Comparison of the natural history of ulcerative colitis in African Americans and non-Hispanic Caucasians: a historical cohort study

Significant Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Health Care Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising worldwide, though the differences in health care utilization among different races and ethnicities remains uncertain. We aimed to better define this through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We explored the impact of race or ethnicity on the likelihood of needing an IBD-related surgery, hospitalization, and emergency department visit. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with I2 values reporting heterogeneity. Differences in IBD phenotype and treatment between racial and ethnic groups of IBD were reported.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight studies were included. Compared with White patients, Black patients were less likely to undergo a Crohn's disease (CD; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.95; I2 = 68.0%) or ulcerative colitis (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.83; I2 = 85.0%) surgery, more likely to have an IBD-hospitalization (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.24; I2 = 77.0%), and more likely to visit the emergency department (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.32-2.30; I2 = 0%). There were no significant differences in disease behavior or biologic exposure between Black and White patients. Hispanic patients were less likely to undergo a CD surgery (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.48-0.68; I2 = 0%) but more likely to be hospitalized (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.88; I2 = 37.0%) compared with White patients. There were no differences in health care utilization between White and Asian or South Asian patients with IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

There remain significant differences in health care utilization among races and ethnicities in IBD. Future research is required to determine factors behind these differences to achieve equitable care for persons living with IBD.

Racial Disparities in Infliximab Efficacy for Ulcerative Colitis: Evidence Synthesis and Effect Modification Assessment

An increasing amount of research explores the role of race in clinical phenotypes and outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to investigate racial differences in infliximab (IFX) treatment efficacy in UC. We used aggregate data from IFX trials and evidence synthesis methods to generate race-specific efficacy estimates. Then, we tested the effect modification by race by comparing the race-specific estimates derived from independent evidence syntheses. We computed ratios of relative risks (RRRs) and performed tests of statistical interaction. We analyzed data from five randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluating IFX as induction and maintenance therapy for adults with moderate-to-severe UC (875 participants; 45% Asians). We found no substantial evidence of racial differences concerning the efficacy of IFX in inducing clinical response (RRR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.66-1.20; p = 0.44), clinical remission (RRR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.24-1.44; p = 0.24), and mucosal healing (RRR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.69-1.41; p = 0.95), or maintaining clinical remission (RRR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.46-1.42; p = 0.45) and mucosal healing (RRR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.48-1.46; p = 0.53), between Asian and Caucasian populations. Future clinical studies should expand the participation of racial minorities to comprehensively assess potential racial differences in the effectiveness of advanced therapies, including IFX, in the context of treating UC.

The Current State of Care for Black and Hispanic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Research on the care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients has been primarily in populations of European ancestry. However, the incidence of IBD, which comprises Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is increasing in different populations around the world. In this comprehensive review, we examine the epidemiology, clinical presentations, disease phenotypes, treatment outcomes, social determinants of health, and genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of IBD in Black and Hispanic patients in the United States. To improve health equity of underserved minorities with IBD, we identified the following priority areas: access to care, accurate assessment of treatment outcomes, incorporation of Black and Hispanic patients in therapeutic clinical trials, and investigation of environmental factors that lead to the increase in disease incidence.

Evaluation of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Surgical Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Disparities in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are multifactorial and occur at all stages of treatment, including surgical management. We aim to evaluate postoperative morbidity after abdominopelvic surgery among different racial/ethnic groups after surgical management of CD and UC and account for preoperative characteristics that may impact outcomes.

METHODS

Patients were identified using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) file and merged with the targeted proctectomy (2016-2019) and colectomy file (2012-2019). All patients undergoing elective surgical management for ICD9/10 codes for CD and UC were included. The primary outcome was composite postoperative morbidity (CPM), a metric that identifies postoperative morbidity with available variables. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to test the association between race/ethnicity and other risk factors with CPM. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using propensity score modeling with 1:1 matching without replacement as a secondary analysis.

RESULTS

In both CD and UC, CPM was highest for Black patients with 27.5% (326) and 26.1% (81), respectively. Followed by Hispanic patients with a CPM of 21.1% (73) after surgery for CD (p < 0.001) and 21.2% (31) for Asian patients after resection for UC (p = 0.005). After regression modeling, we found increased odds of CPM for Black patients after surgery for UC (OR 1.48, p = 0.013) and CD (OR 1.17, p < 0.001). Following propensity score matching (PSM), stoma creation rates were higher in Asian (10.4%, p = 0.010) and Hispanic patients (11.9%, p = 0.030) undergoing surgery for CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Black patients are at increased risk of morbidity after surgery for both UC and CD. Increased morbidity in an already vulnerable population warrants targeted interventions, specifically focusing on faster access to specialized care, preoperative optimization, and culturally competent discussions on the benefits of MIS approaches are warranted in order to improve postoperative outcomes.

Towards Equitable Surgical Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Disparities in Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Existing evidence for disparities in inflammatory bowel disease is fragmented and heterogenous. Underlying mechanisms for differences in outcomes based on race and socioeconomic status remain undefined. We performed a systematic review of the literature to examine disparities in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease in the United States.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched from 2000 through June 11, 2021, to identify studies addressing disparities in surgical treatment for adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Eligible English-language publications comparing the use or outcomes of surgery by racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and/or institutional factors were included. Studies were grouped according to whether outcomes of surgery were reported or surgery itself was the relevant end point (utilization). Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

RESULTS

Forty-five studies were included. Twenty-four reported surgical outcomes and 21addressed utilization. Race/ethnicity was considered in 96% of studies, socioeconomic status in 44%, geographic factors in 27%, and hospital/surgeon factors in 22%. Although study populations and end points were heterogeneous, Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to undergo abdominal surgery when hospitalized; they were more likely to have a complication when they did have surgery. Differences based on race were correlated with socioeconomic factors but frequently remained significant after adjustments for insurance and baseline health.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical disparities based on sociologic and structural factors reflect unidentified differences in multidisciplinary disease management. A broad, multidimensional approach to disparities research with more granular and diverse data sources is needed to improve health care quality and equity for inflammatory bowel disease.

Evaluation of a U.S. National Cohort to Determine Utilization in Colectomy Rates for Ulcerative Colitis Among Ethnicities

BACKGROUND

Colectomy is the curative management for ulcerative colitis (UC). Multiple studies have reported racial disparities for colectomy before the advent of anti-TNF alpha agents. The aim of this study was to describe racial and geographic differences in colectomy rates among hospitalized patients with UC after anti-TNF therapy was introduced.

METHODS

We examined all patients discharged from the hospital between 2010 and 2014 with a primary diagnosis of UC or of complications of UC. The data were evaluated for race and colectomy rates among the hospitalized patients with UC.

RESULTS

The unadjusted national colectomy rate among hospitalized patients with UC between 2010 and 2014 was 3.90 per 1000 hospitalization days (95% confidence interval, 3.72-4.08). The undajusted colectomy rates in African American (2.33 vs 4.35; P < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (3.99 vs 4.35; P ≤ 0.009) were considerably lower than those for White patients. After adjustment for confounders, the incidence rate ratio for African American as compared to White patients was 0.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.58; P < 0.001). Geographic region of the United States also showed significant variation in colectomy rates, with western regions having the highest rate (4.76 vs 3.20; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Racial and geographical disparities persist for the rate of colectomy among hospitalized patients with UC. The national database analysis reveals that colectomy rates for hospitalized African American and Hispanic patients were lower than those for White patients. Further studies are important to determine the social and biologic foundations of these disparities.

Racial differences in the outcomes of IBD hospitalizations: a national population-based study

PURPOSE

There are  scarce data describing the outcomes of hospitalized patients admitted with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) stratified by race. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the difference in outcomes between adult white and black patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the 2016 and 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Our primary outcome was inpatient mortality while the secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), total hospital charges (THC), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, diagnosis of bowel perforation, and severe sepsis with septic shock. We conducted the analysis using STATA software. We used propensity-matched multivariate regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 71 million hospital hospitalizations, we found 177,574 hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of IBD, with 24,635 (13.9%) for black patients, 124,899 (70.3%) for white patients, and 28,040 (15.8%) were for others. There was no significant difference in inpatient mortality for black vs white patients. Among secondary outcomes, white compared to black patients had increased odds of having a diagnosis of bowel perforation when admitted with a diagnosis of IBD while there was no difference in the odds of developing septic shock. White patients admitted with a diagnosis of UC were also found to have increased total LOS and THC.

CONCLUSION

White patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of IBD had no difference in inpatient mortality or septic shock but had worse outcomes such as increased odds of bowel perforation compared to black patients.

Effects of Race and Ethnicity on Diagnosis and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Although Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have been considered as disorders that affect individuals of European ancestry, the epidemiology of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is changing. Coupled with the increasing incidence of IBD in previously low-incidence areas, the population demographics of IBD in the United States are also changing, with increases among non-White races and ethnicities. It is therefore important to fully understand the epidemiology and progression of IBD in different racial and ethnic groups, and the effects of race and ethnicity on access to care, use of resources, and disease-related outcomes. We review differences in IBD development and progression among patients of different races and ethnicities, discussing the effects of factors such as access to care, delays in diagnosis, and health and disease perception on disparities in IBD care and outcomes. We identify research priorities for improving health equity among minority patients with IBD.

Black and White Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Show Similar Biologic Use Patterns With Medicaid Insurance

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have identified racial disparities in the treatment and outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These disparities could be secondary to differences in biology, care delivery, or access to appropriate therapy. The primary aim of this study was to compare medication use among Medicaid-insured black and white patients with IBD, given uniform access to gastroenterologists and therapies.

METHODS

We analyzed Medicaid Analytic eXtract data from 4 states (California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas) between 2006 and 2011. We compared the use of IBD-specific therapies, including analyses of postoperative therapy among patients with Crohn disease (CD). We performed bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

We identified 14,735 patients with IBD (4672 black [32%], 8277 with CD [58%]). In multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference in the odds of anti-tumor necrosis factor use by race for CD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-1.28] or ulcerative colitis (aOR = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.96-1.32). Black patients with CD were more likely than white patients to receive combination therapy (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.96), and black patients were more likely than white patients to receive immunomodulator monotherapy after surgery for CD (31% vs 18%; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with Medicaid insurance, where access to IBD-specific therapy should be similar for all individuals, there was no significant disparity by race in the utilization of IBD-specific therapies. Disparities in IBD treatment discussed in prior literature seem to be driven by socioeconomic or other issues affecting access to care.

A comprehensive review and update on ulcerative colitis. Dis Mon 2019;65:100851. [PMID: 30837080 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2019.02.004]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disorder of the colon that causes continuous mucosal inflammation extending from the rectum to the more proximal colon, with variable extents. UC is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. UC was first described by Samuel Wilks in 1859 and it is more common than Crohn's disease worldwide. The overall incidence and prevalence of UC is reported to be 1.2-20.3 and 7.6-245 cases per 100,000 persons/year respectively. UC has a bimodal age distribution with an incidence peak in the 2nd or 3rd decades and followed by second peak between 50 and 80 years of age. The key risk factors for UC include genetics, environmental factors, autoimmunity and gut microbiota. The classic presentation of UC include bloody diarrhea with or without mucus, rectal urgency, tenesmus, and variable degrees of abdominal pain that is often relieved by defecation. UC is diagnosed based on the combination of clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, histology, and the absence of alternative diagnoses. In addition to confirming the diagnosis of UC, it is also important to define the extent and severity of inflammation, which aids in the selection of appropriate treatment and for predicting the patient's prognosis. Ileocolonoscopy with biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of UC. A pathognomonic finding of UC is the presence of continuous colonic inflammation characterized by erythema, loss of normal vascular pattern, granularity, erosions, friability, bleeding, and ulcerations, with distinct demarcation between inflamed and non-inflamed bowel. Histopathology is the definitive tool in diagnosing UC, assessing the disease severity and identifying intraepithelial neoplasia (dysplasia) or cancer. The classical histological changes in UC include decreased crypt density, crypt architectural distortion, irregular mucosal surface and heavy diffuse transmucosal inflammation, in the absence of genuine granulomas. Abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scanning is the preferred initial radiographic imaging study in UC patients with acute abdominal symptoms. The hallmark CT finding of UC is mural thickening with a mean wall thickness of 8 mm, as opposed to a 2-3 mm mean wall thickness of the normal colon. The Mayo scoring system is a commonly used index to assess disease severity and monitor patients during therapy. The goals of treatment in UC are three fold-improve quality of life, achieve steroid free remission and minimize the risk of cancer. The choice of treatment depends on disease extent, severity and the course of the disease. For proctitis, topical 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) drugs are used as the first line agents. UC patients with more extensive or severe disease should be treated with a combination of oral and topical 5-ASA drugs +/- corticosteroids to induce remission. Patients with severe UC need to be hospitalized for treatment. The options in these patients include intravenous steroids and if refractory, calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus) or tumor necrosis factor-α antibodies (infliximab) are utilized. Once remission is induced, patients are then continued on appropriate medications to maintain remission. Indications for emergency surgery include refractory toxic megacolon, colonic perforation, or severe colorectal bleeding.

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in racial and ethnic migrant groups

AIM

To summarise the current literature and define patterns of disease in migrant and racial groups.

METHODS

A structured key word search in Ovid Medline and EMBASE was undertaken in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies on incidence, prevalence and disease phenotype of migrants and races compared with indigenous groups were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Individual studies showed significant differences in incidence, prevalence and disease phenotype between migrants or race and indigenous groups. Pooled analysis could only be undertaken for incidence studies on South Asians where there was significant heterogeneity between the studies [95% for ulcerative colitis (UC), 83% for Crohn’s disease (CD)]. The difference between incidence rates was not significant with a rate ratio South Asian: Caucasian of 0.78 (95%CI: 0.22-2.78) for CD and 1.39 (95%CI: 0.84-2.32) for UC. South Asians showed consistently higher incidence and more extensive UC than the indigenous population in five countries. A similar pattern was observed for Hispanics in the United States. Bangladeshis and African Americans showed an increased risk of CD with perianal disease.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests that migration and race influence the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease. This may be due to different inherent responses upon exposure to an environmental trigger in the adopted country. Further prospective studies on homogenous migrant populations are needed to validate these observations, with a parallel arm for in-depth investigation of putative drivers.

Minority Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Demonstrate an Increased Length of Stay

BACKGROUND

Genetic and other biological factors may lead to differences in disease behavior among children with inflammatory bowel disease of different races, which may be further modified by disparities in care delivery. Using the Kids' Inpatient Database, we aimed to evaluate differences in the management of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease by race, focusing on length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis using 2000 to 2012 data from the Kids' Inpatient Database, a nationally representative database. We identified pediatric patients (≤18 years of age) with discharge diagnoses of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between race and LOS, controlling for age, payer status need for surgery, and year of admission.

RESULTS

We identified 27,295 hospitalizations for children with inflammatory bowel disease (62% CD and 38% UC), Compared with white patients with CD, black (adjusted odds ratio 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-1.53; P < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (adjusted odds ratio: 1.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.59; P < 0.001) with CD demonstrated increased odds of a LOS greater than the 75th percentile. When compared with white patients with UC, Hispanic patients also demonstrated increased odds of a LOS greater than the 75th percentile (adjusted odds ratio: 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.42, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

After controlling for age, year of admission, and clinical phenotypes, black and Hispanic patients with CD and Hispanic patients with UC had longer LOS than white patients. These may be due to differences in provider/hospital characteristics, socioeconomic differences, and/or differences in genetics and other biological factors (see Video Abstract, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/IBD/B656).

Elderly-Onset and Adult-Onset Ulcerative Colitis Are More Similar than Previously Reported in a Nationwide Cohort

BACKGROUND

Elderly-onset ulcerative colitis (EO-UC) is recognized as a distinct subpopulation of UC. To our knowledge, there have been no nationwide studies of EO-UC populations in the USA.

AIMS

We aim to characterize differences in presentation at diagnosis and clinical course between EO-UC and adult-onset UC (AO-UC) patients in a national cohort.

METHODS

Complete medical records of patients newly diagnosed with UC from October 2001 to October 2011 in the Veterans Affairs health system were obtained. Patients were followed until colectomy, death, or the end of the observation period on November 2015. EO-UC patients (age of diagnosis ≥65 years) were compared to AO-UC patients (age of diagnosis ≤40 years) with respect to demographic, severity, and therapeutic data. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP statistical software.

RESULTS

We identified 836 newly diagnosed UC patients, of which 207 had EO-UC and 102 had AO-UC. The mean age of diagnosis was 72.4 years (EO-UC) and 32.9 years (AO-UC), with a mean 8-year follow-up period. The incidence of pancolitis at the time of diagnosis was similar between both groups (p = 0.67). There was no difference in steroid use (36.7 vs 45.1%, p = 0.1563), thiopurine use (19.3 vs 22.6%, p = 0.5081), and colectomy rates (6.3 vs 5.9%, p = 0.8911) between EO-UC and AO-UC populations. There was lower anti-TNF use in EO-UC patients compared to AO-UC patients (5.8 vs 14.7%, p = 0.0091).

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide cohort, we found that the use of steroids, thiopurines, and colectomy was similar in both populations, while anti-TNF use was lower among the elderly.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States: A Systematic Review of Disease Characteristics and Differences

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has predominantly affected whites, particularly Ashkenazi Jews. Over the last 2 decades, IBD has "emerged" in minorities. Differences in natural history and disease characteristics have been suggested. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize these differences in studies from the United States.

METHODS

A structured search was performed within the Medline database through PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Published studies of genetics, pathogenesis, prevalence or incidence, disease location and behavior, extraintestinal manifestations, disparities and access to care in patients with IBD who are of African American, Asian, and Hispanic descent living in the United States were eligible.

RESULTS

A total of 47 studies were included for African Americans (n = 20,054), Hispanics (n = 10,762), and Asians (n = 2668). The incidence and prevalence of IBD is increasing among minorities. There is less of a genetic influence in the pathogenesis of IBD among African Americans; however, novel variants have been identified. There is a predilection for pancolonic ulcerative colitis among Hispanics and Asians. Crohn's disease-related hospitalizations are increasing in Asians, whereas African Americans are more likely to use the emergency department. No major differences are seen in disease location and behavior, upper gastrointestinal tract, and perianal involvement and extraintestinal manifestations among races and ethnic groups. Medication utilization seems to be similar. Differences in surgery are likely explained by health insurance status.

CONCLUSIONS

Future prospective studies are needed to fully characterize disease characteristics and treatment response among minorities. With novel IBD therapies in the pipeline, enrollment in clinical trials should emphasize increased representation of all races and ethnic groups.

Demography and clinical course of ulcerative colitis in Arabs - a study based on the Montreal classification

OBJECTIVE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is generally considered a disease of the Caucasian populations in developed countries, but its incidence is increasing rapidly in many developing countries, including the Middle East. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical epidemiology of UC in Arabs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This cross-sectional medical record-based descriptive study collected sociodemographic and clinical information on 182 Arab patients with UC in Kuwait. Age at diagnosis, extent and severity of disease were determined according to the Montreal classification. results: Among the 182 patients, 91 (50.0%) were males. The median age at diagnosis was 28.5 years. Family history of UC was reported by 26 (14.3%) patients. The extent of the disease was limited to the rectum in 34 (18.7%) patients, left sided in 67 (36.8%) and pan colitis in 81 (44.5%). At the time of inclusion in the study, 127 (69.8%) patients were in clinical remission, 53 (29.1%) had mild-to-moderate disease and 2 (1.1%) had severe colitis. Younger age at diagnosis and non-smoking were associated with more extensive colitis. The majority of patients were treated with mesalamine, steroids and immunomodulators, while biologic therapy and surgery were needed in 5% and 4% of the patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

UC presents more commonly at younger age among Arabs in Kuwait. Extensive disease at presentation is associated with younger age at diagnosis and absence of tobacco smoking. There also appears to be less need for surgery and biologic therapy for the disease in this population.

An analysis of genetic factors related to risk of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than the general population. Genome-wide association studies have identified and replicated several loci associated with risk of IBD; however, it is currently unknown whether these loci are also associated with colon cancer risk.

METHODS

We selected 15 validated SNPs associated with risk of either Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or both in previous GWAS and tested whether these loci were also associated with colon cancer risk in a two-stage study design.

RESULTS

We found that rs744166 in STAT3 was associated with colon cancer risk in two studies; however, the direction of the observation was reversed in TP53 mutant tumors possibly due to a nullification of the effect by mutant p53. The SNP, which lies within intron 1 of the STAT3 gene, was associated with lower expression of STAT3 mRNA in TP53 wild-type, but not mutant, tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the STAT3 locus is associated with both IBD and cancer. Further understanding the function of this variant in relation to TP53 could possibly explain the role of this gene in autoimmunity and cancer. Furthermore, an analysis of this locus, specifically in a population with IBD, could help to resolve the relationship between this SNP and cancer.

Clinical presentation and disease course of inflammatory bowel disease differs by race in a large tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND

While the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among African-Americans (AAs) is increasing, there is limited understanding of phenotypic differences and outcomes by race.

AIM

To describe disease characteristics of AA patients compared to Caucasian (Ca) patients in a tertiary care population.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional review of the IBD registry at the University of Chicago from January 2008 to January 2013. Data regarding race, phenotype, disease onset, disease duration, medical therapy, and surgical treatment were abstracted from the database, then compared via Pearson's chi-square analysis, Kruskal-Wallis analysis, and logistic regression with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 1,235 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 541 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) included 108 AA CD patients and 28 AA UC patients. AA CD patients had an increased rate of IBD-related arthralgias (36.5 vs. 23.9 %, p < 0.01) and surgery (p < 0.01), less ileal involvement (57.8 vs. 71.0 %, p < 0.01), and no differences for other extraintestinal manifestations or disease locations compared to Ca CD patients. AA UC patients were older at diagnosis, had an increased rate of arthralgias (28.6 vs. 14.6 %, p = 0.047) and ankylosing spondylitis/sacroiliitis (7.1 vs. 1.6 %, p = 0.035), with no differences for disease extent or rate of IBD-related surgeries compared to Ca UC patients. There were no differences in medication usage by race for CD and UC patients.

CONCLUSION

We identified significant differences in disease characteristics and extraintestinal manifestations between AA and Ca IBD patients in a large tertiary care population. These results have implications for future genotype-phenotype studies.

Infliximab in ulcerative colitis: the impact of preoperative treatment on rates of colectomy and prescribing practices in the province of British Columbia, Canada

BACKGROUND

Approximately 20% of patients with ulcerative colitis will require surgical treatment. Recent data suggest that infliximab may reduce the need for surgery in patients with severe ulcerative colitis. However, it is unclear whether data from these small trials will translate to reduced colectomy rates in populations with ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of infliximab on the rates of colectomy for ulcerative colitis and the prescribing practices for infliximab in British Columbia, Canada.

DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed data from 4 province-wide population-based databases maintained by the British Columbia Ministry of Health, a central registry, a hospital separations file, a physician payment file, and a pharmaceutical file. Data were collected from April 1, 2001, to March 31, 2010.

SETTINGS

This investigation was conducted at the University of British Columbia.

PATIENTS

All patients aged 18 to 75 with ulcerative colitis were included and identified using a validated strategy with International Classification of Diseases 9/10 codes. Patients with severe ulcerative colitis were defined by treatment with a course of corticosteroids during the study period. Patients treated with infliximab were identified using the provincial pharmaceutical file.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was surgery determined by an International Classification of Diseases 9/10 code for partial or total colectomy.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2010, 7227 subjects were identified with ulcerative colitis. The number of subjects with severe ulcerative colitis was 2537. For general ulcerative colitis, rates of colectomy decreased from 9.97% to 8.88% in the preinfliximab era (2003-2004) and postinfliximab era (2008-2009; p = 0.03). For severe ulcerative colitis, there was no significant difference in colectomy rates (9.97% vs 11.14%; p = 0.18). The highest rate of infliximab prescription was found to be in the provincial health region that encompasses the tertiary academic centers of the province.

LIMITATIONS

Although the overall number of patients in this analysis is sizeable, the number of patients who were prescribed infliximab during the study period is relatively modest, which may have impacted trends.

CONCLUSIONS

In the severe ulcerative colitis population, there has been no change in the colectomy rate over time despite the introduction of infliximab.