Scurvy is a nutritional deficiency caused by low vitamin C levels that has been described since ancient times. It leads to a varied presentation, affecting multiple organ systems due to its role in the biochemical reactions of connective tissue synthesis. Common manifestations include gingival bleeding, arthralgias, skin discoloration, impaired wound healing, perifollicular hemorrhage, and ecchymoses. Although there has been a dramatic reduction in the prevalence of scurvy in modern times owing to vitamin C supplementation and intake, sporadic cases still occur. In developed countries, it is mainly diagnosed in the elderly and malnourished individuals and is associated with alcoholism, low socio-economic status, and poor dietary habits. Scurvy has been an unusual cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding among other GI manifestations. It can be adequately treated and prevented via vitamin C supplementation.

Background/Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are increasingly used worldwide for weight and hyperglycemia management. There is an ongoing debate on the presence of increased gastric residue, leading to complications such as aspiration and overall safety in patients receiving upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We aimed to study the effect of GLP-RAs on endoscopy outcomes. Methods: We conducted a detailed search of online databases to select the studies which provided details of the effects of GLP-RAs on patients undergoing endoscopy. The outcomes of interest were odds of retained gastric content (RGC), aspiration risk, and aborted and repeated procedures. A random effect model was used to calculate the pooled odds of outcomes with a 95% CI. We further calculated the pooled odds of predictive factors associated with an increased rate of retained gastric residues in the study population. Results: We included 12 studies with a total of 105,515 patients, of which 32,144 were on GLP-1 RAs and 73,273 were in the control group. A total of 234 (0.73%) aspiration events in GLP-RA users were noted compared to 257 (0.35%) events in the control group. No increased odds (1.26, 95% CI 0.86–1.87, I² 34%) of aspiration were found in GLP-1 users compared to the non-GLP-1 group. Patients on GLP-1 RA had increased RGC compared to the control group (OR 6.30, 95% CI 5.30–7.49, I² 0%). The pooled odds of aborted (OR 5.50, 95% CI 3.25–9.32, I² 0%) and repeated procedures (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.42–3.38, I² 0%) were significantly higher in GLP-1 RA users. Patients taking Tirazepatide had the highest percentage of RGC (18.9%), while exenatide users had the lowest rate (6.2%) of food retention. Patients undergoing concomitant colonoscopy were found to have significantly low pooled odds of RGC (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.04–0.48). GLP-1 RAs use was independently associated with increased odds of RGC (3.91, 95% CI 3.21–4.62, I² 0%). The results were homogenous and stayed consistent in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: Although the odds of RGC and aborted procedures are high in the GLP-1 RAs group compared to the control, no significant difference in the odds of aspiration was found between the two groups. Simple measures such as a clear liquid diet for 24 h, as routinely set for patients undergoing colonoscopy, may reduce the risk of retaining gastric residue in these patient populations.

There is growing evidence of the association of Microscopic Colitis (MC) with the use of specific medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Statins and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RA). In our study, we calculated the pooled odds of MC in patients using these drugs. We performed a detailed search of major databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, web of science, and Embase, to include the studies in which odds of MC were reported after using above mentioned drugs. A random-effects model was used to pool the estimates. Thirteen studies were included in our analysis consisting of 304,482 patients (34,194 cases and 270,018 controls). In eight studies, the control group consisted of a random population selected based on age, gender and same birth year, whereas 3 studies recruited patients who presented with diarrhea and underwent colonoscopy and biopsy to rule out MC. Two studies reported odds of MC for both diarrhea and random control groups. Patients taking PPIs were more likely to develop MC, AOR 2.65 (95% CI 1.81–3.50, I² 98.13%). Similarly, higher odds of association were found in patients taking SSRIs (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.27–2.96, I² 96.46%), NSAIDs (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.33–2.70, I² 92.70%) and Statins (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.19–2.30, I² 96.36%). No difference in odds of developing MC was seen in patients using H2RA compared to the control group (OR 2.70, 95% CI 0.32–5.08, I² 98.67%). We performed a subgroup analysis based on the control group and found higher odds of MC in patients on PPIs compared to the random control group (OR 4.55, 95% CI 2.90–6.19, I² 98.13%). Similarly, higher odds of MC were noted for SSRI (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.54–4.92, I² 98.31%), NSAIDs (OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.06–4.48, I² 95.38%), and Statins (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.41–3.06, I² 98.11%) compared to the random control group. Contrary lower odds of MC were seen in the PPI and H2RA group compared to the diarrhea control group (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48–0.88, I² 7.26%), (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.14–0.78, I² 0%) respectively. We found no difference in odds of MC in patients on SSRIs (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.49–1.42, I² 37.89%), NSAIDs (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.49–1.76, I² 59.37%) Statins (OR 0.91, 95% 0.66–1.17, I² 0%) and H2RA (OR 3.48, 95% CI −0.41–7.36, I² 98.89%) compared to the diarrhea control group. We also analyzed the association use of PPIs and NSAIDs with the development of collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis. Only the use of NSAIDs was associated with increased odds of developing collagenous colitis (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.50–1.72, I² 0%). No increased odds of CC and LC were seen in PPI users. PPIs, NSAIDs, SSRIs, and Statins are associated with an increased risk of MC compared to the random control group. On the contrary, the use of PPIs, NSAIDs, SSRIs, and Statins is not associated with an increased risk of MC when compared to the diarrhea control group.

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease characterized by light chain deposition in soft tissues and viscera, causing systemic organ dysfunction with an underlying lymphoproliferative disorder. While the kidney is the most affected organ, cardiac and hepatic involvement is also seen with LCDD. Hepatic manifestation can range from mild hepatic injury to fulminant liver failure. Herein, we are presenting a case of an 83-year-old woman with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), who presented to our institution with acute liver failure progressing to circulatory shock and multiorgan failure. After an extensive workup, a diagnosis of hepatic LCDD was determined. In conjunction with the hematology and oncology department, chemotherapy options were discussed, but given her poor prognosis, the family decided to pursue a palliative route. Though establishing a prompt diagnosis is important for any acute condition, the rarity of this condition, along with paucity of data, makes timely diagnosis and treatment challenging. The available literature shows variable rates of success with chemotherapy for systemic LCDD. Despite chemotherapeutic advances, liver failure in LCDD indicates a dismal prognosis, where further clinical trials are difficult owing to the low prevalence of the condition. In our article, we will also be reviewing previous case reports on this disease.

Esophageal varices due to portal hypertension are treated with endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVBL), a minimally invasive procedure with potential complications, such as pain, bleeding, and stricture formation. Rarely, complete esophageal obstruction can occur secondary to edema of the mucosa. Most cases can be managed conservatively, but intervention is necessary for severe symptoms with a risk for aspiration and airway compromise. Since EVBL is such a common procedure, it is important for clinicians to be aware of this rare but severe complication. An 80-year-old woman presented with severe dysphagia and chest discomfort after a recent EVBL. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed esophageal mucosal edema and complete obstruction of the esophageal lumen. The band was removed with a loop cutter with subsequent balloon dilation to relieve the obstruction.

Gastric cancer is one of the gastrointestinal malignancies that can be quite devastating with high morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, it is a malignancy that is encountered all across the world and is often brought into suspicion based on symptoms of the patient. The presentation differs based on the symptomatology and can be quite variable in each and every case. Malignant lesions in the stomach discovered endoscopically can represent as primary gastric growths or can be secondary as a consequence of metastatic spread from a distant primary site. It is important to recognize the different patterns of presentation of metastatic disease and to be aware of the primary tumor sites. The treatment and ultimately the prognosis changes drastically when dealing with a metastatic disease as opposed to a primary localized source with limited spread. The aim of our study is to present a mini series of cases that manifest as metastatic gastric growths. Their clinical, endoscopic and histological appearance is depicted to provide an understanding of each case. The primary sites of origin for our patients were the lungs, skin, lymphoid tissue and kidneys. Their overall clinical course is presented including the approach to the management in each case as well as their outcomes.