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Background Maintaining of remission early in the disease course of Crohn's disease (CD) is essential and has major impact on the future prognosis. This study aimed to identify baseline predictors to develop model allowing stratification of patients who will not benefit from long-term azathioprine (AZA) treatment and will require more intensive therapy. Methods This study was designed to develop clinical prediction rule using retrospective data analysis of pediatric CD patients included in prospective inception cohort. Clinical relapse was defined as necessity of re-induction of remission. Sequence of Cox models was fitted to predict risk of relapse. Results Out of 1190 CD patients from 13 European centers, 441 were included, 50.3% patients did not experience clinical relapse within 2 years of AZA treatment initiation. Median time to relapse was 2.11 (CI 1.59-2.46) years. Of all the tested parameters available at diagnosis, six were significant in multivariate analyses: C-reactive protein (p = 0.038), body mass index Z-score >0.8 SD (p = 0.002), abnormal sigmoid imaging (p = 0.039), abnormal esophageal endoscopy (p = 0.005), ileocolonic localization (p = 0.023), AZA dose in specific age category (p = 0.031). Conclusions Although the possibility of predicting relapse on AZA treatment appears limited, we developed predictive model based on six baseline parameters potentially helpful in clinical decision. Impact The possibility of predicting relapse on AZA treatment appears to be possible but limited. We identified six independent predictors available at diagnosis of early AZA/6-MP treatment failure in pediatric CD patients. Using combination of these factors, a model applicable to clinical practice was created. A web-based tool, allowing estimation of individual relapse risk in pediatric CD patients on a particular therapeutic regimen, has been developed.

Maintaining of remission early in the disease course of Crohn's disease (CD) is essential and has major impact on the future prognosis. This study aimed to identify baseline predictors to develop model allowing stratification of patients who will not benefit from long-term azathioprine (AZA) treatment and will require more intensive therapy.This study was designed to develop clinical prediction rule using retrospective data analysis of pediatric CD patients included in prospective inception cohort. Clinical relapse was defined as necessity of re-induction of remission. Sequence of Cox models was fitted to predict risk of relapse.Out of 1190 CD patients from 13 European centers, 441 were included, 50.3% patients did not experience clinical relapse within 2 years of AZA treatment initiation. Median time to relapse was 2.11 (CI 1.59-2.46) years. Of all the tested parameters available at diagnosis, six were significant in multivariate analyses: C-reactive protein (p = 0.038), body mass index Z-score0.8 SD (p = 0.002), abnormal sigmoid imaging (p = 0.039), abnormal esophageal endoscopy (p = 0.005), ileocolonic localization (p = 0.023), AZA dose in specific age category (p = 0.031).Although the possibility of predicting relapse on AZA treatment appears limited, we developed predictive model based on six baseline parameters potentially helpful in clinical decision.The possibility of predicting relapse on AZA treatment appears to be possible but limited. We identified six independent predictors available at diagnosis of early AZA/6-MP treatment failure in pediatric CD patients. Using combination of these factors, a model applicable to clinical practice was created. A web-based tool, allowing estimation of individual relapse risk in pediatric CD patients on a particular therapeutic regimen, has been developed.

Mitochondria play an essential role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previously, we found that succinate-activated respiration was the most affected mitochondrial parameter in mice with mild NAFLD. In this study, we focused on the role of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in NAFLD pathogenesis. To induce the progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), C57BL/6J mice were fed a Western-style diet (WD) or control diet for 30 weeks. NAFLD severity was evaluated histologically and the expression of selected proteins and genes was assessed. Mitochondrial respiration was measured by high-resolution respirometry. Liver redox status was assessed using glutathione, malondialdehyde, and mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolomic analysis was performed by GC/MS. WD consumption for 30 weeks led to reduced succinate-activated respiration. We also observed decreased SDH activity, decreased expression of the SDH activator sirtuin 3, decreased gene expression of SDH subunits, and increased levels of hepatic succinate, an important signaling molecule. Succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) gene and protein expression were reduced in the livers of WD-fed mice. We did not observe signs of oxidative damage compared to the control group. The changes observed in WD-fed mice appear to be adaptive to prevent mitochondrial respiratory chain overload and massive ROS production.

Background Mucosal healing (MH) has become a perspective treatment target in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Data about the impact of MH on long-term outcome in pediatric patients are still scarce. Methods 76 pediatric patients with CD were evaluated retrospectively (2000-2015) in a tertiary care center. Based on MH achievement, they were divided into two groups (MH, n= 17; and No MH, n=59). The primary endpoint was to assess the association of MH and the need for CD-related hospitalizations or surgery in pediatric patients with CD. Results The number of hospitalized patients was 24% in the MH group and 42% in the No MH group, P = 0.26. The total number of CD-related hospitalizations was not significant between the MH group and the No MH group (5 vs. 41, P = 0.15). The time to the first hospitalization was 24 months in MH and 21 months in No MH, P>0.99. 24% patients in the MH group and 39% patients in the No MH group underwent CD-related operation, P = 0.39. Time to the first operation was 43 months for MH and 19 months for the No MH group, P = 0.13. The follow-up period was 91 months in the MH group and 80 months in the No MH group, P = 0.74. The use of infliximab was positively associated with MH, P = 0.002. Conclusions MH was not associated with fewer CD-related hospitalizations or operations in pediatric patients with CD during seven years of follow-up.

Background Mucosal healing (MH) has become a perspective treatment target in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Data about the impact of MH on long-term outcome in pediatric patients are still scarce. Methods 76 pediatric patients with CD were evaluated retrospectively (2000–2015) in a tertiary care center. Based on MH achievement, they were divided into two groups (MH, n = 17 and No MH, n = 59). The primary endpoint was to assess the association of MH and the need for CD-related hospitalizations or surgery in pediatric patients with CD. Results The number of hospitalized patients was 24% in the MH group and 42% in the No MH group, P = 0.26. The total number of CD-related hospitalizations was not significant between the MH group and the No MH group (5 vs. 41, P = 0.15). The time to the first hospitalization was 24 months in MH and 21 months in No MH, p > 0.99. 24% patients in the MH group and 39% patients in the No MH group underwent CD-related operation, P = 0.39. Time to the first operation was 43 months for MH and 19 months for the No MH group, P = 0.13. The follow-up period was 91 months in the MH group and 80 months in the No MH group, P = 0.74. The use of infliximab was positively associated with MH, P = 0.002. Conclusions MH was not associated with fewer CD-related hospitalizations or operations in pediatric patients with CD during seven years of follow-up.

Background and Aims An expanding number of monogenic defects have been identified as causative of severe forms of very early-onset inflammatory bowel diseases [VEO-IBD]. The present study aimed at defining how next-generation sequencing [NGS] methods can be used to improve identification of known molecular diagnosis and to adapt treatment. Methods A total of 207 children were recruited in 45 paediatric centres through an international collaborative network [ESPGHAN GENIUS working group] with a clinical presentation of severe VEO-IBD [n = 185] or an anamnesis suggestive of a monogenic disorder [n = 22]. Patients were divided at inclusion into three phenotypic subsets: predominantly small bowel inflammation, colitis with perianal lesions, and colitis only. Methods to obtain molecular diagnosis included functional tests followed by specific Sanger sequencing, custom-made targeted NGS, and in selected cases whole exome sequencing [WES] of parents-child trios. Genetic findings were validated clinically and/or functionally. Results Molecular diagnosis was achieved in 66/207 children [32%]: 61% with small bowel inflammation, 39% with colitis and perianal lesions, and 18% with colitis only. Targeted NGS pinpointed gene mutations causative of atypical presentations, and identified large exonic copy number variations previously missed by WES. Conclusions Our results lead us to propose an optimised diagnostic strategy to identify known monogenic causes of severe IBD.

Aim Over the past few years, mucosal healing (MH) has emerged as a promising goal in the treatment of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The study aim was to assess if the combination therapy of infliximab (IFX) + azathioprine (AZA) was more effective than AZA therapy alone in achieving mucosal healing in pediatric patients with CD. Methods Newly-diagnosed pediatric patients with CD at the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital in Hradec Kralove were retrospectively recruited (2000-2014). The patients were divided into two groups according to the therapy: A) IFX + AZA ± corticosteroids (CS) ± 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) (N=16); and B) AZA ± CS ± 5-ASA (n = 40). The patients were also divided into two groups "MH" and "No MH" according to MH status. MH was defined as complete endoscopic disappearance of all mucosal ulcerations (including aphthous ulcerations) and the absence of any signs of mucosal inflammation (erythema, edema) in the terminal ileum and the large bowel. Results From 56 patients, MH was observed in 56% (9/16) patients treated with combined therapy in comparison with 15 % (6/40) patients in the AZA group, p = 0.006. The mean dose of AZA in both groups was 2.0 ± 0.4 mg/kg/day. We observed 8 adverse events (AE) in 7 patients (44%) from the IFX+AZA group. AE were less commonly presented in the AZA group (4/40 (10%), p = 0.002). Conclusions Combined therapy (IFX+AZA) was more effective in achieving MH in pediatric CD compared to treatment with azathioprine alone.

Background: Treatment quality and outcomes of paediatric home parenteral nutrition (HPN) program during its development in the Czech Republic. Methods: A retrospective study of patients receiving HPN from May 1995 till June 2011. Results: Sixty-six patients were treated in 8 centres. In 48 patients, long-term PN began in the first year of life and in 35 of them in the first month. Sixty children had gastrointestinal and 6 had non-gastrointestinal disease. In a majority of the patients, the Broviac catheter was used. Thirty-two (48.5%) patients were weaned from PN after 1-117 months, 21 (32.8%) continued on HPN after 7-183 months, and 13 (19.7%) patients died, all on PN. The mortality in patients with primary gastrointestinal disease was significantly lower than in patients with non-gastrointestinal disease. Thirty-one paediatric patients were receiving HPN for 14,480 catheter days in 2009-2010. Fourteen patients had 23 Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSI) episodes. The incidence of CRBSI in 2009-2010 was 1.58/1,000 catheter days. Conclusion: Submitted data showed that even in the absence of expert centres, patient care may achieve results comparable to countries with well-developed HPN program. A majority of Czech HPN patients are at present treated in specialized centres, following the most desirable pattern of care.