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ObjectivesThe long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection on the gastrointestinal tract remain unclear. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and post-COVID-19 disorders of gut–brain interaction after hospitalisation for SARS-CoV-2 infection.DesignGI-COVID-19 is a prospective, multicentre, controlled study. Patients with and without COVID-19 diagnosis were evaluated on hospital admission and after 1, 6 and 12 months post hospitalisation. Gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression were assessed using validated questionnaires.ResultsThe study included 2183 hospitalised patients. The primary analysis included a total of 883 patients (614 patients with COVID-19 and 269 controls) due to the exclusion of patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal symptoms and/or surgery. At enrolment, gastrointestinal symptoms were more frequent among patients with COVID-19 than in the control group (59.3% vs 39.7%, p<0.001). At the 12-month follow-up, constipation and hard stools were significantly more prevalent in controls than in patients with COVID-19 (16% vs 9.6%, p=0.019 and 17.7% vs 10.9%, p=0.011, respectively). Compared with controls, patients with COVID-19 reported higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to Rome IV criteria: 0.5% versus 3.2%, p=0.045. Factors significantly associated with IBS diagnosis included history of allergies, chronic intake of proton pump inhibitors and presence of dyspnoea. At the 6-month follow-up, the rate of patients with COVID-19 fulfilling the criteria for depression was higher than among controls.ConclusionCompared with controls, hospitalised patients with COVID-19 had fewer problems of constipation and hard stools at 12 months after acute infection. Patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher rates of IBS than controls.Trial registration numberNCT04691895.

ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification and to develop and validate a combined endoscopic-clinical score predicting clinical outcomes of diverticulosis, named Combined Overview on Diverticular Assessment (CODA).DesignA multicentre, prospective, international cohort study.Setting43 gastroenterology and endoscopy centres located in Europe and South America.Participants2215 patients (2198 completing the study) at the first diagnosis of diverticulosis/diverticular disease were enrolled. Patients were scored according to DICA classifications.InterventionsA 3-year follow-up was performed.Main outcome measuresTo predict the acute diverticulitis and the surgery according to DICA classification. Survival methods for censored observation were used to develop and validate a novel combined endoscopic-clinical score for predicting diverticulitis and surgery (CODA score).ResultsThe 3-year cumulative probability of diverticulitis and surgery was of 3.3% (95% CI 2.5% to 4.5%) in DICA 1, 11.6% (95% CI 9.2% to 14.5%) in DICA 2 and 22.0% (95% CI 17.2% to 28.0%) in DICA 3 (p<0.001), and 0.15% (95% CI 0.04% to 0.59%) in DICA 1, 3.0% (95% CI 1.9% to 4.7%) in DICA 2 and 11.0% (95% CI 7.5% to 16.0%) in DICA 3 (p<0.001), respectively. The 3-year cumulative probability of diverticulitis and surgery was ≤4%, and ≤0.7% in CODA A; <10% and <2.5% in CODA B; >10% and >2.5% in CODA C, respectively. The CODA score showed optimal discrimination capacity in predicting the risk of surgery in the development (c-statistic: 0.829; 95% CI 0.811 to 0.846) and validation cohort (c-statistic: 0.943; 95% CI 0.905 to 0.981).ConclusionsDICA classification has a significant role in predicting the risk of diverticulitis and surgery in patients with diverticulosis, which is significantly enhanced by the CODA score.Trial registration numberNCT02758860.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite the fact that bowel ultrasound (US) has recently been proved to be useful in the assessment of bowel diseases, uncertainty persists as to its diagnostic role in patients with complicated Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, we have prospectively investigated the accuracy of US compared with x ray procedures and intraoperative findings in detecting small bowel strictures complicating CD as well as its reliability in assessing disease extent and location within the bowel. METHODS: A series of 296 consecutive patients with proven CD admitted to L Sacco University Hospital between 1997 and 1999, having undergone complete radiographic evaluation (including small bowel x ray, colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema), were enrolled in the study. Bowel US was performed in each patient by two experienced operators unaware of the results of other diagnostic procedures. The accuracy of US in detecting strictures compared with x ray studies was determined separately in two different groups of patients: 211 patients treated conservatively (non-operative CD) and 85 patients who were candidates for surgery for CD complications or unresponsiveness to medical therapy (operative CD). RESULTS: Overall sensitivity and specificity of US in assessing the anatomical distribution of CD were 93% and 97%, respectively. The extent of ileal disease measured at US correlated well with that determined by x ray (r=0.52, p&lt;0.001) in medically treated patients as well as with that measured intraoperatively in surgical patients (r=0.64, p&lt;0.001). One or more stenoses were detected in 75 patients (35.5%) at small bowel enteroclysis in the non-operative CD group compared with 70 (82%) in the operative CD series. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of bowel US in the detection of strictures were 79%, 98%, and 95% in non-operative CD patients and 90%, 100%, and 100% in operative CD cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands, bowel US is an accurate technique for assessing CD extent and location and is very helpful in detecting small bowel strictures, especially in very severe cases that are candidates for surgery. The use of bowel US is therefore justified as a primary investigation in CD patients in whom complications are suspected.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proper management of enterocutaneous fistulas complicating Crohn's disease largely depends on the anatomical characteristics of the sinus tracks as well as the coexistence of complications such as abscesses and distal bowel stenosis. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of a new technique (hydrogen peroxide enhanced ultrasound (US)-fistulography) compared with conventional x ray fistulogram and/or surgical findings in the detection of Crohn's disease associated enterocutaneous fistulas. METHODS: Patients with known Crohn's disease and a suspicion of enterocutaneous fistulas were prospectively studied with this novel technique, conventional x ray fistulogram, and barium radiography as well as with computed tomography whenever an abdominal abscess was suspected at US. In those undergoing surgery, intraoperative findings were also compared. RESULTS: Seventeen of 502 (3.4%) consecutive patients with Crohn's disease seen over a ten month period had associated enterocutaneous fistulas and were enrolled. Hydrogen peroxide enhanced US-fistulography visualised the extent and configuration of fistula in all cases: 13 patients had a fistula arising from the ileum and two from the sigmoid colon, whereas in two there was no evidence of communication with intestinal loops; in contrast, conventional x ray fistulography missed a correct definition of the fistulous branches or communication with intestinal loops in 50% (4/8) and 36% (4/11) of patients respectively; barium radiography showed fistulas in two cases only. The presence of abscesses along or close to the sinus track, as well as the coexistence of intestinal stenosis, was correctly detected at US in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen peroxide enhanced US-fistulography could be considered the diagnostic procedure of choice in Crohn's disease associated enterocutaneous fistulas, as it is at least as accurate, simple, and safe as conventional x ray fistulogram, does not miss coexisting abdominal complications, and also provides information on the diseased bowel segments. In addition, it can be easily repeated over time in order to monitor the course of fistulas undergoing conservative treatment.

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge on splanchnic haemodynamics in Crohn's disease is limited. AIMS: To investigate which features of Crohn's disease affect splanchnic haemodynamics, and to establish whether portal vein (PV) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood supply reflects clinical or biochemical activity of Crohn's disease. METHODS: Seventy nine patients with Crohn's disease and 40 controls were evaluated by Doppler ultrasound (US). The mean velocity of PV and SMA flow, the volume of blood flow of the PV and SMA, and the resistance index of SMA were studied. A series of clinical, biochemical, and US variables including Crohn's disease activity index, serum C reactive protein concentrations, disease duration and its anatomical location, smoking habits, abdominal complications, and current medical therapy, as well as the maximum bowel wall thickness as measured by US, were determined. The relation between PV and SMA blood flow and these variables was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Patients with Crohn's disease had significantly higher PV and SMA flow and a lower SMA resistance index than controls. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified bowel wall thickness and location of the disease as the main predictive variables of both PV and SMA blood flow variation, accounting for 36% and 45% of their variability, respectively. No relation was found between splanchnic haemodynamics and disease activity. CONCLUSION: A hyperdynamic mesenteric circulation does exist in Crohn's disease; however splanchnic blood flow does not reflect the clinical or biochemical activity of the disease, but seems to be linked more to other Crohn's disease characteristics, such as maximum bowel thickness and anatomical location.

IntroductionIntroduction of biologics particularly anti-TNF agents are thought to have resulted in changes in natural history of Crohn’s disease (CD). The impact of these in presentation of CD with perianal fistula (CD-PAF) and subsequent surgical approaches is not known.Method11 IBD centres across Europe and Israel were invited to collect data on CD-PAF patients diagnosed since January 2010 to Dec 2015. Data on demographics, mode and route of presentation, type of fistula, MRI, prior treatment for CD were collected. Patients who had at least one surgical therapy for CD-PAF fistula were analysed for reasons and the type of interventions.Results253 patients with CD-PAF (161 M, 92 F) were included. The mean age at diagnosis of CD was 28 years (SD: 13.3), and at diagnosis of CD-PAF was 32 years (SD: 13.92). 65% of the patients with CD-APF developed their fistulae in the period between 1 year before and 4 years after diagnosis of CD. 30% of patients were smokers at the onset of CD-PAF. 37.2% of the CD-PAF presented as emergency medical or surgical admission and 30% and 23.7% were identified in IBD clinics and colorectal clinics respectively. 77.1% has MRI pelvis done at diagnosis with 52.8% of patients having complex fistulae (38.7% trans-sphincteric, 10.3% extrasphincteric,3.8% with suprasphincteric).Proctitis and anal stenosis at presentation were identified in 43.1% and 9.5% respectively. Examination under Anaesthesia (EUA) +/- abscess drainage was required in 69.6% of patients but only 53.8% had Seton inserted at first EUA (median number of Setons=1, range 1–6). 96 patients (68% of those needing Seton insertion) had them removed and only 33 of these needed Seton re-insertion. he reasons for non-removal:surgeons’ preference (21);surgeon and physician preference (13) and patient preference (5).Overall repeat surgical intervention were required in 102 patients (40.3%):repeat abscess drainage (43), Reinsertion of Seton (33), Diverting stoma (20) and proctectomy (6).ConclusionMajority of CD-PAF present within 5 years of their diagnosis of CD with a third presenting as emergency. EUA with abscess drainage and Seton insertion is the main surgical intervention needed. Radical surgery appears to be less often requiring in comparison to previous studies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

IntroductionTreatment paradigms for Crohn’s disease with perianal fistula (CD-PAF) are still evolving and so far, considered to have disappointing rates of complete healing. We aimed to study the impact of multidisciplinary multimodality treatment approach in CD-PAF on the recurrence rates of fistula and need for re-interventions.MethodThis was a multinational multicentre retrospective cohort study with data collected in CD patients who developed fistula from 2010 to 2015. Multidisciplinary multimodality approach was defined as using a combination of medical treatments (antibiotics, immunomodulators, and biologics) along with surgical approach (examination under anaesthesia (EUA) +/- Seton drainage) at diagnosis.Results253 adult onset CD-PAF patients were included. There was significant difference in fistula healing rates between simple and complex fistulae (complete healing 60% vs 41%, p=0.015). 52% of patients who received multimodality treatment had complete fistula healing. 27% of simple fistula and 40.3% of the complex patients had recurrent fistula needing re-intervention at a median of 12 months (range 1–36 months) from diagnosis of fistula. 22% of those with complete healing needed repeat surgery compared to 49% with partial healing and 71% in those with no healing (p=<0.001). Only 26% of the 141 patients having multidisciplinary multimodal treatment needed surgical re-intervention when compared to 59% without this( P=<0.001).Univariate analysis showed complex (p=0.008),absence of multidisciplinary approach (p=<0.001), EUA (p=0.005),combined immunosuppression (p=0.032),presence of proctitis (p=<0.001) as factors impacting need for re-intervention but there was no impact of age, gender, smoking status, mode of presentation,Montreal class, presence of anal stenosis and thiopurine use alone. On logistic regression, absence of multi-disciplinary approach (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4–5.6) and presence of proctitis OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.9) were predictors for re-intervention.ConclusionIn this multicentre cohort study, complete fistula healing rates were higher and the recurrence rates lower than previously reported. Presence of proctitis and lack of multidisciplinary approach are predictors for recurrence and re-intervention for CD-PAF.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

IntroductionThere is no comparative data on outcomes in perianal fistulas in paediatric/adolescent versus adult onset CD. Management paradigms in perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease is not fully defined and approaches from paediatric and adult IBD clinicians and surgeons may be different. We aimed to study any differences in diagnostic and treatment approaches and outcomes in paediatric/adolescent onset CD with perianal fistula (CD-PAF) and adult onset disease.MethodData was collected on patients included in 2 retrospective multicentre multinational cohorts (11 adult and 7 paediatric centres) of perianal fistula with paediatric/adolescent onset and adult onset CD PAF. We evaluated fistula characteristics, surgical and medical treatments following onset of CD-PAF and fistula healing. We also compared re-intervention rates:the need for re-insertion of seton or abscess drainage or diverting stoma or proctectomy.Results253 adults and 116 paediatric/adolescent patients were included. Complex fistulas were identified in 53% of adult and 67% of paediatric/adolescent group. Proctitis was recorded in 43% of adult onset and in 3% of paediatric/adolescent onset CD-PAF. Significantly higher proportion of adult CD-PAF patients had seton insertion (15% vs 54%, p<0.001). Anti TNF use was more often is paediatric onset CD-PAF (83% vs 68%). Complete clinical fistula healing was more often noted in paediatric/adolescent onset CD-PAF (71% vs 49%, p=0.015). Reintervention rates were higher in adult onset CD (40.3% vs 16.05%, p=<0.001. Radical surgery (diverting stoma or proctectomy) was required in 3 patients (2.58%) with paediatric/adolescent onset and 26 patients (10.28%) with adult onset CD-PAF (p=0.04).ConclusionPaediatric/adolescent onset CD-PAF appears to have better outcomes with less radical surgery or re-interventions when compared to adult onset disease despite less frequent use of seton.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared