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Introduction: It is still unclear whether Crohn's disease (CD) might be associated with diminished ovarian reserve (OvR) and factors influencing anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in CD are poorly known., Material and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of multiple electronic databases from inception to June 2022 to identify all studies reporting AMH levels or factors associated with diminished OvR in patients with CD., Results: Of the 48 studies identified in our search, eight (including 418 patients with CD) were finally included. The mean difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) in the AMH level between pooled CD patients and controls was -0.56 (-1.14 to 0.03) (p = 0.06). A history of CD-related surgery was not associated with a lower OvR (odds ratio, OR [95% CI] 1.34, [0.66-2.7]; p = 0.4). While disease activity and perianal disease seems associated with a low OvR, disease location (L2 vs. L1, OR [95% CI] = 95% CI [0.47-7.4]; p = 0.4) and L3 vs. L1 (OR [95% CI] = 1.44 [0.67-3.12]; p = 0.3), CD medication, and disease behavior were not., Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis did not identify a significantly low OvR in patients with CD. Contrary to CD-related surgery risk factor, active disease was associated lower AMH levels., (© 2024 The Authors. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG).)

Background & Aims: We assessed Modified Multiplier Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (MM-SES-CD) and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) thresholds that are best associated with low likelihood of long-term disease progression., Methods: Data from 61 patients with early Crohn's disease (CD) who participated in the CALM long-term extension study were used as the derivation cohort and validated using the McMaster inflammatory bowel disease database (n = 99). The primary outcome was disease progression (new internal fistula/abscess, stricture, perianal fistula or abscess, CD-related hospitalization or surgery) since the end of the CALM trial. Optimal MM-SES-CD and SES-CD thresholds were determined using the maximum Youden index. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses compared threshold scores of remission definitions on disease progression., Results: In the derivation cohort, based on the maximum Youden index, the optimal thresholds associated with a low likelihood of disease progression were MM-SES-CD <22.5 and SES-CD <4. A significantly greater proportion of patients with a MM-SES-CD ≥22.5 had disease progression as compared with patients in the derivation cohort with MM-SES-CD <22.5 (10/17 [58.8%] vs 3/44 [6.8%]; P < .001). Similarly, a significantly greater number of patients with SES-CD ≥ 4 had disease progression compared with those with a SES-CD <4 (11/25 [44.0%] vs 2/36 [5.6%]; P < .001). Compared with other clinical or endoscopic remission definitions, which demonstrated poor to fair accuracy, MM-SES-CD <22.5 performed the best for predicting disease progression (area under the curve = 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.94; P < .001). These thresholds were confirmed in the validation cohort., Conclusion: Achievement of MM-SES-CD <22.5 or SES-CD <4 in patients with ileocolonic or colonic CD is associated with low risk of disease progression and may be suitable targets in clinical trials and practice for endoscopic healing., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Endoscopy is still the gold, standard for assessing disease activity in Crohn's disease (CD). Its invasiveness, poor acceptability, and cost limit its use in the era of tight control and treat-to-target management. Fecal calprotectin (FC) and intestinal ultrasound (IUS) are non-invasive alternatives to colonoscopy to assess disease activity. We aimed to evaluate the performance of IUS and FC to assess mucosal healing in CD., Methods: All consecutive CD patients who underwent colonoscopy for mucosal healing assessment and IUS and/or FC within four weeks between September 2019 and April 2022 were included in a prospective cohort. The bowel-wall thickness (BWT) and color Doppler signal (CDS) were assessed for each segment. Endoscopic remission was defined by a CDEIS score < 3., Results: In total, 153 patients were included, of whom 122 showed endoscopic mucosal healing. Eighty-two (53.6 %) were female, the median was age 36 years (IQR, 28-46), and the median disease duration was 10 years (IQR, 4-19). The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of a BWT < 3 mm to predict endoscopic mucosal healing were 56 %, 88 %, 95 %, and 36 %, respectively (patients misclassified as mucosal healing, 2.5 %). The best FC threshold (< 92.9 µg/g) provided similar results: 77 %, 89 %, 96 %, and 67 %, respectively (patients misclassified, 2.2 %). The association of an FC < 250 µg/g with a BWT < 3 mm and the absence of CDS increased the Sp and PPV: Se 58 %, Sp 95 %, PPV 97 %, VPN 43 %; patients misclassified, 1.3 %., Conclusion: Noninvasive evaluation of mucosal healing by IUS or calprotectin efficiently identifies patients with CD who have achieved endoscopic mucosal healing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest CY: consultant and lecture fees from Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, Amgen, and Galapagos MF: consultant and lecture fees from Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, Amgen, Galapagos, Gilead, Biogen, Fresenius, Pfizer, Lilly, Celltrion, Ferring, Tillots, and Nordic Pharma VH: AAA, Merck KGaA, Amgen, Servier, Deciphera, Ipsen, and Pierre Fabre The other authors have nothing to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is debate over the impact of residual microscopic disease after ileocecal resection in Crohn's disease (CD) to predict recurrence. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of positive histological margins and plexitis after ileocecal resection on the risk of postoperative recurrence., Methods: Using a systematic search, we identified. 30 studies evaluating the impact of inflammatory margins on CD recurrence. The primary outcome was the postoperative clinical recurrence and secondary outcomes were surgical, and endoscopic recurrence. We performed random-effects meta-analysis and estimated odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs., Results: Thirty studies were analyzed, seven focused on myenteric plexitis, six on submucosal plexitis and twenty-three on positive margins. Inflammatory margins were associated with a higher rate of clinical and surgical recurrences: respectively 14 studies - OR 2.38; 95% CI, 1.54 - 3.68- I2 = 68.2%, Q test-p = 0.0003 and 8 studies - OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.07-2.16 - I2 =0%; Q test-p = 0.43. The presence of myenteric plexitis was associated with a higher rate of clinical recurrence (4 studies- OR, 1.60; 95%CI, 1.12-2.29; I2= 0%, Q-test-p = 0.61), and of endoscopic recurrence (4 studies - OR, 4.25; 95%CI; 2.06-8.76; I2= 0%, Q test-p = 0.97). Submucosal plexitis was not associated with an increased risk of endoscopic recurrence (4 studies - OR, 0.94; 95%CI; 0.58-1.52; I2= 0%, Q test-p = 0.79)., Conclusion: Inflammatory margins and/or plexitis were associated with postoperative recurrence after ileocecal resection for CD. These elements should be taken into account in future algorithm for prevention of postoperative recurrence., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest CS: Research grants from AbbVie and Janssen CY: Galapagos, Abbvie, Takeda, Ferring MF: Abbvie, Ferring, MSD, Janssen, Takeda, Tillots, Pfizer, Gilead, Celgene, Galapagos, Biogen, Amgen, Viatris, Fresenius, and Boehringer. No conflict to declare for other authors, (Copyright © 2023 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: We assessed the effectiveness of switching from intravenous to subcutaneous infliximab in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) treated with or without intensified intravenous regimen., Methods: In this multicenter observational study, IBD patients in clinical remission (partial Mayo score ≤2 or Harvey-Bradshaw index ≤4) were switched to a unique dose of subcutaneous infliximab (120 mg every other week). Pharmacological and biological data were collected at baseline, visit 1 (4-8 weeks postswitch), visit 2 (8-16 weeks postswitch), and visit 3 (16-24 weeks postswitch). Relapse was defined as clinical relapse or fecal calprotectin increase ≥150 μg/g compared with baseline., Results: Among 184 eligible patients, 72.3% (n = 133 of 184) agreed to switch to subcutaneous infliximab. At visit 3, a relapse occurred in 10.2% (n = 6 of 59), 7.3% (n = 3 of 38), 16.7% (n = 3 of 18), and 66.7% (n = 10 of 15) (P < .001) of patients receiving 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks, 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks, 10 mg/kg every 6 weeks, and 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks, respectively. Dose escalation to 240 mg every other week led to recapture clinical remission in 93.3% (n = 14 of 15). Infliximab serum levels increased after the switch (P < .0001) except for patients receiving 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks. In multivariable analysis, 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks regimen (odds ratio, 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-98.4; P = .017) and fecal calprotectin >250 μg/g at baseline (odds ratio, 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-27.6; P = .042) had a higher risk of relapse as well as reduced (41.7%) or stable (36.8%) infliximab serum levels between baseline and visit 1 compared with increased serum levels (12.7%) (P = .020 and P = .019, respectively). Patients' acceptability (10-point scale) was improved by the switch (6.9 ± 1.6 vs 8.6 ± 1.4; P < .0001). No severe adverse event was reported., Conclusions: Switching from intravenous to subcutaneous infliximab 120 mg every other week is safe and well accepted, leading to a low risk of relapse in IBD patients except for those receiving 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks requiring 240 mg every other week., (Copyright © 2023 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Many patients with Crohn's disease (CD) require fecal diversion. To understand the long-term outcomes, we performed a multicenter review of the experience with retained excluded rectums., Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all CD patients between 1990 and 2014 who had undergone diversionary surgery with retention of the excluded rectum for at least 6 months and who had at least 2 years of postoperative follow-up., Results: From all the CD patients in the institutions' databases, there were 197 who met all our inclusion criteria. A total of 92 (46.7%) of 197 patients ultimately underwent subsequent proctectomy, while 105 (53.3%) still had retained rectums at time of last follow-up. Among these 105 patients with retained rectums, 50 (47.6%) underwent reanastomosis, while the other 55 (52.4%) retained excluded rectums. Of these 55 patients whose rectums remained excluded, 20 (36.4%) were symptom-free, but the other 35 (63.6%) were symptomatic. Among the 50 patients who had been reconnected, 28 (56%) were symptom-free, while 22(44%) were symptomatic. From our entire cohort of 197 cases, 149 (75.6%) either ultimately lost their rectums or remained symptomatic with retained rectums, while only 28 (14.2%) of 197, and only 4 (5.9%) of 66 with initial perianal disease, were able to achieve reanastomosis without further problems. Four patients developed anorectal dysplasia or cancer., Conclusions: In this multicenter cohort of patients with CD who had fecal diversion, fewer than 15%, and only 6% with perianal disease, achieved reanastomosis without experiencing disease persistence., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Management of enterocutaneous fistulas in Crohn's disease is challenging. Most patients still need intestinal resection in the biologic era., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment for enterocutaneous fistulas., Design: This is a retrospective study of medical records., Settings: This study was conducted in a single institution., Patients: All consecutive patients with Crohn's disease with an enterocutaneous fistula who underwent endoscopic fistula closure with the use of an over-the-scope clip or a hemostatic clip were included., Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measured was the clinical success 3 months after the procedure, which was defined as the complete closure of all fistulas at physical examination and complete cessation of the drainage from the external opening, without surgery., Results: Eight patients (men, 25%; median age 45 years [interquartile range, 33-51]) were followed. Fistulas were localized at the ileocolonic or colocolonic anastomosis in 7 patients and at the stomach in 1 patient. Seven patients were treated with an over-the-scope clip, and one was treated with a hemostatic clip. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Clinical success at 3 months was achieved in 75% of cases (6/8 patients). After a median 16-month (interquartile range, 13-23) follow-up, 3 of 8 (37.5%) patients had enterocutaneous fistula closure and 2 of 8 (25%) needed intestinal resection. No complications were observed., Limitations: The retrospective nature, the small sample size of the study, and the heterogeneity of the population limit the interpretation of the results., Conclusions: Endoscopic treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas is feasible with a short-term effectiveness. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B614., Tratamiento Endoscpico De Fstulas Enterocutneas En Enfermedad De Crohn: ANTECEDENTES:Es desafiante el manejo de las fístulas enterocutáneas en enfermedad de Crohn. En la era biológica, la mayoría de los pacientes todavía requieren de resección intestinal.OBJETIVO:Evaluar la eficacia por tratamiento endoscópico de fístulas enterocutáneas.ENTORNO CLINICO:Estudio retrospectivo de registros médicos.AJUSTE:Realizado en una sola institución.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron todos los pacientes consecutivos con fístula enterocutánea en enfermedad de Crohn, sometidos a cierre endoscópico de la fístula con clip sobre el endoscopio o clip hemostático.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACION:El éxito clínico a los 3 meses después del procedimiento. Definido al examen físico, como el cierre completo de todas las fístulas y cese completo del drenaje por la abertura externa, sin cirugía.RESULTADOS:Se estudiaron a ocho pacientes (hombres, 25%, mediana de edad de 45 años (rango intercuartílico, 33-51)). En 7 pacientes, las fístulas se localizaron en la anastomosis ileocolónica o colocolónica y un paciente, en el estómago. Siete pacientes fueron tratados con clip sobre el endoscopio y uno con clip hemostático. Se logró éxito técnico en todos los casos. Se logró éxito clínico a los 3 meses en 75% de los casos (6/8 pacientes). Después de una mediana de 16 meses (rango intercuartílico, 13-23), de seguimiento 3/8 (37,5%) pacientes presentaron cierre de fístulas enterocutáneas y 2/8 (25%) requirieron resección intestinal. No se observaron complicaciones.LIMITACIONES:Estudio retrospectivo, pequeño tamaño de la muestra y heterogeneidad de la población, limitaron la interpretación de los resultados.CONCLUSIONES:Es posible el tratamiento endoscópico de fístulas enterocutáneas con efectividad a corto plazo. Se requieren nuevos estudios para confirmar estos resultados. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B614. (Traducción-Dr. Fidel Ruiz Healy)., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2021.)

Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) has a significant impact on health status and quality of life, affecting physical and emotional well-being and impairing social and functional abilities. In the era of the treat-to-target concept, endoscopic healing has emerged as the goal to achieve to prevent intestinal damage and disability. It is not clear what level of endoscopic healing is associated with lower disability. We therefore aimed to compare disability associated with complete endoscopic healing to disability with partial endoscopic healing in patients with CD., Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective study, between September 2019 and November 2020, in one university hospital, one general hospital, and one private practice center. Consecutive patients with CD in clinical remission were included, having either complete endoscopic healing (CDEIS = 0) or partial endoscopic healing (CDEIS >0 and <4). The 10-item IBD-Disk self-assessment questionnaire was used to assess disability. Moderate to severe disability was defined as an overall IBD-Disk score ≥40., Results: A total of 82 patients were included. Forty-four (53%) were women, the median age and disease duration were respectively 35.3 years (interquartile range [IQR], 28.6-45.2) and 8.0 years (IQR, 3.0-17.0). The median overall IBD-Disk score was 26.5 (IQR, 9 -45.0), and 30 (36.6%) patients had moderate to severe disability. Complete endoscopic healing was observed in 48 patients (57.3%). The median IBD-Disk score was respectively 24 (IQR, 9.0-40.5) and 34 (IQR, 9.5-51.5) for patients with complete and partial endoscopic healing (p = 0.068). Respectively, 13/48 (27%) and 17/34 (50%) of patients with complete and partial endoscopic healing had moderate to severe disability (p = 0.039). In multivariate analysis, partial endoscopic healing (OR=5.82, 95% CI [1.65, 24.69], p = 0.0009), female gender (OR=4.0, 95%CI [1.13, 16.58], p = 0.04), and smoking (OR=8.33, 95% CI [1.96, 50.0] p = 0.006) were significantly associated with moderate to severe disability. Among the IBD-Disk sub scores, the defecation score (median, IQR) (0.0 [0.0-3.0] vs 4.0 [0.0-7.5], p = 0.028) and energy score (4.0 [0.0-6.0] vs 6.0 [2.5-8.0], p = 0.023) were significantly lower with complete endoscopic healing., Conclusions: One-third of patient with endoscopic healing reported moderate to severe disability. Complete endoscopic healing (CDEIS = 0) was associated with lower disability than partial endoscopic healing (CDEIS >0 and <4). Deeper endoscopic healing may be needed to reduce the risk of disability in CD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Background and Aims: The identification of Crohn's disease (CD)-associated adherent and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is time-consuming and requires ileal biopsies. We aimed to identify a faster and less invasive methods to detect ileal colonization by AIEC in CD patients., Methods: CD patients requiring ileo-colonoscopy were consecutively enrolled in this prospective multicenter study. Samples from saliva, serum, stools, and ileal biopsies of CD patients were collected., Results: Among 102 CD patients, the prevalence of AIEC on ileal biopsies was 24.5%. The abundance and global invasive ability of ileal-associated total E. coli were respectively ten-fold (p = 0.0065) and two-fold (p = 0.0007) higher in AIEC-positive (vs. AIEC-negative), while abundance of total E. coli in the feces was not correlated with AIEC status in the ileum. The best threshold of ileal total E. coli was 60 cfu/biopsy to detect AIEC-positive patients, with high negative predictive value (NPV) (94.1%[80.3-99.3]), while the global invasive ability (>9000 internalized bacteria) was able to detect the presence of AIEC with high positive predictive value (80.0% [55.2-100.0]). Overall, 78.1% of the AIEC + patients were colonized by two or less different AIEC strains. The level of serum anti-total E. coli antibodies (AEcAb) was higher in AIEC-positive patients (p = 0.038) with a very high negative predictive value (96.6% [89.9-100.0]) (p = 0.038) for a cut-off value > 1.9 × 10 -3 ., Conclusions: More than two thirds of AIEC-positive CD patients were colonized by two or less AIEC strains. While stools samples are not accurate to screen AIEC status, the AEcAb level appears to be an attractive, rapid and easier biomarker to identify patients with Crohn's disease harboring AIEC., (© 2021 The Authors. United European Gastroenterology Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of United European Gastroenterology.)

Introduction: While endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is widely used to manage ileal strictures, EBD of colorectal strictures remains poorly investigated in Crohn's disease (CD)., Methods: We performed a retrospective study that included all consecutive CD patients who underwent EBD for native or anastomotic colorectal strictures in 9 tertiary centers between 1999 and 2018. Factors associated with EBD failure were also investigated by logistic regression., Results: Fifty-seven patients (25 women, median age: 36 years (InterQuartile Range, 31-48) were included. Among the 60 strictures, 52 (87%) were native, 39 (65%) measured < 5 cm and the most frequent location was the left colon (27%). Fifty-seven (95%) were non-passable by the scope and 35 (58%) were ulcerated. Among the 161 EBDs performed (median number of dilations per stricture: 2, IQR 1-3), technical and clinical success were achieved for 79% (n = 116/147) and 77% (n = 88/115), respectively. One perforation occurred (0.6% per EDB and 2% per patient). After a median follow-up of 4.3 years (IQR 2.0-8.4), 24 patients (42%) underwent colonic resection and 24 (42%) were asymptomatic without surgery. One colon lymphoma and one colorectal cancer were diagnosed (3.5% of patients) from endoscopic biopsies and at the time of surgery, respectively. No factor was associated with technical or clinical success., Conclusion: EDB of CD-associated colorectal strictures is feasible, efficient and safe, with more than 40% becoming asymptomatic without surgery., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Introduction: Surgical resection is not curative in Crohn's disease (CD) and, recurrence after surgery is a common situation. The identification of patients at high risk of recurrence remains disappointing in clinical practice., Objective: To evaluate the impact of residual microscopic disease on margins on the risk of recurrence after ileocaecal resection in CD., Patients and Methods: All patients who underwent ileocaecal resection between January 1992 and December 2016 were prospectively identified. Demographic data, clinical, surgical and histological variables were retrospectively collected. Positive histologic margin was assessed prospectively and defined by the presence of acute inflammatory lesions on margins: erosion, ulceration, chorion infiltration by neutrophils, cryptic abscesses or cryptitis., Results: One hundred twenty five patients were included, with a median follow-up of 8 years (Interquartile Range (IQR), 4.3-15.2). Half (49.6%, n = 62) were women, and the median age at surgery was 33 years (IQR, 24-42). Fifty-six (44.8%) had positive inflammatory margins. Five years after surgery, respectively 29 (51%) and 23 (34%) patients with positive and negative margins had clinical recurrence (p = 0.034). At the end of the follow-up, respectively 60% (n = 34) and 47% (n = 33) patients had clinical recurrence (p = 0.07). CD-related hospitalizations were observed in respectively 37.5% (n = 21) and 18.8% (n = 13) with positive and negative margins (p = 0.02). Fourteen patients (25%) with positive intestinal margins had surgical recurrence at the end of the follow-up compared to 5 patients (7%) with negative margins (p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis confirmed that positive intestinal margin was independently associated with surgical recurrence (OR, 4.7 (CI95%, 1.4-15.3), p = 0.01)., Conclusion: Positive histologic margin was associated with an increased risk of clinical and surgical recurrence after ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Most anal fistulas are crypto-glandular. Nevertheless, anal fistulas can reveal Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of developing CD in patients undergoing surgery for anal fistula., Patients and Methods: All patients undergoing surgery for anal fistula in our center between January 1, 2008 and January 31, 2017 were identified through a prospective administrative database. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrospectively collected., Results: Ninety-three patients underwent anal exploration under general anesthesia. The median age at diagnosis of fistula was 43 years (IQR, 34-56) and 27% (n=29) were women. Twenty-seven percent (n=16) had had at least one previous fistula episode. After a median follow-up of 16.8 months (IQR, 7.2-42.0), seven (7.4%) patients were diagnosed with CD. The median time between the diagnosis of fistula and that of CD was 7.6 months (IQR, 2.7, 26.1). Chronic diarrhea (P=0.0003), weight loss (P=0.001), and chronic abdominal pain (P=0.002) were associated with the diagnosis of CD. Characteristics of the fistulas (number, simple/complex, abscess), smoking, extra-digestive manifestations of CD, or a family history of IBD were not associated with the diagnosis of CD., Conclusion: A medical history of anal fistula surgery resulted in the diagnosis of CD in 7% of cases. Weight loss and the presence of digestive symptoms were associated with the diagnosis of CD. These elements could be used to select patients requiring endoscopic exploration after anal fistula., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: Mucosal healing (MH) has been associated with good outcomes of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). It is not clear what levels of endoscopic healing, based on CD endoscopic index score (CDEIS), associate with different courses of disease progression. We assessed long-term outcomes of patients with CD according to different levels of MH., Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 84 patients with CD and MH who received biologic therapy (80% with infliximab) from 2008 through 2015 at 2 university hospitals in France and compared outcomes of patients with CD endoscopic index scores (CDEISs) of 0 vs CDEISs greater than 0 but less than 4. Patients were followed until treatment failure or through June 2016. The primary outcome measure was treatment failure, defined by the need for biologic optimization, initiation of corticosteroids, or a Harvey-Bradshaw score above 4 associated with change in treatment, CD-related hospitalization, and/or intestinal resection., Results: After a median follow-up time of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 2.1-7.2), 27 patients (32%) had treatment failure and 3 patients (3.6%) underwent an intestinal resection. Rates of treatment failure were 25% in patients with a CDEIS of 0 and 48% in patients with CDEISs greater than 0 but less than 4 (P = .045). Median times to treatment failure were 21 months (interquartile range, 5-43 months) in patients with a CDEIS of 0 and 13 months (interquartile range, 3.6-35 months) in patients with CDEISs greater than 0 but less than 4 (P = .047). None of the patients with a CEDIS of 0 underwent intestinal resection whereas 11% patients with CDEISs greater than 0 but less than 4 required intestinal resection (P = .031). Patients with a CDEIS of 0 also had a significant lower rate of CD-related hospitalizations than patients with CDEISs greater than 0 but less than 4 (3.5% vs 18%; P = .013). In multivariate analysis, CDEISs greater than 0 but less than 4 (vs CDEIS = 0) was the only factor associated with treatment failure (hazard ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.8; P = .02)., Conclusions: Complete endoscopic healing (CDEIS = 0) is associated with better long-term outcomes than partial endoscopic healing (CDEIS = 1-4) in patients with CD, as well as fewer surgeries and hospitalizations and an overall decreased risk of treatment failure., (Copyright © 2020 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: We investigated the effects of inducing deep remission in patients with early Crohn's disease (CD)., Methods: We collected follow-up data from 122 patients (mean age, 31.2 ± 11.3 y) with early, moderate to severe CD (median duration, 0.2 years; interquartile range, 0.1-0.5) who participated in the Effect of Tight Control Management on CD (CALM) study, at 31 sites, representing 50% of the original CALM patient population. Fifty percent of patients (n = 61) were randomly assigned to a tight control strategy (increased therapy based on fecal level of calprotectin, serum level of C-reactive protein, and symptoms), and 50% were assigned to conventional management. We categorized patients as those who were vs were not in deep remission (CD endoscopic index of severity scores below 4, with no deep ulcerations or steroid treatment, for 8 or more weeks) at the end of the follow-up period (median, 3.02 years; range, 0.05-6.26 years). The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse outcomes that indicate CD progression during the follow-up period: new internal fistulas or abscesses, strictures, perianal fistulas or abscesses, or hospitalization or surgery for CD. Kaplan-Meier and penalized Cox regression with bootstrapping were used to compare composite rates between patients who achieved or did not achieve remission at the end of the follow-up period., Results: Major adverse outcomes were reported for 34 patients (27.9%) during the follow-up period. Significantly fewer patients in deep remission at the end of the CALM study had major adverse outcomes during the follow-up period (P = .01). When we adjusted for potential confounders, deep remission (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.31) was significantly associated with a lower risk of major adverse outcome., Conclusions: In an analysis of follow-up data from the CALM study, we associated induction of deep remission in early, moderate to severe CD with decreased risk of disease progression over a median time of 3 years, regardless of tight control or conventional management strategy., (Copyright © 2020 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: Little is known about the effects of discontinuing mesalamine therapy for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who initiate therapy with an anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agent. We analyzed data from 2 national population cohorts to compare outcomes of patients with CD already on mesalamine therapy who started treatment with an anti-TNF agent and then either stopped or continued mesalamine., Methods: The primary outcome was any adverse clinical event, defined as a composite of new corticosteroid use or CD-related hospitalization or surgery. We collected data from the Truven MarketScan (IBM, Armonk, NY) health claims database in the United States and the Danish health registers. Our analysis included patients with CD who started anti-TNF therapy after at least 90 days of oral mesalamine therapy. Patients were classified as stopping mesalamine if therapy was discontinued within 90 days of starting anti-TNF. We performed multivariable Cox regression models controlling for demographics, clinical factors, and health care utilization. Adjusted hazard ratios with 95% CIs were calculated, comparing stopping mesalamine with continuing mesalamine., Results: A total of 3178 patients with CD were included in our final analysis (2960 in the United States and 218 in Denmark). Stopping mesalamine after initiating anti-TNF therapy was not associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events in the US cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.77-1.03; P = .13) or in the Danish cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.68-1.87; P = .63). Similar results were obtained from sensitivity analyses of concomitant immunomodulator use and duration of mesalamine treatment before initiation of anti-TNF therapy., Conclusions: In a retrospective analysis of 2 national databases, we found that stopping mesalamine therapy for patients with CD who were starting anti-TNF therapy did not increase their risk of adverse clinical events. These results should be validated in a prospective study., (Copyright © 2020 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Résumé: L'endoscopie est l'examen de référence pour le diagnostic et la surveillance des maladies inflammatoires chroniques intestinales (MICI). À l'heure des stratégies de « tight-control » et de « treat-to-target », le développement de biomarqueurs ou d'examen non invasif, bien toléré, répétable et peu coûteux est indispensable. Comparativement, à l'endoscopie ou à l'imagerie en coupe, l'échographie intestinale s'est avérée performante dans l'évaluation et la surveillance de l'activité de la maladie de Crohn et de la rectocolite hémorragique. Elle peut être réalisée « au chevet du malade » et permettre ainsi une prise de décision clinique en temps réel. L'objectif de cette revue est d'effectuer une mise au point sur la place actuelle et future de l'échographie dans les MICI. The gold standard for the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the colonoscopy. In the era of "tight control" and "treat to target" strategies, the development of non-invasive, well-tolerated, repeatable and inexpensive biomarkers are needed. Compared to colonoscopy and Magnetic resonance imaging, bowel ultrasound (US) has shown to have the same level of accuracy in assessing and monitoring disease activity and severity of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It can be performed at the point-of-care and therefore allow for real-time clinical decision-making. The aim of this review is to discuss the interest of intestinal ultrasound in the management of patients with IBD. The objective of this review is to provide an update on the current and future place of ultrasound in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]