John R. Cangemi

Prophylactic mesalamine treatment decreases postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease☆☆☆

BACKGROUND & AIMS Recurrence of Crohns disease frequently occurs after surgery. A randomized controlled trial was performed to determine if mesalamine is effective in decreasing the risk of recurrent Crohns disease after surgical resection is performed. METHODS One hundred sixty-three patients who underwent a surgical resection and had no evidence of residual disease were randomized to a treatment group (1.5 g mesalamine twice a day) or a placebo control group within 8 weeks of surgery. The follow-up period was a maximum of 72 months. RESULTS The symptomatic recurrence rate (symptoms plus endoscopic and/or radiological confirmation of disease) in the treatment group was 31% (27 of 87) compared with 41% (31 of 76) in the control group (P = 0.031). The relative risk of developing recurrent disease was 0.628 (90% confidence interval, 0.40-0.97) for those in the treatment group (P = 0.039; one-tail test) using an intention-to-treat analysis and 0.532 (90% confidence interval, 0.32-0.87) using an efficacy analysis. The endoscopic and radiological rate of recurrence was also significantly decreased with relative risks of 0.654 (90% confidence interval, 0.47-0.91) in the effectiveness analysis and 0.635 (90% confidence interval, 0.44-0.91) in the efficacy analysis. There was only one serious side effect (pancreatitis) in subjects in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Mesalamine (3.0 g/day) is effective in decreasing the risk of recurrence of Crohns disease after surgical resection is performed.

Effect of proctocolectomy for chronic ulcerative colitis on the natural history of primary sclerosing cholangitis

The effect of proctocolectomy on the primary sclerosing cholangitis that frequently is associated with chronic ulcerative colitis in patients with both conditions is unknown. We have studied prospectively the progression of clinical, biochemical, cholangiographic, and hepatic histologic features in 45 patients with both primary sclerosing cholangitis and chronic ulcerative colitis to compare these variables in the 20 patients who had undergone proctocolectomy with the 25 who had not. The two groups were similar initially with regard to clinical, biochemical, cholangiographic, and hepatic histologic findings. All patients were followed for a minimum of 1 yr and overall duration of follow-up was similar in both groups (4.1 vs. 3.9 yr). Clinically, new onset of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, esophageal varices, and ascites did not differ in patients with and without proctocolectomy. Biochemically, the serial changes in bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time, and albumin were similar. Histologic progression on liver biopsy did not differ between groups, nor did changes on serial cholangiograms. Proctocolectomy also had no effect on survival. We conclude that proctocolectomy for chronic ulcerative colitis has no beneficial effect on the primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with both diseases.

Immunomodulators Are Associated With a Lower Risk of First Surgery Among Patients With Non-Penetrating Non-Stricturing Crohn's Disease

OBJECTIVES:Early immunomodulator therapy may alter the natural history of Crohns disease in certain patients. We determined whether immunomodulator use was associated with a lower risk of first surgery among patients with non-stricturing non-penetrating Crohns disease.METHODS:A total of 159 consecutive patients with non-penetrating non-stricturing Crohns disease from 1994 to 2005 were retrospectively identified and followed from diagnosis to either first surgery (surgery group) or last clinic follow-up (medication group) in a historical cohort analysis. Immunomodulator use, duration, disease location, age at diagnosis, smoking, family history, and decade of diagnosis were compared. Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for propensity score to determine whether immunomodulator use lasting >6 months decreased the risk of first surgery and whether duration of therapy affected risk.RESULTS:The median duration of follow-up was similar (6.0 vs. 5.5 years), age at diagnosis 10 years earlier, and isolated colonic disease three times less common (18 vs. 49%) in the surgery group as compared with the medication group. Immunomodulator use increased with time but overall was less common in the surgical group (24 vs. 48%). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model immunomodulator use was associated with a lower risk of surgery (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval 0.21–0.81) after adjustment for propensity score. Similarly, risk of surgery declined with duration of use.CONCLUSIONS:Immunomodulator use is associated with a decreased risk of first surgery among patients with non-stricturing non-penetrating CD. Early immunomodulator therapy may be beneficial in preventing first surgery in this population that has yet to develop penetrating or fistulizing complications.

Rate of Early/Missed Colorectal Cancers After Colonoscopy in Older Patients With or Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States

OBJECTIVES:Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). Previous studies on early/missed CRCs after colonoscopy excluded IBD patients. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of early/missed CRCs after colonoscopy among IBD and non-IBD patients, and identify factors associated with early/missed CRCs.METHODS:All patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results Medicare-linked database who were 67 years or older at colonoscopy during 1998–2005 and those who were subsequently diagnosed with CRC within 36 months were identified. CRCs diagnosed within 6 months of colonoscopy were categorized as detected CRCs; CRCs diagnosed 6–36 months after colonoscopy were categorized as early/missed CRCs. The rate of early/missed CRCs was calculated as number of early/missed CRCs divided by number of detected and early/missed CRCs. The χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression were used in statistical analysis.RESULTS:Of 55,008 CRC patients (304 Crohns disease; 544 ulcerative colitis (UC)), the rate of early/missed CRCs was 5.8% for non-IBD patients, 15.1% for Crohns, and 15.8% for UC (P<0.001). Compared with older non-IBD patients, early/missed CRCs among older IBD patients were less likely right-sided (both P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression, the risk of early/missed CRCs was three times as high for IBD patients (Crohns odds ratio (OR), 3.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.23–4.21; UC OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 2.44–3.81). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of this finding.CONCLUSIONS:Older IBD patients had a higher rate of early/missed CRCs after colonoscopy. Our finding supports intensive surveillance colonoscopy for older IBD patients as recommended by guidelines.

Randomized controlled trial of recombinant alpha-2a-interferon for chronic hepatitis C. Comparison of alanine aminotransferase normalization versus loss of HCV RNA and anti-HCV IgM.

We enrolled 32 patients with chronic hepatitis C into a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant alpha-2a-interferon treatment. Sixteen patients were randomized to receive 1.5 million units of recombinant alpha-2a-interferon subcutaneously, thrice weekly, for six months while the remaining 16 patients were randomized to a control group that received no treatment. The mean serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level during the six-month study period, expressed as a percentage of the prestudy baseline value, was 82% for the control group compared to 56% for the treatment group (P=0.014). One fourth of the treatment group normalized their serum ALT level compared to only 6% of the controls (P=0.05). During posttherapy follow-up, 86% of responders clinically relapsed. Loss of anti-HCV IgM and HCV RNA occurred exclusively in interferon-treated responders. Anti-interferon antibodies developed in 32% of all treated patients. Forty percent of nonresponders developed anti-interferon antibodies compared to only 14% of responders (P=NS). We conclude that recombinant alpha-2a-interferon is clinically effective in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, most responders in this trial of low-dose interferon relapsed upon cessation of treatment.

Intestinal Ischemia in the Elderly

Mesenteric ischemia in the elderly is an uncommon but often fatal disorder for which the prognosis depends entirely on the speed and accuracy of the diagnosis. A high index of suspicion is required as the early signs and symptoms, at a time when ischemic changes are reversible, are typically nonspecific or absent. This article reviews the clinical spectrum of mesenteric ischemia in the elderly with particular emphasis on the varied presentations, evaluation, and management of ischemic disorders of the intestines.

Small bowel tumors discovered during double-balloon enteroscopy: Analysis of a large prospectively collected single-center database

Background: The emergence of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has greatly enhanced the management of small bowel tumors (SBTs). DBE is particularly useful as a diagnostic modality because it allows for direct investigation of the gastrointestinal lumen, yet little data exist regarding its clinical efficacy. Aim: To determine the diagnostic yield of DBE in detection of SBTs. Methods: We restrospectively reviewed our large prospectively collected DBE database from September 2005 to May 2012. Patients who were diagnosed with SBTs by DBE were included in the study. The diagnostic yield of DBE in detection of SBTs was calculated by frequency analysis. Results: A total of 1106 patients underwent 1652 DBE procedures. Of these patients, 134 (12.1%) were found to have an SBT. The majority (56.7%) of patients diagnosed with SBT were male, and the average age at the time of diagnosis was 64 years (SD±14 y). Indications for performing DBE included suspected mass lesion in 54.5% (73/134) of SBT patients, obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in 26.9% (36/134), and overt gastrointestinal bleeding in 14.9% (20/134). The most common SBTs identified were: carcinoid (26/134, 19.4%), hamartoma (14/134, 10.4%), inflammatory polyp (11/134, 8.2%), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (10/134, 7.5%), and lymphoma (10/134, 7.5%). Conclusions: DBE is a valuable tool in the evaluation of SBTs. The incidence of SBTs in our patient population was significantly higher than the generally accepted incidence for the overall population, but was comparable with other similar studies. Carcinoid tumor was the most common SBT identified, and was most often seen in the ileum.

Collagenous Colitis Evolving into Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the literature

Collagenous colitis is a form of microscopic colitis that results in chronic watery diarrhea predominantly affecting middle-aged women. It is characterized by a thick band of collagen beneath the surface epithelium and is asso- ciated with increased lymphocytes in the lamina propria of an otherwise normal-appearing colon. The disease is generally benign, with a course that is characterized by spontaneous relapses and remissions. The disease has no malignant potential, and it is uncommon for it to progress to ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease. Three cases have been reported previously of collagenous colitis evolving into ulcerative colitis. We report one patient with classical symptoms and histological features of collagenous colitis who subsequently developed clinical and histological evi- dence of ulcerative colitis. This process of transformation occurred 12 months after the initial diagnosis. This case, in addition to the other three cases, supports a theory that collagenous colitis may be part of a spectrum of inflam- matory bowel disease that may evolve over the course of time. Therefore, progression to ulcerative colitis should be considered in any patient with known collagenous col- itis whenever there is a change in the clinical picture with the appearance of bloody diarrhea or systemic features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Elderly

This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which will grow in prevalence as the population ages. Prognosis of late-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) is generally similar to that of early-onset UC, whereas in Crohn disease it is probably better because of a tendency for colonic involvement. Disease complications are related more to the duration of the inflammatory bowel disease than the subjects current age. The diagnosis in elderly patients can be challenging due to the large number of conditions that mimic IBD on radiologic, endoscopic, and histologic testing. Distinguishing these conditions from IBD will significantly alter prognosis and treatment. Complications related to IBD and its treatment are common and must be recognized early to limit their impact in a vulnerable elderly population.

Accuracy of in vivo colorectal polyp discrimination by using dual-focus high-definition narrow-band imaging colonoscopy

BACKGROUND Discriminating neoplastic from non-neoplastic polyps can significantly reduce the cost of colonoscopy. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recently set threshold levels for optical diagnostic accuracy to be acceptable for clinical use. OBJECTIVE In this study, we compare a novel colonoscope capable of dual-focus imaging with standard colonoscopy with respect to the ASGE guidelines. SETTING An academic medical center ambulatory surgical center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS Patients at average risk were randomized to standard colonoscopy (Olympus CF-H180 and Exera II 180 colonoscopes, Olympus America, Center Valley, Pa) or dual-focus colonoscopy (Olympus CF-HQ190 and Exera III 190 colonoscopes, Olympus America). All polyps were given an optical diagnosis and compared with histology. RESULTS A total of 600 patients were consented and 522 completed all aspects of the procedure. A total of 927 polyps were analyzed. Optical diagnostic accuracy was 79% (95% confidence interval, 74%-83%) for the 190 and 77% (95% confidence interval, 73%-81%) for the 180 colonoscope. Adenoma detection rates were also similar between the 2 groups (50% for the 190 vs 52% for the 180 colonoscope). For small distal rectosigmoid polyps with a high confidence diagnosis, the negative predictive value for adenoma was 96% (range 89%-99%) for the 180 in the narrow-band imaging (NBI) mode and 97% (range 88%-99%) for the 190 colonoscope in NBI mode. Agreement of surveillance intervals by using optical diagnosis was 94% to 95% for all modalities (180 and 190 colonoscopes, white light imaging, NBI). LIMITATIONS Our study evaluated the accuracy of the 180 and 190 colonoscopes at a center with already-established expertise in endoscopic imaging. CONCLUSIONS Both traditional and new dual-focus colonoscopes provide highly accurate optical polyp discrimination. There was no difference between the 2 systems in terms of discrimination or adenoma detection. Both systems are consistent with ASGE guidelines for optical diagnosis of selected colorectal polyps without histological confirmation.