Crohn's disease prognosis and early immunomodulator therapy: Results from the CONNECT study

Efficacy of early intervention on the bowel damage and intestinal surgery of Crohn's disease, based on the Lémann index

Background

Clinicians aim to prevent progression of Crohn’s disease (CD); however, many patients require surgical resection because of cumulative bowel damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of early intervention on bowel damage in patients with CD using the Lémann Index and to identify bowel resection predictors.

Methods

We analyzed consecutive patients with CD retrospectively. The Lémann Index was determined at the point of inclusion and at follow-up termination. The Paris definition was used to subdivide patients into early and late CD groups.

Results

We included 154 patients, comprising 70 with early CD and 84 with late CD. After follow-up for 17.0 months, more patients experienced a decrease in the Lémann Index (61.4% vs. 42.9%), and fewer patients showed an increase in the Lémann Index (20% vs. 35.7%) in the early compared with the late CD group. Infliximab and other therapies reversed bowel damage to a greater extent in early CD patients than in late CD patients. Twenty-two patients underwent intestinal surgery, involving 5 patients in the early CD group and 17 patients in the late CD group. Three independent predictors of bowel resection were identified: baseline Lémann index ≥ 8.99, disease behavior B1, and history of intestinal surgery.

Conclusions

Early intervention within 18 months after CD diagnosis could reverse bowel damage and decrease short-term intestinal resection. Patients with CD with a history of intestinal surgery, and/or a Lémann index > 8.99 should be treated aggressively and monitored carefully to prevent progressive bowel damage.

Temporal trend of disease recognition, treatment paradigm, and clinical outcomes of Crohn disease in Thailand from 2000 through 2017: Is early use of thiopurines beneficial?

The prevalence of Crohn disease (CD) is increasing in Asia, but data from Southeast Asian population are scarce.The databases of 2 university-based national tertiary referral centers located in Bangkok, Thailand, were retrospectively reviewed for adult patients diagnosed with CD during January 2000 to December 2017. Disease characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes were described and compared between the 2000 to 2009 cohort (cohort A) and the 2010 to 2017 cohort (cohort B).One hundred eighty-two patients (mean age: 46.4 years, 50% male) with 993 patient-years of follow-up were included. Thirteen percent had a history of intestinal resection, but were not diagnosed until disease recurrence. Another 6% were diagnosed at the time of first surgery. There was no improvement in diagnostic proficiency between cohorts. Mesalamine, corticosteroids, thiopurines, and biologics were prescribed in 75.8%, 81.3%, 84.6%, and 13.7% of patients, respectively (P > .05 between cohorts). Notably, thiopurines were started earlier in cohort B. Median time to the start of thiopurines was 6.2 and 1.65 months in cohort A and B, respectively (P < .01). However, the cumulative 5-year rates of disease behavior progression (P = .43), hospitalization (P = .14), and bowel surgery (P = .29) were not significantly different between cohorts. Subgroup analysis including only patients who required thiopurines showed the early use of thiopurines to be associated with lower risk of intestinal surgery after diagnosis (hazard ratio: 0.30, 95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.85).Early disease recognition and early introduction of immunomodulators may prevent long-term complications and reduce unnecessary surgery in CD.

Diagnosis and natural history of preclinical and early inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic and progressive disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. A relevant proportion of patients develop complicated lesions, defined as strictures, fistulas and/or abscesses already at diagnosis, and this proportion increases over time. The preclinical phase defines the period of time from the appearance of the first immune disturbances until the development of overt disease, and it may be present months to years before the diagnosis. Multiple biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, fecal calprotectin) and cellular mechanisms (e.g., complement cascade, lysosomes, innate immunity, and glycosaminoglycan metabolism) are already altered during this period. Research in this area allows the description of the initial immune disturbances that may identify potential targets and lead to the development of new drug therapies. During this period, different interventions in high-risk individuals, including drugs or environmental factors, will open the possibility of innovative strategies focused on the reduction of complications, or even prevention trials for inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we review the most relevant findings regarding the characteristics, prevalence and biomarkers associated with preclinical disease, along with their possible use in our future clinical practice.

Systematic review: medical therapy for fibrostenosing Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Medical therapy and/or endoscopic balloon dilation with intralesional therapies are options for the treatment of small bowel fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (CD).

AIM

To perform a systematic review summarising evidence for efficacy of systemic and endoscopic intralesional medical therapy in established small bowel strictures in adult CD patients.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Scopus was conducted. Primary outcomes were rates of surgical resection and repeat endoscopic dilation. Pooled event rates from random effects models across studies with 95% confidence intervals were reported.

RESULTS

Ten studies describing systemic medical therapy and eight studies of intralesional injection were included. One randomised controlled trial each for systemic therapy and intrastricture injection were identified. Only observational studies were found for systemic biologic therapies, which exclusively included tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, while intralesional therapies all involved corticosteroids except for one study that evaluated infliximab. Pooled event rates for surgical resection after systemic and intralesional therapy were 28.3% (95% CI: 18.2%-41.3%) and 18.5% (95% CI: 8.3%-36.2%), respectively over a median follow-up of 23 months (range 5.5-105.8), and 21.8 months (range 5-47). Risk of repeat endoscopic balloon dilation in those with intralesional therapy was 58.3% (95% CI: 36.6%-77.3%) over a median follow-up of 21.8 months (range 5-47).

CONCLUSIONS

There are no favoured therapies for patients with stricturing small bowel CD. Data are lacking for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. No endoscopic intralesional medications provided a clear benefit for prevention of repeat EBD or surgery.

The Role of Immunomodulators and Biologics in the Medical Management of Stricturing Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a progressive and disabling inflammatory disease involving the gastrointestinal tract. It usually produces inflammatory lesions in the ileocolonic region, but up to half of patients will also develop complications such as strictures in the long term. Indeed, a proportion of patients have progression of the disease with the development of stricturing lesions because there are no drugs that effectively prevent or reverse established fibrosis, and hence these patients are usually treated with surgery or endoscopic balloon dilation. Fibrotic lesions are always associated with some degree of inflammatory changes, but there is little evidence supporting the use of medical therapy in this context. Here, we discuss the most important findings on the possible use of immunomodulators or biologics in the prevention and treatment of intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease patients. Recent evidence demonstrates that these drugs may also be effective in treating lesions with high levels of collagen deposition, and thus might, at least in some patients, reduce the progression of the disease and bowel damage, and further avoid the need for surgery and a disabling course in the long term.

Detection and management of early stage inflammatory bowel disease: an update for clinicians

Inflammatory bowel diseases, which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are lifetime chronic and progressive disorders of poorly known etiology. Over the past few decades, new therapeutic approaches, including early and more aggressive intervention with immunomodulators and biological agents have offered the possibility of a favorable modification in the natural history of inflammatory bowel diseases. Area covered: Here, we review the literature about the effectiveness of early detection and intervention in adult inflammatory bowel diseases patients. Expert commentary: Detecting and managing early stages of inflammatory bowel diseases represents an effective strategy to avoid disease progression in selected patients. Primary care physicians may play a key role in attaining these outcomes by recognizing the signs and symptoms early and making timely referrals. Moreover, early therapeutic intervention with complete disease control may allow dose reduction or even treatment withdrawal in the maintenance phase, reducing side effects, costs, and also improving quality of life.

Association of Perianal Fistulas with Clinical Features and Prognosis of Crohn's Disease in Korea: Results from the CONNECT Study

Background/Aims

The disease course and factors associated with poor prognosis in Korean patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) have not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to explore potential associations between the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of CD and perianal fistulas in a Korean population.

Methods

The retrospective Crohn’s Disease Clinical Network and Cohort (CONNECT) study enrolled patients diagnosed with CD between July 1982 and December 2008 from 32 hospitals. Those followed for <12 months were excluded. Clinical outcomes were CD-related surgery and complications, including nonperianal fistulas, strictures, and intra-abdominal abscesses.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 8.77 years (range, 1.0 to 25.8 years). A total of 1,193 CD patients were enrolled, of whom 465 (39.0%) experienced perianal fistulas. Perianal fistulizing CD was significantly associated with younger age, male gender, CD diagnosed at primary care clinics, and ileocolonic involvement. Both nonperianal fistulas (p=0.034) and intra-abdominal abscesses (p=0.020) were significantly more common in CD patients with perianal fistulas than in those without perianal fistulas. The rates of complicated strictures and CD-related surgery were similar between the groups. Independently associated factors of nonperianal fistulas were perianal fistulas (p=0.015), female gender (p=0.048), CD diagnosed at referral hospital (p=0.003), and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) involvement (p=0.001). Furthermore, perianal fistulas (p=0.048) and UGI involvement (p=0.012) were independently associated with the risk of intra-abdominal abscesses.

Conclusions

Perianal fistulas predicted the development of nonperianal fistulas and intra-abdominal abscesses in Korean CD patients. Therefore, patients with perianal fistulizing CD should be carefully monitored for complicated fistulas or abscesses.

[How to Optimally Use Currently Available Drugs in a Therapeutic Algorithm?]

Recently, the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been increasing in worldwide, especially in Asian area. IBD is a chronic and progressive disease eventually causing bowel damage. The advance in the treatment of IBD over the past several decades has been achieved with the development of biologics. Furthermore, goals for management of IBD have been evolving from symptom-based management to mucosal healing, which can reduce the surgery rate and hospitalization. To treat the patients with IBD properly, identification of risk factors of patients should be preceded. In addition, the knowledge of several drugs, which are available in current situation is essential. In this review, optimal therapeutic approach with drugs including 5-aminosalicylate, steroid, immunomodulators and anti-TNF antagonists is discussed.

Early intervention in Crohn's disease: towards disease modification trials

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic progressive destructive inflammatory bowel disease. As in rheumatoid arthritis, there is increasing evidence that early treatment initiation with disease-modifying agents, such as biological drugs, may lead to complete disease control, prevention of disease progression thus protecting against irreversible damage and restoration of normal quality of life. Data from randomised clinical trials with immunosuppressants and biologics suggest that treating patients with a disease duration of <2 years and an absence of complications may significantly reduce the risk for complications and increase time in remission in patients with CD. Moreover, rapid disease control may effectively prevent disease progression and allow dose reduction or even withdrawal of treatment, reducing the risk of long-term adverse events and healthcare costs. However, prospective disease modification trials are needed to confirm these initial results. Here we review the literature regarding early intervention in adult patients with CD and propose criteria for future disease modification trials.

Hydrodynamic IL10 Gene Transfer in Human Colon: Results from an "EX VIVO" Study with Potential Clinical Application in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficacy of hydrodynamic venous IL10 gene delivery to "ex vivo" human colon segments and to determine its potential interest in Crohn's disease treatment.

METHODS

Twenty human colon segments were obtained from surgical resections. Hydrodynamic transfection through the main vein of the pedicle with 50 mL of hIL10 plasmid (20 μg/mL) solution was performed on 13 of them. Tissue sections were cultured and DNA, RNA, and protein copies were determined after 1, 2, and 4 days. Data obtained were compared with 6 nontransfected specimens. Finally, 1 specimen was injected with gold nanoparticles, and their distribution was examined under electron microscope.

RESULTS

IL10 DNA levels were higher in treated tissues than in controls (P < 0.001), decreasing along time. The amount of hIL10 RNA was significantly increased in treated tissues when compared with controls (P = 0.001). The indexes of protein IL10 translation in treated groups were much higher (P < 0.001) than the basal production. The protein expression was higher in transfected tissue (10-50-fold, with respect to control tissue); this difference being established during the first hours and maintained during, at least, 4 days. With electron microscopy, we hardly observed large (15 nm) gold nanoparticles within the tissue, always in the submucosa. However, multiple small (4 nm) nanoparticles were observed within the cytoplasm of enterocytes in mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrodynamic procedure efficiently delivers the IL10 gene to the human colon, achieving levels of tissue protein expression high enough to mediate pharmacological effects with interest in controlling immune response in patients with Crohn's disease.

[Second Korean Guidelines for the Management of Crohn's Disease]

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of the Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected.

Second Korean guidelines for the management of Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected.

Incidence of Bowel Surgery and Associated Risk Factors in Pediatric-Onset Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Data describing the incidence and the risk factors for surgical interventions in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) is inconsistent. Our aim was to describe the rates of intestinal surgery and to identify associated risk factors in a large cohort of children with CD.

METHODS

Medical charts of 482 children with CD from the Schneider Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease cohort who were diagnosed between 1981 and 2013 were carefully reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 482 patients, 143 (29.7%) underwent intestinal surgery with a median follow-up time of 8.6 years (range, 1-30.5). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of the cumulative probability of CD-related intestinal surgery were 14.2% at 5 years and 24.5% at 10 years from diagnosis. Of these, 14% needed more than one operation. Multivariate Cox models showed that isolated ileal disease (hazard ratio [HR] 2.39, P = 0.008), complicated behavior (penetrating or stricturing) (HR 2.44, P < 0.001) and higher severity indices, at diagnosis, including Harvey-Bradshaw (HR 1.06, P = 0.009) and short Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (HR 1.02, P = 0.001) were associated with increased risk for intestinal surgery. Age, gender, family history of CD, early introduction of immunomodulators, treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor α, or diagnosis before the year 2000 did not affect the risk of bowel surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Ileal location, complicated behavior, and higher disease activity indices at diagnosis are independent risk factors for bowel surgery, whereas anti-tumor necrosis factor α treatment and diagnosis during the "biological era" are not associated with diminished long-term surgical risk.