Eugene Annor

Background: “July effect” also known as “July phenomenon” are adverse patient outcomes related to the changeover of medical residents in teaching hospitals in the United States at a particular time of the year. This study aims to explore this phenomenon on hospital outcomes among patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Methods: The National Inpatient Sample data from Jan 1, 2016, to Dec. 31, 2020, was used. Patients admitted in teaching hospitals between May and August were stratified patients into two groups; May & June; as (Non-July Effect), July & August as (July Effect). The study involved a comprehensive assessment and comparison of various clinical outcomes, including the likelihood of mortality, length of hospital stay, and the utilization and timing of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). These analyses were conducted while controlling factors such as socio-demographic variables, hospital characteristics, and associated comorbidities to ensure accurate and meaningful results. Results: A total of 53,710 patients had non-variceal UGIB. There is no significant difference in Mortality risk (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.86–1.40, p = 0.4406), Length of hospitalization (0.98, 0.91–1.05, p = 0.5410), EGD (1.04, 0.94–1.32, p = 0.4412), and Early EGD (0.97, 0.80–1.19, p = 0.7759) between the July effect and non-July effect groups. Conclusions: The analysis reveals no significant differences in mortality rates, length of hospitalization, or endoscopy and its timing among patients with UGIB during the July effect compared to those not affected by this phenomenon. Our study corroborates previous research on the July phenomenon while also exploring this phenomenon in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background/Aims: Biliary cannulation is a critical component of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). When standard methods fail, needle-knife precut sphincterotomy (NKPS) is commonly employed. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of using NKPS as a primary technique.Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies published between January 2000 and November 2024 that assessed outcomes of primary precut techniques. “Primary precut” was defined as needle-knife sphincterotomy performed as the initial approach without any prior standard cannulation attempts. Pooled proportions were calculated using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-test and the I² statistic.Results: The mean patient age was 57.95 years (standard deviation [SD], 7.59), and 53.23% were female. The cannulation success rate was 96.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.90–97.60) with no heterogeneity (Q, 7.10; df, 8; I²=0%; p=0.935). The rates of adverse events were as follows: post-ERCP pancreatitis, 1.90% (95% CI, 1.20–3.10; I²=0; p =0.942); bleeding, 2.60% (95% CI, 1.70–4.00, I²=0; p=0.725); cholangitis, 1.50% (95% CI, 0.60–3.60; I²=45.27; p=0.067); and perforation, 0.90% (95% CI, 0.40–1.90; I²=0; p=0.948). The overall adverse event rate was 9.70% (95% CI, 5.70–16.10; I²=83.39; p<0.001).Conclusions: Primary precut sphincterotomy appears to be an effective and safe technique for biliary cannulation in ERCP. These findings support its consideration as a viable first-line approach in appropriate clinical settings.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is conventionally performed in the prone position (PP). Recent studies have shown that the supine position (SP) is an effective alternative, with comparable success rates. We conducted a meta-analysis to directly compare the safety and efficacy of the two ERCP positions.Methods: In line with Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic review was performed through a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan, with results considered significant at p<0.05 and reported as odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs).Results: Eleven studies (24,285 patients) were included in the final analysis. Procedural success was significantly higher in the PP (OR, 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36–0.75; p<0.0004) than the SP. However, no significant difference was observed in procedure times (MD, 0.22; 95% CI, –7.07 to 7.50; p=0.95), number of cardiopulmonary complications (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.47–2.48; p=0.86), or post-ERCP pancreatitis (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.52–2.42; p=0.31) between the two groups.Conclusions: The PP demonstrates superior ERCP success compared to the SP, without prolonging procedure time or increasing the risk of adverse events. However, given the comparable procedure times, incidence of adverse events, and increased comfort for both patients and anesthesiologists, the SP may be a suitable alternative for a select group of patients in whom the PP is not feasible, such as those with morbid obesity or recent abdominal surgery.

Background and Aim: The “July effect” refers to increased morbidity and mortality observed when new medical trainees start at teaching hospitals in July. This phenomenon has been noted in various conditions but has not been extensively studied in lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). LGIB accounts for 20% to 30% of major gastrointestinal bleeding admissions, with a mortality rate of 2% to 4%. This study aimed to assess the impact of the “July effect” on clinical outcomes for patients with LGIB admitted to teaching hospitals in the United States from 2016 to 2020. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2016 to 2020). The primary outcomes were inpatient mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and delays in early colonoscopy, defined as more than 24 hours from admission. The key variable was the month of admission, categorized into pre-July (May and June) and July effect (July and August) periods. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic and Poisson regression models were used to evaluate the month of admission’s impact on outcomes. Results: The study included 27,425 admissions, with 13,746 (50.1%) in May and June and 13,679 (49.9%) in July and August. Less than two-thirds (59.2%) of LGIB admissions received a colonoscopy during hospitalization. Among the 15,708 patients who underwent colonoscopy within 7 days of admission, 40.8% had an early colonoscopy (within 24 h). The overall mean hospital LOS was 4.4 days, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 1%. There was no significant “July effect” on delays in early colonoscopy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.06, 95% CI (0.99, 1.13)], hospital LOS [adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 1.02, 95% CI (1.00, 1.04)], or in-hospital mortality [aOR 1.17, 95% CI (0.91, 1.50)]. Conclusion: The study found no evidence of a “July effect” on in-hospital mortality, LOS, or delays in early colonoscopy for LGIB patients. Despite the influx of new trainees in July, patient care for LGIB in teaching hospitals seems consistent, indicating that current protocols and supervision effectively mitigate risks. Further research is needed to explore other factors influencing LGIB outcomes and overall patient care during this period.

Background and aim Managing obesity requires a comprehensive approach that involves therapeutic lifestyle changes, medications, or metabolic surgery. Many patients seek health information from online sources and artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot before consulting health professionals. This study aims to evaluate the appropriateness of the responses of Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot to questions on pharmacologic and surgical management of obesity and assess for bias in their responses to either the ADA or AACE guidelines. Methods Ten questions were compiled into a set and posed separately to the free editions of Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Recommendations for the questions were extracted from the ADA and the AACE websites, and the responses were graded by reviewers for appropriateness, completeness, and bias to any of the guidelines. Results All responses from Microsoft Copilot and 8/10 (80%) responses from Google Gemini were appropriate. There were no inappropriate responses. Google Gemini refused to respond to two questions and insisted on consulting a physician. Microsoft Copilot (10/10; 100%) provided a higher proportion of complete responses than Google Gemini (5/10; 50%). Of the eight responses from Google Gemini, none were biased towards any of the guidelines, while two of the responses from Microsoft Copilot were biased. Conclusion The study highlights the role of Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini in weight loss management. The differences in their responses may be attributed to the variation in the quality and scope of their training data and design.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a rare, often underrecognized complication of long-term lithium therapy. Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus results from chronic renal exposure, leading to significant polyuria, dehydration, and hypernatremia. We describe a case of a 55-year-old White caucasian male with a schizoaffective disorder managed with lithium who presented with altered mental status and electrolyte abnormalities following a recent stroke. Evaluation revealed nephrogenic diabetes insipidus as the primary etiology, likely exacerbated by recent changes in medication adherence. The patient responded well to fluid resuscitation, reduced lithium dosage, and targeted electrolyte management. This case underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus on chronic lithium therapy, as early recognition and treatment are essential in preventing renal impairment and improving clinical outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate how CRC screening practices differ between e-cigarette users and non-users. Design: Cross-sectional study design. Setting: National Cancer Institute’s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5). Subjects: Respondents aged 45 to 75 years. Measures: Demographics, CRC screening, e-cigarette use, cancer history, presence of comorbidities, and access to a primary care provider. Analysis: The demographic characteristics of the study participants were evaluated by their e-cigarette smoking status using chi-squared tests. The differences in CRC screening between e-cigarette users and non-users were evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: We identified a total of 6963 participants, of which 181 (2.6%) were e-cigarette users. The prevalence of e-cigarette use was inversely related to age. A significant portion were uninsured (10.7% vs 5.9% of non-users), and almost half (49.9%) were current tobacco smokers. E-cigarette users were as likely to undergo CRC screening compared to non-users [OR 1.40; 95% CI (0.74, 2.66)]. Increasing age, educational level, health insurance, comorbidity, access to a primary care provider, personal history of cancer, and presence of a comorbidity were associated with increased participation in CRC screening. However, e-cigarette use was not associated with increased screening. Conclusion: Our study found no significant difference in CRC screening rates between e-cigarette users and non-users. While screening behaviors appear unaffected for now, ongoing surveillance is important as more users reach screening age given the uncertainties surrounding the long-term effects of e-cigarette use.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is preferred for biliary drainage in malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) is considered a rescue therapy for failed ERCP. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique as the primary modality for MDBO biliary drainage. Methods: An electronic database search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on EUS-CDS for primary biliary drainage in MDBO. A meta-analysis was performed using random and fixed effects models. Results: We extracted data from 10 eligible studies comprising 519 patients. The mean age for the study was 70 years ± SD 2.66. The pooled technical success rate was 92.36% (95% CI = 88.39–95.56), and the clinical success rate was 88.91% (95% CI = 85.22–92.13). The pooled stent dysfunction rate was 13.66% (95% CI = 7.47–21.35), and the reintervention rate was 15.91% (95% CI = 11.00–21.54) of patients. The mean stent patency duration was 229.20 days ± SD 113.9. The total pooled adverse events rate was 17.50% (95% CI = 12.90–22.64), and 9.03% (95% CI = 4.43–15.05) was considered moderate to severe. Procedure-related pancreatitis had a pooled rate of 0%. The pooled adverse event rate of acute cholangitis was 6.84% (95% CI = 3.69–10.88), and for acute cholecystitis it was 2.61% (95% CI = 1.06–4.83). Conclusions: EUS-CDS demonstrates favorable outcomes when used as a primary approach in MDBO. With a long stent patency duration and no procedure-related acute pancreatitis, it may be considered the primary technique when expertise is available.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer deaths. We evaluated the effect of health insurance type and primary care provider (PCP) access on CRC screening. METHODS: HINTS data were used to analyze CRC screening. RESULTS: Individuals aged 50 to 65 years had comparable screening rates across all insurance types. Beyond 65 years, individuals with Medicare or Medicare with private insurance were more likely to undergo screening than private insurance users. PCP access increased CRC screening rates. Among PCP users, Medicare, income, and smoking status influenced screening. DISCUSSION: Medicare and PCP access influence CRC screening. All individuals should be linked with PCPs.