To determine the effect of propofol-mediated sedation on colonoscopy-quality measures compared to traditional sedation. Methods: A large cohort of 44,794 patients who had undergone sedated colonoscopies were included. Colonoscopy-quality indicators were examined in benzodiazepine/opiate-sedated patients and compared with a propofol-mediated sedation group. Adjustment for potential confounders, such as age, sex, quality of bowel preparation, procedural setting, and indication was performed. Results: Patients who received propofol-mediated sedation were more likely, and in a dosedependent manner, to have an enhanced polyp-detection rate (22.8% vs 20.9%, P<0.001), cecal intubation rate (90.4% vs 87.3%, P<0.001), and terminal ileum-intubation rate (6.4% vs 1.6%, P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, these findings were maintained, as propofol-mediated sedation use was significantly associated with improved colonoscopy indicators. Conclusion: Propofol-mediated sedation during colonoscopy is associated with better examination performance and improved outcomes. Further prospective or randomized trials to support these findings are warranted.