Inflammatory Pouch Conditions Are Common After Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis in Ulcerative Colitis Patients

BACKGROUND

Total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the gold standard surgery for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with medically refractory disease. The aim of this study was to report the rates and risk factors of inflammatory pouch conditions.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of UC or IBD unspecified (IBDU) patients who underwent TPC with IPAA for refractory disease or dysplasia between 2008 and 2017. Pouchoscopy data were used to calculate rates of inflammatory pouch conditions. Factors associated with outcomes in univariable analysis were investigated in multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 621 patients more than 18 years of age who underwent TPC with IPAA between January 2008 and December 2017, pouchoscopy data were available for 386 patients during a median follow-up period of 4 years. Acute pouchitis occurred in 205 patients (53%), 60 of whom (30%) progressed to chronic pouchitis. Cuffitis and Crohn's disease-like condition (CDLC) of the pouch occurred in 119 (30%) patients and 46 (12%) patients, respectively. In multivariable analysis, female sex was associated with a decreased risk of acute pouchitis, and pre-operative steroid use and medically refractory disease were associated with an increased risk; IBDU was associated with chronic pouchitis; rectal cuff length ≥2 cm and medically refractory disease were associated with cuffitis; age 45-54 at colectomy was associated with CDLC. Rates of pouch failure were similar in chronic pouchitis and CDLC patients treated with biologics and those who were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory pouch conditions are common. Biologic use for chronic pouchitis and CDLC does not impact the rate of pouch failure.

Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated with Alterations in the Nasal Microbiome and an Increase in Inflammation

RATIONALE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with recurrent obstruction, subepithelial edema, and airway inflammation. The resultant inflammation may influence or be influenced by the nasal microbiome.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether the composition of the nasal microbiota is associated with obstructive sleep apnea and inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS

Two large cohorts were used: 1) a discovery cohort of 472 subjects from the WTCSNORE (Seated, Supine and Post-Decongestion Nasal Resistance in World Trade Center Rescue and Recovery Workers) cohort, and 2) a validation cohort of 93 subjects rom the Zaragoza Sleep cohort. Sleep apnea was diagnosed using home sleep tests. Nasal lavages were obtained from cohort subjects to measure: 1) microbiome composition (based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing), and 2) biomarkers for inflammation (inflammatory cells, IL-8, and IL-6). Longitudinal 3-month samples were obtained in the validation cohort, including after continuous positive airway pressure treatment when indicated.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In both cohorts, we identified that: 1) severity of OSA correlated with differences in microbiome diversity and composition; 2) the nasal microbiome of subjects with severe OSA were enriched with Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Veillonella; and 3) the nasal microbiome differences were associated with inflammatory biomarkers. Network analysis identified clusters of cooccurring microbes that defined communities. Several common oral commensals (e.g., Streptococcus, Rothia, Veillonella, and Fusobacterium) correlated with apnea-hypopnea index. Three months of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure did not change the composition of the nasal microbiota.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that the presence of an altered microbiome in severe OSA is associated with inflammatory markers. Further experimental approaches to explore causal links are needed.

Endoscopic activity in asymptomatic patients with an ileal pouch is associated with an increased risk of pouchitis

BACKGROUND

The significance of endoscopic activity in asymptomatic ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with an ileal pouch is unknown.

AIM

To investigate the association of endoscopic pouch activity in asymptomatic patients with the subsequent development of pouchitis.

METHODS

We analyzed a retrospective cohort of patients with UC or IBD-unspecified who underwent a total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Asymptomatic patients with a Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) symptom sub-score of zero who underwent an index surveillance pouchoscopy were included. Endoscopic pouch body activity was graded as 0: normal, 1: mucosal inflammation, or 2: mucosal breaks (ulcers and/or erosions). The primary outcome was primary acute idiopathic pouchitis defined as PDAI score ≥ 7 with symptoms lasting less than four weeks and responsive to standard antibiotics, not otherwise meeting criteria for secondary pouchitis. The secondary outcome was chronic idiopathic pouchitis defined as PDAI score ≥ 7 with symptoms lasting greater than four weeks despite standard antibiotics. Predictors of pouchitis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) reported.

RESULTS

143 asymptomatic pouch patients were included. Index endoscopic pouch body activity was 0 in 86 (60.1%) patients, 1 in 26 (18.2%) and 2 in 31 (21.7%). The median length of follow-up after index surveillance pouchoscopy was 3.03 [IQR 1.24-4.60] years. Primary acute idiopathic pouchitis occurred in 44 (31%) patients and chronic idiopathic pouchitis in 12 (8.4%). Grade 2 endoscopic pouch activity was associated with the development of acute pouchitis (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.23-4.67), although not chronic pouchitis (HR 1.76, 95% CI 0.53-5.87). Histologic inflammation in endoscopically normal pouch mucosa was not associated with acute or chronic pouchitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Mucosal breaks are present in nearly a quarter of asymptomatic patients with IPAA and are associated with an increased risk of acute pouchitis.

Early Pouchitis Is Associated With Crohn's Disease-like Pouch Inflammation in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Despite the initial diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC), approximately 10% to 20% of patients develop Crohn's disease-like pouch inflammation (CDLPI) after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether early pouchitis, defined as pouchitis within the first year after IPAA, is a predictor of CDLPI.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with UC or IBD unclassified (IBDU) who underwent RPC with IPAA at Mount Sinai Hospital between January 2008 and December 2017. The primary outcome was development of CDLPI. Predictors of CDLPI were analyzed via univariable and multivariable Cox regression models.

RESULTS

The analytic cohort comprised 412 patients who underwent at least 1 pouchoscopy procedure between 2009 and 2018. Crohn's disease-like pouch inflammation developed in 57 (13.8%) patients a median interval of 2.1 (interquartile range, 1.1-4.3) years after surgery. On univariable analysis, older age at colectomy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99) was associated with a reduced risk of CDLPI; although early pouchitis (HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.32-4.45) and a greater number of pouchitis episodes (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17-1.63) were associated with an increased risk. On multivariable analysis, early pouchitis (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.27-4.34) was significantly associated with CDLPI. Time to CDLPI was significantly less in patients who developed early pouchitis compared with those who did not (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Early pouchitis is significantly associated with subsequent CDLPI development and may be the first indication of enhanced mucosal immune activation in the pouch.

Recycling of Precolectomy Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Agents in Chronic Pouch Inflammation Is Associated With Treatment Failure

Despite improvements in medical management, 10%-15% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) require total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for refractory disease.¹ Acute pouchitis is the most common post-IPAA inflammatory condition, with cumulative incidence of 45% at 5 years.² Up to 20%-30% of patients develop chronic pouch inflammation (CPI), categorized as antibiotic responsive, antibiotic refractory, or Crohn's disease-like (CDL).³.

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Acute Pouchitis

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis occurs in up to 80% of patients after total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and has been associated with microbial and host-related immunological factors. We hypothesized that a more robust immune response at the time of colectomy, manifested by acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC), may be associated with subsequent acute pouchitis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of all patients with UC or indeterminate colitis complicated by medically refractory disease or dysplasia who underwent TPC with IPAA at Mount Sinai Hospital between 2008 and 2017 and at least 1 subsequent pouchoscopy. Acute pouchitis was defined according to the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index. Cox regression was used to assess unadjusted relationships between hypothesized risk factors and acute pouchitis.

RESULTS

A total of 416 patients met inclusion criteria. Of the 165 (39.7%) patients who underwent urgent colectomy, 77 (46.7%) were admitted with ASUC. Acute pouchitis occurred in 228 (54.8%) patients a median of 1.3 (interquartile range, 0.6-3.1) years after the final surgical stage. On multivariable analysis, ASUC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.17) and a greater number of biologics precolectomy (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.06-2.31) were associated with an increased probability of acute pouchitis, while older age at colectomy (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99) was associated with a decreased probability. Time to pouchitis was significantly less in patients admitted with ASUC compared with those not (P = .002).

CONCLUSION

A severe UC disease phenotype at the time of colectomy was associated with an increased probability of acute pouchitis.

Portomesenteric Venous Thrombosis in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Medically Refractory Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) is an under-recognized complication of colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to describe the rate and risk factors for PMVT in patients undergoing surgery for medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

A retrospective review of medically refractory UC patients who underwent surgery between January 2010 and December 2016 at a single tertiary care center was conducted. PMVT was defined as thrombus within the portal, splenic, superior, or inferior mesenteric vein on postoperative abdominal computed tomography scans. Factors associated with PMVT on univariable analysis were tested in multivariable analysis. Clinical relevance of risk factors was examined with receiver operating characteristic curves and Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

A total of 434 patients were identified. Postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis was administered to 428 (98.5%) inpatients for a mean duration of 7.7 ± 0.17 days. PMVT developed in 36 (8.3%) patients a mean interval of 55.3 ± 10.8 days after index surgery. The majority of PMVT occurred after subtotal colectomy, and the most common initial symptom was abdominal pain. Preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) was associated with PMVT (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.02; P = 0.01), and the optimal predictive CRP threshold was 45 mg/L. The rate of PMVT development was greater for patients with CRP >45 mg/L (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

PMVT can present as abdominal pain and occur multiple weeks after discharge. Further studies are needed to identify the appropriate postoperative outpatient thrombosis prophylaxis regimen for at-risk patients.

Analysis of Outcomes by Extraction Site following Subtotal Colectomy in Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis frequently requires surgery as a definitive management strategy. The colonic specimen can be extracted from various sites including a midline incision, the stoma site, or a Pfannenstiel incision. It is unclear if one extraction site offers improved outcomes and fewer complications.

METHODS

A retrospective review of charts obtained of colorectal surgery patients was conducted for all patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent a subtotal colectomy between 2008 and 2016 at a single tertiary care institution. Demographic data and outcomes data including parastomal and incisional hernias, advanced wound/ostomy certified nurse referrals, surgical site infections, reoperations, and readmissions were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to detect any significant differences in outcomes between groups based on extraction site (midline incision, stoma site, or Pfannenstiel incision).

RESULTS

Univariate analysis did not show any statistical differences between groups in regard to outcomes. Stoma site extraction did not statistically differ from midline extraction in regard to hernias, advanced ostomy referrals, infections, or reoperations, but midline incision extraction did have a lower risk of readmission (OR = 0.56, p = 0.0066). Pfannenstiel extraction had lower risk of incisional hernias (OR = 0.25, p = 0.0002), advanced ostomy referrals (OR = 0.45, p = 0.0164) and readmission (OR = 0.26, p < 0.0001) as compared to stoma site extraction.

CONCLUSIONS

While stoma site extraction can be successfully performed for most patients requiring subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis, Pfannenstiel extraction leads to the fewest number of complications and provides the most consistent results.

Clostridioides Difficile Infection Is a Rare Cause of Infectious Pouchitis

Introduction

The true incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with an ileal pouch is unknown, and there is little published on its associated risk factors.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the rate and risk factors of CDI in pouch patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective review conducted at a single tertiary care inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center. All ulcerative colitis or IBD-unspecified (IBD-U) patients who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis for medically refractory disease or dysplasia between 2008 and 2017 were identified. Symptomatic patients tested for CDI were included. Demographic, disease, and surgical characteristics were collected. Nonparametric methods were used to compare continuous outcomes, and χ² and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare patients with and without CDI as appropriate.

Results

A total of 154 pouch patients had postoperative C. difficilestool testing for symptoms of fever, urgency, increased stool frequency, hematochezia, incontinence, and abdominal and/or pelvic pain. CDI was diagnosed in 11 (7.1%) patients a median of 139 days (IQR 34-1,170) after the final surgical stage. Ten patients (90.9%) received oral vancomycin for 10 days and 1 patient (9.1%) received oral metronidazole for 2 weeks. Ten patients (90.9%) reported improvement in symptoms at completion of therapy. Nine patients (81.8%) were retested for CDI for recurrent symptoms and found to be negative. No patient had CDI recurrence. There was no significant difference in demographic and surgical characteristics, previous antibiotic or proton pump inhibitor use, or previous hospital admission among the patients with and without CDI.

Conclusions

CDI is a rare cause of infectious pouchitis and treatment with oral vancomycin improves symptoms.

Vitamin D Deficiency is Common in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis After Total Proctocolectomy with Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis

In a retrospective study of 412 patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis and had subsequent pouchoscopy, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D was common and was not significantly associated with age, sex, ethnicity, or precolectomy medication use.

The association between pre-colectomy thiopurine use and risk of neoplasia after ileal pouch anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis: a propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND

The risk of neoplasia of the pouch or residual rectum in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who undergo total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is incompletely investigated. Thiopurine use is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with UC. We tested the hypothesis that thiopurine use prior to TPC may be associated with a reduced risk of primary neoplasia after IPAA.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients from a tertiary referral center from January 2008 to December 2017. Eligible patients with UC or IC underwent TPC with IPAA and had at least two pouchoscopies with biopsies ≥ 6 months after surgery. Propensity score analysis was conducted to match thiopurine exposed vs unexposed groups based on clinical covariates. Multivariable Cox regression analysis estimated the risk of neoplasia.

RESULTS

A total of 284 patients with UC or IC (57.4% male, median age 35.6 years) were analyzed. Ninety-seven patients (34.2%) were confirmed to have thiopurine exposure ≥ 12 weeks immediately prior to TPC ("exposed") and 187 (65.8%) were confirmed to have no thiopurine exposure for at least 365 days prior to TPC ("non-exposed"). Compared to non-exposed patients, patients with thiopurine exposure less often had dysplasia (7.2% vs 23.0%, p = 0.001) and had lower grades of dysplasia before colectomy. After IPAA, patients with neoplasia were older (44.0 vs 34.8 years, p = 0.03), more likely to have had dysplasia as colectomy indication (44.4% vs 15.4%, p = 0.007), and more likely to require pouch excision (55.6% vs 10.2%, p < 0.0001), compared to patients without neoplasia. On propensity-matched cohort analysis, no factors were significantly associated with risk of primary neoplasia.

CONCLUSION

Thiopurine exposure for at least the 12 weeks prior to TPC in patients with UC or IC does not appear to be independently associated with risk of primary neoplasia following IPAA.

Iron Deficiency Is Common after Restorative Proctocolectomy with Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies may occur after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), largely due to malabsorption and/or pouch inflammation.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to report the frequency of iron deficiency in patients with UC who underwent RPC with IPAA and identify associated risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with UC or IBD-unclassified who underwent RPC with IPAA at Mount Sinai Hospital between 2008 and 2017. Patients younger than 18 years of age at the time of colectomy were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze baseline characteristics. Medians with interquartile range (IQR) were reported for continuous variables, and proportions were reported for categorical variables. Iron deficiency was defined by ferritin <30 ng/mL. Logistic regression was used to analyze unadjusted relationships between hypothesized risk factors and the outcome of iron deficiency.

Results

A total of 143 patients had iron studies a median of 3.0 (IQR 1.7-5.6) years after final surgical stage, of whom 73 (51.0%) were men. The median age was 33.5 (IQR 22.7-44.3) years. Iron deficiency was diagnosed in 80 (55.9%) patients with a median hemoglobin of 12.4 g/dL (IQR 10.9-13.3), ferritin of 14 ng/mL (IQR 9.0-23.3), and iron value of 44 μg/dL (IQR 26.0-68.8). Of these, 29 (36.3%) had a pouchoscopy performed within 3 months of iron deficiency diagnosis. Pouchitis and cuffitis were separately noted in 4 (13.8%) and 13 (44.8%) patients, respectively, and concomitant pouchitis-cuffitis was noted in 9 (31.0%) patients. Age, sex, anastomosis type, pouch duration, and history of pouchitis and/or cuffitis were not associated with iron deficiency.

Conclusion

Iron deficiency is common after RPC with IPAA in patients with UC. Cuffitis is seen in the majority of patients with iron deficiency; however, iron deficiency may occur even in the absence of inflammation.

Management of Anastomotic Leaks in Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis

Anastomotic leaks remain a dreaded complication after ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Their impacts can be devastating, ranging from an acute leak leading to postoperative sepsis to chronic leaks and sinus tracts resulting in long-term pouch dysfunction and subsequent pouch failure. The management of acute leaks is intricate. Initial management is important to resolve acute sepsis, but the type of acute intervention impacts long-term pouch function. Aggressive management in the postoperative period, including the use of IV fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and operative interventions may be necessary to preserve pouch structure and function. Early identification and knowledge of the most common areas of leak, such as at the IPAA anastomosis, are important for guiding management. Long-term complications, such as pouch sinuses, pouch-vaginal fistulas, and diminished IPAA function complicate the overall survival and functionality of the pouch. Knowledge and awareness of the identification and management of leaks is crucial for optimizing IPAA success.

Pouch Body Anastomotic Ulcerations Are Not Associated With an Increased Risk of Pouchitis

Patients with isolated pouch body anastomotic ulcers may present with clinically significant symptoms such as increased stool frequency and hematochezia. Isolated pouch body anastomotic ulcers do not increase the risk of future pouchitis.