Leukocytapheresis for the treatment of active pouchitis: a pilot study

Preoperative Extraintestinal Manifestations Associated with Chronic Pouchitis in Japanese Patients with Ulcerative Colitis After Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis is a major problem after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis. Chronic pouchitis is particularly troublesome. This study aimed to identify risk factors for the development of chronic pouchitis in a Japanese population.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients who underwent pouchoscopy for a functioning ileal pouch. The diagnosis of pouchitis was made according to the modified pouchitis disease activity index. The incidence of pouchitis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curve, and Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for the development of chronic pouchitis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients developed pouchitis; 12 of them had chronic pouchitis. The incidences of chronic pouchitis were 3.3%, 7.6%, and 16.6% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively, after the pouch operation. The incidence of pouchitis was significantly higher in patients with preoperative extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) than in those without (log-rank test, P = 0.002 and P = 0.005 for overall and chronic pouchitis, respectively). Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of extraintestinal manifestations was an independent risk factor for the development of overall (hazard ratio: 4.48, 95% confidence interval, 1.77-11.30, P = 0.002) and chronic (hazard ratio: 5.81, 95% confidence interval, 1.67-20.23, P = 0.006) pouchitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of preoperative extraintestinal manifestations was found to be an independent risk factor for the development of overall and chronic pouchitis.

Efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte apheresis for antibiotic-refractory pouchitis after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis: an open-label, prospective, multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) has shown therapeutic efficacy in active ulcerative colitis (UC). We thought that in patients with pouchitis after proctocolectomy for UC, GMA might produce immunological effects in the intestinal mucosa, and improve clinical symptoms. This prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of GMA for antibiotic-refractory pouchitis after proctocolectomy for UC.

METHODS

A total of 13 patients with pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI) > 7 unresponsive to 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy were included. All patients received 10 GMA sessions at 2 sessions/week over 5 consecutive weeks. The primary endpoints were response (a decrease of ⩾3 points in the PDAI) and remission (PDAI < 4). Secondary endpoints included reduction of white blood cells (WBCs), C-reactive protein (CRP), faecal markers (calprotectin and lactoferrin), reduction of the PDAI endoscopic subscore, and GMA safety.

RESULTS

The median PDAI score was significantly decreased from 11 (range, 9-15) at entry to 9 (range, 6-13) after the GMA therapy (p = 0.02). A total of six patients (46%) responded to the treatment, but none achieved remission. The median endoscopic subscore (maximum: 6) was 5 (range, 4-6) at entry and 5 (range, 1-6) after the treatment (p = 0.10). None of the laboratory markers (WBCs, CRP, faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin) significantly changed during the treatment. Transient adverse events (AEs) were observed in two patients (15%), dyspnoea in one and headache in one. The AEs were not serious, and all patients completed the 10 GMA sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

GMA has a good safety profile, but its efficacy appears to be limited in the management of chronic refractory pouchitis. However, a large controlled study should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of GMA therapy in patients with pouchitis at an earlier clinical stage, before the disease has become refractory to conventional medical therapy.

Pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis: Diagnosis, management, risk factors, and incidence

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has been the surgical treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis who require surgery. Quality of life after this procedure is satisfactory in most cases; however, pouchitis is a troublesome condition involving inflammation of the ileal pouch. When a patient presents with symptoms of pouchitis, such as increased bowel movements, mucous and/or bloody exudates, abdominal cramps, and fever, endoscopy is essential for a precise diagnosis. The proximal ileum and rectal cuff, as well as the ileal pouch, should be endoscopically observed. The reported incidence of pouchitis ranges from 14% to 59%, and antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment for acute pouchitis. Chronic pouchitis includes antibiotic-dependent and refractory pouchitis. Intensive therapy including antitumor necrosis factor antibodies and steroids may be necessary for antibiotic-refractory pouchitis, and pouch failure may occur despite such intensive treatment. Reported risk factors for the development of pouchitis include presence of extraintestinal manifestations, primary sclerosing cholangitis, non-smoking, and postoperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage. In the present review, we focus on the diagnosis, endoscopic features, management, incidence, and risk factors of pouchitis in patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

Pouchitis: a practical guide

Up to 30% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will require surgical management. The established surgical procedure of choice is colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for most patients. Patients with UC who have undergone IPAA are prone to develop inflammatory and non-inflammatory complications. Up to 50% of patients can be expected to experience at least one episode of pouchitis, and most of these patients will experience at least one additional acute episode within 2 years. In other cases, pouchitis might follow a relapsing-remitting course or a chronically active course. The specific aetiology of pouchitis is unknown and the optimal means of diagnosis and classification of pouchitis is not completely agreed upon. Diagnosis of pouchitis based on symptoms alone has been shown to be non-specific due to the fact that symptoms can originate from a myriad of aetiologies, not necessarily inflammatory in nature. As a result, the diagnosis of pouchitis should generally be based on the appropriate constellation of symptoms, combined with endoscopic and histological assessment. Due to the frequently relapsing course of pouchitis, and the fact that the aetiology and pathogenesis are not entirely clear, the long-term management can sometimes be challenging. This review outlines the features suggestive of deviation from 'normal' pouch function and provides an approach to the optimal use of diagnostic modalities and medical therapies to treat pouchitis in its various forms.

Diagnosis and management of postoperative ileal pouch disorders

Although restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgical treatment of choice for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) or UC with dysplasia, surgical, inflammatory, and noninflammatory adverse sequelae are common. Pouchitis, representing a spectrum of disease phenotypes, is the most common long-term complication of IPAA. De novo Crohn disease (CD) of the pouch can occur in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of UC. Differential diagnosis between fibrostenotic or fistulizing CD and surgery-associated strictures, sinuses, and fistulas often requires a combined assessment of symptom, endoscopy, histology, radiography, and examination under anesthesia. There is a role for endoscopic therapy for stricturing complications of IPAA. Chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis, refractory cuffitis, as well as fibrostenotic or fistulizing CD of the pouch are the leading late-onset causes for pouch failure.

Pouchitis and pouch dysfunction

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the surgical treatment of choice for most patients with ulcerative colitis who require surgery. Although the surgical procedure offers a cure in some patients, postoperative inflammatory and noninflammatory complications are common. Pouchitis is the most common long-term complication of the procedure. Pouchitis represents a spectrum of disease processes with heterogeneous risk factors, clinical phenotypes, natural history, and prognosis. Accurate diagnosis and classification are important for proper treatment and prognosis.

Pouchitis and pouch dysfunction

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the surgical treatment of choice for most patients with ulcerative colitis who require surgery. Although the surgical procedure offers a cure in some patients, postoperative inflammatory and noninflammatory complications are common. Pouchitis is the most common long-term complication of the procedure. Pouchitis represents a spectrum of disease processes with heterogeneous risk factors, clinical phenotypes, natural history, and prognosis. Accurate diagnosis and classification are important for proper treatment and prognosis.

Therapeutic leukocytapheresis in inflammatory bowel disease: clinical efficacy and mechanisms of action

Intense infiltration of the intestinal mucosa by activated leukocytes is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, removal of circulating leukocytes may be an attractive approach for treating IBD. Leukocytapheresis with Cellsorba, a column of polyethylenephtarate fibers that captures monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes, has been used to treat IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis, in Japan and Europe. This article reviews the clinical efficacy and safety data and the mechanisms of action of leukocytapheresis in IBD. Although the majority of clinical studies enrolled only small numbers of patients and had open-labeled designs, leukocytapheresis showed clinical efficacy with an excellent safety profile. Leukocytapheresis depletes granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes and platelets, alters cell population profiles, modulates cytokine production, and induces bone marrow-derived cells. In conclusion, leukocytapheresis exerts anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing effects on the intestinal mucosa in IBD. Further studies are needed to explain the exact mechanism of action and to determine the true efficacy of this approach.