Anthony C. Wicks

Final results from 10 year cohort of patients undergoing surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus: observational study

Abstract Objectives: To review the benefit of an endoscopic surveillance programme for patients with Barretts oesophagus. Design: Observational study. Setting: University teaching hospital. Participants: 409 patients in whom Barretts oesophagus was identified during 1984-94; 143 were entered into the annual surveillance programme. Main outcome measures: Development of dysplasia and cancer and mortality. Results: The average period of surveillance was 4.4 years; 55 patients were reassessed in 1994 but only eight remained in the programme in 1999, withdrawal being due to death (not from carcinoma of the oesophagus), illness, or frailty. Five of the patients who entered surveillance developed carcinoma of the oesophagus. Only one cancer was identified as a result of a surveillance endoscopy, the others being detected during endoscopy to investigate altered symptoms. Of the 266 patients who were not suitable for surveillance, one died from oesophageal cancer and 103 from other causes. Surveillance has resulted in 745 endoscopies and about 3000 biopsy specimens. Conclusion: The current surveillance strategy has limited value, and it may be appropriate to restrict surveillance to patients with additional risk factors such as stricture, ulcer, or long segment (>80 mm) Barretts oesophagus.

Epidemiological study of ulcerative proctocolitis in Indian migrants and the indigenous population of Leicestershire.

A retrospective epidemiological study of ulcerative colitis (UC) and proctitis was performed in Leicestershire from 1972-89. Potential cases were identified from hospital departments of pathology, endoscopy, and medical records and from general practitioners. The county population includes more than 93,000 South Asians. There were 573 cases of UC and 286 of proctitis in Europeans and 115 cases of UC and 29 of proctitis in South Asians. The standardised incidence of UC in Europeans and South Asians was stable, except in Sikhs in whom it had increased rapidly. The relative risk of UC to South Asians was 2.45. The standardised incidences of UC in South Asians during the 1980s were: 10.8/10(5)/year in Hindus (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-14.1 cases/10(5)/year) 16.5/10(5)/year in Sikhs (95% CI 7.9-25.2 cases/10(5)/year), and 6.2/10(5)/year in Muslims (95% CI 1.6-10.9 cases/10(5)/year). There was no difference in incidence between Asians from East Africa and India. The standardised incidence of UC in Europeans was 5.3/10(5)/year (95% CI 4.3-6.3 cases/10(5)/year). The standardised incidences of proctitis were 3.1/10(5)/year (95% CI 1.9-2.5 cases/10(5)/year) in South Asians and 2.3/10(5)/year (95% CI 1.8-2.4 cases/10(5)/year) in Europeans. Ethnic groups had a similar disease distribution, except Sikhs in whom it was less extensive. Despite the similar disease distribution, South Asians had fewer operations and complications from UC than Europeans. There was a bimodal age specific incidence in Europeans, but not in other ethnic groups. First and second generation South Asians were at similar risk. Hindus and Sikhs have a significantly higher incidence of UC than Europeans in Leicestershire.

Prevalence and family risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: an epidemiological study among Europeans and south Asians in Leicestershire.

The family history of patients identified during incidence studies in Leicestershire were investigated and the prevalence and comparative risks calculated; 1254 patients aged 15 to 80 years were sent a questionnaire about their family history. All cases with a positive family history were reviewed and confirmed cases included in the study. In Europeans the standardised prevalence of Crohns disease was 75.8/10(5) and that of ulcerative colitis 90.8/10(5). The prevalence of Crohns disease among South Asians was 33.2/10(5) and that of ulcerative colitis 135/10(5). The prevalence of Crohns disease in Europeans was significantly greater than that in Hindus (chi 2 = 16, p < 0.001), while the prevalence of ulcerative colitis was significantly lower in Europeans than Hindus (chi 2 = 27, p < 0.001) and Sikhs (chi 2 = 4.4, p < 0.05). The comparative risk of developing ulcerative colitis in first degree relatives of Europeans patients with ulcerative colitis was increased by approximately 15, but the risk of Crohns disease was not increased. The comparative risk of developing Crohns disease among first degree relatives of patients with Crohns disease was increased by up to 35, the comparative risk of ulcerative colitis was approximately 3. The risk among relatives of South Asian patients with Crohns disease was not increased, but the risk of ulcerative colitis to relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis was. This study supports the view that Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis arise in people with a genetic predisposition and exposed to some, as yet unknown, environmental factor.

Mortality from Crohn's disease in Leicestershire, 1972-1989 : an epidemiological community based study

Mortality among 610 people with Crohns disease identified in a population based study from 1972-89 was assessed. In Europeans the overall mortality was not increased, the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 71.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 49 to 101). The SMR in South Asians was 0, (95% CI 0 to 1590). The SMR varied with the site of disease (chi 2 (4) = 10.5, p < 0.05) and was highest in those with duodenal and jejunal involvement (SMR = 210, 95% CI 44 to 621). Survival curve comparisons showed that colonic disease carried a worse prognosis than terminal ileal disease (chi-2 = 9, p < 0.01) or mixed site disease (chi-2 = 4.7, p < 0.05). Mortality was particularly high during the first six years. It was increased in patients who had undergone more than one resection (SMR = 137, 95% CI 28 to 401) or an ileoanal anastomosis (SMR = 357, 95% CI 9 to 1070), although no difference was significant. Mortality did not change significantly during the study. Such information needs to be made available, not just to patients, their families, and their doctors, but perhaps more importantly, to actuaries, insurers, and those advising employers.

Three simple methods of detecting malnutrition on medical wards.

Malnutrition in hospital is often unrecognized. A nutrition team aims to teach simple methods of detecting malnutrition. On a single day all medical in-patients underwent a nutritional assessment. Eighty-four patients (43 men), median age 71 years (range 28–97), were assessed. The most common diagnoses were cardiac disease (26), stroke/dementia (12), non-malignant lung disease (9) and malignancy (6). A weight loss of more than 10% (%WL) was found in 17/65 (26%) and a body mass index (BMI) of less than 19kg/m2 in 13/69 (19%). A mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) less than the fifth percentile occurred in 16/83 (19%) patients. Percentage weight loss alone detected seven patients of whom four were overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2), BMI alone detected three patients, and MAMC alone eight patients of whom three could not be weighed and three had fluid retention. There was fluid retention in 35/84 (42%) patients of whom nine were malnourished (six detected by BMI and/or %WL, and three by MAMC alone). All three measurements were made in 64 patients, six (9%) of whom were detected as malnourished by all three methods. Combining the three measurements 29/84 (35%) of patients were malnourished and only 28% of these patients had been assessed by a dietitian. BMI and %WL detect most patients but fluid retention may limit their accuracy. MAMC is useful in those who cannot be weighed or who have fluid retention.

Retrospective Case Series Analysis of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Azathioprine

Objectives: The aim of this study was to look at our practice of using azathioprine and to compare our results with those in published trials both from the point of view of response and also the side-effect profile. Design: A retrospective case series analysis was done on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were on azathioprine at Leicester General Hospital. Methods: 111 patients (47 males, 64 females, mean age 35.3 years) were included from gastroenterology outpatients records between November 1997 and August 1998. Clinical and demographic details were collected. Response in Crohn’s disease was determined using the Harvey-Bradshaw index. In case of ulcerative colitis the following parameters were used: stool frequency; rectal bleeding, weight gain, and general well-being. Logistic regression was performed to look at the influence of age, sex and diagnosis in relation to the response/relapse rate. Results: The average duration of treatment with azathioprine was 28.6 months. The starting dose of 1.53 mg/kg was similar to the maintenance dose (1.51 mg/kg). 58 patients had Crohn’s disease and 53 patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. 85 patients were steroid-dependent, 9 steroid-resistant, and 17 patients were started on azathioprine on the basis of extensive disease either seen at the time of endoscopy or radiologically. Improvement in clinical features at 3, 6 and 12 months was 69.5, 77 and 84.1%, respectively. 74% patients showed an improvement in relapse rates during the first year on azathioprine compared to 1 year prior to treatment. 68% patients who had shown improvement at 1 year were no longer taking steroids (p = 0.002). Logistic regression did not show any statistically significant influence of age, sex or diagnosis on response. 4.5% patients had leukopenia requiring dose reductions. Severe leukopenia (leukocyte count <2.5 × 109/l) occurred in 3.6% patients. Conclusions: Response rates in our IBD patients on azathioprine are comparable with those of the published data despite using a relatively smaller dose.

Current practice in surveillance strategy for patients with Barrett's oesophagus in the UK

Background:  Many guidelines exist regarding the surveillance of patients with Barretts oesophagus. There are limited data, however, with regard to whether practitioners follow these guidelines.

High Risk of Coeliac Disease in Punjabis

The purpose of this study was to measure the incidence of coeliac disease in different ethnic communities and investigate the hypothesis that the incidence is decreasing in most European countries and

Use of the ‘nutriceutical’, bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study

Background : Bovine colostrum is a rich source of nutrients, antibodies and growth factors.

Ten years’ experience of screening patients with Barrett’s oesophagus in a university teaching hospital

Background—Barrett’s metaplasia is a premalignant condition for which screening is recommended. Aims/methods—Annual screening endoscopies have been performed on all subjects suitable for surgery for many years. To examine the benefits to patients of continuing this policy 10 years’ experience of screening for Barrett’s oesophagus was reviewed. Results—Of the 29 374 endoscopies performed over this period, Barrett’s metaplasia was present in 1.4%. There was an approximate equal sex distribution with the majority of cases being identified in patients over 50 years old. Thirty five per cent of these patients were suitable to enter a yearly screening programme. During screening, the length of oesophagus involved did not vary over time. As a result of 379 endoscopies performed for screening purposes, only one patient was identified as developing carcinoma solely as a result of the screening programme. Two further patients had carcinoma identified as a result of progressive dysphagia requiring additional endoscopies. All three patients who developed carcinoma while in the screening programme had “long segment” (>8 cm) regions of Barrett’s metaplasia with a stricture present at the initial endoscopy. Conclusions—The poor yield from this screening programme suggests that the policy should be reconsidered. Resources may be better spent on focusing on patients who present with ulceration or stricture in addition to Barrett’s metaplasia.