Indian Society of Gastroenterology consensus statements on Crohn's disease in India

Cirsimaritin Alleviates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Acute Colitis in Experimental Animals: A Therapeutic Approach for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease that affects the entire digestive tract. IBD can be classified as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The key symptoms of IBD include the emergence of abscesses or pustules, pronounced abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, fistulas, and intestinal narrowing, all of which can greatly affect a patient's daily well-being. Several factors, including bacterial infections, immune response irregularities, and changes in the intestinal milieu, can contribute to the onset of IBD. The aim of this study was investigating the role of cirsimaritin in reducing the severity of colitis in animal model. To induce colitis in laboratory Swiss albino mice, a 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) concoction was provided in their hydration source for a duration of six days. Before the onset of colitis, mice were treated with cirsimaritin (10 mg/kg) once daily to evaluate its potential treatment effects against DSS-induced inflammation. The results showed that 10 mg/kg of cirsimaritin decreased colitis severity (P<0.05). Moreover, cirsimaritin successfully reversed the detrimental effects induced by DSS, including weight reduction, colon truncation, tissue-related damage, increased levels of inflammatory cells in the affected region, and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Our findings suggest that cirsimaritin can effectively alleviate acute colitis triggered by DSS.

Perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: Current perspectives on diagnosis, monitoring and management with a focus on emerging therapies

Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder, manifests in various phenotypes, with fistulizing perianal CD (CD-PAF) being one of its most severe phenotypes. Characterized by fistula formation and abscesses, CD-PAF impacts 17% to 34% of all CD cases and with a significantly deleterious impact on patient's quality of life, while increasing the risk for anorectal cancers. The pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic, immunological and environmental factors, with cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) playing pivotal roles. Diagnostic protocols require a multi-disciplinary approach including colonoscopy, examination under anesthesia and magnetic resonance imaging. In terms of treatment, biologics alone often prove inadequate, making surgical interventions such as setons and fistula surgeries essential. Emerging therapies such as mesenchymal stem cells are under study. The South Asian context adds layers of complexity, including diagnostic ambiguities related to high tuberculosis prevalence, healthcare access limitations and cultural stigma toward perianal Crohn's disease and ostomy surgery. Effective management necessitates an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach, especially in resource-constrained settings. Despite advances, there remain significant gaps in understanding the disease's pathophysiology and a dearth of standardized outcome measures, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive research.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of azathioprine in the management of inflammatory bowel disease: A real-world experience

Background and Aim

Azathioprine (AZA) forms the cornerstone for maintenance of sustained remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is apprehension regarding the long-term effectiveness and safety of AZA in IBD. We present our experience with AZA use and outcomes in a cohort of IBD patients followed up over a long period of time.

Methods

Records of 507 IBD patients under treatment at a single, tertiary care center in south India between 2013 and 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Long-term compliance, tolerance, clinical outcome at the point of last follow-up, type and duration to the onset of adverse events, and subsequent amendment to treatment with regard to AZA were analyzed.

Results

Of 507 patients with IBD, 320 patients (207 Crohn's disease [CD], 113 ulcerative colitis [UC]) who received AZA were included. The median follow-up was 41 months (interquartile range 15.5-77.5). Total duration of exposure was 1359 patient-years with median usage of 33 months. Of the patients, 26.9% received AZA for >5 years. Mean initiation and maximum doses of AZA were 0.97 and 1.72 mg/kg/day. Among the participants, 20.6% experienced side effects, including myelotoxicity (7.2%) and gastrointestinal intolerance (5.6%). Six patients developed malignancy. Among the side effects, 39.4% of side effects were dose-dependent. Among the patients, 38.1% had relapses requiring pulse corticosteroid therapy, and 16.2% had more than one relapse after commencement of AZA. AZA was continued till the last follow-up in 76.5%. Among the patients, 49.7% (UC 51.3, CD 48.8) attained durable remission without biologics, and 5.3% continued to have active disease.

Conclusion

AZA is safe and effective in the long-term in IBD. Effectiveness, tolerance, and compliance with AZA are well sustained beyond 5 years of usage and comparable between UC and CD.

The overall quality of evidence of recommendations surrounding nutrition and diet in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Recently, there has been an increased focus on the role nutrition and diet play in maintaining health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess the overall quality, strength, and transparency of conflicts among guidelines on nutrition/diet in IBD.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed on multiple databases from inception until January 1, 2021, to identify guidelines pertaining to nutrition or diet in IBD. All guidelines were reviewed for disclosure of conflicts of interest (COI) and funding, recommendation quality and strength, external document review, patient representation, and plans for update-as per Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards. In addition, recommendations and their quality were compared between guidelines/societies.​ RESULTS: Seventeen distinct societies and a total of 228 recommendations were included. Not all guidelines provided recommendations on key aspects of diet-such as the role of supplements or the appropriate micro/macro nutrition in IBD. Fifty-nine percent of guidelines reported on COI, 24% underwent external review, and 41% included patient representation. 18.4%, 25.9%, and 55.7% of recommendations were based on high-, moderate-, and low-quality evidence, respectively. 10.5%, 24.6%, and 64.9% of recommendations were strong, weak/conditional, and did not provide a strength, respectively. The proportion of high-quality evidence (p = 0.12) and strong recommendations (p = 0.83) did not significantly differ across societies.

CONCLUSIONS

Many guidelines do not provide recommendations on key aspects of diet/nutrition in IBD. As over 50% of recommendations are based on low-quality evidence, further studies on nutrition/diet in IBD are warranted to improve the overall quality of evidence.

Treatment escalation and de-escalation decisions in Crohn's disease: Delphi consensus recommendations from Japan, 2021

BACKGROUND

We aimed to develop criteria for treatment intensification in patients with (1) luminal Crohn's disease (CD), (2) CD with perianal disease and/or fistula, (3) CD with small bowel stenosis, (4) in the postoperative setting, and (5) for discontinuing or reducing the dose of treatment in patients with CD.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase were searched for studies published since 1998 which may be relevant to the five defined topics. Results were assessed for relevant studies, with preference given to data from randomized, controlled studies. For each question, a core panel of 12 gastroenterologists defined the treatment target and developed statements, based on the literature, current guidelines, and relevant additional studies. The evidence supporting each statement was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine: Levels of Evidence (March 2009). A modified Delphi process was used to refine statements and gain agreement from 54 Japanese specialists at in-person and online meetings conducted between October 2020 and April 2021.

RESULTS

Seventeen statements were developed for treatment intensification in luminal CD (targeting endoscopic remission), six statements for treatment intensification in perianal/fistulizing CD (targeting healing of perianal lesions and complete closure of the fistula), six statements for treatment intensification in CD with small bowel stenosis (targeting resolution of obstructive symptoms), seven statements for treatment intensification after surgery (targeting endoscopic remission), and five statements for discontinuing or reducing the dose of treatment in patients with CD.

CONCLUSIONS

These statements provide guidance on how and when to intensify or de-intensify treatment for a broad spectrum of patients with CD.

Common polymorphisms of protein tyrosine phosphate non-receptor type 2 gene are not associated with risk of Crohn’s disease in Indian

BACKGROUND

Multiple genetic risk factors for Crohn’s disease (CD) have been identified. However, these observations are not consistent across different populations. The protein tyrosine phosphate non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2) gene plays a role in various aspects of host defense including epithelial barrier function, autophagy, and innate and adaptive immune response. Two common polymorphisms in the PTPN2 gene (rs2542151 and rs7234029) have been associated with risk of CD in Western countries.

AIM

To evaluate the association of PTPN2 gene polymorphisms with risk of CD in Indian population.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective case-control study. Patients with CD were recruited, and their clinical and investigation details were noted. Controls were patients without organic gastrointestinal disease or other comorbid illnesses. Two common polymorphisms in the PTPN2 gene (rs2542151 and rs7234029) were assessed. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of cases and controls and target DNA was amplified using specific sets of primers. The amplified fragments were digested with restriction enzymes and the presence of polymorphism was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequency of alleles was determined. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles were compared between cases and controls to look for significant differences.

RESULTS

A total of 108 patients with CD (mean age 37.5 ± 12.7 years, females 42.6%) and 100 controls (mean age 39.9 ± 13.5 years, females 37%) were recruited. For the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7234029, the overall frequency of G variant genotype (AG or GG) was noted to be significantly lower in the cases compared to controls (35.2% vs 50%, P = 0.05). For the SNP rs2542151, the overall frequency of G variant genotype (GT or GG) was noted to be similar in cases compared to controls (43.6% vs 47%, P = 0.73). There were no significant differences in minor allele (G) frequency for both polymorphisms between the cases and controls. Both the SNPs had no significant association with age of onset of illness, gender, disease location, disease behaviour, perianal disease, or extraintestinal manifestations of CD.

CONCLUSION

Unlike observation form the West, polymorphisms in the PTPN2 gene (rs7234029 and rs2542151) are not associated with an increased risk of developing CD in Indian patients.

Emerging inflammatory bowel disease demographics, phenotype, and treatment in South Asia, South-East Asia, and Middle East: Preliminary findings from the Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Emerging Nations' Consortium

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is emerging in the newly industrialized countries of South Asia, South-East Asia, and the Middle East, yet epidemiological data are scarce.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of IBD demographics, disease phenotype, and treatment across 38 centers in 15 countries of South Asia, South-East Asia, and Middle East. Intergroup comparisons included gross national income (GNI) per capita.

RESULTS

Among 10 400 patients, ulcerative colitis (UC) was twice as common as Crohn's disease (CD), with a male predominance (UC 6678, CD 3495, IBD unclassified 227, and 58% male). Peak age of onset was in the third decade, with a low proportion of elderly-onset IBD (5% age > 60). Familial IBD was rare (5%). The extent of UC was predominantly distal (proctitis/left sided 67%), with most being treated with mesalamine (94%), steroids (54%), or immunomodulators (31%). Ileocolic CD (43%) was the commonest, with low rates of perianal disease (8%) and only 6% smokers. Diagnostic delay for CD was common (median 12 months; interquartile range 5-30). Treatment of CD included mesalamine, steroids, and immunomodulators (61%, 51%, and 56%, respectively), but a fifth received empirical antitubercular therapy. Treatment with biologics was uncommon (4% UC and 13% CD), which increased in countries with higher GNI per capita. Surgery rates were 0.1 (UC) and 2 (CD) per 100 patients per year.

CONCLUSIONS

The IBD-ENC cohort provides insight into IBD in South-East Asia and the Middle East, but is not yet population based. UC is twice as common as CD, familial disease is uncommon, and rates of surgery are low. Biologic use correlates with per capita GNI.

Long-term outcomes in perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease in a resource-limited setting: A cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

Perianal fistula is one of the most challenging complications of Crohn's disease (CD). We aimed to describe treatment response with surgical and medical therapies, and long-term complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed records of patients with perianal fistulizing CD who were prospectively followed from January 2005 to December 2018.

RESULTS

Among 807 patients, 81 (10%) had perianal fistula and 65 were included in the final analysis. The mean age of presentation was 27.4 ± 10.3 years, and 78.5% were males with a median duration of follow-up of 45 (IQR, 24-66) months. 75.4% (n = 49) had complex fistulae. 55.4% (n = 36) of patients received multiple courses (> 5 courses) of antibiotics. Complete response rates with immunomodulators, fistula surgery, biologicals, and diversion were 25%, 42.8%, 39.5%, and 45.4%, respectively. The relapse rate was highest after fistula surgery (52.6%). 44.6% of patients received medical (immunomodulators-21 and biologicals-8) whereas 46.1% received surgery as the first-line therapy. The absence of perianal abscess was associated with complete fistula closure. One patient developed malignancy and 4 (6.1%) died at the end of follow-up. Among the patients (n = 28) who received biologicals, TB reactivation occurred in one patient (3.5%).

CONCLUSION

Medical therapy should be offered as first-line therapy, and immunomodulators can be considered when patients cannot afford biologicals. Surgery offers temporary improvement and is associated with high relapse rates. Absence of perianal abscess predicts long-term complete fistula closure.

Indian guidelines on imaging of the small intestine in Crohn's disease: A joint Indian Society of Gastroenterology and Indian Radiology and Imaging Association consensus statement

The Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) Task Force on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) developed combined ISG-IRIA evidence-based best-practice guidelines for imaging of the small intestine in patients suspected to have or having Crohn's disease. The 29 consensus statements, developed through a modified Delphi process, are intended to serve as reference for teaching, clinical practice, and research.

Analysis of Phenotypic Variables and Differentiation Between Untypical Crohn's Disease and Untypical Intestinal Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

The differentiation between untypical intestinal tuberculosis (UITB) and untypical Crohn's disease (UCD) is a challenge.

AIMS

To analyze phenotypic variables and propose a novel prediction model for differential diagnosis of two conditions.

METHODS

A total of 192 patients were prospectively enrolled. The clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and radiological features were investigated and subjected to univariable and multivariable analyses. The final prediction model for differentiation between UCD and UITB was developed by logistic regression analysis and Fisher discriminant analysis on the training set. The same discriminant function was tested on the validation set.

RESULTS

Twenty-five candidates were selected from 52 phenotypic variables of typical Crohn's disease (TCD), UCD, and UITB patients. UCD's variables overlapped with both TCD and UITB. The percentages of tuberculosis history, positive PPD, and positive T-SPOT result in UCD were all significantly higher than that in TCD (11.6% vs. 0.0%, 27.9% vs. 0.0%, 25.6% vs. 4.5%, respectively, P < 0.05). The regression equations and Fisher discriminant function for discrimination between UCD and UITB were developed. In the training data, the area under the receiver operating characteristic of equations was 0.834, 0.69, and 0.648 in the clinical-laboratory, endoscopic, and radiological model, respectively. The accuracy of Fisher discriminant function for discrimination was 86% in UCD and 73% in UITB in the validation data.

CONCLUSIONS

Phenotypes of UCD patients in TB-endemic countries may be associated with TB infection history. Fisher discriminant analysis is a good choice to differentiate UCD from UITB, which is worthy of verification in clinical practice.

Imaging of the small intestine in Crohn's disease: Joint position statement of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology and Indian Radiological and Imaging Association

The Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) Task Force on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) developed combined ISG-IRIA evidence-based best-practice guidelines for imaging of the small intestine in patients with suspected or known Crohn's disease. These 29 position statements, developed through a modified Delphi process, are intended to serve as reference for teaching, clinical practice, and research.

Cost of Illness in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Frequent relapses sometimes necessitating hospitalization and the absence of pharmacological cure contribute to substantial healthcare costs in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The costs of health care in Indian patients with IBD are unknown.

AIM

To evaluate the annual costs for treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

A prevalence-based, micro-costing method was used to assess the components of annual costs in a prospective, observational study conducted in a tertiary healthcare center enrolled over a 24-month period beginning of July 2014.

RESULTS

At enrollment, 43/59 (72.88%) patients with UC and 18/25 (72%) with CD were in remission. The annual median (IQR) cost per UC and CD patient in remission was INR 43,140 (34,357-51,031) [USD $707 (563-836)] and INR 43,763.5 (32,202-57,372) [USD $717 (527-940)], respectively, and in active disease was INR 52,436.5 (49,229-67,567.75) [$859 (807-1107)] and INR 72,145 (49,447-92,212) [USD $1182 (811-1512)], respectively. Compared with remission, active disease had a 1.4-fold higher cost for CD as compared to UC. In both groups, the greatest component of direct costs was drugs. Thirteen (22%) and 7 (28%) patients with UC and CD needed hospitalization accounting for 23.1 and 20.4% of the total costs, respectively. At one year, direct costs surmounted indirect costs in UC and CD (p < 0.001). Productivity losses contributed to 18.5 and 16% of the overall costs for UC and CD, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This first, panoptic, health economic study for IBD from India shows that the costs are driven by medication, productivity losses, and not merely hospitalization alone.

Association of ATG16L1 gene haplotype with inflammatory bowel disease in Indians

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by multigenic inheritance. Defects in autophagy related genes are considered to show genetic heterogeneity between populations. We evaluated the association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the autophagy related 16 like 1 (ATG16L1) gene with IBD in Indians. The ATG16L1 gene was genotyped for ten different SNPs using DNA extracted from peripheral blood of 234 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 249 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 393 healthy controls The SNPs rs2241880, rs4663396, rs3792106, rs10210302, rs3792109, rs2241877, rs6737398, rs11682898, rs4663402 and rs4663421 were genotyped using the Sequenom MassArray platform. PLINK was used for the association analysis and pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) values. Haplotype analysis was done using Haploview. All SNPs were in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in cases and controls. The G allele at rs6737398 exhibited a protective association with both CD and UC. The T allele at rs4663402 and C allele at rs4663421 were positively associated with CD and UC. The T allele at rs2241877 exhibited protective association with UC only. The AA genotype at rs4663402 and the GG genotype at rs4663421 were protectively associated with both CD and UC. Haplotype analysis revealed that all the SNPs in tight LD (D' = 0.76-1.0) and organized in a single haplotype block. Haplotype D was positively associated with IBD (P = 5.8 x 10-6 for CD and 0.002 for UC). SNPs in ATG16L1 were associated with IBD in Indian patients. The relevance to management of individual patients requires further study.

Proteome analysis of the macroscopically affected colonic mucosa of Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis

Differentiation between intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and Crohn’s disease (CD) is challenging in geographical regions where both these diseases are prevalent. There is a need of biomarkers for differentiation between these two disorders. Colonic biopsies from inflamed mucosa of treatment-naive patients with ITB, CD and controls were used for analysis. Protein extracted from biopsies was digested with trypsin and resulting peptides were labeled with iTRAQ reagents. The peptides were subsequently analyzed using LC-MS/MS for identification and quantification. Gene ontology annotation for proteins was analyzed in PANTHER. Validation experiments were done for six differentially expressed proteins using immunohistochemistry. 533 proteins were identified and 241 proteins were quantified from 5 sets of iTRAQ experiments. While 63 were differentially expressed in colonic mucosa of patients with CD and ITB in at least one set of iTRAQ experiment, 11 proteins were differentially expressed in more than one set of experiments. Six proteins used for validation using immunohistochemistry in a larger cohort of patients; none of them however was differentially expressed in patients with ITB and CD. There are differentially expressed proteins in tissue proteome of CD and ITB. Further experiments are required using a larger cohort of homogeneous tissue samples.