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Background The prevalence of obesity and the number of bariatric surgeries in both the general population and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased significantly in recent years. Due to small sample sizes and the lack of adequate controls, no definite conclusions can be drawn from the available studies on the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with IBD. Our aim was to assess safety, weight loss, and deficiencies in patients with IBD and obesity who underwent BS and compare findings to a control group. Methods Patients with IBD and a history of BS were retrospectively recruited to centers belonging to the Groupe d’Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du Tube Digestif (GETAID). Patients were matched 1:2 for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hospital of surgery, and type of BS with non-IBD patients who underwent BS. Complications, rehospitalizations, weight, and deficiencies after BS were collected in cases and controls. Results We included 88 procedures in 85 patients (64 Crohn’s disease, 20 ulcerative colitis, 1 unclassified IBD) with a mean BMI of 41.6 ± 5.9 kg/m2. Bariatric surgery included Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 3), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 73), and gastric banding (n = 12). Eight (9%) complications were reported, including 4 (5%) requiring surgery. At a mean follow-up of 34 months, mean weight was 88.6 ± 22.4 kg. No difference was observed between cases and controls for postoperative complications (P = .31), proportion of weight loss (P = .27), or postoperative deficiencies (P = .99). Conclusions Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective procedure in patients with IBD and obesity; outcomes in this patient group were similar to those observed in a control population.

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Background Up to 25% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will require hospitalization for severe flare. In patients hospitalised for severe flare, who previously experienced multiple drug failures, including steroids and anti-TNF agents, new quick-acting medical options are needed. Tofacitinib is effective in refractory UC and has a rapid onset of action. Aim To evaluate effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib as rescue therapy in patients hospitalised for UC flare. Methods We conducted an observational and multicentre study with both retrospective and prospective collections in 14 GETAID centres. The primary objective was to assess the survival without colectomy following tofacitinib initiation in patients hospitalised for a UC flare. We determined rates of clinical response, clinical remission, and steroid-free clinical remission at week 6 and week 14 and safety. Results Fifty-five patients were included (49 with prior infliximab failure and 19 previously exposed to ciclosporin). With a median follow-up of 6.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] [3-12.3]), rate of colectomy-free survival was estimated at 78.9% (95 CI [68.5-90.9]) and 73.6% (95 CI [61.9-87.3]) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Rates of clinical response, clinical remission and steroid-free clinical remission were 60%, 45.5% and 37.5% at week 6 and 41.8%, 34.5% and 32.7% at week 14. Regarding safety, no death was observed, three patients withdrew tofacitinib due to adverse events. Two herpes zoster infections occurred in patients aged over 60 years old. No venous thrombotic or major adverse cardiovascular events occurred. Conclusion Tofacitinib appears as a promising option in patients hospitalised with a UC flare but needs further validation in controlled trials.

Objectives Patients who develop upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) while in hospital appear to have a poor prognosis. Our study aims at analysing the difference in outcome between in‐patients (IPs) and out‐patients presenting with variceal and non‐variceal UGIB. Methods We conducted a multicentre prospective study by collecting data about variceal and non‐variceal UGIB cases through 46 hospitals in France between November 2017 and October 2018. We then compared baseline demographic features, endoscopic findings and outcome between patients who developed variceal and non‐variceal UGIB on admission (OPs) and those at least 24 h after hospitalisation (IPs). Our primary end‐point was mortality and re‐bleeding rates at 6 weeks of bleeding onset. Results A total of 2498 UGIB cases were identified, of whom 634 (25.4%) occurred in IPs. IPs were older than OPs (72.5 vs. 67.2 years old, p 5 present in 40.9% (vs. 30.3% in OPs, p 11 (p = 0.017, 0.011 and 0.008, respectively). Conclusion IPs who develop variceal and non‐variceal UGIB are more likely to be elderly with more comorbidities. They have a higher rate of mortality and rebleeding. Independent predictors of mortality were underlying coagulopathy and bleeding recurrence. An optimal bleeding management and efficient rebleeding prevention may improve outcome in these patients., Key Point Summarize the established knowledge on this subject Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in already hospitalised patients (IPs) appears to have a worse prognosis when compared to UGIB in out‐patients (OPs).Few studies have addressed this issue, most of which are retrospective. They found a poor short‐term outcome in IPs without being able to identify modifiable risk factors that could affect the prognosis. Significant and/or new findings of this study? We demonstrated in this prospective and multicentre study a greater 6‐week mortality and rebleeding rates in IPs versus OPs.IPs were older and had a higher rate of comorbidities. Prothrombin time

International audience; Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic disorder requiring long-term treatment. However, up to 20% of patients interrupt temporarily or permanently anti-TNFα. Primary aim was to identify internal and external factors influencing patient's motivation to pursue anti-TNFα in active CD.Methods: This was a French, multicentre, prospective study enrolling CD patients on anti-TNFα therapy since more than 3 months. Patients completed the Satisfaction of Patients with Crohn's Disease questionnaire (SPACE-Q) and other patient-reported-outcome tools at inclusion visit, and after 6 and 12 months.Results: A total of 274 patients were included: 146 (53.3%) received adalimumab, while 128 (46.7%) infliximab. Most patients (78%) were still treated with anti-TNFα 12 months after enrolment. Patients' perception of necessity (p = 0.01) and concerns (p

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The use of telemedicine dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected patients and physicians experience on telemedicine in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS We conducted a nationwide survey between September 2020 and January 2021. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to participants through mailing lists of the national patients' association and IBD expert groups. RESULTS Overall, 300 patients and 110 gastroenterologists filled out the survey. On a 10 points scale of satisfaction with telemedicine, 60% of patients noted a score ≥8 and 52.7% of physicians ≥7. Patients and gastroenterologists felt that the duration of teleconsultations appeared to be shorter than in-person visits in 57.5 and 55.1% of cases, respectively. All participants agreed that telemedicine is appropriate in dedicated situations and not for flare-up consultations. For 55.1% of patients, quality of care was the same via telemedicine, whereas 51.4% of gastroenterologists believed they managed less well their patients. Lack of clinical examination being pointed out as the main limitation of telemedicine. Three-quarters of patients and gastroenterologists would agree to use telemedicine more often in the future. CONCLUSION Patients and gastroenterologists were satisfied with telemedicine and would be willing to use it in the future. However, telemedicine does not replace in-person visits and should be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Introduction Resistance to clarithromycin and fluoroquinolones is increasing in many countries. We aimed to assess the efficacy of a tailored PCR-guided triple therapy versus an empirical triple therapy in the treatment of H. pylori infection. Patients and methods French multicenter prospective open-label randomized study to assess H. pylori and resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin with GenoType HelicoDR® test. Patients of the control group were treated with empirical therapy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for 7 days. Patients of the experimental group with clarithromycin-susceptible strains, clarithromycin-resistant/levofloxacin-susceptible strains, and with clarithromycin-resistant/levofloxacin-resistant strains received tailored therapy of PPI, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for 7 days, PPI, amoxicillin, and levofloxacin for 10 days, and PPI, amoxicillin, and metronidazole for 14 days, respectively. H. pylori eradication was assessed by 13C urea breath test at least 28 days after the end of treatment. Results We included 526 patients: 260 (49.4%) were randomly assigned to empirical triple therapy and 266 (50.6%) to tailored therapy. Clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistances were 23.3% and 12.8%, respectively. Follow-up urea breath test was available for 415 (78.9%) patients. Tailored therapy was superior to empirical therapy in terms of eradication (85.5% vs. 73.1%, RR = 1.85, 95%CI [1.25–2.78], p = 0.003). Findings were consistent in the susceptibility analysis using multiple imputation (RR = 1.61, 95%CI [1.14–2.27], P = 0.003) and per-protocol analysis (RR = 1.89, 95%CI [0.25–2.78], p = 0.003). Conclusion In a country with a high level of clarithromycin resistance, tailored PCR-guided therapy was superior to empirical triple therapy for H. pylori eradication ( https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT01168063 ).

Background and study aims Prognostic and risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) might have changed overtime because of the increased use of direct oral anticoagulants and improved gastroenterological care. This study was undertaken to assess the outcomes of UGIB in light of these new determinants by establishing a new national, multicenter cohort 10 years after the first. Methods Consecutive outpatients and inpatients with UGIB symptoms consulting at 46 French general hospitals were prospectively included between November 2017 and October 2018. They were followed for at least for 6 weeks to assess 6-week rebleeding and mortality rates and factors associated with each event. Results Among the 2498 enrolled patients (mean age 68.5 [16.3] years, 67.1 % men), 74.5 % were outpatients and 21 % had cirrhosis. Median Charlson score was 2 (IQR 1–4) and Rockall score was 5 (IQR 3–6). Within 24 hours, 83.4 % of the patients underwent endoscopy. The main causes of bleeding were peptic ulcers (44.9 %) and portal hypertension (18.9 %). The early in-hospital rebleeding rate was 10.5 %. The 6-week mortality rate was 12.5 %. Predictors significantly associated with 6-week mortality were initial transfusion (OR 1.54; 95 %CI 1.04–2.28), Charlson score > 4 (OR 1.80; 95 %CI 1.31–2.48), Rockall score > 5 (OR 1.98; 95 %CI 1.39–2.80), being an inpatient (OR 2.45; 95 %CI 1.76–3.41) and rebleeding (OR 2.6; 95 %CI 1.85–3.64). Anticoagulant therapy was not associated with dreaded outcomes. Conclusions The 6-week mortality rate remained high after UGIB, especially for inpatients. Predictors of mortality underlined the weight of comorbidities on outcomes.

In Europe, the number of cases of Campylobacter enteritis and their quinolone resistance is increasing. The aims of this work were to evaluate: (1) the hospital epidemiology of bacterial enteritis between 2010 and 2015. (2) The proportion of Campylobacter and Salmonella enteritis. (3) Resistance to quinolones in adult and paediatric populations. (4) To investigate possible regional epidemiological and bacteriological disparities.This is a multicentric study carried out in 21 general hospitals (CHG) representing 14 French regions with a prospective collection of the results of coprocultures from 2010 to 2015 in adult and paediatric populations (children 15 years old not exposed to quinolones). The epidemiological and bacteriological data were collected from software laboratory for positive stool cultures for Campylobacter and Salmonella. The results were compared year by year and by a period of 2 years.In adults, Campylobacter enteritis was each year significantly more frequent than Salmonella (P 0.001), with a significant increase from 2010 to 2015 (P 0.05). In children, there was also a significant and stable predominance of Campylobacter enteritis over the study period (P = 0.002). The quinolone resistance of Campylobacter was greater than 50% on the whole territory, with no North-South difference over the three periods studied. It increased significantly from 2012 to 2015 in adults (48% to 55%, P 0.05) and in children (54% to 61%, P = 0.04).Our results confirm the increase in the prevalence of Campylobacter enteritis compared to Salmonella between 2010 and 2015. The quinolone resistance of Campylobacter is greater than 50% on the whole territory, stable between 2010 and 2015 in adults and significantly increased in children.

Background Hydroxychloroquine combined with azithromycin (HCQ/AZI) has initially been used against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical effects of HCQ/AZI, with a 28-days follow-up. Methods In a registry-study which included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 15 and April 2, 2020, we compared patients who received HCQ/AZI to those who did not, regarding a composite outcome of mortality and mechanical ventilation with a 28-days follow-up. QT was monitored for patients treated with HCQ/AZI. Were excluded patients in intensive care units, palliative care and ventilated within 24 hours of admission. Three analyses were performed to adjust for selection bias: propensity score matching, multivariable survival, and inverse probability score weighting (IPSW) analyses. Results Overall, 203 patients were included: 60 patients treated by HCQ/AZI and 143 control patients. During the 28-days follow-up, 32 (16.3%) patients presented the primary outcome and 23 (12.3%) patients died. Propensity-score matching identified 52 unique pairs of patients with similar characteristics. In the matched cohort (n = 104), HCQ/AZI was not associated with the primary composite outcome (log-rank p-value = 0.16). In the overall cohort (n = 203), survival and IPSW analyses also found no benefit from HCQ/AZI. In the HCQ/AZI group, 11 (18.3%) patients prolonged QT interval duration, requiring treatment cessation. Conclusions HCQ/AZI combination therapy was not associated with lower in-hospital mortality and mechanical ventilation rate, with a 28-days follow-up. In the HCQ/AZI group, 18.3% of patients presented a prolonged QT interval requiring treatment cessation, however, control group was not monitored for this adverse event, making comparison impossible.

International audience; BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few data on the evolution of endoscopic findings are available in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). The aim of this study was to describe this evolution in a prospective cohort. METHODS: Patients admitted for a steroid-refractory ASUC and included in a randomized trial comparing infliximab and cyclosporine were eligible if they achieved steroid-free clinical remission at day 98. Flexible sigmoidoscopies were performed at baseline, days 7, 42 and 98. Ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS) and its sub-scores - vascular pattern, bleeding and ulceration/erosion - were post-hoc calculated. Global endoscopic remission was defined by a UCEIS of 0, and partial endoscopic remission by any UCEIS sub-score of 0. RESULTS: Among the 55 patients analyzed (29 infliximab and 26 cyclosporine), 49 (83%) had UCEIS >= 6 at baseline at baseline. Partial endoscopic remission rates were higher for bleeding than for vascular pattern and for ulcerations/erosions at day 7 (20% vs. 4% and 5% (n = 55); p

Background Better patient knowledge on inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] could improve outcome and quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess if an education programme improves IBD patients’ skills as regards their disease. Methods The GETAID group conducted a prospective multicentre randomised controlled study. IBD patients were included at diagnosis, or after a significant event in the disease course. Patients were randomised between ‘educated’ or control groups for 6 months. Education was performed by trained health care professionals. A psycho-pedagogic score [ECIPE] was evaluated by a ‘blinded’ physician at baseline and after 6 and 12 months [M6 and M12]. The primary endpoint was the increase of ECIPE score at M6 of more than 20%. Results A total of 263 patients were included in 19 centres (male:40%; median age:30.8; Crohn’s disease [CD]:73%). Of these, 133 patients were randomised into the educated group and 130 into the control group. The median relative increase in ECIPE score at M6 was higher in the educated group as compared with the control group (16.7% [0–42.1%] vs 7% [0–18.8%], respectively, p = 0.0008). The primary endpoint was met in 46% vs 24% of the patients in the educated and control groups, respectively [p = 0.0003]. A total of 92 patients met the primary endpoint. In multivariate analysis, predictors of an increase of at least 20% of the ECIPE score were randomisation in the educated group (odds ratio [OR] = 2.59) and no previous surgery [OR = 1.92]. Conclusions These findings support the set-up of education programmes in centres involved in the management of IBD patients.

Highlights • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease. • It has been suggested that liver function test abnormalities were associated with severe disease. • Most of liver injuries are mild and transient during COVID-19. • Liver function test abnormalities are associated with a poorer prognosis and could be a relevant biomarker for early detection of severe infection., Aim To assess the impact of liver function test (LFT) abnormalities on the prognosis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a French cohort of hospitalized patients. Patients and method From March 13 to April 22, 2020, we collected on a computerized and anonymized database, medical records, laboratory data and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized for confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection (RT–PCR and/or CT-scan). Patients were followed up until April 22 2020 or until death or discharge. We have considered for statistical analysis, LFT abnormalities with levels greater than two times the upper limit of normal. Composite endpoint included admission to ICU, mechanical ventilation, severe radiologic injury and death to define disease severity. Results Among 281 patients (median age 60 years) with COVID-19, 102 (36.3%) had abnormal LFT. Hypertension (45.6%) and diabetes (29.5%) were the main comorbidities. 20.2% were taken liver-toxic drugs at the admission and 27.4% were given drugs known to induce hepatic cytolysis during hospitalization. Patients with elevated levels of ALT or AST were significantly more severe with a higher rate of admission to ICU (40.0% vs 6.0%, p

International audience; Background The increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) related to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) remains debated. Aims To describe the epidemiology and outcomes of UGIB in patients treated with oral anticoagulants. Methods A prospective, multicentre study in French general hospitals enrolled all consecutive patients with UGIB during one year. Patients treated with oral anticoagulants were retrieved from the cohort. Main outcomes were mortality and rebleeding during the first 6 weeks and need for non-endoscopic treatment (surgery or interventional radiology). Results Among the 2498 patients included, 475 (19%) had an oral anticoagulant, mostly with VKA (267 patients [56.2%]). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except for renal failure and cirrhosis that were more prevalent in the VKA group. Gastroscopy was normal in 73 patients (15.3%); peptic lesions were the main cause of UGIB (n = 233, 49%). Endoscopic treatment was performed in 128 patients (26.9%), leading to bleeding resolution in 74% (n = 95). Mortality rate at 6 weeks was 12.4% (59 patients), and was higher in the VKA group compared to DOACs (16.1% vs 7.8%, P < 0.01). By multivariate analysis, only the Charlson index >= 5 and UGIB occurrring in in-patients were independently associated with mortality. Rebleeding (56 patients [11.8%]) and need for non-endoscopic treatment (18 patients [3.8%]) were not associated with the type of anticoagulant. Conclusion DOACs do not alter outcomes of UGIB as compared to VKA. Comorbidities and associated treatment are the most important factors worsening the prognosis of UGIB.

BACKGROUND: Genital fistulas represent a devastating complication of Crohn's disease. Only studies with small sample sizes have evaluated the efficacy of anti-TNF therapy for this complication. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of anti-TNF therapy for genital fistulas complicating Crohn's disease and to identify predictive factors associated with clinical response at 1 year. METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with anti-TNF therapy for genital fistulas complicating Crohn's disease from 1999 to 2016 in 19 French centres from the Groupe d'Etude Therapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif were included in a retrospective cohort study. Outcome was clinical fistula closure at 1 year. RESULTS: Among the 204 women with genital fistulas who received anti-TNF therapy, 131 were analysed. The first anti-TNF given was infliximab (79%), adalimumab (20%), or certolizumab (1%). At start of anti-TNF therapy, 56% of patients had seton drainage and 53% had concomitant immunosuppressive treatment. A complementary surgery was performed during the first year in 10 patients (8%). At 1 year, 37% of patients had complete clinical fistula closure, 22% had a partial response, and 41% had no response. Among patients without complementary surgery, 34% (41/121) had complete clinical fistula closure. Only complementary surgery was associated with better response on multivariate analysis (adjusted relative risk: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.25-3.26, P = 0.0043). CONCLUSIONS: In the anti-TNF era, approximately one-third of patients with genital fistula in Crohn's disease had complete fistula closure at 1 year. Collaboration between surgeons and gastroenterologists appears to be very important to improve the rate of fistula closure.

Background Up to 25% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will require hospitalization for severe flare. In UC patients admitted who have already experienced multiple drug failures, including steroids and anti-TNF agents, new quick-acting medical options are needed. Tofacitinib is effective in refractory UC and has a rapid mechanism of action. It could be considered in this setting. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients hospitalized for an acute UC flare. Methods We conducted an observational and multicenter study with both retrospective and prospective collections in 14 GETAID tertiary IBD centers. The primary objective was to assess the survival without colectomy following tofacitinib initiation. We determined rates of clinical response, clinical remission, and clinical steroid-free remission at week 6 and week 14 and safety. Results Fifty-eight patients were included. All but one patient with active lupus were exposed to antiTNF. 50 (86.2%) patients have received infliximab and 18 (31%) to ciclosporin. Patients were previously exposed to a median of 2.5 lines of biologic treatment before tofacitinib.Median Lichtiger at inclusion was 11.5 (interquartile range IQR[9 - 13]), median CRP was 17 mg/l (IQR[6.5 - 67]) and total Mayo score was 10 (IQR[9.3 - 11]). Deep ulcerations were observed in 10 patients (17.2%).With a median follow-up of 6.5 months (IQR [2.9-12.4]), colectomy-free survival rates were estimated at 80.1% (95CI [70.1-91.4]) at 3 months and at 75.1% (95CI[64.1-88.1]) at 6 months. Rates of clinical response, clinical remission and clinical steroid-free remission were 60.3%, 46.6% and 37.9% at week 6 an, 48.1%, 37% and 35.2% at week 14, respectively. At the end of follow-up, 29 patients (50%) were still treated with tofacitinib. The survival without tofacitinib discontinuation was estimated at 82.8% (95CI[73.6-93.1), 67.8% (95CI[56.6-81.4]) and 46.2% (95CI[34.2-62.4]) at 1, 3, and 6 months (Figure 3).Regarding safety, no death was observed, three patients withdrew tofacitinib due to adverse events. Two herpes zosters occurred in patients aged over 60 years old. No thrombotic event occurred. Conclusion Tofacitinib appears as a promising option in patients hospitalized with a severe UC flare that needs further validation in prospective and controlled trials.

Background Phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC), but no real-life long-term data is currently available. Methods From January to September 2019, all consecutive patients with active UC treated with ustekinumab in a GETAID centre were included. Patients were evaluated at week 52. Remission was defined by a partial Mayo Clinic score ≤ 2. The aim of the present study was to assess long-term effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in UC. Results 103 UC patients (62 men; mean age: 41.2 ± 16.2 years; 52% pancolitis E3) were included in 21 centres. History of immunomodulator, anti-TNF and vedolizumab therapies was noted in 84.5%, 99.0% and 85.4% of the cases, respectively. At week 54, 44 (43%) patients discontinued ustekinumab, for lack of efficacy (n=41), pregnancy (n=1), persistence of eczematiform lesions (n=1) or personal decision (n=1). Cumulative probabilities of ustekinumab persistence were 96.1%, 81.6%, 71.7%, and 58.4% after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a CRP>5 mg/L at week 0 (OR=2.91, CI95%[1.15–7.36]; p=0.02) and concomitant steroids at week 0 (OR=3.05, CI95%[1.30–7.14]; p=0.01) were significantly associated with ustekinumab discontinuation within one year. The overall rate of steroid-free clinical remission at week 52 was 32% of whom 71% had null rectal bleeding and stool frequency subscores. Ten patients (9.7%) underwent colectomy within a median of 6.7 [4.3–10.6] months. Adverse events were observed in 15 (16.9%) patients, of whom 4 (4.5%) had severe adverse events including three patients with exacerbation of UC leading to hospitalization, and a 62 years-old men who died from a myocardial infarction four months after ustekinumab initiation. Conclusion In this real-world cohort study that included patients with refractory ulcerative colitis to multiple therapies, more than one-half of patients were still treated by ustekinumab and one-third were in steroid-free clinical remission, after 52 weeks.

Summary Aims To determinate the topographical distribution of key diagnostic histological features of lymphocytic colitis (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC) and to establish what correlations may exist between the histological findings and the causes and severity of MC. Patients and methods Patients with MC were included in a prospective multicentre French study from September 2010 to October 2012. MC was diagnosed by performing total colonoscopy with multiple biopsies of the rectum and colon collected in separate jars and analyzed separately for each site (descending and sigmoid colon, transverse colon, ascending colon). CC was defined as a subepithelial collagen layer > 10 μm thick and LC as an intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) count > 20 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells without any associated thickening of the subepithelial collagen. Results Ninety-five patients, 69 with LC 26 and with CC, were included in the analysis. The sensitivity of the biopsies for diagnosing MC was maximum in the transverse colon and minimum in the rectum. Rectal and left colonic biopsies resulted in the diagnosis of CC and CL in 93% and 94% of cases, respectively. All the remaining cases of MC were diagnosed by performing additional biopsies beyond the splenic flexure. In patients with LC, a higher rate of IELs was associated with the absence of abdominal pain (P = 0.01) and a shorter duration of diarrhea (P = 0.001). In patients with CC, a lower level of collagen thickness in the basement membrane was associated with the presence of an autoimmune disease (P = 0.02). Conclusion More than 90% of cases of microscopic colitis were diagnosed in this study by performing rectal and left colonic biopsies.

The aim of this study was to determine the mortality and re-bleeding rates, and the risk factors involved, in a cohort of patients with previous diverticular bleeding (DB).In 2007, data on 2462 patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding were collected prospectively at several French hospitals. We studied the follow-up of patients with DB retrospectively. The following data were collected: age, mortality rates and re-bleeding rates, drug intake, surgery and comorbidities.Data on 365 patients, including 181 women (mean age 83.6 ± 9.8 years) were available. The median follow-up time was 3.9 years (IQR 25-75: 1.7-5.4). Of these, 148 patients died (40.5%). Among the 70 patients (19.2%) who had at least one re-bleeding episode, nine died and three underwent surgical procedures. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy was discontinued in 70 cases (19.2%). The independent risk factors contributing to mortality were age 80 years (HR = 3.18 (2.1-4.9);In this cohort, the rates of mortality and DB re-bleeding after a median follow-up time of 3.9 years were 19.2% and 40.5%, respectively. The majority of the deaths recorded were not due to re-bleeding.

SummaryBackground Whether aminosalicylates or thiopurines reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in inflammatory bowel (IBD) disease is controversial. Aim To assess simultaneously the chemopreventive effect of aminosalicylates or thiopurines in a case–control study nested in the CESAME observational cohort that enrolled consecutive patients with IBD between May 2004 and June 2005. Patients were followed up to December 2007. Methods Study population comprised 144 case patients who developed CRC from the diagnosis of IBD (65 and 79 cases diagnosed, respectively, before and from 2004, starting year of the prospective observational period of CESAME) and 286 controls matched for gender, age, IBD subtype and year of diagnosis, and cumulative extent of colitis. Exposure to aminosalicylates or thiopurines was defined by an exposure to the treatment during the year of the diagnosis of cancer. The propensity of receiving 5-ASA and thiopurines was quantified by a composite score taking into account patient and IBD characteristics. The role of aminosalicylates or thiopurines was assessed by multivariate analysis. Propensity scores and the history of primary sclerosing cholangitis were entered into the multivariate model for adjustment. Results By multivariate analysis adjusted for propensity, a significant protective effect of exposure to drugs during the year of cancer was found for aminosalicylates (OR = 0.587, 95% CI: 0.367–0.937, P = 0.0257), but not for thiopurines (OR = 0.762, 95% CI: 0.432–1.343, P = 0.3468). Conclusion In a case–control study nested in the CESAME cohort, a significant decrease in the risk of colorectal cancer in IBD was associated with exposure to aminosalicylates, not to thiopurines.

Background Phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC), but no real-life data is currently available. Methods Between January and September 2019, all consecutive patients with UC treated with ustekinumab in 20 French GETAID centres were included. The primary outcome was steroid-free clinical remission (partial Mayo Clinic score ≤ 2) at weeks 12–16 without rectal bleeding subscore > 1. Results One hundred and three patients were included with a median age and disease duration of 39.3 [interquartile range (IQR), 29.1–52.3] and 7.6 [3.6–12.9] years, respectively. Most of the patients had left sided colitis (41.8%) or pancolitis (52.4%). History of immunomodulator, anti-TNF and vedolizumab therapies was noted in 84.5%, 99.0% and 85.4% of the cases, respectively. Steroid-free clinical remission and clinical remission rates were 35.0% and 39.8% at weeks 12–16, respectively. Normalisation of rectal bleeding and stool frequency (subscore 0 for both outcomes) was noted in 19.4% of patients whereas normalisation of rectal bleeding (subscore 0) with a stool frequency subscore of 0 or 1 was noted in 39.8%. Two patients discontinued ustekinumab before the weeks 12–16 visit and were referred to surgery. Predictors of therapeutic failure at weeks 12–16 were a partial Mayo Clinic score > 6 at week 0 (HR = 10.0, 95%CI [1.11––100.0], p = 0.04) and an history of previous use of anti-TNF and vedolizumab (HR = 33.3, 95%CI [2.4–100.0], p = 0.01). Improvement in endoscopic activity of UC at weeks 12–16 was observed according to Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (5.0 ± 1.2 vs. 3.8 ± 1.9, p < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in 7.8% and serious adverse events in 3.9%. Conclusion In this first real-life cohort study of refractory UC patients treated with ustekinumab, clinical remission without corticosteroids was observed in one-third of cases at weeks 12–16. Clinical severity and previous use of anti-TNF and vedolizumab were associated with therapeutic failure.

Delayed diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a major issue, particularly in terms of the presence of nonspecific and heterogeneous clinical signs. This study aimed to identify changes over time in the epidemiological characteristics and clinical presentation of IBD in a French cohort.Sociodemographic data from patients at three French hospitals (age, sex, country of origin, smoking habits) and characteristics of IBD [diagnostic delay, phenotype, location, first symptoms, first test suggesting diagnosis (endoscopy, imaging examination)] were collected in a computerized database (Focus_MICI). Four diagnostic time periods were assessed:2000, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and2009.Among the 926 patients analyzed, 638 (2000, n=181; 2000-2004, n=104; 2005-2009, n=147;2009, n=206) had Crohn's disease (CD) and 288 (2000, n=54; 2000-2004, n=39; 2005-2009, n=80;2009, n=115) had ulcerative colitis (UC). For CD, statistically significant differences over time were observed for (a) the first revealing disease symptom [more frequent abdominal pain vs. chronic diarrhea (P0.001)], (b) first investigation suggestive of diagnosis [more frequent computed tomography vs. colonoscopy (P0.001)], and (c) CD behavior [more frequent inflammatory vs. stricturing/penetrating forms (P0.001)]. No significant differences over time were observed for UC variables.In this large multicenter cohort study clinical diagnostic presentation of CD has changed over time. By contrast, there were no changes in the UC clinical presentation.

Background and study aims: The purpose of this study was to describe the real-life conditions of use, efficacy, safety, and acceptability of sodium phosphate (NaP) tablets for colon cleansing in routine medical practice in France. Patients and methods: A total of 996 patients undergoing bowel preparation were enrolled by 108 gastroenterologists in this observational, longitudinal, prospective, multicenter study. The conditions of use of NaP tablets were assessed with a composite endpoint, which included six criteria for patient compliance with the recommended administration scheme and a criterion for the absence of contraindications to NaP use. Results: Adequate use of NaP was reported for 75.1 % of the patients. The main reasons for misuse were a smaller fluid intake than expected with a dose of 4 tablets and noncompliance with age-related contraindications. The quality of cleansing was satisfactory: the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) total score was 7 or higher in 75.4 % of the patients. Gastroscopy associated with colonoscopy in 38.9 % of the patients revealed gastric lesions, which were considered as possibly related to the use of NaP tablets in 10.3 % of them. Vomiting occurred in 9.8 % of the patients, and 0.6 % discontinued bowel preparation after an adverse event. No electrolyte disorders or renal impairment was reported, even if not systematically sought. The acceptability of the NaP tablets was high, particularly among patients who previously had undergone other methods of bowel preparation. Conclusions: Despite being defined according to strict criteria, adequate use of NaP tablets was observed in a high percentage of patients. The quality of colon cleansing and the safety and acceptability of NaP tablets were satisfactory and consistent with data from randomized clinical studies.

AIMS To describe the characteristics of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in non-academic hospitals in France and to evaluate how therapeutic practices changed between 1999 and 2013. METHODS During 2 weeks in September 2013, we solicited disease and treatment information for CD patients seen by gastroenterologists in 57 French non-academic hospitals. In four groups of patients defined according to the date of CD diagnosis (

International audience; BACKGROUND & AIMS:Few people know of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a rare disorder associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We aimed to describe phenotype and outcomes of IBD and AIP when associated.METHODS:We performed a retrospective study of cases of AIP in IBD identified from the multicenter Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif in Belgium and France from July 2012 through July 2015. Patients were diagnosed with AIP based on the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP. A definitive AIP diagnosis was based on histological analysis of pancreatic resection specimens or samples collected by fine-needle aspiration during endoscopic ultrasound. Patients with probable type 1 AIP were identified based on imaging findings, clinical and/or radiologic responses to steroids, level of serum immunoglobulin G4, and involvement of other organs. Patients with probable type 2 AIP were identified based on imaging findings, clinical and/or radiologic responses to steroids, and association with IBD. The primary objective was to collect information on the characteristics of AIP in patients with IBD. We also compared features of patients with IBD with and without AIP in a case-control analysis, using multivariate analysis.RESULTS:We analyzed data from 91 individuals with AIP and IBD (47 women) seen at 23 centers (58 had ulcerative colitis [UC] and 33 Crohn's disease [CD]). Eighty-nine patients had type 2 AIP, and 2 patients had type 1 AIP. The mean age at diagnosis of AIP was 35 ± 12 years, and for IBD it was 32 ± 12 years. AIP preceded IBD in 19 patients (21%). Over a mean follow-up period of 5.7 ± 4.9 years, 31 patients (34%) relapsed, 11 patients (12%) developed diabetes, and 17 patients (19%) developed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In patients with UC, factors independently associated with AIP included proctitis (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-6.3; P = .007) and colectomy (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 2.5-20; P = .0003). In patients with CD, AIP was significantly associated with fewer perianal lesions (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.77; P = .023), non-stricturing non-penetrating CD (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.25-33.3; P = .0029), and higher rate of colectomy (OR, 27.8; 95% CI, 3.6-217; P = .0029).CONCLUSIONS:In a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with AIP and IBD, followed for an average of 5.7 ± 4.9 years, we found most to have type 2 AIP. Two-thirds of patients have UC, often with proctitis. One-third of patients have CD, often with inflammatory features. Patients with IBD and AIP have higher rates of colectomy than patients with just IBD.

To describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients with microscopic colitis (MC; lymphocytic (LC) or collagenous (CC) colitis) and to compare them with patients with functional bowel disorder with diarrhea (FBD-D).Between September 2010 and June 2012, patients fulfilling the following inclusion criteria were prospectively included in 26 centers in France: (i) having at least three bowel movements daily with change in stool consistency; (ii) duration of abnormal bowel habit4 weeks; and (iii) normal or near-normal colonoscopy. Each patient underwent a colonoscopy and colonic biopsies. We compared the demographic, clinical, biological, and etiological characteristic of patients with MC (CC and LC) with those of control patients with FBD-D.A total of 433 patients were included: 129 with MC (87 LC and 42 CC), 23 with another organic disease, and 278 with FDB-D, including patients with diarrhea and abdominal pain who met the criteria of Rome III (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea) and patients with functional diarrhea without abdominal pain. Logistic regression analysis identified the following independent predictors of MC: age50 years (odds ratio (OR)=3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.6-5.9), presence of nocturnal stools (OR=2, 95% CI=1.1-3.9), weight loss (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.3-4.7), duration of diarrhea12 months (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.1-3.5), recent introduction of new drugs (OR=3.7, 95% CI=2.1-6.6; P0.0001), and the presence of a known autoimmune disorder (OR=5.5, 95% CI=2.5-12).Age50 years, the presence of nocturnal stools, weight loss, the introduction of a new drug, and the presence of a known autoimmune disease increase the probability of MC and thus the indication for colonoscopy with biopsies.

Background Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Few data have been published on the impact of CAM on the quality of life (QOL). Aims The aim of the study was to describe CAM use in French patients with IBD, identify characteristics associated with CAM use, and assess the impact of CAM on the QOL. Methods We conducted an internet survey on CAM through the French IBD patient’s association website. Patients had to answer a questionnaire (LimeSurvey application) about sociodemography, IBD treatment, CAM type, socioeconomic data, and QOL using the Short IBD Questionnaire (SIBDQ). Patients noted the impact of CAM on their symptoms and on their QOL on a scale of 0–100. CAM users and nonusers were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results A total of 936 IBD patients responded and 767 (82.4%) filled up the whole questionnaire: 503 reported CAM use and 172 had never used. The types of CAM reported were diet-based (30.7%), body-based (25.1%), homeopathic or traditional medicine (19.6%), naturopathy (15.2%), and mind–body medicine (9.1%). The gastroenterologist was aware of CAM use in only 46% of patients. CAM users were more likely to have ulcerative colitis [odds ratio (OR)=1.78, P=0.018], clinical remission (OR=1.42, P=0.06), high level of education (OR=1.51, P=0.02), poor observance (OR=1.81, P=0.017), or to have terminated conventional treatment (OR=2.03, P=0.003). CAM users tend to have higher rates of SIBDQ scores, greater than 50 (OR=1.57, P=0.06). Improvement in symptoms and QOL was reported with all CAM types except mind medicine. Conclusion CAM use is widespread among IBD patients. CAM users report improvement in symptoms and QOL, but they tend to stop their conventional treatment. Better information about CAM might improve adherence to conventional treatment.

International audience; To investigate whether a diagnostic delay is associated with a poor outcome in Crohn's disease (CD).Medical and socioeconomic characteristics as well as medications and need for surgery of consecutive CD adults patients followed in three referral centers were prospectively recorded using an electronic database (Focus_MICIA (R)). A long diagnostic delay was defined by the upper quartile. We compared patients with long diagnostic delay to those with earlier diagnosis regarding the time to: (1) first intestinal surgery, (2) first use of immunosuppressants (IMSs), and (3) first use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy using the Kaplan-Meier test and the log-rank test.A total of 497 patients with CD (53.6 % women) were analyzed. Median diagnostic delay was 5 months (IQR 25-75 %: 2-13 months). Median follow-up was 9 years (IQR 4-16.2), and 148 (29.8 %) patients had major surgery. There were no significant differences between patients with late and early diagnosis regarding age at diagnosis, disease phenotype, need for IMS therapy, and need for anti-TNF therapy. Time to first major surgery was shorter in patients with late diagnosis (p = 0.05).In this large multicenter prospective cohort of French CD patients, a long diagnostic delay (> 13 months) increased the risk of early surgery. No associated factors could be identified in this study.

Mucosal healing (MH) with thiopurines has been poorly investigated in ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to assess MH rate in UC patients treated with thiopurine monotherapy. We retrospectively collected all UC patients treated with thiopurines more than 6 months who have undergone colonoscopy at baseline and after at least 6 months of treatment. Patients were recruited from January 2005 to May 2015 through a personal database and/or standardized hospital inpatient diagnostic dataset. Patients were excluded in case of any use of other immunomodulator or biological agent. MH was defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore ≤1 and UCEIS ≤ 2. Histological healing (HH) was defined by the absence of epithelial polynuclear infiltrate, cryptic abscesses, or ulcerations. Eighty patients (31 women, median age 43 [IQR 32–58]) were included. Median disease duration was 10.5 [6–16] years. At baseline, median full Mayo score, endoscopic subscore, and UCEIS were 8 [6.8–10], 3 [2–3], and 5 [3–6], respectively. MH was first assessed after a mean follow-up of 38 ± 31 months. Median full Mayo score, endoscopic subscore, and UCEIS decreased to 3.5 [1–6], 2 [0–2.2], and 2 [0–4], respectively. MH was achieved in 43.7%, HH in 38%. In multivariate analysis, predictors of MH were thiopurine exposure duration ≥2 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.9, CI 95% (1.1–7.6), p = 0.03] and a prior acute severe colitis [OR 5.9, CI 95% (1.1–32), p = 0.04]. Factors associated with MH during treatment were partial Mayo score ≤2 (NPV = 100%), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (NPV = 75%), and MCV ≥ 95 fL (NPV = 73%). In UC, thiopurine monotherapy is associated with MH in 43.7% and HH in 38%.

Aim: to describe the characteristics of incident cases of tuberculosis [TB] despite negative TB screening tests, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] undergoing anti-TNF treatment, and to identify the risk factors involved. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at GETAID centers on all IBD patients undergoing anti-TNF treatment who developed TB even though their initial screening test results were negative. The following data were collected using a standardized anonymous questionnaire: IBD, and TB characteristics and evolution, initial screening methods and results, and time before anti-TNF treatment was restarted. Results: A total of 44 IBD patients [including 23 men; median age 37 years] were identified at 20 French and Swiss centers at which TB screening was performed [before starting anti-TNF treatment] based on Tuberculin Skin Tests [ n = 25], Interferon Gamma Release Assays [ n = 12], or both [ n = 7]. The median interval from the start of anti-TNF treatment to TB diagnosis was 14.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] 25–75: 4.9–43.3). Pulmonary TB involvement was observed in 25 [57%] patients, and 40 [91%] had at least one extrapulmonary location. One TB patient died as the result of cardiac tamponade. Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure was thought to be a possible cause of TB in 14 cases [32%]: 7 patients [including 6 health care workers] were exposed to occupational risks, and 7 had travelled to endemic countries. Biotherapy was restarted on 27 patients after a median period of 11.2 months [IQR 25–75: 4.4–15.2] after TB diagnosis without any recurrence of the infection. Conclusion: Tuberculosis can occur in IBD patients undergoing anti-TNF treatment, even if their initial screening results were negative. In the present population, TB was mostly extrapulmonary and disseminated. TB screening tests should be repeated on people exposed to occupational risks and/or travelers to endemic countries. Restarting anti-TNF treatment seems to be safe. * Abbreviations: : CD : Crohn’s disease GETAID : Groupe d’etudes et therapeutiques des affections inflammatoires du tube digestif IBD : inflammatory bowel disease IGRA : Interferon Gamma Release Assay IQR : interquartile range TB : tuberculosis UC : ulcerative colitis.

Background: Little is known in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) regarding risk factors for psychological distress. The aim of this work was to study the disease characteristics and socioeconomic factors associated with anxiety and depression in IBD. Methods: From December 2008 to June 2009, 1663 patients with IBD (1450 were members of the Association Francois Aupetit, French association of IBD patients) answered a questionnaire about psychological and socioeconomic factors and adherence to treatment. In this study we focused the analysis on the characteristics of IBD (type, location, severity, treatment) and socioeconomic factors (professional, educational, and marital status and Evaluation of Precarity and Inequalities in Health Examination Centers [EPICES] score of socioeconomic deprivation; score established in medical centers in France; http://www.cetaf.asso.fr) associated with depression and anxiety. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Comparison between groups according to the existence of depression or anxiety was carried out using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: In all, 181 patients (11%) were depressed; 689 patients (41%) were anxious. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with anxiety were: severe disease (P = 0.04), flares (P = 0.05), nonadherence to treatment (P = 0.03), disabled or unemployed status (P = 0.002), and socioeconomic deprivation (P < 0.0001). Factors associated with depression were: age (P = 0.004), flares (P = 0.03), disabled or unemployed status (P = 0.03), and socioeconomic deprivation (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: In this large cohort of IBD patients, risk factors for anxiety and depression were severe and active disease and socioeconomic deprivation. Psychological interventions would be useful when these factors are identified. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;)

Summary Background and objective Mortality of upper gastrointestinal bleeding seems declining. Whether practice guidelines for the management of peptic ulcer bleeding are followed is unknown. We aimed to update epidemiology of peptic ulcer bleeding and to assess the adherence to guidelines in the French community. Methods Between March, 2005 and February, 2006, a prospective multicenter study was conducted including all patients with communautary upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Data from patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were extracted and analyzed. Results Out of 3203 analyzable patients included, 1140 (35.6%) had a peptic ulcer bleeding and 965 of them a duodenal and/or gastric ulcer. Seven hundred and thirty-five were male (64.5%) and mean age was 66.4 years (±18.8). Overall, 699 patients (61.3%) were taking medication inducing upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Two-hundred and sixty-eight (23.5%) patients had endoscopic therapy, 190 (70.9%) of whom had epinephrine injection alone. Among the 349 patients with high risk stigmata on endoscopy (Forrest IA, IB, IIA), 209 (59.9%) underwent endoscopic therapy. One thousand one hundred and seven patients (97.1%) were given proton-pump inhibitors. One hundred and thirty-four patients (11.8%) experienced haemorrhagic recurrence. Forty-eight patients (4.2%) underwent surgery and 61 (5.4%) died. Conclusions Consistently with previous studies, mortality of upper gastrointestinal bleeding seems declining. Further progress lies above all in prevention but also probably in better adherence to therapeutic guidelines and management of comorbidities.

Background & Aims Little is known about the magnitude of the risk of anal and rectal cancer in patients with anal and/or perineal Crohn's disease. We aimed to assess the risk of anal and rectal cancer in patients with Crohn's perianal disease followed up in the Cancers Et Surrisque Associe aux Maladies Inflammatoires Intestinales En France (CESAME) cohort. Methods We collected data from 19,486 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) enrolled in the observational CESAME study in France, from May 2004 through June 2005; 14.9% of participants had past or current anal and/or perianal Crohn's disease. Subjects were followed up for a median time of 35 months (interquartile range, 29–40 mo). To identify risk factors for anal cancer in the total CESAME population, we performed a case-control study in which participants were matched for age and sex. Results Among the total IBD population, 8 patients developed anal cancer and 14 patients developed rectal cancer. In the subgroup of 2911 patients with past or current anal and/or perianal Crohn's lesions at cohort entry, 2 developed anal squamous-cell carcinoma, 3 developed perianal fistula–related adenocarcinoma, and 6 developed rectal cancer. The corresponding incidence rates were 0.26 per 1000 patient-years for anal squamous-cell carcinoma, 0.38 per 1000 patient-years for perianal fistula–related adenocarcinoma, and 0.77 per 1000 patient-years for rectal cancer. Among the 16,575 patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease without anal or perianal lesions, the incidence rate of anal cancer was 0.08 per 1000 patient-years and of rectal cancer was 0.21 per 1000 patient-years. Among factors tested by univariate conditional regression (IBD subtype, disease duration, exposure to immune-suppressive therapy, presence of past or current anal and/or perianal lesions), the presence of past or current anal and/or perianal lesions at cohort entry was the only factor significantly associated with development of anal cancer (odds ratio, 11.2; 95% CI, 1.18-551.51; P = .03). Conclusions In an analysis of data from the CESAME cohort in France, patients with anal and/or perianal Crohn's disease have a high risk of anal cancer, including perianal fistula–related cancer, and a high risk of rectal cancer.

Summary Iron-deficiency anemia remains unexplained after upper and lower endoscopies in about 35% of the cases. Association between iron-deficiency anemia and atrophic gastritis has been recognized for many years. As early as 1993, well-documented clinical cases, mainly of children and adolescents, have shown that iron-deficiency anemia (in particular, iron-resistant anemia) could be corrected by eradication of Helicobacter pylori, even without associated iron supplementation. It seems that the main mechanism is iron malabsorption. Indeed, absorption of iron necessitates a reduction of the ferric to ferrous form, which is dependent upon the pH of gastric juice and ascorbic acid. Recent studies have shown that patients with an association of pangastritis (inflammatory rather than atrophic) and unexplained iron-deficiency anemia had increased intragastric pH and lower intragastric and plasma levels of ascorbic acid compared to patients with unexplained iron-deficiency anemia without H. pylori-associated gastritis and patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis but without anemia. Based on the available evidence, testing and treatment of persons with pangrastritis and unexplained iron-deficiency anemia for H. pylori infection was recommended by the experts at the latest Maastricht III European consensus conference.

Liver disease is exceptional in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The most common manifestation, sclerosing cholangitis, characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the intra- and\or extrahepatic bile ducts, is unusual in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Conversely, inflammatory bowel disease (mainly chronic ulcerative colitis) is not infrequent in patients with sclerosing cholangitis. Gallstone disease, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatic abscesses are complications directly related to inflammatory bowel disease. Drugs prescribed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease can be the cause of rare but potentially serious hepatic manifestations which must be recognized and detected early. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of purine analogues in the development of nodular regenerative hyperplasia. Because of the poor prognosis, patients taking purine analogues should be monitored regularly to search for inaugural signs such as an elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase or low platelet counts (which may not necessarily reach thrombopenia). The risk of methotrexate-induced fibrosis is exceptional in inflammatory bowel disease. Patients should be monitored with non-invasive tests to recognize the development of fibrosis. Finally, because of the risk of viral reactivation, patients should be screened for hepatitis B virus surface antigen before introducing infliximab; chronic carriers should be given preventive treatment with nucleoside or nucleotide analogues.

Background: Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with poor health. The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of deprivation in the characteristics and comparisons of deprived and nondeprived Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Methods: CD patients were prospectively recruited from September 2006 to June 2007 in 6 hospitals in the Paris area. To assess the level of deprivation we used the EPICES score (Evaluation of Precarity and Inequalities in Health Examination Centers; http://www.cetaf.asso.fr), a validated individual index of deprivation developed in France, a score >30 defining deprivation. We defined CD as severe when at least 1 of the conventionally predefined criteria of clinical severity was present. Results: In all, 207 patients (128 women and 79 men, mean age 40 years) were included and had a median score of deprivation of 20.7 (0–100). Seventy-three (35%) were deprived. There were no statistical differences between deprived and nondeprived patients for the following parameters: 1) mean age: 39 ± 14.6 versus 40.6 ± 13.5, P = 0.4; 2) sex ratio (female/male): 87/47 (65%) versus 41/32 (56%), P = 0.2; 3) duration of disease (years) 9 ± 8.8 versus 8.5 ± 7.2, P = 0.7; 4) delay from onset of symptoms to diagnosis >1 year: 22/115 (19%) versus 13/63 (21%), P = 0.8; and 5) severity of disease 71% versus 70% (P = 0.9). Nondeprived patients had a lower rate of hospitalization (40 versus 56%, P = 0,04) and a higher rate of surgery (44 versus 22%, P = 0,004); the rate of surgery was only identified by logistic regression. Conclusions: In this study deprivation does not seem to influence the severity of CD. This can be explained by easy access to healthcare in France. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008)

To evaluate long-term follow-up and predictors of relapse of anemia in a cohort of 102 very elderly patients previously explored for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).One hundred and two patients [61 women and 41 men, mean age 82+/-5.8 y (75 to 98)] explored for IDA were prospectively followed up from inclusion (June 2003 to May 2005) until death or May 2006. Survival rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Predictors of recurrence of anemia were identified by multivariate analysis in the 4 following subgroups: unexplained IDA (subgroup 1, n=27), benign lesion (subgroup 2, n=37), cancer treated curatively (subgroup 3, n=28), cancers treated palliatively (subgroup 4, n=10).Median follow-up was 20 months. At baseline, main clinical and laboratory data were not significantly different in the 4 subgroups, especially as regards severe comorbidities. Thirty-three patients died, 10 (30%) of them in the first month. Ten (100%) belonged to subgroup 4 versus, respectively, n=7 (26%), n=8 (22%), and n=8 (29%) of patients from subgroups 1, 2, and 3 (P0.001). No death was directly related to recurrence of anemia. Survival rate at 1 year was 10% in subgroup 4, significantly lower than the other 3 subgroups (subgroup 1: 84%; subgroup 2: 86%; subgroup 3: 78%; log-rank test, P0.0001). Anemia recurred in 18 cases, and required red cell transfusion in 13 cases. Predictive factors of recurrence of anemia [odds ratio (confidence interval 95%), P] were cancers treated palliatively [14.9 (3-72), P0.01] and angiodysplasias [4.5 (1.1-18.2), 0.035].In a cohort of very elderly patients explored for IDA, the mortality rate and the long-term survival were not different for patients with IDA related to a cancer treated curatively than those with unexplained IDA and those with IDA related to a benign lesion. Angiodysplasias and cancers treated palliatively were associated with recurrence of anemia. These results suggest interventionist strategies (including endoscopic investigation and appropriate surgery) for elderly patients with IDA.

L’etiologie de la maladie de Crohn est, jusqu’a present, inconnue et aucun traitement ne permet de guerir definitivement la maladie. L’histoire naturelle de la maladie de Crohn se caracterise par la recidive des symptomes y compris apres chirurgie. Certains scores cliniques et endoscopiques (score endoscopique de Rutgeerts apres chirurgie) pourraient permettre d’identifier des groupes a risque de rechute precoce. La strategie therapeutique differe selon qu’il s’agit d’une remission induite par traitement medical ou chirurgical. Apres remission induite par traitement medical, l’azathioprine a la dose de 2–2,5 mg/kg/jour est le traitement le plus efficace et presente des effets secondaires peu frequents et bien connus. En revanche, la mesalazine semble inefficace dans cette indication, tout au plus pourraitelle etre proposee chez les patients ayant une localisation ileale dont la remission a ete induite par un 5-ASA. En cas d’intolerance aux analogues des purines, le methotrexate a montre son efficacite pour maintenir une remission clinique au long cours. Plus recemment, les anticorps anti-TNF a (infliximab) se sont reveles efficaces a la fois pour induire mais aussi pour maintenir une remission clinique et endoscopique. Cependant, en raison de certains effets secondaires potentiellement graves, la prescription de ce traitement doit toujours etre vigilante. Apres remission induite par la chirurgie, la mesalazine permet une diminution moderee (de 13 %) du taux de rechute, comparee au placebo. Les antibiotiques (imidazoles) sont efficaces pour prolonger la remission induite par la chirurgie ; cependant, la frequence des effets secondaires ne permet pas leur prescription au long cours. Leur place ainsi que celle des probiotiques dans la strategie therapeutique necessite d’etre precisee. L’azathioprine semblerait efficace dans cette situation ; cependant, peu d’etudes sont actuellement disponibles. Quelle que soit la situation, l’arret du tabac est fondamental notamment apres chirurgie.

Aim : To evaluate clinical, biological and immunological features of patients with increased duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), and its relation to Helicobacter pylori (HP) and coeliac disease (CD). Methods : We have studied all patients accrued over a 4-year period with increased duodenal IELs. Those patients were recalled for biological and immunological evaluation and a second endoscopy. Results : Twenty-three from a total of 639 patients were identified and 17 of them were included in the study. The median duodenal IEL count was 59 per 100 epithelial cells. Twelve (71%) patients were HP+; eight of them received HP eradication. At the second endoscopy the duodenal IEL count was significantly lower 2 months after HP eradication (73 versus 28), while the IEL count was unchanged in those patients seronegative for HP (n = 5) or those in whom it was not eradicated (n = 4) (55 versus 55). No patient had coeliac antibodies, four expressed HLA-DQ2, lower than in the general population, and the prevalence of CD was 2% (12/639 patients). Conclusion : In some cases an increased duodenal IEL count may be due to an inappropriate host response to HP. HP screening and eradication should be considered before recommending a gluten-free diet.