The evidence for hepatobiliary tumour surveillance in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is scarce. In this study, we aimed to prospectively evaluate cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) surveillance with yearly MRI with cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) in a nationwide cohort. In total, 512 patients with PSC from 11 Swedish hospitals were recruited. The study protocol included yearly clinical follow-ups, liver function tests and contrast-enhanced MRI/MRCP and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9. Patients with severe/progressive bile duct changes on MRI/MRCP were further investigated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Patients were followed for 5 years or until a diagnosis of CCA, liver transplantation (LT) and/or death. Risk factors associated with CCA were analysed with Cox regression. Eleven patients (2%) were diagnosed with CCA, and two (0.5%) with high-grade bile duct dysplasia. Severe/progressive bile duct changes on MRI/MRCP were detected in 122 patients (24%), of whom 10% had an underlying malignancy. The primary indication for LT (n = 54) was biliary dysplasia in nine patients (17%) and end-stage liver disease in 45 patients (83%), of whom three patients (7%) had unexpected malignancy in the explants. The median survival for patients with CCA was 13 months (3-22 months). Time to diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia and/or hepatobiliary malignancy was significantly associated with severe/progressive bile duct changes on MRI/MRCP (hazard ratio 10.50; 95% CI 2.49-44.31) and increased levels of CA19-9 (hazard ratio 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.01). In an unselected cohort of patients with PSC, yearly CA19-9 and MRI/MRCP surveillance followed by ERCP was ineffective in detecting cancer early enough to support long-term survival. Given the low occurrence of CCA, studies on individualised strategies for follow-up and improved diagnostic methods for PSC-related CCA are warranted. A prospective nationwide 5-year study was conducted to evaluate yearly cholangiocarcinoma surveillance using MRI and CA19-9 in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Only 2% of the patients were diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma during follow-up and their prognosis remained poor despite surveillance. This surveillance strategy failed to detect cancer early enough to support long-term survival. Therefore, individualised strategies and improved diagnostic methods will be required to improve the early detection of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Microscopic colitis (MC), comprising collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC), is a common cause of chronic diarrhea. Various immune cell infiltrations in the epithelium and lamina propria are seen in MC immunopathology. We compared gene and protein expressions of different immune cell attracting chemokines and their receptors in colon biopsies from MC patients in active disease or histopathological remission (CC/LC‐HR) with controls, using qRT‐PCR and Luminex, respectively. CC and LC patients with active disease demonstrated a mixed chemokine profile with significantly enhanced gene and/or protein expressions of the chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL22, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CX₃CL1 and the receptors CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CXCR1, CXCR2, and CX₃CR1. Enhanced chemokine/chemokine receptor gene and protein levels in LC‐HR patients were similar to LC patients, whereas CC‐HR patients demonstrated almost normalized levels. These findings expand the current understanding of the involvement of various immune cells in MC immunopathology and endorse chemokines as potential diagnostic markers as well as therapeutic candidates. Moreover, this study further supports the hypothesis that CC and LC are two different entities due to differences in their immunoregulatory responses.

Adequate bowel cleansing is essential for high-quality colonoscopy. Recently, a new very low-volume 1 litre (1L) polyethylene glycol (PEG) plus ascorbate solution (ASC) has been introduced. Our aims were to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of this product compared to low-volume 2L PEG-ASC and high-volume 4L PEG solutions, in a real-life setting. In six endoscopy units in Sweden, outpatients undergoing colonoscopy were either prescribed solutions according to local routines, or the very low-volume solution in split dose regimen. Bowel cleansing effectiveness and patient experience was assessed using the Boston Bowel preparation scale (BBPS) and a patient questionnaire. A total of 1098 patients (mean age 58 years, 52% women) were included. All subsegment and the total BBPS scores were significantly greater for 1L PEG-ASC in comparison to other solutions (p < 0.05 for 1L PEG-ASC and 4L PEG for transverse and left colon, otherwise p < 0.001). Nausea was more frequent with 1L PEG-ASC compared to 2L PEG-ASC (p < 0.001) and vomiting were more often reported compared to both other solutions (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 for 2L PEG-ASC and 4L PEG, respectively). Smell, taste, and total experience was better for 1L PEG-ASC compared to 4L PEG (p < 0.001), and similar compared to the 2L PEG-ASC. In conclusion, 1L PEG-ASC leads to better bowel cleansing compared to 2L PEG-ASC or 4L PEG products, with similar or greater patient satisfaction.

Background and Aims: The risk of HCC in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is unclear. Studies indicate a low risk for HCC, questioning the rationale for current HCC surveillance guidelines. This study explores the risk of HCC in a longitudinal multicenter cohort with over 3000 PSC subjects. Approach and Results: Subjects with well-characterized PSC (n=3071) were followed at 12 university hospitals within the International PSC Registry (IPSCR) collaboration for a total of 38,387 person-years. Incident HCC was registered. Subjects were followed from PSC diagnosis until death, liver transplantation, diagnosis of hepatobiliary malignancy, or February 2024. Poisson regression was used to calculate incidence rate ratios for HCC for the total population and for subgroups of different ages and cirrhosis status. Thirty-nine subjects developed HCC after a mean time of 16.4 years (SD ±10.7) from PSC diagnosis. In 26 (66.7%) of HCC cases, cirrhosis was diagnosed before HCC. The mean age at HCC diagnosis was 55.6 years (±SD13.1 years), and 28 (71.8%) were male. HCC was associated with cirrhosis (IRR: 10.8, 95% CI: 5.7–20.5) and age (IRR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.08). At the age of 50, the incidence rate was 0.81 and 0.47 for cirrhotic men and women, respectively. For non-cirrhotic subjects, the risk was low for both men and women and all age groups. Conclusion: HCC is relatively rare in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis who do not have cirrhosis, especially in those under the age of 50. Our findings indicate that HCC monitoring for patients with PSC can be tailored based on their age and cirrhosis status.

Background: Fast-track pathways for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) have been implemented in several European countries. In Sweden, a substantial number of CRC are diagnosed via the Swedish Standardized Course of Care for colorectal cancer (SCC-CRC). We evaluated the SCC-CRC in terms of CRC yield, and predictive values and odds ratios (OR) for the entry criteria. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all 2539 patients referred for SCC-CRC colonoscopy between September 2016 and December 2020. Entry criteria and colonoscopy outcomes were analyzed. Results: CRC yield was 16.4%. Highest positive predictive values (PPVs) were seen for abnormal radiology (PPV 30.5%, OR 4.7 (95% CI 3.4–6.4) p < 0.001), abnormal rectal examination (PPV 28%, OR 3.6 (95% CI 2.7–4.8) p < 0.001), and anemia (PPV 24.8%, OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.5–3.1) p < 0.001). Some entry criteria showed no significant risk increase, i.e., visible blood in stool/rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, and the combination of changed bowel habits plus anemia. A positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT), although not part of the SCC-CRC, showed the highest OR: 9.9 (95% CI 4.5–21.7) p < 0.001) and PPV of 18.8%. Conclusions: CRC yield from the SCC-CRC is slightly higher compared to other European fast tracks. A number of entry criteria showed no benefit towards assessing CRC risk. FIT testing should be included in CRC fast tracks to increase diagnostic efficacy.

Sweden has historically provided a fruitful arena for research in clinical medicine. We here share 40 years of experience of collaboration in the Swedish hepatology research group (SWEHEP) (https://www.swehep.se). We describe the way the Swedish hepatology pioneers started the group and how the network continuously developed over the years. Successful projects such as thorough studies of natural history and various clinical aspects of autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and steatosis are described. Over the years, more than 80 publications have been published by the group. A summary of new and ongoing research programs includes the randomized placebo-controlled trial of simvastatin in PSC (PiSCATIN), the prospective BIGMAP (Biochemical and genetic markers for the assessment and prognostication of liver cirrhosis) initiative in patients with liver cirrhosis, and the DETECT-HCC, a prospective multicenter cohort study comparing abbreviated MRI and ultrasound for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma every six months over two years. The group philosophy, success factors for the longstanding collaboration as well as experience of failures are shared. The success of hepatology research in Sweden is based on longstanding collaboration over generations of hepatologists, where everyone contributes, regular research meetings, mutual trust, and perseverance.