Jonathan Segal

European consensus conference on faecal microbiota transplantation in clinical practice.

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an important therapeutic option for Clostridium difficile infection. Promising findings suggest that FMT may play a role also in the management of other disorders associated with the alteration of gut microbiota. Although the health community is assessing FMT with renewed interest and patients are becoming more aware, there are technical and logistical issues in establishing such a non-standardised treatment into the clinical practice with safety and proper governance. In view of this, an evidence-based recommendation is needed to drive the practical implementation of FMT. In this European Consensus Conference, 28 experts from 10 countries collaborated, in separate working groups and through an evidence-based process, to provide statements on the following key issues: FMT indications; donor selection; preparation of faecal material; clinical management and faecal delivery and basic requirements for implementing an FMT centre. Statements developed by each working group were evaluated and voted by all members, first through an electronic Delphi process, and then in a plenary consensus conference. The recommendations were released according to best available evidence, in order to act as guidance for physicians who plan to implement FMT, aiming at supporting the broad availability of the procedure, discussing other issues relevant to FMT and promoting future clinical research in the area of gut microbiota manipulation. This consensus report strongly recommends the implementation of FMT centres for the treatment of C. difficile infection as well as traces the guidelines of technicality, regulatory, administrative and laboratory requirements.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the management of chronic refractory pouchitis with an evidence-based treatment algorithm.

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is considered the procedure of choice in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to medical therapy. The incidence of pouchitis is 40% at 5 years. Ten to 15% of patients with pouchitis experience chronic pouchitis.

National survey of practice of faecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridium difficile infection in the UK

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A Systematic Review: The Management and Outcomes of Ileal Pouch Strictures

Background Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis removes the diseased tissue in ulcerative colitis but also allows gastrointestinal continuity and stoma-free living. Pouch strictures are a complication with a reported incidence of 5-38%. The three areas where pouch strictures occur are in the pouch inlet, mid-pouch and pouch-anal anastomosis. Aim To undertake a systematic review of the literature and to identify management strategies available for pouch-anal, mid-pouch and pre-pouch ileal strictures and their outcomes. Methods A computer-assisted search of the online bibliographic databases MEDLINE and EMBASE limited to 1966 to February 2016 was performed. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, observational studies and case reports were considered. Those where data could not be extracted were excluded. Results Twenty-two articles were considered eligible. Pouch-anal strictures have been initially managed using predominately dilators which include bougie and Hegar dilators with various surgical procedures advocated when initial dilatation fails. Mid-pouch strictures are relatively unstudied with both medical, endoscopic and surgical management reported as successful. Pouch inlet strictures can be safely managed using a combined medical and endoscopic approach. Conclusion The limited evidence available suggests that pouch-anal strictures are best treated in a stepwise fashion with initial treatment to include digital or instrumental dilatation followed by surgical revision or resection. Management of mid-pouch strictures requires a combination of medical, endoscopic and surgical management. Pouch inlet strictures are best managed using a combined medical and endoscopic approach. Future studies should compare different treatment modalities on separate stricture locations to enable an evidenced-based treatment algorithm.

Biofeedback in patients with ileoanal pouch dysfunction: a specialist centre experience

Abstract Objectives: To report outcomes following biofeedback for functional problems associated with an ileoanal pouch. Incontinence and evacuatory disorders associated with the ileoanal pouch can be particularly problematic and difficult to treat using conventional therapies. Biofeedback therapy is a behavioural treatment that offers a non-surgical approach as an alternative or adjunct for patients. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective single centre study. We reviewed the notes of all patients attending for biofeedback at our institution between January 2012 and October 2017 and identified all those that did so for ileoanal pouch related problems. We recorded patient reported subjective improvements following biofeedback. The validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire was used to assess improvement in incontinent symptoms and the evacuatory disorder questionnaire was used to assess improvement in evacuatory disorders. Results: Twenty-six patients with ileoanal pouch related problems underwent biofeedback. Based on patients’ feedback at next clinical encounter following biofeedback, nine reported much improvement, 11 reported some improvement and six reported no improvement. In the group treated for incontinence, quality of life improved significantly from a median pre-treatment score of 80 to a post-treatment score of 41 (p = .01). Biofeedback reduced pain, bloating straining and laxative use in patients with evacuatory disorders. Conclusions: Biofeedback may be associated with significant improvement in quality of life as well as possible improvements in symptoms related to both incontinence and evacuatory disorders. It is probably an underused service. Further larger prospective studies are required to properly assess the efficacy of biofeedback in ileoanal pouch related dysfunction.

Long term outcomes of initial infliximab therapy for inflammatory pouch pathology: a multi-Centre retrospective study

Abstract Background: Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is considered the procedure of choice in patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to medical therapy. Subsequent inflammation of the pouch is a common complication and in some cases, pouchitis fails to respond to antibiotics, the mainstay of treatment. In such cases, corticosteroids, immunomodulatory or biologic treatments are options. However, our understanding of the efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor medications in both chronic pouchitis and Crohn’s-like inflammation is based on studies that include relatively small numbers of patients. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, multi-centre study to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of infliximab (IFX) for inflammatory disorders related to the ileoanal pouch. The primary outcome was the development of IFX failure defined by early failure to IFX or secondary loss of response to IFX. Results: Thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria; 18/34 (53%) who were initiated on IFX for inflammatory disorders of the pouch had IFX failure, 3/34 (8%) had early failure and 15/34 (44%) had secondary loss of response with a median follow-up of 280 days (range 3–47 months). In total, 24/34 (71%) avoided an ileostomy by switching to other medical therapies at a median follow-up of 366 days (1–130 months). Conclusions: Initial IFX therapy for pouch inflammatory conditions is associated with IFX failure in just over half of all patients. Despite a high failure rate, an ileostomy can be avoided in almost three-quarters of patients at four years by using other medical therapies.

PWE-053 Biofeedback in patients with ileoanal pouch dysfunction: a specialist centre experience

Introduction Restorative proctocolectomy is performed in patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to medical therapy, UC related neoplasia, and in some patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Incontinence can occur in up to 12%–31% of patients with an ileoanal pouch. Evacuatory difficulty in the absence of mechanical or anatomical abnormality is uncommon and management options are limited. Incontinence and evacuatory disorders associated with the ileoanal pouch can be particularly problematic and difficult to treat using conventional therapies. Biofeedback therapy is a behavioural treatment which is non-invasive and offers a non-surgical approach as an alternative or adjunct for patients with functional bowel disorders. The theoretical basis for biofeedback is ‘learning through reinforcement’ or ‘operant conditioning’ Methods This was a retrospective single centre study. We reviewed the notes of all patients attending for biofeedback at our institution between Jan 2012 and Oct 2017, and identified all those that did so for ileoanal pouch related problems. We recorded patient reported subjective improvements following biofeedback. The validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire was used to assess improvement in incontinent symptoms and the evacuatory disorder questionnaire was used to assess improvement in evacuatory disorders. Result Twenty-six patients with ileoanal pouch related problems underwent biofeedback. Based on patients’ feedback at next clinical encounter following biofeedback, nine reported much improvement, 11 reported some improvement and six reported no improvement. In the group treated for incontinence, quality of life improved significantly from a median pre-treatment score of 80 to a post-treatment score of 41 (p=0.01) (table 1). Biofeedback reduced pain, bloating, straining and laxative use in patients with evacuatory disorders.Abstract PWE-053 Table 1 Incontinence disorder using objective scoring system (n=5) ICIQb Scores Domain Pre-biofeedback score (median,range) Post biofeedback score (median,range) P value Bowel pattern 62 (49–62) 46 (39–62) 0.12 Bowel control 82 (33–102) 53 (11–76) 0.21 Non-scored 22 (17–35) 29 (12–29) 0.35 Quality of life 80 (62–98) 41 (30–55) 0.01 Conclusions Biofeedback is associated with significant improvement in quality of life as well as possible improvements in symptoms related to both incontinence and evacuatory disorders. It is probably an underused service. Further larger prospective studies are required to assess the efficacy of biofeedback in pouch related dysfunction.

The use of faecal microbiota transplant as treatment for recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile infection and other potential indications: joint British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) guidelines.

Interest in the therapeutic potential of faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has been increasing globally in recent years, particularly as a result of randomised studies in which it has been used as an intervention. The main focus of these studies has been the treatment of recurrent or refractory Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), but there is also an emerging evidence base regarding potential applications in non-CDI settings. The key clinical stakeholders for the provision and governance of FMT services in the UK have tended to be in two major specialty areas: gastroenterology and microbiology/infectious diseases. While the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance (2014) for use of FMT for recurrent or refractory CDI has become accepted in the UK, clear evidence-based UK guidelines for FMT have been lacking. This resulted in discussions between the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and Healthcare Infection Society (HIS), and a joint BSG/HIS FMT working group was established. This guideline document is the culmination of that joint dialogue.

Long-term follow-up of the use of maintenance antibiotic therapy for chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis

Objective Restorative proctolectomy is considered the procedure of choice in patients with ulcerative colitis who have failed medical therapy. Chronic pouchitis occurs in 10%–15% of patients, which often require long-term antibiotics to alleviate symptoms. Safety and efficacy of long-term maintenance antibiotics for chronic pouchitis has yet to be established. We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of maintenance antibiotic therapy for chronic pouchitis. Design This was an observational study. We followed up patients who were diagnosed with chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis. Setting Data were collected from our single specialist pouch centre. Patients Patients with chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis who had been maintained on antibiotics continuously for at least 1 year with a least one follow-up visit. Main outcome measure Development of pouch failure defined by the need for an ileostomy, patient-reported side effects of antibiotics and development of antibiotic resistance found on stool coliform testing. Results Long-term use of antibiotics achieve remission in 21% of patients over a median follow-up of 102 (range 9–125). Pouch failure in association with chronic pouchitis after a median follow-up of 8.5 years occurred in 18%. Side effects of long-term antibiotic use occurred in 28% of patients, with resistance to antibiotics from at least one stool sample occurring in 78% patients. Conclusions Although the use of antibiotics in chronic pouchitis may be justified, the use of long-term antibiotics must be weighed against potential complications associated with pouchitis and antibiotics.

Polyp detection rate: does length matter?

Introduction Polyp detection rate is a surrogate marker for adenoma detection rate and therefore a surrogate marker of quality colonoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first study that compares distance from the monitor to the endoscopist on polyp detection rate. Methods This was a retrospective study comparing polyp detection rate across two different endoscopy room set-ups. All colonoscopies performed between December 2013 and November 2014 were retrieved. The difference in the room set-up was the distance from the endoscopist to the endoscopy monitor. Room A had a distance of 219 cm and Room B had 147 cm. We used two identical rooms, C and D, as a control arm with a distance of 190 cm between the endoscopist and the monitor. Results There were significant differences in polyp detection rates between Room A and Room B in the bowel cancer screening lists. For these lists, the room with the closest distance from the endoscopist to the monitor (147 cm) had a statistically significant higher polyp detection rate than the room that had a further monitor to endoscopist distance of 219 cm (p<0.0006) and a trend towards a higher polyp detection rate compared with the room where the distance between the monitor and the endoscopist was 190 cm (p=0.08). This effect was not noticed across the service lists. Conclusions This study has suggested that the distance from the endoscopist to the monitor can affect polyp detection rate. It appears that for bowel cancer screening lists, the further the endoscopist from the monitor the lower their polyp detection rate.