Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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Acceptance rate6%
Submission to final decision139 days
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CiteScore4.000
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Impact Factor2.7

A Meta-Analysis of MiRNA-497 and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology publishes studies of areas related to medical, surgical, pathological, biochemical and physiological aspects of gastroenterology and hepatology.

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Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

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We currently have a number of Special Issues open for submission. Special Issues highlight emerging areas of research within a field, or provide a venue for a deeper investigation into an existing research area.

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Research Article

The Role of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Mediating the Effect of Inflammatory Bowel Disease on nonmalignant Digestive System Diseases: A Multivariable Mendelian Randomized Study

Background. While observation studies have shown a positive correlation between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of nonmalignant digestive system diseases, a definitive causal relationship has not yet been clearly established. Methods. Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to investigate the potential causal association between genetic susceptibility to IBD and nonmalignant gastrointestinal diseases. Genetic variants were extracted as instrumental variables (IVs) from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis, which included 12,194 cases of Crohn’s disease (CD) and 28,072 control cases of European ancestry. The GWAS for ulcerative colitis (UC) included 12,366 UC and 33,609 control cases of European ancestry. All IVs reached genome-wide significance (GWAS value <5 × 10−8). Summary-level data for acute pancreatitis (AP), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease, cholelithiasis, and CeD (celiac disease) were obtained from the GWAS meta-analysis and the FinnGen dataset. Summary-level data on relevant inflammatory factors were provided by the International Genetic Consortium. Univariate MR analysis was conducted using inverse variance weighting as the primary method for estimating causal effects. Multivariate MR analyses were also performed to detect possible mediators. Results. Genetic susceptibility to UC was associated with an increased risk of AP (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03–1.13; ) and IBS odds ratio (OR] = 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI] = 1.03–1.11; (). In terms of potential mediators, interleukin 6 (IL-6) had a driving effect on the association between UC and AP. There was no apparent evidence of increased risk with CD. Meanwhile, genetic susceptibility to CD increases the risk of CeD (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.03–1.25; ). Conclusions. The evidence suggests that UC is associated with an elevated risk of AP and IBS, and IL-6 may be responsible in AP. CD is associated with an increased risk of developing CeD. Implementing a proactive monitoring program for assessing the risk of gastrointestinal diseases in UC patients, particularly those with elevated IL-6 levels, may be of interest. In addition, the presence of AP and IBS may indicate the presence of UC. Preventing CeD is an essential consideration in the therapeutic management of patients with CD.

Review Article

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Hospital-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Background. People living with hepatitis C infection (HCV) have a significant impact on the global healthcare system, with high rates of inpatient service use. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have the potential to alleviate this burden; however, the evidence on the impact of HCV infection and hospital outcomes is undetermined. This systematic review aims to assess this research gap, including how DAAs may modify the relationship between HCV infection and hospital-related outcomes. Methods. We searched five databases up to August 2022 to identify relevant studies evaluating the impact of HCV infection on hospital-related outcomes. We created an electronic database of potentially eligible articles, removed duplicates, and then independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. Results. A total of 57 studies were included. Analysis of the included studies found an association between HCV infection and increased number of hospitalizations, length of stay, and readmissions. There was less consistent evidence of a relationship between HCV and in-hospital mortality. Only four studies examined the impact of DAAs, which showed that DAAs were associated with a reduction in hospitalizations and mortality. In the 14 studies available among people living with HIV, HCV coinfection similarly increased hospitalization, but there was less evidence for the other hospital-related outcomes. Conclusions. There is good to high-quality evidence that HCV negatively impacts hospital-related outcomes, primarily through increased hospitalizations, length of stay, and readmissions. Given the paucity of studies on the effect of DAAs on hospital outcomes, future research is needed to understand their impact on hospital-related outcomes.

Research Article

Hepatitis C Attributable Healthcare Costs and Mortality among Immigrants: A Population-Based Matched Cohort Study

Background. Data on the economic burden of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) among immigrants are limited. Our objective was to estimate the CHC-attributable mortality and healthcare costs among immigrants in Ontario, Canada. Methods. We conducted a population-based matched cohort study among immigrants diagnosed with CHC between May 31, 2003, and December 31, 2018, using linked health administrative data. Immigrants with CHC (exposed) were matched 1 : 1 to immigrants without CHC (unexposed) using a combination of hard (index date, sex, and age) and propensity-score matching. Net costs (2020 Canadian dollars) collected from the healthcare payer perspective were calculated using a phase-of-care approach and used to estimate long-term costs adjusted for survival. Results. We matched 5,575 exposed individuals with unexposed controls, achieving a balanced match. The mean age was 47 years, and 52% was male. On average, 10.5% of exposed and 3.5% of unexposed individuals died 15 years postindex (relative risk = 2.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6–3.5). The net 30-day costs per person were $88 (95% CI: 55 to 122) for the prediagnosis, $324 (95% CI: 291 to 356) for the initial phase, $1,016 (95% CI: 900 to 1,132) for the late phase, and $975 (95% CI: −25 to 1,974) for the terminal phase. The mean net healthcare cost adjusted for survival at 15 years was $90,448. Conclusions. Compared to unexposed immigrants, immigrants infected with CHC have higher mortality rates and greater healthcare costs. These findings will support the planning of HCV elimination efforts among key risk groups in the province.

Research Article

Prevalence of Esophageal Eosinophilia, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, and Lymphocytic Gastritis in Children with Celiac Disease: A Saudi Tertiary Center Experience

Background. Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy that has been associated with other immune-related gastrointestinal disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and lymphocytic gastritis (LG). To our knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia that has described such an association. Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of EoE and LG in children and adolescents with CD. Methods. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all pediatric patients (aged 0–18 years) with CD following up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, between January, 2014, and December, 2021. The study examined clinical, demographic, endoscopic, and histopathological data. Results. Seventy-five patients with CD were included in the analysis. The median age was 12 years (range, 2–18 years). Male constituted 54.7% of the overall cohort (n = 41). The most common clinical symptoms were short stature (54.7%), weight loss (34.7%), abdominal pain (33.3%), abdominal distension (29.3%), anorexia (29.3%), diarrhea (24%), and vomiting (21.3%). The esophageal biopsy results reported were basal cell hyperplasia in 24 patients (32.9%), esophageal eosinophilia in 23 patients (31.5%), and EoE in 3 patients (4.1%). The gastric biopsy results were normal in 40 patients (53.3%). The most common abnormality was chronic inactive gastritis with no Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection (16%). LG was found in 3 patients (4%). Conclusions. The prevalence of EoE in this cohort of patients with CD was lower than the prevalence recorded in a number of other studies. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on EOE and LG.

Research Article

Ghrelin/GHSR Axis Induced M2 Macrophage and Alleviated Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in a Sepsis Rat Model by Inactivating E2F1/NF-κB Signaling

Sepsis is an inflammatory reaction disorder state that is induced by infection. The activation and regulation of the immune system play an essential role in the development of sepsis. Our previous studies have shown that ghrelin ameliorates intestinal dysfunction in sepsis. Very little is known about the mechanism of ghrelin and its receptor (GHSR) on the intestinal barrier and the immune function of macrophage regulation. Our research is to investigate the regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of the ghrelin/GHSR axis on intestinal dysfunction and macrophage polarization in septic rats. A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) operation. Then, the sepsis rats were treated with a ghrelin receptor agonist (TZP-101) or ghrelin inhibitor (obestatin). The results suggested that TZP-101 further enhanced ghrelin and GHSR expressions in the colon and spleen of septic rats and obestatin showed the opposite results. Ghrelin/GHSR axis ameliorated colonic structural destruction and intestinal epithelial tight junction injury in septic rats. In addition, the ghrelin/GHSR axis promoted M2-type polarization of macrophages, which was characterized by the decreases of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as the increase of IL-10. Mechanistically, the ghrelin/GHSR axis promoted E2F2 expression and suppressed the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in septic rats. Collectively, targeting ghrelin/GHSR during sepsis may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of intestinal barrier injury.

Research Article

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viral Infections and Their Associated Factors among Diabetic Patients Visiting Debre Tabor Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Viral hepatitis is a global public health problem that affects millions of people each year, causing disability and death. Hepatitis B and C viruses are the most common causes of viral hepatitis and are associated with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The primary site of infection for these viruses is the liver, the primary site of hormone and glucose metabolism closely linked to diabetes mellitus (DM), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. As a result, assessing the coexistence of viral hepatitis and DM could be important in disease management, prevention, and control measures in DM patients. Objective. The aim of our study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of HBV and HCV among diabetes patients attending Debre Tabor Referral Hospital. Methods. An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1, 2021, to February 30, 2021. A systematic sampling technique was used for selecting study participants. Serum samples were screened with a rapid test kit for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections. A pretested structured questionnaire was constructed to collect the data, which were later analyzed using SPSS version 23. Inferential statistics were used to evaluate the associated risk factors for the outcome variable. A value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. A total of 152 diabetes patients were included in this study, with 78 (51.3%) males and 74 (48.7%) females, with a mean age of 39.24 ± 17.90 years. The prevalence of HBV and HCV was 6 (3.9%) and 2 (1.3%), respectively. Most of potential risk factors such as, histories of surgical procedures, tooth extraction, hepatitis infection in the family, blood transfusion, alcohol consumption, body tattooing, and multiple sexual partners were not statistically significant for HBV and HCV infections. Conclusion. In this study, no association was obtained between sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioural factors and the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses. Furthermore, there is no significant association detected between HBV or potential HCV infection and DM. Despite these results, continuing professional training programs on HBV and HCV infection, including increased vaccination coverage rates for HBV, are required.

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate6%
Submission to final decision139 days
Acceptance to publication16 days
CiteScore4.000
Journal Citation Indicator0.550
Impact Factor2.7
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