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Vegh Z, Burisch J, Pedersen N, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Bortlik M, Vinding KK, Avnstrøm S, Olsen J, Nielsen KR, Katsanos KH, Tsianos EV, Lakatos L, Schwartz D, Odes S, D'Incà R, Beltrami M, Kiudelis G, Kupcinskap L, Jucov A, Turcan S, Barros LF, Magro F, Lazar D, Goldis A, de Castro L, Hernandez V, Niewiadomski O, Bell S, Langholz E, Munkholm P, Lakatos PL. Treatment Steps, Surgery, and Hospitalization Rates During the First Year of Follow-up in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases from the 2011 ECCO-Epicom Inception Cohort. J Crohns Colitis 2015; 9:747-53. [PMID: 26055976 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The ECCO-EpiCom study investigates the differences in the incidence and therapeutic management of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] between Eastern and Western Europe. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in the disease phenotype, medical therapy, surgery, and hospitalization rates in the ECCO-EpiCom 2011 inception cohort during the first year after diagnosis. METHODS Nine Western, five Eastern European centres and one Australian centre with 258 Crohn's disease [CD], 380 ulcerative colitis [UC] and 71 IBD unclassified [IBDU] patients [female/male: 326/383; mean age at diagnosis: 40.9 years, SD: 17.3 years] participated. Patients' data were registered and entered in the web-based ECCO-EpiCom database [www.epicom-ecco.eu]. RESULTS In CD, 36 [19%] Western Europe/Australian and 6 [9%] Eastern European patients received biological therapy [p = 0.04], but the immunosuppressive [IS] use was equal and high in these regions [Eastern Europe vs Western Europe/Australia: 53% vs 45%; p = 0.27]. Surgery was performed in 17 [24%] CD patients in Eastern Europe and 13 [7%] in Western Europe/Australia [p < 0.001, pLogRank = 0.001]. Of CD patients from Eastern Europe, 24 [34%] were hospitalized, and 39 [21%] from Western Europe/Australia, [p = 0.02, pLogRank = 0.01]. In UC, exposure to biologicals and colectomy rates were low and hospitalization rates did not differ between these regions during the 1-year follow-up period [16% vs 16%; p = 0.93]. CONCLUSIONS During the first year after diagnosis, surgery and hospitalization rates were significantly higher in CD patients in Eastern Europe compared with Western Europe/Australia, whereas significantly more CD patients were treated with biologicals in the Western Europe/Australian centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Vegh
- First Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - J Burisch
- Gastrounit, Medical Section, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - N Pedersen
- Gastroenterology Department, Slagelse University Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark
| | | | - D Duricova
- IBD Centre ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Bortlik
- IBD Centre ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - K Kofod Vinding
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Avnstrøm
- Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Amager, Denmark
| | - J Olsen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K R Nielsen
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K H Katsanos
- First Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - E V Tsianos
- First Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - L Lakatos
- Department of Medicine, Csolnoky F. Province Hospital, Veszprem, Hungary
| | - D Schwartz
- First Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - S Odes
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Centre and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - R D'Incà
- UO Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy centre based in Crema, Cremona, Firenze, Forlì & Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - M Beltrami
- Degenza Breve Internistica e Centro M.I.C.I.-Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy centre based in Crema, Cremona, Firenze, Forlì & Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - G Kiudelis
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Kupcinskap
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - A Jucov
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - S Turcan
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - L F Barros
- Hospital de Vale de Sousa, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Magro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Oporto Medical School, Porto, Portugal MedInUP-Centre for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Lazar
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - A Goldis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - L de Castro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grupo de Investigación en Patología Digestiva, Instituto de Investigación Biomedica [IBI], Xerencia de Xestión Integrada de Vigo, SERGAS, Vigo, Spain
| | - V Hernandez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Grupo de Investigación en Patología Digestiva, Instituto de Investigación Biomedica [IBI], Xerencia de Xestión Integrada de Vigo, SERGAS, Vigo, Spain
| | - O Niewiadomski
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Bell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Langholz
- Department C, Gastroenterology Section, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - P Munkholm
- Gastro Unit, Medical Section, North Zealand Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P L Lakatos
- First Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Vegh Z, Burisch J, Pedersen N, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Bortlik M, Avnstrøm S, Vinding KK, Olsen J, Nielsen KR, Katsanos KH, Tsianos EV, Lakatos L, Schwartz D, Odes S, Lupinacci G, De Padova A, Jonaitis L, Kupcinskas L, Turcan S, Tighineanu O, Mihu I, Barros LF, Magro F, Lazar D, Goldis A, Fernandez A, Hernandez V, Niewiadomski O, Bell S, Langholz E, Munkholm P, Lakatos PL. Incidence and initial disease course of inflammatory bowel diseases in 2011 in Europe and Australia: results of the 2011 ECCO-EpiCom inception cohort. J Crohns Colitis 2014; 8:1506-15. [PMID: 24998983 DOI: 10.1016/j.crohns.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The aim of the present study was to validate the IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) incidence reported in the 2010 ECCO-EpiCom (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization-Epidemiological Committee) inception cohort by including a second independent inception cohort from participating centers in 2011 and an Australian center to investigate whether there is a difference in the incidence of IBD between Eastern and Western European countries and Australia. METHODS Fourteen centers from 5 Eastern and 9 Western European countries and one center from Australia participated in the ECCO-EpiCom 2011 inception cohort. Patients' data regarding disease type, socio-demographic factors, extraintestinal manifestations and therapy were entered into the Web-based EpiCom database, www.ecco-epicom.eu. RESULTS A total of 711 adult patients were diagnosed during the inclusion year 2011, 178 (25%) from Eastern, 461 (65%) from Western Europe and 72 (10%) from Australia; 259 (37%) patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease, 380 (53%) with ulcerative colitis and 72 (10%) with IBD unclassified. The mean annual incidence rate for IBD was 11.3/100,000 in Eastern Europe, 14.0/100,000 in Western Europe and 30.3/100,000 in Australia. Significantly more patients were diagnosed with complicated disease at diagnosis in Eastern Europe compared to Western Europe (43% vs. 27%, p=0.02). CONCLUSION Incidence rates, disease phenotype and initial treatment characteristics in the 2011 ECCO-EpiCom cohort were not significantly different from that reported in the 2010 cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Vegh
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - J Burisch
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N Pedersen
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - D Duricova
- IBD Centre ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Bortlik
- IBD Centre ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - S Avnstrøm
- Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Amager, Denmark
| | | | - J Olsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K R Nielsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K H Katsanos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - E V Tsianos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - L Lakatos
- 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - D Schwartz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Centre and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - S Odes
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Centre and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - G Lupinacci
- U.O.Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia, Ospedale Maggiore di Crema, Crema, Italy; On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy centre based in Crema, Cremona, Firenze, Forlì & Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - A De Padova
- On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy centre based in Crema, Cremona, Firenze, Forlì & Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy; U.O. Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, University of Ioannina, Forlì, Italy
| | - L Jonaitis
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Kupcinskas
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - S Turcan
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - O Tighineanu
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Centre of Mother and Child, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - I Mihu
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Centre of Mother and Child, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - L F Barros
- Hospital de Vale de Sousa, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Magro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Oporto Medical School, Porto, Portugal; MedInUP-Centre for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Lazar
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - A Goldis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - A Fernandez
- Gastroenterology Department, POVISA Hospital, Vigo, Spain
| | - V Hernandez
- Gastroenterology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - O Niewiadomski
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Bell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Langholz
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P Munkholm
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P L Lakatos
- 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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3
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Burisch J, Weimers P, Pedersen N, Cukovic-Cavka S, Vucelic B, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Bortlik M, Shonová O, Vind I, Avnstrøm S, Thorsgaard N, Krabbe S, Andersen V, Dahlerup JF, Kjeldsen J, Salupere R, Olsen J, Nielsen KR, Manninen P, Collin P, Katsanos KH, Tsianos EV, Ladefoged K, Lakatos L, Ragnarsson G, Björnsson E, Bailey Y, O'Morain C, Schwartz D, Odes S, Valpiani D, Boni MC, Jonaitis L, Kupcinskas L, Turcan S, Barros L, Magro F, Lazar D, Goldis A, Nikulina I, Belousova E, Fernandez A, Sanroman L, Almer S, Zhulina Y, Halfvarson J, Arebi N, Diggory T, Sebastian S, Lakatos PL, Langholz E, Munkholm P. Health-related quality of life improves during one year of medical and surgical treatment in a European population-based inception cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease--an ECCO-EpiCom study. J Crohns Colitis 2014; 8:1030-42. [PMID: 24560877 DOI: 10.1016/j.crohns.2014.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The aim was prospectively to assess and validate the pattern of HRQoL in an unselected, population-based inception cohort of IBD patients from Eastern and Western Europe. METHODS The EpiCom inception cohort consists of 1560 IBD patients from 31 European centres covering a background population of approximately 10.1 million. Patients answered the disease specific Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ) and generic Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire at diagnosis and after one year of follow-up. RESULTS In total, 1079 patients were included in this study. Crohn's disease (CD) patients mean SIBDQ scores improved from 45.3 to 55.3 in Eastern Europe and from 44.9 to 53.6 in Western Europe. SIBDQ scores for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients improved from 44.9 to 57.4 and from 48.8 to 55.7, respectively. UC patients needing surgery or biologicals had lower SIBDQ scores before and after compared to the rest, while biological therapy improved SIBDQ scores in CD. CD and UC patients in both regions improved all SF-12 scores. Only Eastern European UC patients achieved SF-12 summary scores equal to or above the normal population. CONCLUSION Medical and surgical treatment improved HRQoL during the first year of disease. The majority of IBD patients in both Eastern and Western Europe reported a positive perception of disease-specific but not generic HRQoL. Biological therapy improved HRQoL in CD patients, while UC patients in need of surgery or biological therapy experienced lower perceptions of HRQoL than the rest.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burisch
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - P Weimers
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N Pedersen
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Cukovic-Cavka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - B Vucelic
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - D Duricova
- IBD Center ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Bortlik
- IBD Center ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - O Shonová
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - I Vind
- Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Amager, Denmark
| | - S Avnstrøm
- Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Amager, Denmark
| | - N Thorsgaard
- Department of Medicine, Herning Central Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - S Krabbe
- Medical Department, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark
| | - V Andersen
- Medical Department, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark; Medical Department, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Aabenraa, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - J F Dahlerup
- Department of Medicine V, Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J Kjeldsen
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - R Salupere
- Division of Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - J Olsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K R Nielsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - P Manninen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - P Collin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - K H Katsanos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - E V Tsianos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - K Ladefoged
- Medical Department, Dronning Ingrids Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - L Lakatos
- Department of Medicine, Csolnoky F. Province Hospital, Veszprem, Hungary
| | - G Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - E Björnsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Y Bailey
- Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C O'Morain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D Schwartz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - S Odes
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - D Valpiani
- U.O. Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale Morgagni - Pierantoni, Forlì, Italy; On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy centre based in Crema & Cremona, Firenze, Forlì, Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - M C Boni
- U.O. Medicina 3° e Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy; On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy centre based in Crema & Cremona, Firenze, Forlì, Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - L Jonaitis
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Kupcinskas
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - S Turcan
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - L Barros
- Hospital de Vale de Sousa, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Magro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital São João, Porto, Portugal; Institute of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Lazar
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - A Goldis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - I Nikulina
- Department of Gastroenterology, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E Belousova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A Fernandez
- Gastroenterology Department, POVISA Hospital, Vigo, Spain
| | - L Sanroman
- Gastroenterology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - S Almer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gastroenterology/UHL, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Y Zhulina
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - J Halfvarson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden; School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - N Arebi
- St. Mark's Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - T Diggory
- Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust & Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK; Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - S Sebastian
- Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust & Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK; Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - P L Lakatos
- 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - E Langholz
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P Munkholm
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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4
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Burisch J, Vegh Z, Pedersen N, Cuković-Čavka S, Turk N, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Bortlik M, Shonová O, Thorsgaard N, Krabbe S, Andersen V, Dahlerup JF, Kjeldsen J, Salupere R, Olsen J, Nielsen KR, Manninen P, Collin P, Katsanos KH, Tsianos EV, Ladefoged K, Ragnarsson G, Björnsson E, Bailey Y, O'Morain C, Schwartz D, Odes S, Politi P, Santini A, Kiudelis G, Kupcinskas L, Turcan S, Magro F, Barros L, Lazar D, Goldis A, Nikulina I, Belousova E, Sanromán L, Martinez-Ares D, Almer S, Zhulina Y, Halfvarson J, Arebi N, Houston Y, Sebastian S, Langholz E, Lakatos PL, Munkholm P. Health care and patients' education in a European inflammatory bowel disease inception cohort: an ECCO-EpiCom study. J Crohns Colitis 2014; 8:811-8. [PMID: 24439390 DOI: 10.1016/j.crohns.2013.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The EpiCom study and inception cohort was initiated in 2010 in 31 centers from 14 Western and 8 Eastern European countries, covering a 10.1million person background population. Our aim was to investigate whether there is a difference between Eastern and Western Europe in health care and education of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS A quality of care (QoC) questionnaire was developed in the EpiCom group consisting of 16 questions covering 5 items: time interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, information, education, empathy and access to health care providers. RESULTS Of 1,515 patients, 947 (217 east/730 west) answered the QoC questionnaire. Only 23% of all patients had knowledge about IBD before diagnosis. In Eastern Europe, significantly more patients searched out information about IBD themselves (77% vs. 68%, p<0.05), the main source was the Internet (92% vs. 88% p=0.23). In Western Europe, significantly more patients were educated by nurses (19% vs. 1%, p<0.05), while in Eastern Europe, gastroenterologists were easier to contact (80% vs. 68%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION Health care differed significantly between Eastern and Western Europe in all items, but satisfaction rates were high in both geographic regions. Because of the low awareness and the rising incidence of IBD, general information should be the focus of patient organizations and medical societies. In Western Europe IBD nurses play a very important role in reducing the burden of patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burisch
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Z Vegh
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - N Pedersen
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Cuković-Čavka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - N Turk
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - D Duricova
- IBD Center ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Bortlik
- IBD Center ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - O Shonová
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - N Thorsgaard
- Department of Medicine, Herning Central Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - S Krabbe
- Medical Department, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark
| | - V Andersen
- Medical Department, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark; Medical Department, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Aabenraa, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - J F Dahlerup
- Department of Medicine V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus University Hospital, Arhus, Denmark
| | - J Kjeldsen
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - R Salupere
- Division of Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - J Olsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K R Nielsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - P Manninen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - P Collin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - K H Katsanos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - E V Tsianos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - K Ladefoged
- Medical Department, Dronning Ingrids Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - G Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - E Björnsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Y Bailey
- Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C O'Morain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D Schwartz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - S Odes
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - P Politi
- U.O. di Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Italy; On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy Centre based in Crema & Cremona, Firenze, Forlì, Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - A Santini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy; On behalf of the EpiCom Northern Italy Centre based in Crema & Cremona, Firenze, Forlì, Padova and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - G Kiudelis
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Kupcinskas
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - S Turcan
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - F Magro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal; Institute of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Oporto Medical School, Porto, Portugal; Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Barros
- Hospital de Vale de Sousa, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Lazar
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - A Goldis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - I Nikulina
- Department of Gastroenterology, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russia
| | - E Belousova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russia
| | - L Sanromán
- Gastroenterology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain, Vigo, Spain
| | - D Martinez-Ares
- Gastroenterology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain, Vigo, Spain
| | - S Almer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gastroenterology/UHL, County council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Y Zhulina
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - J Halfvarson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden; School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - N Arebi
- Sir Alan Park's Physiology Unit, St Mark's Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Y Houston
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hull & East Yorkshire HNS Trust, Hull, UK
| | - S Sebastian
- Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust & Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - E Langholz
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P L Lakatos
- 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - P Munkholm
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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5
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Burisch J, Pedersen N, Cukovic-Cavka S, Turk N, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Bortlik M, Shonová O, Vind I, Avnstrøm S, Thorsgaard N, Krabbe S, Andersen V, Dahlerup JF, Kjeldsen J, Salupere R, Olsen J, Nielsen KR, Manninen P, Collin P, Katsanos KH, Tsianos EV, Ladefoged K, Lakatos L, Ragnarsson G, Björnsson E, Bailey Y, O'Morain C, Schwartz D, Odes S, Giannotta M, Girardin G, Kiudelis G, Kupcinskas L, Turcan S, Barros L, Magro F, Lazar D, Goldis A, Nikulina I, Belousova E, Martinez-Ares D, Hernandez V, Almer S, Zhulina Y, Halfvarson J, Arebi N, Tsai HH, Sebastian S, Lakatos PL, Langholz E, Munkholm P. Environmental factors in a population-based inception cohort of inflammatory bowel disease patients in Europe--an ECCO-EpiCom study. J Crohns Colitis 2014; 8:607-16. [PMID: 24315795 DOI: 10.1016/j.crohns.2013.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Eastern Europe possibly due to changes in environmental factors towards a more "westernised" standard of living. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in exposure to environmental factors prior to diagnosis in Eastern and Western European IBD patients. METHODS The EpiCom cohort is a population-based, prospective inception cohort of 1560 unselected IBD patients from 31 European countries covering a background population of 10.1 million. At the time of diagnosis patients were asked to complete an 87-item questionnaire concerning environmental factors. RESULTS A total of 1182 patients (76%) answered the questionnaire, 444 (38%) had Crohn's disease (CD), 627 (53%) ulcerative colitis (UC), and 111 (9%) IBD unclassified. No geographic differences regarding smoking status, caffeine intake, use of oral contraceptives, or number of first-degree relatives with IBD were found. Sugar intake was higher in CD and UC patients from Eastern Europe than in Western Europe while fibre intake was lower (p<0.01). Daily consumption of fast food as well as appendectomy before the age of 20 was more frequent in Eastern European than in Western European UC patients (p<0.01). Eastern European CD and UC patients had received more vaccinations and experienced fewer childhood infections than Western European patients (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In this European population-based inception cohort of unselected IBD patients, Eastern and Western European patients differed in environmental factors prior to diagnosis. Eastern European patients exhibited higher occurrences of suspected risk factors for IBD included in the Western lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burisch
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - N Pedersen
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Cukovic-Cavka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - N Turk
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - D Duricova
- IBD Center ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Bortlik
- IBD Center ISCARE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - O Shonová
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - I Vind
- Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Amager, Denmark
| | - S Avnstrøm
- Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Amager, Denmark
| | - N Thorsgaard
- Department of Medicine, Herning Central Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - S Krabbe
- Medical Department, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark
| | - V Andersen
- Medical Department, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark; Organ Centre, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Aabenraa, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - J F Dahlerup
- Department of Medicine V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus University Hospital, Arhus, Denmark
| | - J Kjeldsen
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - R Salupere
- Division of Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - J Olsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - K R Nielsen
- Medical Department, The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - P Manninen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - P Collin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - K H Katsanos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital, Ioannina, Greece
| | - E V Tsianos
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital, Ioannina, Greece
| | - K Ladefoged
- Medical Department, Dronning Ingrids Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - L Lakatos
- 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - G Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - E Björnsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Y Bailey
- Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C O'Morain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D Schwartz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - S Odes
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - M Giannotta
- Gastroenterology Unit, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - G Girardin
- U.O. Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera - Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - G Kiudelis
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - L Kupcinskas
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - S Turcan
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - L Barros
- Hospital de Vale de Sousa, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Magro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal; Institute of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Oporto Medical School, Porto, Portugal; Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Lazar
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - A Goldis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine 'Victor Babes', Timisoara, Romania
| | - I Nikulina
- Department of Gastroenterology, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E Belousova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - D Martinez-Ares
- Gastroenterology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - V Hernandez
- Gastroenterology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - S Almer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gastroenterology/UHL, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Y Zhulina
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - J Halfvarson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden; School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - N Arebi
- St. Mark's Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - H H Tsai
- Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - S Sebastian
- Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, Hull and York Medical School, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - P L Lakatos
- 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - E Langholz
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P Munkholm
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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Burisch J, Pedersen N, Čuković-Čavka S, Brinar M, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Shonová O, Vind I, Avnstrøm S, Thorsgaard N, Andersen V, Krabbe S, Dahlerup JF, Salupere R, Nielsen KR, Olsen J, Manninen P, Collin P, Tsianos EV, Katsanos KH, Ladefoged K, Lakatos L, Björnsson E, Ragnarsson G, Bailey Y, Odes S, Schwartz D, Martinato M, Lupinacci G, Milla M, De Padova A, D'Incà R, Beltrami M, Kupcinskas L, Kiudelis G, Turcan S, Tighineanu O, Mihu I, Magro F, Barros LF, Goldis A, Lazar D, Belousova E, Nikulina I, Hernandez V, Martinez-Ares D, Almer S, Zhulina Y, Halfvarson J, Arebi N, Sebastian S, Lakatos PL, Langholz E, Munkholm P. East-West gradient in the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Europe: the ECCO-EpiCom inception cohort. Gut 2014. [PMID: 23604131 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-3046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Eastern Europe. The reasons for these changes remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an East-West gradient in the incidence of IBD in Europe exists. DESIGN A prospective, uniformly diagnosed, population based inception cohort of IBD patients in 31 centres from 14 Western and eight Eastern European countries covering a total background population of approximately 10.1 million people was created. One-third of the centres had previous experience with inception cohorts. Patients were entered into a low cost, web based epidemiological database, making participation possible regardless of socioeconomic status and prior experience. RESULTS 1515 patients aged 15 years or older were included, of whom 535 (35%) were diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD), 813 (54%) with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 167 (11%) with IBD unclassified (IBDU). The overall incidence rate ratios in all Western European centres were 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.4) for CD and 2.1 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.6) for UC compared with Eastern European centres. The median crude annual incidence rates per 100,000 in 2010 for CD were 6.5 (range 0-10.7) in Western European centres and 3.1 (range 0.4-11.5) in Eastern European centres, for UC 10.8 (range 2.9-31.5) and 4.1 (range 2.4-10.3), respectively, and for IBDU 1.9 (range 0-39.4) and 0 (range 0-1.2), respectively. In Western Europe, 92% of CD, 78% of UC and 74% of IBDU patients had a colonoscopy performed as the diagnostic procedure compared with 90%, 100% and 96%, respectively, in Eastern Europe. 8% of CD and 1% of UC patients in both regions underwent surgery within the first 3 months of the onset of disease. 7% of CD patients and 3% of UC patients from Western Europe received biological treatment as rescue therapy. Of all European CD patients, 20% received only 5-aminosalicylates as induction therapy. CONCLUSIONS An East-West gradient in IBD incidence exists in Europe. Among this inception cohort--including indolent and aggressive cases--international guidelines for diagnosis and initial treatment are not being followed uniformly by physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burisch
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, , Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Burisch J, Pedersen N, Čuković-Čavka S, Brinar M, Kaimakliotis I, Duricova D, Shonová O, Vind I, Avnstrøm S, Thorsgaard N, Andersen V, Krabbe S, Dahlerup JF, Salupere R, Nielsen KR, Olsen J, Manninen P, Collin P, Tsianos EV, Katsanos KH, Ladefoged K, Lakatos L, Björnsson E, Ragnarsson G, Bailey Y, Odes S, Schwartz D, Martinato M, Lupinacci G, Milla M, De Padova A, D'Incà R, Beltrami M, Kupcinskas L, Kiudelis G, Turcan S, Tighineanu O, Mihu I, Magro F, Barros LF, Goldis A, Lazar D, Belousova E, Nikulina I, Hernandez V, Martinez-Ares D, Almer S, Zhulina Y, Halfvarson J, Arebi N, Sebastian S, Lakatos PL, Langholz E, Munkholm P. East-West gradient in the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Europe: the ECCO-EpiCom inception cohort. Gut 2014; 63:588-97. [PMID: 23604131 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-304636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Eastern Europe. The reasons for these changes remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an East-West gradient in the incidence of IBD in Europe exists. DESIGN A prospective, uniformly diagnosed, population based inception cohort of IBD patients in 31 centres from 14 Western and eight Eastern European countries covering a total background population of approximately 10.1 million people was created. One-third of the centres had previous experience with inception cohorts. Patients were entered into a low cost, web based epidemiological database, making participation possible regardless of socioeconomic status and prior experience. RESULTS 1515 patients aged 15 years or older were included, of whom 535 (35%) were diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD), 813 (54%) with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 167 (11%) with IBD unclassified (IBDU). The overall incidence rate ratios in all Western European centres were 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.4) for CD and 2.1 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.6) for UC compared with Eastern European centres. The median crude annual incidence rates per 100,000 in 2010 for CD were 6.5 (range 0-10.7) in Western European centres and 3.1 (range 0.4-11.5) in Eastern European centres, for UC 10.8 (range 2.9-31.5) and 4.1 (range 2.4-10.3), respectively, and for IBDU 1.9 (range 0-39.4) and 0 (range 0-1.2), respectively. In Western Europe, 92% of CD, 78% of UC and 74% of IBDU patients had a colonoscopy performed as the diagnostic procedure compared with 90%, 100% and 96%, respectively, in Eastern Europe. 8% of CD and 1% of UC patients in both regions underwent surgery within the first 3 months of the onset of disease. 7% of CD patients and 3% of UC patients from Western Europe received biological treatment as rescue therapy. Of all European CD patients, 20% received only 5-aminosalicylates as induction therapy. CONCLUSIONS An East-West gradient in IBD incidence exists in Europe. Among this inception cohort--including indolent and aggressive cases--international guidelines for diagnosis and initial treatment are not being followed uniformly by physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burisch
- Digestive Disease Centre, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, , Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Pedersen N, Bortoli A, Duricova D, D Inca R, Panelli MR, Gisbert JP, Zoli G, López-Sanromán A, Castiglione F, Riegler G, Annese V, Gionchetti P, Prada A, Pont ED, Timmer A, Felley C, Shuhaibar M, Tsianos EV, Dejaco C, Baert FJ, Jess T, Lebech M, Hommes DW, Munkholm P. The course of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy and postpartum: a prospective European ECCO-EpiCom Study of 209 pregnant women. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2013; 38:501-12. [PMID: 23855425 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Revised: 04/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of pregnancy on the course of IBD is still controversial. AIM To investigate the impact of pregnancy on IBD and to search for factors with potential impact on remission. METHODS Pregnant IBD women from 12 European countries were enrolled between January 2003 and December 2006 and compared at conception (1:1) with nonpregnant IBD women. Data on disease course were prospectively collected at each trimester during pregnancy and in the postpartum (6 months) using a standardised questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 209 pregnant IBD women were included: 92 with Crohn's disease (CD; median age 31 years, range 17-40) and 117 with ulcerative colitis (UC; median age 32 years, range 19-42). No statistically significant difference in disease course during pregnancy and postpartum was observed between pregnant and nonpregnant CD women. Longer disease duration in CD and immunosuppressive therapy were found to be risk factors for activity during pregnancy. Pregnant UC women were more likely than nonpregnant UC women to relapse both during pregnancy (RR 2.19; 95% CI: 1.25-3.97, 0.004) and postpartum (RR 6.22; 95% CI: 2.05-79.3, P = 0.0004). During pregnancy, relapse was mainly observed in the first (RR 8.80; 95% CI 2.05-79.3, P < 0.0004) and the second trimester (RR 2.84, 95% CI 1.2-7.45, P = 0.0098). CONCLUSIONS Pregnant women with Crohn's disease had a similar disease course both during pregnancy and after delivery as the nonpregnant women. In contrast, pregnant women with ulcerative colitis were at higher risk of relapse during pregnancy and in the postpartum than nonpregnant ulcerative colitis women.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pedersen
- Gastroenterology Unit, Medical Section, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been estimated that 1.3-6.4% of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) at some point of time during the course of their disease. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed and subsequently analyzed data from 65 case reports of IBD patients with CVT. Our sources included MEDLINE and EMBASE, and the references of retrieved articles were also screened. RESULTS Patients with CVT and IBD were significantly younger than CVT patients without IBD. Female patients were complicated more frequently but at an older age when compared with males. The incidence of ulcerative colitis was almost double compared with Crohn's disease. Active disease was detected in 78.4% of the cases and the proportions of patients with active ulcerative colitis or active Crohn's disease were almost equal. The predominant neurological symptom in these patients was persistent headache (80%) and the most common site of CVT was the superior sagittal sinus (50.7%). Severe iron deficiency anemia was highlighted as a significant risk factor for thrombosis in nearly half of the patients. Transient coagulation abnormalities and hereditary thrombogenic mutations were identified in 23 and 20% of the case reports, respectively. CONCLUSION The overall outcome was very good, especially in those patients who were treated acutely with heparin or low molecular weight heparin, suggesting that heparin administration is related with improved neurological outcome and decreased mortality rates even in IBD patients complicated with CVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Katsanos
- Department of Neurology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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10
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Tsoumani A, Theopistos V, Katsanos K, Asproudis I, Tsianos EV. Treatment and non-treatment related ocular manifestations in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2013; 17:1123-1131. [PMID: 23661529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide, 480-520 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B or C virus. In addition to their effects in the liver, chronic hepatitis viral infections may have serious extra hepatic manifestations. These manifestations have been more widely studied in chronic HCV infection, where they are more frequently described, but they have been also reported chronic HBV infection. AIM Among those, of great interest are the ocular manifestations caused by the HBV or HCV infection or induced by chronic hepatitis therapy. These we attempted to review. MATERIALS AND METHODS A PubMed search was conducted using the terms hepatitis, ocular, eye. RESULTS This article describes the ocular symptoms related to HBV and HCV hepatitis such as xerophthalmia, Mooren's ulcer and retinopathy as well as other rare manifestations caused by either the infection or the therapy. CONCLUSIONS The ocular manifestations of HCV infections best supported by the literature include a dry eye syndrome similar to Sjögren's syndrome, and ischemic retinopathy caused by either HCV-induced vasculitis or treatment with interferon. There are no serious ocular manifestations of HBV infection other than dry eye syndrome. Special consideration should be held for possible connection between HBV vaccine and uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tsoumani
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
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11
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Kopylov U, Mantzaris GJ, Katsanos KH, Reenaers C, Ellul P, Rahier JF, Israeli E, Lakatos PL, Fiorino G, Cesarini M, Tsianos EV, Louis E, Ben-Horin S. The efficacy of shortening the dosing interval to once every six weeks in Crohn's patients losing response to maintenance dose of infliximab. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 33:349-57. [PMID: 21118397 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04523.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients treated with infliximab for Crohn's disease (CD) frequently require intensified dosage due to loss of response. There are scant data regarding the efficacy of shortening the dosing interval to 6 weeks. AIM We sought to investigate the efficacy of a once every 6 weeks' strategy compared with dose-doubling. METHODS This work was a multicentre retrospective study of infliximab-treated CD patients who required dose escalation. The clinical outcome of patients treated by intensification to 5 mg/kg/6 weeks (6-week group) was compared with the outcome of patients whose infliximab was double-dosed (10 mg/kg/8 weeks or 5 mg/kg/4 weeks). RESULTS Ninety-four patients (mean age: 29.8 years) were included in the study, 55 (59%) in the 6-week group and 39 (41%) in the double-dose group. Demographics and disease characteristics were similar between the two groups, although patients with re-emerging symptoms 5-7 weeks postinfusion were more likely to receive 5 mg/kg/6 weeks dosing (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.4-8.8, P < 0.01). Early response to dose-intensification occurred in 69% of patients in the 6-week group and 67% in the double-dose group (P = N.S.). Regained response was maintained for 12 months in 40% compared with 29% of the patients respectively (P = N.S.). CONCLUSION In CD patients who lost response to standard infliximab dose, especially when symptoms re-emerge 5-7 weeks postinfusion, shortening the dosing interval to 6 weeks appears to be at least as effective as doubling the dose to 10 mg/kg or halving the infusion intervals to once in 4 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Kopylov
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Kalambokis G, Tsianos EV. Midodrine and furosemide-induced natriuresis in cirrhotics with ascites. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 33:415-6. [PMID: 21198702 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04536.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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13
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Felekis T, Katsanos KH, Zois CD, Vartholomatos G, Kolaitis N, Asproudis I, Tsianos EV. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in a patient with Crohn's disease and aberrant MTHFR and GPIIIa gene variants. J Crohns Colitis 2010; 4:471-4. [PMID: 21122545 DOI: 10.1016/j.crohns.2010.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 02/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Large spectrums of ophthalmic manifestations from the anterior to the posterior segment have been so far reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is caused by acute ischemic infarction of the optic nerve head and is distinguished in two different types, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuroparhy (NAION) which is the most frequent type and arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuroparhy may result in severe visual field loss. We present the case of a 69 year-old man with known history of Crohn's disease that was referred to the Department of Ophthalmology after noticing sudden blurred vision of his left eye. Ophthalmologic examination revealed a corrected visual acuity of 8/10 OS and 10/10 OD. Pupil examination showed a relative afferent pupillary defect of the left pupil and fluoroangiography revealed hyperfluorescence of the left optic disc, indicating edema and NAION attack on his left eye. Genetic analysis showed that the patient was homozygous for MTHFR C677T genetic polymorphism and A1/A2 heterozygous for GPIIIa polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Felekis
- Department of Opthalmology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
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14
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis occurs in response to chronic liver injury, regardless of the cause. An impressive amount of knowledge concerning the pathogenesis and treatment of liver fibrosis has emerged over the past few years. The hallmark of this event is the activation of the hepatic stellate cell. The latter event causes accumulation of extracellular matrix and formation of scar, leading to deterioration in hepatic function. AIM To assess chronic liver injury, many invasive and non-invasive methods have been suggested. METHODS Although transient elastography, image analysis of fractal geometry and fibrotest with actitest have been used in clinical practice, liver biopsy remains the recommended choice, especially when histological staging of fibrosis or response to treatment is needed. CONCLUSIONS The recent advances in anti-viral therapy have resulted in many reports on fibrosis and even on cirrhosis regression, especially early and in young people. A number of new agents have been suggested for the treatment of fibrosis, with promising results in animals; however, their efficacy in humans remains to be elucidated. The investigation of heterogeneity and plasticity of hepatic stellate cells is a topic of scientific interest and may result in improvements in patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Zois
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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15
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Christodoulou DK, Katsanos KH, Makrydimas G, Tsanadis G, Tsianos EV. Peripheral parenteral nutrition in protracted hyperemesis gravidarum--report of two cases and a literature review. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2008; 71:259-262. [PMID: 18720939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Hyperemesis gravidarum is defined as severe nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is characterized by dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, ketonuria and weight loss of more than 5% of body weight and it usually requires hospitalization. Traditionally, total parenteral nutrition has been used when patients with hyperemesis gravidarum fail to respond to conservative measures, including dietary manipulation and antiemetics. Total parenteral nutrition has been shown to be an effective method of nutritional support during pregnancy but it is expensive and has potentially serious complications. Peripheral parenteral nutrition reduces the risk of complications, but caloric intake is limited. A small number of investigators have suggested using enteral nutrition as an alternative to total parenteral nutrition. Herein we report two cases of hyperemesis gravidarum successfully treated with an effective regimen of peripheral parenteral nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Christodoulou
- 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
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16
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Baltayiannis G, Baltayiannis N, Tsianos EV. Suppressors of cytokine signaling as tumor repressors. Silencing of SOCS3 facilitates tumor formation and growth in lung and liver. J BUON 2008; 13:263-265. [PMID: 18555475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are inhibitors of cytokine signaling that function via the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway. Eight SOCS (SOCS1-SOCS7 and CIS /cytokine-inducible SH2-domain) proteins with similar structures have been identified. Cytokines bind to specifi c sites on the extracellular domains of their cognitive receptor, causing receptor dimerization. This allows the recruitment of JAKs to the receptors, which then cross-phosphorylate each other before phosphorylating the receptor on key tyrosine residues. STAT molecules bind to these phosphorylated docking sites, are in turn phosphorylated, dimerized, and enter the nucleus where they initiate transcription. Some of the genes transcribed by these factors include the SOCS genes. The SOCS proteins then act to negatively regulate activated receptor complexes by inactivating JAKs or blocking recruitment sites for STATs and also may target signaling complexes for ubiquitination and degradation. Lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with abnormalities of the JAK/STAT pathway. In conclusion, determining the importance of SOCS family in health and disease will no doubt aid to the development of novel therapeutic strategies in human carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Baltayiannis
- First Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
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17
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Katsanos KH, Vermeire S, Christodoulou DK, Riis L, Wolters F, Odes S, Freitas J, Hoie O, Beltrami M, Fornaciari G, Clofent J, Bodini P, Vatn M, Nunes PB, Moum B, Munkholm P, Limonard C, Stockbrugger R, Rutgeerts P, Tsianos EV. Dysplasia and cancer in inflammatory bowel disease 10 years after diagnosis: results of a population-based European collaborative follow-up study. Digestion 2007; 75:113-21. [PMID: 17598963 DOI: 10.1159/000104731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2007] [Accepted: 04/26/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine dysplasia and cancer in the 1991-2004 European Collaborative Inflammatory Bowel Disease (EC-IBD) Study Group cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS A patient questionnaire and a physician per patient form were completed for each of the 1,141 inflammatory bowel disease patients (776 ulcerative colitis/365 Crohn's disease) from 9 centers (7 countries) derived from the EC-IBD cohort. Rates of detection of intestinal cancer and dysplasia as well as extra-intestinal neoplasms were computed. RESULTS Patient follow-up time was 10.3 +/- 0.8 (range 9.4-11) years. The mean age of the whole group of IBD patients was 37.8 +/- 11.3 (range 16-76) years. Thirty-eight patients (3.3%; 26 with ulcerative colitis/12 with Crohn's disease, 21 males/17 females, aged 61.3 +/- 13.4, range 33-77 years), were diagnosed with 42 cancers. Cancers occurred 5.4 +/- 3.3 (range 0-11) years after inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis. Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 8 (1 Crohn's disease and 7 ulcerative colitis patients--0.3 and 0.9% of the Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis cohort, respectively) of 38 patients and 30 cancers were extra-intestinal. Four of 38 patients (10.5%) were diagnosed as having 2 cancers and they were younger compared to patients with one cancer (p = 0.0008). There was a trend for a higher prevalence of intestinal cancer in the northern centers (0.9%) compared to southern centers (0.3%, p = NS). Southern centers had more cases of extra-intestinal cancer compared to northern centers (2 vs. 3.8%, p = 0.08). Ten patients (0.9%; 8 with ulcerative colitis/2 with Crohn's disease, 8 males, aged 62.3 +/- 14.1 years) had colorectal dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS In the first decade of the EC-IBD Study Group cohort follow-up study, the prevalence of cancer was as expected with most patients having a single neoplasm and an extra-intestinal neoplasm. In northern centers there was a trend for more intestinal cancers, while in southern centers there was a trend for more extra-intestinal cancers compared to northern centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Katsanos
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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18
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Kapetanos D, Kokozidis G, Christodoulou D, Mistakidis K, Dimakopoulos K, Katodritou E, Kitis G, Tsianos EV. Case series of transpancreatic septotomy as precutting technique for difficult bile duct cannulation. Endoscopy 2007; 39:802-6. [PMID: 17703389 DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-966724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Transpancreatic septotomy can be used instead of other precut techniques to facilitate bile duct cannulation after multiple failed attempts. Within the framework of a prospective randomized study on pentoxifylline, precut cases were retrospectively analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 320 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) in 306 patients with various indications who had a naïve papilla, 34 cases of transpancreatic septotomy were identified and compared with 15 needle-knife sphincterotomies; six patients had received both techniques for bile duct access. Complications were defined according to consensus criteria. RESULTS In the 55 patients in whom precutting techniques were employed, the use of both techniques alone or in combination resulted in a final common bile duct cannulation rate of 81.8%. Five patients developed complications (9.1%). Of the two cases of pancreatitis (3.6%), one was mild and one severe (combined group). Of the three cases with hemorrhage, one was mild (transpancreatic septotomy) and two severe (needle knife). In patients who underwent conventional pull-type sphincterotomy (n = 242), 6.2% developed complications (nine pancreatitis and six hemorrhage). CONCLUSION In cases of difficult bile duct cannulation, transpancreatic septotomy seems to be a safe alternative to needle-knife precutting with reasonable success rates. It should be studied in prospective randomized trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Kapetanos
- Gastroenterology Department, George Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Abstract
Although quinolones are theoretically interesting candidates for the treatment of brucellosis, the existing data concerning their efficacy are limited and conflicting. A number of small clinical studies with combination regimens that include quinolones have shown adequacy, but not superiority, although cost-effectiveness, excluding certain disease complications, is an important issue. The emergence of quinolone resistance and its implications is another drawback. Experimental data have yielded contradictory results, although most studies do not indicate a bactericidal effect for quinolones. However, in-vitro studies contrast repeatedly with the clinical response, both in terms of clinical failure, despite in-vitro success, and vice versa.
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Baltayiannis G, Katsanos K, Karayiannis P, Tsianos EV. Interferon-alpha therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B: a long-term prospective study from north-western Greece. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006; 24:525-33. [PMID: 16886919 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the long-term response to interferon-alpha therapy in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B, and the factors independently associated with response and survival. METHODS Sixty-three patients with documented hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B treated with interferon-alpha for a year were followed-up for a period of 6 years. RESULTS Sustained biochemical and virological response was seen in 34.91% and 33.33% of patients at 6 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively, and histological improvement in 54.5% of sustained responders compared with non-responders (7.1%, P = 0.004, chi-squared test), at 6 months of follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with hepatitis B virus-DNA levels at 6 months of treatment <10,000 copies/mL had a low probability of relapse, compared with those with levels >10 000 copies/mL (P = 0.032). Age (>65 years) and hepatitis B virus-DNA level at 6 months of treatment (>10,000 copies/mL) were the independent factors for disease progression and survival (P = 0.041 and P = 0.044 respectively). At 6 years, a sustained response was still present in 19.04% of patients and 4.8% of them had developed anti-HBs. CONCLUSION Hepatitis B virus-DNA monitoring by quantitative polymerase chain reaction at 6 months of treatment may allow for early prediction of response to interferon-alpha, and may serve as an indicator of disease progression in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Baltayiannis
- First Division of Internal Medicine, and Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pappas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece.
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Kalambokis G, Milionis HJ, Economou M, Tsianos EV, Elisaf MS. Prominent hypophosphatemia due to proximal tubulopathy mimicking Fanconi's syndrome in a patient with obstructive jaundice. Clin Nephrol 2006; 65:306-7. [PMID: 16629234 DOI: 10.5414/cnp65306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Kalambokis G, Nikolopoulos P, Tzambouras N, Economou M, Tsianos EV. Fatal superior vena cava syndrome after endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy. Endoscopy 2006; 38:435. [PMID: 16680657 DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-925099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Kalambokis
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Kalambokis G, Konitsiotis S, Pappas D, Tsianos EV. Akinetic mutism followed by a manic reaction on introduction of steroid replacement for Addison's disease. J Endocrinol Invest 2006; 29:257-60. [PMID: 16682841 DOI: 10.1007/bf03345550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric changes during exogenous corticosteroid administration are well-recognized. However, reports of neuropsychiatric reactions to corticosteroid replacement for Addison's disease are distinctively rare. We report on a patient with primary adrenocortical insufficiency, initially presenting with depressive symptoms, who developed akinetic mutism followed by acute manic illness shortly after the initiation of steroid replacement. Both disorders occurred with physiological doses of hydrocortisone and resolved spontaneously. The pathogenesis of the above neuropsychiatric reactions is discussed in the context of glucocorticoid receptor-related brain effects of glucocorticoids. In addition, this report points to the need for accurate psychiatric assessment of patients with Addison's disease upon introduction of replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kalambokis
- Department of Internal Medicine Medical School of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Kalambokis G, Kitsanou M, Stergiopoulou C, Zioga A, Dimou S, Tsianos EV. Lymphangioma-like Kaposi's sarcoma with gastric involvement in a patient with lung cancer. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2006; 19:653-4. [PMID: 16164738 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2005.01232.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
Bone disease associated with primary hyperparathyroidism, known as osteitis fibrosa cystica, is now very rarely encountered, since the parathyroid disorder is most often diagnosed at the early stage of asymptomatic hypercalcemia. Here, we report the case of a patient with multiple pleural-based masses and hypercalcemia, which led to the presumptive diagnosis of malignancy. However, histological and laboratory data were consistent with the development of brown tumors of the ribs due to underlying severe hyperparathyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kalambokis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Katsanos KH, Christodoulou DK, Michael M, Ioachim E, Tsianos GV, Agnantis N, Tsianos EV. Inflammatory bowel disease-related dysplasia and cancer: A referral center study in northwestern Greece. Eur J Intern Med 2005; 16:170-175. [PMID: 15967331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2004.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2003] [Revised: 09/27/2004] [Accepted: 09/30/2004] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An increased risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) has been reported. No data on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related dysplasia and cancer is available in Greece, where the disease profile seems to be milder than that of northern Europe. METHODS: A study was conducted of 215 IBD patients (182 with UC, 33 with CD) from a referral center. Patients were followed up for 3-18 years. The prevalence of cancer and dysplasia among the IBD patients who were diagnosed in northwestern Greece was analyzed and registered. Statistical analysis was performed assuming that this IBD cohort had the same risk of developing malignancies as the general population in Greece. RESULTS: Six of the 215 patients in this IBD cohort had cancer, and 20 of 126 patients for whom bowel biopsies were available had dysplasia. Three of these cases were high-grade dysplasia. There was no significant difference in the numbers of calculated and expected cases of IBD-related cancer at any sites except for the skin [2.7 vs. 2.0]. CONCLUSIONS: This IBD cohort did not appear to have an increased risk of cancer during the time period studied. It would be interesting to re-assess the risk after the second and third decades of follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Katsanos
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, Greece
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28
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Abstract
Edema of variable severity is an uncommon complication of insulin treatment. Increased sodium reabsorption, transient proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia are the most frequently reported laboratory disorders at the time of edema formation. This case report describes a 44-yr-old man with a 4-month history of anorexia, polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss of 25 kg who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis. On admission, there were no clinical or laboratory signs of volume depletion. Following insulin treatment he developed marked insulin edema and a cluster of abnormalities, including decreased sodium excretion, hypokalemia, hypouricemia, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and anemia. The diagnostic work-up showed the presence of high renin and aldosterone values despite the absence of evident hypovolemia and no evidence of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, thyroid, hepatic or other endocrine disorder. Complement values were normal; autonomic neuropathy and venoocclusive intraabdominal lesions were excluded and no other drugs except insulin were administered. Initiation of spironolactone was associated with prompt resolution of the edema and gradual correction of the laboratory abnormalities. Our findings show that hyperaldosteronism may occur in patients with insulin edema, even in the absence of volume depletion, contributing to the development of increased sodium reabsorption and of other laboratory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kalambokis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Abstract
We report a case of a 37-yr-old man with a 11-yr history of Crohn's disease (CD), who presented with mucous diarrheas of 1-week duration and a 3-month history of anorexia, increasing fatigue and weight loss of 7 kg. The patient was treated with sulfasalazine 3 g/day until 2 weeks prior to the present admission, when he reduced the dose to half as he considered the drug responsible for his symptoms. Despite aggressive iv rehydration and resolution of diarrheas with an increase in sulfasalazine dose, the patient remained hemodynamically unstable, while laboratory results showed anemia, hypoglycemia, hypertransaminasemia and hyponatremia with marked natriuresis. Thyroid function tests were consistent with primary hypothyroidism, without evidence of autoimmunity. Further laboratory investigation revealed a low basal cortisol and undetectable ACTH with preserved secretory responses of the other trophic pituitary hormones, establishing the diagnosis of isolated ACTH deficiency. Hydrocortisone replacement treatment induced a clinical and laboratory improvement. The autoimmune basis of isolated ACTH deficiency is discussed in association with the presumed contribution of immunologic reactions in the pathogenesis of CD. However more evidence is needed before isolated ACTH deficiency is added to the list of extraintestinal manifestations of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kalambokis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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30
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Abstract
A 22-year-old patient was admitted because of abdominal pain and vomiting. Computed tomography diagnosed small intestinal malignancy. Ileal resection was performed, and the histological findings were consistent with sclerosing mesenteritis. The patient was treated with enteral nutrition, corticosteroids, azathioprine and methotrexate, but died 2 years later.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Katsanos
- Department of Internal Medicine (Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit), Medical School of Ioannina, Leoforos Panepistimiou, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece
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Georgiadis AN, Tzambouras N, Ioachim E, Tsianos EV, Agnantis N, Drosos AA. Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis associated with Crohn's disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2003; 21:363-5. [PMID: 12846059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
In the present study we report a patient with long-standing seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, who developed Crohn's disease. We discuss the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms and their associations between these two entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Georgiadis
- Division of Rheumatology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Abstract
AIM OF STUDY The largest population-based study for inflammatory bowel disease in Northwest Greece. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective survey for the years 1982-1997. RESULTS Of 400 patients, 334 had ulcerative colitis, 43 Crohn's disease and 23 indeterminate colitis. CONCLUSIONS Crohn's disease still remains rare in Northwest Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Tsianos
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, P.O. Box 1186, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece.
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Zachou K, Liaskos C, Christodoulou DK, Kardasi M, Papadamou G, Gatselis N, Georgiadou SP, Tsianos EV, Dalekos GN. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies in patients with chronic viral hepatitis are independent of beta2-glycoprotein I cofactor or features of antiphospholipid syndrome. Eur J Clin Invest 2003; 33:161-8. [PMID: 12588291 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.2003.01110.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although controversial, some authorities have implicated hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a cause of anti-phospholipid syndrome (APLS). Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (anti-CLAbs) in APLS are cofactor-dependent ('pathogenic' antibodies). We conducted a study in order to determine the prevalence of anti-CLAbs in HCV patients, and furthermore to address whether these autoantibodies are cofactor-dependent or not and whether they are associated with features of APLS. Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) were also evaluated in order to assess whether there are differences in the prevalence and the clinical significance of anti-CLAbs between these two major types of chronic viral hepatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and seventy-four consecutive HCV patients, 50 HBV patients and 267 healthy were investigated for the presence of anti-CLAbs and antibodies against beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-GPI), which is the most important cofactor of the 'pathogenic' anti-CLAbs in APLS. IgG anti-CLAbs were determined by an in-house quantitative ELISA and anti-beta2-GPIAbs using a commercial ELISA kit. RESULTS 21.3% of the HCV and 14% of the HBV patients tested positive for IgG anti-CLAbs (P < 0.0001 compared with healthy controls). Neither age, sex, certain epidemiologic and laboratory parameters nor the clinical status and the histologic findings were associated with anti-CLAbs detection in both diseases. 2.3% of the HCV (P < 0.05 compared with healthy controls) and 2% of the HBV patients tested positive for anti-beta2-GPIAbs. Presence of anti-CLAbs was not associated with features of APLS. CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of the HCV and HBV patients had detectable IgG anti-CLAbs. However, the anti-CLAbs titres were relatively low, and in most cases seem to be cofactor-independent ('nonpathogenic'). The latter is further supported by the lack of their association with clinical features of APLS. Furthermore, anti-CLAbs appear to be detected irrespective of the demographic, laboratory, clinical and histologic status in both HCV and HBV. However, prospective studies of longer duration may be required in order to address whether anti-CLAbs in patients with chronic viral hepatitis are or are not of clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Zachou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine Larisa Medical School, Larisa, Greece
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Ioachim E, Michael M, Katsanos C, Demou A, Tsianos EV. The immunohistochemical expression of metallothionein in inflammatory bowel disease. Correlation with HLA-DR antigen expression, lymphocyte subpopulations and proliferation-associated indices. Histol Histopathol 2003; 18:75-82. [PMID: 12507286 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Metallothionein (MT) expression in intestinal resection specimens from 41 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 10 patients with Crohn's disease (CD ) was immunohistochemically studied by the avidin-biotin (ABC) method. In addition, the possible relationship of its expression with HLA-DR antigen expression, lymphocyte subpopulations and proliferation-associated indices was studied in order to elucidate the role of this molecule in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The MT immunoreactivity was recorded by staining and intensity-distribution scores. MT staining varied in and was mainly localized in the cytoplasm, although a combined nuclear/cytoplasmic reactive pattern was also seen in epithelial cells. MT expression was decreased in UC, and CD compared with normal mucosa. No difference in MT expression between UC and CD was noted. In UC, a gradually decreased expression from remission, to resolving and to active phase was observed. An inverse correlation of MT expression with HLA-DR antigen expression was detected (p = 0.018) in the cases of UC. The data suggest that a low level of MT expression in inflammatory bowel disease and particularly in active phase of UC may indicate a decreased endogenous intestinal protection and it may be implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ioachim
- Department of Pathology, Hepatogastroentrology Division, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
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Christodoulou DK, Katsanos KH, Kitsanou M, Stergiopoulou C, Hatzis J, Tsianos EV. Frequency of extraintestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Northwest Greece and review of the literature. Dig Liver Dis 2002; 34:781-6. [PMID: 12546513 DOI: 10.1016/s1590-8658(02)80071-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease mainly affects the bowel but also has extraintestinal manifestations. AIMS To report the frequency of extraintestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Northwest Greece. PATIENTS; The data files of 256 inflammatory bowel disease patients (diagnosis between 1983-19971 were analysed. METHODS Retrospective investigation of patient files. RESULTS In patients with ulcerative colitis: 13.9% (30/215) had developed skin manifestations, 6% (13/215) had kidney stones, 1.39% (3/215) had iridocyclitis, 1.86% (4/215) had primary sclerosing cholangitis, 4.18% (9/215) had sacroiliitis, 8.31% (18/215) had peripheral arthalgias, 2.3% (5/215) had colitic arthritis and finally 1.39% (3/215) had deep vein thrombosis). In patients with Crohn's disease: 24.3% (9/37) had developed skin manifestations, 5.4% (2/37) had kidney stones, 2.7% (1/37) had iridocyclitis, 16.2% (6/37) had sacroiliitis, 8.1% (3/37) had peripheral arthralgias, 5.4% (2/37) had colitic arthritis and, finally, 8.1% (3/37) had deep vein thrombosis. Sacroiliitis (p = 0.01), deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.04) and erythmema nodosum (p = 0.01) were more common in patients with Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS Extraintestinal manifestations are not rare in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, especially in Crohn's disease patients, in our area, but have, generally, a mild profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Christodoulou
- Division of Internal Medicine (Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit), Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
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Katsanos KH, Tsatsoulis A, Christodoulou D, Challa A, Katsaraki A, Tsianos EV. Reduced serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-binding protein-3 levels in adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Growth Horm IGF Res 2001; 11:364-367. [PMID: 11914023 DOI: 10.1054/ghir.2001.0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the changes in circulating IGF-1 and its binding protein IGFBP-3 were determined in adult patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in order to assess the effect of this inflammatory condition on the IGF system. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3, as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in serum obtained from 22 consecutive newly diagnosed patients (mean age 41.3 years) with active IBD, including 10 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 12 with ulcerative colitis (UC). For comparison the same parameters were determined in 30 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI). Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were similar in the two subgroups of patients and the values from all patients were combined for comparison with those from the control group. The mean (+/- SD) serum IGF-1 concentration (178 +/- 91 ng/ml) in the patients with IBD was lower compared with that in the controls (227 +/- 79 ng/ml, P<0.035). Similarly, the mean IGFBP-3 concentration in the patients was lower than in the controls (1.6 +/- 0.6 ng/ml vs 3.2 +/- 0.7 ng/ml respectively, P<0.001), Serum IL-6 levels were higher in the patients compared with the controls (5.5 +/- 4.2 vs 0.65 +/- 0.11 pg/ml, P<0.0001). The reduced IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in patients with active IBD suggest that this systemic inflammatory condition is associated with a degree of acquired GH resistance, possibly induced by inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Katsanos
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, 451 10, Greece
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Abstract
Although swallowing difficulties have been described in patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), the spectrum of manometric characteristics of dysphagia is not yet well known. Moreover, it is conceivable that a combination of various degrees of swallowing difficulties with different patterns in manometric studies exist, each playing a major role in the prognosis, natural history, and quality of life of KSS patients. An 18-year-old girl diagnosed at the age of 5 years with KSS (muscle biopsy) was admitted to our department with an upper respiratory tract infection and dysphagia. Clinical examination revealed growth retardation, external ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary retinopathy, impaired hearing, and ataxia. An electrocardiogram revealed cardiac conduction defects (long Q-T), and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormalities in the cerebellar hemispheres. A manometric and motility study for dysphagia was conducted and the pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) resting pressures were similar to control group values, but the swallowing peak contraction pressure of the pharynx and the closing pressure of the UES were very low and could not promote effective peristaltic waves. Relaxation and coordination of the UES were not affected although pharyngeal and upper esophagus peristaltic waves proved to be very low and, consequently, were practically ineffective. The patient was started on treatment comprising a diet rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and oral administration of vitamin D and co-enzyme Q10 100 mg daily; she was discharged 6 days later with apparent clinical improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Katsanos
- Department Hepato-Gastroenterology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Zervou EK, Dalekos GN, Boumba DS, Tsianos EV. Value of anti-HBc screening of blood donors for prevention of HBV infection: results of a 3-year prospective study in Northwestern Greece. Transfusion 2001; 41:652-8. [PMID: 11346702 DOI: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2001.41050652.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of infection with transfusion-transmitted viruses has been reduced remarkably. However, a zero-risk blood supply remains a popular goal. Some authorities have introduced the screening for antibody to HBc (anti-HBc) as a surrogate test for the presence of several infectious agents. A 3-year prospective study was conducted in the Epirus region of Greece to determine the prevalence of several blood-borne viruses. One component of the study was the prevalence of HBV infection markers and the potential value of anti-HBc testing of donors in this area. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1997, some 6696 donors were investigated for the presence of HBV infection markers by standard EIAS: Every sample that tested HBsAg-negative but anti-HBc-reactive alone or in combination with either or both antibodies to HBV e antigen (anti-HBe) and low-titered antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs <20 mIU/mL) was further investigated for the presence of HBV DNA by a combination of PCR and DNA EIA. RESULTS Of these 6696 donors, 15.8 percent tested positive for at least one serologic marker of HBV infection (HBsAg prevalence, 0.85%). Anti-HBc reactivity alone or in combination with either or both anti-HBe and low-titered anti-HBs was found in 282 donors (4.2%). None tested HBV-DNA positive. No transfusion-associated HBV infections were recorded in the recipients of the above 282 blood units. CONCLUSION A moderate prevalence of HBV infection markers was found. However, taking into account previous studies from this region, it appears that the HBsAg prevalence has declined. In addition, the present study cannot recommend the introduction of anti-HBc screening as a surrogate marker of occult HBV infection. The adoption of this exclusion criterion in this region would result in unacceptably high rejection rates among otherwise healthy donors. The absence of any case of transfusion-associated HBV infection after the transfusion of all HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive units appears to provide further support for the negative HBV DNA results. Before a consideration of screening donors, efforts must be focused on reducing the number of false-positive anti-HBc results.
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Affiliation(s)
- E K Zervou
- Blood Bank at the University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece
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Abstract
Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a multisystem mitochondrial disorder characterized by the invariant triad: onset before 20, progressive external ophthalmoplegia and pigmentary retinal degeneration, plus at least one of the following: complete heart block, cerebellar dysfunction and CSF protein >100 mg/dl. Autopsies from patients with KSS revealed widespread tissue distribution of mitochondrial (mt) DNA deletions. These deletions result in significantly lower activities of the enzymes of the respiratory chain. KSS has been associated with a variety of endocrine and metabolic disorders in <10% of patients, while renal tubular involvement is extremely rare. We present an 18-year-old girl with KSS who developed hypoparathyroidism and renal tubular dysfunction with inappropriate mangesiuria and kaliuria. We further discuss the renal tubular damage in KSS emphasizing its pathophysiology and clinical phenotype, and review the possible mechanisms of hypoparathyroidism in KSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Katsanos
- Department Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece
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Witte J, Shivananda S, Lennard-Jones JE, Beltrami M, Politi P, Bonanomi A, Tsianos EV, Mouzas I, Schulz TB, Monteiro E, Clofent J, Odes S, Limonard CB, Stockbrügger RW, Russel MG. Disease outcome in inflammatory bowel disease: mortality, morbidity and therapeutic management of a 796-person inception cohort in the European Collaborative Study on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (EC-IBD). Scand J Gastroenterol 2000; 35:1272-7. [PMID: 11199366 DOI: 10.1080/003655200453610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The course of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has mainly been studied using different methods in single patient cohorts. The aim of the present study was to assess clinical aspects of disease outcome in a population-based cohort of IBD patients over a 4-year period in multiple centres across Europe. METHODS A total of 796 patients with IBD diagnosed in 10 centres between October 1991 and October 1993, registered at the EC IBD study centre (98% of the original cohort), participated in the study. Investigators filled out a standard follow-up form containing questions on the method of follow-up, vital status of the patient, change in diagnosis, extraintestinal manifestations, medical and surgical treatment, and physician's global assessment of disease activity. RESULTS Complete relief of the complaints was reported in 255 (48%) patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 9 (50%) with indeterminate colitis (IC), but only in 87 (35%) of patients with Crohn disease (CD). Improvement was reported in 195 (37%) patients with UC, 113 (45%) with CD and 6 (33%) with IC. During the 4-year follow-up period, 23 patients died (14 UC, 8 CD. and 1 IC). The mean age at death was 69.3 years (s, 14.9 years). The deaths of three patients were recorded as directly due to IBD. CONCLUSIONS With the present approach to therapeutic management the short-term outcome of patients with IBD seems to be favourable in 10 medical centres in the north and south of Europe. However, more detailed studies including both objective and subjective measures are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Witte
- Dept of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Maastricht, and Memic, Centre for Data and Information Management, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Goussia AC, Ioachim E, Agnantis NJ, Mahera M, Tsianos EV. Bcl-2 expression in colorectal tumours. Correlation with p53, mdm-2, Rb proteins and proliferation indices. Histol Histopathol 2000; 15:667-72. [PMID: 10963109 DOI: 10.14670/hh-15.667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunostaining for bcl-2 protein was performed in 27 colorectal adenomas and 108 colorectal adenocarcinomas. The aim of the study was to determine bcl-2 expression in correlation with p53, mdm-2 and Rb expression, with proliferation indices (Ki-67-LI, PCNA-LI) as well as with conventional clinicopathological variables. A higher proportion of adenomas (30.8%) than carcinomas (16.7%) expressed bcl-2 and conversely, a lower proportion of adenomas (7.4%) than carcinomas expressed p53 (57.1%), the difference being statistically significant (p<0.0001). No correlation of bcl-2 expression with p53 expression (parallel or inverse) as well as with the other parameters studied was observed in any tumour. The bcl-2+/p53- subgroup of cancers showed a trend for correlation with negative lymph node status. Our data suggest, that bcl-2 expression may be involved in the early phase of colorectal carcinogenesis regardless of p53 status, while p53 function may be involved in a late stage of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. P53 is apparently not involved in the regulation of apoptosis in the colorectal neoplasias or perhaps bcl-2 expression, as an early event in colorectal tumours, may occur before changes of p53 take place. Tumours with bcl-2+/p53- immunophenotype are frequently associated with negative lymph node status and seem to have a less aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Goussia
- Department of Pathology, University of Ioaninna, Medical School, Greece
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Dalekos GN, Galanakis E, Zervou E, Tzoufi M, Lapatsanis PD, Tsianos EV. Interferon-alpha treatment of children with chronic hepatitis D virus infection: the Greek experience. Hepatogastroenterology 2000; 47:1072-6. [PMID: 11020882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The therapeutic experience of interferon-alpha therapy against hepatitis D virus infection in affected children is rather limited. For this reason, we conducted a retrospective study (duration: 1991-1995) in order to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of interferon-alpha in children suffering from chronic hepatitis D in Northwestern Greece. METHODOLOGY Seven children who were found to be infected with HDV in a total of 324 children seropositive for hepatitis B virus infection during the 5-year period of the study were treated with interferon-alpha, 3 x 10(6) U/m2 body surface area, intramuscularly or subcutaneously, 3 times weekly for 1 year (after an informed consent obtained from their parents). Patients were assessed monthly by hematological serological and biochemical tests. Clinical progress, levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, hepatitis D ribonucleic acid (HDV-RNA) and hepatitis B deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA), seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis Be Antigen (HBeAg) and liver histology were used as response criteria. RESULTS Posttreatment alanine transferase levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) but Immunoglobulin M and total anti-hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV) antibodies remained positive in all, while hepatitis D ribonucleic acid persisted positive in 4 cases. In addition, no seroconversion of HBsAg or HBeAg was noted and the liver histology progress was disappointing. Side effects including mild fever, arthralgias and malaise and reversible neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were common, but not particularly disturbing. Nevertheless, the children remained fully active on treatment, felt well and attended school. Initially 4 children had been below the 10th percentile for weight and height. All thrived during treatment and two crossed above the 10th percentile indicating height velocity and body mass index increase. CONCLUSIONS The administration of regular interferon-alpha doses for treating children with chronic hepatitis D was safe as attested by the mild side effects and the objective clinical criteria regarding their growth, but relatively ineffective. Although the prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection is now generally decreased, this study indirectly indicates that more effective agents and new approaches at the molecular level of the hepatitis D virus genome are urgently warranted for its control in individuals already infected with the virus. Finally, the poor therapeutic results in the present study further enhance the necessity of the expanded vaccination against Hepatitis B virus according to the World Health Organization's recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Dalekos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
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Abstract
Patients with inflammmatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported to have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Yet, the quantitation of the risk varies widely from one study to the next. This is most likely due to biases in the assessment of cancer risk in IBD, namely, a relatively low prevalence of IBD-related cancer and the clinically heterogeneous nature of IBD in the population. Total proctocolectomy also changes the natural history of IBD-related cancer. Ulcerative colitis (UC)-related cancer is more probable in total and extensive colitis and occurs approximately a decade after diagnosis. Crohn's disease-related colorectal cancer is reported in many, but not all, studies, and the relative risk differs between hospital- and population-based studies. IBD-related cancer is relatively uncommon in childhood; however, this is also a subject of debate. There are no data on the incidence of IBD-related cancer in Europe as a whole; there are only separate studies. A reduced risk for UC-related cancer in patients treated with anti-inflammatory drugs has been reported. The two main strategies for preventing IBD-related cancer are prophylactic colectomy and colonoscopic surveillance. To date, there have virtually been no cost-effectiveness analyses and no studies regarding total disease outcome or patient's quality of life with either strategy. No controlled, prospective trials have been reported in the literature. UC patients with familiar predisposition for colorectal cancer and with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis are groups at high risk for IBD-related cancer. Cancer risk in IBD has to be reinvestigated and properly estimated with population-based studies in several areas with standard methods already described.
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Affiliation(s)
- EV Tsianos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
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Dalekos GN, Kistis KG, Boumba DS, Voulgari P, Zervou EK, Drosos AA, Tsianos EV. Increased incidence of anti-cardiolipin antibodies in patients with hepatitis C is not associated with aetiopathogenetic link to anti-phospholipid syndrome. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2000; 12:67-74. [PMID: 10656213 DOI: 10.1097/00042737-200012010-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been found to be associated with various diseases known as extra-hepatic manifestations of HCV. Recently, HCV has been implicated as a cause of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). We conducted a study in a well-characterized area for epidemiological and prospective studies in the north-western part of Greece in order to address whether an aetiopathogenesis exists between HCV and APLS. DESIGN Seventy-five patients with chronic hepatitis C were investigated for the presence of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (anti-CL) and for a past medical history supportive to the diagnosis of APLS. In addition, 24 patients with well-defined APLS (primary or secondary) and 12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were tested for the presence of markers of HCV infection (anti-HCV and HCV RNA). The SLE patients were anti-CL-positive but none of them had developed any of the known clinical features of APLS. In addition, 267 healthy subjects were investigated for the presence of anti-CL. METHODS IgG and IgM anti-CL were determined by a quantitative isotype-specific solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay set up in our laboratory. Anti-HCV was determined using a third-generation enzyme immunoassay and a confirmatory third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Active virus replication was defined by the detection of HCV RNA using a combination assay based on a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and a DNA enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Of the HCV patients, 37.3% had IgG and/or IgM anti-CL (P<0.00005 compared to healthy controls (2.25%)). However, the mean titres of each specific isotype were significantly lower in HCV patients compared with those found in the APLS patients (P<0.05 for IgM and P<0.001 for IgG isotypes). The mean titres of IgG anti-CL were also significantly lower in HCV patients compared with those found in the SLE patients (P<0.01). All patients with APLS or SLE (n = 36) tested negative for HCV infection markers. In addition, neither thrombotic events nor thrombocytopenia were associated with a positive anti-CL test in HCV patients. CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of HCV patients (37.3%) had detectable anti-CL of low titre. However, this finding was not associated with the development of APLS. On the other hand, none of the APLS patients was positive for HCV. Taken together, our data rather failed to reveal an aetiopathogenetic link between HCV and APLS. For this reason, testing for HCV in patients with APLS or follow-up for the possibility of the development of APLS in HCV patients cannot be suggested, at least in Greek patients. More prospective studies of longer duration are required in order to address whether HCV is involved or not in the aetiopathogenesis of APLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Dalekos
- Larisa Medical School, University of Thessaly, Greece.
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Ioachim EE, Goussia AC, Agnantis NJ, Machera M, Tsianos EV, Kappas AM. Prognostic evaluation of metallothionein expression in human colorectal neoplasms. J Clin Pathol 1999; 52:876-9. [PMID: 10711249 PMCID: PMC501652 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.52.12.876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the role of metallothionein in colorectal tumours and the possible relation with other factors associated with tumour progression: expression of cathepsin D (CD), CD44, p53, Rb, bcl-2, c-erbB-2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proliferation indices (Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)), and conventional clinicopathological variables. METHODS The immunohistochemical expression of metallothionein was investigated in 23 cases of colorectal adenoma and 94 adenocarcinomas. Metallothionein expression was examined by the avidinbiotin peroxidase immunoperoxidase (ABC) using the monoclonal mouse antibody E9, on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue. RESULTS Positive metallothionein expression (> 5% of neoplastic cells) was observed in 30.4% of adenomas and 25.5% of adenocarcinomas, while 8.7% of adenomas and 14.9% carcinomas showed focal metallothionein positivity. In contrast, 60.9% of adenomas and 59.6% of carcinomas almost completely lacked metallothionein expression. In the series of adenocarcinomas, metallothionein expression was inversely correlated with CD44 in neoplastic cells (p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference of metallothionein expression, or the other variables examined, between adenocarcinomas and adenomas. CONCLUSIONS Metallothionein expression does not seem to indicate aggressive biological behaviour in colorectal adenocarcinomas, in comparison with the other types of carcinoma. The inverse correlation with CD44 could suggest that the decreased metallothionein expression may contribute to the metastatic spread of the lymph node involvement in colorectal cancer. Metallothionein expression does not seem to represent an independent prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Ioachim
- Department of Pathology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece
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Ioachim EE, Goussia AC, Machera M, Tsianos EV, Kappas AM, Agnantis NJ. Immunohistochemical evaluation of cathepsin D expression in colorectal tumours: a correlation with extracellular matrix components, p53, pRb, bcl-2, c-erbB-2, EGFR and proliferation indices. Anticancer Res 1999; 19:2147-55. [PMID: 10470163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
The immunohistochemical Cathepsin D (CD) expression of tumour and stromal cells was investigated in a series of 93 human colorectal adenocarcinomas and 22 adenomas with the intention to evaluate its prognostic significance and its contribution in the metastatic potential of colorectal cancer. CD expression was correlated with the expression of extracellular matrix components (collagen type IV, laminin and fibronectin), p53 protein, pRb, bcl-2, c-erbB-2, EGFR, proliferation indices (Ki-67, PCNA) as well as with other conventional clinicopathological features. CD expression (> 10% of positive tumour cells) was observed in 60.2% of carcinomas and in 72.7% of adenomas. Stromal CD expression was detected in all cases. A statistically significant positive correlation between neoplastic cells CD and stromal cells CD (SCCD) was observed in both carcinomas and adenomas. Cancer cells CD (CCCD) was positively correlated with collagen type IV and pRb expression as well as with PCNA score. In carcinomas, SCCD expression was statistically correlated with p53 protein and pRb expression and a trend for correlation with PCNA score was found. These data suggest that Cathepsin D of cancer and stromal cells, especially in combination with other markers, may provide more information about the biological behaviour of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Ioachim
- Department of Pathology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, Ioannina, Greece
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Dalekos GN, Zervou EK, Elisaf M, Boumba DS, Katopodis K, Sferopoulos GS, Siamopoulos KC, Tsianos EV. Increased prevalence of markers of GBV-C/HGV infection in a selected cohort of haemodialysis patients negative for other blood-borne viruses. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1999; 14:255-6. [PMID: 10052537 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/14.1.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Dalekos GN, Christodoulou D, Kistis KG, Zervou EK, Hatzis J, Tsianos EV. A prospective evaluation of dermatological side-effects during alpha-interferon therapy for chronic viral hepatitis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1998; 10:933-9. [PMID: 9872615 DOI: 10.1097/00042737-199811000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alpha-interferon therapy may occasionally account for immune-mediated phenomena. This study was conducted in an attempt to investigate the incidence of the development of immune-mediated dermatological diseases during alpha-interferon therapy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The latter has not been evaluated prospectively, whereas most of the previous studies examined small numbers of interferon treated patients or consisted of case reports. DESIGN A prospective case-control study. SETTING A tertiary referral centre. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and twenty consecutive patients with chronic viral hepatitis (67 with hepatitis B, 45 with hepatitis C, six with both hepatitis viruses, and two with delta hepatitis) were evaluated during a course of alpha-interferon therapy. In addition, 120 consecutive patients with chronic liver diseases (disease control group), who had never received alpha-interferon therapy, were evaluated during the period of the study (at least for 12 months). INTERVENTIONS Recombinant alpha-interferon at a dose of 4.5 or 5 million units subcutaneously (s.c.) three times per week for 6 to 12 months was administered to patients with hepatitis B. The patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with 3 million units s.c. three times per week for 12 to 18 months. The patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections received 4.5 million units for 6 months, and then 3 million units for an additional 6 to 12 months. Finally, the patients with chronic delta hepatitis received 5 million units for 1 year or more. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To assess prospectively the incidence of these dermatological disorders during alpha-interferon therapy and to estimate if there is any relationship between their development and the clinical, laboratory or other characteristics of the patients with chronic hepatitis. RESULTS Three to 6 months after the initiation of alpha-interferon three patients with chronic viral hepatitis (two with hepatitis C and one with hepatitis B) developed lichen planus, whereas one patient with hepatitis C developed relapsing aphthous stomatitis. The development of these disorders was significantly associated only with the presence of antinuclear antibodies before the initiation of alpha-interferon (P=0.000000). None of the patients from the disease control group had such a manifestation during the follow-up. Lichen planus resolved after the end of therapy in all of them. In contrast, therapy was discontinued in the patient who developed aphthous stomatitis, owing to the painful lesions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that alpha-interferon may rarely (3.3%) induce immune-mediated dermatological disorders, especially lichen planus. The development of these disorders may reflect a subclinical or covert autoimmune background of patients, as suggested by the presence, although in low titres, of antinuclear antibodies. However, when lichen planus developed, it was mild, did not require the discontinuation of therapy and resolved after alpha-interferon administration had ceased.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Dalekos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
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