α-Integrin (CD41) associated with blood eosinophils is a potential biomarker for disease activity in eosinophilic esophagitis.

After EoE treatment, association of platelets with blood eosinophils, as reported by CD41, predicted esophageal eosinophil count. Percentage CD41+ circulating eosinophils is a potential non-invasive biomarker for EoE disease activity.

Effect of individualized feedback on learning curves in EGD and colonoscopy: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Gastroenterology fellowships need to ensure that trainees achieve competence in upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy. Because the impact of structured feedback remains unknown in endoscopy training, this study compared the effect of structured feedback with standard feedback on trainee learning curves for EGD and colonoscopy.

Methods: In this multicenter, cluster, randomized controlled trial, trainees received either individualized quarterly learning curves or feedback standard to their fellowship.

A Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating Endoscopy Competence Among Gastroenterology Trainees in the Era of the Next Accreditation System.

Purpose: The Next Accreditation System requires training programs to demonstrate competence among trainees. Within gastroenterology (GI), there are limited data describing learning curves and structured assessment of competence in esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy. In this study, the authors aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of a centralized feedback system to assess endoscopy learning curves among GI trainees in EGD and colonoscopy.

Role of food and aeroallergen sensitization in eosinophilic esophagitis in adults.

Background: Evaluation of IgE-mediated food sensitivity is frequently performed for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, the clinical relevance of identifying IgE-mediated sensitivity to foods in adults is unclear.

Objective: To determine whether EoE associated with food or aeroallergen sensitivity represents a phenotype of EoE with distinct clinical or biological features.

Correlation between Reflux and multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring in untreated volunteers.

Objectives/hypothesis: Although probable causative agents have been identified (e.g., refluxate components, tobacco smoke), the definitive mechanism for inflammation-related laryngeal mucosal damage remains elusive.

Surgical resident's training in colonoscopy: numbers, competency, and perceptions.

Background: There is currently great discrepancy in the training requirements between medical societies regarding the recommended threshold number of colonoscopies needed to assess for technical competence. Our goal was to determine the number of colonoscopies performed by surgical residents, rate of cecal intubation, as well as trainee perceptions of colonoscopy training after completion of their training period.

Methods: This study consisted of a 12-item electronic survey completed by 21 surgical residents after their 2-month endoscopy rotation at a tertiary care, urban referral center.

Colonoscopy training in gastroenterology fellowships: determining competence.

Background: Although 140 colonoscopies is the recommended minimal requirement for gastroenterology fellows, it is unclear whether this minimum is a surrogate for competence.

Objective: To assess whether 140 colonoscopies is an adequate threshold to determine > or =90% colonoscopy performance independence.

Design: Retrospective analysis on a database constructed for quality control/improvement.

Variation in colonoscopic technique and adenoma detection rates at an academic gastroenterology unit.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the quality of colonoscopy at an academic institution with a focus on factors influencing withdrawal times and adenoma detection rates. Procedural data and pathologic results of 550 consecutive screening colonoscopies in average risks patients (mean [+/-SD] age, 57 +/- 7.6, 44% male) completed by ten academic gastroenterologists were reviewed.

Non-acidic supraesophageal reflux associated with diffuse alveolar damage and allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a case report.

Advances in lung transplantation have improved 1-year survival rates, but allograft dysfunction continues to be a significant cause of post-transplant death. Diffuse alveolar damage is an early indication of allograft dysfunction and has been linked to gastroesophageal reflux. We report a case of diffuse alveolar damage-associated allograft dysfunction in a patient found to have significant non-acid gastroesophageal reflux.

Predictors of early recurrence of benign esophageal strictures.

Objective: In the era of liberal proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, benign esophageal strictures remain a significant management problem, with 30-40% of patients experiencing symptomatic recurrence within 1 yr of successful dilation. We therefore sought to examine predictors of early recurrence of benign esophageal strictures after endoscopic dilation.

Methods: Predictors for stricture recurrence were examined in 87 consecutive outpatients undergoing initial dilation over a 1-yr period.