Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of Baishile Capsules regulating SHH/Gli1 signaling pathway on hippocampal neurogenesis of depression model rats.Methods Totally 32 SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,fluoxetine(5.4 mg/kg)group and Baishile Capsules(2.88 g/kg)group,with 8 rats in each group.A depression rat model was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress and single cage feeding method.The model was established and administered simultaneously for 21 consecutive days.Depression-like behavior in rats were evaluated by sucrose preference experiment and open field experiment,ELISA was used to detect brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)contents in rat serum and hippocampal tissue,the number of BrdU,BrdU/DCX,BrdU/NeuN positive cells in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescence,immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the fluorescence intensity and protein expression of SHH,Gli1,Smo,Ptch in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the degree of sucrose preference significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01),the number of horizontal and vertical movements significantly decreased(P<0.01),the contents of BDNF in serum and hippocampal tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),the number of BrdU,BrdU/DCX,BrdU/NeuN positive cells in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the fluorescence intensity and protein expression of SHH,Gli1,Smo,Ptch in hippocampal tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the degree of sucrose preference and the number of horizontal and vertical movements in fluoxetine group and Baishile Capsule group increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01),the contents of BDNF in serum and hippocampal tissue significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the number of BrdU,BrdU/DCX,BrdU/NeuN positive cells in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),the fluorescence intensity and protein expressions of SHH,Gli1,Smo,Ptch in hippocampal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Baishile Capsule can promote the hippocampus neurogenesis in depression model rats by regulating SHH/Gli1 signaling pathway,and play an antidepressant role.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment scheme of patients with spinal infection caused by Prevotella intermedia(P.intermedia).Methods Clinical diagnosis and treatment processes of a patient with spinal infection caused by P.intermedia admitted to the spinal surgery department of a hospital were summa-rized,and relevant literature was retrieved from database for reviewing.Results The patient,a 50 year old male,was admitted to the hospital due to"lumbago pain complicated with pain in double lower extremities for 2 months".The lesion tissue was taken for metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)detection,which detected P.in-termedia,and the patient was diagnosed with P.intermedia spondylitis.After treatments with open lesion clea-rance,tube rinsing+autologous bone transplantation fusion internal fixation,intravenous drip of ceftriaxone sodium and metronidazole,as well as metronidazole rinsing,infection was under control.A total of 16 available papers were retrieved,together with this case,a total of 17 patients were included,with 7 males and 10 females.The main risk factors were diabetes and history of corticosteroid use(35.3％).The most common invasion sites were lumbar ver-tebra(n=12)and thoracic vertebra(n=6).13 cases were positive for pathogen culture,3 cases were positive for molecular detection,and 1 case was positive for staining microscopy.17 patients received anti-anaerobic bacteria treatment,with 14 cases receiving combined surgical treatment.One case died,with a mortality of 5.9％;5 cases had partial neurological impairment,with a disability rate of 29.4％.The survival rate of patients who received treatment of anti-anaerobic bacteria combined with surgery was 92.8％,3 patients only with anti-anaerobic bacteria treatment but without surgery were all cured.Conclusion P.intermedia is an opportunistic pathogeanic bacteria which often causes infection in immunocomprised individuals and is prone to be misdiagnosed.It is recommended to perform mNGS detection to identify the pathogen as early as possible and seize the opportunity for treatment to reduce mortality.

Objective:To assess the trends in case-fatality rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in China from 2015 to 2019.Methods:This study employed a population-based surveillance. Data from the China Registry of Acute Cardiovascular Event (China RACE) were utilized, including AMI cases reported by Grade Ⅱ and Grade Ⅲ hospitals at the disease surveillance sites across China from January 1 st 2015 to December 31 st 2019. The 28-day mortality outcome for reported AMI events was obtained by linking to the national death certificate registry system. The study analyzed the overall and age-standardized case-fatality rates, as well as their annual percent change (APC), during the study period, stratified by gender, age, and region. Results:The overall 28-day case fatality rate for AMI was 28.97% (22 532/77 764) from 2015 to 2019. The age-standardized case-fatality rate for AMI declined significantly from 37.53% in 2015 to 18.58% in 2019, with an APC of -14.33% ( P=0.018). We observed a significant downward trend in case-fatality rates of AMI in both genders (both P<0.05). Among males, the case-fatality rate decreased more steeply in younger males compared to elder counterparts. The most marked decreases were seen in males aged<35 years and 35 to 44 years, with APC of -27.63% ( P=0.007) and -22.65% ( P=0.004), respectively. In females, we observed a relatively stable decrease in case-fatality across age groups. The age-standardized case-fatality rate of AMI in eastern and central China decreased significantly from 2015 to 2019, with the APC of -19.22% ( P=0.006) and -15.62% ( P=0.032) respectively. However, the age-standardized case-fatality rate of AMI in western China remained stable ( P=0.227). Conclusions:The prognosis of AMI has considerably improved from 2015 to 2019 in China, regardless of ages and gender. Inequality in case-fatality rates among geographic regions highlights the need for targeted strategies in AMI prevention in western regions.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objectives:To present the epidemiological characteristics of stroke incidence and stroke-related mortality among the whole population in national cardiovascular disease surveillance areas from 2015 to 2019. Methods:Data of stroke incidence and stroke-related mortality from 2015 to 2019 were collected from the China Registry of Cardiovascular Events(China RACE),which was established in 2014,covering 100 counties(cities,districts)in 31 provinces in China.The Joinpoint model was used to analyze the annual percentage changes(APC)and trends of stroke incidence rate.The age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)was calculated using the Seventh National Census data as the standard population.With annual reported stroke events and stroke-related deaths,the mortality to incidence ratio(M/I)were examined. Results:From 2015 to 2019,an increase of 9.41%(APC=2.12%,95%CI:1.43%-2.82%,Ptrend<0.01)resulted in the overall stroke crude incidence rate(CIR)of 468.48/100 000 in 2019 among the whole population,with relatively higher in male and in rural area.The more sharply elevating of CIR appeared in males(11.26%[APC=2.53%,95%CI:1.83%-3.24%,Ptrend<0.01])rather than in females(7.26%[APC=1.63%,95%CI:0.81%-2.46%,Ptrend<0.01]).Meanwhile,the general ASIR decreased 7.47%(APC=-1.72%,95%CI:-3.23%--0.20%,Ptrend<0.05),reaching 523.82/100 000 in 2019.The females generally showed significant descending trend(9.56%[APC=-2.27%,95%CI:-3.99%--0.52%,Ptrend<0.05]),as well as more reduction than that in the males(15.82%vs.11.40%)in urban area.The crude incidence rate of stroke increased with age.From 2015 to 2019,the CIR in 45-49 age group increased 12.48%(APC=3.18%,95%CI:1.67%-4.72%,Ptrend<0.01),compared with an reduction of 15.76%(APC=-4.39%,95%CI:-7.63%--1.04%,Ptrend<0.05)in 80-84 age group.Over the monitoring years,the overall M/I was 0.19,with an age-specific U-shaped distribution.The lowest of M/I(0.10)appeared in those aged 50-54 and 55-59,while the highest(0.45)detected in those aged 85 and over.The M/I of all age in urban areas were consistently lower than that in rural areas. Conclusions:Stroke incidence burden increased from 2015-2019 in the national surveillance areas in China,along with the unfavorable geographic diversity and age-specific divergence.Further efforts are required to improve health care covering all ages and regions in China to reduce the incidence of stroke and stroke-related mortality.

Objectives:The present study aims to investigate the incidence and mortality feature of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)from 2015 to 2019 in China by utilizing national registry data. Methods:Data of AMI incidence and mortality in the surveillance area during 2015 to 2019 were abstracted from China Registry of Acute Cardiovascular Event(China RACE),which was established in 100 counties from 31 provincial regions in China.Incidence rate,age standardized incidence rate(ASIR)and mortality to incidence ratio(M/I)was estimated in AMI cases.A Joinpoint regression was executed and annual percent change(APC)was examined to identify trends in incidence. Results:From 2015 to 2019,a total of 257 686 acute myocardial infarction incidence and 149 169 deaths were registered.The annual incidence rate of AMI in 2019 was 82.76 per 100 000.Over the study period,the incidence rate of AMI increased by 6.05%for men(APC=1.30%,95%CI:0.56%to 2.02%)but decreased by 11.80%for women(APC=-3.10%,95%CI:-4.54%to-1.68%),resulting a steady trend for AMI crude incidence rate for the overall population.The overall ASIR of AMI declined by 16.59%(APC=-4.32%,95%CI:-5.32%to-3.34%)from 113.68 per 100 000 in 2015 to 94.82 per 100 000 in 2019.The ASIR of AMI declined by 11.04%(APC=-2.72%,95%CI:-3.78%to-1.67%)for men,23.96%(APC=-6.56%,95%CI:-8.57%to-4.58%)for women,12.57%(APC=-3.08%,95%CI:-6.01%to-0.08%)for the urban areas,and 19.24%(APC=-5.18%,95%CI:-10.19%to 0.03%)for rural areas respectively.The incidence rate of AMI increases gradually with age in both men and women.The incidence of AMI in urban men of 35-44 and 45-54 year age groups increased by 77.16%(APC=13.52%,95%CI:3.29%to 24.57%)and 26.36%(APC=5.71%,95%CI:-0.95%to 12.68%)over time.However,the incidence of AMI fell in the population above 65 year old,by 26.58%(APC=-6.68%,95%CI:-11.98%to-1.01%),19.85%(APC=-5.64%,95%CI:-11.57%to 0.65%)and 14.53%(APC=-4.44%,95%CI:-7.75%to-1.04%)in the 65-74 year age,75-84 year age and≥85year age groups respectively from 2015 to 2019.The mortality to incidence ratio of AMI was 0.58 over time,higher in women than in men,and higher in rural areas than in urban areas.The M/I ratio of AMI decreased from 0.62 in 2015 to 0.52 in 2019(APC=-4.28%,95%CI:-5.75%to-2.83%).There was a declined trends in M/I of AMI in urban residents of both male and female,and in the rural male residents(all P<0.05),while a steady trend in the rural female residents(P>0.05). Conclusions:The overall incidence of AMI remains steady during 2015 to 2019 in the national surveillance areas in China.Yet,downward trends in elder and female residents and increased trend in middle-aged urban males in AMI incidence are observed.The mortality of AMI in these period are age,sex and urban-rural dependent.Targeted mitigation strategies on AMI prevention and treatment need to be strengthened to reduce its incidence and mortality.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Accurate classification of the acetabular injuries and appropriate treatment plan are great challenges for orthopedic surgeons because of the irregular anatomical structure of the acetabulum and aggregation of important vessels and nerves around it. Letournel-Judet classification system has been widely applied to classify acetabular fractures. However, there are several limitations, including incomplete inclusion of fracture types, difficulty in understanding and insufficient guidance for surgical treatment, etc. Serious complications such as traumatic arthritis are common due to wrong classification and diagnosis and improper selection of surgical strategy, which brings a heavy burden to the society and families. Three-column classification, based on anatomic characteristics, has advantages of containing more fracture types and being easy to understand, etc. To solve the problems existing in the diagnosis and treatment process based on Letournel-Judet classification, achieve accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients with acetabular fractures, and obtain satisfactory prognosis, the Orthopedic Trauma Emergency Center of Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and the Trauma Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Orthopedic Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate the Expert consensus on the accurate diagnosis and treatment of acetabular fractures based on three-column classification ( version 2023) in terms of principles of evidence-based medicine. Based on the three-column classification, 15 recommendations were proposed, covering the diagnosis, treatment, complication prevention and management, etc, so as to provide reference for accurate diagnosis and treatment of acetabular fractures.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis com-bined with periampullary diverticulum and influencing factor for difficult cannulation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 1 920 patients who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis in 15 medical centers, including the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, et al, from July 2015 to December 2017 were collected. There were 915 males and 1 005 females, aged (63±16)years. Of 1 920 patients, there were 228 cases with periampullary diverticulum and 1 692 cases without periampullary diverticulum. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis; (3) influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and com-parison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis. Age, body mass index, cases with complications as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diameter of common bile duct, cases with diameter of common bile duct as <8 mm, 8?12 mm, >12 mm, diameter of stone, cases with number of stones as single and multiple were (69±12)years, (23.3±3.0)kg/m 2, 16, (14±4)mm, 11, 95, 122, (12±4)mm, 89, 139 in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus (62±16)years, (23.8±2.8)kg/m 2, 67, (12±4)mm, 159, 892, 641, (10±4)mm, 817, 875 in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diver-ticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=?7.55, 2.45, χ2=4.54, t=?4.92, Z=4.66, t=?7.31, χ2=6.90, P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. The balloon expansion diameter, cases with intraoperative bleeding, cases with hemorrhage management of submucosal injection, hemostatic clip, spray hemostasis, electrocoagulation hemostasis and other treatment, cases with endoscopic plastic stent placement, cases with endoscopic nasal bile duct drainage, cases with mechanical lithotripsy, cases with stone complete clearing, cases with difficult cannulation, cases with delayed intubation, cases undergoing >5 times of cannulation attempts, cannulation time, X-ray exposure time, operation time were 10.0(range, 8.5?12.0)mm, 56, 6, 5, 43, 1, 1, 52, 177, 67, 201, 74, 38, 74, (7.4±3.1)minutes, (6±3)minutes, (46±19)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus 9.0(range, 8.0?11.0)mm, 243, 35, 14, 109, 73, 12, 230, 1 457, 167, 1 565, 395, 171, 395, (6.6±2.9)minutes, (6±5)minutes, (41±17)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=6.31, χ2=15.90, 26.02, 13.61, 11.40, 71.51, 5.12, 9.04, 8.92, 9.04, t=?3.89, 2.67, ?3.61, P<0.05). (3) Influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Results of multivariate analysis showed total bilirubin >30 umol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum were indepen-dent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients with periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis ( odds ratio=1.31, 1.48, 1.44, 95% confidence interval as 1.06?1.61, 1.20?1.84, 1.06?1.95, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that, of 1 920 patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 17.271%(81/469) and 8.132%(118/1 451) in the 469 cases with difficult cannulation and 1 451 cases without difficult cannula-tion, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=31.86, P<0.05). In the 1 692 patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postopera-tive pancreatitis was 17.722%(70/395) and 8.250%(107/1 297) in 395 cases with difficult cannula-tion and 1 297 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=29.00, P<0.05). In the 228 patients with choledocholithiasis combined with peri-ampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 14.865%(11/74) and 7.143%(11/154) in 74 cases with difficult cannulation and 154 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=3.42, P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary divertioulum, periampullary divertioulum often occurs in choledocholithiasis patients of elderly and low body mass index. The proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in choledocholithiasis patients with periampullary diverticulum, and the diameter of stone is large, the number of stone is more in these patients. Combined with periampullary diverticulum will increase the difficult of cannulation and the ratio of patient with mechanical lithotripsy, and reduce the ratio of patient with stone complete clearing without increasing postoperative complications of choledocholithiasis patients undergoing ERCP. Total bilirubin >30 μmol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum are independent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients of periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis.