[Bowel resections for Crohn's disease: developments over the last three decades]

BACKGROUND

The present observational study demonstrates developments of surgery in Crohn's disease patients undergoing bowel resection at two tertiary referral centers during the recent 3 decades.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing intestinal resections were included. Exclusion criteria were: resection for malignancy, mere stoma formation and closure, bowel resections for other reasons than Crohn's disease, abdomino-perineal resections for anal fistula. Data collection was retrospective between 1992 and 2004, and prospective thereafter. Six time periods were compared: 1992-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2015, and 2016-2020.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2015 several significant developments could be observed: decline in preoperative steroid intake, increase in preoperative intake of immunomodulators and biologic agents; abandonment of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation, increase in surgery for penetrating disease and more patients with previous bowel resections, increase in laparoscopy use, stoma rate and postoperative morbidity. Since 2016, mechanical bowel preparation and oral antibiotics were (re)introduced, there was significantly more laparoscopic surgery (67%), preoperative steroid and immunomodulator intake diminished, whereas preoperative biological therapy increased; patients were older and less were active smokers; stoma formation rate and morbidity rate decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

There were several very strong trends in Crohn's disease surgery during the last 3 decades. However, present results cannot be generalized to broader patient' population.

Trends in BMI, Glycemic Control and Obesity-Associated Comorbidities After Explantation of the Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass Liner (DJBL)

BACKGROUND

A novel-approach for treatment of obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is represented by the endoscopic duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL). Recent data from the German DJBL registry provide evidence for substantial efficacy of the DJBL during the implantation period in obese patients with T2DM. However, little is known about the trends of glycemic control, BMI, and comorbidities after explantation of the DJBL, which have been investigated in the registry in this report.

METHODS

Patients were selected from the registry if they had a dataset at implantation, explantation, and at least one time point after explantation of the DJBL (n = 77). We also investigated a subgroup of patients with available data at least 1 year (-2 weeks) after explantation of the DJBL (n = 32).

RESULTS

For a mean BMI at implantation and a mean follow-up period, an increase of BMI of 2.1 kg/m² (CI 0.8-3.2; p = 0.013) had to be expected (for HbA1c 0.3% (CI - 0.0-0.7; p = n.s.), respectively). In the subgroup analysis, HbA1c and BMI increased after explantation of the DJBL but stayed significantly below baseline levels. Meanwhile, the mean number of antidiabetic drugs slightly increased. There was deterioration seen for blood pressure and LDL cholesterol over the postexplantation period to approximately baseline levels (or higher).

CONCLUSION

With this data, we show that improvement of HbA1c and BMI can be partly maintained over a time of nearly 1-year postexplantation of the DJBL. However, for HbA1c, this may be biased by intensified medical treatment and effects deteriorated with time after explantation. These results suggest that implantation of the DJBL needs to be integrated in a long-term weight management program as most of other interventions in obese patients with T2DM.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02731859.

Comparative efficacy and safety of the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case control study

AIMS

The duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL) is an endoscopic device mimicking surgical duodenal-jejunal bypass, and is indicated for the treatment of obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus. This analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the DJBL in comparison to lifestyle changes and antidiabetic drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To determine the efficacy and long-term safety of the DJBL, data concerning 235 obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from the German DJBL registry were analysed. For comparison with standard treatment, propensity-score-matching with patients from the German DPV registry, including the matching parameters sex, age, diabetes duration, baseline BMI and baseline HbA1c, was applied. The final matched cohort consisted of 111 patients in the DJBL group and 222 matched control DPV patients.

RESULTS

Mean treatment time with the DJBL was 47.5 ± 12.2 weeks, mean BMI reduction was 5.0 kg/m² (P < .001) and mean HbA1c reduction was 1.3% (11.9 mmol/mol) (P < .001). Reduction of antidiabetic medications and improvements in other metabolic and cardiovascular risk parameters was observed. In comparison to the matched control group, mean reductions in HbA1c (-1.37% vs -0.51% [12.6 vs 3.2 mmol/mol]; P < .0001) and BMI (-3.02 kg/m² vs -0.39 kg/m² ; P < .0001) were significantly higher. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and blood pressure were also significantly better.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the largest, so far, hypothesis-generating evidence for a putative positive risk/benefit ratio for treatment of obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with the DJBL as an alternative treatment option for this patient population.

Genital Granulomatosis in Male and Female Patients With Crohn's Disease: Clinical Presentation and Treatment Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Genital granulomatosis [GG] is a metastatic form of Crohn's disease [CD], characterised by granulomatous inflammation of the genital skin without contact with the gastrointestinal tract. Little is known about GG, as most publications are case reports or small series, and only sporadic in male cases.

METHODS AND AIMS

Cases of GG were retrospectively collected through the Collaborative Network For Exceptionally Rare case reports project of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients [9 males, 34 females] were diagnosed as having GG, mostly as oedema and/or ulcers. Histological confirmation of granulomas was obtained in 70% of the cases. CD location was colonic or ileocolonic in 97% and perianal disease was documented in 57%. There was no significant difference between males and females in CD phenotype or genital lesions. GG was the first manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in one-third of the patients; these patients were younger at the time of GG occurrence and they all were non-smokers. GG occurred in the absence of gastrointestinal disease activity in 30% of the cases. Ten out of 11 patients [91%] responded to systemic corticosteroid treatment, 5/9 patients responded to immunomodulators, and 9/11 patients responded to anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] agents.

CONCLUSIONS

GG is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of CD. It mainly occurs among women, in the setting of colonic involvement of CD, and perianal disease is often associated. Most cases are successfully managed with systemic corticosteroids or anti-TNF agents.

[Treatment of a postoperative rectal stenosis with a self-expanding biodegradable polydioxanone stent]

Rectal stricture is a serious although infrequent complication of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). In some cases, these strictures may be refractory to treatment by endoscopic balloon dilatation. Biodegradable stents might improve the outcome by providing an extended period of dilatation. Moreover, these stents can remain in place without the need to remove them. In the presented case, a biodegradable polidioxanone stent originally developed to treat benign oesophageal stenoses was used to treat a patient suffering from rectal stricture following a TEM.

[Postoperative morbidity after bowel resections in patients with Crohn's disease: risk, management strategies, prevention]

The postoperative morbidity rate following bowel resections for Crohn's disease is higher than for other benign disease. The incidence of postoperative intraabdominal septic complications (anastomotic leak, bowel fistula, intraabdominal abscess, peritonitis) is 5 - 30 %. Preoperative weight loss, prolonged refractory symptoms and penetrating disease behaviour are significant determinants of postoperative complication risk. Preoperative enteral nutrition, antibiotics, percutaneous abscess drainage and cessation of steroids might reduce the risk of surgery, however, more evidence is needed. The intake of immunosuppressive agents (mainly, azathioprine) can be continued perioperatively. The occurrence of postoperative intraabdominal septic complications is associated with an increased risk of surgical recurrence in patients with terminal ileitis, however, the long-term prognosis could be improved in the latter patients by secondary fecal diversion. There is no association between postoperative morbidity and long-term outcome in patients with Crohn's colitis.

Listerienmeningitis bei einem Patienten mit Morbus Crohn - eine seltene, aber klinisch-relevante Nebenwirkung der Therapie mit Infliximab

A 42-year-old man with steroid-dependent Crohn's disease developed fever, vomiting and headache after the second administration of infliximab. Extensive microbiological and biochemical work-up revealed an atypical meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes. After antibiotic therapy of 21 days duration, the patient could be discharged from hospital totally recovered without any further complications. As previously demonstrated, TNF-alpha plays an important role in resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria infections have been reported in 26 patients receiving TNF-alpha inhibitors. An additional therapy with other immunosuppressants increases the risk for Listeria infections. Listeria meningitis is a seldom adverse event of therapy with TNF-alpha inhibitors but is associated with a high lethality. Therefore patients should be informed about the possible adverse event of a Listeria infection during anti-TNF-alpha therapy before receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Furthermore, therapy with TNF-alpha inhibitors should only be executed within a close doctor-patient relationship and in cooperation with specialised centres.

Hyperoxia-induced improvement of the in vitro response to gemcitabine in transitional cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Anemic tissue hypoxia can decrease the effects of chemotherapy in bladder cancer. Hypoxia leads to overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and increased synthesis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Tumor cell survival, invasion and angiogenesis thereby compromise treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Monolayer cultures of RT112, RT4, T24 and TCC SUP cells were incubated with or without gemcitabine and different gas mixtures (hypoxia, normoxia or hyperoxia). Cell proliferation (microculture tetrazolium assay), VEGF (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and HIF-1alpha (Western blot analysis) were determined.

RESULTS

Hypoxia led to increased proliferation of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cells and elevated levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF. Hyperoxia inhibited cell growth and lowered the concentration of VEGF. Treatment with gemcitabine was less effective under hypoxia.

CONCLUSION

Hypoxia enhances TCC growth and may intensify angiogenesis mediated by VEGF. Hypoxia compromises treatment with gemcitabine. Correction of anemia might provide advantages in chemotherapeutic strategies for TCC.