Life expectancy and the number of ultra-octogenarians increased significantly, thus making crucial the appropriateness of several endoscopic procedures in elderly patients. The aim of our study was to provide a retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients aged over 80 years.

Rapid urease test (RUT) is a diagnostic tool for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) diagnosis, based on the ability of the bacterium to produce urease. Despite it is considered simple, fast, and cheap, some conditions may cause false negativity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare RUT with currently recommended tests for H. pylori diagnosis.

In the early stages of the pandemic, the first reports began that alcohol consumption could increase the risk of becoming infected and worsening the prognosis disease. This is for two reasons: behavioral and socio-economic factors that characterize a part of this population can be the cause of viral spread and a direct or indirect negative action of ethanol on the immune system. The data used for the preparation of these recommendations are based on a detailed analysis of the scientific literature published before March 31, 2022 (Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar). Furthermore, in the process of developing this work, we consulted the guidelines/position papers of the Italian Society on Alcohol and of the World Health Organization. It has been confirmed that AC is in COVID-19 era a risky behavior and that AUD and substance use disorder (SUD) patients are certainly at greater risk of contracting infection and also of having a worse course. In light of what has been said, some recommendations can be made: correctly inform the general population that AC negatively interacts with COVID-19 infection; reducing the COVID-19 risk by advocating healthy lifestyle habits (smoke, diet, physical exercise, etc.) and preferential policies in population with comorbidities; implement actions that reduce the average consumption of alcohol by avoiding hazardous/harmful consumption. Abstention is better; identify alcohol consumption through a more in-depth alcohol history, using the AUDIT; AUDs patients are frail patients deserving a complete vaccination course; suggest a period of alcoholic abstention of at least thirty days before vaccination to be maintained for the following fifteen days; promoting health education campaigns for young people in order to promote vaccination culture and correct lifestyles.

Endocytoscopy (ECS) is an evolving technology that utilizes ultra-high power magnification for real time cellular imaging without the need for physical biopsy. Its application for gastric cancer (GC) detection is not well evaluated at the current time, but there is potential that ECS can make a real time histopathological diagnosis to differentiate neoplastic from benign lesions. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of ECS for GC detection.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causal agent of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has infected millions of people worldwide. Currently, the scientific community debates on the direct viral responsibility of liver damage or whether the observed changes are secondary manifestations of systemic inflammation triggered by COVID-19. The hepatic involvement is associated with worse clinical outcomes and higher risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection may predispose patients to thrombotic disease due to excessive inflammation, platelet activation, and endothelial dysfunction.

Increased intestinal permeability is considered to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Therefore, recently, the use of non-invasive biomarkers in both diagnosis and monitoring IBD is emphasized. The aim of this study was to investigate fecal and serum zonulin and serum I-FABP in pediatric IBD patients and their correlation with fecal calprotectin (FCP).