Dysplasia in chronic ulcerative colitis: Implications for colonoscopic surveillance

Mucosal dysplasia has been used as a marker for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis considered to be most at risk of developing cancer, and its identification is the basis for colonoscopic surveillance programs. To evaluate the reliability of this premise, colectomy specimens from two groups of patients who had undergone surgery for chronic ulcerative colitis (50 with cancer and 50 without) were retrieved. The groups were matched by age, sex, duration of disease, disease extent, and symptoms at the time of surgery. Using a standard technique of multiple random biopsies, we utilized the standard colonoscopic biopsy forceps to obtain four biopsies from mucosa that was not macroscopically suspicious for dysplasia or cancer in eight defined regions in each of the 100 colon specimens. This technique mimicked exactly the methods used in our clinical surveillance program. All 3,200 biopsies were evaluated blindly by one pathologist for presence and grade of dysplasia. Twenty-six percent of colons with an established cancer harbored no dysplasia in any biopsy from any region in the colon. While an overall association between the presence of cancer and high-grade dysplasia was detected (relative risk = 900; 95 percent CI of 2.73-29.67), the sensitivity and specificity of random colonic biopsies to detect concomitant carcinoma were 0.74 and 0.74, respectively. These findings prompt concern that reliance on random biopsies, obtained during colonoscopic surveillance, may be misplaced.Supported in part by Research Grant DK37990 from the National Institutes of Health and by the Mayo Foundation.     

Thirty-year analysis of a colonoscopic surveillance program for neoplasia in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The value of colonoscopic surveillance for neoplasia in long-standing extensive ulcerative colitis remains controversial. This study reports on prospectively collected data from a surveillance program over a 30-year period. METHODS: Data were obtained from the prospective surveillance database, medical records, colonoscopy, and histology reports. The primary end point was defined as death, colectomy, withdrawal from surveillance, or census date (January 1, 2001). Follow-up information was obtained for patients who left the program. RESULTS: Six hundred patients underwent 2627 colonoscopies during 5932 patient-years of follow-up. The cecal intubation rate was 98.7%, with no significant complications. Seventy-four patients (12.3%) developed neoplasia, including 30 colorectal cancers (CRCs). There was no difference in median age at onset of colitis for those with or without CRC (P = .8, Mann-Whitney). The cumulative incidence of CRC by colitis duration was 2.5% at 20 years, 7.6% at 30 years, and 10.8% at 40 years. The 5-year survival rate was 73.3%. Sixteen of 30 cancers were interval cancers. CRC incidence decreased over time (r = -.40, P = .04; linear regression). CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopic surveillance is safe and allows the vast majority of patients to retain their colon. Although two thirds of patients with potentially life-threatening neoplasia benefited from surveillance, the program was not wholly effective in cancer prevention. The cancer incidence, however, was considerably lower than in the majority of other studies, and was constant for up to 40 years of colitis duration, suggesting there is no need to intensify surveillance over time.     

Magnifying colonoscopic features of ulcerative colitis reflect histologic inflammation

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and the determination of disease activity. Standard colonoscopic findings, however, do not often agree with histologic findings. The aim of this study was to clarify the relation between magnifying colonoscopic features and histologic inflammation in the course of ulcerative colitis. METHODS: We performed magnifying colonoscopy examinations in 60 patients with ulcerative colitis. We classified the features into six types and analyzed the relations among these features, standard colonoscopic features (Matts grades), and pathohistological findings. RESULTS: It was difficult to distinguish the remission stage from the active stage by standard colonoscopy in cases of Matts grade 2 disease. There was a relation, however, between the magnifying colonoscopic types and the degrees of histologic inflammation. The magnifying colonoscopic types reflected histologic inflammation status more accurately than did standard colonoscopic findings. CONCLUSION: Magnifying colonoscopy is useful for determining the degree of histologic change without biopsy in patients with ulcerative colitis.     

Histologic and colonoscopic assessment of disease extension in ulcerative colitis

A comparison between histologic and colonoscopic extension of ulcerative colitis was made in 107 examinations (83 patients). During colonoscopy signs of inflammation were registered, and biopsy specimens were taken from the following gut segments: rectum, left colon, transverse colon, and right colon. Inflammatory activity in the specimens was graded in accordance with severity in a scale from one to five. Endoscopically, total colitis was seen in 40 examinations but was present in 70 examinations histologically. In 34 of 107 examinations the extension of disease was underestimated at colonoscopy. A slight inflammation existed in those segments that appeared normal colonoscopically. Our conclusion is that the extension of ulcerative colitis often is underestimated endoscopically and that inflammatory activity can be present in mucosa assessed as normal on colonoscopy.     

454例溃疡性结肠炎的临床及内镜检查分析

目的探讨结肠镜结合黏膜染色及活检组织病理学检查在溃疡性结肠炎（Ulcerative colitis，uc）诊断中的意义。方法 回顾分析我院5年来确诊的454例UC。结果本组454例UC中。发病以21～50岁为主（75．2％），临床表现以黏液血便或脓血便（60．6％）及腹痛（41．2％）为主。病变分布以直肠、直乙状结肠及左半结肠最多见（63．7％）。结肠镜下表现以黏膜充血水肿（93．6％）伴糜烂（91．4％）或浅溃疡（62．6％）最常见。结论结肠镜检查结合黏膜染色及活检组织病理学检查对UC的诊断具有重要价值。     

Clinical and colonoscopic investigation of skipped periappendiceal lesions in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is typically a continuous and diffuse inflammation extending proximally from the rectum. However, skipped lesion in the appendiceal region has been reported recently. Although appendectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of UC, the clinical significance of skipped periappendiceal lesion remains unclear. The present study examined the relationship between the continuous distal lesion of UC and the skipped periappendiceal lesion by observing colonoscopic changes in both lesions. METHODS: Among 279 patients with UC who underwent total colonoscopy from January 1994 to December 2000, 54 patients (19.4%) had skipped periappendiceal lesions. Serial colonoscopic examinations were performed in 35 of the 54 patients to determine the activities in the distal UC lesion and skipped periappendiceal lesion during the course of disease. RESULTS: Patients with skipped periappendiceal lesions were younger and had a longer history of UC than those without them, but no differences in sex ratio and treatment modality were observed between the two groups. In 28 of 35 patients (80%), the activity in the distal lesion correlated well with that in the skipped periappendiceal lesion. Both lesions were improved in 17 patients, unchanged in 5 patients and worsened in 6 patients. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the changes in colonoscopic activity index in the two lesions. CONCLUSION: A close association is found between disease activity in the skipped periappendiceal lesion and that in the distal lesion of UC.     

Motion - colonoscopic surveillance is more cost effective than colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis: arguments against the motion.

There are insufficient data upon which to base recommendations about surveillance colonoscopy and prophylactic colectomy for the prevention of colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis. Case series, analyses of intermediate results and extrapolations from other patient groups do not constitute reliable evidence. Available studies are susceptible to several biases: the 'healthy worker' effect, surveillance bias and selection bias. Patients who are enrolled in surveillance programs are more likely to be thoroughly evaluated beforehand, are more likely to be given a diagnosis of dysplasia or neoplasm even when asymptomatic and are more likely to comply with medical treatment, including maintenance anti-inflammatory medication. Comparisons of the rates of neoplasia or death between surveyed and nonsurveyed patients are, therefore, of questionable validity. Prophylactic colectomy, unlike surveillance colonoscopy, prevents death from colorectal cancer. Moreover, it is difficult to keep patients in surveillance programs, and those who withdraw from programs appear to be at high risk of developing cancer. Prophylactic colectomy should be strongly considered for patients with dysplasia, sclerosing cholangitis, longstanding pancolitis (especially if it began early in life) or a positive family history of colorectal cancer. This procedure is underused in clinical practice and is a good alternative to colonoscopic surveillance in high risk patients.     

Motion - colonoscopic surveillance is more cost effective than colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis: Arguments for the motion.

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), especially those with longstanding disease, pancolitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. The incidence of colitis- associated cancer is increasing, and the mortality rates from CRC are higher in UC patients than in the general population. Case control studies have demonstrated that surveillance colonoscopy reduces the risk of dying from CRC. A well conducted decision analysis found that surveillance colonoscopy decreases cancer-related mortality and increases life expectancy. The results with surveillance programs were almost as good as with prophylactic colectomy. A subsequent cost effectiveness analysis using the same model found that, compared with a policy of no surveillance, colonoscopic surveillance was more effective at preventing death from CRC and was less costly. The best strategy appears to be to perform colonoscopies every three years. The analysis also showed that colectomy should be recommended in patients with low-grade dysplasia. Patients at very high risk for CRC should undergo yearly colonoscopy, and patients who are concerned about the limitations of this technique should be offered prophylactic colectomy.     

溃疡性结肠炎的临床及内镜特点分析120例

目的:探讨溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的临床特点、结肠镜表现、血小板(PLT)、血沉(ESR)和C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平.方法:收集2003-01/2006-12我院诊治的UC患者120例,对其临床资料、内镜特点及实验室检查结果进行回顾性分析.结果:120例患者中,发病年龄以31-40岁为主,临床表现以黏液脓血便(72.3%)和腹痛(60.8%)为主;结肠镜镜下表现以黏膜充血水肿(91.7%)、血管网模糊(84.2%)、浅表溃疡(68.3%)最为常见,病变多发生于直肠、乙状结肠及左半结肠(51.7%);病理检查以黏膜慢性炎(97.7%),炎性细胞浸润(50.0%)及隐窝脓肿(41.7%)为常见;PLT、ESR及CRP水平较正常对照组明显升高.结论:UC病变大多局限于左半结肠,结肠镜对UC有较大的诊断意义,PLT、ESR及CRP可用来评价UC病情严重性的指标.     

Anxiety, functional health status, and coping ability in patients with ulcerative colitis who are undergoing colonoscopic surveillance

BACKGROUND: Patients with long-standing extensive ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). High-risk UC patients are nowadays enrolled in surveillance programs to decrease CRC incidence and mortality, although little is known about patients' concerns and anxiety when subjected to colonoscopic surveillance. The aims of this study were to evaluate functional health status, general state of health, anxiety, and coping ability in patients with UC taking part in such a program in a university hospital setting. METHODS: Forty-one patients with long-standing, extensive/total UC in remission (median disease duration, 21.0 years) undergoing surveillance comprised the study group. Twenty patients with extensive disease but with shorter disease duration (median, 8.0 years) and 19 patients with only distal involvement UC acted as controls. Four different self-administered questionnaires (SAQs) were used. The SAQ assessments were made twice in the study group and once in the controls. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in any of the SAQ assessments. The median scores obtained were well within the ranges seen in normal healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopic surveillance in long-standing UC does not seem to generate increased anxiety or impairment of functional or general health status among participating patients. Rather, UC patients in clinical remission seem to cope just as well as healthy individuals irrespective of the CRC risk or surveillance procedures.     

Cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer surveillance in ulcerative colitis

Key issues concerning colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease include determination of the risk of colorectal cancer and assessment of interventions to increase survival. No randomized, controlled trials of colonoscopic surveillance compared to no surveillance exist; however, retrospective studies illustrate that surveillance is associated with improved survival, probably as a result of detection of cancer at earlier stages of disease. In the absence of prospective clinical trials of either prophylactic colectomy or surveillance colonoscopy to detect dysplasia, quantitative analysis has been utilized to estimate the impact of competing management strategies on costs and benefits. Published analyses show that while prophylactic colectomy will likely save the greatest number of life-years, quality of life is not optimal, and thus shared decision-making between provider and patient is recommended. Surveillance colonoscopy to detect early cancer and dysplasia appears to be cost-effective, although the risk of colorectal cancer must be substantial in order for this to hold true. It is estimated that the incidence of cancer in ulcerative colitis must exceed 27% over a 30-year period in order for surveillance colonoscopy every 2 years to be cost-effective. Determination of the optimal interval between surveillance procedures is also a contentious issue. Although annual surveillance colonoscopy may not be cost-effective, 3-4 year intervals yield cost-effectiveness ratios comparable to other medical practices deemed worthwhile by society, while 5-year interval produce an incremental cost-effectiveness similar to screening strategies in other diseases.     

结肠途径经内镜肠道植管术治疗溃疡性结肠炎1例报告

溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)是一种肠道慢性非特异性炎症性疾病,近20年来其就诊人数呈快速上升趋势[1].对于初发型重度活动期的UC,治疗较为困难.实施结肠途径经内镜肠道植管术,并以此途径完成粪菌移植、美沙拉嗪灌肠治疗,患者获得良效.现报道如下.     

Evaluation of relationship between clinical and colonoscopic features in patients with active ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a system to score disease activity based on clinical manifestations in patients with active ulcerative colitis and to assess the relationship of this score with endoscopic disease severity as assessed by colonoscopy. METHODS: In a pilot study of 43 patients, nine clinical variables were examined by univariate analysis. Six factors that correlated with disease severity included age, well-being, defecation frequency, bloody stool, extraintestinal manifestations (Ext) and hemoglobin (Hb). Multivariate analysis resulted in the generation of a new activity index for the prediction of disease severity. Validation of this index was performed on 88 patients with definite diagnosis of ulcerative coli-tis based on previous histological examination. RESULTS: The activity index is derived as follows: (18 x bloody stool) + (20 x defecation frequency) + (5 x Ext) + (15 x Hb) - (well-being x 17) + (age x 2) + 158. Values below 280, between 280 and 310 and above 310 corresponded to mild, moderate and severe disease, respectively. The model classified disease severity correctly in 71% of cases. CONCLUSION: This activity index may be useful for noninvasive evaluation of disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis.