BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is one of the most common types of submucosal tumors (SMTs). Because of GIST's malignant potential, it is crucial to differentiate it from other SMTs. The present study aimed to identify characteristic endoscopic findings of GISTs in the small intestine. METHODS: We reviewed the clinicopathological and endoscopic findings of 38 patients with endoscopically or surgically resected SMTs in the small intestine. SMTs were classified into GIST and non-GIST groups, and clinicopathological and endoscopic findings were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had GIST and 23 patients had other types of SMTs in the small intestine. Comparison of the endoscopic findings between the 2 groups revealed that dilated vessels in the surrounding mucosa were significantly more in number in the GIST group than in the non-GIST group (P<0.05). However, there were no other differences in endoscopic findings between the 2 groups. Among patients with GISTs, the presence of dilated vessels in the surrounding mucosa was not associated with bleeding risk, tumor size, or metastasis rate at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Dilated vessels in the surrounding mucosa, identified during balloon-assisted endoscopy, may be a diagnostic indicator for GIST in the small intestine. However, its clinical significance should be further analyzed.
Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Mucous Membrane ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Background: Systemic inflammation is associated with poor functional outcomes. However, the effects of improved inflammation on functional indicators remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between improvements in systemic inflammation and activities of daily living in patients after stroke. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients post stroke with systemic inflammation upon admission. Systemic inflammation was defined as a modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) score of 1–2. Improvement in systemic inflammation was defined as a reduction in mGPS score or blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels during hospitalization. The primary outcomes were the motor items of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) at discharge. We applied multiple linear regression analysis to examine whether reduced systemic inflammation was associated with outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Of the 1,490 patients recruited, 158 (median age of 79 years; 88 men) had systemic inflammation on admission and were included in the study. Among these patients, 131 (82.9%) and 147 (93.0%) exhibited reduced mGPS and CRP levels, respectively. The median change in CRP was 2.1 mg/dL (interquartile range, 1.1–3.8). Multivariate analysis revealed that improvements in mGPS (β=0.125, p=0.012) and CRP levels (β=0.108, p=0.108) were independently and positively associated with FIM-motor at discharge. Conclusions Improvement in systemic inflammation was positively associated with functional outcomes in patients post stroke. Early detection and therapeutic intervention for systemic inflammation may further improve outcomes in these patients.

Background: Systemic inflammation is associated with poor functional outcomes. However, the effects of improved inflammation on functional indicators remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between improvements in systemic inflammation and activities of daily living in patients after stroke. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients post stroke with systemic inflammation upon admission. Systemic inflammation was defined as a modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) score of 1–2. Improvement in systemic inflammation was defined as a reduction in mGPS score or blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels during hospitalization. The primary outcomes were the motor items of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) at discharge. We applied multiple linear regression analysis to examine whether reduced systemic inflammation was associated with outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Of the 1,490 patients recruited, 158 (median age of 79 years; 88 men) had systemic inflammation on admission and were included in the study. Among these patients, 131 (82.9%) and 147 (93.0%) exhibited reduced mGPS and CRP levels, respectively. The median change in CRP was 2.1 mg/dL (interquartile range, 1.1–3.8). Multivariate analysis revealed that improvements in mGPS (β=0.125, p=0.012) and CRP levels (β=0.108, p=0.108) were independently and positively associated with FIM-motor at discharge. Conclusions Improvement in systemic inflammation was positively associated with functional outcomes in patients post stroke. Early detection and therapeutic intervention for systemic inflammation may further improve outcomes in these patients.

Background: Systemic inflammation is associated with poor functional outcomes. However, the effects of improved inflammation on functional indicators remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between improvements in systemic inflammation and activities of daily living in patients after stroke. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients post stroke with systemic inflammation upon admission. Systemic inflammation was defined as a modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) score of 1–2. Improvement in systemic inflammation was defined as a reduction in mGPS score or blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels during hospitalization. The primary outcomes were the motor items of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) at discharge. We applied multiple linear regression analysis to examine whether reduced systemic inflammation was associated with outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Of the 1,490 patients recruited, 158 (median age of 79 years; 88 men) had systemic inflammation on admission and were included in the study. Among these patients, 131 (82.9%) and 147 (93.0%) exhibited reduced mGPS and CRP levels, respectively. The median change in CRP was 2.1 mg/dL (interquartile range, 1.1–3.8). Multivariate analysis revealed that improvements in mGPS (β=0.125, p=0.012) and CRP levels (β=0.108, p=0.108) were independently and positively associated with FIM-motor at discharge. Conclusions Improvement in systemic inflammation was positively associated with functional outcomes in patients post stroke. Early detection and therapeutic intervention for systemic inflammation may further improve outcomes in these patients.