Background: Despite its decreasing incidence, gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the leading cancers in the world and an important global healthcare problem due to its overall high prevalence and high mortality rate. Summary: GC is a consequence of Helicobacter pylori infection in 90% of cases, while in 10% Epstein Barr Virus may be responsible. Moreover, some recent epidemiological data suggest an increasing incidence in some young patients groups possibly due to autoimmunity, and if this tendency is confirmed, it may change the epidemiology of GC in the future. The pathogenesis of GC is mainly related to H. pylori infection, but recent data indicate the possible role of other bacteria and their metabolites, like N-nitrosocompounds or acetaldehyde, interfering during the last steps of carcinogenesis. The new molecular classifications of GCs show a great heterogeneity of this neoplasia, which may in the future help to define personalized treatment strategies for the patients. Early detection and proper surveillance of high risk patients should be our major objectives. Key Messages: GC is still an important healthcare problem, with its several aspects which remain the major challenges for the future. EpidemiologyIs part of the special issue "50th Anniversary of the EAGEN. Successes and Failures in Gastroenterology during the past 50 years with an Outlook to the Future".

IBD was associated with enhanced formation of AOPP, which differed between C and UC with respect to the relationship between rAOPP and disease activity, inflammatory and antioxidant response. These differences may reflect divergent ways that oxidative stress develops in CD and UC. The diagnostic power of rAOPP was insufficient for its clinical application.

A majority of patients with IBD complain of urgency. Fecal incontinence is reported by over 50% of patients. Both worsen patients' everyday functioning. A relevant proportion of patients have symptoms consistent with constipation, which is in connection with an abnormal push/strain maneuver in more than 1/3 of them.

BackgroundMany atrial fibrillation patients eligible for oral anticoagulants are unaware of the presence of AF, and improved detection is necessary to facilitate thromboprophylaxis against stroke.ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of screening for AF compared to no screening and to compare efficacy outcomes of different screening strategies.Materials and methodsCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and MEDLINE from Jan 1, 2000 –Dec 31, 2015 were searched. Studies employing systematic or opportunistic screening and using ECG or pulse palpation in populations age ≥40 years were included. Data describing study and patient characteristics and number of patients with new AF were extracted. The outcome was the incidence of previously undiagnosed AF.ResultsWe identified 25 unique (3 RCTs and 22 observational) studies (n = 88 786) from 14 countries. The incidence of newly detected AF due to screening was 1.5% (95% CI 1.1 to 1.8%). Systematic screening was more effective than opportunistic: 1.8% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.3%) vs. 1.1% (95% CI 0.6 to 1.6%), p<0.05, GP-led screening than community based: 1.9% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.4%) vs. 1.1% (95% CI 0.7 to 1.6%), p<0.05, and repeated heart rhythm measurements than isolated assessments of rhythm: 2.1% (95% CI 1.5–2.8) vs. 1.2% (95% CI 0.8–1.6), p<0.05. Only heart rhythm measurement frequency had statistical significance in a multivariate meta-regression model (p<0.05).ConclusionsActive screening for AF, whether systematic or opportunistic, is effective beginning from 40 years of age. The organisation of screening process may be more important than technical solutions used for heart rhythm assessment.