The brain-gut axis represents a complex bi-directional system comprising multiple interconnections between the neuroendocrine pathways, the autonomous nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic, relapsing-remitting inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a multifactorial etiology. Depression and anxiety are prevalent among patients with chronic disorders characterized by a strong immune component, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and IBD. Although psychological problems are an important aspect of morbidity and of impaired quality of life in patients with IBD, depression and anxiety continue to be under-diagnosed. There is lack of evidence regarding the exact mechanisms by which depression, anxiety and cognitive dysfunction may occur in these patients, and whether psychological disorders are the result of disease activity or determinants of the IBD occurrence. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the role of the brain-gut axis in the psychological functioning of patients with IBD, and discuss current preclinical and clinical data on the topic and therapeutic strategies potentially useful for the clinical management of these patients. Personalized pathways of psychological supports are needed to improve the quality of life in patients with IBD.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of metformin in patients with cirrhosis, but no improvement in liver histology. Aim: To investigate the impact of metformin on mortality and hepatic decompensation in people with diabetes with compensated cirrhosis. Methods: Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to February 2023 for studies reporting results regarding the impact of metformin on all-cause mortality and hepatic decompensation in people with diabetes with compensated cirrhosis. The risk of bias was assessed by ROBINS-I Cochrane tool. R software 4.3.1 was used for all analyses. Results: Six observational studies were included in the final analysis. Metformin use was associated with reduced all-cause mortality or liver transplantation [hazard ratio (HR): 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–0.82], while no benefit was shown in the prevention of hepatic decompensation (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.77–1.22). In the subgroup analysis, metformin use was associated with reduced all-cause mortality or liver transplantation (HR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.38–0.65) in patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis cirrhosis, while two studies reported no survival benefit in patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C (HR: 0.39; 95% CI 0.12–1.20). Conclusion: Metformin use is associated with reduced all-cause mortality, but not with the prevention of hepatic decompensation in people with diabetes with compensated cirrhosis. The mortality benefit is most likely driven by better diabetes and cardiovascular health control.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the presence of a right-to-left shunt (RLS) and neurological decompression sickness (NDCS) and asymptomatic brain lesions among otherwise healthy divers. Background: Next to drowning, NDCS is the most severe phenotype of diving-related disease and may cause permanent damage to the brain and spinal cord. Several observational reports have described the presence of an RLS as a significant risk factor for neurological complications in divers, ranging from asymptomatic brain lesions to NDCS. Methods: We systematically reviewed the MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases from inception until November 2021. A random-effects model was used to compute odds ratios. Results: Nine observational studies consisting of 1830 divers (neurological DCS: 954; healthy divers: 876) were included. RLS was significantly more prevalent in divers with NDCS compared to those without (62.6% vs. 27.3%; odds ratio (OR): 3.83; 95% CI: 2.79–5.27). Regarding RLS size, high-grade RLS was more prevalent in the NDCS group than the no NDCS group (57.8% versus 18.4%; OR: 4.98; 95% CI: 2.86–8.67). Further subgroup analysis revealed a stronger association with the inner ear (OR: 12.13; 95% CI: 8.10–18.17) compared to cerebral (OR: 4.96; 95% CI: 2.43–10.12) and spinal cord (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 2.74–7.42) DCS. RLS was more prevalent in divers with asymptomatic ischemic brain lesions than those without any lesions (46.0% vs. 38.0%); however, this was not statistically significant (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.80–2.91). Conclusions: RLS, particularly high-grade RLS, is associated with greater risk of NDCS. No statistically significant association between RLS and asymptomatic brain lesions was found.

Background/Aims: Evidence suggests comparable outcomes between endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the biliary drainage of malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the EUS with ERCP in the management of MDBO.Methods: We performed a literature search using the Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases, including randomized controlled trials comparing EUS and ERCP in patients with MDBO. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model using the STATA ver. 17.0 software.Results: Both procedures were comparable in technical (risk ratio [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–1.30) and clinical (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.85–1.41) success. No difference was identified in total adverse events (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.42–1.35), acute cholangitis (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.43–1.62), stent patency (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.87–1.46) and mean stent patency time (mean difference, –0.01; 95% CI: –0.21 to 0.19). ERCP was associated with a higher risk of procedure-related pancreatitis (RR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04–0.68) and statistically non-significant higher risk for reintervention (RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.37–1.01).Conclusions: Although EUS and ERCP were comparable in terms of efficacy and safety, ERCP was associated with a higher risk of procedure-related pancreatitis and reintervention, with the latter finding not reaching statistical significance.