Introduction

The relationship between disruptions in the intestinal microbiome, psychological well-being, and modern lifestyle factors in individuals with prevalent non-communicable diseases, such as atherosclerosis, has been partially elucidated but remains inadequately investigated. This raises the inquiry into the feasibility of diagnosing, preventing, and treating atherosclerosis through the measurement and adjustment of disease markers associated with intestinal microbiome, psychological state, and lifestyle indicators.

Aims & Methods

This study aims to broaden the spectrum of these markers to a degree adequate for establishing models to diagnose atherosclerosis within the alternative categories of "no atherosclerosis," "asymptomatic atherosclerosis," and "symptomatic atherosclerosis," as well as by the level of associated health risks (non-significant, significant, and high). Our cohort study data were employed to fulfill this goal.

Results

We identified microbial markers from 955 gut microbiome species and other markers from 52 indicators of psychological state and lifestyle among participants. Marker properties were assessed based on their ability to distinguish between "no atherosclerosis," "asymptomatic atherosclerosis," and "symptomatic atherosclerosis" groups, as well as "not significant risk," "significant risk," and "high risk" groups. We measured their correlation with each participant's group membership using the p-level parameter to prioritize markers, resulting in a rating for each. Eleven microbial species (including Oxalobacter aliiformigenes, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum) and six other indicators (including "feeling of slowness" and "duration of physical activity") showed the highest scores. Cluster-type models based on these markers accurately predict group membership, with predictive accuracies ranging from 93.7% to 97.1%. This study provides novel insights into atherosclerosis-associated markers, laying a foundation for future research in this field.

Conclusion

The inclusion of microbial, psychological state, and lifestyle indicators has significantly enhanced the existing markers for atherosclerosis. These new markers have facilitated the development of models that, for the first time, enable the diagnosis of atherosclerosis within the categories of "no atherosclerosis," "asymptomatic atherosclerosis," and "symptomatic atherosclerosis," as well as by the associated health risks (non-significant, significant, and high). In addition to microbial markers, these models also incorporate an individual's psychological state and lifestyle indicators.

References

1. Meleshko T. V., Pallah O. V., Rukavchuk R. O., Yusko L. S., & Boyko N. V. (2020). Edible Fruits Extracts Affect Intestinal Microbiota Isolated from Patients with Noncommunicable Diseases Associated With Chronic Inflammation. Biotechnologia Acta, 13 (5), 87-100.
2. Toth, S., Boyko, N., & Sihotsky, V. (2021). Hypothesis of “stroke-stop” formula: a tool for risk index determination in development of acute cerebrovascular disease in asymptomatic individuals with carotid stenosis.
3. Bubnov, R. V., Spivak, M. Y., Lazarenko, L. M., Bomba, A., & Boyko, N. V. (2015). Probiotics and immunity: provisional role for personalized diets and disease prevention. EPMA Journal, 6, 1-11.
4. Kopolovets, I., Berek, P., Stefanic, P., Lotnyk, D., Mucha, R., Hertelyova, Z., ... & Sihotsky, V. (2020). Relevance of Lp-PLA2 blood concentration for morphological structure of atherosclerotic plaque: a shift from reactive to predictive, preventive and personalized medicine to predict stroke in patients with asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis.

Introduction

Approximately 50% of people have problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a new rectal micro-encapsulated sodium butyrate suppository in the treatment of hemorrhoid disease.

Aims & Methods

All consecutive patients attending the outpatient clinic of the 5 participating hospitals with symptoms of pain, pruritus or passing of bright blood per rectum due to hemorrhoid disease were eligible for entering the study. Pregnant women and patients with rectal cancer were excluded. The intensity of symptoms was evaluated with a 5-point Likert scale, while hemorrhoids were classified as internal or external. All patients received once a day for 10 days a suppository that weighs 2,0gr and contains sodium butyrate, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, triglycerides of saturated fatty acids with the addition of monoglycerides and diglycerides. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated at the end of the 10-day administration and was defined as the complete disappearance of pain, pruritus and hemorrhage. The concomitant use of lidocaine or phlebotropic drugs that were administered according to the treating physician’s judgment was also recorded.

Results

From January 2024 till March 2025, 179 patients [male/female: 106/73, mean±SD age: 51±24, mean±SD BMI: 27.42±5.91) received the rectal micro-encapsulated sodium butyrate suppository for the treatment of pain (n=82), pruritus (n=55) and hemorrhage (n=143). Twenty-one patients (11.7%) had also diabetes mellitus, 18 (10.0%) were receiving anticoagulants and 51 (28.5%) were active smokers. Ninety (50.3%) patients had external and 135 (75.4%) internal hemorrhoids [grade 1=52 (38.5%), grade 2=54 (40.0%), grade 3=21 (15.5%), grade 4=6 (4.4%)]. The mean±SD intensity of pain and pruritus was 2.10±1.24 and 1.90±1.34 respectively. Thirty-two (17.8%) patients had also an anal fissure. Forty (22.3%) patients were receiving lidocaine ointment and 29 (16.2%) were receiving phlebotropic drugs during the time of the rectal suppository administration. After the 10-day administration period success of treatment was seen in 161 (89.9%) patients. No adverse events from the use of the rectal suppository were seen.

Conclusion

The use of micro-encapsulated sodium butyrate in suppository form appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of symptoms due to hemorrhoid disease.

Disclosure

No conflicts of interest

Introduction

Colonic diverticulosis is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition that is often diagnosed incidentally. However, its association with chronic polyps and rectal hemorrhoids remains underexplored, particularly in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.

Aims & Methods

This study aimed to assess the relationship between colonic diverticulosis and colonic conditions while considering demographic and clinical factors. This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary referral center over four years. Data from 4,014 patients who underwent colonoscopy were analyzed. Statistical tests, including chi-square and independent sample t-tests, were used to determine associations between diverticulosis, polyps, hemorrhoids, and bowel preparation adequacy.

Results

Diverticulosis was observed in 14.2% of the patients, with a higher prevalence among males (16.1%) than among females (12.1%) (p < 0.001). Patients with diverticulosis were significantly older (mean age 61.35 years) than those without diverticulosis (mean age 48.25 years) (p < 0.001). Hemorrhoids were more frequent in patients with diverticulosis (18.6%) than in those without diverticulosis (11.9%) (p < 0.001). A similar association was found between diverticulosis and polyps, with the polyp prevalence being higher in patients with diverticulosis (21.4%) than in those without (11.7%) (p < 0.001). Additionally, inadequate bowel preparation was more common among patients with diverticulosis (17.1%) than among those with adequate bowel preparation (13.6%) (p = 0.023).

Conclusion

This study highlights a significant association between colonic diverticulosis and the presence of polyps and hemorrhoids. Older age and male sex were identified as the key risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted screening and optimized bowel preparation in at-risk patients. Further research is required to explore the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and to develop preventive strategies.
Keywords: Diverticulosis; Hemorrhoids; Chronic Polyps

References

1 Nallapeta NS, Farooq U, Patel K. Diverticulosis. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing 2025.
2 Tursi A, Scarpignato C, Strate LL, et al. Colonic diverticular disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:20. doi: 10.1038/s41572-020-0153-5