Does it matter where you are hospitalized for inflammatory bowel disease? A nationwide analysis of hospital volume

Hospital Surgical Volume-Outcome Relationship of Postoperative Morbidity for Ileocolic Resection in Crohn's Disease: A French Nationwide Study of 4205 Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite the development of medical therapy, nearly 50% of patients with Crohn's disease [CD] undergo surgery during their lifetime. Several studies have suggested some risk factors for postoperative morbidity [POM] after ileocolic resection [ICR]. However, the impact of surgical hospital volume on POM in CD has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of surgical hospital volume on POM after ICR for CD.

METHODS

All patients with CD who underwent ICR in France between 2013 and 2022 were identified in the French Database, Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information. Using the Chi-square automatic interaction detector, we determined the cut-off value to split high-surgical-volume [≥6 ICRs/year] and low-surgical-volume centres [<6 ICRs/year]. The primary outcome was the evaluation of major POM during hospitalization. POM was evaluated according to the surgical volume centre. The Elixhauser comorbidity index [ECI] was used to categorize the comorbidities of patients.

RESULTS

A total of 4205 patients were identified, and the major POM during hospitalization was significantly [p = 0.0004] lower in the high-surgical-volume [6.2%] compared to low-surgical-volume centres [9.1%]. After multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with major POM were surgical hospital volume [p = 0.024], male sex [p = 0.029], ECI ≥ 1 [p < 0.001], and minor POM [p < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Major POM after ICR for CD is closely associated with surgical hospital volume. Centralization of surgery for CD is desirable, especially in patients with major comorbidities.

Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease in Spain: How are we doing? Initial results of a nationwide prospective registry

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), requires a multidisciplinary approach, and surgery is commonly needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the types of surgery performed in these patients in a nationwide study by hospital type, global postoperative complications, and quality of life after surgery.

METHODS

A prospective, multicenter, national observational study was designed to collect the results of surgical treatment of IBD in Spain. Demographic characteristics, medical-surgical treatments, postoperative complications and quality of life were recorded with a one-year follow-up. Data were validated and entered by a surgeon from each institution.

RESULTS

A total of 1134 patients (77 centers) were included: 888 CD, 229 UC, and 17 indeterminate colitis. 1169 surgeries were recorded: 882 abdominal and 287 perianal. Before surgery, 81.6% of the patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee, and the mean preoperative waiting time for elective surgery was 2.09 ± 2 meses (P > .05). Overall morbidity after one year of follow-up was 16%, and the major complication rate was 36.4%. Significant differences were observed among centers in complex CD surgeries. Overall quality of life improved after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

There is heterogeneity in the surgical treatment of IBD among Spanish centers. Differences were observed in patients with highly complex surgeries. Overall quality of life improved with surgical treatment.

ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Crohn's Disease: Surgical Treatment

This article is the second in a series of two publications on the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence-based consensus on the management of Crohn's disease. The first article covers medical management; the present article addresses surgical management, including preoperative aspects and drug management before surgery. It also provides technical advice for a variety of common clinical situations. Both articles together represent the evidence-based recommendations of the ECCO for Crohn's disease and an update of prior ECCO guidelines.

Peri-Operative Optimization of Patients with Crohn's Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The management of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) undergoing surgery is complex and optimization of modifiable factors perioperatively can improve outcomes. This review focuses on the perioperative management of CD patients undergoing surgery, emphasizing the need for a multi-disciplinary approach.

RECENT FINDINGS

Research highlights the benefits of a comprehensive strategy, involving nutritional optimization, psychological assessment, and addressing septic complications before surgery. Despite many CD patients being on immune-suppressing medications, studies indicate that most of these medications are safe to use and should not delay surgery. However, a personalized approach for each case is needed. This review underscores the importance of multi-disciplinary team led peri-operative management of CD patients. We suggest that this can be done at a dedicated perioperative clinic for prehabilitation, with the potential to enhance outcomes for CD patients undergoing surgery.

Close outpatient follow-up associated with reduced readmission rates in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background

Few studies have shown the effects of prompt outpatient follow-up in relation to reducing readmission rates in patients hospitalized with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our study evaluated whether postdischarge follow-up was associated with fewer IBD-related readmissions.

Methods

This single-center retrospective study included 477 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) who were readmitted to our tertiary care hospital from January 1, 2016, to June 1, 2022. Rehospitalization admissions were defined as admissions that occurred within 90 days after discharge date. We used a chi-square or Fisher's exact test to test for bivariate comparisons to determine if there was an association in patients readmitted for IBD and primary care or gastroenterology follow-up at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks versus no follow-up.

Results

In UC patients, there were 118 admissions from 2016 to 2022; 36/118 (31%) and 41/118 (34.7%) of the patients were readmitted at 30 days and 90 days, respectively. In the CD group, there were 101 (36.73%) readmissions among 277 patients, with 174 nonreadmissions (63.27%).

Conclusions

Gastroenterology follow-up within 1 month was associated with reduced rates of admission in both groups (P < 0.05). This study highlights the importance of close gastroenterology follow-up for IBD-related hospitalizations.

Residence in Peripheral Regions and Low Socioeconomic Status Are Associated With Worse Outcomes of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Nationwide Study From the epi-IIRN

BACKGROUND

Timely access to quality medical care impacts patient outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In a nationwide study from the epidemiology group of the Israeli IBD research nucleus we aimed to assess the impact of residence and socioeconomic status (SES) on disease outcomes.

METHODS

We utilized data from the 4 health maintenance organizations in Israel, representing 98% of the population. Regions were defined as central, northern and southern; SES was graded from lowest to highest (from 1 to 4) as per Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. The primary outcome was steroid dependency, with secondary outcomes of surgeries and biologic therapy use.

RESULTS

A total of 28 216 IBD patients were included: 15 818 (56%) Crohn's disease (CD) and 12 398 (44%) ulcerative colitis; 74%, 12% and 14% resided in central, southern, and northern Israel, respectively (SES 1: 21%, SES 4: 12%). Lower SES was associated with steroid dependency (20% in SES 1 vs 12% in SES 4 in CD; P < .001; and 18% vs 12% in ulcerative colitis; P < .001), and higher surgery rates (12% vs 7%; P < .001, and 1.4% vs 0.7%; P = .115, respectively). There were higher steroid dependency and CD surgery rates in peripheral vs central regions. In multivariable models, both SES and peripheral region were independently associated with poorer outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that lower SES and peripheral residence were associated with deleterious outcomes in IBD. This should be considered by policymakers and should encourage strategies for improving outcomes in populations at risk.

Impact of Preoperative Factors in Patients With IBD on Postoperative Length of Stay: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with IBD are challenging to manage perioperatively because of disease complexity and multiple comorbidities.

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether preoperative factors and operation type were associated with extended postoperative length of stay after IBD-related surgery, defined by 75th percentile or greater (n = 926; 30.8%).

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study based on a retrospective multicenter database.

SETTING

The National Surgery Quality Improvement Program-Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative captured data from 15 high-volume sites.

PATIENTS

A total of 3008 patients with IBD (1710 with Crohn's disease and 1291 with ulcerative colitis) with a median postoperative length of stay of 4 days (interquartile range, 3-7) from March 2017 to February 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was extended postoperative length of stay.

RESULTS

On multivariable logistic regression, increased odds of extended postoperative length of stay were associated with multiple demographic and clinical factors (model p < 0.001, area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.85). Clinically significant contributors that increased postoperative length of stay were rectal surgery (vs colon; OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.52-2.98), new ileostomy (vs no ileostomy; OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.97), preoperative hospitalization (OR, 13.45; 95% CI, 10.15-17.84), non-home discharge (OR, 4.78; 95% CI, 2.27-10.08), hypoalbuminemia (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.27-2.18), and bleeding disorder (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.22-4.82).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective review of only high-volume centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IBD who were preoperatively hospitalized, who had non-home discharge, and who underwent rectal surgery had the highest odds of extended postoperative length of stay. Associated patient characteristics included bleeding disorder, hypoalbuminemia, and ASA classes 3 to 5. Chronic corticosteroid, immunologic, small molecule, and biologic agent use were insignificant on multivariable analysis. See Video Abstract.

IMPACTO DE LOS FACTORES PREOPERATORIOS EN PACIENTES CON ENFERMEDAD INFLAMATORIA INTESTINAL EN LA DURACIN DE LA ESTANCIA POSTOPERATORIA UN ANLISIS COLABORATIVO DEL PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE MEJORA DE LA CALIDAD QUIRRGICAENFERMEDAD INFLAMATORIA INTESTINAL

ANTECEDENTES:Los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal son difíciles de manejar perioperatoriamente debido a la complejidad de la enfermedad y a múltiples comorbilidades.OBJETIVO:Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar si los factores preoperatorios y el tipo de operación se asociaron con una estadía postoperatoria prolongada después de una cirugía relacionada con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, definida por el percentil 75 o mayor (n = 926, 30.8%).DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio transversal basado en una base de datos multicéntrica retrospectiva.ESCENARIO:Datos capturados de quince sitios de alto volumen en El Programa Nacional de Mejoramiento de la Calidad de la Cirugía-Enfermedad Intestinal Inflamatoria en colaboración.PACIENTES:Un total de 3,008 pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (1,710 con enfermedad de Crohn y 1,291 con colitis ulcerosa) con una mediana de estancia postoperatoria de 4 días (RIC 3-7) desde marzo de 2017 hasta febrero de 2020.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:El resultado primario fue la extensión de la estancia postoperatoria.RESULTADOS:En la regresión logística multivariable, el aumento de las probabilidades de prolongar la estancia postoperatoria se asoció con múltiples factores demográficos y clínicos (modelo p<0.001, área bajo la curva ROC - 0.85). Los contribuyentes clínicamente significativos que aumentaron la duración de la estancia postoperatoria fueron la cirugía rectal (frente al colon) (OR 2.13, IC del 95 %: 1.52 a 2.98), una nueva ileostomía (frente a ninguna ileostomía) (OR 1.50, IC del 95 %: 1.15 a 1.97), hospitalización preoperatoria (OR 13.45, IC 95% 10.15-17.84), alta no domiciliaria (OR 4.78, IC 95% 2.27-10.08), hipoalbuminemia (OR 1.66, IC 95% 1.27-2.18) y trastorno hemorrágico (OR 2.42, IC 95% 1.22-4.82).LIMITACIONES:Revisión retrospectiva de solo centros de alto volumen.CONCLUSIONES:Los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal que fueron hospitalizados antes de la operación, que tuvieron alta no domiciliaria y que se sometieron a cirugía rectal tuvieron las mayores probabilidades de prolongar la estancia postoperatoria. Las características asociadas de los pacientes incluyeron trastorno hemorrágico, hipoalbuminemia y clases ASA 3-5. El uso crónico de corticosteroides, inmunológicos, agentes de moléculas pequeñas y de agentes biológicos no fue significativo en el análisis multivariable. (Traducción-Dr. Jorge Silva Velazco ).

Risk of Gastrointestinal Infections After Initiating Vedolizumab and Anti-TNFα Agents for Ulcerative Colitis

GOALS

Characterize and compare the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and cytomegalovirus colitis (CMVC) after initiation of vedolizumab or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α agents for ulcerative colitis (UC).

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppression is a risk factor for gastrointestinal infections including CDI and CMVC among patients with UC; however, the risk according to the biological class is poorly understood.

STUDY

A retrospective cohort study of adults with UC involving the initiation of vedolizumab or anti-TNFα agents during June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2020 was conducted at a large academic health system. The primary outcomes for both CDI and CMVC analyses were first CDI or CMVC after biological initiation. The secondary outcome for the CDI analysis was severe CDI (>10,000 white blood cells or serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL). Independent variables included demographics and UC history/severity factors. Inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox regression was performed to assess the hazard of CDI by biological group. Due to few outcomes, CMVC was reported descriptively.

RESULTS

A total of 805 UC patients initiated vedolizumab (n=195) or anti-TNFα agents (n=610). There were 43 CDIs and 11 severe CDIs over 1436 patient-years. The inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox regression demonstrated no association between CDI and vedolizumab versus anti-TNFα (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.05-2.03), but identified a significantly lower hazard of severe CDI for vedolizumab versus anti-TNFα (hazard ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.76). There were 5 cases of CMVC, all in the anti-TNFα group.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a lower adjusted risk of severe CDI but not total CDI associated with vedolizumab. CMVC was not observed after initiating vedolizumab. These findings may provide reassurance regarding the use of vedolizumab when also considering the risk of gastrointestinal infections.

Crohn's Disease as a Possible Risk Factor for Failed Healing in Ileocolic Anastomoses

Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal resections is a serious complication in abdominal surgery. Especially in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), devastating courses are observed. Various risk factors for the failure of anastomotic healing have been identified; however, whether CD itself is independently associated with anastomotic complications still remains to be validated. A retrospective analysis of a single-institution inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) database was conducted. Only patients with elective surgery and ileocolic anastomoses were included. Patients with emergency surgery, more than one anastomosis, or protective ileostomies were excluded. For the investigation of the effect of CD on AL 141, patients with CD-type L1, B1-3 were compared to 141 patients with ileocolic anastomoses for other indications. Univariate statistics and multivariate analysis with logistic regression and backward stepwise elimination were performed. CD patients had a non-significant higher percentage of AL compared to non-IBD patients (12% vs. 5%, p = 0.053); although, the two samples differed in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and other clinical variables. However, Akaike information criterion (AIC)-based stepwise logistic regression identified CD as a factor for impaired anastomotic healing (final model: p = 0.027, OR: 17.043, CI: 1.703-257.992). Additionally, a CCI ≥ 2 (p = 0.010) and abscesses (p = 0.038) increased the disease risk. The alternative point estimate for CD as a risk factor for AL based on propensity score weighting also resulted in an increased risk, albeit lower (p = 0.005, OR 7.36, CI 1.82-29.71). CD might bear a disease-specific risk for the impaired healing of ileocolic anastomoses. CD patients are prone to postoperative complications, even in absence of other risk factors, and might benefit from treatment in dedicated centers.

Predicting inpatient mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A machine learning approach

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Data are lacking on predicting inpatient mortality (IM) in patients admitted for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IM is a critical outcome; however, difficulty in its prediction exists due to infrequent occurrence. We assessed IM predictors and developed a predictive model for IM using machine-learning (ML).

METHODS

Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2005-2017), we extracted adults admitted for IBD. After ML-guided predictor selection, we trained and internally validated multiple algorithms, targeting minimum sensitivity and positive likelihood ratio (+LR) ≥ 80% and ≥ 3, respectively. Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) compared algorithm performance. The best performing algorithm was additionally trained and validated for an IBD-related surgery sub-cohort. External validation was done using NIS 2018.

RESULTS

In 398 426 adult IBD admissions, IM was 0.32% overall, and 0.87% among the surgical cohort (n = 40 784). Increasing age, ulcerative colitis, IBD-related surgery, pneumonia, chronic lung disease, acute kidney injury, malnutrition, frailty, heart failure, blood transfusion, sepsis/septic shock and thromboembolism were associated with increased IM. The QLattice algorithm, provided the highest performance model (+LR: 3.2, 95% CI 3.0-3.3; area-under-curve [AUC]:0.87, 85% sensitivity, 73% specificity), distinguishing IM patients by 15.6-fold when comparing high to low-risk patients. The surgical cohort model (+LR: 8.5, AUC: 0.94, 85% sensitivity, 90% specificity), distinguished IM patients by 49-fold. Both models performed excellently in external validation. An online calculator (https://clinicalc.ai/im-ibd/) was developed allowing bedside model predictions.

CONCLUSIONS

An online prediction-model calculator captured > 80% IM cases during IBD-related admissions, with high discriminatory effectiveness. This allows for risk stratification and provides a basis for assessing interventions to reduce mortality in high-risk patients.

Understanding clinician connections to inform efforts to promote high-quality inflammatory bowel disease care

BACKGROUND

Highly connected individuals disseminate information effectively within their social network. To apply this concept to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care and lay the foundation for network interventions to disseminate high-quality treatment, we assessed the need for improving the IBD practices of highly connected clinicians. We aimed to examine whether highly connected clinicians who treat IBD patients were more likely to provide high-quality treatment than less connected clinicians.

METHODS

We used network analysis to examine connections among clinicians who shared patients with IBD in the Veterans Health Administration between 2015-2018. We created a network comprised of clinicians connected by shared patients. We quantified clinician connections using degree centrality (number of clinicians with whom a clinician shares patients), closeness centrality (reach via shared contacts to other clinicians), and betweenness centrality (degree to which a clinician connects clinicians not otherwise connected). Using weighted linear regression, we examined associations between each measure of connection and two IBD quality indicators: low prolonged steroids use, and high steroid-sparing therapy use.

RESULTS

We identified 62,971 patients with IBD and linked them to 1,655 gastroenterologists and 7,852 primary care providers. Clinicians with more connections (degree) were more likely to exhibit high-quality treatment (less prolonged steroids beta -0.0268, 95%CI -0.0427, -0.0110, more steroid-sparing therapy beta 0.0967, 95%CI 0.0128, 0.1805). Clinicians who connect otherwise unconnected clinicians (betweenness) displayed more prolonged steroids use (beta 0.0003, 95%CI 0.0001, 0.0006). The presence of variation is more relevant than its magnitude.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians with a high number of connections provided more high-quality IBD treatments than less connected clinicians, and may be well-positioned for interventions to disseminate high-quality IBD care. However, clinicians who connect clinicians who are otherwise unconnected are more likely to display low-quality IBD treatment. Efforts to improve their quality are needed prior to leveraging their position to disseminate high-quality care.

Impact of Cirrhosis on Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalizations

BACKGROUND

Evidence regarding outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hospitalizations with coexisting cirrhosis is scant. We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to evaluate the impact of cirrhosis on hospitalization characteristics and outcomes in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

All admissions that listed IBD as a primary diagnosis by ICD-10-CM code (K50.X for Crohn's disease and K51.X for ulcerative colitis) in the NIS for 2016 and 2017 were included. Attributes of admissions with cirrhosis (K74.XX, 70.3, 78.81, and 71.7) were compared with noncirrhosis IBD admissions. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Length of stay and total hospital charges comprised secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

A total weighted sample of 276,430 IBD admissions were identified, including 4615 with a concomitant diagnosis of cirrhosis. In a multivariate model, after adjusting for comorbidities, age, alimentary surgery during the admission and hospital type (teaching, urban nonteaching or rural), the presence of cirrhosis was associated with a higher inpatient mortality [odds ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-2.15] and increased cost of admission (mean difference $11,651; 95% CI: 3830-19,472). No difference was noted in length of stay (difference: 0.44 d; 95% CI: -0.12-1.02) among these groups. Among admission diagnoses, infectious complications were the primary cause of death in 93.3% (95% CI: 87.1%-99.5%) of all inpatient mortality in the IBD with cirrhosis cohort as compared with 80.1% (95% CI: 77.6%-82.7%) of the mortality among IBD patients without cirrhosis ( P =0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the presence of cirrhosis has an independent negative impact on outcomes for hospitalized patients with IBD as reflected by increased in-hospital mortality and higher cost of admission. A majority of the mortality was attributable to infections.

Interventions to Decrease Unplanned Healthcare Utilization and Improve Quality of Care in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care and outcomes exhibit substantial variability, suggesting quality gaps. We aimed to identify interventions to narrow these gaps.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of Medline, Embase, and Web of Science through May 2021 to find manuscripts and abstracts reporting quality improvement (QI) interventions in IBD. We included studies with interventions that addressed acute care utilization, vaccination, or Crohn's and Colitis Foundation quality indicators for care processes, including pre-therapy testing, tobacco cessation, colorectal cancer surveillance, Clostridium difficile infection screening in flares, sigmoidoscopy in patients hospitalized with ulcerative colitis, and use of steroid-sparing therapy. The primary objective was to identify successful QI interventions. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist.

RESULTS

Twenty-three manuscripts and 23 meeting abstracts met inclusion criteria. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination were the most studied indicators (24 references), followed by emergency room and/or hospital utilization, tobacco cessation, and pre-therapy testing (17, 11, and 10 references, respectively). Electronic medical record-based interventions were the most frequent, whereas other initiatives used strategies that included changes to care structure or delivery, vaccination protocols, or physician and patient education. Successful interventions matched the complexity of the metric to the intervention including making changes to care structure or delivery, empowered non-physician staff, and used electronic medical record changes to prompt clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of IBD care can be improved with diverse interventions that range from simple to complex. However, these interventions are not universally successful. Clinicians should emulate successful interventions and design new initiatives to narrow gaps in care quality.

Outcomes during delivery hospitalisations with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

To characterise inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) trends and associated risk during delivery hospitalisations.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

US delivery hospitalisations.

POPULATION

Delivery hospitalisations in the 2000-2018 National Inpatient Sample.

METHODS

This study analysed a nationally representative hospital discharge database based on the presence of IBD. Temporal trends in IBD were analysed using joinpoint regression to estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC). IBD severity was characterised by the presence of diagnoses such as penetrating and stricturing disease and history of bowel resection. Risks for adverse outcomes were analysed based on presence of IBD. Poisson regression models were performed with unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (aRR) as measures of effect.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Prevalence of IBD and associated adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 73 109 790 delivery hospitalisations, 89 965 had a diagnosis of IBD. IBD rose from 0.06% in 2000 to 0.21% in 2018 (AAPC 7.3%, 95% CI 6.7-7.9%). Among deliveries with IBD, IBD severity diagnoses increased from 4.1% to 8.1% from 2000 to 2018. In adjusted analysis, IBD was associated with increased risk for preterm delivery (aRR 1.50, 95% CI 1.47-1.53), severe maternal morbidity (aRR 1.93, 95% CI 1.83-2.04), venous thrombo-embolism (aRR 2.76, 95% CI 2.39-3.18) and surgical injury during caesarean delivery hospitalisation (aRR 5.03, 95% CI 4.76-5.31). In the presence of a severe IBD diagnosis, risk was further increased for all adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

IBD is increasing in the obstetric population and is associated with adverse outcomes. Risk is increased in the presence of a severe IBD diagnosis.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Deliveries among women with inflammatory bowel disease are increasing. Disease severity is associated with adverse outcomes.

Hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality for inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with complications, frequent hospitalizations, surgery and death. The introduction of biologic drugs into the therapeutic arsenal in the last two decades, combined with an expansion of immunosuppressant therapy, has changed IBD management and may have altered the profile of hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality (IHM) due to IBD.

AIM

To describe hospitalizations from 2008 to 2018 and to analyze IHM from 1998 to 2017 for IBD in Brazil.

METHODS

This observational, retrospective, ecological study used secondary data on hospitalizations for IBD in Brazil for 2008-2018 to describe hospitalizations and for 1998-2017 to analyze IHM. Hospitalization data were obtained from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System and population data from demographic censuses. The following variables were analyzed: Number of deaths and hospitalizations, length of hospital stay, financial costs of hospitalization, sex, age, ethnicity and type of hospital admission.

RESULTS

There was a reduction in the number of IBD hospitalizations, from 6975 admissions in 1998 to 4113 in 2017 (trend: y = -0.1682x + 342.8; R² = 0.8197; P < 0.0001). The hospitalization rate also decreased, from 3.60/100000 in 2000 to 2.17 in 2010. IHM rates varied during the 20-year period, between 2.06 in 2017 and 3.64 in 2007, and did not follow a linear trend (y = -0.0005049x + 2.617; R² = 0,00006; P = 0.9741). IHM rates also varied between regions, increasing in all but the southeast, which showed a decreasing trend (y = -0.1122x + 4.427; R² = 0,728; P < 0.0001). The Southeast region accounted for 44.29% of all hospitalizations. The Northeast region had the highest IHM rate (2.86 deaths/100 admissions), with an increasing trend (y = 0.1105x + 1.110; R² = 0.6265; P < 0.0001), but the lowest hospitalization rate (1.15). The Midwest and South regions had the highest hospitalization rates (3.27 and 3.17, respectively). A higher IHM rate was observed for nonelective admissions (2.88), which accounted for 81% of IBD hospitalizations. The total cost of IBD hospitalizations in 2017 exhibited an increase of 37.5% compared to 2008.

CONCLUSION

There has been a notable reduction in the number of hospitalizations for IBD in Brazil over 20 years. IHM rates varied and did not follow a linear trend.

High Rates of Mortality in Geriatric Patients Admitted for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management

GOAL

The goal of this study was to evaluate the inpatient mortality risk among geriatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

BACKGROUND

The challenges of caring for elderly patients with IBD will increase with the aging of the US population. Given the complications of hospitalization, we set to examine if elderly patients age older than 65 were at higher risk of mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2016 and 2017 as the primary diagnosis or secondary diagnosis with an IBD-related cause of admission were included. Outcomes for patients aged above 65 were compared with below 65 using multivariable survey-adjusted regression. CD and UC were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

In 2016-2017, there were an estimated 162,800 admissions for CD and related complications compared with 96,450 for UC. In total, 30% of UC and 20% of CD admissions were geriatric. Geriatric status was associated with higher odds of mortality for CD [odds ratio (OR)=3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.72-4.44] and UC (OR=2.75, 95% CI: 2.16-3.49) after adjustment for comorbidities, admission type, hospital type, inpatient surgery, and IBD subtype. The cause of death was ∼80% infectious in both CD and UC in all groups. An average of 0.19 days (95% CI: 0.05-0.34) and $2467 (95% CI: 545-4388) increase was seen for geriatric CD patients. No significant change was seen for UC.

CONCLUSIONS

Age over 65 was independently associated with higher odds of death in both UC and CD patients, even after appropriate adjustment. Further research is needed to optimize care for this growing patient population.

Implementation of an Inpatient IBD Service Is Associated with Improvement in Quality of Care and Long-Term Outcomes

BACKGROUND

There is wide variation in the quality of care of hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Prior studies have demonstrated that a specialized inpatient IBD service improves short-term outcomes. In this study, we assessed the impact of a dedicated IBD service on the quality of care and long-term outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included adult patients admitted for a complication of IBD between March 2017 and February 2019 to a tertiary referral center. In March 2018, a dedicated inpatient IBD service co-managed by IBD gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons was implemented. Quality of care outcomes included C. difficile stool testing, confirmed VTE prophylaxis administration and opiate avoidance. Long-term outcomes were clinical remission, IBD-related surgery, ED visits, and hospital readmissions at 90 days and 12 months.

RESULTS

In total, 143 patients were included; 66 pre- and 77 post-implementation of the IBD service. Fifty-two percent had ulcerative colitis and 48% had Crohn's disease. After implementation, there was improvement in C.difficile testing (90% vs. 76%, P = 0.04), early VTE prophylaxis (92% vs. 77%, P = 0.01) and decreases in narcotic use (14% vs. 30%, P = 0.02), IBD-related ED visits at 90 days (7% vs 18%, P = 0.03) and 12 months (16% vs 30%, P = 0.04), and IBD readmissions at 90 days (16% vs. 30%, P = 0.04). There were no differences in rates of clinical remission or surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The creation of a dedicated inpatient IBD service improved quality of IBD care and reduced post-discharge ED visits and readmissions and broader implementation of this strategy may help optimize care of hospitalized IBD patients.

The Revival of Surgery in Crohn's Disease-Early Intestinal Resection as a Reasonable Alternative in Localized Ileitis

Crohn's disease (CD) represents a heterogeneous and complex disease with no curative therapeutic option available to date. Current therapy is mainly antibody-based focusing on the immune system while other treatment alternatives such as surgery are considered to be "last options". However, medical therapy for CD results in mild to severe side effects in a relevant amount of patients and some patients do not respond to the medication. Following that, quality of life is often significantly reduced in this patient cohort, thus, therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. Updated evidence has revealed that surgery such as ileocecal resection (ICR) might be a potential therapeutic option in case of localized terminal ileitis since resection at early time points improves quality of life and significantly reduces the postoperative need for immunosuppressive medication with low rates of morbidity. In addition, new surgical approaches such as Kono-S anastomosis or inclusion of the mesentery result in significantly reduced rates of disease recurrence and reoperation. Based on the new evidence, the goal of this review is to provide an update on the role of surgery as a reasonable alternative to medical therapy in the interdisciplinary treatment of patients with CD.

Role of hospitalization for inflammatory bowel disease in the post-biologic era

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often requires specialized care. While much of IBD care has shifted to the outpatient setting, hospitalizations remain a major site of healthcare utilization and a sizable proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease require hospitalization or surgery during their lifetime. In this review, we approach IBD care from the population-level with a specific focus on hospitalization for IBD, including the shifts from inpatient to outpatient care, the balance of emergency and elective hospitalizations, regionalization of specialty IBD care, and contribution of surgery and endoscopy to hospitalized care.

Rising Rate of Obesity in Patients Admitted for Crohn's Disease Increases Costs But Not Mortality

GOAL

The goal of this study was to compare outcomes and trends for inpatients with Crohn's disease (CD) and obesity.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a growing concern in the United States. Current data on the effect of obesity on the course of the CD are conflicted.

METHODS

Data from the 2016 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample were compared for obese, normal weight, and malnourished patients. After adjustment for comorbidities, demographics and disease type/inpatient surgery, outcomes including mortality, length of stay, hospitalization charges, and rates of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in obese and malnourished patients were compared with those with normal body mass index using multivariable regression. For trend analysis, rates of obesity were compared from 2002 to 2017.

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with CD and obesity increased from 1.8% in 2002 to 9.5% in 2017 (0.5% per year, P<0.001). Rates of death were similar in obese versus normal-weight CD patients [odds ratio (OR)=1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-1.73, P=0.288]. In contrast, obese CD patients had increased length of stay (1.0 d, 95% CI: 0.81-1.26, P<0.001), cost ($8323, 95% CI: 5565-11,082, P<0.001), and DVT rate (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.13-2.46, P=0.01). Malnourished CD patients had OR for death of 2.15 (95% CI: 1.71-2.70, P<0.001) compared with normal-weight cohort. Similarly, length of stay, cost, and DVT rate were all increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of hospitalized CD patients with obesity are increasing. Patients with obesity and CD have increased length of stay and costs, with no mortality difference. Malnourished CD patients continue to have higher mortality, length of stay, and cost. Obesity is a risk factor for adverse hospitalization outcomes.

Medical therapy versus surgery in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the colon from rectum to caecum, is characterized by periods of increased bowel movements, blood in feces, rectal urgency, tenesmus, and abdominal pain, with periods of remission and flares of disease, which negatively impact quality of life. A number of therapeutic options are available for patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, however, no clear treatment algorithm exists. Therapeutic goals include short-term benefits for patients (i.e., the reduction/absence of symptoms, essentially stool frequency and rectal bleeding) and long-term benefits (i.e., sustained clinical remission, steroid-free remission, and mucosal healing). Therapies currently approved and available for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis include monoclonal antibodies such as those targeting anti-tumor necrosis factor α (i.e., infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab), anti-adhesion molecules (i.e., vedolizumab), anti-interleukin 12/23 agents (i.e., ustekinumab), and Janus Kinase inhibitors (i.e., tofacitinib). Surgical approaches should also be considered in patients refractory to medical therapy or with complications (including toxic megacolon or colonic dysplasia/cancer). This review provides an overview of currently available treatment options for patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and summarizes factors that should be considered during the therapeutic decision.

National variations in perioperative assessment and surgical management of Crohn's disease: a multicentre study

AIM

Crohn's disease (CD) requires a multidisciplinary approach and surgery should be undertaken by dedicated colorectal surgeons with audited outcomes. We present a national, multicentre study, with the aim to collect benchmark data on key performance indicators in CD surgery, to highlight areas where standards of CD surgery excel and to facilitate targeted quality improvement where indicated.

METHODS

All patients undergoing ileocaecal or redo ileocolic resection in the participating centres for primary and recurrent CD from June 2018 to May 2019 were included. The main objective was to collect national data on hospital volume and practice variations. Postoperative morbidity was the primary outcome. Laparoscopic surgery and stoma rate were the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

In all, 715 patients were included: 457 primary CD and 258 recurrent CD with a postoperative morbidity of 21.6% and 34.7%, respectively. Laparoscopy was used in 83.8% of primary CD compared to 31% of recurrent CD. Twenty-five hospitals participated and the total number of patients per hospital ranged from 2 to 169. Hospitals performing more than 10 primary CD procedures per year showed a higher adoption of laparoscopy and bowel sparing surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant heterogeneity in the number of CD surgeries performed per year nationally in Italy. Our data suggest that high-volume hospitals perform more complex procedures, with a higher adoption of bowel sparing surgery. The rate of laparoscopy in high-volume hospitals is higher for primary CD but not for recurrent CD compared with low-volume hospitals.

Exposure to Intravenous Opioids Is Associated With Future Exposure to Opioids in Hospitalized Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Opioid use is associated with increased mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Hospitalized patients with IBD often receive high-potency intravenous opioids (IVOPIs). It is not known whether exposure to IVOPIs affects post-discharge opioid use or complications. We investigated the association between inpatient administration of IVOPIs and a post-discharge opioid prescription (OPIRx) in patients with IBD.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 862 adults with IBD hospitalized at a large urban academic health system from March 1, 2017 through April 10, 2018. We collected clinical data from the electronic health records and used multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression to assess the association between inpatient opioid exposure and OPIRx-within 12 months while adjusting for confounders. IV and non-IVOPI exposures were evaluated as binary variables. IVOPI exposure was also evaluated as a continuous variable in IV morphine mg equivalents/length of stay (IVMMEs/day).

RESULTS

Multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression demonstrated a significant association between IVOPIs and OPIRx (IV vs no IVOPIs odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95% CI, 1.7-6.4 and IVMMEs/day OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.1). Subgroup analysis of patients with IBD flares (n = 621) identified a significant association between IVOPIs and OPIRx (IV vs no IVOPIs OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.6-11.0). Among patients who did not receive IVOPIs, there was a significant association between oral/transdermal opioids and OPIRx (non-IVOPIs vs no opioids OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.0-16.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Inpatient IV and non-IV opioid use are associated with post-discharge opioid exposure in patients with IBD, with a dose-dependent effect. Alternative analgesics should be considered for hospitalized patients with IBD, to minimize risk of future opioid use.

A Multimodal Intervention Using Nonopioid Analgesics Is Associated With Reduced Intravenous Opioid Exposure Among Hospitalized Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

INTRODUCTION

Opioid use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with increased mortality. Previous interventions targeting reduced intravenous opioid (IVOPI) exposure for all patients admitted to a general medical unit have decreased total opioid use without compromising pain control. We therefore performed a prospective evaluation of a multimodal intervention encouraging the use of nonopioid alternatives to reduce IVOPI exposure among patients with IBD hospitalized at our institution.

METHODS

This was a prospective evaluation of a multimodal intervention to reduce IVOPI use among patients with IBD aged ≥18 years admitted to a general medical unit at a large urban academic medical center from January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019. Intravenous and total (all routes) opioid exposures were measured as proportions and intravenous morphine milligram equivalents/patient day and compared with preintervention (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018) data. Hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rates (RRs), and pain scores (1-10 scale) were also assessed.

RESULTS

Our study involved 345 patients with IBD with similar baseline characteristics in preintervention (n = 241) and intervention (n = 104) periods. Between study periods, we observed a significant reduction in the proportion of patients receiving IVOPIs (43.6% vs 30.8%, P = 0.03) and total opioid dose exposure (15.6 vs 8.5 intravenous morphine mg equivalents/d, P = 0.02). We observed similar mean pain scores (3.9 vs 3.7, P = 0.55) and significantly reduced mean LOS (7.2 vs 5.3 days, P = 0.03) and 30-day RRs (21.6% vs 11.5%, P = 0.03).

DISCUSSION

A multimodal intervention was associated with reduced opioid exposure, LOS, and 30-day RRs for hospitalized patients with IBD. Additional research is needed to determine long-term benefits of reduced opioid exposure in this population.

Race/Ethnicity-specific Disparities in In-Hospital Mortality and Hospital Charges Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease-related Hospitalizations in the United States

GOAL

The goal of this study was to evaluate disparities in hospital outcomes among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) related hospitalizations in the United States with a focus on ethnicity-specific disparities.

BACKGROUND

IBD-related hospitalizations contribute to significant morbidity and health care economic burden.

METHODS

IBD-related hospitalizations (identified with ICD-9) among US adults were evaluated using 2007 to 2013 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. In-hospital mortality between groups was evaluated using χ and multivariate logistic regression models, stratified by Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Inflation-adjusted total hospitalization charges were evaluated using Student t test and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

Among 224,500 IBD-related hospitalizations (77.8% CD, 22.2% UC), overall in-hospital mortality was low (0.99% CD, 0.78% UC). Although Hispanic UC patients had a trend towards higher odds of in-hospital mortality compared with non-Hispanic whites (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.95-2.51; P=0.08), no ethnicity-specific disparities were observed in CD. From 2007 to 2013, mean inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges increased from $29,632 to $41,484, P<0.01 in CD and from $31,449 to $43,128 in UC, P<0.01. On multivariate regression, hospitalization charges in Hispanic CD patients were $9302 higher (95% CI, 7910-10,694; P<0.01) and in Asian CD patients were $7665 higher (95% CI, 4859-10,451; P<0.001) than non-Hispanic whites. Compared with non-Hispanic white UC patients, Hispanics had $6910 (95% CI, $4623-$9197) higher charges and African Americans had $3551 lower charges (95% CI, -$5002 to -$2101).

CONCLUSIONS

Although most IBD hospitalizations in the United States were among non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic patients with IBD had a trend towards higher in-hospital mortality and contributed to significantly higher hospitalization charges.

Predictors of complications from stoma closure in elective colorectal surgery: an assessment from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACSNSQIP)

BACKGROUND

There is significant morbidity after diverting ileostomy closure, so identifying predictors of complications could be of great benefit. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative morbidity after elective ileostomy closure.

METHODS

The ACS-NSQIP dataset was evaluated for elective ileostomy closures from 1/1/2015 to 12/31/2016. Demographic characteristics, operative, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. The primary outcome was 30-day major morbidity (Clavien class III and greater). Secondary outcomes were rates and predictors of major morbidity, superficial site infection (SSI), reoperation, and readmission from multivariate logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

We retrospectively evaluated 1885 patients. The median operative time was 65 (IQR 50-90) minutes and median length of stay was 3 (IQR 2-5) days. Major morbidity was recorded in 6.7%, including mortality (1.0%), deep/organ space SSI (2.6%), dehiscence (0.8%), reintubation (0.5%), sepsis (1.7%), septic shock (0.8%), and reoperation (3.7%). Readmission was recorded in 9.7% and 6.2% had SSI. Multivariate logistic regression showed male sex (OR 1.584; 95% CI 1.068-2.347; p = 0.022) and longer operative time (OR 1.004; 95% CI 1.001-1.007; p = 0.009) were among those variables associated with increased odds of major morbidity. Dyspnea (OR 2.431; 95% CI 1.139-5.094; p = 0.021) and longer operative time (OR 1.003; 95% CI 1.001-1.007; p = 0.034) were among the independent risk factors for SSI. Male sex (OR 2.246; 95% CI 1.297-3.892; p = 0.004, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 2.959; 95% CI 1.153-7.591; p = 0.024), and longer operative time (OR 1.005; 95% CI 1.001-1.009; p = 0.011) were associated with increased odds of reoperation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 2.578; 95% CI 1.338-4.968; p = 0.005), wound infection (OR 2.680; 95% CI 1.043-6.890; p = 0.041), and inflammatory bowel disease (OR 2.565; 95% CI 1.203-5.463; p = 0.015) were associated with increased odds of readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Elective stoma closure has significant risk of morbidity. Patients with longer operative times were at increased risk for major morbidity, overall SSI, and reoperation. From the analysis, factors specifically associated with major morbidity, overall infectious complications, readmissions, and reoperations were identified. This information can be used to prospectively prepare for these high-risk patients, potentially improving postoperative outcomes.

Opioid Use Disorder Increases 30-Day Readmission Risk in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalizations: a Nationwide Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The opioid epidemic has become increasingly concerning, with the ever-increasing prescribing of opioid medications in recent years, especially in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients with chronic pain. We aimed to isolate the effect of opioid use disorder [OUD] on 30-day readmission risk after an IBD-related hospitalization.

METHODS

We retrospectively extracted IBD-related adult hospitalizations and 30-day, any-cause, readmissions from the National Readmissions Database [period 2010-2014]. OUD and 30-day readmission trends were calculated. Conventional and exact-matched [EM] logistic regression and time-to-event analyses were conducted among patients who did not undergo surgery during the index hospitalization, to estimate the effect of OUD on 30-day readmission risk.

RESULTS

In total, 487 728 cases were identified: 6633 [1.4%] had documented OUD And 308 845 patients [63.3%] had Crohn's disease. Mean age was 44.8 ± 0.1 years, and 54.3% were women. Overall, 30-day readmission rate was 19.4% [n = 94,546], being higher in OUD patients [32.6% vs 19.2%; p < 0.001]. OUD cases have been increasing [1.1% to 1.7%; p-trend < 0.001], while 30-day readmission rates were stable [p-trend = 0.191]. In time-to-event EM analysis, OUD patients were 47% more likely (hazard ratio 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.28-1.69; p < 0.001) to be readmitted, on average being readmitted 32% earlier [time ratio 0.68; 95% CI: 0.59-0.78; p < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

OUD prevalence has been increasing in hospitalized IBD patients from 2010 to 2014. On average, one in five patients will be readmitted within 30 days, with up to one in three among the OUD subgroup. OUD is significantly associated with increased 30-day readmission risk in IBD patients and further measures relating to closer post-discharge outpatient follow-up and pain management should be considered to minimize 30-day readmission risk.

Preadmission Cannabis Use Is Positively Correlated With Inpatient Opioid Dose Exposure in Hospitalized Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

BACKGROUND

Opioid use is associated with excess mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent data have highlighted that inpatient opioid exposure is associated with postdischarge opioid use in this population. It is unknown if preadmission use of cannabis, which is commonly used for symptom relief among patients with IBD, increases the risk for inpatient opioid exposure when patients lack access to cannabis for symptom management. We sought to determine the association between preadmission cannabis use and inpatient opioid exposure while adjusting for relevant confounders.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized for IBD within a large academic health system from March 1, 2017, to April 10, 2018. Opioid exposure was calculated by converting the sum of administered opioid doses to intravenous morphine milligram equivalents and dividing by length of stay. We used multivariable linear regression to assess the association between cannabis use and inpatient opioid exposure while adjusting for confounders including IBD severity and preadmission opioid use.

RESULTS

Our study included 423 IBD patients. Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between inpatient opioid exposure (intravenous morphine milligram equivalents divided by length of stay) and preadmission cannabis use (coefficient = 12.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-21.5). Other significantly associated variables were first patient-reported pain score (coefficient = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0) and preadmission opioid use (coefficient = 22.3; 95% CI, 17.0-27.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis use is positively correlated with inpatient opioid exposure after controlling for confounders. A personalized pain management approach should be considered to limit inpatient and possibly future opioid exposure among hospitalized patients with IBD who use cannabis.

Effect of distance to specialist care for the diagnosis and disease outcome of inflammatory bowel disease in the Swiss inflammatory bowel disease cohort study

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) needs early interventions and an individual specialist-patient relationship. Distance from a tertiary IBD center might affect patient's disease course and outcome. We investigated whether the patient-to-specialist distance has an impact on the disease course using the well-defined patient collective of the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study (SIBDCS).

METHODS

Patient's home address at diagnosis (postal zip code) was extracted from the SIBDCS database. Distance between each zip code and the nearest located IBD specialist center was calculated and classified into the following three sections based on proximity: <10 km (group 1); 10-35 km (group 2); >35 km (group 3).

RESULTS

Our study included in total 408 IBD patients [234 Crohn's disease (CD), 154 ulcerative colitis (UC), 20 IBD unclassified (IBDU)]. Median age was lowest in group 2 at diagnosis (G1: 28 years; G2: 21 years, G3: 26 years, p < 0.01). The diagnostic delay did not differ between groups. CD patients in group 1 were treated more often with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents (72% versus 56%, p = 0.04) and 5-aminosalicylates (44% versus 28%, p = 0.04) than in group 3. UC/IBDU patients in group 1 were treated more often with corticosteroids than patients in group 3 (83% versus 58%, p < 0.01). The occurrence of IBD-related surgeries did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-to-specialist distance might affect drug treatment. However, disease course and the need for IBD-related surgery does not seem to be associated with a longer distance to specialist care in Switzerland.

Weekend Surgical Admissions of Pediatric IBD Patients Have a Higher Risk of Complication in Hospitals Across the US

BACKGROUND

Weekend surgical admissions to the hospital are associated with worse clinical outcomes when compared with weekday admissions. We aimed to evaluate the association of weekend admission and in-hospital complications for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hospitalizations requiring urgent abdominal surgery.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of pediatric (18 years old and younger) IBD hospitalizations between 1997 and 2016 using the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), a nationally representative database of pediatric hospitalizations. We included discharges with a diagnosis code for Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) undergoing a surgical procedure within 48 hours of admission. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association of weekend admission and complications, controlling for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Our study included a total of 3255 urgent surgical hospitalizations, representing 4950 hospitalizations nationwide. The risk difference for weekend CD surgical hospitalizations involving a complication vs weekday hospitalizations was 4%. Adjusted analysis demonstrated a 30% increased risk for complications associated with weekend CD hospitalizations compared with weekday hospitalizations (OR 1.3, 95% CI, 1.0-1.7). The risk difference for weekend UC hospitalizations involving a complication compared with the weekday hospitalizations was 7%. Adjusted analysis demonstrated a 70% increased risk of complication for UC weekend surgical hospitalizations compared with weekday hospitalizations (OR 1.7, 95% CI, 1.2-2.3).

CONCLUSION

Pediatric IBD hospitalizations involving urgent surgical procedures have higher rates of complications when admitted on the weekend vs the weekday. The outcome disparity requires further health services research and quality improvement initiatives to identify contributing factors and improve surgical outcomes.

Reducing Perioperative Risks of Surgery in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Approximately one-third of all patients suffering from Crohn's disease (CD) undergo surgery within the first 10 years after diagnosis and another 20% will have a second operation in the 10 years after their first operation. Surgery will remain an essential part of managing CD and therefore it is crucial to prevent perioperative complications by optimizing perioperative management.

METHODS

We reviewed the current literature on managing immunomodulating therapy, nutritional support, and thromboembolic prophylaxis in the perioperative situation.

RESULTS

CD patients with serious nutritional deficits (weight loss >10% in the last 3-6 months, body mass index <18.5 kg/m2, or albumin levels <30 g/L) benefit from intensive enteral or parenteral nutritional support, thereby reducing the risk of surgical-site infections and post-operative septic complications. Immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone doses >20 mg should be avoided. The risk of therapy with anti-TNFα agents, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab for surgical complications has not been fully established. Analysis of currently available data suggests that an interval of 4-8 weeks is prudent to avoid complications and reduce risk by performing protective ostomy in the emergency setting. Finally, due to the high risk of venous thromboembolism, prophylactic therapy with heparin is recommended.

CONCLUSION

As most cases of CD-related surgery are performed in a non-emergency setting, careful planning and risk management can reduce the rate of surgical complications, increase quality of life, and also reduce costs.

Patients Who Undergo Colectomy for Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis at Low-Volume Hospitals Have More Complications

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Adults with ulcerative colitis (UC) who undergo colectomy at high-volume centers have better outcomes and fewer complications than those at low-volume centers. We aimed to evaluate the hospital volume of total abdominal colectomy (TAC) for pediatric patients with UC and explore time trends in the proportion of colectomies performed at high-volume centers. We then evaluated the association between hospital colectomy volume and complications.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of pediatric patients (age, ≤18 y) hospitalized for UC using the Kids' Inpatient Database, a nationally representative database of pediatric hospitalizations. We identified UC hospitalizations with a procedural code (International Classification of Diseases, 9th or 10th revision) for TAC from 1997 through 2016. We defined complications using diagnosis codes adapted from published algorithms. We defined high-volume as hospitals that performed 10 or more TACs annually. We used multivariate statistics to evaluate the association between hospital volume and in-hospital complications.

RESULTS

A total of 1453 hospitalizations of children with UC included a TAC (2306 colectomies nationwide). A total of 766 hospitals performed 1 or more annual colectomies and only 36 (4.7%) were high-volume hospitals, accounting for 21% of colectomies. The proportion of colectomies at high-volume hospitals decreased over time. The absolute risk of complication was 16% at high-volume centers compared with 22% at low-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9). The effect of annual TAC volume on complication risk was not statistically significant for nonemergent admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with UC who undergo colectomy at high-volume centers have fewer complications. However, only a small proportion of pediatric colectomies (<5%) are performed at high-volume centers.

Hospitalization Outcomes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Teaching vs Nonteaching Hospitals

BACKGROUND

Hospitalizations contribute significantly to the annual health care expenditure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and reducing cost of care without compromising outcomes is a rising priority. Teaching hospitals (THs) have higher costs and utilize trainees in care to a greater extent than community hospitals, and it is unknown how hospital teaching status (HTS) affects outcomes. We therefore sought to investigate the impact of HTS on IBD hospitalization outcomes.

METHODS

We used the Vizient clinical database to identify patients hospitalized between October 1, 2014, and March 31, 2018, for IBD. Vizient hospitals were divided into major THs, minor THs, and non-THs. We used multivariable linear regression of aggregated discharge data to assess the association of HTS with mean length of stay (LOS), mean direct cost (DC), 30-day readmission rate (RR), and in-hospital mortality rate (MR), while adjusting for demographics and disease complexity.

RESULTS

Vizient included 29,863 discharges among 291 hospitals for ulcerative colitis (UC) and 62,698 discharges among 314 hospitals for Crohn's disease (CD) between October 1, 2014, and March 31, 2018. Unadjusted mean LOS, mean DC, and 30-day RR were greater among THs for both UC and CD. Unadjusted MR was greater among major THs for UC but not CD. After multivariable analysis, only 30-day RR for UC was increased in major THs relative to non-THs (1.98%; 95% confidence interval, 0.33%-3.61%).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in metrics of cost-effective hospital care for patients with IBD appear to be driven by disease severity rather than HTS. Future research should attempt to better characterize factors driving resource utilization for IBD hospitalizations.

Depression Predicts Prolonged Length of Hospital Stay in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE

Few studies report the impact of depression on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related hospitalizations. We evaluated the association between depression and pediatric IBD-related hospitalizations. Our primary aim was to test the hypothesis that depression is associated with hospital length of stay (LOS); our secondary goal was to evaluate if patients with depression are at higher risk for undergoing additional imaging and procedures.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the 2012 Kids Inpatient Database (KID), the largest nationally representative publicly available all-payer pediatric inpatient cross-sectional database in the United States. Hospitalizations for patients less than 21 years with a primary diagnosis Crohn disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) by ICD-9 code were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict long LOS controlling for patient- and hospital-level variables and for potential disease confounders.

RESULTS

For primary IBD-related hospitalizations (N = 8222), depression was associated with prolonged LOS (odds ratio [OR] 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.90) and total parenteral nutrition use (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.04-2.27). Depression was not associated with increased likelihood of surgery (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.72-1.30), endoscopy (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.74-1.14), blood transfusion (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.58-1.23), or abdominal imaging (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.53-2.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Depression is associated with prolonged LOS in pediatric patients with IBD, even when controlling for gastrointestinal disease severity. Future research evaluating the efficacy of standardized depression screening and early intervention may be beneficial to improving inpatient outcomes in this population.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Training During Adult Gastroenterology Residency: A National Survey of Canadian Program Directors and Trainees

Background

Clinical training in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a mandated component of adult gastroenterology fellowship. This study aims to assess methods of instruction in IBD and identify priorities and gaps in IBD clinical training among residents and program directors (PDs).

Methods

Using both an online and in-person platform, we administered a 15-question PD survey and 19-question trainee survey that assessed the methods of IBD teaching and trainee perceptions of knowledge transfer of 22 IBD topics. The survey was previously developed and administered to US gastroenterology trainees and PDs.

Results

Surveys were completed by 9 of 14 (62.3%) PDs and 44 of 62 (71%) trainees. Both trainee years were equally represented (22 residents in each year of training). All respondents were based at university teaching hospitals with full-time IBD faculty on staff. Dedicated IBD rotations were not offered by more than half of training programs, and IBD exposure was most commonly encountered during inpatient rotations. Overall, only 14 (31.2%) trainees were fully satisfied with the level of IBD exposure during their training. Thirty-six (81.8%) trainees reported being comfortable with inpatient IBD management, whereas only 23 (52.3%) trainees reported being comfortable with outpatient IBD management. There was strong concordance between the proportion of PDs ranking an IBD topic as essential and trainee comfort in that area (Pearson’s rho 0.59; P=0.004). Fewer than half of trainees reported comfort in 11 of 22 (50%) proposed IBD topics. Identified areas of deficiency included phenotypic and endoscopic classification of IBD, inpatient management of severe active IBD, perianal disease management, monitoring biologic therapy and extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD.

Conclusions

Only one-third of Canadian gastroenterology trainees are fully satisfied with the level of IBD exposure under the current training model. Furthermore, several IBD topics appear to be inadequately covered during training. Our findings, which are similar to previously published US data, highlight the need for additional focus on IBD during gastroenterology residency.

Value-Based Health Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with significant resource utilization and health care burden. It is emerging as a global disease affecting an increasing proportion of the population. Along with evolving epidemiological trends, the paradigm of managing IBD has also changed. With a burgeoning repertoire of therapeutic options, improved use of health informatics, and emphasis on health care value, the treatment paradigm for IBD has experienced seismic shifts. In this review, we focused on value-based health care (VBHC)-a health care model that emphasizes monitoring outcomes to emphasize patient-centered, cost-effective IBD patient care. Several quality initiatives have been developed worldwide, and successful models of care were created for proper implementation of these initiatives. Although there are significant challenges to scale these models to a national level, it is still possible to successfully implement VBHC models within health systems to improve the quality of care provided to patients with IBD.

Thrombotic and Infectious Risks of Parenteral Nutrition in Hospitalized Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), requiring timely and sufficient nutritional supplementation. In patients hospitalized for active disease, symptoms and/or altered intestinal function hinder enteral nutrition feasibility. In this scenario, parenteral nutrition (PN) is used. We aimed (1) to assess the frequency of PN use between 1997 and 2012 among hospitalized pediatric patients with IBD, (2) to determine the risk of in-hospital thrombus and infection associated with PN, and (3) to identify predictors of thrombus and infection in pediatric IBD hospitalizations utilizing PN.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of pediatric patients hospitalized between 1997 and 2012. We used the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) to identify pediatric patients (≤18 years of age) with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), PN exposure, and primary outcomes including thrombus and infection. We used multivariable regression to identify risk factors for outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

Parenteral nutrition was utilized in 3732 (12%) of 30,914 IBD hospitalizations. Three percent of PN patients experienced a thrombotic complication, and 5.5% experienced an infectious complication. Multivariate analysis showed PN as an independent risk factor for thrombus (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2-5.6) and infection (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 3.1-4.6). Surgery was an independent risk factor for thrombus (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-2.7) and infection (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 2.0-3.1) in hospitalizations exposed to PN.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalized pediatric IBD patients, particularly surgical, receiving PN are at increased risk for thrombosis and infection. Clinicians must balance these risks with the benefits of PN.

Fragmented Care is Prevalent Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Readmissions and is Associated With Worse Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex chronic disease that often requires a multispeciality approach; thus, IBD patients are prone to care fragmentation. We aim to determine the prevalence of fragmentation among hospitalized IBD patients and identify associated predictors and visit-level outcomes.

METHODS

The State Inpatient Databases for New York and Florida were used to identify 90-day readmissions among IBD inpatients from 2009 to 2013. The prevalence of fragmentation, defined as a readmission to a non-index hospital, was reported. Characteristics associated with fragmented care were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Multivariable models were utilized to determine the association between fragmentation and outcomes (in-hospital mortality, readmission length of stay, and inpatient colonoscopy).

RESULTS

Among IBD inpatients, 25,241 and 29,033 90-day readmission visits were identified, in New York and Florida, respectively. The prevalence of fragmentation was 26.4% in New York and 32.5% in Florida. Younger age, a non-emergent admission type, public payer or uninsured status, mood disorder, and substance abuse were associated with fragmented care, while female gender and a primary diagnosis of an IBD-related complication had an inverse association. Fragmented inpatient care is associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital death, higher rates of inpatient colonoscopy, and a longer readmission length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Over one in four IBD inpatient readmissions are fragmented. Disparities and differences in fragmentation exist and contribute to poor patient outcomes. Additional efforts targeting fragmentation should be made to better coordinate IBD management, reduce healthcare gaps, and promote high-value care.

Quality improvement in healthcare for patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Since inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic disorders with typical remission and relapses and no cure, maintaining high quality of provided healthcare to patients with IBD plays a major role in the management and reducing disease-related morbidity. To hone process-based quality indicators in order to ameliorate quality of care, the indicators must be based on high quality evidence and expert consensus. ImproveCareNow (ICN) group gave us a great example of quality improvement (QI) by gaining experience in how to exercise, apply and implement QI methods in the care of children with IBD. "The American Gastroenterological Association" has developed an adult "IBD physician performance measures set" and both "Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America" (CCFA) and "Crohn's and Colitis Canada" (CCC) have developed sets of most highly rated process and outcome measures. "The Emerging Practice in IBD Collaborative (EPIC) Canadian group" developed definitions of quality indicators for best-practice management of IBD in Canada. "Quality of Care through the Patient's Eyes (QUOTE-IBD)" was honed as a questionnaire to quantify quality of care in the eyes of patients with IBD. This is now widely used in several European countries. The current concepts of quality of care as well as quality indicators will be discussed in this article.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is well tolerated and effective for ulcerative colitis patients hospitalized for moderate-severe flares: a phase 2A pilot multi-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) markedly increases tissue oxygen delivery. Case series suggest it may have a potential therapeutic benefit in ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated the therapeutic potential of HBOT as an adjunct to steroids for UC flares requiring hospitalization.

METHODS

The study was terminated early due to poor recruitment with 18 of the planned 70 patients enrolled. UC patients hospitalized for moderate-severe flares (Mayo score ≥6, endoscopic sub-score ≥2) were block randomized to steroids + daily HBOT (n = 10) or steroids + daily sham hyperbaric air (n = 8). Patients were blinded to study assignment, and assessments were performed by a blinded gastroenterologist. Primary outcome was the clinical remission rate at study day 5 (partial Mayo score ≤2 with no sub-score >1). Key secondary outcomes were: clinical response (reduction in partial Mayo score ≥2, rectal bleeding sub-score of 0-1) and progression to second-line therapy (colectomy or biologic therapy) during the hospitalization.

RESULTS

A significantly higher proportion of HBOT-treated patients achieved clinical remission at study day 5 and 10 (50 vs. 0%, p = 0.04). HBOT-treated patients less often required progression to second-line therapy during the hospitalization (10 vs. 63%, p = 0.04). The proportion requiring in-hospital colectomy specifically as second-line therapy for medically refractory UC was lower in the HBOT group compared to sham (0 vs. 38%, p = 0.07). There were no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSION

In this small, proof-of-concept, phase 2A trial, the use of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy to steroids for UC patients hospitalized for moderate-severe flares resulted in higher rates of clinical remission, and a reduction in rates of progression to second-line therapy during the hospitalization. Larger well-powered trials are needed, however, to provided definitive evidence of therapeutic benefit.

The Impact of Opioid Epidemic Trends on Hospitalised Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Opioid use disorder [OUD] has become a public health crisis among patients with chronic disease. Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients are at high risk for OUD because they suffer from chronic relapsing-remitting pain. We aimed to describe the prevalence and trends in OUD-related diagnoses among hospitalised IBD patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed using weighted Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2014. Adult IBD hospital visits and OUD-related diagnoses were identified using a previously published schema. Annual diagnoses were calculated. Characteristics associated with OUD were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Associations between OUD and length of stay were assessed overall and separately for surgical and non-surgical stays.

RESULTS

In all, 2.2% of 2585174 weighted discharges with any diagnosis of IBD also had an OUD-related diagnosis, with an 8.8% average annual increase. In multivariable analysis, Crohn's disease, public payer or no insurance, and psychiatric comorbidities were associated with a higher likelihood of OUD, whereas a primary diagnosis of an IBD-related complication was associated with a lower likelihood. An OUD-related diagnosis was associated with 0.84 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71, 0.97] increased length of stay overall, 2.79 days [95% CI 1.44, 4.14] for surgical stays, and 0.71 days [95% CI 0.59, 0.82] for non-surgical stays.

CONCLUSIONS

OUD-related diagnoses are increasing among IBD patients and are associated with increased length of stay. With a rising prevalence, it is important to screen and diagnose OUD in IBD and refer patients for evidence-based treatment to address unmet patient needs and reduce health care utilisation.

Portulaca Extract Attenuates Development of Dextran Sulfate Sodium Induced Colitis in Mice through Activation of PPARγ

Portulaca oleracea L. is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used as adjuvant therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanism of its activity in IBD still remains unclear. Since previous studies have documented the anti-inflammatory effect of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ), Portulaca regulation of PPAR-γ in inflammation was examined in current study. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was generated by 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice and four groups were established as normal control, DSS alone, DSS plus mesalamine, and DSS plus Portulaca. Severity of UC was evaluated by body weight, stool blood form, and length of colorectum. Inflammation was examined by determination of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1a). Portulaca extract was able to attenuate development of UC in DSS model similar to the treatment of mesalazine. Moreover, Portulaca extract inhibited proinflammatory cytokines release and reduced the level of DSS-induced NF-κB phosphorylation. Furthermore, Portulaca extract restored PPAR-γ level, which was reduced by DSS. In addition, Portulaca extract protected DSS induced apoptosis in mice. In conclusion, Portulaca extract can alleviate colitis in mice through regulation of inflammatory reaction, apoptosis, and PPAR-γ level; therefore, Portulaca extract can be a potential candidate for the treatment of IBD.

A population-based evaluation of the natural history of chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Based on reports from tertiary care centers, chronic pancreatitis (CP) is considered to be a painful and debilitating disease frequently requiring invasive interventions. Our primary aim was to assess the natural course of CP in a population-based cohort using endoscopic and surgical interventions as surrogates for disease aggressiveness.

METHODS

We identified all patients (n = 89, alcoholic [ACP = 46], non-alcoholic [NACP] = 43) with newly diagnosed definite CP from Olmsted County, Minnesota between 1977 and 2006. Patients were followed until death or censoring. Medical records were reviewed at time of diagnosis and during each follow-up. Both lifetime proportions and cumulative incidence since the initial manifestation of CP were estimated and compared. Survival was estimated with Kaplan-Meier methodology.

RESULTS

Median age at CP diagnosis was 56 years (IQR, 48-67) and 56% were male. During median follow-up of 10 years, 68 (76%) experienced pancreatic pain, but only 27 (30%) needed any invasive therapeutic intervention: 23% had endotherapy and 11% had pancreatic surgery. During the clinical course, when compared with NACP, ACP patients had significantly more (all p < 0.05) pain (87 vs. 65%), recurrent acute pancreatitis (44 vs. 23%), pseudocysts (41 vs. 16%), cumulative incidence of exocrine insufficiency (60 vs. 21%), and annual hospitalizations after CP diagnosis (0.79 vs. 0.25). The cumulative risk of diabetes, calcifications, surgery and overall survival was similar in ACP and NACP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CP at a population level may have a milder course than that reported from tertiary centers. We confirm that ACP has a more severe phenotype than NACP.

Factors Associated With Length of Stay in Veterans With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalized for an Acute Flare

BACKGROUND

Reducing hospital costs and risk of complications by shortening length of stay has become paramount. The aim of our study was to identify predictors and potentially modifiable factors that influence length of stay among veterans with inflammatory bowel disease admitted for an acute flare.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients admitted to the Dallas VA with an acute flare of their inflammatory bowel disease between 2000 and 2015. Patients with a length of stay of ≤4 days were compared with those whose length of stay >4 days.

RESULTS

A total of 180 admissions involving 113 patients (59 with ulcerative colitis and 54 with Crohn's disease) were identified meeting inclusion criteria. The mean length of stay was 5.3 ± 6.8 days, and the median length of stay was 3.0 days. On multiple logistic regression analysis, initiation of a biologic, having undergone 2 or more imaging modalities, and treatment with intravenous steroids were significant predictors of longer lengths of stay, even after controlling for age and comorbid diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified several predictors for longer hospital length of stay, most related to disease severity but several of which may be modifiable to reduce hospital stays, including most importantly consideration of earlier prebiologic testing. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of interventions targeting modifiable predictors of length of stay on health care utilization and patient outcomes.

Quality Improvement Initiatives in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article serves as an overview of several quality improvement initiatives in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

RECENT FINDINGS

IBD is associated with significant variation in care, suggesting poor quality of care. There have been several efforts to improve the quality of care for patients with IBD. Quality improvement (QI) initiatives in IBD are intended to be patient-centric, improve outcomes for individuals and populations, and reduce costs-all consistent with "the triple aim" put forth by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Current QI initiatives include the development of quality measure sets to standardize processes and outcomes, learning health systems to foster collaborative improvement, and patient-centered medical homes specific to patients with IBD in shared risk models of care. Some of these programs have demonstrated early success in improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, improving patient satisfaction, and facilitating patient engagement. However, further studies are needed to evaluate and compare the effects of these programs over time on clinical outcomes in order to demonstrate long-term value and sustainability.

Segmental resection is a safe oncological alternative to total proctocolectomy in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis and malignancy

AIM

The standard approach for the surgical management of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the setting of ulcerative colitis (UC) involves total proctocolectomy (TPC). However, some patients also undergo a partial resection (PR). This may be an attractive option in older patients with a high risk for surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of metachronous cancer after PR or TPC for CRC in the setting of UC.

METHOD

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted through the Nationwide Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA). Patients who had UC and underwent a PR or TPC for CRC were followed from the time of their surgery to their most recent clinical follow-up. The primary outcome was development of metachronous cancer in the PR group. Secondary outcomes included surgical and medical outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were included: 24 (40.7%) underwent PR and 35 (59.3%) underwent TPC. The median age at cancer diagnosis was 73.0 and 61.7 years in PR and TPC groups, respectively (P < 0.0005). Amongst patients undergoing PR, 15 (60%) had no active UC at the time of surgery, whereas in patients undergoing TPC, at the time of surgery eight (23.5%) had no active UC (P = 0.005). No patient who underwent a partial colectomy developed a metachronous cancer in the retained colonic segment during the follow-up period (median 7 years).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that PR for CRC in the setting of UC may be a viable option in a selected cohort of patients, especially among the elderly.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Adversely Impacts Colorectal Cancer Surgery Short-term Outcomes and Health-Care Resource Utilization

Objectives:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to patients without IBD. There is a lack of population-based data evaluating the in-patient surgical outcomes of CRC in IBD patients. We sought to compare the hospital outcomes of CRC surgery between patients with and without IBD.

Methods:

We used the National Inpatient Sample (2008–2012) and Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD, 2013) and selected all adult patients (age ≥18 years) with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) who underwent CRC surgery. Multivariate analysis for in-patient outcomes of postoperative complications, health-care resource utilization, readmission rate, and mortality were performed.

Results:

A total of 397,847 patients underwent CRC surgery from 2008 to 2012, of which 0.8% (3,242) had IBD. Compared to CRC in non-IBD patients, CRC in IBD patients had longer length of stay (adjusted coefficient (AC) 0.86 days, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42, 1.30), more likely developed postoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.26, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.50), including postoperative infection (AOR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.38) and deep vein thrombosis (AOR 2.42, 95% CI: 1.36, 4.28), and more frequently required blood transfusion (AOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.94). CRC in IBD patients was more likely to be readmitted within 30 days (AOR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.04).

Conclusion:

At a population level, IBD adversely impacts outcomes at the time of CRC surgery.

Factors associated with readmission to the hospital within 30 days in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Management of inpatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires increasing resources. We aimed to identify factors associated with hospital readmissions among individuals with IBD.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We collected data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database 2013. We identified individuals with index hospitalizations for IBD. Patient-specific factors, comorbidities and hospitalization characteristics were extracted for the index hospitalization. We performed logistic regression modeling to create adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for 30-day hospital readmission. Subgroup analysis was performed based on disease type and performance of surgery.

RESULTS

We analyzed a total of 55,942 index hospital discharges; 3037 patients (7.0%) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Increasing patient age (> 65: OR: 0.45; 95% CI 0.39-0.53) was associated with a decreased risk of readmission, while a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (OR: 1.09; 95% CI 1.00-1.18) and male sex (OR: 1.16; 95% CI 1.07-1.25) were associated with an increased risk of readmission. The comorbidities of smoking (OR: 1.09; 95% CI 1.00-1.19), anxiety (OR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.01-1.36) and opioid dependence (OR: 1.40; 95% CI 1.06-1.86) were associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission. Individual hospitalization characteristics and disease complications were significantly associated with readmission. Performance of a surgery during the index admission was associated with a decreased risk of readmission (OR: 0.57; 95% CI 0.33-0.96).

CONCLUSION

Analyzing data from a US publicly available all-payer inpatient healthcare database, we identified patient and hospitalization risk factors associated with 30-day readmission. Identifying patients at high risk for readmission may allow for interventions during or after the index hospitalization to decrease this risk.

Distance to Specialist Care and Disease Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires specialized health care. Patients frequently travel long distances to obtain care for IBD, which may hinder regular care and affect outcomes adversely.

METHODS

This study included patients with established Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis receiving care at a single referral center between January 2005 and August 2016. Distance to our health care center from the zip code of residence was determined for each patient and classified into quartiles. Our primary outcome was need for IBD-related surgery with secondary outcomes being need for biological and immunomodulator therapy. Logistic regression models adjusting for relevant covariates examined the independent association between travel distance and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Our study included 2136 patients with IBD (1197 Crohn's disease, 939 ulcerative colitis), among which just over half were women (52%), and the mean age was 41 years. The mean distance from our hospital was 2.5, 8.8, 22.0, and 50.8 miles for the first (most proximal) through fourth (most distant), respectively. We observed a statistically significant and meaningful higher risk among patients in the most distant quartile in the need for immunomodulator use (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.29-2.22), biological therapy (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.69-2.85), and surgery (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.80-3.32). Differences remained significant on multivariable analysis and by type of IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater distance to referral health care center was associated with increased risk for needing IBD-related surgery in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.