Imatinib mesylate-induced acute hepatotoxicity

INTRODUCTION

Imatinib is a first-line selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Although imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity may aggravate the patient's clinical condition and alter the treatment plan, the mechanism of imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity has rarely been investigated.

CASE REPORT

We report a 51-year-old man, suffering from acute toxic hepatitis after 5 months of imatinib treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

The outcome was favorable after discontinuation of treatment with normalization of biological liver function after 12 weeks. The treatment was switched to nilotinib without any incidents.

DISCUSSION

Regular liver function test monitoring is recommended during imatinib treatment. In fact of acute hepatic toxicity, treatment with imatinib should be stopped in the case of cytolysis more than five times the upper limit of normal.

Clinical and therapeutic features of Plummer-Vinson syndrome in a Tunisian population: a case series

Plummer Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a rare entity and most publications are case or series of cases. Thus, we report a series from southern Tunisia. Our aim was to analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, the therapeutic modalities as well as the evolution of this pathology. Thus we carried out a retrospective study from 2009 until 2019. For each patient with PVS, we collected the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical data and therapeutic modalities. A total of 23 patients were enrolled with a median age of 49.52 years [18-82 years] and a clear female predominance (M/F=2/21). The median duration of dysphagia was 42 months [4-92 months]. Moderate microcytic hypochromic anemia was noted in 16 patients. The anemia was without obvious cause in 60.8% (n=14) of cases. The main endoscopic finding was a diaphragm in the cervical area. Treatment was based on iron supplementation followed by endoscopic dilatation with Savary dilators in 90.9% (n=20) and balloons for 9.1% of patients (n=2). Dysphagia recurred in 5 patients after a median of 26.6 months [2-60 months]. Three cases of PVS were complicated by esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, our series confirms that PVS affects mostly women. Anemia is frequently noted in these patients. Treatment is based on endoscopic dilatation which is often an easy and risk-free procedure and iron supplementation.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin in Tunisia

Background. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) resistance to clarithromycin is increasing worldwide. Data on the prevalence of H. pylori resistance are limited in Tunisia.Gap statement. Given that H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin has not been studied in Tunisia since 2010, there was a need to determinate its prevalence and the principal mutations implicated in this resistance.Aim. The aims were to define the prevalence of H. pylori infection among symptomatic patients and to determinate the level of clarithromycin resistance among these patients and the main mutations conferring this resistance.Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 2017 to February 2020 in the Hepato-Gastroenterology Department of Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax that included 124 Tunisian patients who underwent gastroduodenal endoscopy with biopsies. Mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin were detected using the Allplex H. pylori and ClariR PCR Assay.Results. Out of 124 biopsies, 101 (81.5 2 %) were PCR-positive for H. pylori. Mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin were detected in 30/95 (31.6 %) of patients. The rate of primary resistance was 25.3 % and of secondary resistance 62.5 %. The most frequently detected mutation was A2143G (86, 90%) followed by A2142G (11, 36%). Seven patients had a double mutation A2143G-A2142G. The factors independently associated with resistance to clarithromycin were diabetes, high blood pressure, the presence of a bulbar ulcer on endoscopy and the presence of gastric atrophy on histology.Conclusion. Detection of more than 25 % of strains with clarithromycin resistance mutations makes the H. pylori first-line treatment with clarithromycin questionable in our setting, and a review of empirical treatment of H. pylori is urgently needed.

Role of splenic and hepatic stiffness in predicting esophageal varices

INTRODUCTION

Non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension in chronic liver disease is a topical subject.

AIM

Evaluate accuracy of splenic (SS) and liver (LS) stiffness in predicting the presence of esophageal varices (OV) in chronic hepatitis B patients and determine a non-invasive composite score.

METHODS

This was a monocentric cross-sectional study, including carriers of chronic hepatitis B. All patients benefited of SS and LS measurement by impulse elastography (FibroScan Echosens), FIB-4 score calculation and oeso-gastro-duodenal endoscopy.

RESULTS

We included 84 patients. The average age was 49.04 ± 12.8 years. The mean value of SS and LS was significantly higher in presence of OV; p=0.000. At respective threshold values of 33.1 KPa and 43KPa, SS was able to predict the presence of OV and large OV with AUROC of 0.795 and 0.906. At respective threshold values of 7.75 KPa and 13.55 KPa, LS was able to predict the presence of OV and large OV with AUROC of 0.836 and 0.894. Arithmetic sum of SS, LS and FIB-4 values was able to predict the presence of OV and large OV with AUROC of 0.918 and 0.942.

CONCLUSION

SS and LS are simple and reliable non-invasive tools for predicting OV and large OV. Their association with FIB-4 score improves their diagnostic accuracy.

AB0273 HYPERSENSIVITY REACTIONS TO NON STEROID ANTI INFLAMMATORY DRUGS: A BOUT 87 CASES

Background:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the leading causes of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs. The pathogenesis may be immunological mechanisms (allergic reactions) or non specific immunological reactions often incriminated in cross reactivity independently of chemical structure of these molecules. Understanding of the underlying mechanism is necessary for prevention and choice of safe alternatives [1, 2].

Objectives:

Analyze all cases of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cutaneous eruption reported to sfax pharmacovigilance service since January 2015 to December 2020 and evaluate the possibility of cross-reactions between different molecules in this class.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of all cases reported to sfax pharmacovigilance department. An enquiry of pharmacovigilance was performed in patients who presented side effects to AINS. The imputability study was carried out by the French method of Imputability. Medical history specifies if there is a re-administration to assess tolerance and cross-reactivity.

Results:

Our study included 87 patients whose average age was 45, 8 years. The sex ratio (F/M) was 1.18. lysine salicylate acetyl is the most incriminated (31%), then mefenamic acid (19.5%), diclofenac (19.5 %), ketoprofen in (9.2%), piroxicam in (6.9 %), ibuprofen in (5.4%), celocoxib in (3.4%), tiaprofenic acid in (1.1%) and naproxen in 1.1% of cases. The most common skin injury was urticaria in 29 cases (33.3%). Fixed drug eruption was observed in 17 cases. Maculopapular rash was observed in 19 cases, anaphylaxis in 5 cases and 4 cases of photosensitivity were observed. In our study we found cross-reactivity between (NSAIDs) in 8 patients.

Conclusion:

The diagnostic approach is often based on the controlled administration of the drug to assess tolerance and to identify safe alternatives. In cases of intolerance to COX 1 inhibitors, cross-reactions to selective cox 2 inhibitors are very rare [3].

References:

[1]Inmaculada Dona, Maria Salas, James R Perkins and al. Hypersensitivity Reactions to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Curr Pharm Des 2016; 22(45):6784-6802.

[2]Flavia Angeletti, Franziska Meier, Nadja Zöller, Markus Meissner, Roland Kaufmann, Eva Maria Valesky. Hypersensitivity reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - a retrospective study. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020 Dec; 18(12):1405-1414.

[3]N Blanca-López, J A Cornejo-García, M C Plaza-Serón, and al. Hypersensitivity to Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Children and Adolescents: Cross-Intolerance Reactions. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2015; 25(4):259-69.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0905 THE PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES: A TUNISIAN STUDY

Background:

Osteoporosis is as known a chronic complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Its etiopathogenesis is often multifactorial.

Objectives:

The aim of our study was to describe the prevalence of reduced bone mineral density and to identify risk factors of osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study over three years, collecting patients suffering from IBD and having benefited from a bone densitometry. We have specified for each patient the clinical data and the IBD characteristics. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/ cm) was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Osteoporosis was diagnosed when BMD was 2.5 standard deviations below the mean peak value in young adults (T score,22.5 SD). Patients with other pathology that may change the bone metabolism were excluded.

Results:

sixty-one patients were included with an average age of 38 ± 13 years [16-73]. The sex ratio M / F was 1.25. 69% of patients had ulcerative colitis. The bone density profile was normal in 49.2% of the cases. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were noted in 13.1% and 37.7% of patients, respectively. Osteoporosis was associated with advanced age (50.5 ± 16.5 years vs 36.26 ± 12.93 years; p = 0.007) and longer course disease (6.75 ± 7, 4 years vs 2.5 ± 4 years; p = 0.015). The cumulative dose of prednisone equivalent used in patients with osteoporosis was significantly higher than the other patients (2775 ± 3338 mg vs 706 ± 1449 mg; p = 0.003). Osteopenia was more frequently associated with crohn’s disease (58% vs 28.6% p = 0.0029). There was no significant difference between the group with osteoporosis or osteopenia and the group with normal bone densitometry for sex and body mass index.

Conclusion:

Osteoporosis during IBD is associated with advanced age, longer duration of illness and administration of high doses of corticosteroids. The high proportion of osteoporosis and osteopenia in our study underlines the importance of systematic BMD measurement in all IBD patients as a base for initiating the appropriate treatment.

References:

[1]The prevalence and risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Miznerova E et al. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2013;114(8):439-45.

[2]Osteoporosis and inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence and risk factors in Tunisian patients. Boubaker J et al. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2003 Oct;27(10):901-7.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0476 RHEUMATIC MANIFESTATIONS DURING INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Background:

Rheumatologic manifestations are frequent extraintestinal manifestations (MEI) of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some of these manifestations develop in parallel with the underlying disease, others evolve on their own account. They sometimes lead to reconsider the initial therapy for intestinal purposes.

Objectives:

The aim of our study is to specify the epidemioclinical characteristics of osteoarticular manifestations of chronic inflammatory bowel disease and their possible impact on intestinal disease

Methods:

This is a retrospective study conducted between January 2000 and December 2015 including patients hospitalized in our department for chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Results:

During the study period, 206 patients with IBD were hospitalized in our department, 78 of whom had rheumatic MEI (frequency equal to 37.8%). These 78 patients were divided into 48 men and 30 women with a sex ratio of 1.6 and an average age of 40.7 ± 13.6 years (18–79). They had Crohn’s disease in 60% of the cases. The average length of service for IBDs was 83 ± 73 months (4–360). Osteoarticular MEIs were peripheral in 56.4% of cases, axial in 29.5% of cases, mixed in 6.41% of cases with the presence of osteopenia in 6.41% of cases and osteoporosis in 1 28%. The activity of IBD associated with these MEI was moderate with an average number of outbreaks / year of 1.6 ± 0.8. These patients were treated with salicylates in 30.7% of the cases using corticosteroid therapy at least once in 23% of the cases. Maintenance treatment based on immunosuppressants was found in 38.46% of cases and anti-TNF alfa in 10.25% of cases. During follow-up, 3 patients died (3.84%). There was no significant difference between patients with IBD with rheumatic MEI and without rheumatic MEI regarding epidemiological data and disease activity.

Conclusion:

Rheumatic MEIs are found in almost 40% of IBDs. They affect men more frequently than women and Crohn’s disease than UC. They are rather peripheral and do not associate with a more important activity of the disease.

References:

[1]Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, 2019, 2(S1), S73–S80 doi: 10.1093/jcag/gwy053 Supplement Article

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Short-term maximal performance, alertness, dietary intake, sleep pattern and mood states of physically active young men before, during and after Ramadan observance

Purpose

To assess changes in short-term maximal performance, alertness, dietary intake, sleep pattern and mood states of physically active young men before (BR), during and after Ramadan observance.

Methods

Twelve physically-active men (age: 21.9±2.4yrs, height:1.77±0.09m, body-mass: 72.6±7.8kg, exercising: ≥3h/week) performed the 5-jump and the digit-cancellation (alertness) tests 15-days BR, on the first (FR) and last 10-days of Ramadan (ER) and 10-days (AR10) and 20-days (AR20) after Ramadan. During each period, sleep pattern (Pittsburgh-Sleep-Quality-Index (PSQI)), mood states (Profile-of-Mood-States (POMS)) and dietary intake were recorded.

Results

No significant changes in the 5-jump, digit-cancellation test and POMS parameters appeared during and after Ramadan relative to BR. However, the PSQI total score was lower during FR compared to AR10 (p<0.001). Specifically, the subjective sleep quality was lower (i) at BR compared to FR (p<0.05), AR10 (p<0.01) and AR20 (p<0.01) and (ii) at ER and AR20 compared to FR (p<0.05). The sleep duration (i) increased at FR (p<0.05) and (ii) decreased at AR10 (p<0.01) and AR20 (p<0.05) compared to BR. Sleep disturbances were significantly greater (i) at BR compared to FR (p<0.01), ER (p<0.01), AR10 (p<0.05) and AR20 (p<0.05) and (ii) at AR10 and AR20 compared to FR and ER (p<0.05). In terms of diet, the fractional contribution of carbohydrate (%) was lower and the dietary fat content (g) was higher during ER than AR10 and AR20 (p<0.05). Further, the dietary protein (in %) was significantly lower during FR compared to BR (p<0.01), ER (p<0.05), AR10 (p<0.05) and AR20 (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Ramadan had no-adverse effects on the 5-jump performance, alertness, or mood states in physically active young men. However, the sleep duration was shorter and the sleep quality was improved following compared to during Ramadan. The fractional intake of fat also increased at the expense of carbohydrate during Ramadan, and the protein intake was lower at the beginning of Ramadan than before, at the end of and after Ramadan.

Bone Mineral Density and Bone Remodeling in Tunisian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background:

A high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is observed in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Objective:

The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of bone loss, bone remodeling and risk factors in Tunisian patient with IBD.

Patients and Methods:

The study included 40 patients with IBD and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls subjects. All participants underwent bone densitometry by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin(OC), and urinary degradation products of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTXI) were measured in all participants to assess the bone metabolism status.

Results:

Twelve (30%) patients were normal, 32.5% were osteopenic and 37.5% were osteoporotic. Osteoporosis was more frequent in IBD patients than controls (p=0.0001). Age and inflammation were associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). Mean calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were similar in both groups. Median 25(OH) D levels were significantly lower in IBD patients compared with controls (p=0.0001). Median urinary CTXI levels were significantly higher in IBD patients compared with healthy controls (p=0.007). No significant differences between IBD patients and controls concerning the median serum OC and PTH levels were found.

Conclusion:

In our study, there is a high prevalence of low BMD in IBD patients and an increase in bone resorption without a change of bone formation. Low BMI and hypovitaminoses D were identified as risk factors for low BMD.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on feelings, dietary intake, rating of perceived exertion and repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on feelings, dietary intake, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and repeated high-intensity short-term maximal performance. Thirteen physically active men (age: 21.2 ± 2.9 years, height: 175.6 ± 5.6 cm, body-mass: 72.4 ± 8.6 kg) performed a 5-m shuttle run test (6 × 30-s + 35-s of recovery in-between) during five experimental periods: fifteen days before Ramadan (BR), the first ten days of Ramadan (FR), the last ten days of Ramadan (ER), ten days after Ramadan (AR10) and 20 days after Ramadan (AR20). The study was carried out in Tunisia during the 2016 Ramadan month. During the 5-m shuttle run test, higher distance (HD), total distance (TD) and fatigue index (FI) were recorded. RPE was determined after a 5-min warm-up and after each repetition of the 5-m shuttle run test (the mean RPE score during the test was calculated). Moreover, a feelings scale (FS) was used after the warm-up and after the end of the 5-m shuttle run test. During the five experimental periods, dietary intake was assessed. The results showed that HD, TD and FI during the 5-m shuttle run test were not affected by Ramadan observance (p > 0.05). Likewise, FS scores recorded after the warm-up and the 5-m shuttle run test were not affected by Ramadan fasting (p > 0.05). However, mean RPE scores during the 5-m shuttle run test were significantly lower at ER (4.06 UA), AR10 (3.86 UA) and AR20 (3.71 UA) in comparison to BR (4.51 UA) (p < 0.05). The results showed also that Ramadan fasting has no adverse effect on energy intake, protein (g and %), fat (g and %) and carbohydrate (g). However, the fractional contribution of carbohydrate was significantly higher AR10 than FR (53.1% vs. 45.8%) and ER (53.1% vs. 46.5%) and AR20 than FR (5.92% vs. 45.8%) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Ramadan fasting has no adverse effect on feelings, dietary intake, and short-term maximal performance. However, the RPE during repeated high intensity short-term maximal exercise was reduced AR20 in comparison to ER. Abbreviations: AR: After Ramadan; AR10: Ten days after Ramadan; AR20: Twenty days after Ramadan; BR: Fifteen days before Ramadan; ER: Last ten days of Ramadan; FI: Fatigue index; FR: First ten days of Ramadan; FS: Feelings scale; HD: Higher distance; PSQI: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; RPE: Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale; TD: Total distance.

Histopathological findings in cholecystectomies specimens: A single institution study of 20 584 cases

BACKGROUND

The histopathological examination of cholecystectomy specimens has not been standardized with a debate concerning the routine and the selective approach. The aim of this study was to assess the information obtained from routine histopathological examination of cholecystectomy specimens.

METHODS

All histopathological reports of cholecystectomy specimens between January 2003 and December 2016 were analyzed, including a clinical diagnosis of benign gallstone disease or cholecystitis.

RESULTS

A total of 20,584 reports were examined. The mean age of patients was 54.2 years. Patients aged more than 60 years represent 37.6% of the study population. Of all patients, 15,973 (77.6%) were females. Incidental gallbladder cancers (GBC) were present in 155 cholecystectomies specimens (0.8%). 67.1% of GBC are at T2 and T3 stage. Granulomatous cholecystitis was diagnosed in only 19 cases (0.1%). GBC were more prevalent in older patients (P < 10^-6) and cholesterolosis was more prevalent in young patients (P < 10^-6). There was no gender predilection for GBC (P = 0.739).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of incidental gallbladder carcinoma in our study is low, yet, we found a higher proportion of T2 and T3 carcinomas stage. Granulomatous cholecystitis may need further investigations and treatments. When a selective approch of histopathological examination of cholecystectomy specimens is used, it is important to take into account that clinical parameters are significantly associated with gallbladder cancer.

[Resistance to vitamin K antagonist revealing interaction with soy lecithin]

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are difficult to use because of a narrow therapeutic index and of a marked inter- and intra-individual variability among patients in the required dosage. This drug may interact with many other drugs and same with certain food compounds. We report the case of potential interaction between soy lecithin and Vitamin K antagonists in a 46 years-old woman. Subtherapeutic INR values were detected despite the increase gradually in dose and replacing acenocoumarol by fluindione. An enquiry of pharmacovigilance was conducted found the consumption of soy lecithin capsules. Fifteen days after its stopping, the INR values have really increased. Clinicians should think to the possibility of interaction between oral anticoagulants and food supplement that is increasingly used.

Potential role of liver enzyme levels as predictive markers of glucose metabolism disorders in a Tunisian population

The relationship between liver enzymes and T2D risk is inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the association between liver markers and risk of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, as well as their discriminatory power, for T2D prediction. This cross-sectional study enrolled 216 participants classified as normoglycemic, prediabetic, newly diagnosed diabetics, and diagnosed diabetics. All participants underwent anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The relationship between hepatic enzymes and glucose metabolism markers was evaluated by analyses of covariance. The associations between liver enzymes and incident carbohydrate metabolism disorders were analyzed through logistic regression and their discriminatory capacity to predict T2D by ROC analysis. High AP, ALT, γGT, and AST levels were independently related to decreased insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, a higher AP level was significantly associated with an increased risk of prediabetes (p = 0.017), newly diagnosed diabetes (p = 0.004), and T2D (p = 0.007). An elevated γGT level was an independent risk factor for T2D (p = 0.032) and undiagnosed T2D (p = 0.010) in prediabetic and normoglycemic subjects, respectively. In ROC analysis, AP was a powerful predictor of incident diabetes and significantly improved T2D prediction. Liver enzymes within the normal range, specifically AP levels, are associated with increased risk of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and significantly improved T2D prediction.

Iatrogenic colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma complicating a refractory ulcerative colitis in a human immunodeficiency negative-virus patient

Kaposi sarcoma is an unusual tumor associated to a human herpes virus-8 infection involving the skin or internal organs. Iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma often occurs in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. So far, a few Kaposi's sarcoma cases have been reported in the literature associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. We report a 53-year-old male diagnosed with a severe refractory ulcerative colitis who was treated with corticosteroids and azathioprine. The patient underwent a colectomy after the failure of medical treatment. Histological examination of the colon showed findings suggestive of Kaposi's sarcoma. Immunohistochemistry for human herpes virus-8 was positive in the colonic lesions. Correspondence.

Genetic association and phenotypic correlation of TLR4 but not NOD2 variants with Tunisian inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

The common association between NOD2/CARD15 and TLR4 gene variants with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been replicated in all studies. We studied the polymorphism of these two genes in Tunisian patients with IBD.

METHODS

Polymorphisms of NOD2 (R702W, G908R and L1007fs) and TLR4 (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) genes were analyzed in 106 patients with IBD (68 with ulcerative colitis [UC], 38 with Crohn's disease [CD]) and 160 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genotypes and phenotypes were correlated.

RESULTS

The mutated allele of TLR4-Thr399Ile was strongly associated with IBD (9.4% in IBD, 7.4% in UC and 13.2% in CD vs 2.5% in controls; P = 0.0004, 0.014 and 0.00006, respectively). Heterozygous genotypes were significantly more frequent in patients with IBD (17.0%), UC (14.7%) and CD (21.1%) than in controls (5.0%) (P = 0.0012, 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). Interestingly, the wild genotype was found to be protective (odds ratio 0.24). The mutated allele of TLR4-Asp299Gly was more frequent in controls (6.8%) than in patients with IBD (2.9%). A phenotypic correlation of Asp299Gly-AG genotype with arthritis in UC patients was detected (P = 0.003). Regarding the NOD2 gene, the common variations studied were not polymorphic and there was no genetic association with IBD.

CONCLUSION

The TLR4-Thr399Ile variant was strongly associated with susceptibility to IBD, whereas TLR4-Asp299Gly seems to play a role in the clinical expression of UC. The rarity and non-association of NOD2 mutations with IBD may reveal a genetic characteristic of the population in our region.