Familial aggregation of inflammatory bowel disease in a Mediterranean area

To evaluate familial aggregation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Mediterranean area and to estimate the disease risk in first degree relatives. 427 patients with IBD were consecutively interviewed in order to obtain a complete pedigree of first degree relatives. Sufficient information was obtained in 98% of 2,685 family members. The prevalence ratio of IBD in family members was estimated and compared to the prevalence ratio of IBD in general population; the ratio was then standardized by age since the prevalence of the disease is age-dependent. The lifetime risk was assessed by the Kaplan Meier method. Thirty index cases (7%) had at least one affected first degree relative. As compared with the general population, first degree relatives of the 427 patients with IBD had a 4.38-fold increase in the age corrected risk of having the same disease. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a higher risk at 25 years of age for offsprings (3%) than for parents (1%) and siblings (1%) whereas the crude ratio showed a higher risk for siblings (1.9%) compared to parents (0.8%) and offsprings (1%). In the Mediterranean area, the familial prevalence of IBD is higher than in the general population and comparable to North European rates.Abbreviations CD Crohn's disease - IBD inflammatory bowel disease - UC ulcerative colitis     

Intestinal Taxa Abundance and Diversity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: An Analysis including Covariates and Confounders

Intestinal dysbiosis has been widely documented in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and is thought to influence the onset and perpetuation of gut inflammation. However, it remains unclear whether such bacterial changes rely in part on the modification of an IBD-associated lifestyle (e.g., smoking and physical activity) and diet (e.g., rich in dairy products, cereals, meat and vegetables). In this study, we investigated the impact of these habits, which we defined as confounders and covariates, on the modulation of intestinal taxa abundance and diversity in IBD patients. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was performed using genomic DNA extracted from the faecal samples of 52 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 58 with ulcerative colitis (UC), which are the two main types of IBD, as well as 42 healthy controls (HC). A reduced microbial diversity was documented in the IBD patients compared with the HC. Moreover, we identified specific confounders and covariates that influenced the association between some bacterial taxa and disease extent (in UC patients) or behaviour (in CD patients) compared with the HC. In particular, a PERMANOVA stepwise regression identified the variables “age”, “eat yogurt at least four days per week” and “eat dairy products at least 4 days per week” as covariates when comparing the HC and patients affected by ulcerative proctitis (E1), left-sided UC (distal UC) (E2) and extensive UC (pancolitis) (E3). Instead, the variables “age”, “gender”, “eat meat at least four days per week” and “eat bread at least 4 days per week” were considered as covariates when comparing the HC with the CD patients affected by non-stricturing, non-penetrating (B1), stricturing (B2) and penetrating (B3) diseases. Considering such variables, our analysis indicated that the UC extent differentially modulated the abundance of the Bifidobacteriaceae, Rikenellaceae, Christensenellaceae, Marinifilaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae families, while the CD behaviour influenced the abundance of Christensenellaceae, Marinifilaceae, Rikenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Barnesiellaceae and Coriobacteriaceae families. In conclusion, our study indicated that some covariates and confounders related to an IBD-associated lifestyle and dietary habits influenced the intestinal taxa diversity and relative abundance in the CD and UC patients compared with the HC. Indeed, such variables should be identified and excluded from the analysis to characterize the bacterial families whose abundance is directly modulated by IBD status, as well as disease extent or behaviour.     

Analysis of fat and muscle mass in patients with inflammatory bowel disease during remission and active phase

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often associated with malnutrition. The aim of this study was to compare the body composition of outpatients with IBD during remission and active phase. In order to evaluate disease activity we used Crohn's Disease Activity Index for Crohn's disease (CD) patients and Lichtiger's Index for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. All patients underwent the analysis of BMI, arm muscle area (AMA) and triceps plus subscapula skinfold thickness (TST+SST) to identify total, muscle and fat mass, respectively. In total 102 patients were evaluated (CD, n 50; UC, n 52) and the majority was young women. Malnutrition according to BMI was found in 14.0 % of patients with CD and 5.7 % of UC patients. Muscle mass depletion was detected in more than half of the CD and UC patients. The BMI, TST+SST and AMA values were lower in the active phase only in CD patients (P < 0.05). Fat mass depletion was associated with active phase in both CD and UC patients. Body composition parameters obtained using BMI, TST+SST and AMA were not correlated with the presence of fistula in CD patients (P>0.05). In conclusion, patients without signs of malnutrition had fat mass depletion especially in the active phase and muscle mass depletion occurred both in CD and UC patients.     

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: association with disease activity and quality of life

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in an IBD cohort. It was hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased disease activity and lower health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Harvey‐Bradshaw index and ulcerative colitis disease activity index were used to assess disease activity. Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores were used to assess HRQOL. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency and its association with disease activity and HRQOL. Results: The study included 504 IBD patients (403 Crohn's disease [CD] and 101 ulcerative colitis [UC]) who had a mean disease duration of 15.5 years in CD patients and 10.9 years in UC patients; 49.8% were vitamin D deficient, with 10.9% having severe deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with older age (P = .004) and older age at diagnosis (P = .03). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with lower HRQOL (regression coefficient –2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI], –4.10 to –0.33) in CD but not UC (regression coefficient 0.41, 95% CI, –2.91 to 3.73). Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with increased disease activity in CD (regression coefficient 1.07, 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.71). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is common in IBD and is independently associated with lower HRQOL and greater disease activity in CD. There is a need for prospective studies to assess this correlation and examine the impact of vitamin D supplementation on disease course.     

Comprehensive nutritional status in recently diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease compared with population controls

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is observed frequently in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Knowledge of the nutritional status in patients with recently diagnosed IBD is limited. The aim of this study was to establish a comprehensive picture of the nutritional status in recently diagnosed IBD patients. SUBJECTS: Sixty-nine IBD patients (23 Crohn's disease (CD) and 46 with ulcerative colitis (UC)) within 6 months of diagnosis and 69 age- and sex-matched population controls were included in the study. METHODS: The nutritional status was assessed by: (1) body composition (anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry); (2) dietary intake (dietary history); (3) biochemical indexes of nutrition; and (4) muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer). RESULTS: Body weight and body mass index were significantly lower in UC patients compared with controls. The mean daily intake of carbohydrates was significantly higher in CD patients and the intakes of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and riboflavin were significantly lower in UC patients compared with controls, respectively. Serum concentrations of several nutrients (beta-carotene, magnesium, selenium and zinc) were significantly lower in UC patients compared with controls. Serum vitamin B12 concentration was significantly lower in CD patients. Muscle strength did not significantly differ between IBD patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the nutritional status of IBD patients was already affected negatively at time of diagnosis. It needs to be elucidated whether nutritional supplementation in recently diagnosed IBD patients may improve the clinical course of the disease.     

Extra-intestinal manifestation of IBD in Veszprém county (of Hungary): results of a 25-years follow-up study

INTRODUCTION: IBD is a systemic disease associated with a number of extraintestinal manifestations (EIM). The author's aim was to determine the prevalence and features of EIM in a large IBD population in Veszprém county in a 25-year follow-up study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 873 IBD patients were enrolled in the study (UC: 619, m/f: 317/302, age at presentation: 38.3 yrs, disease duration: 11.2 yrs; CD: 254, m/f: 125/129, age at presentation: 32.5 yrs, disease duration: 9.2 yrs). Intestinal, extraintestinal symptoms and laboratory tests were monitored regularly. Any alteration suggesting an EIM was investigated by specialist. RESULTS: A total of 21.3% of patients with IBD patients had EIM (UC: 15.0%, CD: 36.6%). Age at presentation did not affect the likelihood of EIM. Prevalence of EIM was higher in women and in CD, ocular complications and PSC were more frequent in UC. In UC there was an increased tendency of EIM in patients having a more extensive disease. In CD patients colonic location increased the frequency of axial and type-1 peripheral arthritis. In UC positive family history increased the risk of joint (OR: 3.63) complications. Joint complications were more frequent in CD (22.4%) than in UC (10.2%, p < 0.01). PSC was present in 1.6% in UC and 0.8% in CD. Dermatological complications were present in 3.8% in UC and 10.2% in CD, the rate of ocular complications was around 3% in both diseases. Erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum and uveitis were the most frequent manifestations among them. Rare complications were glomerulonephritis, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and celiac disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of EIM in Hungarian IBD patients was in concordance with data from Western countries. The high number of EIM supports a role for complex follow-up in these patients.     

炎症性肠病营养风险和营养治疗方案选择的回顾性分析

目的 :了解IBD病人的营养风险发生情况、相关因素以及营养治疗的选择。方法 :以2006年1月至2015年12月在北京大学第一医院治疗并随访的IBD病人为研究对象。根据病历记录采用营养风险筛查2002进行营养风险评估。根据病人的体重指数(BMI)分为正常组(BMI在18.5~23.9之间)、降低组(BMI18.5)和增高组(BMI≥24)。了解IBD整体和UC、CD病人的营养风险发生情况,分析营养风险的相关因素,比较营养治疗方案的选用。结果 :388例IBD病人纳入研究,UC 306例,CD 82例,营养风险总发生率为49.5%。尽管UC和CD入院时的BMI分布无差异,但CD的营养风险为64.6%,UC为45.4%,(P=0.002),CD较UC更易发生营养风险。BMI降低者的营养风险发生率高达95.7%。营养风险的发生在年龄、性别、IBD家族史上无差异。UC复发频繁、重度活动、广泛受累者营养风险比例较高。CD穿透型、既往有手术史和重症活动者营养风险比例较高。选择充足热卡营养治疗的病人CD为77.4%,明显高于UC的46.8%,(P0.001)。本组IBD病人肠内营养治疗遵循,重症UC病人不能一味强调肠内营养途径,CD病人应先处理好禁忌征再开展肠内营养的原则。结论:IBD病人的营养风险高,CD较UC更明显,尤其应重视低BMI值的IBD病人。UC和CD病人的营养风险发生各有其相关因素。把握好适应征和禁忌征的前提下给予IBD病人肠内营养治疗是安全的。     

Elevated concentrations of linoleic acid in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD), is a disorder characterized by diffuse inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The immune response and inflammation are mediated by polyunsaturated fatty acids and influenced by dietary fats and lipid metabolism. This study examined the qualitative and quantitative fat intake of IBD patients and healthy controls on plasma phospholipid and erythrocyte membrane phospholipid (EMP) fatty acid content. Measurement of the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipid and EMP were performed in 29 UC patients, 20 CD patients, and 31 healthy controls. Anthropometric characteristics and data on dietary intake were also collected. We observed significantly lower lipid intake in UC and CD patients vs controls. The UC and CD patients had significantly higher levels of linoleic acid in their EMP than did controls. There were no significant differences in the levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, but there were significantly higher levels of the n-6 in the EMP of UC and CD patients compared with controls. The significant differences persisted after the data were adjusted for potential confounders and lipid intake. Higher levels of linoleic acids and n-6 fatty acids, which are involved in production of proinflammatory mediators, were found in IBD patients compared with controls, thereby implicating n-6 fatty acids in the pathophysiology of the disease.     

Association of vitamin K deficiency with bone metabolism and clinical disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease

Objective

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory process in the digestive tract and patients with IBD develop osteopenia. Although vitamins K and D are important for maintaining bone health and inhibiting inflammation, their roles in patients with IBD are not clear. We investigated the roles of vitamins K and D in the bone health and inflammation in patients with IBD.

Methods

Bone mineral density (BMD) of patients with IBD (Crohn’s disease [CD], n = 47, and ulcerative colitis [UC], n = 40) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Vitamin K and D levels of patients with IBD and healthy volunteers (n = 41) were evaluated by measuring serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, respectively. Clinical activity index was evaluated in patients with CD and UC.

Results

BMD was low in patients with CD and UC. Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin levels were significantly higher in patients with CD, but not with UC, compared with healthy subjects, indicating that bone vitamin K is insufficient in patients with CD. The levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin were significantly correlated with the clinical activity index of CD, although they were not correlated with BMD. The levels of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D were significantly lower in patients with CD and UC than in healthy subjects. The levels of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D were inversely correlated with BMD in patients with UC and were not correlated with the clinical activity index of CD.

Conclusion

Vitamins K and D are insufficient in patients with IBD. Insufficiency of vitamin K is suggested to be associated with inflammatory processes of CD.     

112例炎症性肠病患者的营养风险筛查

目的 筛查炎症性肠病(IBD)患者营养风险的发生情况.方法 采用营养风险筛查2002(NRS2002)对在北京协和医院就诊的112例IBD患者进行营养风险筛查.体重指数(BMI)采用中国标准,以小于18.5 kg/m~2结合临床判定为营养不良,直接记录为3分.采用True-Love标准将溃疡性结肠炎(UC)分为轻型、中型和重型.采用Harvey和Bradshaw标准将克罗恩病(CD)分为缓解期(≤4分)、中度活动期(4-8分)和重度活动期(≥9分).结果 112例IBD患者中,UC为70例,CD为42例,总营养风险发生率为40.2%.CD组患者营养风险发生率为52.4%,明显高于UC组的32.9%(P<0.05).营养风险发生率与疾病严重程度相关.重型IBD患者营养不良(不足)发生率显著低于营养风险发生率(P=0.003).结论 IBD患者营养风险发生率较高,NRS2002有助于发现IBD患者的营养风险.     

儿童炎症性肠病病原菌分析

摘要:目的　分析某院炎症性肠病（Inflammatory Bbowel Disease,IBD）儿童患者粪便中的菌群分布,并与正常对照进行比较,探讨儿童IBD的发生与肠道菌群的关系。方法　选取2011年5月-2014年8月在该院确诊的IBD患儿共101例作为调查对象;同时选取该院同一时间段进行健康体检的健康儿童50例作为对照。收集调查样本新鲜粪便,通过荧光定量PCR检测肠道优势菌群的数量情况,比较溃疡性结肠炎（UC）患儿、克罗恩病（CD）患儿与正常对照组各优势菌种的数量差异。结果　根据菌群定量检测结果发现,拟杆菌属在3组人群中数量差异无统计学意义（F＝3.148,P＞0.05）,UC组及CD组双歧杆菌、缠绕杆菌、乳酸菌、脆弱杆菌、梭状芽胞杆菌比对照组显著减少（F值分别为15.331、17.453、21.479、18.521,27.658,P值均＜0.05）,UC组及CD组肠球菌比正常对照组明显增多（F＝23.457,P＜0.05）。结论　儿童肠道优势菌群与IBD的发生具有关联性,但优势菌群分布与IBD发生的因果关系还需要今后进行进一步的研究证实。     

Associations of Lifestyle Factors with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in Polish Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Reduced physical activity (PA), smoking, and coffee and alcohol drinking constitute risk factors of osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) and frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with IBD and their correlation with PA, smoking, coffee, and alcohol. The study group consisted of 208 patients with IBD-103 with Crohn’s disease (CD), 105 suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). Densitometric measurements were performed using the DXA. All patients completed a questionnaire concerning PA, smoking, and coffee and alcohol consumption. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis (L2–L4) in the IBD group was 48.1%; in the CD group, it amounted to 48.6%, and in the UC group, the prevalence was equal to 33.3%. Patients with CD who were diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis demonstrated reduced PA compared to patients with a normal BMD who exercised regularly (p = 0.0335). A similar observation was made in the group of women with IBD. Women with a normal BMD exercised significantly more often than women suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis (p = 0.0146). However, no differences in BMD were observed with regard to coffee use, alcohol consumption, or smoking. Thus, since the incidence of osteoporosis in IBD patients is high, it may be dependent on PA.     

Serum bone marker measurements in bone metabolism disorders associated with inflammatory bowel diseases

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have decreased bone mineral density (BMD), which is usually much more remarkable in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) than those with ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of serum beta-Crosslaps (bCL) and osteocalcin (OC) determinations to assess bone metabolism in patients with IBD. Forty-nine patients with IBD (23 UC, 26 CD) and 46 healthy controls were studied. Serum bCL and OC were measured by Elecsys immunoassay. Compared to controls (0.275 +/- 0.14 ng/ml) the mean bCL concentration was significantly higher in the CD (mean = 0.489 +/- 0.25 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and UC groups (mean = 0.439 +/- 0.3 ng/ml; p < 0.01). The mean OC concentration was significantly higher in the CD group (28.52 +/- 14.75 ng/ml) than in controls (21.42 +/- 7.43 ng/ml) but OC level was not significantly increased in the UC group (24.89 +/- 15.08 ng/ml). There was no significant difference in bCL or OC concentrations between the CD and UC groups. These results indicate that the accelerated bone resorption is not associated with increased bone formation in patients with IBD. These two marker of the bone metabolism could be a good laboratory parameter of bone pathology in patients with IBD, especially in CD.     

Inflammatory bowel disease in Scottish children

Most children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require specialist care in a tertiary medical centre. The records of 105 children with IBD who presented to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow between 1976 and 1995 were studied retrospectively. Fifty seven children and Crohn's disease (CD) (median age of presentation 7.9 years) and 48 had ulcerative colitis (UC) (median age of presentation 8.7 years). The number with CD doubled in the decade 1986-95 compared to 1975-85. 23% with CD and 13% with UC developed symptoms before the age of five years. Median time to diagnosis from symptom onset was 45.8 weeks for CD and 12.7 weeks for UC. Histological diagnosis was obtained in all children. The mainstay of treatment was aminosalicylates, and few children underwent surgery (CD 26%, UC 10%). Thirty percent with CD and 23% with UC had no relapses in the study period, and only one child with UC died. Growth was poorly recorded. The majority of children with CD and over 50% with UC had a height-for-age Z score below zero.     

炎症性肠病122例临床分析

目的 探讨炎症性肠病（IBD）患者的临床治疗现状.方法 调查122例IBD患者的临床特点及诊疗特征.结果 122例IBD患者中,54例为溃疡性结肠炎（UC）,病变范围以广泛结肠为主,就诊医院中位数3家,使用氨基水杨酸制剂、糖皮质激素、免疫抑制剂、生物制剂和抗生素分别为100.0％（54/54）,55.6％（30/54）,24.1％（13/54）,7.4％ （4/54）,75.9％（41/54）;68例为克罗恩病（CD）,病变范围以空回肠＋结肠为主,就诊医院中位数4家,使用过氨基水杨酸制剂、糖皮质激素、免疫抑制剂、生物制剂和抗生素分别为95.6％（65/68）,58.8％（40/68）,47.1％（32/68）,11.8％ （8/68）,79.4％（54/68）.CD患者使用免疫抑制剂、喹诺酮类抗生素均高于UC患者,使用中草药治疗的低于UC患者,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 目前治疗IBD的主要药物有氨基水杨酸制剂、糖皮质激素、免疫抑制剂、生物制剂.     

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases in Veszprém county of Western Hungary between 1977 and 2001

INTRODUCTION: An epidemiological study of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Veszprém county (located in western part of Hungary) was carried out from 1977 to 2001. METHODS: Both hospital and outpatient records of IBD patients were collected reviewed carefully. Most patients have been followed up regularly. RESULTS: The number of population has decreased during the observed period from 386,000 to 376,000. The county has both industrial and agrarian parts. 560 new ulcerative colitis (UC) cases, 212 Crohn's disease (CD), and 40 indeterminate colitides (IC) were diagnosed in the investigated period. Incidence rate increased from 1.66 (1977-1981) to 11.01 (1997-2001) in UC, and from 0.41 to 4.68 in CD, respectively. The incidence rate in IC rose from 0.26 to 0.74. The M/F ratio in UC was 1.06, in CD: 1.03, respectively, 41 UD patients and 13 CD patients died, the cause of death was disease related in 6 UC and in 6 CD patients. The average age at death in UC was not different from that observed in general population (66.4 years) but in CD (50.1 years) it was much earlier. The disease related mortality was low, 0.06/100,000 both in UC and CD. The prevalence rate at the end of 2001 was 142.6 for UC and 52.9/100,000 inhabitants for CD. Mean age at onset in UC was 38.9 +/- 15.5 years, in CD 31.7 +/- 12.8 years. We observed only one peak onset of the diseases, in UC it was between 30 and 40 years, in CD between 20 and 30 years. People living in towns were more liable to acquire the disease (ORUC = 1.27, ORCD = 1.13). The rate of smokers at the onset was 14.3% (OR = 0.25) in UC and 50.5% (OR = 1.98) in CD. Ex-smokers were 18.4% and 6.4%. Family history of IBD was present in 3.4% in UC and 9.9% in CD. The location of UC (according to the known largest extent) was proctitis in 112 cases, proctosigmoiditis in 162 cases, left sided colitis in 117 and subtotal or pancolitis in 169 cases. The location of CD was only ileal in 68 cases, ileocolonic in 87 cases, colonic in 57 cases. The behaviour of CD was non-stricturing-non-penetrating in 63 cases, stricturing in 54 cases, penetrating in 95 cases. 59.4% of the CD patients had at least one operation, 6.1% had more than 3 operations. CONCLUSION: The incidence and prevalence rates have increased steadily in Veszprém County, now it reaches that of most western European countries. There were no gender differences either in UC or CD. Smoking seemed to be a risk factor for CD, but it was preventive for UC. The rapid increase in incidence supports a role for environmental (e.g. diet, lifestyle changes) risk factors.     

Incidence of Crohn’s disease and CARD15 mutation in a small township in Sicily

Background:  The incidence of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been shown to be lower in Southern than in Northern Europe. Data on the frequency of the NOD2/CARD15 mutations for Mediterranean area are very scant. Aim:  To determine the incidence of CD from 1979 to 2002 in a township in Sicily together with the allele frequency of NOD2/CARD15 mutations in patients, family members and controls, and to determine the allele frequency of these mutations in sporadic CD from other areas of Sicily in comparison with a control population. Methods:  Casteltermini is a small town close to Agrigento (Sicily) with a population of 9,130 inhabitants. All the diagnoses of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) made from 1979 to 2002 were obtained through the local health authority. NOD2/CARD15 mutations were studied in 23 out of the 29 patients with CD in Casteltermini, in 60 family members and in 64 controls. NOD2/CARD15 was also studied in 80 sporadic cases of CD disease among Sicilians outside Casteltermini and 118 healthy controls. Results:  From 1979 to 2002, 29 patients with CD and 13 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) were registered. The 6-year mean incidence of CD ranged from 8.0 to 17 new cases for every 100,000 inhabitants, whereas the mean incidence of UC ranged from five new cases to 7.8 for every 100,000 inhabitants. The allele frequencies of NOD2/CARD15 mutations (L1007finsC, G908R, R702W) were 8.7, 4.3 and 8.7%, respectively, in CD cases; 5.0, 4.2 and 3.1% in family members; 1.6, 2.3 and 3.1% in controls. In sporadic Sicilian CD patients outside Casteltermini the allele frequency was 7.5, 8.1, 6.2% whereas in control population it was 3.3, 1.6, 1.6%. Conclusions:  A high incidence of CD compared with UC was observed in this small town in Southern Italy. The frequency of NOD2/CARD15 mutations in CD is similar to other Caucasian population studied so far.     

The Usefulness of Serum Vitamin D Levels in the Assessment of IBD Activity and Response to Biologics

The main role of vitamin D is calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, although its activity as an immuno-modulator and its anti-inflammatory effect is well-known. Low blood vitamin D levels are common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whether low vitamin D levels could affect the disease activity or it is an effect of a worse condition of the disease is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of blood vitamin D levels to identify the clinical, endoscopic, and histological activity in a cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) on therapy with biological drugs. In this retrospective cohort study, 50 IBD patients (24 UC and 26 CD) that underwent colonoscopy from January 2017 to January 2020 with a concomitant serological evaluation of vitamin D were included. Patients with clinical, endoscopic, and histological activity and those who lost their clinical response to the biological drug had lower vitamin D levels compared to patients in remission or patients that did not change therapeutic regimens. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and Youden’s Index were performed to assess the optimal vitamin D levels to identify patients with the active disease. The ROC analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.709 (p = 0.005; confidence interval (CI): 0.564–0.829), 0.769 (p < 0.001; CI: 0.628–0.876), and 0.810 (p < 0.001; CI: 0.670–0.910) for the clinical, endoscopic, and histological outcomes, respectively. The optimal vitamin D cut-off was ≤25 ng/mL. The vitamin D level is an additional useful tool in the evaluation of IBD patients with good accuracy to predict their endoscopic and histological activity and clinical response to biologics.     

The socio-economic impact of work disability due to inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might have economic and social impacts in Brazil, where its prevalence has increased recently. This study aimed to assess disability due to IBD in the Brazilian population and demographic factors potentially associated with absence from work.

Methods

Analysis was performed using the computerized Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement, for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Additional data were obtained from the platform, including the average values, benefit duration, age, gender and region of the country.

Results

Temporary disability occurred more frequently with UC, whereas permanent disability was more frequent with CD. Temporary disability affected more younger patients with CD than patients with UC. Temporary work absences due to UC and CD were greater in the South, and the lowest absence rates due to CD were noted in the North and Northeast. Absence from work was longer (extending for nearly a year) in patients with CD compared to those with UC. The rates of temporary and permanent disability were greater among women. Permanent disability rates were higher in the South (UC) and Southeast (CD). The value of benefits paid for IBD represented approximately 1% of all social security benefits. The benefits paid for CD were higher than for UC, whereas both tended to decrease from 2010 to 2014.

Conclusions

In Brazil, IBD frequently causes disability for prolonged periods and contributes to early retirement. Reduction trends may reflect improvements in access to health care and medication. Vocational rehabilitation programs may positively impact social security and the patients’ quality of life.

     

National Trends and In‐Hospital Outcomes of Adult Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Receiving Parenteral Nutrition Support

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are susceptible to protein‐calorie malnutrition secondary to decreased oral intake, malabsorption, and increased metabolic expenditure. In this study, we seek to assess the national frequencies of parenteral nutrition (PN) use among hospitalized patients with IBD and to determine their in‐hospital outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1988–2006 to determine the frequency of PN usage among patients with UC or CD and to determine their in‐hospital outcomes. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of increased inpatient mortality in this population. Results: From 1988–2006, the annual incidence of PN use among hospitalized patients with CD was 4.29 per 100,000 and among those with UC was 3.80 per 100,000, with trends being relatively stable through the indexed period. The mean length of hospitalization among patients with UC receiving PN was longer compared with patients with CD. Factors predictive of an increased risk for mortality include the following: age >50 years, acute kidney injury, hospital‐acquired pneumonia, Clostridium difficile colitis, prolonged postoperative ileus requiring PN use, pulmonary embolism, malnutrition, and patients with UC relative to CD. Conclusion: Traditionally, patients with CD are at a higher risk for developing malnutrition than patients with UC; however, there is a 2‐fold higher risk for inpatient mortality and a longer length of hospitalization among patients with UC compared with those with CD. This pattern suggests that the use of PN, particularly among patients with UC, serves as a surrogate marker of higher disease acuity and severity.