Perianal disease is associated with psychiatric co-morbidity in Crohn's disease in remission

Does Combined Medical and Surgical Treatment Improve Perianal Fistula Outcomes in Patients With Crohn's Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment of perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease [PFCD] is unknown. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to compare combined surgical intervention and anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy [combined therapy] vs either therapy alone.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically up to end December 2023. Surgical intervention was defined as an exam under anaesthesia ± setons. We calculated weighted risk ratios [RRs] with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] for our co-primary outcomes: fistula response and healing, defined clinically as a reduction in fistula drainage or number of draining fistulas and fistula closure respectively.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were analysed: 515 patients treated with combined therapy, 330 patients with surgical intervention, and 406 patients with anti-TNF therapy with follow-up between 10 weeks and 3 years. Fistula response [RR 1.10; 95% CI 0.93-1.30, p = 0.28] and healing [RR 1.06; 95% CI 0.86-1.31, p = 0.58] was not significantly different when comparing combined therapy with anti-TNF therapy alone. In contrast, combined therapy was associated with significantly higher rates of fistula response [RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.10-1.41, p < 0.001] and healing [RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.00-1.36, p = 0.05] compared with surgical intervention alone. Our results remained stable when limiting to studies that assessed outcomes within 1 year and studies where <10% of patients underwent fistula closure procedures.

CONCLUSION

Combined surgery and anti-TNF therapy was not associated with improved PFCD outcomes compared with anti-TNF therapy alone. Due to an inability to control for confounding and small study sizes, future, controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.

Scoring Indices for Perianal Fistulising Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In this systematic review we summarise existing scoring indices for assessing disease activity and quality of life in perianal fistulising Crohn's disease [PFCD], and highlight gaps in the literature.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from August 24, 2022, to identify studies evaluating clinical, radiological, or patient-reported outcome measures [PROMS] in PFCD. The primary objective was to identify all available scoring indices and describe the operating properties of these indices.

RESULTS

A total of 53 studies reported on the use of one clinical index [Perianal Disease Activity Index: PDAI], three PROMs, and 10 radiological indices; 25 studies evaluated the operating properties of these indices. The PDAI demonstrated content validity, construct validity, and responsiveness but criterion validity or reliability were not assessed. The Van Assche Index [VAI], modified VAI, and the Magnetic Resonance Index for Assessing Fistulas in Patients with CD [MAGNIFI-CD] were the most studied radiological indices. These indices demonstrated responsiveness and reliability. The VAI and MAGNIFI-CD demonstrated construct validity; criterion and content validity and feasibility have not been assessed. Among the three PROMs, the Crohn's Anal Fistula Quality of Life index demonstrated content and construct validity, inter-observer reliability, and responsiveness; criterion validity, intra-observer reliability, and feasibility have not been assessed for this index.

CONCLUSIONS

There are no fully valid, reliable, and responsive clinical disease or radiological indices for PFCD. Although the radiological indices demonstrated responsiveness and reliability, well-defined cut-offs for response and remission are lacking. Future research should focus on establishing standardised definitions and thresholds for outcomes.

Prevalence and risk factors of depression among patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress, especially depression, associated with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (PFCD) is widespread and refractory. However, there is a surprising paucity of studies to date that have sought to identify the prevalence and risk factors of depression associated with PFCD.

AIM

To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and investigate the depression-related risk factors in patients with PFCD.

METHODS

The study was conducted in the form of survey and clinical data collection via questionnaire and specialized medical staff. Depressive symptoms, life quality, and fatigue severity of patients with PFCD were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBDQ), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Fatigue Patient Self-assessment Scale. The basic demographic information, overall disease features, perianal clinical information, and laboratory inflammation indicators were also gathered. Multivariate regression analysis was ultimately used to ascertain the risk factors of depression associated with PFCD.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients with PFCD were involved, and 56.91% were suffering from depression. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, Perianal Disease Activity Index (PDAI) score [odds ratio (OR) = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50 to 0.95], IBDQ score (OR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88 to 0.97), modified Van Assche index (OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.01 to 1.53), and IBD Fatigue score (OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.23 to 2.42) were independent risk factors of depression-related prevalence among patients with PFCD (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the increasing perianal modified Van Assche index (β value = 0.166, 95%CI: 0.02 to 0.31) and decreasing IBDQ score (β value = -0.116, 95%CI: -0.14 to -0.09) were independently associated with the severity of depression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms in PFCD patients have significantly high prevalence. PDAI score, modified Van Assche index, quality of life, and fatigue severity were the main independent risk factors.

Development of an MRI-Based Prediction Model for Anti-TNF Treatment Failure in Perianal Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Clinical and radiologic variables associated with perianal fistula (PAF) outcomes are poorly understood. We developed prediction models for anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment failure in patients with Crohn's disease-related PAF.

METHODS

In a multicenter retrospective study between 2005 and 2022 we included biologic-naive adults (>17 years) who initiated their first anti-TNF therapy for PAF after pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pretreatment MRI studies were prospectively reread centrally by blinded radiologists. We developed and internally validated a prediction model based on clinical and radiologic parameters to predict the likelihood of anti-TNF treatment failure, clinically, at 6 months. We compared our model and a simplified version of MRI parameters alone with existing imaging-based PAF activity indices (MAGNIFI-CD and modified Van Assche MRI scores) by De Long statistical test.

RESULTS

We included 221 patients: 32 ± 14 years, 60% males, 76% complex fistulas; 68% treated with infliximab and 32% treated with adalimumab. Treatment failure occurred in 102 (46%) patients. Our prediction model included age at PAF diagnosis, time to initiate anti-TNF treatment, and smoking and 8 MRI characteristics (supra/extrasphincteric anatomy, fistula length >4.3 cm, primary tracts >1, secondary tracts >1, external openings >1, tract hyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging, horseshoe anatomy, and collections >1.3 cm). Our full and simplified MRI models had fair discriminatory capacity for anti-TNF treatment failure (concordance statistic, 0.67 and 0.65, respectively) and outperformed MAGNIFI-CD (P = .002 and < .0005) and modified Van Assche MRI scores (P < .0001 and < .0001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our risk prediction models consisting of clinical and/or radiologic variables accurately predict treatment failure in patients with PAF.

Burden of Anxiety, Depression and Perceived Stress in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Cohort Study from North India

BACKGROUND

Patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are susceptible to psychiatric co-morbidities. We aimed to ascertain the burden of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress in patients with IBD from north India.

METHODS

Consenting adult patients with an established diagnosis of IBD were enrolled. The enrolled patients filled the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaires. The patient and disease characteristics were analyzed to determine the correlations and predictors of psychiatric comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 318 patients (255 UC, 63 CD; mean age 40.13 ± 12.06 years, 168 [52.8%] males; mean partial Mayo score 2.10 ± 2.35; and mean HBI 2.77 ± 2.13) were enrolled. The prevalence of anxiety, depression and moderate to high perceived stress was 14%, 12%, and 41%, respectively. Females had higher mean perceived stress, anxiety and depression scores compared to males. The partial Mayo score (PMS) correlated poorly with anxiety (ρ = 0.083, p = 0.187), depression (ρ = 0.123, p = 0.49) and perceived stress (ρ = 0.169; p = 0.007). The Harvey Bradshaw index (HBI) correlated fairly with anxiety (ρ = 0.336, p = 0.007) and poorly with depression (ρ = 0.287, p = 0.022) and perceived stress (ρ = 0.20; p = 0.117). Younger age (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.97; p = 0.001) and hand-grip strength (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.88-11.42; p = 0.001) predicted anxiety in patients with UC while rural area of residence (OR 4.75, 95% CI 1.03-21.98; p = 0.046) and HBI (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.12-2.29; p = 0.009) were significant predictors of anxiety in patients with CD.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with IBD, with higher prevalence in females. Young adults with UC and sarcopenia; and individuals with active CD living in rural areas are at an increased risk of anxiety.

Is disease activity associated with social support and psychological distress in Crohn's disease patients? Results of a cross-sectional study in a Chinese hospital population

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the relative of social support and psychological distress in disease activity among patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in China, and explore whether sex moderates the relationship between disease activity and social support and psychological distress in CD.

DESIGN

Our study has a cross-sectional design.

SETTING

This was a single-centre study, which was conducted in Wuhan, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 184 patients with CD at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were enrolled in this study; of these,162 patients were included in the final analysis.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The main study outcome was the CD patients' clinical and questionnaire data. The association of disease activity, social support and psychological distress with patients with CD was also evaluated based on the collected data.

RESULTS

A total of 162 patients with CD were enrolled. Compared with patients with CD in remission (CD-R), the patients with CD in activity (CD-A) had higher C reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.001), anaemia (p<0.001) and relapse rates in the last year (p<0.001). Independent samples t-tests indicated that the CD-A group reported lower Social Support Rating Scale scores and higher Symptom Checklist-90 scores than the CD-R group. Moreover, men with CD had lower somatisation (p=0.030) and anxiety (p=0.050) scores than women. In binary logistic regression models, the subjective support (beta=0.903, p=0.013), the clinical factors of CRP (beta=1.038, p=0.001) and psychological distress factors of anxiety (beta=1.443, p=0.008) and other (beta=1.235, p=0.042) were disease activity predictors.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the importance of the psychological distress and social support factors that may play a role in CD patients' health. Interventions to address these issues should be part of management in CD.

Patients' Perspectives, Experiences, and Concerns With Perianal Fistulae: Insights From Online Targeted-Disease Forums

Background

Perianal fistulae can undermine physical, emotional, and social well-being in patients with Crohn's disease and are challenging to manage. Social media offers a rich opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the impact of perianal fistulae on patients' daily lives outside of controlled environments. In this study, we conducted social media analytics to examine patients' experiences with perianal fistulae and assessed the impact of perianal fistulae on patients' behavior and overall well-being.

Methods

We used a mixed-method approach to examine 119 986 publicly available posts collected from 10 Crohn's disease forums in the United States between January 01, 2010 and January 01, 2020. Discussions related to Crohn's perianal fistulae were retrieved. We randomly selected 700 posts and qualitatively analyzed them using an inductive thematic approach. We then applied a latent Dirichlet allocation probabilistic topic model to explore themes in an unsupervised manner on the collection of 119 986 posts.

Results

In the qualitative analysis, 5 major themes were identified: (1) burden of perianal fistula; (2) challenges associated with treatment; (3) online information seeking and sharing; (4) patient experiences with treatments; and (5) patients' apprehension about treatments. In the quantitative analysis, the percentages of posts related to the major themes were (1) 20%, (2) 29%, (3) 66%, and (4) 28%, while the topic model did not identify theme 5.

Conclusions

Social media reveals a dynamic range of themes governing patients' perspectives and experiences with Crohn's perianal fistulae. In addition to the biopsychosocial burden, patients frequently express dissatisfaction with current treatments and often struggle to navigate among available management options.

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Are There Any Gender Differences?

Gender differences were identified in the frequency and clinical presentations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and depressive and anxiety disorders, which are more common in IBD patients than in the general population. The present manuscript provides a critical overview of gender differences in the frequency and clinical course of mood and anxiety disorders in IBD patients, with the aim of helping clinicians provide individualized management for patients. All of the included studies found that IBD patients reported a higher frequency of depressive and anxiety disorders than the general population. These findings should encourage healthcare providers to employ validated tools to monitor the mental health of their IBD patients, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). In addition, most studies confirm that women with IBD are more likely than men to develop affective disorders and show that up to 65% of women with IBD have depressive and anxiety disorders. Women with IBD require close mental health monitoring and ultimately a multidisciplinary approach involving mental health professionals. Drug treatment in women should be individualized and medications that may affect mental health (e.g., corticosteroids) should be thoroughly reconsidered. Further data are needed to ensure individualized treatment for IBD patients in a framework of precision medicine.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Local mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD) has yielded promising results, but it still remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSC therapy for perianal CD (pCD).

METHODS

RCTs reporting MSC therapy for perianal fistulas in CD were searched and included. The effectiveness and safety data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

A total of 7 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. The analysis showed that patients receiving MSC therapy presented a higher healing rate (HR) of pCD than those in the control group (odds ratio (OR)=1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18, 1.71; P=0.0002). Compared with placebo (saline solution), MSC therapy improved the HR of pCD (OR=1.85; 95% CI 1.32, 2.60; P=0.0004). MSC therapy showed significant long-term efficacy (OR=1.36; P=0.009; 95% CI 1.08, 1.71). When MRI was used to evaluate fistula healing, a pooled analysis showed that the MSC group achieved a higher HR than the control group (OR=1.95; 95% CI 1.33, 2.87; P=0.0007). Allogeneic MSC therapy was superior to the control treatment in improving HR (OR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.40, 2.75; P<0.001). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between MSC therapy and placebo in terms of adverse events (AEs) (OR = 1.16; 95% CI 0.76, 1.76; P = 0.48). None of the AEs were judged to be related to MSC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis of RCTs provided evidence that local MSC injection is safe and efficacious for perianal fistulas in CD. In addition, this treatment has favorable long-term efficacy and safety profiles.

Health-related quality of life in health states corresponding to different stages of perianal fistula associated with Crohn's disease: a quantitative evaluation of patients and non-patients in Japan

BACKGROUND

Perianal fistula (PF), a complication of Crohn's disease (CD), affects health-related quality of life (QOL).

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate QOL of health states corresponding to different stages of PF associated with CD in Japan.

METHOD

This cross-sectional, observational, web-based questionnaire survey assessed eight different health states in patients with CD and PF and individuals without CD (non-patients) from the Medilead Healthcare Panel (MHP) and determined the utility values (QOL scores) in each health state by the time trade-off method. In patients, we determined also the utility value of the current health state associated with CD and the PF. The analysis excluded respondents with logical inconsistencies.

RESULTS

The analysis included 82 patients and 576 non-patients with the same sex and age distribution as the Japanese population. In both groups, mean utility values were higher in remission (patients, 0.78; non-patients, 0.51) than in non-remission states, with lowest values for poor prognosis after proctectomy (patients, 0.13; non-patients, -0.10) and highest values for the state with mild symptoms (patients, 0.60; non-patients, 0.30). In patients, the mean utility value of the current health state was 0.71.

CONCLUSION

QOL decreases with increasing severity of PF and is lower for good prognosis after proctostomy than for remission.

Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) Patients after Surgery

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) are chronic, relapsing and disabling diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. This relapsing course is often unpredictable with severe flares and the need for intensive medical treatment, hospitalization, or emergent/urgent surgery, all of which significantly impact patients' quality of life (QoL). QoL in IBD patients is significantly lower than in the general population, and depression and anxiety have been shown to have a higher prevalence than in healthy individuals, especially during disease flares. Complications requiring hospitalization and repeated surgeries are not uncommon during the disease course and significantly affect QoL in IBD patients. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can be used to measure the impact of chronic disease on QoL from the patient's perspective. The use of PROMs in IBD patients undergoing surgery could help to investigate the impact of the surgical procedure on QoL and determine whether there is any improvement or worsening. This review summarizes the use of PROMs to assess QoL after various surgical procedures required for IBD treatment.

Examination Under Anesthesia May Not Be Universally Required Prior to Anti-TNF Therapy in Perianal Crohn's Disease: A Comparative Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Multidisciplinary care involving exam under anesthesia (EUA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors is recommended for perianal Crohn's disease. However, the impact of this combined approach is not well established.

METHODS

We performed a comparative cohort study between 2009 and 2019. Patients with perianal Crohn's disease treated with EUA before anti-TNF therapy (combined modality therapy) were compared with anti-TNF alone. The primary outcome was fistula closure assessed clinically. Secondary outcomes included subsequent local surgery and fecal diversion. Multivariable analysis adjusted for abscesses, concomitant immunomodulators, and time to anti-TNF initiation was performed.

RESULTS

Anti-TNF treatment was initiated 188 times in 155 distinct patients: 66 (35%) after EUA. Abscesses (50% vs 15%; P < .001) and concomitant immunomodulators (64% vs 50%; P = .07) were more common in the combined modality group, while age, smoking status, disease duration, and intestinal disease location were not significantly different. Combined modality therapy was not associated with higher rates of fistula closure at 3 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-1.8), 6 (aOR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0) and 12 (aOR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.4-2.2) months. After a median follow-up of 4.6 (interquartile range, 5.95; 2.23-8.18) years, combined therapy was associated with subsequent local surgical intervention (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.6) but not with fecal diversion (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.45-3.9). Results remained consistent when excluding patients with abscesses and prior biologic failure.

CONCLUSIONS

EUA before anti-TNF therapy was not associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with anti-TNF therapy alone, suggesting that EUA may not be universally required. Future prospective studies controlling for fistula severity are warranted.

Factors associated with the prescription of probiotics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study

BACKGRUOUND

Commensal bacteria play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and probiotics have been used as treatment options. We aimed to explore the current use of probiotics and factors associated with their prescription in patients with IBD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on a single hospital-based cohort. Patients were eligible if they were ≥18 years old, visited the IBD clinic as an outpatient more than twice during the study period, and had a confirmed diagnosis of IBD. Patients were divided into two groups based on the prescription of probiotics. Clinical assessments were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In total, 217 patients were enrolled in this study. In patients with Crohn disease (CD), moderate or severe abdominal pain; prior use of methotrexate (MTX), iron, thiopurines, or biologics; history of IBD-related surgery; and stool frequency were independently associated with the prescription of probiotics. In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), moderate or severe abdominal pain, hematochezia, stool frequency, and moderate or severe physician global assessment score were independently associated with the prescription of probiotics.

CONCLUSION

Increased disease activity may be associated with fewer prescriptions of probiotics in patients with IBD. However, physicians prescribed probiotics to control symptoms, such as abdominal pain and increased stool frequency in patients with UC and CD, and hematochezia in patients with UC. Additionally, the use of MTX and iron, and a history of IBD-related surgeries were associated with more frequent probiotic prescriptions in patients with CD.

Occurrence of mental disorders in nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases: a primary or secondary problem in relation to the biological therapy used?

Introduction: Nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (CU – colitis ulcerosa), which are chronic diseases characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. Extraintestinal complications caused by the disease and the applied treatment, mainly steroid therapy, constitute a predisposition to infections and mental disorders such as depressive disorders with apathy, slowness of movement or agitation, and even manic syndromes.

Aim and method: The aim of this study was to review the literature on the occurrence of primary and secondary mental disorders in the course of inflammatory bowel diseases. The literature in the Google Scholar database was reviewed using the following keywords: colitis ulcerosa, Crohn disease, depression, mental disorders, inflammatory bowel disease. The time descriptors 2011-2021 were also used.

Conclusions: The review of epidemiological studies shows that the most common mental disorders in nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases are anxiety and depression disorders. The effect of steroid therapy on the development of mental disorders is equally significant. Most of the available empirical data relating to corticosteroids confirm the correlation between the drugs and depressive symptoms, and other psychiatric effects, including mania and psychosis.

Summary: As with most chronic diseases, the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders is higher in nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases than in the general population.

Multidisciplinary management of perianal Crohn's disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Multiple new medications with novel mechanisms of action are now available to treat Crohn's disease (CD). However, they have varying effectiveness in the management of perianal CD. Identifying the most appropriate therapy and optimizing it is essential to maximize effectiveness of therapy. Additionally, the management of perianal CD requires imaging of the perianal area to identify the fistula anatomy and local complications such as abscesses that require surgical drainage. Initial surgical assessment is key to drain abscesses and allow fistula healing with medical therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNFs) remain the most effective medications to treat perianal CD, real-world data suggests that ustekinumab may be a 2nd-line option in patients nonresponsive to an anti-TNF or having contraindications. Mesenchymal stem cells are an emerging therapeutic approach that is currently in Phase 3 trials in the United States and poised to play a major role in the treatment algorithm.

SUMMARY

The management of perianal CD requires a multidisciplinary approach with a combination of initial imaging and surgical assessment to adequately control local sepsis, optimization of biological therapy with adjunct antibiotics or immunomodulators, and close clinical follow-up with imaging to evaluate response to therapy and guide further surgical management options.

Effectiveness of Infliximab on Deep Radiological Remission in Chinese Patients with Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Information concerning deep radiological healing of perianal fistulas in Chinese patients with CD is limited. The present study aimed to establish the effectiveness of infliximab on CD-related perianal fistulas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and identify predictors of deep radiological remission of fistulas.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with CD with draining perianal fistulas treated with infliximab and included only those who underwent clinical assessment and MRI before and after infliximab therapy.

RESULTS

Among 178 patients who underwent repeated MRI and clinical assessment, 65.2% had complex fistulas. Post-infliximab therapy, 55.1% of patients with perianal fistulizing CD showed clinical remission and 26.4% presented a clinical response; 38.2% had deep radiological remission, and 34.3% had a partial response based on the Ng score; the Van Assche scores decreased obviously compared with baseline. Prolonged infliximab infusion (18 times) presented higher radiological remission rates in patients with CD with complex fistulas. Concomitant treatment with azathioprine increased the fistula healing rate compared with infliximab alone (50% vs. 36.9%, P < 0.001). Younger age at diagnosis of CD, proctitis and requiring perianal surgery were identified as predictors of poor deep radiological remission of fistulas. Eight of ten patients who stopped infliximab and switched to an alternative agent retained a status of fistula healing in the first year of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab induced deep radiological remission of perianal fistulas in Chinese patients with CD. Routine MRI should be used to monitor fistula healing. Patients with younger age at diagnosis of CD, proctitis, and/or requiring perianal surgery should receive combined therapy and careful monitoring.

Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong condition with no cure. Patients with IBD might experience symptoms of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression because of bidirectional communication via the gut-brain axis and chronicity of symptoms, and because of impaired quality of life and reduced social functioning. However, uncertainties remain about the magnitude of this problem. We aimed to assess prevalence of symptoms of anxiety or depression in adult patients with IBD.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Embase Classic, and PsycINFO for papers published from inception to Sept 30, 2020, reporting observational studies that recruited at least 100 adult patients with IBD and that reported prevalence of symptoms of anxiety or depression according to validated screening instruments. We excluded studies that only used a structured interview to assess for these symptoms and studies that did not provide extractable data. We extracted data from published study reports and calculated pooled prevalences of symptoms of anxiety and depression, odds ratios (OR), and 95% CIs.

FINDINGS

Of 5544 studies identified, 77 fulfilled the eligibility criteria, including 30 118 patients in total. Overall, pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 32·1% (95% CI 28·3-36·0) in 58 studies (I²=96·9%) and pooled prevalence of depression symptoms was 25·2% (22·0-28·5) in 75 studies (I²=97·6%). In studies that reported prevalence of anxiety or depression in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis within the same study population, patients with Crohn's disease had higher odds of anxiety symptoms (OR 1·2, 95% CI 1·1-1·4) and depression symptoms (1·2, 1·1-1·4) than patients with ulcerative colitis. Overall, women with IBD were more likely to have symptoms of anxiety than were men with IBD (pooled prevalence 33·8% [95% CI 26·5-41·5] for women vs 22·8% [18·7-27·2] for men; OR 1·7 [95% CI 1·2-2·3]). They were also more likely to have symptoms of depression than men were (pooled prevalence 21·2% [95% CI 15·4-27·6] for women vs 16·2% [12·6-20·3] for men; OR 1·3 [95% CI 1·0-1·8]). The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety (57·6% [95% CI 38·6-75·4]) or depression (38·9% [26·2-52·3]) was higher in patients with active IBD than in patients with inactive disease (38·1% [30·9-45·7] for anxiety symptoms and 24·2% [14·7-35·3] for depression symptoms; ORs 2·5 [95% CI 1·5-4·1] for anxiety and 3·1 [1·9-4·9] for depression).

INTERPRETATION

There is a high prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with IBD, with up to a third of patients affected by anxiety symptoms and a quarter affected by depression symptoms. Prevalence was also increased in patients with active disease: half of these patients met criteria for anxiety symptoms and a third met criteria for depression symptoms. Encouraging gastroenterologists to screen for and treat these disorders might improve outcomes for patients with IBD.

FUNDING

None.

Symptoms of anxiety/depression is associated with more aggressive inflammatory bowel disease

Studies have demonstrated that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at an increased risk of developing anxiety and/or depression. IBD patients with depression/anxiety have higher rates of hospitalization and increased disease severity than those without. So far, there is a paucity of data concerning the impact of anxiety/depression on Chinese IBD patients. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety/depression in Chinese IBD population and its impact on IBD-related features. This is a cross-sectional study from the southwest China IBD referral center. Eligible participants were divided into those with symptoms of anxiety/depression and those without based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographic data and disease duration, IBD-related surgery, tobacco use, extra-intestinal manifestations, disease activity scores, endoscopic evaluation, laboratory data and current medication use were compared between two groups. A total of 341 IBD patients [221 Crohn’s disease (CD) and 120 ulcerative colitis (UC)] were included. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety/depression in IBD was 33.1%. CD patients with symptoms of anxiety/depression tended to have higher scores of simple endoscopic scores for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD) (p = 0.0005). UC patients with symptoms of anxiety/depression had a significantly higher Mayo score (p = 0.0017) and ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS) (p < 0.0001) than their non-anxiety/depression counterparts. CD-related surgery (p = 0.012) and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) (p < 0.0001) were identified as independent risk factors for symptoms of anxiety/depression in CD, while corticosteroid use (p = 0.036) as an independent risk factor for symptoms of anxiety/depression in UC. This study helps our understanding of the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety/depression in IBD patients and its impact on IBD course and reminds us to pay more attention on IBD management with anxiety/depression.

MRI of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease

Perianal fistulas represent one of the most critical complications of Crohn’s disease (CD). Management and treatment need a multidisciplinary approach with an accurate description of imaging findings.

Elicitation of Health-Related Utility in Perianal Fistula in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Perianal fistulae are a common complication of Crohn's disease (CD) and pose a substantial burden on quality of life. Data capturing health-related utility associated with perianal fistulae in CD are scarce. The current study aims to value health states related to different stages of the disease to quantitatively evaluate the impact of complex perianal fistulae on CD patients' quality of life.

METHODS

Eight health state descriptions associated with complex perianal fistulae in CD were developed following qualitative research with patients and validation by clinicians. Following pre-testing, a survey was administered online in two samples of UK respondents: the general population and patients with CD. A choice-based valuation technique, the time trade-off (TTO), was used for direct utility measurement. CD patients also valued their current health state using the TTO. Exclusion criteria for respondents displaying logical inconsistencies were applied.

RESULTS

Usable responses were received from 835 respondents, reflective of the UK population in age and sex, in the general population survey and 162 CD patients in the patient survey. Non-remission states were valued much lower than the remission state by both samples, ranging from 0.20 for proctectomy with a negative outcome to 0.66 for chronic symptomatic fistulae with mild symptoms. Patients currently experiencing fistulae reported lower values for current health than those without fistulae.

CONCLUSION

Low utility values were assigned to the non-remission health states for perianal fistulae in CD by the general public and patients with CD. This demonstrates the high humanistic burden of inadequately managed perianal fistula in CD.

Endorectal Advancement Flaps for Perianal Fistulae in Crohn's Disease: Careful Patient Selection Leads to Optimal Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Anorectal fistulae resultant from Crohn's disease (CD) is a clinical challenge. The advent of immune therapy (IT) has altered the way in which fistulae have responded to treatment. Endorectal advancement flap (ERAF) is a surgical procedure that is used to treat complex fistulae. We have employed ERAF as our second stage treatment of choice in this patient population. Our aim was to determine the success of ERAF in treating perianal fistulas in patients with CD in an era of IT.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective review from 2007 to 2017 of all patients with CD and a perianal fistulae who underwent ERAF.

RESULTS

Forty-one flaps were performed in 39 patients with perianal CD with an average follow-up of 797 days. There were no significant differences in patient demographics; however, all patients who were diverted at the time of surgery had successful healing. Of patients, 73.2% were on IT at an average of 380 days prior to surgery. The duration of single-agent therapy was associated with better healing rates (p = 0.03). The overall failure rate was 19.5% (n = 8). Six patients underwent secondary techniques for fistulae closure; five were successful. In combination with the patients who did not initially fail, the overall healing rate was 92.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates several factors that may improve fistulae closure for CD patients. Patients who were diverted prior to surgery did not have a fistulae recurrence. Patients who were on IT longer prior to ERAF were more likely to achieve successful closure.

Assessing mental health and the relation with variables of demographic and clinical in Crohn's disease patients; 2016-2017

Background

Crohn's disease is a group of special diseases that are considered in psychiatric studies because there is a contrast between the physical and psychological diseases among the affected patients.

Aim

The aim of this study was assessing mental health and the relation with variables of demographic and clinical in Crohn's disease patients.

Methods

In this epidemiological study, 96 patients with Crohn's disease who referred to educational hospitals in Ahvaz during 2016--2017 were evaluated by demographic and clinical questionnaires and SCL-90 questionnaires for mental health, and the information was analyzed by SPSS software version 22.

Results

The mean physical complaints in subjects was 24.63 ± 4.08 and the mean mental health was calculated to be 187.75 ± 25.17. Multivariate analysis of mental health showed that steroid consumption (P value < 0.001) and nonsmoking (P value = 0.038) were associated with higher mental health in the individuals.

Conclusions

Crohn's patients suffered from decreased mental parameters in dimensions such as physical complaints, obsession--compulsion behavior, sensitivity to interactions, depression, anxiety, aggression, phobia, psychosis, and paranoid thoughts.

Evaluating the effectiveness of infliximab on perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease by magnetic resonance imaging

Background and aim

Data on the radiologic evaluation of perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD) naïve to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy are scarce, especially in Asian populations. We assessed the effectiveness of infliximab (IFX) on PFCD and explored predictors of ‘deep remission’ based on clinical and radiologic assessments.

Methods

Patients with Crohn’s disease and active anal fistulas attending our care center for IFX therapy were prospectively enrolled. Each patient underwent clinical examination according to the Fistula Drainage Assessment Index, endoscopy for assessment of Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Perianal Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine Van Assche score and Ng score, and laboratory tests up to 2 weeks prior to the start of and up to 2 weeks after the sixth IFX therapy (Week 32).

Results

Among 38 patients treated with IFX, 52.6% achieved clinical remission based on the Fistula Drainage Assessment Index and 42.1% achieved deep remission based on Ng score. Van Assche score (from 14.5 ± 4.26 to 7.36 ± 7.53), CDAI (from 170 ± 92 to 71 ± 69) and PCDAI (from 7.45 ± 2.65 to 2.44 ± 3.20) decreased significantly after six IFX treatments. The only predictor of deep remission was simple fistula (P = 0.004, odds ratio = 3.802, 95% confidence interval: 1.541–9.383).

Conclusions

IFX has been shown to have appreciable effectiveness in Chinese patients with PFCD. MRI is the gold standard for evaluating PFCD, but Van Assche score has some limitations.

Gut-brain actions underlying comorbid anxiety and depression associated with inflammatory bowel disease

IntroductionInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting disorder characterised by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There is a growing consensus that IBD is associated with anxiety- and depression-related symptoms. Psychological symptoms appear to be more prevalent during active disease states with no difference in prevalence between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Behavioural disturbances including anxiety- and depression-like symptoms have also been observed in animal models of IBD.

RESULTS

The likely mechanisms underlying the association are discussed with particular reference to communication between the gut and brain. The close bidirectional relationship known as the gut-brain axis includes neural, hormonal and immune communication links. Evidence is provided for a number of interacting factors including activation of the inflammatory response system in the brain, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and brain areas implicated in altered behaviours, changes in blood brain barrier integrity, and an emerging role for gut microbiota and response to probiotics in IBD.DiscussionThe impact of psychological stress in models of IBD remains somewhat conflicted, however, it is weighted in favour of stress or early stressful life events as risk factors in the development of IBD, stress-induced exacerbation of inflammation and relapse.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that patients with IBD be screened for psychological disturbance and treated accordingly as intervention can improve quality of life and may reduce relapse rates.

Prevalence and effectiveness of psychiatric treatments for patients with IBD: A systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES

Higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, has been found in people with Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis compared to the general population. Nowadays, international guidelines advocate psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacological treatments as playing an important role in IBD care. The main goal of this systematic literature review was summarize the evidence on the utilization and effectiveness of treatments for depression and anxiety in persons with IBD.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using three different electronic databases: MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and EMBASE to identify studies reporting the prevalence and efficacy of psycho-pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments for IBD. A quality appraisal was conducted using several scales as appropriate for each study design. A narrative synthesis was also performed.

RESULTS

Forty-three studies were included. Although a high rate of psychoactive drug use was found in people with IBD, a low proportion of IBD patients have access to psychiatric referral. 1/3 of the studies found that psychotherapy was effective for improving the quality of life, perception of stress, anxiety and depression as well as disease. Antidepressants proved effective in reducing disease activity, gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that psychiatric treatment should be implemented in IBD care. However, further studies are needed to confirm the findings of our systematic review.

Psychometry and Pescatori projective test in coloproctological patients

Background

Psychological assessment is not commonly performed nor easily accepted by coloproctological patients. Our aim was to evaluate the psychological component of coloproctological disorders using uncommon tools.

Methods

The 21-Item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Pescatori projective test were applied to coloproctological outpatients of the Gastroenterology Department of our hospital as well as to healthy volunteers.

Results

Seventy patients (median age 47 years, 22 male) divided in 4 groups (functional constipation, constipated irritable bowel syndrome, benign anorectal disease and perianal Crohn’s disease) and 52 healthy volunteers (age 45 years, 18 male) completed the tests. Proctological patients showed higher scores of depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001), and stress (P<0.001) compared to healthy participants. Compared to the control group, patients with functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and perianal Crohn’s disease maintained the highest scores in all subscales (P<0.05), while patients with benign anorectal disease only had higher anxiety and stress (P<0.001) scores. The patients’ also showed lower scores in the Pescatori projective test (P=0.012). A weak association between the projective test and the depression subscale was found (P=0.05).

Conclusion

Proctological patients had higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress and lower scores in the Pescatori projective test compared to healthy controls.

MR Imaging of Perianal Crohn Disease

Pelvic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is currently the standard for imaging perianal Crohn disease. Perianal fistulas are a leading cause of patient morbidity because closure often requires multimodality treatments over a prolonged period of time. This review summarizes clinically relevant anal sphincter anatomy, imaging methods, classification systems, and treatment objectives. In addition, the MR appearance of healing perianal fistulas and fistula complications is described. Difficult imaging tasks including the assessment of rectovaginal fistulas and ileoanal anastomoses are highlighted, along with illustrative cases. Emerging innovative treatments for perianal Crohn disease are now available and have the promise to better control sepsis and maintain fecal continence. Different treatment modalities are selected based on fistula anatomy, patient factors, and management goals (closure versus sepsis control). Radiologists can help maximize patient care by being familiar with MR imaging features of perianal Crohn disease and knowledgeable about what features may influence therapy decisions. ^© RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

A systematic review of disease-related stigmatization in patients living with inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic illness stigma is a global public health issue. Most widely studied in HIV/AIDS and mental illness, stigmatization of patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic autoimmune conditions affecting the digestive tract, has garnered increasing attention in recent years. In this paper, we systematically review the scientific literature on stigma as it relates to IBD across its three domains: perception, internalization, and discrimination experiences. We aim to document the current state of research, identify gaps in our knowledge, recognize unique challenges that IBD patients may face as they relate to stigmatization, and offer suggestions for future research directions. Based on the current review, patients living with IBD may encounter stigmatization and this may, in turn, impact several patient outcomes including quality of life, psychological functioning, and treatment adherence. Significant gaps exist related to the understanding of IBD stigma, providing opportunity for future studies to address this important public health issue.

Unrevealed Depression Involves Dysfunctional Coping Strategies in Crohn's Disease Patients in Clinical Remission

Background and Aims. This study investigated the proportion of CD patients in clinical remission with clinical depression, and coping strategies in those with severe depressive disorders. Materials and Methods. One hundred consecutive CD patients in clinical remission were screened for anxiety and depression by using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and patients with depressive symptoms were further investigated by means of Cognitive Behavioural Assessment 2.0 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Afterwards the coping strategies were assessed through the Brief-COPE questionnaire. Results. Twenty-one patients had anxious symptoms and 16 had depressive symptoms with or without anxiety. Seven of these patients (43.8%) showed significant depressive symptoms. Compared to patients without psychiatric disorders, these patients showed significant lower score in “positive reframing” (p: 0.017) and in “planning” (p: 0.046) and higher score in “use of instrumental social support” (p < 0.001), in “denial” scale (p: 0.001), and in “use of emotional social support” (p: 0.003). Conclusions. Depressed CD patients in clinical remission may have dysfunctional coping strategies, meaning that they may not be able to implement functional strategies to manage at best stress related with their disease.