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Anti-TNFs have been shown to significantly improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate to what extend the patients' preferences for these intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) treatments differ based on respondents' quality of life. An online discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to understand patient trade-offs in treatment choice.Fifty-seven Crohn's disease anti-TNF naïve patients were asked to choose between two different scenarios, considering the following attributes: mode of administration (MODE), total availability for injection (TIME), speed of onset (DELAY), risk of anti-TNF administration despite a contraindication (RISK) and total monthly out-of-pocket expenses (COST). At the same time, patients completed the IBDQ-32 questionnaire. Conditional logit models without and with interaction terms were estimated to evaluate attribute weights.Patients preferred to self-administer SC anti-TNF rather than have a primary care nurse do it, whereas the preference for IV route was negative. After adding interaction terms however, the IV route became preferred for patients with impaired HRQoL, this preference having decreased as HRQoL increased. Surprisingly, patients with impaired HRQoL were less willing to spend more time on treatment, and this effect diminished as HRQoL (overall and in each dimension) became higher.HRQoL level changed patients' preferences for the anti-TNF treatment. The results suggest the need to optimise the management of IV infusions in the hospital and reinforce the importance of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) as a common practice to improve shared medical decision making.

In Crohn's disease (CD), a composite therapeutic target was recently recommended, including both objective measurement (endoscopic remission) and Patient-Reported Outcomes (resolution of abdominal pain and normalization of bowel function). All dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are impacted: not only bowel symptoms but also systemic symptoms, emotional wellbeing and social function. Thus, understanding the predictors of each HRQoL dimension would improve patient management. However, analysis of these factors has only been found in a few publications, with some limitations. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the evolution of the HRQoL of CD patients during six months after initiation of anti-TNF and to identify its predictors.We analyzed data of 56 patients included in a multicenter prospective cohort study (COQC-PIT). HRQoL measures (using IBDQ-32) and data related to patient, disease and treatment characteristics were collected every two months. Generalized estimating equations were used.Overall HRQoL was significantly improved 2 months after anti-TNF initiation, and then stagnated. Patient, disease, and treatment characteristics have differentiated impacts on the overall score and on each dimension of quality of life. Subcutaneous anti-TNF had no significant effect on overall HRQoL, improving only emotional function and bowel symptoms. Concomitant use of corticosteroids and/or immunomodulators impaired almost all dimensions. Having children or working altered bowel symptoms. Disease duration and active smoking negatively impact emotional function and systemic symptoms.Each HRQoL dimension, not only bowel symptoms, and their influencing factors should therefore be considered in medical decision-making, especially in months following the initiation of a new treatment such as anti-TNF.

Background Esophageal motility disorders are most often of primary origin but may be secondary to an occult malignancy or another etiology. High-resolution esophageal manometry cannot differentiate between secondary or primary origin. This study aimed at discussing the usefulness of a morphological assessment in the diagnosis of specific esophageal motility disorders, and to establish the predictive factors of a potential secondary origin. Methods In this retrospective study, patients with suspected esophageal motility disorders who underwent an esophageal manometry were included. High-resolution manometry results were interpreted according to the Chicago Classification, 3rd version. The results of endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography, assessed by a panel of experts, allowed to diagnose a secondary origin. Key Results Out of 2138 patients undergoing manometry, 502 patients had a esophageal motility disorder suspect to be from secondary origin; among them 182 patients underwent tomography or endoscopic ultrasound. According to experts, 16 patients (8.8%) had a secondary esophageal motility disorder: esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (n = 7), jackhammer disorder (n = 4), achalasia (n = 3) and localized pressurization (n = 2). The etiology was malignant in 8 patients. Predictive factors suggesting potential secondary esophageal motility disorders were smoking, age ≥ 58 years and an Integrated Relaxation Pressure higher than 10 mmHg for water swallows. Conclusion and Inferences Esophageal motility disorders with organic origin are not uncommon. A morphological assessment using endoscopic ultrasonography and/or computed tomography may be of use to diagnose a secondary origin, especially in the elderly and smokers.

Background Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic disorder with frequent complications. The objective of this study was to assess the predictive factors of finding a complication of CD using abdominopelvic CT-scan in patients with a visit to the emergency department. Methods Patients with at least one visit to the gastroenterology department of our University hospital during the year with a CD were retrospectively included. All visits to the emergency department of the hospital during the follow-up of these patients were identified. Results A total of 638 patients were included and 318 (49.8%) had at least one visit to the emergency department since the beginning of their follow-up. Abdominopelvic CT-scan was performed in 141 (23.7%) of the 595 visits for digestive symptoms. Only 4.3% of these CT-scans were considered as normal; there was luminal inflammation without complication in 24.8%, abscess, fistula or perforation in 22.7%, mechanical bowel obstruction in 36.9% and diagnosis unrelated to CD in 11.3%. In univariate analysis, stricturing phenotype (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.16–5.29; p = 0.02) and previous surgery (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.37–6.14; p = 0.005) were predictive factors of finding a complication of CD using abdominopelvic CT-scan, whereas no independent predictive factor was statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Conclusion In CD patients consulting in emergency department, CT-scan examination was performed in 24% of visits for digestive symptoms and complications of CD were found in 60%. Complications were more frequent in patients with stricturing phenotype and previous surgery.

Background Body composition, currently evaluated by computed tomography scan, is related to poor evolution and severity of Crohn's disease (CD). Few MRI studies have been performed, yet it is the most commonly used imaging modality for the surveillance of the disease. Aim Evaluate the feasibility of MRI body composition measurement and compare the variation according to the activity of the disease. Methods A cohort of 132 consecutive patients was studied. The visceral adiposity index (VAI), subcutaneous adiposity index (SAI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were measured. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to disease activity. Sarcopenic status was defined according to the cut off value (SMI Results MRI measurements of body composition parameters were feasible and reproducible. After adjustment, sarcopenia was more common (2.07 [1.02; 4.27], p = 0.046), and the SMI (−4.90 [−9.36; −0.431], p = 0.032) was lower in active disease. The SAI was lower (−14.7 [−29.8; 0.258], p = 0.054) in active disease. The VAI tended to be higher with active disease (3.91 [−3.50; 11.9], p = 0.34), and the VAI/SAI+VAI ratio was higher (9.40 [4.72; 14.1], p Conclusion Assessment of body composition is feasible and reproducible in routine MR and parameters are related to disease activity.

Background and Aims Changes in body composition have been described in patients with Crohn's disease, but their predictive performances on disease evolution remain undefined. The aims of our study were to assess, in patients with Crohn's disease requiring abdominal computed tomography, body composition by computed tomography, and to study the outcome according to various body composition parameters at the time of the computed tomography. Methods Patients with Crohn's disease who underwent abdominal computed tomography for suspected complications were retrospectively included. The definition of adverse outcome included death or need for surgery within 6 months of the computed tomography. Skeletal muscle index and visceral and subcutaneous adiposity indexes were calculated from tissue surface areas measured at the third lumbar vertebra, divided by the height squared. Results The prevalence of underweight was 26.8% and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 33.6%. After gender adjustment, skeletal muscle index tended to be reduced in patients with adverse outcome, compared with patients without surgery or death [p = 0.07]. Moreover, subcutaneous adiposity index and visceral adiposity index were significantly lower in patients with surgery or death [p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively]. These differences were almost equivalent in both genders for the subcutaneous adiposity index but were clearly stronger in men for the visceral adiposity index. Conclusions Subcutaneous and visceral adiposity indexes correlate inversely with adverse outcome in patients with Crohn's disease. Alteration of body composition assessed by computed tomography in these patients appears to be a marker of disease severity.

Introduction Most studies of elderly-onset Crohn’s disease [CD; diagnosed in patients aged 60 or over] have described a mild course. However, data on the natural history of perianal fistulising CD [pfCD] in this population are scarce. In a population-based cohort study, we described the prevalence, natural history, and treatment of pfCD in patients with elderly-onset CD vs patients with paediatric-onset CD. Method All patients diagnosed with CD at or after the age of 60 between 1988 and 2006, were included [n = 372]. Logistic regression, Cox models, and a nested case-control method were used to identify factors associated with pfCD. Results A total of 34 elderly patients [9% of the 372] had pfCD at diagnosis. After a median follow-up of 6 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 3; 10), 59 patients [16%] had pfCD; the same prevalence [16%] was observed in paediatric-onset patients. At last follow-up, anal incontinence was more frequent in elderly patients with pfCD than in elderly patients without pfCD [22% vs 4%, respectively; p < 10–4]. Rectal CD at diagnosis was associated with pfCD: hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.8 [1.6–5.0]). Although 37% of the patients received immunosuppressants and 17% received anti-tumour necrosis factor agents, 24% [14 out of 59] had a definitive stoma at last follow-up. Conclusion During the first 6 years of disease, the prevalence of pfCD was similar in elderly and paediatric patients. Rectal involvement was associated with the appearance of pfCD in elderly-onset patients. Around a quarter of patients with elderly-onset CD will have a stoma. Our results suggest that treatment with biologics should be evaluated in these patients.

The long-term management of perianal Crohn's disease for patients on anti-TNF-α therapy remains challenging.To evaluate the long-term course and complications of patients with perianal fistulas treated with anti-TNF-α based on their clinical remission and healing on MRI.Patients were evaluated clinically and by MRI. Deep remission was defined as clinical remission associated with the absence of contrast enhancement and T2 hyperintensity on MRI. Flare-free survival, surgery and hospitalizations were compared based on the presence or not of deep remission.Forty-eight consecutive patients were included with a median follow-up of 62 months after anti-TNF-α first administration. Deep remission was observed in 16 patients (33.4%). For patients in deep remission, the median time to any perianal event was 116 months (95-130) versus 42 months (8-72) in patients with pathological MRI (p 0.001). Sixteen patients (50%) with pathological MRI had perianal surgery versus 2 (12.5%) in the deep remission group (p 0.05). The mean duration of cumulative hospital stays was 0.75 ± 0.52 days in the deep remission group versus 19.7 ± 7.4 in the pathological group (p 0.05).Higher flare-free survival and lower rates of surgery and hospitalization were found in patients achieving deep remission.

Background. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) occurred in genetically predisposed people exposed to environmental triggers. Diet has long been suspected to contribute to the development of IBD. Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) protects against intestinal inflammation in rodent models while clinical trials showed no benefits. We hypothesized that intervention timing is crucial and dietary fatty acid pattern may influence intestinal environment to modify inflammation genesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary effect of PUFA composition on intestinal inflammation.Methods. Animals received diet varying in their PUFA composition for four weeks before TNBS-induced colitis. Colon inflammatory markers and gut barrier function parameters were assessed. Inflammatory pathway PCR arrays were determined.Results. n-3 diet significantly decreased colon iNOS, COX-2 expression, IL-6 production, and LTB4 production but tended to decrease colon TNFαproduction (P=0.0617) compared to control diet. Tight junction protein (claudin-1, occludin) expressions and MUC2 and TFF3 mRNA levels were not different among groups. n-9 diet also decreased colon IL-6 production (P<0.05).Conclusions. Dietary n-3 PUFA influence colitis development by attenuating inflammatory markers. Further research is required to better define dietary advice with a scientific rationale.

To evaluate the ability of MR colonography (MRC) to detect lesions in severe attacks of ulcerative colitis (UC) and to assess its concordance with rectosigmoidoscopy. Eighteen patients underwent MRC and rectosigmoidoscopy. MRC consisted of a water-filled colonic procedure followed by T1/T2w images. Image quality was recorded. Inflammatory lesions and the existence of signs of severity were analysed. We calculated MR accuracy in the diagnosis of inflammatory lesions, as well as per segment and per patient concordance depending on the presence or absence of severe lesions. The MR image quality of the 108 segments was satisfactory. Endoscopy was used to study 36 segments (rectum and sigmoid). MRC had a positive predictive value of 100% and a sensitivity of 64% in the diagnosis of inflammatory lesions. Concordance for the diagnosis of severe lesions was excellent for the rectum (k = 0.85) and good for the sigmoid (k = 0.64). MRC diagnosed signs of severity in all patients affected at endoscopy. MRC also disclosed signs of severity located higher in the colon in four patients with nonsevere lesions at rectosigmoidoscopy. MRC can accurately diagnose inflammatory lesions in severe attacks of UC and significantly correlates with rectosigmoidoscopy in the diagnosis of severe lesions. • Magnetic Resonance Colonography (MRC) is increasingly used to investigate the large bowel. • MRC seems accurate in diagnosing inflammatory lesions in severe attacks of UC. • MRC findings significantly correlate with rectosigmoidoscopy findings for severe lesions. • Unlike rectosigmoidoscopy, MRC can identify severe lesions throughout the colon.

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AIM To evaluate the imaging course of Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with perianal fistulas on long-term maintenance anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy and identify predictors of deep remission. METHODS All patients with perianal CD treated with anti-TNF-α therapy at our tertiary care center were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessment. Two MR examinations were performed: at initiation of anti-TNF-α treatment and then at least 2 years after. Clinical assessment (remission, response and non-response) was based on Present’s criteria. Rectoscopic patterns, MRI Van Assche score, and MRI fistula activity signs (T2 signal and contrast enhancement) were collected for the two MR examinations. Fistula healing was defined as the absence of T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancement on MRI. Deep remission was defined as the association of both clinical remission, absence of anal canal ulcers and healing on MRI. Characteristics and imaging patterns of patients with and without deep remission were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Forty-nine consecutive patients (31 females and 18 males) were included. They ranged in age from 14-70 years (mean, 33 years). MRI and clinical assessment were performed after a mean period of exposure to anti-TNF-α therapy of 40 ± 3.7 mo. Clinical remission, response and non-response were observed in 53.1%, 20.4%, and 26.5% of patients, respectively. Deep remission was observed in 32.7% of patients. Among the 26 patients in clinical remission, 10 had persisting inflammation of fistulas on MRI (T2 hyperintensity, n = 7; contrast enhancement, n = 10). Univariate analysis showed that deep remission was associated with the absence of rectal involvement and the absence of switch of anti-TNF-α treatment or surgery requirement. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the absence of rectal involvement (OR = 4.6; 95%CI: 1.03-20.5) was associated with deep remission. CONCLUSION Deep remission is achieved in approximately one third of patients on maintenance anti-TNF-α therapy. Absence of rectal involvement is predictive of deep remission.

International audience; Data on the natural history of elderly-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are scarce.METHODS:In a French population-based cohort we identified 841 IBD patients >60 years of age at diagnosis from 1988 to 2006, including 367 Crohn's disease (CD) and 472 ulcerative colitis (UC).RESULTS:Median age at diagnosis was similar for CD (70 years (IQR: 65-76)) and UC (69 years (64-74)). Median follow-up was 6 years (2-11) for both diseases. At diagnosis, in CD, pure colonic disease (65%) and inflammatory behaviour (78%) were the most frequent phenotype. At maximal follow-up digestive extension and complicated behaviour occurred in 8% and 9%, respectively. In UC, 29% of patients had proctitis, 45% left-sided and 26% extensive colitis without extension during follow-up in 84%. In CD cumulative probabilities of receiving corticosteroids (CSs), immunosuppressants (ISs) and anti tumor necrosis factor therapy were respectively 47%, 27% and 9% at 10 years. In UC cumulative probabilities of receiving CS and IS were 40% and 15%, respectively at 10 years. Cumulative probabilities of surgery at 1 year and 10 years were 18% and 32%, respectively in CD and 4% and 8%, respectively in UC. In CD complicated behaviour at diagnosis (HR: 2.6; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.6) was associated with an increased risk for surgery while CS was associated with a decreased risk (HR: 0.5; 0.3 to 0.8). In UC CS was associated with an increased risk (HR: 2.2; 1.1 to 4.6) for colectomy.CONCLUSIONS:Clinical course is mild in elderly-onset IBD patients. This information would need to be taken into account by physicians when therapeutic strategies are established.

Magnetic resonance colonography (MRC) has been recently developed to assess bowel inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Evaluating animal models of inflammation with MRC may be important in new drug-screening processes. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of MRC in colitic rats and confront it with model characteristics.Colitis was induced by rectal injection of trinitrobenzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS) in 13 rats while six rats received the vehicle. MRC was performed at day 2. Colon inflammation and production of inflammatory mediators were evaluated. Image quality was assessed by wall and motion artifacts. MRC criteria were bowel wall thickness, wall signal intensity on T2-weighted (T2w) and T1w images, the appearance of a target sign pattern, and irregular patterns of mucosal surface.MRC quality was good or excellent in 16/21 examinations with no difference between groups. Colitis rats were significantly different from controls in terms of wall thickness (P = 0.004), the appearance of a target sign pattern (P = 0.02), irregular patterns of mucosal surface (P = 0.01), and hyperintensity on T1w images (P = 0.03). All MRC criteria except maximal bowel wall thickness were associated with colon weight:length ratio and inflammatory biomarkers (all P0.05). Minimal bowel wall thickness and wall signal intensity on T2w images were associated with histological score (P0.05).MRC is feasible and reliable in rats with TNBS-induced colitis. MRC criteria including colon wall thickness, wall signal intensity on T2w images, hyperintensity in T1w sequence, and the appearance of a target sign pattern may be potential targets for new IBD drugs.

5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is widely used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent studies have evaluated the potential of nutritional intervention as adjunct therapy to 5-ASA in IBD. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have shown potent anti-inflammatory properties in gut inflammation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the dual therapy (n-3 PUFA plus 5-ASA) in rats with 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Colitis was induced by intrarectal injection of TNBS while control rats received the vehicle. Rats received by gavage a fish oil-rich formula (n-3 groups) or an isocaloric and isolipidic oil formula supplemented with 5-ASA for 14 days. A dose response of 5-ASA (5-75 mg. suppression mg kg(-1) d(-1)) was tested. Colitis was evaluated and several inflammatory markers were quantified in the colon. COX-2 expression (P

Background : HPI or stool transplant has shown promising results in treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. It has also shown some efficacy in treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and being used as a modality of treatment at some centers outside United States. So far there is no data available about efficacy of this treatment modality. Also there is no data available regarding efficacy & patient's perception about this treatment method. Methods: In this study, we enrolled 16 patients with Ulcerative Colitis established with our Crohn's & Colitis clinic who performed home based HPI for their disease. A short telephone survey was conducted to understand patients' perception about HPI. Patients were asked to grade effectiveness of their therapy on scale of 1 to 5, 5 being most effective in achieving primary goal. Patient's medical records were reviewed to obtain pre-transplant disease factors such as pre-transplant medications, Lichtiger score. Results: The average age of recipient group was 33+/5 years, while the average age of donor group was 43+/-6 years. Out of 16 patients who performed HPI for their disease, 8 (50%) achieved their primary goal which was to avoid medications or to avoid surgery. Patients were divided into two groups based on scale of effectiveness of treatment. Group 1 (38%) with Patients with score of more than 3 and Group 2 (62%) with patients with score of less than 3. In group 1, average duration of disease was 5 years as compared to 13 years in group 2(p=0.05). In group 1, 60% patients were on steroids prior to transplant as compared to 30% in group 2. 50% patients were on biologics before transplant in group 1 as compared to 30% in group 2. Female: Male (F: M) ratio for recipient in group 1 was 5 as compared to 0.25 in group 2. (p=0.01) F: M ratio for donor in group 1 was 0.2 as compared to 2.3 in group 2 (p=0.03). Average Lichtiger score in group 1 was 8.8 as compared to 3.5 in group 2 (p=0.05). Conclusion: Human Probiotic Infusion helped 50% of patients in achieving their primary goal. Benefits were highest with female recipient and male donors. Patients with more severe disease (evident by higher Lichtiger score and use of steroid/ biologics) have better outcomes in terms of achieving primary goal.

Background Inflammatory pseudotumors are ubiquitous lesions characterized by a polymorphous inflammatory infiltrate containing plasma cells and lymphocytes. In the central nervous system, this pathological condition is rare and the association with Crohn's disease has never been described. Case Description A 31-year-old woman with a history of Crohn's disease was referred to our department for progressive headaches and nausea. Neurological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an irregular heterogeneous enhanced mass infiltrating the left cerebellar hemisphere. Total resection was performed and pathological examination led to the conclusion of an inflammatory pseudotumor. Conclusion To our knowledge, this case is the first describing an intra-cerebral inflammatory pseudotumor associated with an inflammatory bowel disease. The diagnosis of an extradigestive location of Crohn's disease was excluded by pathological examination. Although the precise cause of this association remains unknown, it could be hypothesized that the intra-cranial lesion could be the result of the immunosuppressive therapy given for Crohn's disease, or, more likely, could be a part of a systemic dysimmune process.

La maladie de Crohn (MC) est fréquemment associée à la perte de poids et à la dénutrition. De plus, des modifications de la composition corporelle ont été décrits chez les patients atteints de MC. Mais le rôle de la composition corporelle dans l'évolution de la MC reste non élucidé. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer la composition corporelle par tomodensitométrie (TDM) chez les patients atteints de MC, en comparant avec les paramètres anthropométriques et biologiques. Nous avons également étudié l’évolution de ces patients, en fonction des différents paramètres de composition corporelle au moment de la TDM. Méthodes : Les patients atteints de MC ayant réalisé une TDM abdominale pour suspicion de complication, entre janvier 2011 et décembre 2015 ont été inclus rétrospectivement. L’indice de masse corporelle (IMC) et l’albuminémie ont été analysés. La définition de l'évolution défavorable dans les 6 mois suivant la TDM comprenait la chirurgie en lien avec la maladie ou le décès. Les indices de muscle squelettique (SMI), d’adiposité viscérale (VAI) et sous-cutanée (SAI) ont été calculés à partir des surfaces de tissu mesurées au niveau de la troisième vertèbre lombaire en TDM, divisées par la taille au carré. Résultats :Dans notre cohorte, la prévalence de l’insuffisance pondérale était de 26,8% alors que celle de la sarcopénie était de 33,6%. Après ajustement selon le sexe, le SMI tendait à diminuer chez les patients avec chirurgie ou décès dans les 6 mois suivant la TDM, comparativement aux patients sans chirurgie ni décès (p=0,0746). De plus, le SAI et le VAI étaient significativement plus faibles chez les patients opérés ou décédés (p=0,0091 et pConclusion : La TDM semble plus adaptée et plus précise que l’IMC ou l’albuminémie pour évaluer la composition corporelle chez les patients atteints de MC. Le SAI et le VAI étaient inversement corrélés à la chirurgie ou le décès dans les 6 mois suivant la TDM chez les patients atteints de MC. L'altération de la composition corporelle évaluée par TDM chez les patients atteints de MC semble être un marqueur de sévérité de la maladie. Ainsi, chez les patients atteints de MC qui effectuent une TDM abdominale, nous pourrions utiliser la composition corporelle pour détecter les patients à risque d'évolution défavorable.