Thiazolidinedione use and ulcerative colitis-related flares: an exploratory analysis of administrative data

Oxidative stress, hormones, and effects of natural antioxidants on intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by intestinal inflammation. The etiology of IBD is multifactorial and results from a complex interplay between mucosal immunity, environmental factors, and host genetics. Future therapeutics for GI disorders, including IBD, that are driven by oxidative stress require a greater understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the GI tract, oxidative stressors include infections and pro-inflammatory responses, which boost ROS generation by promoting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) represent two important signaling pathways in intestinal immune cells that regulate numerous physiological processes, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Natural antioxidant compounds exhibit ROS scavenging and increase antioxidant defense capacity to inhibit pro-oxidative enzymes, which may be useful in IBD treatment. In this review, we discuss various polyphenolic substances (such as resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, green tea flavonoids, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, luteolin, xanthohumol, genistein, alpinetin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, silymarin), phenolic compounds including thymol, alkaloids such as berberine, storage polysaccharides such as tamarind xyloglucan, and other phytochemicals represented by isothiocyanate sulforaphane and food/spices (such as ginger, flaxseed oil), as well as antioxidant hormones like melatonin that target cellular signaling pathways to reduce intestinal inflammation occurring with IBD.

Gut Microbiota: The Potential Key Target of TCM's Therapeutic Effect of Treating Different Diseases Using the Same Method-UC and T2DM as Examples

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine often exerts the therapeutic effect of "treating different diseases with the same method" in clinical practice; in other words, it is a kind of herbal medicine that can often treat two or even multiple diseases; however, the biological mechanism underlying its multi-path and multi-target pharmacological effects remains unclear. Growing evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of several diseases, and that the root cause of herbal medicine plays a therapeutic role in different diseases, a phenomenon potentially related to the improvement of the gut microbiota. We used local intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, and systemic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, as examples; comprehensively searched databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure; and summarized the related studies. The results indicate that multiple individual Chinese herbal medicines, such as Rhizoma coptidis (Huang Lian), Curcuma longa L (Jiang Huang), and Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin), and Chinese medicinal compounds, such as Gegen Qinlian Decoction, Banxia Xiexin Decoction, and Shenling Baizhu Powder, potentially treat these two diseases by enriching the diversity of the gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria, reducing pathogenic bacteria, improving the intestinal mucosal barrier, and inhibiting intestinal and systemic inflammation. In conclusion, this study found that a variety of traditional Chinese herbal medicines can simultaneously treat ulcerative colitis and type 2 diabetes, and the gut microbiota may be a significant target for herbal medicine as it exerts its therapeutic effect of "treating different diseases with the same method".

Composite outcomes in observational studies of ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has been the focus of numerous observational studies over the years and a common strategy employed in their design is the use of composite and aggregate outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify composite and aggregate outcomes of observational studies in UC and to evaluate how the number and type of variables included and the length of follow-up affect the frequency of patients that achieve these outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was carried out using MEDLINE [via PubMed], Scopus, and Web of Science online databases. Observational studies that included UC patients and reported composite or aggregate outcomes were identified. A set of variables considered to be representative of progressive or disabling UC was defined, the proportion of patients attaining the outcomes was determined and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed by dividing the identified studies into subgroups according to different criteria of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 10,264 records were identified in the systematic search, of which 33 were retained for qualitative analysis and 20 were included in the meta-analysis. The mean frequency for composite outcomes was 0.363 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.323-0.403]. The frequency of composite outcome for the subgroup of studies that included the variable "Biologics" was significantly higher than for those in which this variable was not reported [0.410; 95% CI 0.364-0.457 versus 0.298; 95% CI 0.232-0.364; p = 0.006]. Composite outcomes were also more frequent as the follow-up duration increased.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of composite outcomes in observational studies of UC is dependent on the specific identity of the variables being reported. Moreover, longer follow-up periods are associated with higher frequencies of composite outcomes. The evidence provided here is useful for the design of future observational studies of UC that aim to maximize the frequency of patients that achieve composite outcomes.

Dermal Lesions and Skin Cancer in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy

Background: Anti-TNFa medications represent the first effective biologic therapy for IBD that has largely revolutionized treatment. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of MM and other skin cancers among patients from Northern Greece area with IBD who take immunosuppressive or biologic anti-TNF medications. Methods: The current study was conducted during a 3-year period (2014-2016). Clinical history and metabolic data of all patients were extracted from the IBD database that is kept since 1980. 101 patients with IBD from Northwestern Greece, were studied. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 44.2±15.9 years old ranging from 17 years to 77 years old. No sun burn was reported from the 44.6% of the patients, 53.5% presented mild reticular veins in the face, and lack of any elastosis was noticed in 60.4%. The occurrence of two cases with squamous and basal cell carcinoma is an important finding. The absence of any case with MM should not quiet down but should strengthen our efforts for further implementation of preventive measures. Conclusions: Furthermore, education of patients to avoid deleterious sun exposure may help decrease MM incidence.

Adipokines and the role of visceral adipose tissue in inflammatory bowel disease

Recently, adipocytes have been recognized as actively participating in local and systemic immune responses via the secretion of peptides detectable in relevant levels in the systemic circulation, the so-called "adipo(cyto)kines". Multiple studies appearing within the last 10-15 years have focused on the possible impact of adipose tissue depots on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Consequently, various hypotheses regarding the role of different adipokines in inflammatory diseases in general and in intestinal inflammatory processes in particular have been developed and have been further refined in recent years. After a focused summary of the data reported concerning the impact of visceral adipose tissue on IBD, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, our review focuses on recent developments indicating that adipocytes as part of the innate immune system actively participate in antimicrobial host defenses in the context of intestinal bacterial translocation, which are of utmost importance for the homeostasis of the whole organism. Modulators of adipose tissue function and regulators of adipokine secretion, as well as modifiers of adipocytic pattern recognition molecules, might represent future potential drug targets in IBD.

Who and how to screen for cancer in at-risk inflammatory bowel disease patients

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) include both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and both diseases are marked by inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Due to long-standing inflammation, IBD patients are at increased risk of colorectal cancer, especially patients with chronic inflammation, pancolitis, co-diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis and a longer duration of disease. Small bowel inflammation places Crohn's patients at an increased risk of small bowel cancer. A higher risk of skin cancers, lymphomas and cervical abnormalities is also seen in IBD patients; this is likely related to both disease factors and the presence of immunosuppressive medication. This article reviews which patients are at an increased risk of IBD-associated or IBD treatment-associated cancers, when to begin screening and which screening methods are recommended.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), also known as CD26, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that has a costimulatory function in the immune response. DPP4 inhibitors (DPP4i) are oral glucose-lowering drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated the risk of incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases (AD) such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease, associated with DPP4i in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

Using US insurance claims data (2005-2012), we conducted a population-based cohort study that included initiators of combination therapy with DPP4i (DPP4i plus metformin) and non-DPP4i (non-DPP4i plus metformin). RA and other AD were identified with ≥2 diagnoses and ≥1 dispensing for AD-specific immunomodulating drugs or steroids. Composite AD includes RA or other AD. Propensity score (PS)-stratified Cox proportional hazards models compared the risk of AD in DPP4i initiators versus non-DPP4i, controlling for potential confounders.

RESULTS

After asymmetric trimming on the PS, 73 928 patients with T2DM starting DPP4i combination therapy and 163 062 starting non-DPP4i combination therapy were selected. Risks of incident RA and composite AD were lower in the DPP4i group versus non-DPP4i with the PS-stratified HR of 0.66 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.99) for RA, 0.73 (0.51 to 1.03) for other AD and 0.68 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.89) for composite AD.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of diabetic patients, those initiating DPP4i combination therapy appear to have a decreased risk of incident AD including RA compared with those initiating non-DPP4i combination therapy. These results may suggest possible pharmacological pathways for prevention or treatment of AD.

Increased risk of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk for pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP). Our aims were (1) to determine the incidence and relative risk of PCP in IBD and (2) to describe medication exposures in patients with IBD with PCP.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study and a case series using administrative data from IMS Health Inc, LifeLink Health Plan Claims Database. In the cohort, patients with IBD were matched to 4 individuals with no IBD claims. PCP risk was evaluated by incidence rate ratio and adjusted Cox proportional hazards modeling. The demographics and medication histories of the 38 cases of PCP in patients with IBD were extracted.

RESULTS

The cohort included 50,932 patients with Crohn's disease, 56,403 patients with ulcerative colitis, and 1269 patients with unspecified IBD; matched to 434,416 individuals without IBD. The crude incidence of PCP was higher in the IBD cohort (10.6/100,000) than in the non-IBD cohort (3.0/100,000). In the adjusted analyses, PCP risk was higher in the IBD versus non-IBD cohort (hazard ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.75-4.29), with the greatest risk in Crohn's disease compared with non-IBD (hazard ratio, 4.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-8.56). In the IBD case series of PCP cases (n = 38), the median age was 49 (interquartile range, 43-57). A total of 20 individuals (53%) were on corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppression.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the overall incidence of PCP is low, patients with IBD are at increased risk. Patients with IBD with PCP are predominantly on corticosteroids alone or in combination before PCP diagnosis.

Increased risk of herpes zoster among 108 604 patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on certain immunosuppressants have increased herpes zoster (HZ) risk.

AIM

To determine the risk of HZ in IBD and how antitumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF) agents affect this risk.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort and nested case-control study using administrative data from IMS LifeLink(®) Information Assets-Health Plan Claims Database. In the cohort, we identified IBD patients <age 64 by diagnosis codes; matched to four individuals without IBD. HZ risk was evaluated by incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models (HR). In the nested case-control analysis, 2659 IBD patients with HZ were each matched to four IBD patients without HZ. We determined associations between medications and HZ using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

The cohort included 50 932 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 56 403 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 1269 with unspecified IBD, matched to 434 416 individuals without IBD. The IBD cohort had increased HZ risk compared with non-IBD (IRR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.60-1.76). After adjustment, IBD patients had a higher risk of HZ than non-IBD (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.42-1.57). In the nested case-control multivariate-adjusted analyses, anti-TNF medications (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.48-2.21), corticosteroids (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.51-1.99) and thiopurines (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.61-2.13) were independently associated with HZ. Risk of HZ was highest with combination anti-TNF and thiopurine therapy (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.33-4.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk for herpes zoster. Use of thiopurines, anti-TNF agents, combination therapy and corticosteroids increases herpes zoster risk.

Increased risk of pneumonia among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk for infections. We aimed to determine the pneumonia risk in IBD and how specific medications affect this risk.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort and a nested case-control study using administrative data from IMS Health Inc., LifeLink Health Plan Claims Database. Limitations to this data set include lack of clinical details to validate exposures and outcomes. In the cohort, IBD patients were matched to four individuals without IBD. Pneumonia risk was evaluated by incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models (hazard ratio (HR)). In the nested case-control, 4,856 IBD patients with pneumonia were matched to four IBD patients without pneumonia by incidence density sampling. We used conditional logistic regression to determine the associations between medications and pneumonia.

RESULTS

The cohort included 50,932 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 56,403 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 1,269 with unspecified IBD; matched to 434,416 individuals without IBD. Median follow-up within the cohort was 24 months. The IBD cohort had an increased pneumonia risk when compared with non-IBD (IRR 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75-1.88). In adjusted Cox analysis, pneumonia risk remained increased for the IBD vs. non-IBD cohort (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.49-1.60), with increased risk in both CD (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.62-1.80) and UC (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.34-1.48). In the nested case-control analysis, use of biologic medications (odds ratio (OR) 1.32, 95% CI 1.11-1.57), corticosteroids (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.72-2.12), thiopurines (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.00-1.27), proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.26), or narcotics (2.28, 95% CI 2.09-2.48) was independently associated with pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IBD are at increased risk for pneumonia. Medications such as corticosteroids and narcotics are particularly associated with pneumonia in this population. An emphasis upon primary prevention of pneumonia through vaccination and reduction of risk factors is warranted.

Risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk for certain malignancies. We aimed to determine the risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients with IBD and how medications affect these risks.

METHODS

We performed retrospective cohort and nested case-control studies using administrative data from the LifeLink Health Plan Claims Database from 1997 to 2009. The cohort comprised 108,579 patients with IBD, and each was matched to 4 individuals without IBD. The risk of melanoma and NMSC was evaluated by incidence rate ratio (IRR) and by adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) modeling. In nested case-control studies, patients with melanoma or NMSC were matched to 4 patients with IBD without melanoma or NMSC. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine associations between medications and both skin cancers.

RESULTS

In the cohort, IBD was associated with an increased incidence of melanoma (IRR, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.53). Risk was greatest among individuals with Crohn's disease (IRR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.85; adjusted HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.00-1.64). The incidence of NMSC also increased among patients with IBD (IRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.40-1.53) and was greatest among those with CD (IRR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.54-1.74). In the nested case-control studies, therapy with biologics increased the risk of melanoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% CI, 1.08-3.29). Patients who had been treated with thiopurines had an increased risk of NMSC (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.66-2.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Immunosuppression increases the risk of melanoma and NMSC among patients with IBD. The risk of melanoma is increased by use of biologics, and the risk of NMSC is increased by use of thiopurines. Patients with IBD should be counseled and monitored for skin cancer.

Endocrine and metabolic manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal manifestations from nearly every organ system are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review article describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of the main endocrine and metabolic manifestations in IBD, including metabolic bone disease, growth retardation, hypogonadism, pubertal delay, lipid abnormalities and insulin resistance. These clinical problems are commonly interrelated and they share a common basis, influenced by disease-related inflammation and nutritional status. In addition to nutritional support, every effort should be made to achieve and maintain disease remission, thus correcting the underlying chronic inflammation. The criteria for screening and diagnosing osteoporosis are described and treatment options are discussed (lifestyle advice, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, use of bisphosphonates or other specific antiosteoporotic agents, correction of hypogonadism). Chronic glucocorticoid therapy may affect growth as well as predispose to osteoporosis. The diagnosis and management of growth failure, pubertal delay and hypogonadism in IBD are discussed.