Usha Chauhan

An audit of influenza vaccination status in adults with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND Several guidelines recommend influenza vaccination for high-risk patients, including those on immune-suppressing medications (IS). OBJECTIVE To assess the vaccination status and immunization history of an outpatient inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population for H1N1 and seasonal influenza. RESULTS Among 250 patients, 104 (41.6%) had been immunized against H1N1 and 62 (24.8%) against seasonal influenza, and 158 (63.2%) were taking IS (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, infliximab, adalimumab, methotrexate, cyclosporine or prednisone). Among subjects on IS, the presence of comorbidities warranting vaccination was associated with higher likelihood of H1N1 immunization (62.5% versus 35.8%; P=0.022) but not of seasonal influenza vaccination (25.0% versus 17.2%; P=0.392). Among patients without comorbidities warranting vaccination, IS was associated with a decreased likelihood of vaccination against seasonal influenza (17.2% versus 30.7%; P=0.036) but not H1N1 (35.8% versus 41.3%; P=0.46). The frequency of H1N1 vaccination was significantly higher among patients who visited a general practitioner at least once yearly (45.7% versus 20%; P=0.0027), with a similar trend for seasonal influenza vaccination (27.1% versus 12.5%; P=0.073). Among 91 patients on IS who declined vaccination, 39.6% reported fear of immediate side effects, 29.7% reported concerns about developing serious medical complications, 15.4% reported concerns about activating IBD and 15.4% were not aware that vaccination was indicated. CONCLUSIONS Current strategies for vaccinating IBD patients on IS are inadequate. Primary care provider education, incentive programs and regular primary care contact may improve immunization uptake.

Inflammatory bowel disease nurses in Canada: An examination of Canadian gastroenterology nurses and their role in inflammatory bowel disease care

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing illness primarily including Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. The disease course often fluctuates over time, and requires maintenance therapy and acute interventions to target disease flares. IBD management requires a multidisciplinary approach, with care from physicians, nurses, dieticians, social workers and psychologists. Because nurses play a pivotal role in managing chronic disease, the aim of the present study was to assess and determine how many nurses work primarily with IBD patients in Canada. METHODS A 29-question survey was developed using an Internet-based survey tool (www.surveymonkey.com) to investigate nursing demographics, IBD nursing roles and nursing services provided across Canada. Distribution included the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, Progress (AbbVie Corporation, USA) and BioAdvance (Janssen Inc, USA) coordinators (via e-mail), and online availability for 15 weeks. RESULTS Of 275 survey respondents, 98.2% were female nurses, with 68.7% employed in full-time positions. Among them, 42.5% were between 51 and 60 years of age, and 32.4% were between 41 and 50 years of age. In addition, 53.8% were diploma-prepared registered nurses, 35.3% were Baccalaureate-prepared nurses and 4.4% were Masters-prepared nurses. Almost one-half (44% [n=121]) were employed in Ontario, followed by 19.6% (n=54) in Alberta and 9.1% (n=25) in British Columbia. All provinces were represented with the exception of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Forty-three per cent (n=119) of nurses identified as working in endoscopy units. Of the 90% who responded as working with IBD patients, only 30% (n=79) had a primary role in IBD care. Among these 79 nurses with a primary role in IBD care, 79.7% worked with the adult population, 10.1% with the pediatric population, and 10.1% worked with both adult and pediatric patients. Their major service was an outpatient setting (67.1%). CONCLUSIONS Survey results showed that only a small percentage of Canadian gastroenterology nurses provide clinical IBD care. Many have multiple roles and responsibilities, and provide a variety of services. The exact depth of care and service is unclear and further study is needed.

Systematic review: advice lines for patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Objective: Advice lines for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been introduced internationally. However, only a few publications have described the advice line service and evaluated the efficiency of it with many results presented as conference posters. A systematic synthesis of evidence is needed and the aim of this article was to systematically review the evidence of IBD advice lines. Materials and methods: A broad systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant studies addressing the effect of advice lines. The process of selection of the retrieved studies was undertaken in two phases. In phase one, all abstracts were review by two independent reviewers. In phase two, the full text of all included studies were independently reviewed by two reviewers. The included studies underwent quality assessment and data synthesis. Results: Ten published studies and 10 congress abstracts were included in the review. The studies were heterogeneous both in scientific quality and in the focus of the study. No rigorous evidence was found to support that advice lines improve disease activity in IBD and correspondingly no studies reported worsening in disease activity. Advice lines were found to be health economically beneficial with clear indications of the positive impact of advice lines from the patient perspective. Conclusion: The levels of evidence of the effect of advice lines in IBD are low. However, the use of advice lines was found to be safe, and cost-effective. Where investigated, patients with IBD overwhelmingly welcome an advice line with high levels of patient satisfaction reported.

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Medical Management of Perianal Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease: The Toronto Consensus

Background Fistulas occur in about 25% of patients with Crohns disease (CD) and can be difficult to treat. The aim of this consensus was to provide guidance for the management of patients with perianal fistulizing CD. Methods A systematic literature search identified studies on the management of fistulizing CD. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Statements were developed through an iterative online platform using a modified Delphi process, then finalized, and voted on by a group of specialists. Results The quality of evidence for treatment of fistulizing CD was generally of very low quality, and because of the scarcity of good randomized controlled trials (RCTs), these consensus statements generally provide conditional suggestions (5 of 7 statements). Imaging and surgical consultations were recommended in the initial assessment of patients with active fistulizing CD, particularly those with complicated disease. Antibiotic therapy is useful for initial symptom control. Antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy was recommended to induce symptomatic response, and continued use was suggested to achieve and maintain complete remission. The use of concomitant immunosuppressant therapies may be useful to optimize pharmacokinetic parameters when initiating anti-TNF therapy. When there has been an inadequate symptomatic response to medical management strategies, surgical therapy may provide effective fistula healing for some patients. Conclusions Optimal management of perianal fistulizing CD requires a collaborative effort between gastroenterologists and surgeons and may include the evidence-based use of existing therapies, as well as surgical assessments and interventions when needed.

Mo1378 Psychosocial Characteristics of Patients With IBD: Experience From the Mcmaster Interdisciplinary Clinic

Background: Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face multiple problems, including medical, surgical, nutritional, social, psychiatric related to their disease and require a holistic approach to care. To address this need, a multidisciplinary, prompt access IBD clinic was established at McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Canada. The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the patients attending the clinic is not known. Methods: Interdisciplinary team members consisting of gastroenterologists, surgeon, psychiatrists, nurse practitioner and dietitian providing prompt access holistic care for patients with IBD. All patients with IBD were assessed for demographic characteristics, quality of life using the Short Form-12 (SF-12), and psychological morbidity using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The SF-12 has two components; physical composite score (PCS) and mental composite score (MCS); if either score is ,50 it was considered abnormal. HADS score can range from 0-42 and a score of .11 was considered abnormal. Results: The mean (SD) age of the 67 patients (males, 36%) was 35 (13) yrs. The majority (63%) had received college education. Of them, 40% had full-time employment, 18% had parttime employment, 24% were unemployed and 18% were on disability/sick leave. Of the 67 patients, 45% were in a stable marital relationship, 43% were single and 10% were either divorced or separated. The mean (SD) PCS was 41 (11) and MCS was 43 (12). The PCS was abnormal in 73% and MCS in 65% of the patients. HADS scores indicated that 75% were anxious/ depressed, while 8% had borderline anxiety/depression and 17% had normal scores. HADS scores showed a high degree of correlation with MCS (r=-0.717; p ,0.001) but no relationship to PCS, ESR or CRP. HADS scores were lower in those with higher income (.60,000

Gastroparesis in chronic dyspepsia (CD) and in diabetics with dyspeptic symptoms (DD): Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of gastric scintigraphy

/yr) than those with lower income (15±8 vs 21±6; p=0.037); and in those who had full time employment compared to those without (13±7.6 vs 17±8; p=0.05). The PCS showed a negative correlation with ESR (rho=-0.25; p=0.048) and CRP (rho=-0.25; p= 0.05). Only 27% (13/49) of the patients with abnormal HADS score received professional psychiatric help. Conclusions: Patients with IBD have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression was found more often in those with lower income and no full time employment.. HADS score did not show any relationship to disease activity or physical functional capability. Patients with IBD need active evaluation for presence of underlying anxiety or depression.