Influence of dietary factors on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The causes of relapses of ulcerative colitis (UC) are unknown. Dietary factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of UC. The aim of this study was to determine which dietary factors are associated with an increased risk of relapse of UC. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed with UC patients in remission, recruited from two district general hospitals, who were followed for one year to determine the effect of habitual diet on relapse. Relapse was defined using a validated disease activity index. Nutrient intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and categorised into tertiles. Adjusted odds ratios for relapse were determined using multivariate logistic regression, controlling for non-dietary factors. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients were recruited and 96% completed the study. Fifty two per cent of patients relapsed. Consumption of meat (odds ratio (OR) 3.2 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.3-7.8)), particularly red and processed meat (OR 5.19 (95% CI 2.1-12.9)), protein (OR 3.00 (95% CI 1.25-7.19)), and alcohol (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.1-6.67)) in the top tertile of intake increased the likelihood of relapse compared with the bottom tertile of intake. High sulphur (OR 2.76 (95% CI 1.19-6.4)) or sulphate (OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.08-6.3)) intakes were also associated with relapse and may offer an explanation for the observed increased likelihood of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Potentially modifiable dietary factors, such as a high meat or alcoholic beverage intake, have been identified that are associated with an increased likelihood of relapse for UC patients. Further studies are needed to determine if it is the sulphur compounds within these foods that mediates the likelihood of relapse and if reducing their intake would reduce relapse frequency.     

Incidence of ulcerative colitis in Central Greece： A prospective study

AIM: To study the incidence of ulcerative colitis UC in the prefecture of Trikala, Central Greece. METHODS: A prospective and population based epidemiological study of UC from 1990 to the end of 1994 was conducted. Trikala is a semirural prefecture of Central Greece with a population of 138 946 (census 1991). Three gastroenterologists (one hospital based, two private doctors) of the prefecture participated in this study. RESULTS: During the study period, 66 new historically verified cases of UC were recorded. The mean annual incidence of the disease in 1990-1994 was 11.2 per 105 inhabitants (95%CI: 8.7-14.3). There was no difference between men and women (annual incidence: 10.5 and 12.0 per 105 inhabitants respectively), either among urban, semirural or rural populations (annual incidence: 11.7, 17.1 and 9,9 per 105 inhabitants respectively). The majority (56%) of the patients never smoked and a quarter were ex-smokers. About a half of all cases had proctitis. CONCLUSION: UC is common in Central Greece and its incidence is similar to that in North-Western European countries.     

饮食与溃疡性结肠炎

饮食因素被认为是溃疡性结肠炎发病的危险因素.研究表明,过多摄入红肉,高脂肪和高蛋白饮食与本病的发病和复发有关联.另一方面,补充益生菌、鱼油和饮食纤维具有较好疗效.本文综述饮食因素在溃疡性结肠炎发病和治疗中作用的研究进展.     

Increased risk of cancer in ulcerative colitis: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE: There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the overall and site specific cancer risks in these patients have been investigated to a limited extent. To study the association between UC and cancer, a population-based study of 1547 patients with UC in Stockholm diagnosed between 1955 and 1984 was carried out. METHODS: The patients were followed in both the National Cancer Register and the National Cause of Death Register until 1989. For comparisons, regional cancer incidence rates in Stockholm County were used together with individually computed person-years at risk in the UC disease cohort. RESULTS: A total of 121 malignancies occurred among 97 individuals as compared with 89.8 expected (standardized morbidity ratio [SMR] = 1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-1.6). Overall, an excess number of colorectal cancers (SMR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.7-5.8), and hepatobiliary cancers in men (SMR = 6.0; 95% CI, 2.8-11.1) associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis, was observed. The risk of pulmonary cancer was decreased (SMR = 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9). In all, 91 extracolonic malignancies were observed, compared with the 82.3 expected (SMR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.9-1.3). CONCLUSIONS: In UC patients, the overall cancer incidence is increased mainly because of an increased incidence of colorectal and hepatobiliary cancer. This increase is partly counterbalanced by a decreased risk of pulmonary cancer compared with that in the general population.     

Dietary and metabolomic determinants of relapse in ulcerative colitis patients: A pilot prospective cohort study

AIM To identify demographic, clinical, metabolomic, and lifestyle related predictors of relapse in adult ulcerative colitis(UC) patients.METHODS In this prospective pilot study, UC patients in clinical remission were recruited and followed-up at 12 mo to assess a clinical relapse, or not. At baseline information on demographic and clinical parameters was collected. Serum and urine samples were collected for analysis of metabolomic assays using a combined direct infusion/liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resolution spectroscopy. Stool samples were also collected to measure fecal calprotectin(FCP). Dietary assessment was performed using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS Twenty patients were included(mean age: 42.7 ± 14.8 years, females: 55%). Seven patients(35%) experienced a clinical relapse during the follow-up period. While 6 patients(66.7%) with normal body weight developed a clinical relapse, 1 UC patient(9.1%) who was overweight/obese relapsed during the follow-up(P = 0.02). At baseline, poultry intake was significantly higher in patients who were still in remission during follow-up(0.9 oz vs 0.2 oz, P = 0.002). Five patients(71.4%) with FCP 150 μg/g and 2 patients(15.4%) with normal FCP(≤ 150 μg/g) at baseline relapsed during the follow-up(P = 0.02). Interestingly, baseline urinary and serum metabolomic profiling of UC patients with or without clinical relapse within 12 mo showed a significant difference. The most important metabolites that were responsible for this discrimination were trans-aconitate, cystine and acetamide in urine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate and acetone in serum. CONCLUSION A combination of baseline dietary intake, fecal calprotectin, and metabolomic factors are associated with risk of UC clinical relapse within 12 mo.     

Severe ulcerative colitis: prospective study of parameters determining outcome

BACKGROUND: One-third of patients with exacerbations of ulcerative colitis (UC) require colectomy and 1% die. Although several studies have reported parameters associated with failure of medical treatment, studies using multivariate analysis of various predictors are scanty. METHODS: Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters within 48 h of admission of 50 consecutive patients (55 episodes) were prospectively recorded. Each episode was treated with intravenous hydrocortisone, antibiotics and fluid administration. The data of patients who failed to respond, deteriorated, developed complications requiring emergency surgery or died within 7 days of hospitalization, were compared with the data of those who responded during this period using Mann-Whitney U-test or chi-squared tests. Variables found to be significant on univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate model. RESULTS: Medical treatment failed in 10 of 55 episodes; eight had surgery (one died), another died with bowel perforation and peritonitis and one left hospital in a moribund state. Younger age, pedal edema, transverse colonic diameter >5 cm on abdominal radiograph, low hemoglobin, low serum albumin, high C-reactive protein, presence of fibrin degradation product (FDP) in serum, low serum fibrinogen, prolonged prothrombin time, Truelove-Witt's fulminant disease, and high clinical activity index were associated with failure of medical treatment on univariate analysis. All the above variables were significant by multivariate analysis except age, serum albumin level and presence of FDP. CONCLUSION: It may be possible to predict the failure of medical treatment in exacerbations of UC using a scoring system based on clinical parameters and simple laboratory tests.     

Birth outcomes of women with ulcerative colitis: a nationwide Danish cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to compare the birth outcomes in offspring of women with ulcerative colitis with controls without the disease. METHODS: A cohort study of 1531 newborns to mothers with ulcerative colitis, and 9092 controls, based on linkage between the Danish National Registry of Patients and the Danish Birth Registry from 1982 to 1992. RESULTS: Among the births to women with ulcerative colitis, 569 took place before and 962 after the first hospitalization for ulcerative colitis. We found no increased risk of either low birth weight or intrauterine growth retardation for newborns born before or after the mothers' first hospitalization. The risk of preterm birth was increased when birth occurred after the mothers' first hospitalization (odds ratio = 1.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-1.9), and particularly when the first hospitalization for ulcerative colitis took place during pregnancy (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.8-6.4). CONCLUSIONS: In the offspring of women with ulcerative colitis, we found no increased risk of low birth weight or signs of intrauterine growth retardation. The risk of preterm birth was increased in the offspring of women with ulcerative colitis, particularly when the first hospitalization for ulcerative colitis occurred during pregnancy.     

Stress and exacerbation in ulcerative colitis: a prospective study of patients enrolled in remission

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether psychosocial factors influence the course of ulcerative colitis, hypothesizing that high perceived stress among patients with inactive disease will increase the risk of subsequent exacerbation. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with known ulcerative colitis were enrolled into a prospective cohort study while in clinical remission. Their perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and stressful life events were followed, along with potential confounders, for up to 45 months; exacerbation status was monitored for up to 68 months. RESULTS: The 27 patients who experienced an exacerbation were compared with those who remained in remission. Having a score in the upper tertile on the long-term (past 2 yr) baseline Perceived Stress Questionnaire significantly increased the actuarial risk of exacerbation (hazards ratio = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1-7.2). At any given study visit, high long-term stress tripled the risk of exacerbation during the next 8 months (risk for the three tertiles, 8.3%, 16.7%, and 26.2%, p = 0.02). Shorter sleep time, briefer remission, histological activity, and use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or oral contraceptives also increased the medium- and/or long-term risk of exacerbation, but adjustment for these variables did not eliminate the associations with stress. Exacerbation was not associated with stressful life events, depressive symptoms, short-term (past month) perceived stress, smoking, disease extent or duration, or severity of recent course. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term stress does not trigger exacerbation in ulcerative colitis, but long-term perceived stress increases the risk of exacerbation over a period of months to years.     

Diet as a risk factor for the development of ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE: Dietary factors have been considered as a possible risk factor for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, available data are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the etiological role of dietary factors in the development of UC. METHODS: Recently diagnosed (<6 Months) UC patients (n = 43) and age- and gender-matched population controls (n = 43) were studied in a case-control design. The crosscheck dietary history method was used to assess dietary intake of 5 yr before the study. Adipose tissue fatty acid composition was used as a biomarker of long-term fat intake. Conditional logistic regression-derived odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for statistical analysis. Dietary intake ORs were adjusted for energy intake. RESULTS: High intakes of monounsaturated fat (OR: 33.9 [95% CI 2.6-443.1]), polyunsaturated fat (OR: 5.1 [95% CI 1.0-26.7]), and vitamin B6 (OR: 6.9 [95% CI 1.6-30.7]) were associated with an increased risk to develop UC. No other significant associations were found with UC risk. CONCLUSIONS: High intakes of mono- and polyunsaturated fat and vitamin B6 may enhance the risk of developing UC. Whether this observation is a true risk factor in the development of UC or rather a reflection of a certain dietary lifestyle needs to be investigated.     

Sexuality in patients with ulcerative colitis before and after restorative proctocolectomy: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess sexuality in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), before and one year after an ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). METHODS: Group I comprised 14 medically treated patients (7 M) and Group II comprised 29 patients (18 M), operated with colectomy and ileostomy, with preservation of the rectum. Patients were interviewed about desire, excitement and general sexual satisfaction before and one year after the IPAA operation. RESULTS: Most of the patients had restarted sexual activity < or = 3 months after surgery. Sexual desire and desire for intercourse had not changed from before the IPAA operation. In Group I, one woman suffered from dyspareunia both before and after the IPAA. In Group II, three women had dyspareunia before the IPAA and four after surgery. Erection and ejaculation were normal in all men before the IPAA operation. After IPAA, one man in Group I and two men in Group II had loss of ejaculation. In Group 1, 10 out of 14 patients were satisfied with their sexual life both before and after the IPAA. In Group II the corresponding figures were 15 out of 28 before and 22 after IPAA surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A third of the patients stated that they were dissatisfied with their sexual life before IPAA. Although a few patients experienced sexual imperfections such as loss of ejaculation and dyspareunia, the majority of patients in both groups considered that the overall general satisfaction with their sexual life had normalized considerably after surgery.     

Sexuality in patients with ulcerative colitis before and after restorative proctocolectomy: a prospective study

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess sexuality in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), before and one year after an ileal‐pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods: Group I comprised 14 medically treated patients (7 M) and Group II comprised 29 patients (18 M), operated with colectomy and ileostomy, with preservation of the rectum. Patients were interviewed about desire, excitement and general sexual satisfaction before and one year after the IPAA operation. Results: Most of the patients had restarted sexual activity ≤3 months after surgery. Sexual desire and desire for intercourse had not changed from before the IPAA operation. In Group I, one woman suffered from dyspareunia both before and after the IPAA. In Group II, three women had dyspareunia before the IPAA and four after surgery. Erection and ejaculation were normal in all men before the IPAA operation. After IPAA, one man in Group I and two men in Group II had loss of ejaculation. In Group I, 10 out of 14 patients were satisfied with their sexual life both before and after the IPAA. In Group II the corresponding figures were 15 out of 28 before and 22 after IPAA surgery. Conclusions: A third of the patients stated that they were dissatisfied with their sexual life before IPAA. Although a few patients experienced sexual imperfections such as loss of ejaculation and dyspareunia, the majority of patients in both groups considered that the overall general satisfaction with their sexual life had normalized considerably after surgery.     

Colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis: a cohort study of primary referrals from three centres.

A retrospective cohort of 823 patients with ulcerative colitis who resided at the time of diagnosis in one of three defined geographical areas (West Midlands region, Oxford region, England and Stockholm County, Sweden) was assembled. The patients were first seen at named hospitals in these areas and the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis established within five years of onset of symptoms between 1945-1965. All patients were 15 years of age or more at onset of disease and were followed for a minimum of 17 years and a maximum of 38 years. Ninety seven per cent completeness of follow up was achieved. Examining the colorectal cancer risk in the series relative to the risk in the general population by standardised morbidity ratios, there was an eight fold increased risk of cancer in the series as a whole. Dividing the series by extent of colitis, extensive colitis patients showed a 19 fold increase in risk. A four fold increased risk was shown in the remainder of the series (left sided colitis, proctitis and extent unknown). Life table analyses in extensive colitis gave cumulative risks of 7.2% (CI 3.6-10.8) at 20 years from onset of disease and 16.5% (CI 9.0-24.0) at 30 years from onset. No significant effect of age at onset, sex or referral centre could be detected. Examination of the data by interval from onset to cancer and by actual age at development of cancer suggests that patients who develop colorectal cancer will do so in a distribution around 50 years of age independent of duration of disease in adult onset ulcerative colitis (greater than 15 years at onset of disease). An inverse relationship was shown between age at onset of disease and interval from onset of disease to cancer. Further age specific rates for cancer increased up to 50 years and decreased thereafter. These results suggest that extensive colitis patients have a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer and that longstanding inflammation is not of primary importance in the initiation/promotion of cancer in this disease.     

Long-term risk of cancer in ulcerative colitis: a population-based cohort study from Copenhagen County.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) and possibly also increased risk for cancers outside the intestinal tract. We followed-up a population-based cohort of 1160 patients with UC diagnosed in Copenhagen County between 1962 and 1987 for up to 36 years to analyze the overall and site-specific cancer risk. METHODS: Observed vs. expected cancers were presented as standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) with 95% exact confidence intervals (CI) calculated by using individual person-years at risk and sex- and age-specific incidence rates for the Danish background population in 1995. RESULTS: The cohort was followed-up for a median of 19 years, or 22,290 person-years. A total of 124 malignancies were observed compared with 139.85 expected (SMR, .89; 95% CI, .74-1.07). The observed number of CRCs was almost exactly equal to expected: 13 cases vs. 12.42 (SMR, 1.05; 95% CI, .56-1.79). The cumulative probability of CRC was .4% by 10 years, 1.1% by 20 years, and 2.1% by 30 years of disease. Among men, melanoma was increased (SMR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.38-7.10); otherwise, no increased risk for cancer could be detected. No hepatobiliary cancers and no increased risk for lymphoma or leukemia were found. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the overall cancer risk, nor the CRC risk, were increased in this population-based cohort after a median of 19 years of follow-up evaluation. An active surgical approach in medical treatment failures and long-term use of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) as relapse prevention may explain this remarkable result.     

Role of sulphasalazine in the aetiology of folate deficiency in ulcerative colitis

Only two (2.5%) of 80 outpatients with histologically proven ulcerative colitis had folate deficiency associated with anaemia or macrocytosis. Mean folate absorption, measured using micrograms/kg body weight of a tritium-labelled physiological folate derivative, 5-methyltetrahydroteroylglutamic acid, in six newly diagnosed patients was 76.7% (normal greater than 95%) but fell to 69.4% after three months' treatment with sulphasalazine. Mean difference in individual patients was 7.5% +/- 5.2% (SD) (p less than 0.02). Mean folate absorption in four patients with megaloblastic anaemia or macrocytosis which developed during treatment with sulphasalazine was 66.3%. This rose to 82.4% after the drug was stopped. Mean difference in individual patients was 16.6 +/- 6.6% (SD) (p less than 0.001). All patients who developed anaemia or macrocytosis with sulphasalazine had additional reasons for folate deficiency. These included coeliac disease, severe nutritional deficiencies, and haemolysis. It was concluded that sulphasalazine impairs folate absorption but this only becomes significant if other reasons for folate deficiency are also present.     

Risk factors for ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer in a Hungarian cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis: results of a population-based study

BACKGROUND: There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in ulcerative colitis (UC). The prevalence of UC-associated CRC is different in various geographic regions. The risk depends primarily on the duration and extent of disease. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for and the epidemiology of CRC in Hungarian patients with UC. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the relevant epidemiological and clinical data of all patients with UC in Veszprem province in our 30-year IBD database (723 patients with UC; male/female, 380/343; non-CRC related colectomies, 3.7%). RESULTS: CRC was diagnosed in 13 patients (13/8564 person-year duration) during follow-up. Age at diagnosis of CRC was at a median of 51 (range 27-70) years. Eight patients are still alive, 4 died of CRC, and 1 died of an unrelated cause. Longer disease duration, extensive colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and dysplasia found in the biopsy specimen were identified as risk factors for developing CRC. The cumulative risk of developing CRC after a disease duration of 10 years was 0.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2%-1.0%); 20 years, 5.4% (95% CI 3.7%-7.1%); and 30 years, 7.5% (95% CI 4.8%-10.2%). CRC diagnosed at surveillance colonoscopy was associated with a tendency for longer survival (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative risk of CRC was high in our patients with UC; however, it was lower compared with that reported in Western European and North American studies. CRC developed approximately 15 years earlier compared with sporadic CRC patients in Hungary. Longer disease duration, extensive colitis, dysplasia, and primary sclerosing cholangitis were identified as important risk factors for developing CRC.