克罗恩病患者初次诊断时的贫血发生率及流行病学特征分析

<正>克罗恩病(CD)和溃疡性结肠炎(UC)是炎症性肠病(IBD)中的重要两种类型,我国以溃疡性结肠炎发病率较高,西方国家以克罗恩病发病率为高,我国克罗恩病发病率有超过溃疡性结肠炎的趋势~([1-3])。本文采用回顾性研究的方法,通过对10年245例克罗恩病患者临床资料的分析,脂在了解克罗恩病患者贫血率发生情况、流行临床特征及治疗方案变化趋势,为克罗恩病诊疗提供参考。1资料与方法     

炎症性肠病与肠易激综合征患者心理状况分析

目的探讨炎症性肠病和肠易激综合征患者的心理状况与生理学指标的关系。方法对我院门诊及住院的143例炎症性肠病和肠易激综合征患者进行随访调查，采用SAS焦虑评分表及匹兹堡睡眠指数调查表（PSQI）对患者进行心理焦虑状态、睡眠质量进行评分，同时测定血红蛋白、血沉、c反应蛋白等相关指标；对炎症性肠病、肠易激综合征及炎症性肠病两个亚型溃疡性结肠炎、克罗恩病的焦虑状态、睡眠质量与相关实验室指标进行比较。结果炎症性肠病与肠易激综合征患者ASA评分、PSQI评分及血红蛋白、血沉等实验室指标比较均有显著性差异；炎症性肠病患者中溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病患者的焦虑评分比较差异有统计学意义。多重线性回归分析显示焦虑状态与睡眠质量、C反应蛋白、疾病年限有相关性。结论焦虑状态及睡眠障碍更多见于炎症性肠病活动期患者；在炎症性肠病的2个亚型中，克罗恩病患者的SAS评分、PSQI评分均高于溃疡性结肠炎患者。焦虑状态与睡眠质量、血沉、疾病年限有相关性。     

炎症性肠病患者肠黏膜炎症和非炎症组织CD27的激活表达

目的比较炎症性肠病患者肠黏膜炎症组织、非炎症组织及正常对照者肠黏膜CD27激活表达的差异,探讨CD27激活表达在炎症性肠病发病中的意义。方法共纳入32例克罗恩病患者、41例溃疡性结肠炎患者及40例正常对照者。分别应用West-ern blot试验和SYBR-green real time PCR方法分析炎症性肠病患者肠黏膜炎症组织、非炎症组织及正常对照者肠黏膜CD27蛋白及其mRNA的表达。数据处理使用GraphPad Prism 5软件。结果克罗恩病和溃疡性结肠炎患者肠黏膜炎症组织CD27蛋白及其mRNA表达均显著高于非炎症组织及正常对照组织(P均0.01);克罗恩病患者肠黏膜非炎症组织CD27蛋白及其mRNA表达显著高于正常对照组织(P=0.000);溃疡性结肠炎患者肠黏膜非炎症组织CD27蛋白表达显著高于正常对照组织(P=0.000)。结论炎症性肠病患者肠黏膜组织中存在CD27的激活表达,这种激活效应不仅出现在内镜表现为炎症性肠病的炎症组织中,甚至出现在炎症性肠病患者内镜表现为正常的肠黏膜中,CD27的激活表达是炎症性肠病发病的早期事件。     

肠上皮细胞DNA含量变化与炎症性肠病癌变相关性的研究

目的 探讨肠黏膜上皮细胞DNA含量和p53蛋白表达状态与炎症性肠病（IBD）癌变的关系.方法 选择83例炎症性肠病患者库存活检样本,其病理诊断分别为低度异常增生、高度异常增生的癌前病变（pre-CRC组）和结直肠腺癌（CRC组）,配对选取144例仅有炎症而无异常增生或癌变的样本（no-CRC组）作为对照,分别用流式细胞技术和免疫组化技术检测样本中的DNA倍体状态和肠上皮细胞p53蛋白的表达.DNA指数＞1.35为异倍体,p53阳性细胞＞15%为阳性.结果 DNA异倍体在pre-CRC的克罗恩病和溃疡性结肠炎组分别为52.6%和57.8%,肿瘤组为80%和100%,显著高于no-CRC的3.2%和7.3%（P＜0.001）;p53突变型在pre-CRC的克罗恩病和溃疡性结肠炎组分别为36.7%和42.1%,肿瘤组为80%和100%,明显高于no-CRC的8.1%和9.7%（P＜0.01）.结论 DNA异倍体和突变型p53的表达不仅在炎症性肠病相关的结直肠癌肠黏膜上皮细胞中,而且在炎症性肠病的癌前病变的异常增生阶段即有明显增加,提示此两个生物标志物与炎症性肠病癌变密切相关,有可能用于辅助内镜监测,预测癌症风险.     

炎症性肠病患者血浆TRAF1的表达及其临床意义

目的比较炎症性肠病患者血浆肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子-1（tumor necrosis factor receptor-assoc iated factor-1,TRAF-1）水平和正常对照者的差异,分析血浆TRAF1水平对炎症性肠病的诊断价值以及与内镜下疾病活动性的相关性。方法共纳入62例克罗恩病患者、64例溃疡性结肠炎患者和56例正常对照者。应用酶联免疫吸附试验（Enzym e-linked immuno-sorbent assay,ELISA）分析炎症性肠病患者和正常对照者血浆中TRAF1蛋白的表达,受试者工作特征曲线（rece iver-operating characteristic,ROC）分析血浆TRAF1水平对克罗恩病和溃疡性结肠炎的诊断价值,应用Pearson相关分析研究血浆TRAF1水平与内镜下疾病活动性的相关性。结果克罗恩病患者（P=0.000）和溃疡性结肠炎患者（P=0.000）血浆TRAF1水平显著高于正常对照者,同时TRAF1对区分克罗恩病患者和正常对照者（P=0.000）以及区分溃疡性结肠炎患者和正常对照者（P=0.000）具有显著的诊断价值。克罗恩病患者血浆TRAF1表达水平和内镜下疾病活动指数呈较低的负相关（r=-0.260,P=0.041）,而溃疡性结肠炎患者血浆TRAF1水平与内镜下疾病活动程度无显著相关性（r=0.029,P=0.821）。结论炎症性肠病患者血浆TRAF1水平增高,血浆TRAF1水平对区分炎症性肠病患者和正常对照者具有诊断价值,但血浆中TRAF1的水平不能反应内镜下疾病活动程度。     

溃疡性结肠炎患者Wnt9b的高表达及临床价值

目的研究溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病患者Wnt9b的表达,分析血浆Wnt9b水平与炎症性肠病患者内镜下疾病活动性的相关性以及对溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病的鉴别诊断价值。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay,ELISA)对克罗恩病患者、溃疡性结肠炎患者和正常对照者血浆中Wnt9b的表达进行测定。分析血浆Wnt9b水平与炎症性肠病患者内镜下疾病活动性的相关性,通过受试者工作特征曲线(receiver-operating characteristic,ROC)分析血浆Wnt9b表达对溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病的鉴别诊断价值。结果溃疡性结肠炎患者血浆Wnt9b水平显著高于正常对照者(P=0.0324)和克罗恩病患者(P=0.0217),而克罗恩病患者血浆Wnt9b与正常对照者无显著差异(P=0.5919)。但是,溃疡性结肠炎患者血浆Wnt9b水平与内镜下疾病活动程度无显著相关性(Spearmanr=-0.2360,P=0.1102)。ROC曲线分析表明,血浆Wnt9b表达水平在区分溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病中具有显著意义(AUC=0.633,P=0.0228)。结论溃疡性结肠炎患者血浆Wnt9b表达水平增高,对于鉴别溃疡性结肠炎患者和克罗恩病患者具有一定意义。     

硫唑嘌呤治疗炎症性肠病的不良反应分析

目的 了解硫唑嘌呤(AZA)治疗炎症性肠病不良反应的类型、发生率、发生时间及转归.方法 回顾性分析1995年3月～2009年9月北京协和医院接受硫唑嘌呤治疗的85例炎症性肠病患者的病历资料,其中溃疡性结肠炎37例,克罗恩病48例.结果 37例(43.5%)患者出现不良反应共43次,其中48%(20/43)的不良反应发生...     

Obestatin与Ghrelin在炎症性肠病中的表达及临床价值

目的研究炎症性肠病患者血浆Obestatin和Ghrelin的表达水平,分析血浆Obestatin和Ghrelin表达水平对炎症性肠病的诊断和鉴别意义。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay,ELISA)对克罗恩病患者、溃疡性结肠炎患者和正常对照者血浆中Obestatin及Ghrelin的表达进行分析。通过受试者工作特征曲线(receiver-operating characteristic,ROC)观察血浆Obestatin、Ghrelin水平及Obestatin/Ghrelin比值在克罗恩病和溃疡性结肠炎的诊断和鉴别价值,数据处理使用GraphPad Prism 5。结果溃疡性结肠炎患者(P<0.0001)和克罗恩病患者(P=0.0001)血浆Obestatin水平均显著高于正常对照者,并且溃疡性结肠炎患者血浆Obestatin水平显著高于克罗恩病患者(P=0.0003)。溃疡性结肠炎患者(P=0.0279)和克罗恩病患者(P=0.0192)血浆Ghrelin水平均显著高于正常对照者,但是溃疡性结肠炎患者和克罗恩病患者间血浆Ghrelin水平无显著性差异(P=0.9331)。溃疡性结肠炎患者血浆Ghrelin/Obestatin比值显著低于正常对照者(P=0.0487),但是克罗恩病患者血浆Ghrelin/Obestatin比值与溃疡性结肠炎患者(P=0.1076)和正常对照者(P=0.8136)无显著性差异。血浆Obestatin水平对于区分溃疡性结肠炎患者和正常对照者(AUC=0.8791,P<0.0001)、克罗恩病患者和正常对照者(AUC=0.7317,P=0.0001)以及溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病患者(AUC=0.7340,P=0.0001)具有显著的鉴别诊断价值。血浆Ghrelin水平对于区分克罗恩病患者和正常对照者具有显著的诊断价值(AUC=0.6660,P=0.0059)。但是,血浆Ghrelin/Obestatin比值对于区分溃疡性结肠炎和正常对照者无显著的鉴别诊断价值(AUC=0.5608,P=0.2923)。结论溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病患者血浆Obestatin及Ghrelin水平增高,综合评估溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病患者血浆Obestatin、Ghrelin以及Ghrelin/Obestatin比值对疾病的诊断和鉴别有一定意义。     

溃疡性结肠炎的内镜下分期及炎症活动度判断

炎症性肠病中，西方国家以克罗恩病多见，我国以溃疡性结肠炎多见，1978年全国杭州消化会议报道，溃疡性结肠炎337例，克罗恩病212例。1986年成都全国慢性腹泻会议报道，溃疡性结肠炎518例，克罗恩病112例，均不及欧美国家一所大医院随访的病例多。     

溃疡性结肠炎与克罗恩病患者肠道优势菌群的特征及与发病关系的研究

[目的]研究溃疡性结肠炎与克罗恩病患者肠道菌群组成比例及分布状态,分析其与溃疡性结肠炎、克罗恩病发生的相关性。[方法]选取我院2016年1月～2019年1月收治的118例炎症性肠病(IBD)患者为研究对象,其中溃疡性结肠炎患者72例,克罗恩患者46例。另取同期在本院体检健康志愿者60例为对照组。收集研究对象红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)、WBC和PLT等指标数据,检测患者肠道拟杆菌(BD)、双歧杆菌(BL)、真杆菌(ES)、小梭菌(CD)、乳杆菌(LC)、消化球菌(PS)、肠杆菌(EMB)、酵母菌(SB)、葡萄球菌(SP)和肠球菌(EC)数量及阳性检出率,采用Logistic回归分析影响溃疡性结肠炎与克罗恩病发生的相关因素。[结果]溃疡性结肠炎组和克罗恩病组的ESR、CRP、WBC、PLT水平均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。溃疡性结肠炎组患者肠道内致病菌BD、SB、EC、EMB数量、益生菌BL、LC、PS数量、中性菌CD数量显著高于对照组(P0.05),中性菌ES水平显著低于对照组(P0.05);克罗恩病组患者肠道内致病菌BD、SB、EC、EMB数量、益生菌BL、LC、PS数量显著高于对照组(P0.05),中性菌CD、ES水平显著低于对照组(P0.05)。溃疡性结肠炎组患者肠道致病菌BD、EC及益生菌BL、LC的阳性检出率显著高于对照组(P0.05),3组致病菌EC与益生菌LC的阳性检出率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。相关性分析显示,溃疡性结肠炎组SB数量与ESR正相关(P0.05),BL、EMB、EC数量与CRP水平正相关(P0.05),ES数量与WBC负相关(P0.05),EC数量与WBC正相关(P0.05),EMB、EC数量与PLT正相关(P0.05)。克罗恩病组EMB、EC数量与CRP水平正相关(P0.05)。肠道内致病菌(SB、EC、EMB)菌群数量高及益生菌(BL、LC)数量低是影响溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病发生的危险因素(P0.05)。[结论]溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病患者肠道内菌群存在失衡现象,致病菌数量增加,致病菌数量高及益生菌数量低是影响溃疡性结肠炎和克罗恩病发生的危险因素。     

Clinical study of the relationship between inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and its risk factors. METHODS: Data on 513 patients in the last 10 years from Ruijin Hospital were collected. Their medical histories were put in database and analyzed including their socio‐demographic features, pathogenetic conditions, diagnostic methods, possible related risk factors, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Among the 513 were 242 with ulcerative colitis (UC), among whom four patients developed cancers and four had precancerous lesions. None of the 271 CD patients developed cancer. The incidence of both cancer and precancerosis in the UC patients was 1.65%. Through multifactorial logistic regression analysis, loss of weight, other disease complications and frequent relapses were proved to be the most probable risk factors. CONCLUSION: The incidence of IBD has kept on rising in recent years. Clinically, UC patients have more probability of developing colorectal cancer than CD patients. The main risk factors of developing colorectal cancer in UC patients are frequent relapses, weight loss and other complications.     

Discontinuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients: a prospective observation

Background: Discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in remission remains a controversial issue. The aims of our study were to assess the proportion of patients who relapse after cessation of biological treatment, and to identify potential risk factors of disease relapse. Methods: Consecutive IBD patients who discontinued anti-TNF therapy in steroid-free clinical and endoscopic remission were prospectively followed. Multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to assess the predictors of disease relapse. Results: Seventy-eight IBD patients (Crohn's disease, CD 61; ulcerative colitis, UC 17) were included and followed for a median of 30 months (range 7–47). A total of 32 (53%) CD patients and nine (53%) UC patients relapsed by the end of the follow-up with a median time to relapse of 8 months (range 1–25) in CD patients and 14 months (range 4–37) in UC patients, respectively. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining remission at 6, 12, and 24 months were 82%, 59%, and 51% in CD patients, and 77%, 77%, and 64% in UC patients, respectively. Survival of CD patients who were in deep remission (clinical and endoscopic healing; faecal calprotectin <150?mg/kg; CRP ≤5?mg/l) was not better compared with those who did not fulfill these criteria. In multivariate models, only colonic CD protected patients from disease relapse. Conclusions: Approximately half of the IBD patients relapsed within 2 years after anti-TNF discontinuation. In CD patients, no difference between those who were or were not in deep remission was found. Colonic localization protected patients from relapse.     

Long-term clinical outcome after infliximab discontinuation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the long-term clinical outcome and risk factors for clinical relapse in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients after stopping infliximab (IFX).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of IBD patients who were treated with IFX in four university hospitals in South Korea. Among them, patients who discontinued scheduled IFX therapy with a favorable disease course were enrolled. Clinical relapse was defined as an increase in disease activity, addition of new drugs, or abdominal surgery.

Results: In total, 28 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 17 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients were enrolled. The median duration of follow-up after discontinuation was 41 months (range: 8–109 months) in UC patients and 141 months (range: 66–262 months) in CD patients. The cumulative probability of relapse at 12 months was 32.1% in UC patients and 30.7% in CD patients. Fewer IFX infusions and a shorter duration of mesalamine treatment after IFX discontinuation were risk factors for relapse after IFX discontinuation in UC patients (p?=?.04 and .01, respectively). In CD patients, a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP at IFX discontinuation and a shorter duration of azathioprine treatment after IFX discontinuation were risk factors for relapse (p?=?.03, .03 and .01, respectively).

Conclusions: Approximately 30% of IBD patients who responded to IFX therapy experienced relapse within 1 year after discontinuation. We identified several risk factors for relapse. Further studies should identify factors predictive of the disease course after discontinuing IFX maintenance therapy.     

Can calprotectin predict relapse risk in inflammatory bowel disease?

OBJECTIVE:  Assessing the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients consists of periodical clinical evaluations and laboratory tests. We aimed to assess the role of calprotectin tests in predicting clinical relapse in IBD patients.
METHODS:  Ninety-seven patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 65 with Crohn's disease (CD) in clinical remission were prospectively included in the study. A 10-g stool sample was collected for calprotectin assay. The cutoff level was set at 130 mg/kg of feces. Patients were followed up for 1 yr after the test or until relapse. The cumulative proportion of relapses was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Statistics for equality of survival distribution were tested using the log-rank test.
RESULTS:  The calprotectin test was positive in 44 UC patients and 26 of them relapsed within a year, while 11 of 53 UC patients with a negative calprotectin test relapsed within the same time frame. Thirty CD patients had a positive calprotectin test and 13 of them relapsed within a year, as did 7 of the 35 with a negative test result. A significant correlation emerged between a positive calprotectin test and the probability of relapse in UC patients ( P = 0.000). In CD patients, only cases of colonic CD showed a significant correlation between a positive calprotectin test and the probability of relapse, i.e ., 6 colonic CD patients were positive for the calprotectin test and 4 relapsed ( P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS:  Measuring calprotectin may help to identify UC and colonic CD patients at higher risk of clinical relapse.     

Fecal calprotectin is useful in predicting disease relapse in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND: Fecal calprotectin (FC) has been proposed as a noninvasive surrogate marker to determine the degree of intestinal inflammation and predicting relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim was to compare FC levels in IBD and healthy controls, to correlate FC levels with clinical disease activity, and to assess whether FC levels can be used to predict clinical relapse in children with IBD. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determined levels of FC were measured in more than 1 stool samples (n) from 32 IBD patients (n = 97) and from 34 healthy controls (n = 37). Disease activity was assessed by the Harvey-Bradshaw index in Crohn's disease (CD) and by Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) in both CD and ulcerative colitis (UC). Clinical events were recorded up to 9 months following stool collection in CD patients. Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare FC levels in IBD patients and in control. Kaplan-Meyer analysis was used to determine a risk of clinical relapse in relation to FC levels. RESULTS: The IBD group had higher FC levels (range 17-7500 g/g) compared with control (16-750 g/g, P < 0.0001). FC levels were higher during relapse (CD, 3214 +/- 2186; UC, 2819 +/- 1610) compared to remission (CD, 1373 +/- 1630; UC, 764 +/- 869; P < 0.0001). Among those with clinical relapse, 90% had FC levels more than 400 mug/g in CD. Eighty-nine percent of CD encounters with FC levels less than 400 mug/g remained in clinical remission. CONCLUSIONS: FC levels differentiate active IBD from controls. Among children with CD and in remission, FC levels may be useful in predicting impending clinical relapse.     

Medical treatment: does it influence the natural course of inflammatory bowel disease?

It is difficult to predict the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moderately sick Crohn's disease (CD) patients and patients with distal ulcerative colitis (UC) may get better even without medical or surgical treatment. Once better, they may continue in remission even without treatment. If they are not treated, there are several factors that predict whether they will maintain remission. Most patients will probably alternate between remission and relapse, with 10% having a relapse-free course after 10 years, and only 1% having a continuously active course. Frequent relapses initially are associated with active disease later on, but the disease activity course is independent of the response to the initial medical treatment. There is a cumulative frequency of operation of 50-80% and of reoperation of 33% in CD, which suggests that CD has a more serious course than UC. In UC, the overall probability of surgery is 33% for pancolitis and 10% for proctitis within 5 years of diagnosis, and the majority of patients are operated on within the first few years. Maintenance treatment with sulphasalazine (SASP) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in UC has reduced relapse rates to about half over a 1-year follow-up period. The use of 5-ASA for maintenance of CD has been shown to result in only a modest therapeutic gain, while azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) improve the relapse frequency for at least 3 years whilst on treatment. Changes in disease distribution in UC are part of the natural course of the disease, which should have implications for medical treatment strategies, and affects the risk of colectomy and colonic cancer. Certain enviromental factors are thought to determine disease activity and disease outcome in UC and CD. Patient compliance with prescribed medication and clinical check-ups must be considered another non-specific variable affecting the clinical outcome. IBD frequently requires potent medication with side effects that limit patients' acceptance. Such patients often resort to medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathy, which may alter the expected course.     

Association of extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease in a province of western Hungary with disease phenotype： Results of a 25-year follow-up study

AIM: IBD is a systemic disease associated with a large number of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of EIMs in a large IBD cohort in Veszprem Province in a 25-year follow-up study. METHODS: Eight hundred and seventy-three IBD patients were enrolled (ulcerative colitis/UC/: 619, m/f: 317/302,mean age at presentation: 38.3 years, average disease duration: 11.2 years; Crohn‘s disease/CD/: 254, m/f: 125/129,mean age at presentation: 32.5 years, average disease duration: 9.2 years). Intestinal, extraintestinal signs and laboratory tests were monitored regularly. Any alteration suggesting an EIMs was investigated by a specialist. RESULTS: A total of 21.3 % of patients with IBD had EIM(UC: 15.0 %, CD: 36.6 %). Age at presentation did not affect the likelihood of EIM. Prevalence of EIMs was higher in women and in CD, ocular complications and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were more frequent in UC. In UC there was an increased tendency of EIM in patients with a more extensive disease. Joint complications were more frequent in CD(22.4 % vsUC 10.2 %, P&lt;0.01). In UC positive family history increased the risk of joint complications (OR:3.63). In CD the frequency of type-1 peripheral arthritis was increased in patients with penetrating disease (P=-0.028). 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. Rare complications were glomerulonephritis, autoimmune hemolytic anaemia and celiac disease. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of EIM in Hungarian IBD patients is in concordance with data from Western countries. The high number of EIM supports a role for complex followup in these patients.     

Striking elevation in incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in a province of western Hungary between 1977-2001

AIM:An investigation into inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer in Veszprem Province was conducted from 1977 to 2001.METHODS: Both hospital and outpatient records were collected and reviewed comprehensively. The majority of patients were followed up regularly.RESULTS:The population of the province was decreased from 386000 to 376000 during the period. Five hundred sixty new cases of ulcerative colitis (UC), 212 of Crohn‘s disease (CD), and 40 of indeterminate colitis (IC) were diagnosed. The incidence rates increased from 1.66 to 11.01 cases per 100 000 persons for UC, from 0.41 to 4.68 for CD and from 0.26 to 0.74 for IC. The prevalence rate at the end of 2001 was 142.6 for UC and 52.9 cases per 100 000 persons for CD. The peak onset age in UC patients was between 30 and 40 years, in CD between 20 and 30 years. A family history of IBD was present in 3.4% in UC and 9.9% in CD patients.Smoking increased the risk for CD (OR=1.94) while it decreased the risk for UC (OR=0.25). Twelve colorectal carcinomas were observed in this cohort, the cumulative colorectal cancer risk after 10 years in UC was 2%, after 20 years 8.8%, after 30 years 13.3%.CONCLUSION:The incidence and prevalence rates of IBD have increased steadily in Veszprem Province, now equivalent to that in Western European countries. Rapid increase in incidence rates supports a probable role for environmental factors. The rate of colorectal cancers in IBD is similar to that observed in Western countries.     

Surrogate markers of intestinal inflammation are predictive of relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Prediction of relapse of inflammatory bowel disease has important implications for therapeutic strategies. We assessed whether measurement of intestinal permeability and inflammation could predict relapse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Forty-three patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 37 with ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical remission provided a stool sample to be assayed for calprotectin (a neutrophil-specific marker), and patients with CD additionally underwent a small intestinal permeability test. Relapse was defined using clinical disease activity indices. RESULTS: Twenty-five (58%) patients with CD and 19 (51%) with UC had a relapse over the 12-month period. Median calprotectin levels in the relapse groups (122 mg/L for CD, 123 mg/L for UC; normal <10 mg/L) differed significantly (P<0.0001) from those of the nonrelapse groups (41.5 mg/L for CD, 29.0 mg/L for UC). At 50 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of calprotectin for predicting relapse in all patients with IBD were 90% and 83%, respectively. Permeability in the CD patients who relapsed (median, 0.075; normal <0.04) differed significantly (P = 0. 004) from that in the nonrelapse group (median, 0.038). At the level of 0.05, the sensitivity and specificity of permeability in predicting relapse were 84% and 61%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal calprotectin predicts clinical relapse of disease activity in patients with CD and UC, whereas small intestinal permeability is a useful predictor of relapse in patients with small intestinal CD.     

Long-term Outcomes after the Discontinuation of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Therapy in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease under Clinical Remission: A Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease Multicenter Study

Background/AimsOur study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes and risk factors for relapse after anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α cessation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients because they are not well established.MethodsA retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted involving patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) from 10 referral hospitals in Korea who discontinued first-line anti-TNF therapy after achieving clinical remission.ResultsA total of 109 IBD patients (71 CD and 38 UC) with a median follow-up duration of 56 months were analyzed. The cumulative relapse rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 11.3%, 46.7%, and 62.5% for CD patients and 28.9%, 45.3%, and 60.9% for UC patients. Multivariable Cox analysis revealed that discontinuation owing to the clinician’s decision was associated with lower risk of relapse (vs patient’s preference hazard ratio [HR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04 to 0.48; p=0.002) and adalimumab use was associated with higher risk of relapse (vs infliximab HR, 4.42; 95% CI, 1.24 to 17.74; p=0.022) in CD patients. Mucosal healing was associated with lower risk of relapse (vs nonmucosal healing HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.83; p=0.031) in UC patients. Anti-TNF re-induction was provided to 52 patients, and a response was obtained in 50 patients. However, 25 of them discontinued retreatment owing to a loss of response (n=15), the patient’s preference (n=6), and other factors (n=4).ConclusionsMore than 60% of IBD patients in remission under anti-TNF therapy relapsed within 5 years of treatment cessation. Anti-TNF re-induction was effective. However, half of the patients discontinued anti-TNF therapy, and 50% of these patients discontinued treatment owing to loss of response. (Gut Liver 2021;15-762)