21 WORLD GASTROENTEROLOGY NEWS FEBRUARY 2017 Editorial | Expert Point of View | Gastro 2016: EGHS-WGO | WDHD News | WGO & WGOF News | WGO Global Guidelines | Calendar of Events Annual Meeting of the Croatian Society of Gastroenterology Miroslav Simunic, MD, PhD President Croatian Society of Gastroenterology From September 16th through 18th 2016, the Croatian Society of Gas-troenterology held its regular annual meeting. The meeting took place in Bol on the island of Brač, and it was attended by more than 240 gastro-enterologists and colleagues of other specialties, from Croatia and abroad. Along with this event, the Association of Nurses and Technicians in Gastro-enterology held its own meeting. During this conference, all areas of gastroenterology and hepatology were addressed, and this year’s main topics were inflammatory diseases (microbial as well as non-microbial) of the gas-trointestinal system. To enhance the organization’s and audience’s follow-up discussion, lectures were grouped in thematic sessions. During the session on microbial inflammations of the gastrointestinal system, the importance of gut micro-biota was discussed, accentuating its possible influence on number of dis-eases, especially inflammatory bowel diseases. The influence on microbiota (antibiotics) was also noted. Infection with Clostridium difficile, which becomes the leading cause of intra-hospital acquired diarrhea, was recognized as growing problem, and its timely diagnosing and treatment were stressed. The audience was reminded of iatrogenic infections in gastroenterology, especially after endo-scopic procedures, and of the necessity to adhere to guidelines for prophylaxis and treatment. Chronic gastric infection was as-sessed as a possible precursor to peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma, especially in light of Helicobacter pylori infec-tion. Epidemiologic study results on prevalence and antibiotic resistance in Croatia were presented, and guide-lines for treatment in Croatia were advised. The liver diseases session dealt with hepatitis B epidemiologic and therapeutic situations and possibili-ties in Croatia. It was concluded that absolute eradication was not possible at this moment, but it is possible, by treatment with pegilated interferon and nucleoside analogues, to inac-tivate viral replication permanently and to prevent complications. The importance of a vaccination program was also stressed. Upcoming new drugs and diagnostic tools were also mentioned. Regarding viral hepatitis C, its growing proportion in liver transplantation was discussed. Problems in diagnosing and treat-ment of toxic hepatitis were also assessed, as well as in some less fre-quent diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis. Finally, non-alcohol fatty liver as a population prevalent disorder was pointed out as among the top causes of chronic liver diseases. Also alco-holic liver disease, with its difficulties in prevention and treatment, was mentioned. Inflammation of the biliary and pancreatic system was also one of the topics, as well as invasive and surgical methods to treat it. The audience was reminded about current guidelines for treatment of acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis (Tokio 2013.). Acute and chronic pancreatitis were also assessed. Endoscopic and radiologic intervention possibilities in these diseases were presented, and also the surgeon’s point of view, including minimally invasive surgery. The session on inflammatory bowel diseases began with a presentation of epidemiologic data of these diseases in Croatia (showing the incidence rates for both ulcerative colitis and Prof. Milan Kujundzic, dr.med., Minister of Health of Croatia Prof. Neven Ljubicic, dr. med., ex-Minister of Health of Croatia
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