José Cotter

Multicenter survey on the use of device-assisted enteroscopy in Portugal

Background Device-assisted enteroscopies (DAEs) are recent endoscopic techniques that enable direct endoscopic small-bowel evaluation. Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate the implementation of DAEs in Portugal and assess the main indications, diagnoses, diagnostic yield, therapeutic yield and complication rate. Methods We conducted a multicenter retrospective series using a national Web-based survey on behalf of the Portuguese Small-Bowel Study Group. Participants were asked to fill out two online databases regarding procedural data, indications, diagnoses, endoscopic therapy and complications using prospectively collected institutional data records. Results A total of eight centers were enrolled in the survey, corresponding to 1411 DAEs. The most frequent indications were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), inflammatory bowel disease and small-bowel tumors. The pooled diagnostic yield was 63%. A relation between the diagnostic yield and the indications was clear, with a diagnostic yield for OGIB of 69% (pu2009=u20090.02) with a 52% therapeutic yield. Complications occurred in 1.2%, with a major complication rate of 0.57%. Perforations occurred in four patients (0.28%). Conclusion DAEs are safe and effective procedures, with complication rates of 1.2%, the most serious of which is perforation. Most procedures are performed in the setting of OGIB. Diagnostic and therapeutic yields are dependent on the indication, hence appropriate patient selection is crucial.

LOWER LEVELS OF VITAMIN D CORRELATE WITH CLINICAL DISEASE ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

BACKGROUNDnInflammatory bowel disease, comprising Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, is a group of debilitating conditions associated with deregulated mucosal immune response. Vitamin D has been implicated in immune response and gastrointestinal function.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo investigate the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and disease activity and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.nnnMETHODSnThis cross-sectional study enrolled ambulatory patients with inflammatory bowel disease and assessed clinical disease activity and quality of life (Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [SIBDQ]). Vitamin D levels were determined via serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurement; deficiency was defined as values <20 ng/mL. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS vs 20.0.nnnRESULTSnA total of 76 patients were enrolled, 19 with ulcerative colitis (25%) and 57 with Crohns disease (75%). Overall, mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were low (26.0±10.0 ng/mL), while those in patients with Crohns disease were significantly lower than ulcerative colitis (24.6±8.0 vs 30.0±12.5 ng/mL; P=0.032). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 30% of patients. Patients who were in clinical remission were found to have higher levels of vitamin D than those who were not in remission (28.0±10.3 vs 21.6±6.0 ng/mL, P=0.001). Inflammatory bowel disease patients with SIBDQ scores <50 were found to have significantly lower mean vitamin D levels compared with patients who had SIBDQ scores ≥50 (23.4±6.9 vs 27.9±10.8 ng/mL, P=0.041).nnnCONCLUSIONSnA high proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease were vitamin D deficient, particularly patients with Crohns disease. Both clinical disease activity and quality of life correlated significantly with lower levels of vitamin D, illustrating a clear need for supplementation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis: A Comprehensive Review

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by periods of remission and periods of relapse. Patients often present with symptoms such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea and weight loss, and may require hospitalization and even colectomy. Long-term complications of UC include decreased quality of life and productivity and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Mucosal healing (MH) has gained progressive importance in the management of UC patients. In this article, we review the endoscopic findings that define both mucosal injury and MH, and the strengths and limitations of the scoring systems currently available in clinical practice. The basic mechanisms behind colonic injury and MH are covered, highlighting the pathways through which different drugs exert their effect towards reducing inflammation and promoting epithelial repair. A comprehensive review of the evidence for approved drugs for UC to achieve and maintain MH is provided, including a section on the pharmacokinetics of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α drugs. Currently approved drugs with proven efficacy in achieving MH in UC include salicylates, corticosteroids (induction only), calcineurin inhibitors (induction only), thiopurines, vedolizumab and anti-TNFα drugs (infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab). MH is of crucial relevance in the outcomes of UC, resulting in lower incidences of clinical relapse, the need for hospitalization and surgery, as well as reduced rates of dysplasia and colorectal cancer. Finally, we present recent evidence towards the need for a more strict definition of complete MH as the preferred endpoint for UC patients, using a combination of both endoscopic and histological findings.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: importance of clinical, demographic and psychosocial factors

CONTEXTnInflammatory bowel disease causes physical and psychosocial consequences that can affect the health related quality of life.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo analyze the relationship between clinical and sociodemographic factors and quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease patients.nnnMETHODSnNinety two patients with Crohns disease and 58 with ulcerative colitis, filled in the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ-32) and a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. The association between categorical variables and IBDQ-32 scores was determined using Student t test. Factors statistically significant in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate regression model.nnnRESULTSnIBDQ-32 scores were significantly lower in female patients (P<0.001), patients with an individual perception of a lower co-workers support (P<0.001) and career fulfillment (P<0.001), patients requiring psychological support (P = 0.010) and pharmacological treatment for anxiety or depression (P = 0.002). A multivariate regression analysis identified as predictors of impaired HRQOL the female gender (P<0.001) and the perception of a lower co-workers support (P = 0.025) and career fulfillment (P = 0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe decrease in HRQQL was significantly related with female gender and personal perception of disease impact in success and social relations. These factors deserve a special attention, so timely measures can be implemented to improve the quality of life of patients.

Endoscopic Scores for Evaluation of Crohn's Disease Activity at Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy: General Principles and Current Applications

The small bowel is affected in the vast majority of patients with Crohns Disease (CD). Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has a very high sensitivity for the detection of CD-related pathology, including early mucosal lesions and/or those located in the proximal segments of the small bowel, which is a major advantage when compared with other small bowel imaging modalities. The recent guidelines of European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Crohns and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) advocate the use of validated endoscopic scoring indices for the classification of inflammatory activity in patients with CD undergoing SBCE, such as the Lewis Score or the Capsule Endoscopy Crohns Disease Activity Index (CECDAI). These scores aim to standardize the description of lesions and capsule endoscopy reports, contributing to increase inter-observer agreement and enabling a stratification of the severity of the disease. On behalf of the Grupo de Estudos Português do Intestino Delgado (GEPID) – Portuguese Small Bowel Study Group, we aimed to summarize the general principles and clinical applications of current endoscopic scoring systems for SBCE in the setting of CD, covering the topic of suspected CD as well as the evaluation of disease extent (with potential prognostic and therapeutic impact), evaluation of mucosal healing in response to treatment and evaluation of post-surgical recurrence in patients with previously established diagnosis of CD.

Disability in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Translation to Portuguese and Validation of the ''Inflammatory Bowel Disease --- Disability Score''

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a physical, psychological and social impact, often compromising the patients ability to perform daily activities. Recently a new measurement for disability in IBD was developed. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Disability Score (IBD-DS) comprises the following domains: mobility, self-care, major daily life activities, gastrointestinal-related problems, mental health and interaction with the environment. The aim of our study was to translate to Portuguese and to validate the IBD-DS. Methods Eighty-five patients, 55 with Crohns disease (CD) and 30 with ulcerative colitis (UC), completed the Portuguese version of the IBD-DS and the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ-10 questions). Disease activity was assessed using the Harvey–Bradshaw (HB) for CD and partial Mayo score (pMayo) for UC. Pearsons correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the IBD-DS and SIBDQ. The Students t-test was used to compare the mean of IBD-DS between active and inactive disease. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 21.0 and the statistical level of significance (α) was established at 5%. Results In our study, a significant negative correlation between the IBD-DS and the SIBDQ was observed (r = −0.858, p < 0.001 for CD and r = −0.933, p < 0.001 for UC). There was a statistically significant difference of the mean of IBD-DS between inactive vs. active disease (93.78 vs. 117.57, p = 0.016 for CD and 78.96 vs. 137.14, p < 0.001 for UC). Conclusion The Portuguese version of the inflammatory bowel disease-disability score has a strong correlation with patients’ quality of life and clinical disease activity and was shown to be a valid tool to measure disability in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Impact of the age of diagnosis on the natural history of ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUNDnUlcerative colitis (UC) has a recognized phenotypic heterogeneity. Some studies suggest that age at diagnosis may influence features and natural history of the disease.nnnAIMnThis study aimed to compare patients, diseases and treatments features between Portuguese patients diagnosed before and after the age of 40-years-old.nnnMETHODSnRetrospective single-center study that included 310 patients with UC, divided in two groups: Those diagnosed before the age of 40-years-old (early onset UC) and those diagnosed later than that (late onset UC). In each group features of the patients (gender, family history, smoking), of the disease (duration, extension, severity, clinical course, hospitalization, extraintestinal manifestations), and of treatment (oral aminosalicylates, systemic steroids or immunomodulators) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSSv22.0. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess factors associated with early and late onset UC.nnnRESULTSnFrom the analyzed patients, 207 had UC diagnosed before the age of 40 years old (43.5% men; mean age at diagnosis 29.4 ± 6.9 years) and 103 were diagnosed after that age (61.2% men; mean age at diagnosis 51.8 ± 8.1 years). In the group diagnosed before 40 years old, female gender (p = 0.003), severe disease (p = 0.002), chronic intermittent clinical course (p = 0.026), and hospitalizations (p = 0.001) were significantly more frequent. The use of oral aminosalicylates (p = 0.032), systemic steroids (p = 0.003) and immunomodulators (p = 0.012) were also more common in the early onset UC group. No differences between groups were found in family history, smoking, diseases extension, extraintestinal manifestations, and use of biological agents. Multivariate analysis pointed early onset UC to be significantly associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.91; p = 0.024), chronic intermittent symptoms (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.17-4.70; p = 0.016), and need of hospitalization (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.46-5.72; p = 0.002).nnnCONCLUSIONSnWhen diagnosed before the age of 40-years-old, UC preferably affects women and manifests as a more severe disease, with more frequent hospitalizations and chronic intermittent symptoms. These facts might have implications in planning timely and individualized future therapeutic strategies.

Preguntas y errores en el diagnóstico y manejo de la anemia en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva

Despite high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), IDA and iron deficiency (ID) are frequently untreated. Reasons may be misconceptions about the impact and diagnosis of IDA and the efficacy of new treatments. Addressing these misconceptions, this article summarizes current evidence for better understanding and management of GIB-associated IDA. Despite only few controlled studies evaluated the efficacy of iron treatment in patients with GIB, there is consistent evidence suggesting that: (a) IDA should be diligently investigated, (b) effective treatment of ID/IDA improves outcomes such as health-related quality of life and can avoid severe cardiovascular consequences, and (c) intravenous iron should be considered as well-tolerated treatment in this setting. Overall, the misconceptions and practices outlined in this article should be replaced with strategies that are more in line with current guidelines and best practice in GIB and other underlying conditions of ID/IDA.

AIMS65 score: a new prognostic tool to predict mortality in variceal bleeding

Sir,Since upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains a common condition worldwide, efforts are being continuously made to optimize its management and to improve patients’ outcomes. Latest guide...

Oesophageal presentation of Crohn's disease.

Crohns disease (CD) is characterised by a transmural inflammatory process, which can affect any part of the digestive tract; however, CD with oesophageal presentation is rare. We report a case of a previously healthy young woman with symptoms of dysphagia, odynophagia, chest pain and weight loss, who presented oesophageal ulcers at upper endoscopy and whose histology revealed granulomatous oesophagitis. After complementary study, a mild ileocaecal involvement of CD was demonstrated. The patient became asymptomatic with proton pump inhibitor and a course of prednisolone. Mucosal healing was obtained after maintenance therapy with azathioprine. In the absence of extraoesophageal symptoms, oesophageal CD may be overlooked. CD must always be considered as differential diagnosis in the presence of oesophageal ulcers.