A United Kingdom inflammatory bowel disease database: making the effort worthwhile

Measured and predicted resting metabolic rate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to compare measured and estimated resting metabolic rate (RMR) predicted by selected equations in patients with nonactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on an outpatient university clinic regimen.

RESEARCH METHODS & PROCEDURES

Seventy-two adult (≥20 years) IBD patients (45 with Crohn's disease-CD) had RMR measured (mRMR) by indirect calorimetry and also estimated by predictive equations (Cunningham, Henry, Anjos et al., and Marra et al.). Body composition was assessed by DXA. Absolute Bias (estimated - mRMR) and % Bias (Bias/mRMR) were calculated. Agreement was assessed as the limit of agreement (LoA) in the Bland & Altman approach.

RESULTS

There was no difference in age, body composition and mRMR between individuals with CD (5414.2 ± 1023.7 kJ/day) and ulcerative colitis (5443.9 ± 1008.9 kJ/day). Among the equations, only the Anjos et al.'s population-specific equation (-52.1 [642.0] kJ/day, P = 0.493; LoA: -1311; 1206 kJ/d) accurately estimated RMR. The equations of Marra et al. produced the highest % Bias (24.1 ± 14.8%). The Bland & Altman plots showed that the range of the LoA was relatively similar for all equations. In the simple regression analysis, the model with FFM resulted in a higher coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.51 for DC 0.74 for UC) compared to the model that included BM (R2 = 0.35 for DC and 0.65 for UC).

CONCLUSIONS

Among the equations analyzed, only Anjos et al.'s accurately estimated RMR in outpatients with nonactive IBD. However, caution is advised when applying it at the individual level, due to the wide observed LoA.

Baseline Data and Measurement Instruments Reported in Observational Studies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results from a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Heterogeneity in demographic and outcomes data with corresponding measurement instruments [MIs] creates barriers to data pooling and analysis. Several core outcome sets have been developed in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] to homogenize outcomes data. A parallel Minimum Data Set [MDS] for baseline characteristics is lacking. We conducted a systematic review to develop the first MDS.

METHODS

A systematic review was made of observational studies from three databases [2000-2021]. Titles and abstracts were screened, full-text articles were reviewed, and data were extracted by two reviewers. Baseline data were grouped into ten domains: demographics, clinical features, disease behaviour/complications, biomarkers, endoscopy, histology, radiology, healthcare utilization and patient-reported data. Frequency of baseline data and MIs within respective domains are reported.

RESULTS

From 315 included studies [600 552 subjects], most originated from Europe [196; 62%] and North America [59; 19%], and were published between 2011 and 2021 [251; 80%]. The most frequent domains were demographics [311; 98.7%] and clinical [289; 91.7%]; 224 [71.1%] studies reported on the triad of sex [306; 97.1%], age [289; 91.7%], and disease phenotype [231; 73.3%]. Few included baseline data for radiology [19; 6%], healthcare utilization [19; 6%], and histology [17; 5.4%]. Ethnicity [19; 6%], race [17; 5.4%], and alcohol/drug consumption [6; 1.9%] were the least reported demographics. From 25 MIs for clinical disease activity, the Harvey-Bradshaw Index [n = 53] and Mayo score [n = 37] were most frequently used.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial variability exists in baseline population data reporting. These findings will inform a future consensus for MDS in IBD to enhance data harmonization and credibility of real-world evidence.

Trends in Systemic Glucocorticoid Utilization in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2019: A Population-Based, Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis

Purpose

Associations between systemic glucocorticoid (SGC) exposure and risk for adverse outcomes have spurred a move toward steroid-sparing treatment strategies. Real-world changes in SGC exposure over time, after the introduction of steroid-sparing treatment strategies, reveal areas of successful risk mitigation as well as unmet needs.

Patients and Methods

A population-based ecological study was performed from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database to describe SGC prescribing trends of steroid-sparing treatment strategies in primary care practices before and after licensure of biologics in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2019. Each analysis year included patients aged ≥5 years who were registered for ≥1 year with a participating primary care practice. The primary analysis was SGC exposure, defined as total cumulative SGC dose per patient per year, for asthma, severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), nasal polyps, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Secondary outcomes were percentages of patients prescribed SGCs and number of SGC prescriptions per patient per year.

Results

The number of patients who met study inclusion criteria ranged from 219,862 (1990) to 1,261,550 (2019). At the population level, patients with asthma or COPD accounted for 67.7% to 73.2% of patients per year with an SGC prescription. Over three decades, decreases in SGC total yearly dose ≥1000 mg have been achieved in multiple conditions. Patients with COPD prescribed SGCs increased from 5.8% (1990) to 34.8% (2017). SGC prescribing trends for severe asthma, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis show decreased prescribing trends after the introduction of biologics.

Conclusion

Decreases in total yearly SGC doses have been shown in multiple conditions; however, for conditions such as severe asthma and COPD, an unmet need remains for increased awareness of SGC burden and the adoption or development of SGC-sparing alternatives to reduce overuse.

Daily life difficulties among patients with ulcerative colitis in Japan and the United Kingdom: A comparative study

The difficulty of life scale (DLS) instrument is used to measure specific life problems in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Importantly, health care providers should consider the characteristics of the country in which they support patients with UC. This cross-cultural comparison study investigated DLS among patients with UC in Japan and the United Kingdom (UK). Outpatients attending one hospital in London and one in Osaka were included. We collected patient information using the DLS questionnaire, which comprises 18 items in three domains. Mean differences between Japan and the UK were compared for the total score and each domain of the DLS. Variables with P < .05 in univariate analysis were entered into a multiple regression model. We included 142 patients from Japan and 100 patients from the UK in the analysis. Univariate results showed that UK patients had more difficulties than Japanese patients in all three domains. Multivariate results showed that only "decline of vitality or vigor" showed significantly lower difficulty scores in Japanese patients. Having four or more bowel movements per day, visible bleeding, and being a homemaker or unemployed were significantly associated with greater difficulty according to the DLS total score. The level of daily life difficulties assessed using the DLS was greater among patients in the UK than among Japanese patients. This comparative study between patients with UC in Japan and the UK demonstrated certain country-related features for domain 3, "decline of vitality or vigor," of the DLS. The reasons why UK patients felt greater decline in vitality or vigor may be that these patients may have symptoms other than bowel symptoms; also, Japanese patients are more hesitant to express discomfort. The findings of this study might lead to a better understanding of culturally sensitive perceptions of daily life difficulties in UC.

Self-Reported Medication Adherence Among Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in Japan and the United Kingdom: A Secondary Analysis for Cross-Cultural Comparison

PURPOSE

Non-adherence to medication was reported by 28% of Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis, but in the United Kingdom, patients with inflammatory bowel disease have lower medication adherence, which increases clinical relapse risk. The objective of this study was to compare medication adherence among patients with ulcerative colitis in Japan with previously reported results and patients in the United Kingdom.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-cultural comparison study investigated medication adherence among 100 ulcerative colitis patients in the United Kingdom and 432 ulcerative colitis patients in Japan. Adherence was assessed using The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 questionnaire. Patient clinical features were collected from medical records and the questionnaire. Distribution of responses for each item, questionnaire total score, difference in ratio for each item between Japanese and UK patients, and difference in percentage of low/medium/high adherence between Japanese and UK patients were compared.

RESULTS

The proportion of low/medium or high adherence was significantly different between countries (42.6% and 7.4% [Japan] vs 24.0% and 76.0% [United Kingdom]; p<0.01). Significantly more Japanese patients reported taking medication correctly the day before the questionnaire compared with UK patients.

CONCLUSION

UK patients were more likely to not take medication when they felt their symptoms were under control compared with Japanese patients. UK patients perceived it was more difficult to remember to take the medication than Japanese patients. This study highlights culturally sensitive medication-taking behaviors in Japanese and UK patients with ulcerative colitis.

Economic analysis of the adoption of capsule endoscopy within the British NHS

Objective

Identification of a cost-effective treatment strategy is an unmet need in Crohn’s disease (CD). Here we consider the patient outcomes and cost impact of pan-intestinal video capsule endoscopy (PVCE) in the English National Health Service (NHS).

Design

An analysis of a protocolized CD care pathway, informed by guidelines and expert consensus, was performed in Microsoft Excel. Population, efficacy and safety data of treatments and monitoring modalities were identified using a structured PubMed review with English data prioritized. Costs were taken from the NHS and Payer Provided Services (PSS) 2016–17 tariffs for England and otherwise literature. Analysis was via a discrete-individual simulation with discounting at 3.5% per annum.

Setting

NHS provider and PSS perspective

Participants

4000 simulated CD patients

Interventions

PVCE versus colonoscopy ± magnetic resonance enterography (MRE)

Main outcome measures

Costs in 2017 GBP and quality-adjusted life years (QALY)

Results

The mean, total 20-year cost per patient was £42 266 with colonoscopy ± MRE and £38 043 with PVCE. PVCE incurred higher costs during the first 2 years due to higher treatment uptake. From year 3 onwards, costs were reduced due to fewer surgeries. Patients accrued 10.67 QALY with colonoscopy ± MRE and 10.96 with PVCE. PVCE dominated (less cost and higher QALY) colonoscopy ± MRE and was likely (>74%) to be considered cost-effective by the NHS. Results were similar if a lifetime time horizon was used.

Conclusions

PVCE is likely to be a cost-effective alternative to colonoscopy ± MRE for CD surveillance. Switching to PVCE resulted in lower treatment costs and gave patients better quality of life.

Validation of the English version of the difficulty of life scale for patients with ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE

Patients with ulcerative colitis have abdominal symptoms that affect their quality of life in multiple ways. The difficulty of life scale was developed in Japan to measure these patients' degree of daily difficulties. We aimed to assess this scale for English-speaking patients and to evaluate its validity and reliability.

METHODS

The original Japanese version of the difficulty of life scale was translated into English and administered to 100 consecutive outpatients with ulcerative colitis at a university hospital in London. Medical information was obtained from participants' medical records. Factor validity, construct validity using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, known group validity with clinically different groups, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Three factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, as in the original scale. The construct validity was supported by the association between the Difficulty of Life Scale and Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.73-0.83). Patients with visible bleeding or who were prescribed corticosteroids reported significantly greater difficulty than did those without them, demonstrating a significant effect size. The scaling success rate was acceptable. Internal consistency was confirmed (Cronbach's alpha: 0.68-0.89). The intraclass correlation coefficients were >0.75, thus confirming the test-retest reliability.

CONCLUSION

The English version of the difficulty of life scale is a reliable and valid disease-specific scale for ulcerative colitis. It can be used to communicate the challenge of daily living between patients with this long-term condition and health care providers.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for the management of inflammatory bowel disease-fatigue: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background

Fatigue is the third most prevalent symptom for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet optimal strategies for its management are unclear. Treatment protocols for fatigue in other conditions have been based on cognitive-behavioural models. Targeting cognitions, emotions and behaviour related to fatigue through cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) may be a viable option to improve fatigue and quality of life (QoL) in IBD.

Methods

This single centre, two-arm, feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess the feasibility and initial estimates of potential efficacy of a CBT intervention for the management of IBD-fatigue. Feasibility, acceptability and initial estimates of potential efficacy outcomes were collected through self-report measures and semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited from one tertiary referral centre. Intervention Group 1 received a CBT manual for fatigue, one 60-min and seven 30-min telephone sessions with a therapist over 8-weeks. Control Group 2 received a fatigue information sheet without therapist support. A nested qualitative study evaluated patients’ and therapists’ experiences, and IBD-healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perceptions of the intervention.

Results

Eighty-nine participants were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 31 of the 70 eligible participants consented to participate (recruitment rate of 44%). Of the 15 participants randomised to the intervention group, 13 (87%) started it and 10 (77% of those who started) completed all 8 sessions. Follow-up questionnaires were completed by 22 (71%) participants at 3 months, 14 (45%) at 6 months and 12 (39%) at 12 months’ follow-up. The intervention was acceptable to participants and feasible for therapists to deliver. HCPs reported that the intervention would be applicable, but time, finance and training constraints limit its implementation. Initial estimates of potential efficacy with complete case analysis showed a reduction in fatigue and an increase in QoL at 3, 6 and 12 months post-randomisation.

Conclusions

A full-scale effectiveness RCT testing CBT for IBD-fatigue is feasible and is potentially worthwhile with some changes to the protocol. However, given the small numbers, further pilot work is warranted before a full-scale RCT.

Trial registration

Registration Trial ISRCTN 17917944, Registered 2 September 2016

Decreasing Risk of First and Subsequent Surgeries in Patients With Crohn's Disease in England From 1994 through 2013

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery is an important part of the treatment algorithm for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) that is complicated or does not respond to medical therapy. Cohort studies from Denmark and Canada have shown that the risk of primary surgery is decreasing but there is a lack of contemporary data on subsequent resections. We examined trends in first and second GI resections in patients with CD.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the United Kingdom primary care database ResearchOne, collecting data from patients with Crohn's disease from 1994 through 2013. We compared rates of first and second GI resections with etiological factors.

RESULTS

Among 3059 incident cases of CD, 13%, 21%, and 26% of the patients underwent surgical resections after 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Of patients with an initial resection, 20% required an additional operation when followed for 10 years after the initial resection. We found a significant reduction in first surgery, from 44% to 21% after 10 years of disease, from 1994 to 2003 (χ² for trend, P < .05). There was a significant reduction in second resections, in a 10-year follow-up period, from 40% in 1994 to 17% in 2003 (χ² for trend, P < .05). Duration of disease, younger age at diagnosis, smoking, and immunomodulator use were positively associated with first surgeries. Duration of disease was significantly associated with the risk of undergoing a second resection.

CONCLUSION

In a retrospective analysis of a United Kingdom primary care database, we observed a significant reduction in first and subsequent GI surgeries among patients with CD over the past 20 years in England.

Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Register (SWIBREG) - a nationwide quality register

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, inflammatory relapsing disease with increasing incidence. IBD research and long-term follow-up of patients have, however, been hampered by lack of detailed data on disease phenotype, patient-reported outcome measures, Physician Global Assessment, disease activity, and hospital-administered drugs. Aim: To review the Swedish IBD quality register (SWIBREG). Methods: Review of SWIBREG including questionnaire data from users and patients. Results: SWIBREG was launched in 2005, and as of April 2019, contains 46,400 patients with IBD (Crohn's disease: n = 15,705, ulcerative colitis: n = 21,540, IBD unclassified and other colitis (including e.g., microscopic colitis): n = 9155). Of these IBD patients, 7778 had been diagnosed in childhood (16.8%). Earlier research has shown that combining SWIBREG and the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) yields a positive predictive value of 100% (95%CI = 95-100%) for having a diagnosis of IBD. Moreover, out of all patients in the NPR with a diagnosis of IBD plus either IBD-related surgery or immunomodulatory/biological treatment during the past 18 months, SWIBREG covers 59.0%. SWIBREG records not only information on conventional therapies but also on biological treatment, surgery, smoking, disease activity, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and patient-experienced measures (PREMs). Data are presented through a graphical decision support system. Conclusion: SWIBREG benefits patients with IBD, and offers an ideal opportunity for healthcare personnel and researchers to examine disease phenotype and activity, PROMs/PREMs, and hospital-administered drugs in patients with IBD.

A Concise History of Thiopurines for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Anecdotal Reporting to Treat-to-Target Algorithms

BACKGROUND

The need for immune suppressive strategies in the control of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases originated in the 1960s following the perception of a relative inefficacy of salazopyrin and its derivatives. In some 50 years upon an anecdotal claim, the indication for thiopurines in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases has come of age.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this minireview is to give an overview, after the historical premises, of the current use of thiopurines in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases.

METHOD

Through MEDLINE searches, we reviewed the literature of the last two decades.

RESULTS

For Crohn's disease, the 1980 trial of 6-mercaptopurine for steroid sparing and fistula closure proved pivotal. The analysis of withdrawal experiments and of numerous open trials has established the efficacy of thiopurines for ulcerative colitis. In this indication, cutting-edge data are now showing that because targeting dysplasia, thiopurines can induce mucosal/histological healing, thus abolishing or delaying the need for pre-emptive (tumor prophylactic) colectomy.

CONCLUSION

In UC thiopurines may be recognized to effect a treat-to-target strategy, joining the modern algorithms of rheumatologic disorders.

The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland consensus guidelines in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease

AIM

There is a requirement of an expansive and up to date review of surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can dovetail with the medical guidelines produced by the British Society of Gastroenterology.

METHODS

Surgeons who are members of the ACPGBI with a recognised interest in IBD were invited to contribute various sections of the guidelines. They were directed to produce a procedure based document using literature searches that were systematic, comprehensible, transparent and reproducible. Levels of evidence were graded. An editorial board was convened to ensure consistency of style, presentation and quality. Each author was asked to provide a set of recommendations which were evidence based and unambiguous. These recommendations were submitted to the whole guideline group and scored. They were then refined and submitted to a second vote. Only those that achieved >80% consensus at level 5 (strongly agree) or level 4 (agree) after 2 votes were included in the guidelines.

RESULTS

All aspects of surgical care for IBD have been included along with 157 recommendations for management.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines provide an up to date and evidence based summary of the current surgical knowledge in the management of IBD and will serve as a useful practical text for clinicians performing this type of surgery.

Smoking Status at Diagnosis and Subsequent Smoking Cessation: Associations With Corticosteroid Use and Intestinal Resection in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

The impact of smoking at diagnosis and subsequent smoking cessation on clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease (CD) has not been evaluated in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

Using a nationally representative clinical research database, we identified incident cases of CD between 2005 and 2014. We compared the following outcomes: overall corticosteroid (CS) use; flares requiring CS; CS dependency and intestinal surgery between smokers and non-smokers at time of CD diagnosis. Differences in these outcomes were also compared between persistent smokers and smokers who quit within 2 years of diagnosis.

RESULTS

We identified 3553 patients with a new CD diagnosis over the study period of whom 1121 (32%) were smokers. Smokers at CD diagnosis had significantly higher CS-use (56 versus 47%, p < 0.0001), proportionally more CS flares (>1 CS flare/year: 9 versus 6%, p < 0.0001), and higher CS dependency (27 versus 21%, p < 0.0001) than non-smokers. Regression analysis identified smoking at diagnosis to be associated with a higher risk of intestinal surgery (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.16-2.52). There was a significantly higher proportion of 'quitters' who remained steroid-free through follow-up in comparison to 'persistent smokers' (45.4 versus 37.5%, respectively, p = 0.02). 'Quitters' also had lower rates of CS dependency compared to 'persistent smokers' (24 versus 33%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Smokers at CD diagnosis have higher CS-use, CS dependency and higher risk of intestinal surgery. Quitting smoking appears to have beneficial effects on disease related outcomes, including reducing CS dependency highlighting the importance of offering early smoking cessation support.

Increasing Prescription of Opiates and Mortality in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in England

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The prescription of opiate medications is increasing. Individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can develop serious complications from opiate use, but few data are available on the prescription of these drugs to patients with IBD. We examined trends in prescriptions of opiates and their association with all-cause mortality in individuals with IBD.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 3517 individuals with Crohn's disease (CD) and 5349 with ulcerative colitis (UC) using the primary care database ResearchOne, which holds de-identified clinical and administrative information from the health records of approximately 6 million persons (more than 10% of the total population) in England. We explored trends in prescriptions of all opiates, codeine, tramadol, or strong opiates, separately from 1990 through September 14, 2014. Associations between opiates and all-cause mortality were examined using propensity score-matched analysis.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the prescription of opiate medications, with 10% of subjects receiving an opiate prescription from 1990 through 1993 compared to 30% from 2010 through 2013 (chi-square for trend, P < .005). Prescription of strong opiates was significantly associated with increased premature mortality of patients with CD (heavy use) or UC (moderate or heavy use). There was a significant association between heavy use of any opiate or codeine alone and premature mortality of patients with UC. Use of tramadol alone, or in combination with codeine, was not associated with premature mortality in patients with CD or UC.

CONCLUSIONS

In an analysis of primary care patients with IBD in England, we found prescriptions for opiate drugs to have increased significantly from 1990 through 2013. Heavy use of strong opiates among patients with IBD associates with increased all-cause premature mortality.

Changing nationwide trends in endoscopic, medical and surgical admissions for inflammatory bowel disease: 2003-2013

Background and study aims

In the last decade, there have been major advances in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management but their impact on hospital admissions requires evaluation. We aim to investigate nationwide trends in IBD surgical/medical elective and emergency admissions, including endoscopy and cytokine inhibitor infusions, between 2003 and 2013.

Patients and methods

We used Hospital Episode Statistics and population data from the UK Office for National Statistics.

Results

Age-sex standardised admission rates increased from 76.5 to 202.9/100 000 (p<0.001) and from 69.5 to 149.5/100 000 (p<0.001) for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) between 2003–2004 and 2012–2013, respectively. Mean length of stay (days) fell significantly for elective (from 2.6 to 0.7 and from 2.0 to 0.7 for CD and UC, respectively) and emergency admissions (from 9.2 to 6.8 and from 10.8 to 7.6 for CD and UC, respectively). Elective lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy rates decreased from 6.3% to 3.7% (p<0.001) and from 18.4% to 17.6% (p=0.002) for CD and UC, respectively. Elective major abdominal surgery rates decreased from 2.8% to 1.0% (p<0.001) and from 4.9 to 2.4 (p=0.010) for CD and UC, respectively, with emergency rates also decreasing significantly for CD. Between 2006-2007 and 2012-2013, elective admission rates for cytokine-inhibitor infusions increased from 11.1 to 57.2/100 000 and from 1.4 to 12.1/100 000 for CD and UC, respectively.

Conclusions

Rising IBD hospital admission rates in the past decade have been driven by an increase in the incidence and prevalence of IBD. Lower GI endoscopy and surgery rates have fallen, while cytokine inhibitor infusion rates have risen. There has been a concurrent shift from emergency care to shorter elective hospital stays. These trends indicate a move towards more elective medical management and may reflect improvements in disease control.

Do Thiopurines Reduce the Risk of Surgery in Elderly Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease? A 20-Year National Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Evidence that thiopurines impact on the risk of surgery in elderly onset inflammatory bowel disease (EO-IBD) is lacking. We aimed to compare the rates of surgery in EO-IBD (>60 years at diagnosis) with adult-onset IBD (18-59 yrs), and examine the impact of thiopurines on surgical risk in EO-IBD.

METHODS

Using a U.K. database between 1990 and 2010, we compared rates of surgery between adult-onset IBD and EO-IBD using survival analysis. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) were analyzed separately. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to determine the adjusted relative risk of surgery. We further assessed the impact of duration of thiopurine treatment on risk of surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 2758 of 9515 patients with UC and 1349 of 6490 patients with CD, with EO-IBD. Cumulative 1, 5, and 10 years risk of colectomy was similar in EO-UC (2.2, 4.5, and 5.8%, respectively) and AO-UC (2.2, 5.0, and 7.3%, respectively; P = 0.15). Cumulative 1, 5, and 10 years risk of first intestinal surgery was lower in EO-CD (9.5, 14.6, and 17.9%, respectively) than AO-CD (12.2, 19.0, and 24.4%, respectively; P < 0.001). Early steroid use, steroid dependency, and thiopurine use was associated with higher risk of colectomy in EO-UC. Among EO-UC receiving thiopurines for >12 months, there was a 70% reduction in risk of colectomy (hazard ratio. 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.58). Thiopurines were not associated with a reduced risk of surgery in EO-CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of colectomy in EO-UC does not differ from AO-UC, but the risk of surgery in EO-CD is significantly lower than in AO-CD. Sustained thiopurine use of 12 months or more duration in EO-UC reduces the risk colectomy, but does not impact on the risk of surgery in EO-CD. These findings are important given the greater risk of thiopurine-associated lymphoma in the elderly.

Steroid dependency and trends in prescribing for inflammatory bowel disease - a 20-year national population-based study

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether adherence to prescribing standards has been achieved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

AIM

To determine how prescribing of 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), steroids and thiopurines has changed in response to emerging evidence.

METHODS

We examined trends in oral and topical therapies in 23 509 incident IBD cases (6997 with Crohn's disease and 16 512 with ulcerative colitis) using a nationally representative sample between 1990 and 2010. We created five eras according to the year of diagnosis: era 1 (1990-1993), era 2 (1994-1997), era 3 (1998-2001), era 4 (2002-2005) and era 5 (2006-2010). We calculated the proportion of patients treated with prolonged 5-ASAs (>12 months) and steroid dependency, defined as prolonged steroids (>3 months) or recurrent (restarting within 3 months) steroid exposure. We calculated the cumulative probability of receiving each medication using survival analysis.

RESULTS

Half of the Crohn's disease patients were prescribed prolonged oral 5-ASAs during the study, although this decreased between era 3 and 5 from 61.8% to 56.4% (P = 0.002). Thiopurine use increased from 14.0% to 47.1% (P < 0.001) between era 1 and 5. This coincided with a decrease in steroid dependency from 36.5% to 26.8% (P < 0.001) between era 1 and 2 and era 4 and 5 respectively. In ulcerative colitis, 49% of patients were maintained on prolonged oral 5-ASAs. Despite increasing thiopurine use, repeated steroid exposure increased from 15.3% to 17.8% (P = 0.02) between era 1 and 2 and era 4 and 5 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescribing in clinical practice insufficiently mirrors the evidence base. Physicians should direct management towards reducing steroid dependency and optimising 5-ASA use in patients with IBD.

Emerging trends and risk factors for perianal surgery in Crohn's disease: a 20-year national population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the rates of perianal surgery (PAS) in Crohn's disease (CD). Our aim was to determine trends in PAS, the timing of surgery relative to the diagnosis of CD and to identify subgroups at risk of PAS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 9391 incident cases of CD between 1989 and 2009. We defined three eras: era 1 (1989-1995), era 2 (1996-2002) and era 3 (2003-2009), and determined trends in procedure type and the time to first PAS relative to the date of diagnosis. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to calculate the rate of first PAS and performed Cox regression to determine subgroups at risk of PAS.

RESULTS

Among the 9391 incident cases of CD, 405 (4.3%) underwent PAS. The overall rate of PAS was 5.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.9-6.2%] 10 years after diagnosis. 34% (n=137) of all patients undergoing PAS had surgery in the 5 years before CD diagnosis. Abscess drainage increased from 34 to 58%, whereas proctectomy decreased from 16 to 6% between eras 1 and 3, respectively. Men [hazard rate (HR) 1.51, 95% CI: 1.24-1.84], those aged 17-40 years (HR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.09-2.02 vs. those aged >40 years) and those with a history of previous intestinal resection (HR 28.5, 95% CI: 22.2-36.5) were more likely to have PAS.

CONCLUSION

Around one-third of patients have a PAS in the 5 years preceding their diagnosis of CD. Surgical practice has changed over 20 years, with a decrease in proctectomy and a concurrent increase in abscess drainage that is likely to reflect improvements in therapeutic practice.

Impact of early thiopurines on surgery in 2770 children and young people diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease: a national population-based study

BACKGROUND

The role of early thiopurine treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unproven.

AIM

To quantify the impact of timing and duration of thiopurines on the risk of first surgery in children and young people with IBD using a population-based cohort.

METHODS

We constructed an incident cohort of children and young people aged <25 years, diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) from 1990 to 2009. We used Cox proportional hazards modelling to determine the impact of early thiopurine use, commenced within a year of diagnosis on risk of first surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 1595 and 1175 incident cases of CD and UC respectively with a mean length of follow-up of 4.3 years/person. There were 216 (13.5%) and 73 (6.2%) surgeries for CD and UC patients between 1990 and 2009 respectively. In CD among thiopurine users, the absolute risk of surgery at 5 years for early thiopurine use vs. late was 15.3% (95% CI: 10.5-22.1) vs. 22.1% (95% CI: 18.1-26.9) respectively. After adjustment, the early use of thiopurines was associated with a reduction in risk of first surgery of 39% (HR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.91) over the 20-year study period. In UC, early thiopurine use offered no additional benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

In Crohn's disease, early treatment with thiopurines in children and young people is associated with an appreciable reduction in the risk of surgery, but early treatment does not reduce surgical risk in UC.

Ulcerative Colitis Database: An Integrated Database and Toolkit for Gene Function and Medication Involved in Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Over the last decade, a massive amount of well-annotated genomic data has been accumulated on the pathogenesis and therapies for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, a comprehensive repository is not available yet.

METHODS

Ulcerative Colitis Database (UCDB) was constructed using text mining followed by manually curating on the literature to collect the reliable information of UC-related genes, drugs, and susceptibility loci. UC DNA microarray data were collected. R packages were used to implement gene expression analysis toolkit.

RESULTS

UCDB includes 4 separate but closely related components: "UC GENE," "UC DRUG," "UC LOCUS," and "UC ANALYSIS." The UC GENE contains comprehensive information for 1151 UC-related genes manually curated from 2919 publications. The UC DRUG includes information for 248 drugs manually curated from 2344 publications. "UC LOCUS" includes 110 UC susceptibility SNP loci, which were collected from 12 Genome-Wide Association Studies. A comprehensive expression quantitative trait loci browser was also implemented. The UC ANALYSIS is an expression analysis toolkit for 37 UC expression array data sets, which contains 1098 samples. The toolkit can be used to do gene expression correlation, clustering, differentially expressed, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA).

CONCLUSIONS

UCDB provides a comprehensive collection of well-curated UC-related genes and drugs, and straightforward interfaces for gene expression analyses. UCDB is a useful leading resource for both basic and clinical research and will benefit UC community worldwide. UCDB is freely accessible at http://seiwertlab.uchicago.edu/UCDB.

Impact of timing and duration of thiopurine treatment on first perianal surgery in Crohn's disease: UK population-based study (1995-2009)

BACKGROUND

The impact of thiopurine (TP) use on perianal surgery is uncertain. Our aim was to determine trends in perianal surgery and the impact of timing and duration of TPs on the risk of first perianal surgery.

METHODS

We identified a population-based cohort of incident cases of Crohn's disease between 1995 and 2009. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to determine trends in TP usage and first perianal surgery by era of diagnosis: era 1 (1995-2002) and era 2 (2003-2009). We quantified the impact of duration and timing of TPs on the risk of perianal surgery using a Cox regression model.

RESULTS

We identified a cohort of 5235 incident cases of Crohn's disease. The 5-year cumulative probability of first perianal surgery decreased from 2.7% to 1.7% between era 1 and era 2, respectively (P = 0.03). TP use for greater than 18 months was associated with a 40% risk reduction for first perianal surgery (hazard ratio: 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.39-0.95) and 49% if TPs were used for 2 years or more (hazard ratio: 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.99). There was no demonstrable additional benefit from early TP use within the first year after diagnosis (hazard ratio: 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.52-1.40, P = 0.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 15 years, TP use has increased by 50%, whereas perianal surgery rates have decreased by 37% among UK population with Crohn's disease. Sustained use for 18 months was associated with a reduced risk of perianal surgery by almost a half in the first 5 years after diagnosis.

Splitting a therapeutic dose of thioguanine may avoid liver toxicity and be an efficacious treatment for severe inflammatory bowel disease: a 2-center observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Thioguanine (TG) is a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, but association with nodular regenerative hyperplasia has restricted its use. We conjectured that splitting a therapeutic daily dose of TG would be efficacious and should avoid liver toxicity.

METHODS

We report on 62 patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease not responding to prednisolone, conventional thiopurines, biologics, or calcineurin inhibitors. Patients were prescribed oral split-daily TG to avoid individual doses >0.3 mg/kg. Data on concomitant medication, clinical efficacy measured by Harvey-Bradshaw Index for Crohn's, or Simple Clinical Colitis Score for ulcerative/indeterminate colitis (UC), and some paired endoscopies were available. Safety was followed clinically and with bloods at 2 centers. All patients at the U.K. center had a liver biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging after 6 months. Twenty-one patients had serial ultrasounds at the Australian center.

RESULTS

At 6 months, 19/21 of patients with Crohn's disease and 27/38 with ulcerative colitis had improved clinical activity. At study end, 53% of patients maintained improved clinical activity of steroids. Median duration of TG was 8 (0.3-45) months, median dose was 0.6 (0.3-1) mg/kg per day. Previous thiopurine-related adverse reactions were not encountered. Twenty-nine patients withdrew because of loss to follow-up, medical adverse events, or surgery. Possible early nodular regenerative hyperplasia was found on liver biopsy in 1 patient who was heterozygote deficient for thiopurine methyltransferase; the TG dose was lowered. TG was discontinued in a patient with nodular regenerative hyperplasia and concomitant antiphospholipid syndrome. There was 1 successful term pregnancy; cord blood and breast milk TG were low.

CONCLUSIONS

Split-dose TG seemed well tolerated and efficacious in this retrospective study of patients with difficult inflammatory bowel disease.

Increased risk of acute myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes in patients who received thiopurine treatment for inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Treatment with immunosuppressive thiopurines such as azathioprine is associated with an increased risk of leukemogenesis. We assessed the risk of myeloid disorders, such as acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, in a large cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in France.

METHODS

We performed a prospective observational study of 19,486 patients with IBD enrolled in the Cancers Et Surrisque Associé aux Maladies inflammatoires intestinales En France (CESAME) study from May 2004 through June 2005; patients were followed through December 31, 2007. The incidence of myeloid disorders in the general population, which was used for reference, was determined from the French Network of Cancer Registries.

RESULTS

During 49,736 patient-years of follow-up, 5 patients were diagnosed with incident myeloid disorders (2 with acute myeloid leukemia and 3 with myelodysplastic syndromes). Four of these patients had been exposed to thiopurines (1 with ongoing treatment and 3 with past exposure). The risk of myeloid disorders was not increased among the overall IBD population, compared with the general population; the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was 1.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-4.20). The risk of myeloid disorders was not increased among patients with IBD and ongoing thiopurine treatment (SIR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.05-8.54), but patients with past exposures to thiopurines had an increased risk of myeloid disorders (SIR, 6.98; 95% CI, 1.44-20.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Past exposure to thiopurines increases the risk of myeloid disorders 7-fold among patients with IBD. This finding should be considered when initiating thiopurine therapy, so risks and benefits can be calculated.

Clinical and pathologic characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease to raise the early diagnosis of this disease.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two cases of inflammatory bowel disease including 101 cases of ulcerative colitis and 21 cases of Crohn's disease were analyzed.

RESULTS: Non-necrotizing granuloma, fissure ulcer and chronic inflammation were morphological features of Crohn's disease. Massive inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria, destroyed glands and reduced secretion, and polyangitis were the hallmarks of ulcerative colitis.

CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease should be made based on endoscopic, macroscopic and clinical findings. Awareness of the clinical and pathologic features of inflammatory bowel disease can help make an early diagnosis of this disease.

The impact of timing and duration of thiopurine treatment on first intestinal resection in Crohn's disease: national UK population-based study 1989-2010

OBJECTIVES

The efficacy of thiopurines (TPs) in altering the risk of surgery in Crohn's disease (CD) remains controversial. We evaluated the impact of TP therapy, optimal timing, and duration of TP therapy on first intestinal resection rates using a population-based cohort.

METHODS

We constructed a population-based cohort of incident cases of CD between 1989 and 2005. We used the Kaplan-Meier analysis to calculate time trends in TP use and first intestinal resection in three groups defined by time period of diagnosis: 1989-1993, 1994-1999, and 2000-2005 groups A, B, and C, respectively. We quantified impact of duration and timing of TP treatment on likelihood of surgery using Cox regression and propensity score matching.

RESULTS

We identified 5,640 eligible patients with CD. The 5-year cumulative probability of TP use increased from 12, 18, to 25% ( P<0.0001) while probability of first intestinal resection decreased from 15, 12 to 9% (P<0.001) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Patients treated with at least 6 months of TP therapy had a 44% reduction in the risk of surgery (hazards ratio (HR): 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.85) and those receiving at least 12 months of TP therapy had a 69% reduction in the risk of surgery (HR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.22-0.44). Early treatment (<12 months from diagnosis) vs. late treatment with TP showed no additional benefit in reducing risk of surgery (HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.27-0.61 vs. 0.21; 95% CI: 0.13-0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 20 years, TP use has doubled, whereas intestinal surgery has fallen by one-third among the UK population of Crohn's patients. Prolonged exposure is associated with a reduced likelihood of surgery whereby more than 12 months TP therapy reduces the risk of first intestinal surgery two-fold; however, early initiation of TP treatment offered no apparent additional benefit.

Emerging inflammatory bowel disease in saudi outpatients: a report of 693 cases

BACKGROUND/AIM

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology and considered traditionally as a disease of the western world. Recently, rising trends have been observed in countries previously known to have a low prevalence and incidence. The aim of this study is to collect epidemiological data on IBD outpatients and to add data from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to the available IBD literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of 693 Saudi patients with IBD over a period of 17 years, between 1993 and 2009, were reviewed. The demographic and clinical data and methods of diagnosis were retrieved.

RESULTS

The total number of patients in this cohort was 693. It constituted 238 (34.3%) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 455 (65.7%) Crohn's disease (CD) patients. UC was steady throughout the years, whereas only 1.2 CD patients were diagnosed per year in the first 11 years, and 73.7 per year in the last six years. The median age of UC patients was 34 years, ranging from 10 to 80 years with a peak between 21 and 40 years and in CD it was 27 years, ranging from 11 to 73 years with a peak between 11 and 30 years. There was a male preponderance of 1.5:1 and 2:1, respectively. The rest of the data is discussed in this study.

CONCLUSION

IBD is no longer a rare disease in KSA. UC is in a steady state, whereas CD is increasing significantly and far outnumbering UC.

IBDsite: a Galaxy-interacting, integrative database for supporting inflammatory bowel disease high throughput data analysis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) refer to a group of inflammatory conditions concerning colon and small intestine, which cause socially uncomfortable symptoms and often are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. IBD are complex disorders, which rely on genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, deregulation of the immune system, and host relationship with commensal microbiota. The complexity of these pathologies makes difficult to clearly understand the mechanisms of their onset. Therefore, the study of IBD must be faced exploiting an integrated and multilevel approach, ranging from genes, transcripts and proteins to pathways altered in affected tissues, and carefully considering their regulatory mechanisms, which may intervene in the pathology onset. It is also crucial to have a knowledge base about the symbiotic bacteria that are hosted in the human gut. To date, much data exist regarding IBD and human commensal bacteria, but this information is sparse in literature and no free resource provides a homogeneously and rationally integrated view of biomolecular data related to these pathologies.

METHODS

Human genes altered in IBD have been collected from literature, paying particular interest for the immune system alterations prompted by the interaction with the gut microbiome. This process has been performed manually to assure the reliability of collected data. Heterogeneous metadata from different sources have been automatically formatted and integrated in order to enrich information about these altered genes. A user-friendly web interface has been created for easy access to structured data. Tools such as gene clustering coefficients, all-pairs shortest paths and pathway lengths calculation have been developed to provide data analysis support. Moreover, the implemented resource is compliant to the Galaxy framework, allowing the collected data to be exploited in the context of high throughput bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

To fill the lack of a reference resource for 'omics' science analysis in the context of IBD, we developed the IBDsite (available at http://www.itb.cnr.it/ibd), a disease-oriented platform, which collects data related to biomolecular mechanisms involved in the IBD onset. The resource provides a section devoted to human genes identified as altered in IBD, which can be queried at different biomolecular levels and visualised in gene-centred report pages. Furthermore, the system presents information related to the gut microbiota involved in IBD affected patients. The IBDsite is compliant with all Galaxy installations (in particular, it can be accessed from our custom version of Galaxy, http://www.itb.cnr.it/galaxy), in order to facilitate high-throughput data integration and to enable evaluations of the genomic basis of these diseases, complementing the tools embedded in the IBDsite.

CONCLUSIONS

Lots of sparse data exist concerning IBD studies, but no on-line resource homogeneously and rationally integrate and collect them. The IBDsite is an attempt to group available information regarding human genes and microbial aspects related to IBD, by means of a multilevel mining tool. Moreover, it constitutes a knowledge base to filter, annotate and understand new experimental data in order to formulate new scientific hypotheses, thanks to the possibility of integrating genomics aspects by employing the Galaxy framework. Discussed use-cases demonstrate that the developed system is useful to infer not trivial knowledge from the existing widespread data or from novel experiments.

Endoscopic assessment of inflammatory bowel disease: colonoscopy/esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Endoscopy plays an important role in the initial diagnosis of IBD, including the evaluation of disease severity, activity, and extent. The implications of complete mucosal healing further confirm the function of endoscopy in the follow-up of IBD patients. The use of therapeutic endoscopy, for example stricture dilatation, can avoid the need for bowel resection. Modalities such as capsule endoscopy, EUS, NBI, CE, and other emerging techniques are likely to have an increasing role in the management of IBD, particularly in the area of dysplasia surveillance and treatment.