Serum Anti-Spike Antibodies Are Not Affected by Immunosuppressants in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations Given to Brazilian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

This study aimed to evaluate humoral responses after vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with IBD enrolled in a tertiary outpatient unit were followed up between September 2021 and September 2022 via serial blood collection. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 were measured before administration and 1 and 6 months after the administration of two doses of different vaccination regimens. The results were compared with those of a healthy control group obtained during the same period. The mean pre-vaccination antibody titers were 452.0 and 93.3 AU/mL in the IBD (n = 42) and control (n = 89) groups, respectively. After two doses of the vaccine, the titers significantly increased in both groups (IBD, 8568.0 AU/mL; control, 7471.0 AU/mL; p < 0.001). One month after the second dose, no significant differences were observed between the two groups (p = 0.955). Significant differences between vaccination schemes in the IBD group were observed, with higher titers in those who received Pfizer, younger patients (p < 0.005), and those with a previous coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection (p < 0.012). The use of immunosuppressants and immunobiologicals did not affect the overall humoral response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with IBD, but specific vaccine regimens, age, and previous coronavirus infection significantly did. This study reinforces the positive impact of booster doses and the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Fecal calprotectin as a noninvasive test to predict deep remission in patients with ulcerative colitis.

ABSTRACT: Mucosal healing (MH) has become a major target in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC). Because repeat endoscopy is expensive and invasive, we aimed to evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) as an alternative marker to predict MH in UC.Eighty patients with UC in clinical remission were consecutively included in a prospective observational study. FC was measured using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The colonic mucosa was assessed for endoscopic and histological measures of inflammatory status. Endoscopic and histological remission were defined according to the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) and Geboes score (GS), respectively. Deep remission was defined as a combination of the MES and GS. FC performance and cutoff values for identifying MH and deep remission were determined using contingency tables and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analysis.The median FC concentration in patients who met the criteria for deep remission (MES ≤1 and GS < 3.1) was 65.5 µg/g, while that in patients with disease activity was 389.6 µg/g (P = .025). A FC cutoff value of 100 µg/g, determined by the ROC analysis, resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 91.7% and 57.1%, respectively, for histological remission, and 82.4% and 60.9%, respectively, for deep mucosal remission. Positive correlations were detected between FC concentrations with the histologic (CC: 0.435; P < .001) and the combined endoscopic and histologic (CC: 0.413; P < .001) scores.FC can be used confidently as a noninvasive biomarker to predict deep remission in patients with UC in clinical remission when concentrations are below 100 µg/g.

Prevalence, Indirect Costs, and Risk Factors for Work Disability in Patients with Crohn's Disease at a Tertiary Care Center in Rio de Janeiro.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Crohn's disease (CD) can lead to work disability with social and economic impacts worldwide. In Brazil, where its prevalence is increasing, we assessed the indirect costs, prevalence, and risk factors for work disability in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in a tertiary care referral center of the state. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the database of the Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement. A subanalysis was performed with CD patients followed up at the tertiary care referral center using a prospective CD database, including clinical variables assessed as possible risk factors for work disability. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2018, the estimated prevalence of CD was 26.05 per 100,000 inhabitants, while the associated work disability was 16.6%, with indirect costs of US$ 8,562,195.86. Permanent disability occurred more frequently in those aged 40 to 49 years. In the referral center, the prevalence of work disability was 16.7%, with a mean interval of 3 years between diagnosis and the first benefit. Risk factors for absence from work were predominantly abdominal surgery, anovaginal fistulas, disease duration, and the A2 profile of the Montreal classification. CONCLUSIONS: In Rio de Janeiro, work disability affects one-sixth of CD patients, and risk factors are associated with disease duration and complications. In the context of increasing prevalence, as this disability compromises young patients after a relatively short period of disease, the socioeconomic burden of CD is expected to increase in the future.

Current management of spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess in Crohn's disease / Tratamento atual de abscesso intra-abdominal espontâneo na doença de Crohn

ABSTRACT Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic transmural disease process with approximately 10% of patients developing spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess during the first 5 years after the diagnosis. The symptoms are often nonspecific. The treatment modalities include the use of wide-spectrum antibiotics, imaging-guided percutaneous drainage (PD) and surgical drainage with or without resection. The best initial treatment strategy has not been settled controversial, as there are only retrospective studies with small sample sizes available in the literature. The majority of the patients would eventually need surgery. However a highly selected patient population with small abscess in the absence of fistulas or bowel strictures, especially those naive to immunomodulators or biologics, may respond to medical treatment alone with wide-spectrum antibiotics. The increased use of PD drainage in the last few years has been shown to reduce postoperative morbidities and risk of fecal diversion, allowing for subsequent elective surgery. Varied success rates of PD drainage have been reported in the literature. The initial surgical intervention of CD-related spontaneous abdominal sepsis is mandatory in patients with diffuse peritonitis due to free perforation. Surgery is also indicated in those with failed initial medical treatment and/or PD. This review article was aimed to evaluate the treatment modalities for spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess in CD patients and propose an algorithm for the best management of this complication.

RESUMO A doença de Crohn (DC) é um processo patológico transmural crônico, em que aproximadamente 10% dos pacientes desenvolvem um abscesso intra-abdominal espontâneo durante os primeiros 5 anos após o diagnóstico. Com frequência os sintomas são inespecíficos. As modalidades terapêuticas são o uso de antibióticos de amplo espectro, drenagem percutânea (DP) orientada por imagem, e drenagem cirúrgica com ou sem ressecção. A melhor estratégia terapêutica inicial ainda não ficou estabelecida e há controvérsias, visto que a literatura conta apenas com estudos retrospectivos com pequenas amostras. Em sua maioria, os pacientes acabarão necessitando de cirurgia. Mas uma população altamente selecionada de pacientes, com pequeno abscesso na ausência de fístulas ou constrições intestinais, especialmente aqueles que jamais foram medicados com imunomoduladores ou agentes biológicos, podem responder exclusivamente ao tratamento clínico com antibióticos de amplo espectro. Foi demonstrado que o uso mais frequente da DP nos últimos anos diminui as morbidades pós-operatórias e o risco de desvio fecal, o que possibilita uma subsequente cirurgia eletiva. Na literatura, têm sido relatados percentuais de sucesso variados com a DP. A intervenção cirúrgica inicial para a sepse abdominal espontânea relacionada à DC é obrigatória em pacientes com peritonite difusa, devido à perfuração livre. Também há indicação cirúrgica naqueles pacientes que não conseguiram obter sucesso com o tratamento clínico inicial e/ou DP. Esse artigo de revisão teve por objetivo avaliar as modalidades terapêuticas para o abscesso intra-abdominal espontâneo em pacientes com DC; além disso, propõe um algoritmo para o melhor tratamento dessa complicação.

The socio-economic impact of work disability due to inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might have economic and social impacts in Brazil, where its prevalence has increased recently. This study aimed to assess disability due to IBD in the Brazilian population and demographic factors potentially associated with absence from work. METHODS: Analysis was performed using the computerized Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement, for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Additional data were obtained from the platform, including the average values, benefit duration, age, gender and region of the country. RESULTS: Temporary disability occurred more frequently with UC, whereas permanent disability was more frequent with CD. Temporary disability affected more younger patients with CD than patients with UC. Temporary work absences due to UC and CD were greater in the South, and the lowest absence rates due to CD were noted in the North and Northeast. Absence from work was longer (extending for nearly a year) in patients with CD compared to those with UC. The rates of temporary and permanent disability were greater among women. Permanent disability rates were higher in the South (UC) and Southeast (CD). The value of benefits paid for IBD represented approximately 1% of all social security benefits. The benefits paid for CD were higher than for UC, whereas both tended to decrease from 2010 to 2014. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, IBD frequently causes disability for prolonged periods and contributes to early retirement. Reduction trends may reflect improvements in access to health care and medication. Vocational rehabilitation programs may positively impact social security and the patients' quality of life.

Inflammatory bowel disease: outpatient treatment profile / Doença inflamatória intestinal: perfil do paciente em tratamento ambulatorial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease. The incidence and prevalence of both conditions have increased and are progressively increasing. These diseases are frequently recurrent and clinically highly severe. In Brazil, the lack of epidemiological data related to such diseases has left these patients in a vulnerable state and contributed to increased morbidity. OBJECTIVE To describe the profiles of patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated in an outpatient service in Brazil. METHODS This descriptive, exploratory, and retrospective documentary study with a quantitative approach was performed in an outpatient treatment service for inflammatory bowel disease, at a university polyclinic located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May to July 2016. The study included 556 patients and was approved by the research ethics committee of the institution (CAAE no. 55179316.6.0000.5259/2016). RESULTS The data showed a high prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in white female patients. Crohn’s disease was diagnosed in more patients than was ulcerative colitis; the ileocolon was the most commonly affected location in patients with Crohn’s disease. The stenotic phenotype was prevalent in patients with Crohn’s disease. CONCLUSION The prevalence of the stenotic phenotype in Crohn’s disease in relation to others demonstrates the need for further investigations in this field of study in Brazil. In conclusion, the data showed that the epidemiologic profile of the study population is similar to that published in the national and international literature.

RESUMO CONTEXTO A Doença de Crohn e a retocolite ulcerativa idiopática são as duas principais formas de doença inflamatória intestinal e possuem crescente incidência e prevalência, tendem a ser progressivas, cursam com recidivas frequentes e assumem formas clínicas de alta gravidade. No Brasil a escassez de dados epidemiológicos relacionados a tais agravos deixa essas pessoas em estado de vulnerabilidade e contribui para o aumento da morbidade. OBJETIVO Descrever o perfil dos pacientes portadores de doença inflamatória intestinal atendidos em um ambulatório de doenças inflamatórias intestinais do estado do Rio de Janeiro. MÉTODOS Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental retrospectiva, exploratória, descritiva em abordagem quantitativa, realizada de maio a julho de 2016, em uma policlínica universitária, localizada no Rio de Janeiro, em ambulatório de tratamento de doenças inflamatórias intestinais. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da instituição CAAE: 55179316.6.0000.5259 /2016, e contou com 556 participantes. RESULTADOS Os dados revelam um predomínio das doenças inflamatórias intestinais, nos pacientes do sexo feminino, de cor branca. A doença de Crohn foi diagnosticada em um maior número de indivíduos em relação a retocolite ulcerativa idiopática. Os dados do perfil de localização intestinal mostram a região ileocolônica como mais afetada na doença de Crohn. Foi evidenciado predomínio do fenótipo estenosante na doença de Crohn. CONCLUSÃO O predomínio do fenótipo estenosante na doença de Crohn, evidencia a necessidade de estudos aprofundados sobre a temática no Brasil. No mais, os dados obtidos demonstram um perfil epidemiológico da população semelhante ao divulgado em estudos nacionais e internacionais.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROFILE.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease. The incidence and prevalence of both conditions have increased and are progressively increasing. These diseases are frequently recurrent and clinically highly severe. In Brazil, the lack of epidemiological data related to such diseases has left these patients in a vulnerable state and contributed to increased morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To describe the profiles of patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated in an outpatient service in Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive, exploratory, and retrospective documentary study with a quantitative approach was performed in an outpatient treatment service for inflammatory bowel disease, at a university polyclinic located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May to July 2016. The study included 556 patients and was approved by the research ethics committee of the institution (CAAE no. 55179316.6.0000.5259/2016). RESULTS: The data showed a high prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in white female patients. Crohn's disease was diagnosed in more patients than was ulcerative colitis; the ileocolon was the most commonly affected location in patients with Crohn's disease. The stenotic phenotype was prevalent in patients with Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the stenotic phenotype in Crohn's disease in relation to others demonstrates the need for further investigations in this field of study in Brazil. In conclusion, the data showed that the epidemiologic profile of the study population is similar to that published in the national and international literature.

Analysis of mutations in TP53, APC, K-ras, and DCC genes in the non-dysplastic mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) have a high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). To understand the molecular basis of colitis-associated CRC, we analyzed alterations in TP53, APC, K-ras, and DCC genes in the non-dysplastic UC and CD colon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopic biopsies were collected from six predefined colon sites of 35 UC and 12 CD patients for DNA extraction and genetic analysis. RESULTS: A mutation was found in codon 1141 of the APC gene of two CD patients, being somatic in one and germinative in the other. The mutation seen in both patients was a base exchange of thymine for cytosine, resulting in an exchange of leucine for serine. We did not detect any mutations in the other samples analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in APC gene may occur in the non-dysplastic CD mucosa of patients with disease for more than 10 years. The follow-up of these patients will show the likelihood of mutant APC progressing to CRC in CD. Further analysis will be required for evaluating the impact of these findings in the context of cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease.

Índice elevado de CPOD em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal / Elevated DMFT index in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a presença de lesões cariosas, restauradas, elementos perdidos por cárie (CPOD) e a condição da mucosa oral em pacientes com Doença Inflamatória Intestinal e compará-los com pacientes saudáveis sistemicamente. Foram examinados 99 pacientes com Doença de Crohn (DC), 80 com Colite Ulcerativa (UC) e 74 controles (C). No exame clínico, foram registrados o índice CPOD, o índice de placa e a presença de lesões no tecido mole oral. A idade média, em anos, foi de 38,99 (DP± 12,90); 43,33 (DP ± 13,21) e 40,28 (DP ± 12,87) para os grupos DC, UC e C, respectivamente. Houve aumento significante na prevalência do índice de CPOD no grupo DC (p = 0,016) e UC (<0,0001), quando comparado ao C. A porcentagem de placa foi menor no grupo DC 44,04 (DP± 30,49) que no C 54,10 (DP ±26,4), p= 0,017, mas não houve diferença entre UC e C. Com relação ao número total de lesões orais, foi observada diferença significante entre os grupos DC (p= 0.041) e UC (p= <0.0001) e o grupo C, sendo a pioestomatite a lesão significantemente diferente entre esses grupos. Assim, conclui-se que, quando as doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DC e UC) são avaliadas separadamente, elevado índice de CPOD foi observado em relação ao grupo de controle; e pacientes com comprometimento intestinal apresentam mais lesões bucais que os pacientes do grupo de controle, sendo que, quando as lesões são observadas separadamente, a pioestomatite vegetante é a única que se mostra significantemente prevalente naqueles grupos.

Prevalence of periodontitis and DMFT index in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To compare the prevalence of periodontal disease and the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) with those without these diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-nine CD (39.0 SD+/-12.9 years), 80 UC (43.3 SD+/-13.2) and 74 healthy controls (40.3 SD+/-12.9) were compared for DMFT index and presence of periodontitis. Probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque and DMFT index were measured on all subjects. The presence of periodontitis was defined as having CAL > or =3 mm in at least four sites in different teeth. RESULTS: Significantly more patients with UC (90.0%; p<0.001) and CD (81.8%; p=0.03) had periodontitis than controls (67.6%). Among smokers, UC patients had significantly more periodontitis. CD had a greater mean DMFT score (18.7 versus 13.9; p=0.031) compared with controls and UC had greater median PPD (2.2 versus 1.7 mm; p<0.0001) than controls. Among non-smokers, CD (2.4 mm; p<0.0001) and UC showed deeper pockets (2.3 mm; p<0.0001) compared with controls (1.5 mm). UC had a greater mean DMFT score (15.3 versus 12.1; p=0.037) compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: CD and UC patients had higher DMFT and prevalence of periodontitis than controls, but smoking was an effect modifier.

Prevalência de periodontite em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal / Prevalence of periodontits in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de periodontite em pacientes com doenças inflamatórias intestinal (DII), e compará-los a pacientes saudáveis sistemicamente. Foram examinados 99 pacientes com Doença de Crohn (DC) (39 DP ± 12,9 anos), 80 com Retocolite Ulcerativa (RCUI) (43,3 ± 13,2 anos) e 74 no grupo controle (C ) (40,3 ± 12,9 anos). A condição periodontal foi avaliada através da placa visível, do sangramento à sondagem, da profundidade de sondagem (OS) e do nível clínico de inserção (NCI). Indivíduos que apresentavam pelo menos quatro sítios com NCI ≥ 3 mm foram considerados como portadores de periodontite. Havia mais pacientes com periodontite nos grupos RCUI (92,6%, p=0,004) e DC (91,9%, p=0,019), comparado ao grupo C (79,7%). O grupo com DC apresentava significativamente menos placa (p=0,017), menos sangramento à sondagem (p-0,038) e menos sítios com os ≥ 4mm (p=0,02) quando comparado ao grupo controle. Nenhuma relação de significância ocorreu nestes índices entre os grupos RCUI e C. Conclui-se que tanto os pacientes com DV quanto com RCUI apresentaram maior prevalência de periodontite do que o grupo controle.

Immunohistochemical study of intestinal eosinophils in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophil accumulation and activation are characteristic features of inflammation in allergic diseases and in host defense against parasites. GOALS: To investigate the involvement of eosinophils in inflamed and noninflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). STUDY: Specimens of inflamed colonic mucosa from 15 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflamed and noninflamed colonic mucosa from 15 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were submitted to histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Twelve patients with irritable bowel syndrome were studied as controls. Sirius red was used to label eosinophils in tissue. EG1, EG2, and anti-hIL-5 were used as primary antibodies in an indirect alkaline phosphatase-labeled immunostaining protocol. Both positive and negative lamina propria cells were assessed by a quantitative grading system and the results expressed as cell numbers per mm. RESULTS: Increased proportions of eosinophils stained with Sirius red, EG1, EG2, and anti-hIL-5+ cells were found in the colon of patients with UC and in inflamed and noninflamed colon of CD patients as compared with controls. Crohn's disease patients showed increased proportions of EG1+ and EG2+ cells as compared with those with UC. Increased proportions of IL-5+ cells were detected in UC patients as compared with those with CD. CONCLUSION: Quantitative eosinophil alterations and IL-5+ cells may indicate enhanced cellular activation with degranulation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of IBD. Increase in IL-5+ cells may reflect a predominant local Th2 response in UC as compared with CD.