Natural course of Crohn's disease after ileocolic resection: endoscopically visualised ileal ulcers preceding symptoms

Mechanical stress-induced connective tissue growth factor plays a critical role in intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's-like colitis

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by transmural inflammation and intestinal fibrosis. Mechanisms of fibrosis in CD are not well understood. Transmural inflammation is associated with inflammatory cell infiltration, stenosis, and distention, which present mechanical stress (MS) to the bowel wall. We hypothesize that MS induces gene expression of profibrotic mediators such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which may contribute to fibrosis in CD. A rodent model of CD was induced by intracolonic instillation of TNBS to the distal colon. TNBS instillation induced a localized transmural inflammation (site I), with a distended colon segment (site P) proximal to site I. We detected significant fibrosis and collagen content not only in site I but also in site P in CD rats by day 7. CTGF expression increased significantly in sites P and I, but not in the segment distal to the inflammation site. Increased CTGF expression was detected mainly in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs). When rats were fed exclusively with clear liquid diet to prevent mechanical distention in colitis, expression of CTGF in sites P and I was blocked. Direct stretch led to robust expression of CTGF in colonic SMC. Treatment of CD rats with anti-CTGF antibody FG-3149 reduced fibrosis and collagen content in both sites P and I and exhibited consistent trends toward normalizing expression of collagen mRNAs. In conclusion, our studies suggest that mechanical stress, by upregulating profibrotic mediators, i.e., CTGF, may play a critical role in fibrosis in CD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that CTGF expression increased significantly not only in the inflammation site but in the distended segment proximal to inflammation in a rodent model of CD-like colitis. Release of mechanical distention prevented CTGF expression in CD rats, whereas direct stretch induced CTGF expression. Treatment with anti-CTGF antibody reduced fibrosis and collagen contents in CD rats. Thus, mechanical stress, via upregulating profibrotic mediators, i.e., CTGF, may play a critical role in fibrosis in CD.

Redo Ileocolic Resection for Crohn's Disease, Does It Palliate the Patients as Good as the Primary Resection?

Objective: We questioned how redo ileocolic resection (R-ICR) in Crohn's disease (CD) alleviates patients in the long-term compared with primary resection. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of patients who underwent an elective ICR without diversion between the years 2010-2022. The cohort was divided into two groups, namely, R-ICR and primary ileocolic resection (P-ICR). Results: The study included 181 patients, of which 30 patients are in the R-ICR group (mean age 42.3 years) and 151 patients in the P-ICR group (mean age 32.6 years). The R-ICR patients underwent an open approach (76.7% versus 25.2% among the P-ICR, p < .001), had significantly longer operations (mean 200.9 minutes versus 157.2 minutes, respectively, P = .002), and had higher estimated blood loss (mean 350 mL versus 267.4 mL, P = .043). The groups were similar in overall postoperative morbidity, severe postoperative complications (10% versus 13.2%, P = .762), and median length of hospital stay (12.1 days versus 7.4 days, P = .214). After a median follow-up of 64.2 months, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of endoscopic recurrence (43.3% versus 60.9% in the P-ICR group, P = .104) or in clinical recurrence (43.3% versus 55.6%, respectively, P = .216), but the R-ICR had a significant higher rate of surgical recurrences (23.3% versus 5.3%, respectively, P = .004). Conclusion: R-ICR for CD is a significantly more challenging operation than the primary resection, and patients undergoing a R-ICR are more susceptible to a future surgical intervention than those having P-ICR.

Efficacy of Ustekinumab and Vedolizumab Among Postoperative Crohn's Disease Patients as Postoperative Prophylaxis and Rescue Therapy: Real-world Data

BACKGROUND

Almost half of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) require bowel surgeries in their lifetime. Due to the high risk of postoperative disease recurrence and high rate of previous antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) failure, often alternative therapy options such as ustekinumab (UST) and vedolizumab (VDZ) are used. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of UST and VDZ among postoperative CD patients as postoperative prophylaxis and rescue therapy.

METHODS

Consented CD patients who underwent initial ileocecal resection and were treated with UST and VDZ were included in this study. Demographics, clinical characteristics, health care utilization, endoscopy scores, and surgery outcomes were collected. Postoperative early CD recurrence was defined as a Rutgeerts endoscopic score ≥i2 within the first 2 years. The rescue therapy group was defined as patients who received either UST or VDZ after having Rutgeerts endoscopic score ≥i2 postoperatively.

RESULTS

During 2009 to 2019, 98 CD patients were treated with UST or VDZ postoperatively. Postoperative early recurrence rates were 5% (n = 1 out of 20) and 6% (1 out of 15) for the UST and VDZ groups, respectively. Two patients from the UST group and 1 patient from the VDZ group required bowel surgery during follow-up with median drug exposure of 51 (95% confidence interval [CI], 29-61) and 30 (95% CI, 14-63) months, respectively; 55% and 69% of patients had at least 1 point of improvement on postoperative endoscopic Rutgeerts score, respectively, for UST and VDZ. Only 3 out of 40 and 1 out of 23 patients required bowel surgery during follow-up while receiving UST and VDZ as rescue therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Both UST and VDZ were effective as postoperative therapies either as prophylaxis or rescue therapy.

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.

Clinical Predictors of Early and Late Endoscopic Recurrence Following Ileocolonic Resection in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Multiple factors are suggested to place Crohn's disease patients at risk of recurrence after ileocolic resection with conflicting associations. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of recurrence at first [early] and further [late] postoperative colonoscopy.

METHODS

Crohn's disease patients undergoing ileocolic resection were prospectively recruited at six North American centres. Clinical data were collected and endoscopic recurrence was defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2. A multivariable model was fitted to analyse variables independently associated with recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 365 patients undergoing 674 postoperative colonoscopies were included with a median age of 32 years, 189 [51.8%] were male, and 37 [10.1%] were non-Whites. Postoperatively, 133 [36.4%] used anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] and 30 [8.2%] were smokers. At first colonoscopy, 109 [29.9%] had recurrence. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-3.40), non-White ethnicity [OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.09-5.63], longer interval between surgery and colonoscopy [OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.002-1.18], and postoperative smoking [OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.16-6.67] were associated with recurrence, while prophylactic anti-TNF reduced the risk [OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14-0.55]. Postoperative anti-TNF prophylaxis had a protective effect on anti-TNF experienced patients but not on anti-TNF naïve patients. Among patients without recurrence at first colonoscopy, Rutgeerts score i1 was associated with subsequent recurrence [OR = 4.43, 95% CI 1.73-11.35].

CONCLUSIONS

We identified independent clinical predictors of early and late Crohn's disease postoperative endoscopic recurrence. Clinical factors traditionally used for risk stratification failed to predict recurrence and need to be revised.

First Mexican Consensus on Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease (CD) is a subtype of chronic and incurable inflammatory bowel disease. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract and its etiology is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this consensus was to establish the most relevant aspects related to definitions, diagnosis, follow-up, medical treatment, and surgical treatment of Crohn's disease in Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Mexican specialists in the areas of gastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease were summoned. The consensus was divided into five modules, with 69 statements. Applying the Delphi panel method, the pre-meeting questions were sent to the participants, to be edited and weighted. At the face-to-face meeting, all the selected articles were shown, underlining their level of clinical evidence; all the statements were discussed, and a final vote was carried out, determining the percentage of agreement for each statement.

RESULTS

The first Mexican consensus on Crohn's disease was produced, in which recommendations for definitions, classifications, diagnostic aspects, follow-up, medical treatment, and surgical treatment were established.

CONCLUSIONS

Updated recommendations are provided that focus on definitions, classifications, diagnostic criteria, follow-up, and guidelines for conventional medical treatment, biologic therapy, and small molecule treatment, as well as surgical management.

How Reliable Is Endoscopic Scoring of Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn Disease?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

Guidelines advise to perform endoscopic surveillance following ileocolic resection (ICR) in Crohn disease (CD) for timely diagnosis of recurrence. This study aims to assess the variation in endoscopic recurrence (ER) rates in patients after ICR for CD using the most commonly used classification systems, the Rutgeerts score (RS) and modified Rutgeerts score (mRS) classifications.

Methods

A systematic literature search using MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies describing ER < 12 months after an ICR for CD were included. Animal studies, reviews, case reports (<30 included patients), pediatric studies, and letters were excluded. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and Cochrane Collaboration's tool were used to assess risk of bias. Main outcome was the range of ER rates within 12 months postoperatively, defined as RS ≥ i2 and/or mRS ≥ i2b. A proportional meta-analysis was performed. The final search was performed on January 4, 2022. The study was registered at PROSPERO, CRD42022363208.

Results

Seventy-six studies comprising 7751 patients were included. The weighted mean of ER rates in all included studies was 44.0% (95% confidence interval, 43.56-44.43). The overall range was 5.0% to 93.0% [interquartile range (IQR), 29.2-59.0]. The weighted means for RS and mRS were 44.0% and 41.1%, respectively. The variation in ER rates for RS and mRS were 5.0% to 93.0% (IQR, 29.0-59.5) and 19.8% to 62.9% (IQR, 37.3-46.5), respectively. Within studies reporting both RS and mRS, the weighted means for ER were 61.3% and 40.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a major variation in ER rates after ICR for CD, suggesting a high likelihood of inadequate diagnosis of disease recurrence, with potentially impact on quality of life and health care consumption. Therefore, there is an important need to improve endoscopic scoring of recurrent disease.

Clinical Update on the Prevention and Management of Postoperative Crohn's Disease Recurrence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite advances in therapeutics, a significant portion of patients with Crohn's disease still require surgical management. In this article, we present updates to the natural history, prognostication and postoperative monitoring, and novel therapeutics in the prevention and treatment of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinical risk factors have been associated with higher rates of postoperative recurrence (POR), and in recent studies demonstrate an increased cumulative risk with presence of additional risk factors. Additional novel clinical, histologic, and "-omic" risk factors for recurrence have recently been elucidated, including the role of the mesentery on recurrence and perioperative intraabdominal septic complications. High-risk patients benefit most from medical prophylaxis, including anti-TNF with or without immunomodulator therapy to prevent recurrence. New biologics such as vedolizumab and ustekinumab have emerging evidence in the use of prophylaxis, especially with recent REPREVIO trial data. Non-invasive disease monitoring, such as cross-sectional enterography, intestinal ultrasound, and fecal calprotectin, have been validated against ileocolonoscopy. Recent advances in the prediction, prevention, and monitoring algorithms of postoperative Crohn's disease may be leading to a reduction in postoperative recurrence. Ongoing trials will help determine optimal monitoring and management strategies for this at-risk population.

Endoscopic Lesions of Postoperative Anastomotic Area in Patients With Crohn's Disease in the Biologic Era: A Japanese Multi-Centre Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Many patients have endoscopic evidence of recurrent Crohn's disease [CD] at 1 year after intestinal resection. These lesions predict future clinical recurrence. We endoscopically evaluated postoperative anastomotic lesions in CD patients from a large cohort of postoperative CD patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled CD patients who underwent surgical resection between 2008 and 2013 at 19 inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]-specialist institutions. The initial analyses included patients who underwent ileocolonoscopy ~1 year after intestinal resection. Follow-up analyses assessed any changes in the endoscopic findings over time. We evaluated the postoperative endoscopic findings, which were classified into four categories [no lesion, mild, intermediate, severe] at the sites of the anastomotic line and peri-anastomosis.

RESULTS

In total, 267 CD patients underwent postoperative ileocolonoscopy. Postoperative anastomotic lesions were widely detected in index ileocolonoscopy [61.0%] and were more frequently detected in follow-up ileocolonoscopy [74.9%]. Endoscopic severity also increased. Patients with intermediate or severe peri-anastomotic or anastomotic line lesions at the index ileocolonoscopy required significantly more interventions, including endoscopic dilatation or surgery, than patients with mild lesions or no lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent anastomotic lesions were observed at the postoperative index ileocolonoscopy. These gradually increased for subsequent ileocolonoscopy, even in the biologic era. Regarding lesions on the anastomotic line, intermediate lesions on the anastomotic line [e.g. irregular or deep ulcers] might be considered recurrent disease, and mild lesions [e.g. linear superficial ulcers] might be considered non-recurrent disease. Prospective studies are needed to resolve this issue, including treatment enhancement.

Granuloma Presence at Initial Surgery Predicts Need for Repeat Surgery Independent of Rutgeerts Score in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Approximately half of Crohn's disease (CD) patients experience recurrence and need for repeat resections, highlighting need for prognostic biomarkers. Presence of epithelioid granuloma on surgical tissue and high Rutgeerts endoscopic score are associated with postoperative CD clinical recurrence. We sought to evaluate presence of epithelioid granuloma at first surgery and Rutgeerts score as a combined risk assessment for CD surgical recurrence.

METHODS

Our study included consented CD patients who underwent initial ileocecal resection and were prospectively followed postoperatively. From 2009 to 2019, 418 CD patients underwent initial ileocecal resection with >4 years of follow-up, including postoperative endoscopic assessment (Rutgeerts score).

RESULTS

Postoperative CD patients were grouped based on granuloma presence (30.6%; n = 128) or absence (69.4%; n = 290). Endoscopic recurrence (defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2) was similar between the granuloma (26%) and no granuloma (25%) groups, respectively (P = .82). Patients with granuloma and CD endoscopic recurrence at first postoperative endoscopy had higher number of bowel surgeries compared with all other groups (no granuloma or CD endoscopic recurrence, P = .007; no granuloma but CD endoscopic recurrence present, P = .04; granuloma present and no CD endoscopic recurrence, P = .04). Epithelioid granuloma presence was associated with 1.65 times higher risk of subsequent surgery independently from first postoperative endoscopic recurrence Rutgeerts score.

CONCLUSIONS

Granuloma presence on initial surgical histology is immediately available and identifies high-risk CD patients who may benefit from early postoperative treatment, and these precision intervention trials are warranted.

Long-term outcomes following ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease: does earlier elective resection affect disease recurrence rates?

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection in Crohn's disease is sometimes the only alternative treating disease complications or refractory disease. The implications of early resection on disease course are still debatable. We aimed to assess the influence of preoperative disease duration on long-term postoperative disease course.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all Crohn's disease patients who underwent an elective primary ileocolic resection between 2010 and 2021 in a single tertiary medical center. The cohort was divided based on disease duration, Group A (47 patients) had a disease duration shorter than 3 years (median of 1 year) and Group B (139 patients) had a disease duration longer than 3 years (median of 11 years).

RESULTS

Surgeries were less complex among Group A as noted by higher rates of laparoscopic assisted procedures (68.1% vs. 45.3%, P = 0.006), shorter surgery duration (134 vs. 167 min, P < 0.0001) less estimated blood loss (72.5 vs. 333 mL, P = 0.016) and faster return of bowel function (3 vs. 4 days, P = 0.011). However, propensity score matching nullified all the differences. Younger age (OR = 0.86, P = 0.004), pre-op steroids (OR = 3.69, P = 0.037) and longer disease duration (OR = 1.18, P = 0.012) were found to be independently significantly associated with severe complications. After a median follow-up time of 71.38 months no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of endoscopic (P = 0.59), or surgical recurrences rates (P = 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

The main effect of preoperative short disease duration was noted within the surgical complexity; however, matching suggests confounders as cause of the difference. No significant long-term implication was noted on disease recurrence.

Biologic use is not associated with postoperative complications in patients with Crohn's disease undergoing stoma reversion

PURPOSE

Stoma creation is a common procedure in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and early prophylaxis with biologics is recommended for high-risk patients. However, the effect of biologic exposure on morbidity after stoma closure remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of biologic use on the occurrence of complications in CD patients following stoma closure.

METHODS

Consecutive patients diagnosed with CD who underwent ileostomy reversal at a tertiary care centre between 1 January 2013 and 1 December 2021, were included in the study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of 90-day postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The study included 347 eligible patients who underwent ileostomy reversal. There was no significant difference in terms of infectious complications, overall complications or length of postoperative stay between the biologic and non-biologic groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several predictors of postoperative morbidity, including preoperative haemoglobin levels below 100 g/L, CRP levels above 10 mg/L, anastomotic site, ileostomy-related infectious complications and albumin levels below 35 g/L.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the use of biologics is not associated with adverse outcomes. However, such as high CRP levels, ileostomy-related infectious complications, hypoproteinemia, and hemoglobinemia, should be optimized prior to surgery to reduce postoperative morbidities.

Rates of Endoscopic Recurrence In Postoperative Crohn's Disease Based on Anastomotic Techniques: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) after ileocolic resection may develop an endoscopic postoperative recurrence (ePOR) that reaches 40% to 70% of incidence within 6 months. Recently, there has been growing interest in the potential effect of anastomotic configurations on ePOR. Kono-S anastomosis has been proposed for reducing the risk of clinical and ePOR. Most studies have assessed the association of ileocolonic anastomosis and ePOR individually, while there is currently limited data simultaneously comparing several types of anastomosis. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of different ileocolonic anastomosis on ePOR in CD.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Embase from inception to January 2023 for eligible studies reporting the types of anastomoses and, based on these, the rate of endoscopic recurrence at ≥6 months. Studies were grouped by conventional anastomosis, including side-to-side, end-to-end, and end-to-side vs Kono-S, and comparisons were made between these groups. Pooled incidence rates of ePOR were computed using random-effect modelling.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies, with 2087 patients who underwent ileocolic resection for CD were included. Among these patients, 369 (17,7%) Kono-S anastomoses were performed, while 1690 (81,0%) were conventional ileocolic anastomosis. Endoscopic postoperative recurrence at ≥6 months showed a pooled incidence of 37.2% (95% CI, 27.7-47.2) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (P < .0001). In detail, patients receiving a Kono-S anastomosis had a pooled incidence of ePOR of 24.7% (95% CI, 6.8%-49.4%), while patients receiving a conventional anastomosis had an ePOR of 42.6% (95% CI, 32.2%-53.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Kono-S ileocolic anastomosis was more likely to decrease the risk of ePOR at ≥6 months compared with conventional anastomosis. Our findings highlight the need to implement the use of Kono-S anastomosis, particularly for difficult to treat patients. However, results from larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these data.

Suboptimal Guideline Adherence and Biomarker Underutilization in Monitoring of Post-operative Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease recurrence after ileocecal resection is common. Guidelines suggest colonoscopy within 6-12 months of surgery to assess for post-operative recurrence, but use of adjunctive monitoring is not protocolized. We aimed to describe the state of monitoring in post-operative Crohn's.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with Crohn's after ileocolic resection with ≥ 1-year follow-up. Patients were stratified into high and low risk based on guidelines. Post-operative biomarker (C-reactive protein, fecal calprotectin), cross-sectional imaging, and colonoscopy use were assessed. Biomarker, radiographic, and endoscopic post-operative recurrence were defined as elevated CRP/calprotectin, active inflammation on imaging, and Rutgeerts ≥ i2b, respectively. Data were stratified by surgery year to assess changes in practice patterns over time. P-values were calculated using Wilcoxon test and Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

Of 901 patients, 53% were female and 78% high risk. Median follow-up time was 60 m for LR and 50 m for high risk. Postoperatively, 18% low and 38% high risk had CRPs, 5% low and 10% high risk had calprotectins, and half of low and high risk had cross-sectional imaging. 29% low and 38% high risk had colonoscopy by 1 year. Compared to pre-2015, time to first radiography (584 days vs. 398 days) and colonoscopy (421 days vs. 296 days) were significantly shorter for high-risk post-2015 (P < 0.001). Probability of colonoscopy within 1 year increased over time (0.48, 2011 vs. 0.92, 2019).

CONCLUSION

Post-operative colonoscopy completion by 1 year is low. The use of CRP and imaging are common, whereas calprotectin is infrequently utilized. Practice patterns are shifting toward earlier monitoring.

Stemming the tide with ileocecal Crohn's disease: when is pharmacotherapy enough?

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease (CD) mostly affects the terminal ileum and ileocecal region and up to 80% of patients end up requiring surgery. Previously reserved for complicated or refractory forms, surgery is now considered as an alternative to medical treatment in localized ileocecal disease.

AREAS COVERED

This review examines factors associated with response to medical treatment and those associated with the need for surgery in ileocecal CD to identify the patients' profile for whom pharmacotherapy might be enough. Factors associated with the recurrence and the postoperative complications are also reviewed to help the clinician identify patients for whom medical therapy might be preferred.

EXPERT’S OPINION

LIR!C study long-term follow-up data show that 38% of infliximab-treated patients were still treated with infliximab at the end of their follow-up, while 14% had switched to another biologic or had received immunomodulator or corticosteroid and 48% had CD-related surgery. Only the combination with an immunomodulator was associated with a greater likelihood of continuing infliximab. Patients with ileocecal CD for whom pharmacotherapy might be sufficient are probably those with no risk factors for CD-related surgery.In addition, patients with high risk of recurrence or of post-operative complications may benefit more from medical treatment than from surgery.

Patients With Crohn's Disease and Permanent Ileostomy Are Universally Excluded From Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

We performed a systematic review to investigate whether patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and permanent ileostomy (PI) have been included in clinical trials evaluating biologics and small molecules.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library (CENTRAL) data bases were searched from inception to May 16, 2022 for placebo controlled induction and/or maintenance randomized controlled trials assessing biologics and oral small molecules in adult patients with active CD.

RESULTS

Of the 81 induction and maintenance trials assessing biologics and oral small molecules in CD, none permitted the enrollment of patients with PI. Patients with CD and PI have been universally excluded from pharmaceutical trials of biologics and small molecules to date.

DISCUSSION

There is an urgent need to identify barriers to enrollment and develop eligibility and outcome measures enabling the inclusion of patients with CD and PI into clinical trials.

How to Evaluate Fibrosis in IBD?

In this review, we will describe the importance of fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by discussing its distinct impact on Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) through their translation to histopathology. We will address the existing knowledge on the correlation between inflammation and fibrosis and the still not fully explained inflammation-independent fibrogenesis. Finally, we will compile and discuss the recent advances in the noninvasive assessment of intestinal fibrosis, including imaging and biomarkers. Based on the available data, none of the available cross-sectional imaging (CSI) techniques has proved to be capable of measuring CD fibrosis accurately, with MRE showing the most promising performance along with elastography. Very recent research with radiomics showed encouraging results, but further validation with reliable radiomic biomarkers is warranted. Despite the interesting results with micro-RNAs, further advances on the topic of fibrosis biomarkers depend on the development of robust clinical trials based on solid and validated endpoints. We conclude that it seems very likely that radiomics and AI will participate in the future non-invasive fibrosis assessment by CSI techniques in IBD. However, as of today, surgical pathology remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and quantification of intestinal fibrosis in IBD.

Postoperative Complications Are Associated With an Early and Increased Rate of Disease Recurrence After Surgery for Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Several potential risk factors for Crohn's disease recurrence after surgery have been identified, including age at diagnosis, disease phenotype, and smoking. Despite the clinical relevance, few studies investigated the role of postoperative complications as a possible risk factor for disease recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between postoperative complications and recurrence in Crohn's disease patients after primary ileocolic resection.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective case-control study.

SETTING

This study was conducted at 2 tertiary academic centers.

PATIENTS

We included 262 patients undergoing primary ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease between January 2008 and December 2018 and allocated the patients into recurrent (145) and nonrecurrent (117) groups according to endoscopic findings.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative complications were assessed as possible risk factors for endoscopic recurrence after surgery by univariable and multivariable analyses. The effect of postoperative complications on endoscopic and clinical recurrence was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

On binary logistic regression analysis, smoking (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.02-3.32; p = 0.04), penetrating phenotype (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.58-6.22; p < 0.01), perianal disease (OR = 4.03; 95% CI, 1.75-9.25; p = 0.001), and postoperative complications (OR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.19-4.17; p = 0.01) were found to be independent risk factors for endoscopic recurrence. Postoperative complications (HR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02-2.05; p = 0.03) and penetrating disease (HR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.24-2.40; p = 0.001) significantly reduced the time to endoscopic recurrence; postoperative complications (HR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.02-2.88; p = 0.04) and penetrating disease (HR = 207.10; 95% CI, 88.41-542.370; p < 0.0001) significantly shortened the time to clinical recurrence.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative complications are independent risk factors for endoscopic recurrence after primary surgery for Crohn's disease, affecting the rate and timing of endoscopic and clinical disease recurrence. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/C48 .

LAS COMPLICACIONES POSOPERATORIAS ESTN ASOCIADAS CON UNA TASA TEMPRANA Y AUMENTADA DE RECURRENCIA DE LA ENFERMEDAD DESPUS DE LA CIRUGA PARA LA ENFERMEDAD DE CROHN

ANTECEDENTES: Se han identificado varios factores de riesgo potenciales para la recurrencia de la enfermedad de Crohn después de la cirugía, incluida la edad en el momento del diagnóstico, el fenotipo de la enfermedad y el tabaquismo. A pesar de la relevancia clínica, pocos estudios investigaron el papel de las complicaciones postoperatorias como posible factor de riesgo para la recurrencia de la enfermedad.OBJETIVO: Investigar la asociación entre las complicaciones postoperatorias y la recurrencia en pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn después de la resección ileocólica primaria.DISEÑO: Este fue un estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles.AJUSTE: Este estudio se realizó en dos centros académicos terciarios.PACIENTES: Incluimos 262 pacientes sometidos a resección ileocólica primaria por enfermedad de Crohn entre Enero de 2008 y Diciembre de 2018 y los asignamos en grupos recurrentes (145) y no recurrentes (117) según los hallazgos endoscópicos.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: Las complicaciones posoperatorias se evaluaron como posibles factores de riesgo de recurrencia endoscópica después de la cirugía mediante análisis univariable y multivariable. El efecto de las complicaciones posoperatorias sobre la recurrencia endoscópica y clínica se evaluó mediante análisis de regresión de Kaplan-Meier y Cox.RESULTADOS: En el análisis, tabaquismo (OR = 1,84; IC 95%: 1,02-3,32; p = 0,04), fenotipo penetrante (OR = 3,14; IC 95%: 1,58-6,22; p < 0,01), enfermedad perianal (OR = 4,03; IC 95%: 1,75-9,25; p = 0,001) y las complicaciones postoperatorias (OR = 2,23; IC 95%: 1,19-4,17; p = 0,01) fueron factores de riesgo independientes para la recurrencia endoscópica. Las complicaciones posoperatorias (HR = 1,45; IC 95%: 1,02-2,05; p = 0,03) y la enfermedad penetrante (HR = 1,73; IC 95%: 1,24-2,40; p = 0,001) redujeron significativamente el tiempo hasta la recurrencia endoscópica; las complicaciones posoperatorias (HR= 1,6; IC 95%: 1,02-2,88; p = 0,04) y la enfermedad penetrante (HR = 207,10; IC 95%: 88,41-542,37; p < 0,0001) acortaron significativamente el tiempo hasta la recurrencia clínica.LIMITACIONES: Este estudio estuvo limitado por su diseño retrospectivo.CONCLUSIONES: Las complicaciones postoperatorias son factores de riesgo independientes para la recurrencia endoscópica después de la cirugía primaria para la enfermedad de Crohn, lo que afecta la tasa y el momento de la recurrencia endoscópica y clínica de la enfermedad. Consulte el Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/C48 . (Traducción-Dr. Yesenia Rojas-Khalil ).

Comparison of the Risk of Crohn's Disease Postoperative Recurrence Between Modified Rutgeerts Score i2a and i2b Categories: An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The modified Rutgeerts' score [RS] differentiates i2a-lesions confined to the anastomosis-and i2b-more than five aphthous ulcers in the neoterminal ileum with normal intervening mucosa, with or without anastomotic lesions-categories. Its relevance for the therapeutic management of Crohn's disease [CD] patients after ileocolic resection is still debated. Our objective was to compare the postoperative recurrence risk in patients with an i2a or i2b score, using an individual patient data meta-analysis.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search until July 2020, to identify all relevant studies reporting the i2a/i2b status in the year following ileocolic resection and clinical and/or surgical postoperative CD recurrence in their follow-up. Individual patient-level data were obtained from the corresponding authors. The association between the modified RS and time-to-event was evaluated using a mixed Cox model with the centre as the random effect.

RESULTS

Seven studies published between 2008 and 2019 were included, corresponding to 400 patients: 189 [47%] i2a and 211 [53%] i2b. Median [interquartile range, IQR] time from ileocolic resection to ileocolonoscopy was 6.2 [5.5, 7.9] months and median [IQR] follow-up time after ileocolonoscopy was 4.5 [2.9, 7.3] years. The risk of clinical postoperative recurrence at 1 and 3 years was 11% [6-15%], and 25% [18-32%] in the i2a group versus 9% [5-13%] and 33% [26-41%] in the i2b group [p = 0.63 and p = 0.12, respectively]. No significant difference was observed in terms of time to clinical postoperative recurrence [p = 0.16] or surgical postoperative recurrence [p = 0.87]. Results did not change after excluding patients having initiated an immunosuppressant or a biologic in the 3 months after endoscopy [remaining cohort, n = 361].

CONCLUSIONS

In this individual patient data meta-analysis, no difference was observed between i2a and i2b subcategories with regards to clinical or surgical postoperative recurrence. As we wait for prospective trials, the same treatment strategy could be applied to all patients classified as i2 on the Rutgeerts score.

Postoperative diarrhea in Crohn’s disease: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy

Diarrhea is a frequent symptom in postoperative patients with Crohn’s diseases (CD), and several different mechanisms likely account for postoperative diarrhea in CD. A targeted strategy based on a comprehensive understanding of postoperative diarrhea is helpful for better postoperative recovery.

Post-operative prevention and monitoring of Crohn's disease recurrence

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are relapsing and remitting chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Although surgery for UC can provide a cure, surgery for CD is rarely curative. In the past few decades, research has identified risk factors for postsurgical CD recurrence, enabling patient risk stratification to guide monitoring and prophylactic treatment to prevent CD recurrence. A MEDLINE literature review identified articles regarding post-operative monitoring of CD recurrence after resection surgery. In this review, we discuss the evidence on risk factors for post-operative CD recurrence as well as suggestions on post-operative management.

Early Post-Operative Endoscopy Is Associated with Lower Surgical Recurrence of Crohn's Disease: A Retrospective Study of Three Successive Cohorts

BACKGROUND

The severity of endoscopic recurrence during the first year after intestinal resection for Crohn's disease is predictive of clinical recurrence. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of the implementation of an ileocolonoscopy during the first year after surgery on surgical recurrence.

METHODS

All patients who underwent a first intestinal resection for Crohn's disease between 1992 and 2018 at the University Hospital of Liège were retrospectively included. The time to surgical recurrence was compared in three successive groups of patients operated on in the period 1992-2001 (group A), 2002-2011 (group B), and 2012-2020 (group C) using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-Rank test. To identify independent prognostic factors, a multivariate analysis was used via the Cox model.

RESULTS

223 patients (group A = 69, group B = 94, group C = 60) were included. Probabilities of surgical recurrence were significantly lower in group C (2.2% and 4.7% at 3 and 5 years, respectively) compared with group B (4.2% and 7.6% at 3 and 5 years, respectively) and with group A (9% and 18.2% at 3 and 5 years, respectively) (p = 0.0089). Ileocolonoscopy during the year after surgery was associated with a significantly reduced surgical recurrence rate in univariate and multivariate analysis (HR = 0.31, p = 0.0049).

CONCLUSION

The implementation of an early ileocolonoscopy after surgery for Crohn's disease since early 2000 has been associated with a reduced surgical recurrence over the last 30 years.

Imaging Evaluation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Complications

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can progress to fibrostenotic and penetrating complications. Cross-sectional imaging is often needed for accurate diagnosis of IBD complication and for planning the appropriate management strategy. Computed tomography enterography, magnetic resonance enterography, and IBD ultrasound have become key tools for clinicians and interventional endoscopists. This article highlights and discusses various radiologic imaging techniques and their application to the diagnosis and management of IBD complications.

Early Initiation of Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapy Reduces Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn's Disease Following Ileocecal Resection

BACKGROUND

Postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD) is common after surgical resection. We aimed to compare biologic type and timing for preventing POR in adult CD patients after ileocecal resection (ICR).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of CD patients who underwent an ICR at 2 medical centers. Recurrence was defined by endoscopy (≥ i2b Rutgeerts score) or radiography (active inflammation in neoterminal ileum) and stratified by type and timing of postoperative prophylactic biologic within 12 weeks following an ICR (none, tumor necrosis factor antagonists [anti-TNF], vedolizumab, and ustekinumab).

RESULTS

We identified 1037 patients with CD who underwent an ICR. Of 278 (26%) who received postoperative prophylaxis, 80% were placed on an anti-TNF agent (n = 223) followed by ustekinumab (n = 28, 10%) and vedolizumab (n = 27, 10%). Prophylaxis was initiated in 35% within 4 weeks following an ICR and in 65% within 4 to 12 weeks. After adjusting for factors associated with POR, compared with no biologic prophylaxis, the initiation of an anti-TNF agent within 4 weeks following an ICR was associated with a reduction in POR (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.93). Prophylaxis after 4 weeks following an ICR or with vedolizumab or ustekinumab was not associated with a reduction in POR compared with those who did not receive prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION

Early initiation of an anti-TNF agent within 4 weeks following an ICR was associated with a reduction in POR. Vedolizumab or ustekinumab, at any time following surgery, was not associated with a reduction in POR, although sample size was limited.

CD147 Targeting by AC-73 Induces Autophagy and Reduces Intestinal Fibrosis Associated with TNBS Chronic Colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases. Medical treatment of intestinal fibrosis is an unmet therapeutic need. CD147 overexpression can induce myofibroblast differentiation associated with extracellular matrix deposition, favouring the development of fibrosis. To understand whether CD147 may promote intestinal fibrosis, we analysed its expression and blocked its function by using its specific inhibitor AC-73 [3-{2-[([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-ylmethyl) amino]-1-hydroxyethyl} phenol] in the murine TNBS [trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid]-chronic colitis model associated with intestinal fibrosis.

METHODS

TNBS chronic colitis was induced by weekly intrarectal administration of escalating doses of TNBS. Ethanol-treated and untreated mice were used as controls. Separated groups of TNBS, ethanol-treated or untreated mice received AC-73 or vehicle administered intraperitoneally from day 21 to day 49. At day 49, mice were killed, and colons collected for histological analysis, protein and RNA extraction. CD147, α-SMA and activated TGF-β1 protein levels, CD147/ERK/STAT3 signalling pathway and autophagy were assessed by Western blot, collagen and inflammatory/fibrogenic cytokines mRNA tissue content by quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

In mice with chronic TNBS colitis, CD147 protein level increased during fibrosis development in colonic tissue, as compared to control mice. CD147 inhibition by AC-73 treatment reduced intestinal fibrosis, collagen and cytokine mRNA tissue content, without significant modulation of activated TGF-β1 protein tissue content. AC-73 inhibited CD147/ERK1/2 and STAT3 signalling pathway activation and induced autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

CD147 is a potential new target for controlling intestinal fibrosis and its inhibitor, AC-73, might represent a potential new anti-fibrotic therapeutic option in IBD.

Non-invasive Serological Monitoring for Crohn's Disease Postoperative Recurrence

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease recurs after intestinal resection. This study evaluated accuracy of a new blood test, the Endoscopic Healing Index [EHI], in monitoring for disease recurrence.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in the prospective POCER study [NCT00989560] underwent a postoperative colonoscopic assessment at 6 [2/3 of patients] and 18 months [all patients] following bowel resection, using the Rutgeerts score [recurrence ≥i2]. Serum was assessed at multiple time points for markers of endoscopic healing using the EHI, and paired with the Rutgeerts endoscopic score as the reference standard.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients provided 437 serum samples, which were paired with endoscopic assessments available in 94 patients [30 with recurrence] at 6 months and 107 patients [44 with recurrence] at 18 months. The median EHI at 6 months was significantly lower in patients in remission [Rutgeerts <i2] than those with recurrence; p = 0.033. The area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC] for EHI to detect recurrence at 6 months was comparable to that of faecal calprotectin [0.712 vs 0.779, p = 0.414]. EHI of <20 at 6 months had a negative predictive value of 75.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 58.8-88.2), and sensitivity of 70% [95% CI 50.6-85.3] for detecting recurrence. Combining all time points, an EHI <20 had a negative predictive value of 70.3%. Changes in EHI significantly associated with changes in Rutgeerts scores over the 18 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-invasive multi-marker EHI has sufficient accuracy to be used to monitor for postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence. A monitoring strategy that combines EHI with ileocolonoscopy, with or without faecal calprotectin, should now be prospectively tested.

Risk of Post-Resection Recurrence in Pediatric Crohn Disease

BACKGROUND

Ileocecectomy related to stricturing, fistula formation, or medically refractory disease is commonly required in patients with Crohn disease (CD). Limited research exists in endoscopic recurrence (ER) in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we sought to determine ER rates and the impact of therapy duration before surgery in pediatric patients with CD.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective review of patients with CD between the ages of 2 to 20 years who required ileocecectomy between January 2015 and December 2019 at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Follow-up endoscopies, laboratory values, medications, and sPCDAI scores were recorded at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months post-resection wherever available. Modified Rutgeert scores (mRS) were independently assigned to post-resection colonoscopy images by 3 trained investigators. Post-resection outcomes were compared between patients on CD therapy >30 days before resection (late surgery) to those started on CD therapy <30 days before resection (early surgery).

RESULTS

A total of 48 patients underwent ileocecectomy, with a mean age at time of resection of 17 years (+/-2.3). In total, 88% of patients had a post-resection endoscopy and 57% had an endoscopy within 12 months of resection. Twenty-nine percentage had ER with a mRS ≥i2. There was no statistical difference in endoscopic and clinical outcomes after resection between the early and late surgery groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-resection endoscopic recurrence after ileocecectomy was found in 29% of our center's pediatric CD population based on mRS. Post-resection outcomes were not affected by therapy duration before resection.

Surgical Management of Crohn's Disease

Treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) focuses on providing acceptable quality of life for the affected individual by optimizing medical therapy, endoscopic procedures, and surgical intervention. Biologics have changed the medical management of moderate to severe CD. However, despite their introduction, the need for surgical resection in CD has not drastically changed, with two-thirds of the patients still requiring an intestinal resection. Patient outcomes are optimized by focusing on preoperative management and intraoperative technical aspects to maximize bowel preservation. This article reviews some of the important principles of Crohn's surgery to help guide surgeons when approaching this challenging patient population.

Endoscopic Prediction of Crohn's Disease Postoperative Recurrence

BACKGROUND

The presence and severity of endoscopic recurrence after Crohn's disease intestinal resection predicts subsequent disease course. The Rutgeerts postoperative endoscopic recurrence score is unvalidated but has proven prognostically useful in many clinical studies. This study aimed to investigate the association between specific early endoscopic findings and subsequent disease course.

METHODS

In the setting of a randomized controlled trial (the POCER study), 85 patients underwent colonoscopy at 6 and 18 months after intestinal resection. Patients received 3 months of metronidazole, and high-risk patients received a thiopurine (or adalimumab if they were thiopurine intolerant). For endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts score ≥i2) at 6 months, patients stepped up to a thiopurine, fortnightly adalimumab with thiopurine, or weekly adalimumab. Central readers confirmed Rutgeerts, Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease, Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity scores, and 5 newly tested endoscopic parameters: anastomotic ulcer depth (superficial vs deep), number of ulcers (0, ≤2, >2), ulcer size (1-5 mm, ≥6 mm), circumferential extent of ulceration (<25%, ≥25%), and the presence or absence of stenosis. The POCER index, based on the 6-month postoperative findings, was then developed in relation to predicting the endoscopic outcome at 18 months.

RESULTS

Of the 5 parameters, the combination of ulcer depth and circumference at the anastomosis at 6 months was associated with endoscopic recurrence at 18 months (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.50; P = 0.035) with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.5-0.75). The combination of these 2 parameters formed the basis of the POCER index (range, 0-4 with 0 denoting no ulcers and 4 denoting deep ulceration with >25% circumferential involvement). The new index had a strong correlation with the Rutgeerts score measured at the same time points: Spearmans' r = .80 at 6 months and r = .77 at 18 months (P < 0.001 at both time points). A POCER index of ≥2 and a Rutgeerts score of ≥i2 both had a sensitivity of 0.41 for recurrence; however, the POCER index had a higher specificity (0.8 and 0.67, respectively). The POCER index at 6 months was associated with endoscopic recurrence at 18 months (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0; P = 0.002; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.82), but the Rutgeerts score was not (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8-1.8; P = 0.402).

CONCLUSIONS

The POCER postoperative index comprises 2 key endoscopic factors related to the anastomosis that are associated with subsequent disease progression. A higher score, comprising the adverse prognostic factors of deep or circumferentially extensive anastomotic ulceration, may help identify patients who require more intensive therapy.

Mild neoterminal ileal post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease conveys higher risk for severe endoscopic disease progression than isolated anastomotic lesions

There are conflicting data assessing the impact of isolated post-operative anastomotic inflammation on future disease progression. The aim of this study was to determine the relative risk of severe disease progression in post-operative Crohn's disease (CD) patients with isolated anastomotic disease.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of adult CD patients undergoing ileocolonic resection between 2009 and 2020. Patients with a post-operative ileocolonoscopy ≤18 months from surgery and ≥1 subsequent ileocolonoscopy were included. Disease activity was assessed using the modified Rutgeerts' score (RS). Primary outcome was severe endoscopic progression, defined as i3 or i4 disease, on immediate subsequent ileocolonoscopy and during entire post-operative follow-up. Secondary outcome was surgical recurrence.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-nine CD patients had an ileocolonoscopy ≤18 months from surgery, index RS of i0-i2b and ≥1 subsequent ileocolonoscopy. At index ileocolonoscopy, 34.7% had i0 disease, 16.1% i1, 24.6% i2a and 24.6% i2b. On multivariable logistic regression, i2b disease was associated with severe endoscopic progression compared to i0 or i1 (aOR 5.53; P < 0.001) and i2a disease patients (aOR 2.63; P = 0.03). However, i2a disease did not confer increased risk compared to i0 or i1 disease (P = 0.09). Furthermore, i2b patients experienced severe endoscopic progression significantly earlier than i0 or i1 disease (aHR 4.68; P < 0.001), whereas i2a disease did not differ from i0 or i1 disease (P = 0.25). Surgical recurrence was not associated with index RS i0-i2b (P = 0.86).

CONCLUSION

Post-operative ileal disease recurrence, not isolated anastomotic inflammation, confers increased risk for severe endoscopic disease progression. Location of CD recurrence may impact optimal management strategies.

High serum concentrations of growth differentiation factor-15 and their association with Crohn's disease and a low skeletal muscle index

Sarcopenia comprises a low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and low muscle strength (MS) or low physical function. Many sarcopenia biomarkers have been reported. With Crohn’s disease (CD), a low SMI is predictive of intestinal complications. Therefore, many CD studies have reported that sarcopenia is defined by SMI alone. This study investigated the sarcopenia frequency by assessing the SMI and MS of Japanese patients with CD and biomarkers predicting a low SMI. We evaluated the SMI using a bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength, and C-reactive protein, albumin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, growth differentiation factor (GDF)-8, and GDF-15 levels as biomarker candidates for 78 CD patients at our hospital. Sarcopenia and a low SMI were observed in 7.7% and 42.3% of the patients, respectively. There was a significant difference in the GDF-15 levels of the low SMI group and normal group according to the multivariate analysis (P = 0.028; odds ratio [OR], 1.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000–1.002). When evaluated by sex, males exhibited a negative correlation between the GDF-15 level and SMI (Pearson’s r = − 0.414; P = 0.0031), and the multivariate analysis indicated a significant difference in the GDF-15 levels (P = 0.011; OR, 1.001; 95% CI 1.000–1.002). GDF-15 levels may indicate a low SMI with CD.

Intriguing Role of the Mesentery in Ileocolic Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease with unknown etiology. Up to 80% of patients will eventually require surgery throughout their lifetime, and often repeated resections are required for disease recurrence. Observations of “creeping fat” surrounding the diseased intestine renewed interest in the mesentery, recently defined as an organ with endocrine and immune functions. According to the inside-out model, the mesentery may be primarily affected in CD and subsequent cause alterations in the mucosa. Recently, lower surgical recurrence rates have been reported with en-bloc excision of the mesentery adjoining the diseased intestine. Results of ongoing randomized controlled trials may clarify the role of the mesentery in CD and possibly lead to its adoption as standard during surgery for Crohn's disease.

Development and validation of a non-invasive biomarker-based model to identify endoscopic recurrences of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic recurrence is common in postoperative patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Monitoring endoscopic recurrence is important for selecting an appropriate treatment to prevent the development of postoperative disease. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a diagnostic model to identify endoscopic recurrence.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study recruiting postoperative CD patients who underwent endoscopy at the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from January 2016 to June 2020. Endoscopic recurrence was defined as Rutgeerts score > i1. Thirty non-invasive biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, vitamin D, complete blood count, and biochemical blood indices, were used as candidate predictors to build a multivariate logistic regression diagnostic model. The predictive ability of the diagnostic models was assessed by receiving the area under the characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots, and internal validation was performed by the bootstrap method.

RESULTS

Two hundred and nineteen eligible patients were included in this study, and 135 (61.6%) patients had a postoperative endoscopic recurrence. The final diagnostic model included eight biomarkers with an AUC (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 0.796 (0.737-0.855) to identify endoscopic recurrence. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of this diagnostic model were 0.781 (0.780-0.782), 0.647 (0.643-0.651) and 0.811 (0.807-0.815), respectively, by internal validation. In addition, the diagnostic model exhibited good calibrability with calibration slope, calibration-in-the-large ('mean calibration') and Brier scores of 1.00, 0.00, and 0.175, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This non-invasive biomarker-based diagnostic model has an excellent ability to identify endoscopic recurrence in patients with CD. Application of the model to clinical practice to monitor postoperative patients may be helpful for patient management.

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in Crohn's disease and the effect on surgery rates

AIM

Surgery is an important therapeutic option for Crohn's disease. The need for first bowel surgery seems to have decreased with the introduction of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi; adalimumab or infliximab). However, the impact of TNFi on the need for intestinal surgery in Crohn's disease patients irrespective of prior bowel resection is not known. The aim of this work is to compare the incidence of bowel surgery in Crohn's disease patients who remain on TNFi treatment versus those who discontinue it.

METHOD

We performed a nationwide register-based observational cohort study in Sweden of all incident and prevalent cases of Crohn's disease who started first-line TNFi treatment between 2006 and 2017. Patients were categorized according to TNFi treatment retention less than or beyond 1 year. The study cohort was evaluated with regard to incidence of bowel surgery from 12 months after the first ever TNFi dispensation.

RESULTS

We identified 5003 Crohn's disease patients with TNFi exposure: 3748 surgery naïve and 1255 with bowel surgery prior to TNFi initiation. Of these patients, 7% (n = 353) were subjected to abdominal surgery during the first 12 months after the start of TNFi and were subsequently excluded from the main analysis. A majority (62%) continued TNFi for 12 months or more. Treatment with TNFi for less than 12 months was associated with a significantly higher surgery rate compared with patients who continued on TNFi for 12 months or more (hazard ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.09-1.46; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with TNFi for less than 12 months was associated with a higher risk of bowel surgery in Crohn's disease patients compared with those who continued TNFi for 12 months or more.

Redo ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease - does time passed since previous surgery matter?

AIM

Surgical resection for Crohn's disease (CD) remains noncurative, therefore recurrence is a significant problem. Although numerous factors affecting surgical outcomes in redo ileocolic resection have been previously described, no study has considered the relation between the interval of time from initial ileocolic resection to the redo procedure and its effect on surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore this relationship.

METHOD

A retrospective review of all adult patients undergoing redo ileocolic resection for CD between 2011 to 2020 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups based on time from initial ileocolic resection. Patients operated within 10 years of their initial surgery (≤10 years) were assigned to the early group, while patients operated >10 years after initial surgery were allocated to the late group. Primary outcome was the 30-day postoperative major complication rate.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients underwent redo ileocolic resection, 24 in the early group and 34 in the late group. Apart from older median age in the late group (56 vs. 46.5 years, p = 0.026), the groups were similar for patient factors, disease site and behaviour, use of immune-suppressing medication and procedural factors. Significant differences in 30-day postoperative morbidity included longer length of stay (6 vs. 5 days, p = 0.035), a higher major complication rate (23.5% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.04) and higher readmission rate (26.4% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.035) in the late group. The overall complication rate remained nonsignificant (37.5% vs. 61.8%, p = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Redo ileocolic resection, when performed >10 years from the initial ileocolic resection, may be associated with increased morbidity, specifically higher rates of major postoperative complications, a longer length of stay and more readmissions.

Predictors of postoperative recurrence in a cohort of Tunisian patients with Crohn’s disease

Background:

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency and risk factors of clinical postoperative recurrence in Tunisian patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).

Methods:

Clinical data of 86 patients with CD who underwent ileocolonic resection at University Hospital of Sahloul in Tunisia were retrospectively reviewed. Continuous data are expressed as median (interquartile range), and categorical data as frequencies and percentages. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors of postoperative clinical recurrence.

Results:

A total of 86 patients with CD were included in this study. During follow-up, 21 patients (24.4%) had clinical recurrence. The cumulative clinical recurrence rate was 9.3% at 1 year and 20.9% at 5 years. In univariate analysis, predictive factors of postoperative clinical recurrence were active preoperative smoking (p = 0.008), ileal location of the disease (p = 0.01), active CD [Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) > 150] (p = 0.04), duration of disease before first surgery <9.5 months (p = 0.027), and limited resection margins (<2 cm) from macroscopically diseased bowel (p = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, only smoking (p = 0.012), duration of disease before first surgery <9.5 months (p = 0.048), and limited resection margins (<2 cm) from macroscopically diseased bowel (p = 0.046) were confirmed to be independent factors of clinical relapse.

Conclusion:

Smoking, duration of disease before first surgery <9.5 months, and limited resection margins (<2 cm) from macroscopically diseased bowel were independent risk factors for clinical recurrence. Based on these factors, patients could be stratified in order to guide postoperative therapeutic options.

Ileocolic Resection for Crohn Disease: The Influence of Different Surgical Techniques on Perioperative Outcomes, Recurrence Rates, and Endoscopic Surveillance

Ileocolic resection (ICR) is the most common surgical procedure in Crohn disease (CD). There are many surgical techniques for performing ICRs and subsequent anastomoses. Recurrence of CD after ICR is common, often clinically silent, and thus requires monitoring including periodic use of endoscopy to detect early active disease. There is emerging evidence that surgical approaches may influence CD recurrence. This review explores the various surgical considerations, the data behind each decision, and how these techniques influence subsequent endoscopic surveillance.

Rate and risk factors of postoperative endoscopic recurrence of moderate- to high-risk Crohn's disease patients - A real-world experience from a Middle Eastern cohort

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) frequently recurs after intestinal resection. Azathioprine (AZA) and biological therapies have shown efficacy in preventing postoperative recurrence (POR). Data on POR from Middle Eastern populations is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of endoscopic POR in a cohort of CD patients who underwent ileocecal resection (ICR), and to assess the effectiveness of AZA and biological therapies in reducing the risk of disease recurrence.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study on 105 CD patients followed at our center, who underwent ileal resection and were at moderate to high risk for POR. Clinical and laboratory data were collected; the primary endpoint was post ICR endoscopic recurrence at 24 months defined by Rutgeerts' score of i2 or more despite treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 105 patients with Crohn's disease met our inclusion criteria; 76.2% were in remission and did not have endoscopic POR at 24 months. Further, 41.9% were on biological therapy, and 34.3% were mainly on AZA. Out of the 28.2% who had POR, approximately 15% were on biological therapies. Penetrating phenotype was the only predictive factor for decreasing POR (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04-0.98, P = 0.04) as identified in multiple logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of biological therapies post-surgery was not superior than AZA in reducing the endoscopic POR for mod- high risk CD patients. Only penetrating behavior of the CD was associated with significantly lower risk of endoscopic recurrence. This finding is worth further investigation in more robust study designs and among larger samples of patients.

Natural History and Risk Stratification of Recurrent Crohn's Disease After Ileocolonic Resection: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Prediction of endoscopic postoperative recurrence (POR) and prophylactic treatment based on clinical risk profile have thus far been inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the association between clinical risk profile and the development of endoscopic POR in a Crohn's disease population without postoperative treatment and to identify individual risk factors of endoscopic POR.

METHODS

Medical records of 142 patients with Crohn's disease during follow-up after ileocecal or ileocolonic resection without prophylactic treatment at 3 referral centers were reviewed. Endoscopic POR was defined as a modified Rutgeerts score ≥i2b. Clinical risk profiles were distilled from current guidelines. Both uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between risk profiles and endoscopic POR.

RESULTS

Endoscopic POR was observed in 68 out of 142 (47.9%) patients. Active smoking postsurgery (odds ratio [OR], 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-7.34; P = 0.02), a Montreal classification of A3 (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.07-8.69; P = 0.04), and previous bowel resections (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.07-6.22; P = 0.03) were significantly associated with endoscopic POR. No significant association was observed between endoscopic POR and any guideline defined as a high-/low-risk profile. However, patients with a combination of any 3 or more European Crohns & Colitis Organisation- (OR, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.30-18.29; P = 0.02) or British Society of Gastroenterology-defined (OR 3.16; 95% CI, 1.05-9.49; P = 0.04) risk factors showed increased odds of developing endoscopic POR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that patients with a combination of any 3 or more European Crohns & Colitis Organisation- or British Society of Gastroenterology-defined risk factors would probably benefit from immediate prophylactic treatment.

Targeting Mechano-Transcription Process as Therapeutic Intervention in Gastrointestinal Disorders

Mechano-transcription is a process whereby mechanical stress alters gene expression. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is composed of a series of hollow organs, often encountered by transient or persistent mechanical stress. Recent studies have revealed that persistent mechanical stress is present in obstructive, functional, and inflammatory disorders and alters gene transcription in these conditions. Mechano-transcription of inflammatory molecules, pain mediators, pro-fibrotic and growth factors has been shown to play a key role in the development of motility dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity, inflammation, and fibrosis in the gut. In particular, mechanical stress-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and certain pro-inflammatory mediators in gut smooth muscle cells are responsible for motility dysfunction and inflammatory process. Mechano-transcription of pain mediators such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may lead to visceral hypersensitivity. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanical stress in the gut also leads to up-regulation of certain proliferative and pro-fibrotic mediators such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and osteopontin (OPN), which may contribute to fibrostenotic Crohn's disease. In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiological significance of mechanical stress-induced expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, pain mediators, pro-fibrotic and growth factors in obstructive, inflammatory, and functional bowel disorders. We will also evaluate potential therapeutic targets of mechano-transcription process for the management of these disorders.

Surgical Strategies to Reduce Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn's Disease After Ileocolic Resection

Postoperative recurrence after ileocaecal resection for fibrostenotic terminal ileal Crohn's disease is a significant issue for patients as it can result in symptom recurrence and requirement for further surgery. There are very few modifiable factors, aside from smoking cessation, that can reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence. Until relatively recently, the surgical technique used for resection and anastomosis had little or no impact on postoperative recurrence rates. Novel surgical techniques such as the Kono-S anastomosis and extended mesenteric excision have shown promise as ways to reduce postoperative recurrence rates. This manuscript will review and discuss the evidence regarding a range of surgical techniques and their potential role in reducing disease recurrence. Some of the techniques have been shown to be associated with significant benefits for patients and have already been integrated into the routine clinical practice of some surgeons, while other techniques remain under investigation. Current techniques such as resection of the mesentery close to the intestine and stapled side to side anastomosis are being challenged. It is looking more likely that surgeons will have a major role to play when it comes to reducing recurrence rates for patients undergoing ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease.

Low Levels of Fecal Calprotectin 3 Months After Surgery Predict Subsequent Endoscopic Postoperative Remission in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In Crohn's disease (CD) few data are available on the usefulness of monitoring fecal calprotectin (FC) in the early postoperative setting. We assessed prospectively the accuracy of FC measured 3 months after surgery to predict the risk of endoscopic postoperative recurrence (POR) within 1 year after resection.

METHODS

In 55 consecutive CD patients who had undergone ileocolonic resection samples were collected 3 months after surgery for measuring serum CRP and FC. Endoscopic POR was assessed by ileocolonoscopy within 6-12 months (median 7 months). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess accuracy of the markers, to determine the best threshold and to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values.

RESULTS

In contrast with median CRP levels, median FC concentrations measured 3 months after surgery were significantly higher in patients who later experienced endoscopic POR (Rutgeerts ≥ i2) compared with those who stayed in endoscopic remission within the following 6-12 months (205 μg/g IQR [106-721] vs. 103 μg/g IQR [60-219], p = 0.008). Area under the ROC curve for FC was 0.71. The best cutoff value of FC to identify patients in subsequent endoscopic remission 3 months after surgery was 65 μg/g (96% sensitivity, 31% specificity, 50% positive and 91% negative predictive values). In multivariate analysis, FC < 65 µg/g at 3 months was the only factor associated with subsequent endoscopic remission.

CONCLUSION

FC measured 3 months after surgery below 65 μg/g is an accurate marker to identify CD patients who will later stay in endoscopic remission within 1 year after resection.

Current Trends in IBD-Development of Mucosal-Based Biomarkers and a Novel Minimally Invasive Recoverable Sampling System

Despite recent developments in therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), there have been limited advances in diagnostic tools available to aid in disease management. A growing body of evidence suggests that there are important host-microbe interactions at the mucosal interface that modulate the inflammatory response in patients with IBD. Additionally, the importance of mucosal integrity and its disruption appears to be important in the pathophysiology and perpetuation of the disease. The ability to characterize this interface may provide valuable information for both disease monitoring and identification of new treatment targets. Endoscopy remains the primary tool for disease monitoring, and mucosal healing is the primary therapeutic target in IBD treatment. However, establishing mucosal healing requires repetitive endoscopic procedures, and endoscopy is limited by factors such as invasiveness, cost, and risk of adverse events. Moreover, the use of a bowel preparation for colonoscopies alters the mucus layer and thus perturbs evaluation of the host-microbe interaction. Stool sampling may also be inaccurate because it reflects the end state of metabolites and proteins, failing to take into account the degradation or alteration of substrates of interest by bacterial proteases and other enzymes during passage through the colon. A novel sampling capsule, called the Recoverable Sampling System (RSS), is being developed as a complementary tool to colonoscopy. The RSS is intended to be a platform for noninvasive autonomous sampling, preservation, handling, and storage of analytes of interest found in the gastrointestinal fluids. A proprietary preservative contained within the chambers of the capsule has been developed to stabilize DNA and proteins for ex vivo microbiome and metabolomics analyses. Surrogate markers such as SPP24 and GUCA2a have been identified to correlate with gut health, intestinal permeability, and inflammation and could be locally sampled by the RSS. The potential clinical utility of an RSS device is broad and would likely be able to guide therapy by allowing for more frequent disease monitoring, aiding in disease characterization, and facilitating in the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Thiopurines are superior to mesalamine for preventing postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease and two or more risk factors

OBJECTIVE

To confirm the hypothesis that thiopurines are better than mesalamine for preventing postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) in patients with more than two risk factors.

METHODS

In total 87 consecutive CD patients who underwent curative ileocolonic resection and ileocolic anastomosis were retrospectively recruited, including 43 prescribed with thiopurines and 44 with mesalamine after surgery. Four risk factors were predefined for subgroup analyses: smoking, penetrating disease, perianal disease and previous resection. End-points included clinical (Crohn's disease activity index >200) and endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts score ≥i2) within 52 weeks.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in clinical (37.2% vs 54.5%, P = 0.105) and endoscopic recurrence (55.8% vs 75.0%, P = 0.060) between the thiopurines and mesalamine groups by week 52. In the subgroup analysis of patients with two or more risk factors, clinical (35.7% vs 81.8%, P = 0.042) and endoscopic recurrence (64.3% vs 100%, P= 0.046) were less frequent in the thiopurine group than the mesalamine group. With one additional risk factor, the risk of endoscopic recurrence in the thiopurines group increased by 2.201-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.178-4.115), adjusted for treatment intervention. While the risk of clinical and endoscopic recurrence in patients treated with mesalamine increased by 3.383-fold and 5.884-fold (95% CI 1.260-9.081 and 1.598-21.662). Three patients treated with thiopurines withdrew for adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Thiopurines may be superior to mesalamine for preventing postoperative recurrence of CD in patients with two or more risk factors. Caution is needed in light of the adverse events caused by thiopurines.

Anastomotic Ulcers: A Tertiary Centre Experience of Endoscopic Management Techniques

Improvements in neonatal care and surgical advances, has led to an increased prevalence of children with small and large bowel anastomoses. Ulceration at the site of anastomosis is a rare, but well-recognised phenomenon, with no clearly understood pathogenesis. Paediatric case series have been reported but there remains no clear effective treatment strategy and there is limited experience with endoscopic techniques in their management. We report our tertiary centre experience of managing nine anastomotic ulcer patients, including endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation and clips.Two patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) responded to optimisation of medical therapy. In our non-IBD patients, those requiring a blood transfusion (n = 2) ultimately required surgery and those who did not require a blood transfusion responded to aminosalicylate treatment (n = 1) or endoscopic therapeutic techniques (n = 3).We conclude that endoscopic interventions can be an effective management strategy for anastomotic ulcers when a blood transfusion isn't required.

The Clinical Significance of Anastomotic Ulcers After Ileocolic Resection to Predict Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

The Rutgeerts score is used to predict postoperative recurrence in CD patients after ileocolic resection and is primarily based on endoscopic findings at the neoterminal ileum. However, the optimal assessment of anastomotic ulcers (AUs) remains subject to debate.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the association between anastomotic ulcers (AUs) and endoscopic recurrence in postoperative Crohn's disease (CD) patients.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study, conducted between 2000 and 2016, evaluated postoperative CD patients with endoscopic remission at the first ileocolonoscopy within 1 year after ileocolic resection and those who underwent subsequent ileocolonoscopic follow-up. The study outcome was the clinical significance of AUs in predicting endoscopic recurrence.

RESULTS

Among 116 patients who were in endoscopic remission defined as the RS of i0 to i1 at the index postoperative ileocolonoscopy, 84.5% (98/116) underwent subsequent ileocolonoscopies. During the median 30.0 months (interquartile range, 21.3-53.3) of follow-up after the first ileocolonoscopy, 56.1% (55/98) of patients showed endoscopic recurrence. Furthermore, 65.8% (48/73) with AUs and 75.5% (40/53) with major AUs, defined as either an ulcer occupying ≥ 1/4 of the circumference, ≥ 3 ulcers confined to anastomotic ring, or any ulcers extending to the ileocolonic mucosa, showed endoscopic recurrence. On multivariable analysis, AUs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 4.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87-10.0; P < 0.001) and major AUs (aHR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.95-79; P < 0.001) were associated with endoscopic recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

AUs are associated with a significantly high risk of endoscopic recurrence in postoperative CD patients who are in endoscopic remission.

Quantifying the rate of recurrence of postoperative Crohn's disease with biological therapy. A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Preventing the postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD) poses a significant challenge to clinicians. With the advent of biologics, various studies have observed a reduction of recurrence after surgery. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the rate of POR at different time points in the era of biologic use.

METHODS

We performed a literature search using Medline and Embase databases for studies investigating biologics in preventing the POR of CD. Data were extracted, and a single-arm meta-analysis with generalized linear mixed model and Clopper-Pearson method for confidence interval (CI) was performed to identify endoscopic, clinical and surgical recurrence rates at 6 months and 1, 2 and 5 years postoperatively.

RESULTS

Altogether 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The endoscopic, clinical and surgical POR rate with the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents at 1 year was 21.72% (95% CI 16.28%-28.37%), 13.06% (95% CI 8.18%-18.92%) and 3.76% (95% CI 1.37%-9.91%), respectively. The 5-year recurrence rate was 84.21% (95% CI 72.35%-91.57%) and 17.49% (95% CI 9.17%-30.80%) for endoscopic and surgical recurrence, respectively. Subgroup analyses at 1 year for the type of anti-TNF-α agent or the timing of initiation after surgery showed no significant difference in endoscopic, clinical and surgical recurrence rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-TNF-α agents are effective at preventing clinical, endoscopic and surgical POR of CD. The timing of initiating biological therapy after surgery has no significant effect on the rate of POR. The efficacy of infliximab and adalimumab for postoperative recurrence prevention is similar.

Silent Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequently associated with a variety of problematic symptoms, including abdominal pain and bowel habit changes, which are associated with poor patient quality of life and significant healthcare expenditure. Interestingly, silent IBD, a condition where patients demonstrate reduced perception and/or reporting of symptoms in the setting of active inflammation, may be as clinically consequential. This condition has been associated with serious complications leading to more costly interventions. It is by its nature an under-recognized phenomenon that affects substantial portions of patients with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. At the present time, although there are a variety of theories relating to the underlying causes and contributors, little is known about why this phenomenon occurs. As a result, there is a lack of cost-effective, reliable diagnostic methods to identify and manage "at-risk" patients. However, it is significantly likely that further study and an improved understanding of this condition will lead to improved approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with silent IBD as well as other gastrointestinal disorders associated with alterations in symptomatic perception. In this article, we critically review studies that have investigated silent IBD. Specifically, we discuss the following: (1) the methods for defining silent IBD, (2) the known epidemiology of silent IBD, (3) potential causes of and contributors to this clinical entity, (4) current diagnostic modalities available to identify it, and (5) gaps in our understanding as well as potential novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications that could be developed with further study of this condition.

Defining and Assessing the Reproducibility of Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Lesions: A Delphi-like Method from the GETAID

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Defining and assessing the reproducibility of Crohn's disease [CD] endoscopic lesions is essential in assessing endoscopic healing.

METHODS

Twelve endoscopic CD experts from the GETAID defined aphthoid erosions [AE], superficial ulcerations [SU], deep ulcerations [DU], stenosis, and fistulas according to a Delphi-like method. Thirty different GETAID physicians declared if they found acceptable each definition. Intra- and inter-observer agreements were investigated using 100 videos with one tagged specific lesion [AE, SU, DU, or sham lesion] read by 15 independent endoscopists at baseline and 1 month later in a randomised order. Video quality was determined by an external reader. According to kappa estimate [κ ±standard error], intra or inter-observer agreement was qualified as 'moderate' [0.4-0.6], 'substantial' [0.6-0.8], or 'almost perfect' [0.8-1.0].

RESULTS

Among 30 different experts, 83% to 97% found acceptable the definitions retrieved from the Delphi-like method. Intra-observer κ was 0.717 [±0.019] for SU, 0.681 [±0.027] for AE, 0.856 [±0.014] for DU, showing 'substantial' agreement. It was 0.801 [±0.016] for any ulceration [DU or SU]. There was a high variability across readers from 'moderate' to 'almost perfect' agreement. Inter-observer κ was 0.548 [±0.042] for SU, 0.554 [±0.028] for AE 0.694 [±0.041] for DU, and 0.705 [±0.042] for any ulceration. Inter-observer agreement increased when reading the 53 high-quality videos: 0.787 [±0.064] [p = 0.001], 0.607 [±0.043] [p = 0.001], and 0.782 [±0.064][p = 0.001] for DU, AE, and any ulceration, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite variable intra-agreement level across readers, the GETAID definitions for CD endoscopic lesions provided 'substantial' inter-observer agreements, especially in case of high-quality videos.