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Summary: Background: Ulcerative proctitis (UP) can have a milder, less aggressive course than left‐sided colitis or extensive colitis. Therefore, immunosuppressants tend to be used less in patients with this condition. Evidence, however, is scarce because these patients are excluded from randomised controlled clinical trials. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of patients with refractory UP and their disease‐related complications, and to identify the need for immunosuppressive therapies. Methods: We identified patients with UP from the prospective ENEIDA registry sponsored by the GETECCU. We evaluated socio‐demographic data and complications associated with immunosuppression. We defined immunosuppression as the use of immunomodulators, biologics and/or small molecules. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with immunosuppressive therapy. Results: From a total of 34,716 patients with ulcerative colitis, we identified 6281 (18.1%) with UP; mean ± SD age 53 ± 15 years, average disease duration of 12 ± 9 years. Immunosuppression was prescribed in 11% of patients, 4.2% needed one biologic agent and 1% needed two; 2% of patients required hospitalisation, and 0.5% underwent panproctocolectomy or subtotal colectomy. We identified 0.2% colorectal tumours and 5% extracolonic tumours. Patients with polyarthritis (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.86–6.69; p < 0.001) required immunosuppressants. Conclusions: Among patients with refractory UP, 11% required immunosuppressant therapy, and 4.2% required at least one biologic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic colitis (MC) is an emergent group of chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, and celiac disease (CD) is a chronic gluten-induced immune-mediated enteropathy affecting the small bowel. We performed a narrative review to provide an overview regarding the relationship between both disorders, analyzing the most recent studies published at the epidemiological, clinical and pathophysiological levels. In fact, MC and CD are concomitantly prevalent in approximately 6% of the cases, mainly in the subset of refractory patients. Thus, physicians should screen refractory patients with CD against MC and vice versa. Both disorders share more than a simple epidemiological association, being multifactorial diseases involving innate and adaptive immune responses to known or unknown luminal factors based on a rather common genetic ground. Moreover, autoimmunity is a shared characteristic between the patients with MC and those with CD, with autoimmunity in the latter being quite well-established. Furthermore, CD and MC share some common clinical symptoms and risk factors and overlap with other gastrointestinal diseases, but some differences exist between both disorders. More studies are therefore needed to better understand the complex mechanisms involving the common pathogenetic ground contributing to the CD and MC epidemiological association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Methotrexate (MTX) is used to induce and maintain remission in patients with steroid‐dependent Crohn's disease (CD). Despite its proven efficacy, its use is limited due to associated adverse events. Polymorphisms involving folate pathway genes might influence MTX efficacy and toxicity. We aimed to assess the impact of certain polymorphisms on the therapeutic outcomes of MTX in CD. Methods: Patients with CD who exclusively followed MTX monotherapy and fulfilled inclusion criteria were identified from the GETECCU ENEIDA registry. Variants of ATIC, DHFR, MTHFR, SLC19A1, ABCB1 and ABCC3 genes were analysed and their association with efficacy and toxicity was assessed. Results: A total of 129 patients were included in the analysis. MTX was used at a median weekly dose of 25 mg (interquartile range, 15–25 mg) and a median time of 14 months (interquartile range, 4–52 months). Thirty‐seven percent of the patients achieved disease remission with MTX monotherapy, while 34% were nonresponders (MTX failure). MTX‐related toxicity occurred in 40 patients (30%), leading to MTX discontinuation in 19%. DHFR rs408626 (odds ratio [OR] 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–7.69; P =.017) and MTHFR rs1801133 (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.23–6.68; P =.015) variants, and smoking (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.12–6.05; P =.026) were associated with a higher risk of MTX failure. Additionally, the MTHFR rs1801131 variant was associated with a higher risk of MTX‐related adverse effects (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.26–6.13, P =.011). Conclusion: Our study shows that variants of MTHFR and DHFR genes may be associated with MTX efficacy and adverse events in patients with CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The usefulness of thiopurines has been poorly explored in pouchitis and other pouch disorders. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of azathioprine as maintenance therapy in inflammatory pouch disorders. Design: This was a retrospective and multicentre study. Methods: We included patients diagnosed with inflammatory pouch disorders treated with azathioprine in monotherapy. Effectiveness was evaluated at 1 year and in the long term based on normalization of stool frequency, absence of pain, faecal urgency or fistula discharge (clinical remission), or any improvement in these symptoms (clinical response). Endoscopic response was evaluated using the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI). Results: In all, 63 patients were included [54% males; median age, 49 (28–77) years]. The therapy was used to treat pouchitis (n = 37) or Crohn's disease of the pouch (n = 26). The rate of clinical response, remission and non-response at 12 months were 52%, 30% and 18%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 23 months (interquartile range 11–55), 19 patients (30%) were in clinical remission, and 45 (66%) stopped therapy. Endoscopic changes were evaluated in 19 cases. PDAI score decreased from 3 (range 2–4) to 1 (range 0–3). In all, 21 patients (33%) presented adverse events and 16 (25%) needed to stop therapy. Conclusion: Azathioprine may be effective in the long term for the treatment of inflammatory pouch disorders and could be included as a therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on ustekinumab and vedolizumab in the elderly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population are limited. The aim of the current study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of both in an elderly real-life population. Methods: A multicentric retrospective study was performed on IBD patients who started vedolizumab or ustekinumab between 2010 and 2020. Clinical and endoscopic remission rates and (serious) adverse events (AE) were assessed. Results: A total of 911 IBD patients were included, with 171 (19%) aged above 60 (111 VDZ, 60 UST). Elderly patients treated with vedolizumab or ustekinumab had an increased risk for non-IBD hospitalization (10.5% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.021) and malignancy (2.3% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.045) compared to the younger population. Corticosteroid-free clinical (50% vs. 44%; p = 0.201) and endoscopic remission rates (47.9% vs. 31%, p = 0.07) at 1 year were similar. Comparing vedolizumab to ustekinumab in the elderly population, corticosteroid-free (47.9% vs. 31%, p = 0.061) and endoscopic remission rates (66.7% vs. 64.4%, p = 0.981) were similar. Vedolizumab- and ustekinumab-treated patients had comparable infection rates (13.5% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.504), IBD flare-ups (4.5% vs. 5%, p = 1.000), the occurrence of new EIMs (13.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.504), a risk of intestinal surgery (5.4% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.742), malignancy (1.8% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.613), hospitalization (9.9% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.721), and mortality (0.9% vs. 1.7%, p = 1.000). AE risk was associated only with corticosteroid use. Conclusions: Ustekinumab and vedolizumab show comparable effectiveness and safety in the elderly IBD population. Elderly IBD patients have an increased risk for non-IBD hospitalizations and malignancy compared to the younger IBD population, with corticosteroid use as the main risk factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by the development of complications over the course of the disease. It is crucial to identify predictive factors of disabling disease, in order to target patients for early intervention. We evaluated risk factors of disabling CD and developed a prognostic model. Methods: In total, 511 CD patients were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify demographic, clinical, and biological risk factors. A predictive nomogram model was developed in a subgroup of patients with noncomplicated CD (inflammatory pattern and no perianal disease). Results: The rate of disabling CD within 5 years after diagnosis was 74.6%. Disabling disease was associated with gender, location of disease, requirement of steroids for the first flare, and perianal lesions. In the subgroup of patients (310) with noncomplicated CD, the rate of disabling CD was 80%. In the multivariate analysis age at onset <40 years (OR = 3.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.52–7.90), extensive disease (L3/L4) (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.18–6.06), smoking habit (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.03–4.27), requirement of steroids at the first flare (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.09–4.45), and albumin (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.36–0.96) were associated with development of disabling disease. The developed predictive nomogram based on these factors presented good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.723 (95% CI: 0.670–0.830). Conclusion: We identified predictive factors of disabling CD and developed an easy-to-use prognostic model that may be used in clinical practice to help identify patients at high risk and address treatment effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Scant information is available concerning the characteristics that may favour the acquisition of COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess these differences between infected and noninfected patients with IBD. (2) This nationwide case–control study evaluated patients with inflammatory bowel disease with COVID-19 (cases) and without COVID-19 (controls) during the period March–July 2020 included in the ENEIDA of GETECCU. (3) A total of 496 cases and 964 controls from 73 Spanish centres were included. No differences were found in the basal characteristics between cases and controls. Cases had higher comorbidity Charlson scores (24% vs. 19%; p = 0.02) and occupational risk (28% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.0001) more frequently than did controls. Lockdown was the only protective measure against COVID-19 (50% vs. 70%; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in the use of systemic steroids, immunosuppressants or biologics between cases and controls. Cases were more often treated with 5-aminosalicylates (42% vs. 34%; p = 0.003). Having a moderate Charlson score (OR: 2.7; 95%CI: 1.3–5.9), occupational risk (OR: 2.9; 95%CI: 1.8–4.4) and the use of 5-aminosalicylates (OR: 1.7; 95%CI: 1.2–2.5) were factors for COVID-19. The strict lockdown was the only protective factor (OR: 0.1; 95%CI: 0.09–0.2). (4) Comorbidities and occupational exposure are the most relevant factors for COVID-19 in patients with IBD. The risk of COVID-19 seems not to be increased by immunosuppressants or biologics, with a potential effect of 5-aminosalicylates, which should be investigated further and interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies suggested that Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) depletion in Crohn's disease (CD) could predict outcome. Aim: To determine IL‐10 in blood and at different intestinal locations in patients with active CD and to assess its potential prognostic capacity to identify aggressive CD. Methods: Twenty‐three patients with CD were included. Ulcerative colitis (UC), infectious colitis and healthy individuals acted as controls. Serum and mucosal samples were taken at baseline and 1 month after steroid initiation in CD patients. Patients were classified according to steroid response. Control samples were obtained from different intestinal locations. IL‐10 expression was measured with real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence (intestine) and ELISA (serum, biopsy cultures' supernatants and tissue homogenates). Results: CD and UC showed an increase in IL‐10 messenger RNA (mRNA) versus controls (p <.0001) in mucosa, whereas IL‐10 protein secretion was increased in all types of intestinal inflammation (p <.001). No differences in IL‐10 mRNA were found in CD at baseline regarding steroid response, but levels decreased in non‐responders versus responders (p =.027) and were restored with rescue therapy. Serum IL‐10 was increased in steroid‐refractory CD at baseline and after treatment. Conclusions: Abnormal IL‐10 levels in refractory patients in both mucosa and blood have physiopathological relevance and may have potential clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Aims: Patients receiving antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy are at risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), usually due to the reactivation of a latent TB infection (LTBI). LTBI screening and treatment decreases the risk of TB. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of different LTBI screening strategies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). (2) Methods: Patients in the Spanish ENEIDA registry with IBD screened for LTBI between January 2003 and January 2018 were included. The diagnostic yield of different strategies (dual screening with tuberculin skin test [TST] and interferon-ץ-release assay [IGRA], two-step TST, and early screening performed at least 12 months before starting biological treatment) was analyzed. (3) Results: Out of 7594 screened patients, 1445 (19%; 95% CI 18–20%) had LTBI. Immunomodulator (IMM) treatment at screening decreased the probability of detecting LTBI (20% vs. 17%, p = 0.001). Regarding screening strategies, LTBI was more frequently diagnosed by dual screening than by a single screening strategy (IGRA, OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.50–0.73, p < 0.001; TST, OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.66–0.88, p < 0.001). Two-step TST increased the diagnostic yield of a single TST by 24%. More cases of LTBI were diagnosed by early screening than by routine screening before starting anti-TNF agents (21% [95% CI 20–22%] vs. 14% [95% CI 13–16%], p < 0.001). The highest diagnostic performance for LTBI (29%) was obtained by combining early and TST/IGRA dual screening strategies in patients without IMM. (4): Conclusions: Both early screening and TST/IGRA dual screening strategies significantly increased diagnostic performance for LTBI in patients with IBD, with optimal performance achieved when they are used together in the absence of IMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Crohn's disease (CD) with upper gastrointestinal involvement (UGI) may have a more aggressive and refractory course. However, evidence on this phenotype of patients is scarce. Aims: To identify the clinical characteristics, therapeutic requirements and complications associated with UGI in CD Methods: Nationwide study of cases (UGI, UGI plus ileal/ileocolonic involvement) paired with controls (ileal/ileocolonic involvement) from the ENEIDA registry. Cases were matched to 2 controls by year of diagnosis ± 2.5 years. Patients with exclusive/predominant colonic location or complex perianal fistula were excluded. Results: Of 24 738 patients with CD in the ENEIDA registry, we identified 4058 with UGI (16% of the total CD cohort). Finally, 854 cases and 1708 controls were included. Cases were independently associated to extensive involvement (OR 2.7 [2.2‐3.3], P < 0.0001), strictures [OR 1.8 (1.5‐2.2), P < 0.0001], chronic iron deficiency anaemia [OR 2.2 (1.3‐3.2), P < 0.001] and use of second‐line biologics [OR 1.7 (1.1‐2.6), P = 0.021]. The median stricture‐free time was 14 years (95% CI, 12‐16) for cases vs 21 years (95% CI, 19‐23) for controls (P < 0.0001). Cases with isolated UGI compared to UGI plus ileal/ileocolonic more frequently had localised disease [OR 0.5(0.3‐0.8), P = 0.003] and underwent more endoscopic stricture dilations [OR 2.7(1.3‐5.4), P = 0.006]. Conclusions: The largest cohort of patients with CD and UGI provides information on the natural history of this particular phenotype. Increased awareness of the clinical picture and therapeutic requirements of these patients could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal lesions, preventing the structural damage frequently seen in these patients at diagnosis and during follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic and progressive disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. A relevant proportion of patients develop complicated lesions, defined as strictures, fistulas and/or abscesses already at diagnosis, and this proportion increases over time. The preclinical phase defines the period of time from the appearance of the first immune disturbances until the development of overt disease, and it may be present months to years before the diagnosis. Multiple biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, fecal calprotectin) and cellular mechanisms (e.g., complement cascade, lysosomes, innate immunity, and glycosaminoglycan metabolism) are already altered during this period. Research in this area allows the description of the initial immune disturbances that may identify potential targets and lead to the development of new drug therapies. During this period, different interventions in high-risk individuals, including drugs or environmental factors, will open the possibility of innovative strategies focused on the reduction of complications, or even prevention trials for inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we review the most relevant findings regarding the characteristics, prevalence and biomarkers associated with preclinical disease, along with their possible use in our future clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crohn's disease (CD) is a complex and multifactorial illness. There are still considerable gaps in our knowledge regarding its pathophysiology. A transcriptomic approach could shed some light on little-known biological alterations of the disease. We therefore aimed to explore the ileal transcriptome to gain knowledge about CD. We performed whole transcriptome gene expression analysis on ileocecal resections from CD patients and inflammatory bowel disease-free controls, as well as on a CDindependent cohort to replicate selected results. Normalized data were hierarchically clustered, and gene ontology and the molecular network were studied. Cell cultures and molecular methods were used for further evaluations. Genome-wide expression data analysis identified a robust transmembrane immunoglobulin domain-containing 1 (TMIGD1) gene underexpression in CD tissue, which was even more marked in inflamed ileum, and which was replicated in the validation cohort. Immunofluorescence showed TMIGD1 to be located in the apical microvilli of well-differentiated enterocytes but not in intestinal crypt. This apical TMIGD1 was lower in the noninflamed tissue and almost disappeared in the inflamed mucosa of surgical resections. In vitro studies showed hypoxic-dependent TMIGD1 decreased its expression in enterocyte-like cells. The gene enrichment analysis linked TMIGD1 with cell recovery and tissue remodeling in CD settings, involving guanylate cyclase activities. Transcriptomics may be useful for finding new targets that facilitate studies of the CD pathology. This is how TMIGD1 was identified in CD patients, which was related to multiciliate ileal epithelial cell differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Thiopurines prevent Crohn's disease ( CD) endoscopic recurrence ( ER) at least in 50% of patients 1 year after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the value of adding mesalazine in patients with subclinical ER despite preventive thiopurine therapy. Methods Crohn's disease patients with ileocecal resection treated with thiopurines for postsurgical recurrence prevention in whom mesalazine was added (cases) to treat ER without clinical recurrence ( CR) were identified and compared with those in whom no treatment was added to thiopurines (controls). All patients were followed up for at least 1 year from the index endoscopy. Development of CR as well as evolution of mucosal lesions was evaluated. Results Thirty-seven patients were included (19 cases and 18 controls). Initial Rutgeerts' score was i2 in 16 patients (9 cases and 7 controls), and i3 in 21 patients (10 cases and 11 controls). After a median clinical follow-up of 59 months (interquartile range 22-100) from the index endoscopy, six cases (32%) and two controls (11%) developed CR ( P = 0.2). After a median time to last endoscopic follow-up of 23 months (interquartile range 17-71), 18 patients (49%) showed improvement in Rutgeerts' score, 11 patients (30%) demonstrated progression of mucosal lesions, and 8 (22%) had no changes, with no differences between study groups. Conclusions The addition of mesalazine seems to be of no benefit in patients with subclinical endoscopic recurrence while on thiopurine prevention. Moderate endoscopic postsurgical recurrence while on thiopurines may even revert with no additional therapy in some patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexuality is important when assessing quality of life (QoL), which is often disturbed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, sexuality is not addressed in most QoL questionnaires. Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and predisposing factors of sexual dysfunction among IBD patients, and their own perception. Methods: A postal survey was conducted in IBD patients 25-65 years of age from two tertiary centres. Patients were asked to provide a control of the same gender and age without IBD. The questionnaire assessed patient perception of the impact of IBD on their sexuality, and also allowed calculation of the Erectile Function International Index or the Female Sexual Function Index. Results: A total of 355 patients and 200 controls were available for the final analysis. Both groups were comparable except for a higher proportion of individuals who had been treated for depression among patients. Half of the female and one-third of the male patients considered that both sexual desire and satisfaction worsened after IBD diagnosis. As compared to controls, both men and women with IBD showed significantly lower scores in sexual function indexes, but a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction was only noticed among women. Independent predictors of sexual dysfunction among IBD patients were the use of corticosteroids in women, and the use of biological agents, depression and diabetes in men. Conclusions: Sexuality is often disturbed in IBD patients, particularly among women. Many factors seem to contribute to worsened intimacy. Sexuality should be considered when QoL is assessed in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Active smoking has been associated with a higher risk of developing Crohn''s disease (CD). However, its impact on clinical outcomes has been controversial among studies. Aims: To evaluate the influence of active smoking on initial manifestations of CD, the development of disease-related complications, and therapeutic requirements. Methods: Patients diagnosed with CD within a ten-year period (1994–2003) were identified. Clinical and therapeutic features until October 2008 or loss of follow-up were recorded. Smoking status was assessed at each major disease-related event (e.g. penetrating and stricturing complications, perianal disease, intestinal resection, introduction of immunomodulators or biological agents). Results: A total of 259 patients were included in the study with a median follow-up period of 91months. At diagnosis, 50.5% were active smokers and only 12% of them quit smoking during follow-up, mostly after a major disease-related event occurred. Smoking at diagnosis was not associated with a particular CD presentation. Active smoking did not influence the development of strictures, intraabdominal and perianal penetrating complications, or increased resectional surgery, biological therapy or immunomodulators requirements. Conclusions: Patients who develop CD while smoking seem to have a similar disease course to those who never smoked. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim. The aim was to assess the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its treatment on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and breastfeeding. IBD is a chronic inflammatory condition that is usually diagnosed in young adulthood. Patients are often concerned about fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Methods. A structured questionnaire was posted to 850 adults with IBD followed-up on in a single center. Results. A total of 503 patients (59%) with a median age of 40 years and equally distributed for gender and type of IBD returned the questionnaire. Overall, 71% of the patients had a total of 659 children, 36% of whom were born after the diagnosis. A total of 132 miscarriages were registered, 46% after the diagnosis of IBD. Most childless patients stated that having no children was a personal decision, and only 6% of them were evaluated and diagnosed with infertility. Pregnancies after diagnosis of IBD had a higher probability of caesarean section and preterm delivery. IBD-related drug therapy was discontinued in 16% of the pregnancies, mainly as a result of medical advice. Babies born after the diagnosis of IBD were less often breastfed. Conclusions. The infertility rate among IBD patients seems to be similar to that seen in the general population. However, a large proportion of patients chose to remain childless. Vaginal delivery and breastfeeding are less likely to occur in babies born after the diagnosis. Suitable information for patients to avoid unwarranted concerns about adverse reproductive outcomes, as well as improved obstetrical and perinatal management, still seems to be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and concomitant perianal disease (PAD) are occasionally seen, but the impact of PAD on UC outcome has been scarcely assessed. Aims: To evaluate the prevalence, clinical features and outcomes of PAD among UC patients. Methods: Patients with an initial diagnosis of UC who ever developed PAD were identified from three IBD hospital databases. Each case was matched by age, disease extent at diagnosis, and year of diagnosis, with two UC patients who never developed PAD. Results: Thirty-seven UC patients (5% of the whole series) developed PAD (complex in about a half of them), being more frequent among men (62%), with distal (50%) or extense (34%) disease. Proximal spread of UC occurred in 19% of cases. No differences in demographic features, rate of proximal spread or colectomy during follow-up were found as compared to controls, but greater requirements of steroids (P=0.019) were detected in UC-PAD patients. A change in disease diagnosis occurred in 6 patients mainly because of transmural involvement in colectomy specimen, small intestinal involvement, and/or endoscopic appearance. Conclusions: PAD may occur in up to 5% of UC patients. When complex it leads to a change in disease diagnosis in one third of cases. UC-related therapeutic requirements are not increased in these patients, except for steroids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Systemic amyloidosis is a rare but life-threatening complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), most cases being reported among Crohn''s disease (CD) patients. The only two available retrospective studies showed a prevalence ranging from 0.9% to 3% among CD patients. Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of secondary systemic amyloidosis in a large IBD cohort of a referral centre, and to describe its clinical characteristics and outcome. Methods: Patients diagnosed with amyloidosis were identified among 1006 IBD patients included in the IBD database of our centre, and their medical records were carefully reviewed. Results: Among a total of 1006 IBD patients, 5 cases of amyloidosis were identified, all of them with CD, resulting in a prevalence of 0.5% for IBD and 1% for CD. Two patients died after developing renal failure. Two patients were treated with anti-TNF agents, showing a clinical improvement of their amyloidosis. Conclusions: Secondary amyloidosis occurs mainly in long-lasting, complicated, Crohn''s disease and seems to be as prevalent among IBD patients as previously reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We aim to describe the incidence and source of contagion of COVID-19 in patients with IBD, as well as the risk factors for a severe course and long-term sequelae. This is a prospective observational study of IBD and COVID-19 included in the ENEIDA registry (53,682 from 73 centres) between March–July 2020 followed-up for 12 months. Results were compared with data of the general population (National Centre of Epidemiology and Catalonia). A total of 482 patients with COVID-19 were identified. Twenty-eight percent were infected in the work environment, and 48% were infected by intrafamilial transmission, despite having good adherence to lockdown. Thirty-five percent required hospitalization, 7.9% had severe COVID-19 and 3.7% died. Similar data were reported in the general population (hospitalisation 19.5%, ICU 2.1% and mortality 4.6%). Factors related to death and severe COVID-19 were being aged ≥ 60 years (OR 7.1, 95% CI: 1.8–27 and 4.5, 95% CI: 1.3–15.9), while having ≥2 comorbidities increased mortality (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 1.3–11.6). None of the drugs for IBD were related to severe COVID-19. Immunosuppression was definitively stopped in 1% of patients at 12 months. The prognosis of COVID-19 in IBD, even in immunosuppressed patients, is similar to that in the general population. Thus, there is no need for more strict protection measures in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) by flow cytometry is a useful tool in the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD). Previous data showed that an increase in %TCRγδ+ and decrease of %CD3− IEL constitute a typical CD cytometric pattern with a specificity of 100%. However, there are no data regarding whether there are differences in the %TCRγδ+ related to sex, age, titers of serology, and degree of histological lesion. Study aims: To confirm the high diagnostic accuracy of the coeliac cytometric patterns. To determine if there are differences between sex, age, serology titers, and histological lesion grade. Results: We selected all patients who fulfilled "4 of 5" rule for CD diagnosis (n = 169). There were no differences in %TCRγδ+ between sexes (p = 0.909), age groups (p = 0.986), serology titers (p = 0.53) and histological lesion grades (p = 0.41). The diagnostic accuracy of complete CD cytometric pattern was: specificity 100%, sensitivity 82%, PPV 100%, NPV 47%. Conclusion: We confirmed, in a validation cohort, the high diagnostic accuracy of complete CD pattern irrespective of sex, age, serology titers, and grade of mucosal lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Determining whether patients with lymphocytic enteritis (LE) have coeliac disease is a challenge. We analysed the variables associated with a low-grade coeliac enteropathy diagnosis in patients with suspected coeliac disease but without villous atrophy, and developed a scoring system to identify them. Methods: We collected data from 2010 through to 2016 on patients with lymphocytic enteritis and persistent symptoms compatible with the clinical spectrum of coeliac disease. One hundred and four patients starting on a gluten-free diet (GFD) were included. Duodenal biopsies were collected before the GFD and analysed for numbers of CD3+ T-cell receptor gamma delta+ (TCRγδ+), and CD3− intraepithelial lymphocytes. We performed a logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with a low-grade coeliac enteropathy diagnosis. Results: Sixty-two patients achieved clinical remission after the GFD. Fifty of these 62 patients were diagnosed with low-grade coeliac enteropathy. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of >25% intraepithelial lymphocytosis, HLA-DQ2.5, positive serology, and increased numbers of TCRγδ+ cells with a low-grade coeliac enteropathy diagnosis. We developed a scoring system that identified patients with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.91. Scores of >10 had 86% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Conclusion: We developed a scoring system that identifies patients likely to be diagnosed with low-grade coeliac enteropathy with an AUC value of 0.91. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented on Crohn's disease.