Comparison of outcomes for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Low prevalence of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in India

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) represents the most common hepatobiliary extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Limited data exist on PSC in patients with IBD from India. We aimed to assess the prevalence and disease spectrum of PSC in Indian patients with IBD.

METHODS

Database of IBD patients at 5 tertiary care IBD centers in India were analyzed retrospectively. Data were extracted and the prevalence of PSC-IBD was calculated.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients out of 12,216 patients with IBD (9,231 UC, 2,939 CD, and 46 IBD unclassified) were identified to have PSC, resulting in a prevalence of 0.39%. The UC to CD ratio was 7:1. Male sex and pancolitis (UC) or colonic CD were more commonly associated with PSC-IBD. The diagnosis of IBD preceded the diagnosis of PSC in most of the patients. Majority of the patients were symptomatic for liver disease at diagnosis. Eight patients (16.66%) developed cirrhosis, 5 patients (10.41%), all UC, developed malignancies (3 colorectal cancer [6.25%] and 2 cholangiocarcinoma [4.16%]), and 3 patients died (2 decompensated liver disease [4.16%] and 1 cholangiocarcinoma [2.08%]) on follow-up. None of the patients mandated surgical therapy for IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant PSC in patients with IBD is uncommon in India and is associated with lower rates of development of malignancies.

Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) With or Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-A European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Consensus Statement

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is the classical hepatobiliary manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a lead indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the western world. In this article, we present a Consensus Statement on LT practice, developed by a dedicated Guidelines' Taskforce of the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT). The overarching goal is to provide practical guidance on commonly debated topics, including indications and timing of LT, management of bile duct stenosis in patients on the transplant waiting list, technical aspects of transplantation, immunosuppressive strategies post-transplant, timing and extension of intestinal resection and futility criteria for re-transplantation.

Incidence and adverse clinical events of primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to conduct a nationwide population-based study to estimate the incidence of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC-PSC) and investigate healthcare use, medication use, surgery, cancer, and death as adverse clinical events of UC-PSC.

METHODS

We identified incident cases of UC with (UC-PSC) or without PSC (UC-alone) between 2008 and 2018 using health insurance claims data in Korea. Univariate (crude hazard ratio (HR)) and multivariate analyses were performed to compare the risk of adverse clinical events between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 14,406 patients with UC using population-based claims data were detected in the cohort. Overall, 3.38% (487/14,406) of patients developed UC-PSC. During a mean follow-up duration of approximately 5.92 years, the incidence of PSC in patients with UC was 185 per 100,000 person-years. The UC-PSC group showed statistically more frequent healthcare use (hospitalization and emergency department visits: HRs, 5.986 and 9.302, respectively; P < .001), higher immunomodulator and biologic use (azathioprine, infliximab, and adalimumab: HRs, 2.061, 3.457, and 3.170, respectively; P < .001), and higher surgery rate (operation for intestinal obstruction, and colectomy: HRs, 9.728 and 2.940, respectively; P < .001) than did the UC-alone group. The UC-PSC group also showed significantly higher colorectal cancer and biliary tract cancer (HRs, 2.799 and 36.343, respectively; P < .001) and mortality (HR, 4.257) rates than did the UC-alone group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with UC-PSC have higher risks of colorectal cancer, biliary tract cancer, and death than do patients with UC-alone. Although considered a rare disease, managing this complex and costly disease requires recognition of the impact of increased burden on healthcare services.

Guidelines for the management of ulcerative colitis. Recommendations of the Polish Society of Gastroenterology and the Polish National Consultant in Gastroenterology

This paper is an update of the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the National Consultant for Gastroenterology and the Polish Society of Gastroenterology from 2013. It contains 49 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment, both pharmacological and surgical, of ulcerative colitis in adults. The guidelines were developed by a group of experts appointed by the Polish Society of Gastroenterology and the National Consultant in the field of Gastroenterology. The methodology related to the GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality of available evidence and the strength of therapeutic recommendations. The degree of expert support for the proposed statements was assessed on a 6-point Likert scale. Voting results, together with comments, are included with each statement.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Crohn's Disease: An Atypical Complication

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects thousands of Americans, and it is commonly found in individuals aged between 20-30 years. Patients often present with abdominal pain and describe concerns of diarrhea, bloating, and weight loss. In this report, we discuss the case of a 21-year-old man who presented with diarrhea and intermittent hematochezia. He was admitted for a suspected lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. An abdominal CT scan demonstrated pancolitis with a mildly distended gallbladder. Subsequent sigmoidoscopy revealed a diagnosis of CD, which was confirmed with a biopsy. Following steroid therapy, the patient reported symptomatic improvement, although his alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels continued to increase. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed biliary strictures, which were suggestive of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This case highlights the importance of not ruling out CD in patients with PSC and understanding the differential clinical outcomes in patients with PSC with ulcerative colitis (UC) compared to those with CD. These differences include variations in colorectal carcinoma risk and severity of symptoms.

Phenotype and Natural History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients With Concomitant Eosinophilic Esophagitis

BACKGROUND

The co-occurrence of autoimmune diseases is well recognized. Though studies have suggested that eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is more common in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), whether co-occurrence of EoE modifies natural history of IBD is unknown.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study at a referral center. Cases consisted of patients with IBD and EoE, with both diseases diagnosed using established criteria. Controls comprised patients with IBD without concomitant EoE. Two controls were selected per case and were matched for duration of IBD. Relevant covariates regarding disease presentation and natural history were extracted from the medical record and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

A total of 95 IBD-EoE cases and 190 IBD controls were included in our study. The IBD-EoE group was diagnosed with IBD at a younger age than those with IBD alone (22.3 years vs 29.0 years; P < 0.001) and were more likely to be male (80.0% vs 45.8%; P < 0.001). There were no differences in medical or surgical therapy for IBD between the 2 groups. Among those with IBD-EoE, patients for whom IBD was diagnosed first presented more commonly with dysphagia (50.8% vs 26.9%; P = 0.04) and endoscopically had evidence of esophageal rings (50.0% vs 23.1%; P = 0.02) when compared with those where EoE was diagnosed first.

CONCLUSION

Patients with concurrent IBD-EoE are diagnosed at a younger age and more likely to be males but have similar natural history as those without EoE. There were differences in EoE phenotype based on whether the EoE or IBD was diagnosed first.

Specific Features of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic and progressive disease of the biliary tract. PSC is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly with ulcerative colitis, and most PSC patients have underlying IBD. The pathophysiological interactions between IBD and PSC are unclear, although it seems that the patients with IBD and PSC have a distinct phenotype. IBD with coexisting PSC is more extensive and is characterized by milder activity compared to IBD alone. The coexistence of PSC increases the risk for colorectal cancer in IBD patients and lifelong annual surveillance colonoscopy is recommended. Also, liver transplantation (LT) for PSC may affect the course of IBD. In addition, the management of IBD after LT includes many specific problems. On the other hand, the effect of IBD on the natural history of PSC appears to be milder. However, IBD may increase the risk of postsurgical complications after LT and is a risk factor for recurrent PSC after LT. Overall, the coexistence of IBD with PSC changes the management, natural history and prognosis of both diseases.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis in Japanese patients

Background

In Western countries, most patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have concurrent ulcerative colitis (UC). The number of patients with UC in East Asia has increased markedly over the past two decades. However, current clinical features of PSC and of PSC associated with UC (PSC-UC) have not yet been clarified in East Asia, particularly in Japan. We aimed to reveal the clinical courses and associations with UC in Japanese patients with PSC from the mutual viewpoint of PSC and UC.

Methods

We retrospectively retrieved medical records of patients with PSC (69) and UC (1242) who were diagnosed at Chiba University Hospital between June 1991 and August 2017.

Results

In the present cohort, 37 patients had PSC-UC; the cumulative risks of PSC in patients with UC and of UC in patients with PSC were 3.0% and 53.6%, respectively. We confirmed similar distinctive results by a Japanese nationwide survey, noting that younger patients with PSC had a notably high possibility of association with UC. From the viewpoint of the UC cohort, the occurrence of right-sided disease was significantly higher in patients with PSC-UC than in those with UC (16.2% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.003). Pancolitis was more commonly observed in PSC-UC, and proctits/left-sided colitis was less commonly found in patients with UC. The number of patients with young-onset PSC-UC may be increasing similar to an increase in patients with UC in Japan.

Conclusions

In our cohort, the comorbidity rate of PSC-UC was higher than that obtained in previous reports. The incidence of PSC-UC and UC may increase in the future in East Asia, particularly in Japan.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Review of the Phenotype and Associated Specific Features

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, progressive cholestatic disease that is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in approximately 70% of cases. Although the pathogenesis is still unknown for both diseases, there is increasing evidence to indicate that they share a common underlying predisposition. Herein, we review the epidemiology, diagnosis, disease pathogenesis, and specific clinical features of the PSC-IBD phenotype. Patients with PSC-IBD have a distinct IBD phenotype with an increased incidence of pancolitis, backwash ileitis, and rectal sparing. Despite often having extensive colonic involvement, these patients present with mild intestinal symptoms or are even asymptomatic, which can delay the diagnosis of IBD. Although the IBD phenotype has been well characterized in PSC patients, the natural history and disease behavior of PSC in PSC-IBD patients is less well defined. There is conflicting evidence regarding the course of IBD in PSC-IBD patients who receive liver transplantation and their risk of recurrent PSC. IBD may also be associated with an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma in PSC patients. Overall, the PSC-IBD population has an increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia compared to the conventional IBD population. Lifelong annual surveillance colonoscopy is currently recommended.

Inflammatory bowel disease in liver transplanted patients

Most common hepatobiliary manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis, ranking them as the main cause of liver transplantation (LT) in IBD setting. Course of pre-existing IBD after LT differs depending on many transplant related factors. Potential risk factors related to IBD deterioration after LT are tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens, active IBD and cessation of 5-aminosalicylates at the time of LT. About 30% patients experience improvement of IBD after LT, while approximately the same percentage of patients worsens. Occurrence of de novo IBD may develop in 14%-30% of patients with PSC. Recommended IBD therapy after LT is equivalent to recommendations to overall IBD patients. Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha appears to be efficient for refractory IBD. Due to potential side effects it needs to be applied with caution. In average 9% of patients require proctocolectomy due to medically refractory IBD or colorectal carcinoma. The most frequent complication in patients who undergo proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis is pouchitis. It is still undeterminable if LT adds to risk of developing pouchitis in PSC patients. Annual colonoscopies are recommended as surveillance and precaution of colonic malignancies.

The impact of co-existing immune-mediated diseases on phenotype and outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases lead to progressive bowel damage and need for surgery. While the increase in prevalence of other immune-mediated diseases in IBD is well recognised, the impact of this on the natural history of IBD is unknown.

AIM

To determine the impact of concomitant immune-mediated diseases on phenotypes and outcomes in IBD.

METHODS

Patients with IBD enrolled in a prospective registry were queried about the presence of other immune-mediated diseases, defined as those where immune dysregulation plays a role in pathogenesis. Demographics and disease-related information were obtained. Subjects also completed measures of quality of life. Multivariable regression models compared disease phenotype and outcomes of IBD patients with and without other immune-mediated diseases.

RESULTS

The cohort included 2145 IBD patients among whom 458 (21%) had another immune-mediated disease. There was no difference in CD phenotype between the two groups. UC patients were more likely to have pancolitis in the presence of another immune-mediated disease (62%) compared to those without (52%, P = 0.02). IBD patients with another immune-mediated disease had higher rates of needing anti-TNF biologics [Odds ratio (OR) 1.31, 95% CI 1.05-1.63] and surgery (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.99-1.61). The presence of another immune-mediated disease was also associated with lower disease-specific and general physical quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of another immune-mediated disease in IBD patients was associated with higher likelihood of pancolonic involvement in UC, and a modest increase in need for IBD-related surgery and anti-TNF biological therapy. Such patients also experienced worse quality of life.

Care of inflammatory bowel disease patients in remission

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two distinct conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which are chronic, relapsing disorders carrying significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. With growing attention to coordinated healthcare for patients with chronic systemic diseases, this review focuses on the care of IBD patients in remission, their concerns, quality of life, follow-up, the role of primary care physicians and the IBD-specific aspects of long-term care. We did an extensive PubMed search for articles pertaining to IBD patients in remission and, along with the authors’ experience, formulated a comprehensive review. The difficulties faced by IBD patients in remission include but are not limited to education and employment concerns, psychosocial issues, problems related to health insurance, nutrition, fertility and infections. This review also addresses newer treatment modalities, the debatable effects of smoking on IBD and the importance of vaccination. IBD in remission can be a challenge due to its multifaceted nature; however, with a coordinated approach by gastroenterologists and other involved practitioners, several of these issues can be addressed.

The secretin/secretin receptor axis modulates liver fibrosis through changes in transforming growth factor-β1 biliary secretion in mice

The secretin/secretin receptor (SR) axis is up-regulated by proliferating cholangiocytes during cholestasis. Secretin stimulates biliary proliferation by down-regulation of let-7a and subsequent up-regulation of the growth-promoting factor, nerve growth factor (NGF). It is not known whether the secretin/SR axis plays a role in subepithelial fibrosis observed during cholestasis. Our aim was to determine the role of the secretin/SR axis in activation of biliary fibrosis in animal models and human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Studies were performed in wild-type (WT) mice with bile duct ligation (BDL), BDL SR(-/-) mice, or Mdr2(-/-) mouse models of cholestatic liver injury. In selected studies, the SR antagonist (Sec 5-27) was used to block the secretin/SR axis. Biliary proliferation and fibrosis were evaluated as well as secretion of secretin (by cholangiocytes and S cells), expression of markers of fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), transforming growth factor-β1 receptor (TGF-β1R), let-7a, and downstream expression of NGF. Correlative studies were performed in human control and PSC liver tissue biopsies, serum, and bile. SR antagonist reduced biliary proliferation and hepatic fibrosis in BDL WT and Mdr2(-/-) mice. There was decreased expression of let-7a in BDL and Mdr2(-/-) cholangiocytes that was associated with increased NGF expression. Inhibition of let-7a accelerated liver fibrosis was attributed to cholestasis. There was increased expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1R. Significantly higher expression of secretin, SR, and TGF-β1 was observed in PSC patient liver samples compared to healthy controls. In addition, there was higher expression of fibrosis genes and remarkably decreased expression of let-7a and increased expression of NGF compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

The secretin/SR axis plays a key role in regulating the biliary contribution to cholestasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. (Hepatology 2016;64:865-879).

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and the risk of colon neoplasia in patients with Crohn's colitis

Background and aim: Crohn’s colitis (CC) is associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). However the risk of colon cancer or dysplasia in CC and PSC is unclear. Our aim was to study the risk of colon neoplasia in CC in patients with and without PSC.

Methods: This is a nested, case-control cohort study of all patients diagnosed with concurrent CC and PSC, seen at the Cleveland Clinic between 1985 and 2012. Forty-three patients with both CC and PSC were compared with a random sample of 159 CC controls without PSC during the same period.

Results: Seven (16.3%) of 43 CC patients with PSC developed colon cancer or dysplasia, compared with 22 (13.8%) of 159 controls (P = 0.98). Of seven colon neoplasia cases in the PSC group, 100% occurred proximal to the splenic flexure, compared with 50% (11/22) cases of colon neoplasia in controls occurring in the proximal colon (P = 0.001). Based on Cox regression analysis, male gender independently increased the risk of neoplasia [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–5.54; P = 0.008], as did age at CC diagnosis (HR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.14–1.47; P < 0.001), while the use of azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine was protective (HR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.13–0.70; P = 0.005). The presence of PSC did not increase the risk for colon neoplasia (HR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.18–1.13; P = 0.09).

Conclusions: CC patients with PSC appear not to be at increased risk of developing colon neoplasia. Among patients in our cohort with colon neoplasia and concurrent PSC, the neoplasia occurred in the proximal colon in all cases.