Endoscopic and Histopathological Findings of the Esophagus, Stomach, and Duodenum in Patients with Crohn's Disease from a Reference Center in Bahia, Brazil.

(1) The aim of the present study was to describe the endoscopic and histopathological findings in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in patients with Crohn's disease. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients receiving treatment from the inflammatory bowel disease outpatient clinic. Esophagogastroduodenoscopies with biopsies of the stomach and proximal duodenum were performed. Presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria was assessed by Giemsa staining. (3) Results: We included 58 patients. Erosive esophagitis was identified in 25 patients (43.1%), gastritis was diagnosed in 32 patients (55.2%) and erosive duodenitis was found in eight (13.8%). The most frequent histopathological finding in the H. pylori-positive group was increased inflammatory activity in the gastric body and antrum, with a predominance of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells. In turn, the most frequent finding in the H. pylori-negative group was chronic inflammation with predominance of mononuclear cells. Focally enhanced gastritis was identified in four patients (6.9%), all of whom were negative for H. pylori. Granulomas were not observed. H. pylori infection was present in 19 patients (32.8%). (4) Conclusions: Nonspecific endoscopic and histological findings were frequent in patients with Crohn's disease. Focally enhanced gastritis was uncommon and observed only in H. pylori-negative patients. The time from the diagnosis, patient age, and therapy in use may have influenced the nondetection of epithelioid granuloma.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE CARE IN BRAZIL: HOW IT IS PERFORMED, OBSTACLES AND DEMANDS FROM THE PHYSICIANS' PERSPECTIVE.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory affections of recurrent nature whose incidence and prevalence rates have increased, including in Brazil. In long term, they are responsible for structural damage that impacts quality of life, morbidity and mortality of patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of physicians who treat IBD patients as well as the characteristics of IBD care, unmet demands and difficulties. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 17 items was prepared and sent to 286 physicians from 101 Brazilian cities across 21 states and the Federal District, selected from the register of the State Commission of the "Study Group of Inflammatory Bowel Disease of Brazil" (GEDIIB). RESULTS: The majority of the physicians who answered the questionnaire were gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons. More than 60% had up to 20 years of experience in the specialty and 53.14% worked at three or more locations. Difficulties in accessing or releasing medicines were evident in this questionnaire, as was referrals to allied healthy professionals working in IBD-related fields. More than 75% of physicians reported difficulties in performing double-balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy, and 67.8% reported difficulties in measuring calprotectin. With regard to the number of patients seen by each physician, it was shown that patients do not concentrate under the responsibility of few doctors. Infliximab and adalimumab were the most commonly used biological medicines and there was a higher prescription of 5-ASA derivatives for ulcerative colitis than for Crohn's disease. Steroids were prescribed to a smaller proportion of patients in both diseases. The topics "biological therapy failure" and "new drugs" were reported as those with higher priority for discussion in medical congresses. In relation to possible differences among the country's regions, physicians from the North region reported greater difficulty in accessing complementary exams while those from the Northeast region indicated greater difficulty in accessing or releasing medicines. CONCLUSION: The data obtained through this study demonstrate the profile of specialized medical care in IBD and are a useful tool for the implementation of government policies and for the Brazilian society as a whole.

Atendimento da doença inflamatória intestinal no Brasil: como é feito, os entraves e as demandas sob a ótica dos médicos / Inflammatory bowel disease care in brazil: how it is performed, obstacles and demands from the physicians' perspective

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory affections of recurrent nature whose incidence and prevalence rates have increased, including in Brazil. In long term, they are responsible for structural damage that impacts quality of life, morbidity and mortality of patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of physicians who treat IBD patients as well as the characteristics of IBD care, unmet demands and difficulties. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 17 items was prepared and sent to 286 physicians from 101 Brazilian cities across 21 states and the Federal District, selected from the register of the State Commission of the "Study Group of Inflammatory Bowel Disease of Brazil" (GEDIIB). RESULTS: The majority of the physicians who answered the questionnaire were gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons. More than 60% had up to 20 years of experience in the specialty and 53.14% worked at three or more locations. Difficulties in accessing or releasing medicines were evident in this questionnaire, as was referrals to allied healthy professionals working in IBD-related fields. More than 75% of physicians reported difficulties in performing double-balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy, and 67.8% reported difficulties in measuring calprotectin. With regard to the number of patients seen by each physician, it was shown that patients do not concentrate under the responsibility of few doctors. Infliximab and adalimumab were the most commonly used biological medicines and there was a higher prescription of 5-ASA derivatives for ulcerative colitis than for Crohn's disease. Steroids were prescribed to a smaller proportion of patients in both diseases. The topics "biological therapy failure" and "new drugs" were reported as those with higher priority for discussion in medical congresses. In relation to possible differences among the country's regions, physicians from the North region reported greater difficulty in accessing complementary exams while those from the Northeast region indicated greater difficulty in accessing or releasing medicines. CONCLUSION: The data obtained through this study demonstrate the profile of specialized medical care in IBD and are a useful tool for the implementation of government policies and for the Brazilian society as a whole.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: As doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII) são afecções inflamatórias crônicas de caráter recorrente, cujas taxas de incidência e prevalência têm aumentado, inclusive no Brasil. A longo prazo, são responsáveis por danos estruturais que impactam na qualidade de vida, morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil dos médicos que atendem pacientes com DII, assim como as características deste atendimento, demandas não atendidas e dificuldades. MÉTODOS: Um questionário contendo 17 variáveis foi elaborado e enviado para médicos, selecionados a partir do cadastro da Comissão das Estaduais do Grupo de Estudos da Doença Inflamatória Intestinal do Brasil (GEDIIB), totalizando 286 médicos de 101 cidades brasileiras distribuídas por 21 estados e Distrito Federal. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos médicos que respondeu o questionário foram Gastroenterologistas e Coloproctologistas. Mais de 60% tinham até 20 anos de atuação na especialidade e 53,14% trabalhavam em três locais ou mais. A dificuldade no acesso ou liberação de medicamentos ficou evidenciada neste questionário, assim como a dificuldade no encaminhamento para profissionais não médicos que atuam em DII. Mais de 75% dos médicos relataram dificuldades para realização de enteroscopia por duplo balão e cápsula endoscópica, e 67,8% para realização da calprotectina. Em relação ao número de pacientes atendidos por cada médico, foi evidenciado que não há uma concentração de pacientes sob a responsabilidade de poucos médicos. O infliximabe e o adalimumabe foram os biológicos mais utilizados e ficou evidenciada prescrição maior de derivados de 5-ASA para retocolite ulcerativa quando comparada à doença de Crohn. Os corticoides foram prescritos para uma parcela menor de pacientes em ambas doenças. Os temas "falha a terapia biológica" e "novas drogas" foram referidos como aqueles com maior prioridade para discussão em eventos científicos. Em relação às possíveis diferenças entre cada região e o restante do país, os médicos da região Norte relataram maior dificuldade no acesso a exames complementares e os médicos da região Nordeste, maior dificuldade no acesso ou liberação de medicamentos. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos por meio deste estudo mostram o perfil do atendimento médico especializado em DII e podem se constituir em ferramenta útil para para elaboração de políticas governamentais e para sociedade brasileira como um todo.

Risk factors associated with inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter case-control study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown, but it is believed to be multifactorial. The hygiene hypothesis proposes that better hygiene conditions would lead to less infectious disease during childhood and favor the development of immune-mediated diseases. AIM: To test the hygiene hypothesis in IBD by assessing the environmental risk factors associated with IBD development in different regions of Brazil with diverse socioeconomic development indices. METHODS: A multicenter case-control study was carried out with 548 Crohn's disease (CD) and 492 ulcerative colitis (UC) outpatients and 416 healthy controls, from six IBD centers within different Brazilian states at diverse socioeconomic development stages. A semi-structured questionnaire with 87 socioeconomic and environmental questions was applied. Logistic regression model was created to assess the odds ratio (OR) with P value and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Predictive variables for both diseases (CD and UC) were women [odd ratios (OR) = 1.31; OR = 1.69], low monthly family income (OR = 1.78; OR = 1.57), lower number of cohabitants (OR = 1.70; OR = 1.60), absence of vaccination (OR = 3.11; OR = 2.51), previous history of bowel infections (OR = 1.78; OR = 1.49), and family history of IBD (OR = 5.26; OR = 3.33). Associated risk factors for CD were age (18-39 years) (OR = 1.73), higher educational level (OR = 2.22), absence of infectious childhood diseases (OR = 1.99). The UC predictive variables were living in an urban area (OR = 1.62), inadequate living conditions (OR = 1.48) and former smokers (OR = 3.36). Appendectomy was a risk factor for CD (OR = 1.58) with inverse association with UC (OR = 4.79). Consumption of treated and untreated water was associated with risk of CD (OR = 1.38) and UC (OR = 1.53), respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first examining environmental exposures as risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil. Most of the variables associated with disease risk support the role of the hygiene hypothesis in IBD development.

Manifestações do trato gastrointestinal superior em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal atendidos em serviço de referência em Salvador - BA / Upper gastrointestinal tract manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease patients from one reference service in Salvador - BA

Introdução: a Doença Inflamatória Intestinal (DII) se manifesta em duas principais formas: doença de Crohn (DC) e retocolite ulcerativa (RCU). O quadro clínico clássico da DII compreende dor abdominal, diarreia e perda ponderal. Além da apresentação habitual, os pacientes podem apresentar, no decorrer da doença, manifestações do trato gastrointestinal superior (TGS) como: dispepsia, dor epigástrica, plenitude pós-prandial, pirose, náuseas, regurgitação, aftas orais, vômitos, disfagia, odinofagia e hematêmese. Objetivo: descrever as manifestações do TGS em pacientes com DII em um centro de referência da Bahia. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado no período de julho de 2015 a agosto de 2016 no ambulatório de DII do Hospital Geral Roberto Santos (HGRS). A coleta de dados foi por um questionário objetivo e revisão de prontuários. Foram avaliadas variáveis do ponto de vista epidemiológico e clínico. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital Geral Roberto Santos. As variáveis foram analisadas utilizando o pacote estatístico SPSS versão 21.0. Resultados: foram incluídos 306 pacientes. O sexo feminino foi mais prevalente tanto na DC (63,1%) quanto na RCU (60,6%). Dos 306 pacientes analisados, 141 tinham diagnóstico de DC e 165 tinham diagnóstico de RCU. Da amostra total, 58,5% apresentaram alguma manifestação do TGS, sendo a frequência semelhante entre DC e RCU. Conclusões: mais da metade dos pacientes com DII apresentou pelo menos uma manifestação do TGS, sendo que as manifestações mais frequentes foram: pirose, dor epigástrica, dispepsia e plenitude pós-prandial. DC e RCU apresentaram frequências semelhantes dessas manifestações. Estes sintomas devem ser atentamente questionados, pois é fundamental o seu reconhecimento precoce para o manejo adequado.

Introduction: inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) manifests itself in two main forms: Crohns disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The classic clinical presentation of IBD includes abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. In addition to the usual presentation, patients may presente upper gastrointestinal tract (UGT) manifestations such as: dyspepsia, epigastric pain, postprandial fullness, heartburn, nausea, regurgitation, oral thrush, vomiting, dysphagia, odynophagia and hematemesis. Objective: to describe the manifestations of the UGT in patients with IBD at a reference center in Bahia. Methods: a cross-sectional study conducted from July 2015 to August 2016 at the Hospital Geral Roberto Santos (HGRS) - IBD unit. Data collection was made by an objective questionnaire and review of medical records. Variables from epidemiological and clinical point of view were evaluated. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the HGRS (Salvador - BA). Variables were analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 21.0. Results: we evaluated 306 patients. Female gender was more prevalent in both CD (63.1%) and UC (60.6%). Of the 306 patients analyzed, 141 had been diagnosed with CD and 167 with UC. Of the total sample, 58.5% had some manifestation of the UGT, being similar between CD and UC. Conclusion: more than half of patients with IBD presented at least one manifestation of the UGT, and the most frequent were: heartburn, epigastric pain, dyspepsia and postprandial fullness. CD and UC presented similar frequencies of these manifestations. These symptoms should be carefully questioned, as it is fundamental their early recognition for the adequate management of these patients.

Tuberculin skin testing in inflammatory bowel disease patients from an endemic area of Brazil

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder involving the gastrointestinal tract. Immunosuppressive drugs are usually prescribed to treat IBD patients, and this treatment can lead to tuberculosis reactivation. This paper aimed to analyze tuberculin skin test (TST) results in IBD patients at a reference center in Brazil. Methods: We evaluated TST results in IBD patients using a cross-sectional study. We also analyzed the medical records of patients treated at a reference IBD outpatient unit where TST is routinely performed. Results: We reviewed 119 medical records of 57 (47.9%) Crohn's disease (CD), 57 (47.9%) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 5 (4.2%) indeterminate colitis (IC) patients. The mean (SD) age was 43.5 (13.7) years old. TST was positive in 24 (20.2%) of the patients. TST was positive in 16/57 (28.1%) UC and 6/57 (10.5%) CD patients (prevalence ratio [PR] 2.7). Forty-one patients (34.5%) were taking immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine or prednisone) at the time of the TST, and six of these patients (14.6%) had positive test results. Two patients using infliximab had negative TST results. Thirty-five of the 41 patients (85.4%) on immunosuppressive treatment were anergic compared with 73.1% (57/78) of the untreated patients (PR 1.2). Conclusions: Patients with IBD have TST results similar to the general Brazilian population. Within the IBD population, CD patients have a lower frequency of TST positivity than UC patients. .

Tuberculin skin testing in inflammatory bowel disease patients from an endemic area of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder involving the gastrointestinal tract. Immunosuppressive drugs are usually prescribed to treat IBD patients, and this treatment can lead to tuberculosis reactivation. This paper aimed to analyze tuberculin skin test (TST) results in IBD patients at a reference center in Brazil. METHODS: We evaluated TST results in IBD patients using a cross-sectional study. We also analyzed the medical records of patients treated at a reference IBD outpatient unit where TST is routinely performed. RESULTS: We reviewed 119 medical records of 57 (47.9%) Crohn's disease (CD), 57 (47.9%) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 5 (4.2%) indeterminate colitis (IC) patients. The mean (SD) age was 43.5 (13.7) years old. TST was positive in 24 (20.2%) of the patients. TST was positive in 16/57 (28.1%) UC and 6/57 (10.5%) CD patients (prevalence ratio [PR] 2.7). Forty-one patients (34.5%) were taking immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine or prednisone) at the time of the TST, and six of these patients (14.6%) had positive test results. Two patients using infliximab had negative TST results. Thirty-five of the 41 patients (85.4%) on immunosuppressive treatment were anergic compared with 73.1% (57/78) of the untreated patients (PR 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD have TST results similar to the general Brazilian population. Within the IBD population, CD patients have a lower frequency of TST positivity than UC patients.

Polymorphisms of the cytokine genes TGFB1 and IL10 in a mixed-race population with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Most Crohn's disease (CD) genes discovered in recent years are associated with biological systems critical to the development of this disease. TGFB1 and IL10 are cytokines with important roles in CD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CD, its clinical features and TGFB1 and IL10 gene polymorphisms. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled 91 patients and 91 controls from the state of Bahia, Brazil. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied in the TGFB1 gene (codon 10 T > C--rs1800470; codon 25 G > C--rs1800471) and IL10 gene (-1082 A > G--rs1800896; -819 T > C--rs1800871; -592 A > C--rs1800872). An analysis of the genetic polymorphisms was performed using a commercial kit. A comparison of allele frequencies and genotypes was estimated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a confidence interval adjusted via the Bonferroni test for a local alpha of 1%. A stratified analysis was applied for gender, race and smoking history. Patients with CD were characterized according to the Montreal classification. RESULTS: The C allele and CC genotype of the TGFB1 gene rs1800470 were both significantly associated with CD. The stratified analysis showed no confounding factors for the co-variables of gender, race and smoking history. The IL10 gene rs1800896 G allele was significantly associated with age at diagnosis of CD, while the T allele of the IL10 gene rs1800871 was significantly associated with perianal disease. The SNPs rs1800871 and rs1800872 were in 100% linkage disequilibrium. CONCLUSIONS: TGFB1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with susceptibility to the development of CD, and IL10 gene polymorphisms appear to influence the CD phenotype in this admixed population.

Tolerância à sulfassalazina em pacientes com retocolite ulcerativa (RCUI) em Salvador-Bahia / Sulphasalazine tolerability in patients with ulcerative colitis in Salvador-Bahia

A sulfassalazina (SSZ) é amplamente utilizada para tratamento da retocolite ulcerativa idiopática. Estudos relatam frequência de efeitos colaterais em torno de 20-45%, os quais em geral são dose-dependentes e relacionados com altos n¡veis séricos de sulfapiridina, ocorrendo principalmente nos pacientes com baixa capacidade genética de acetilação hepática da medicação. Embora seja droga utilizada há muito tempo, a escassez de dados em nosso meio motivou a realização de um levantamento da tolerância desse medicamento em pacientes do Programa Estadual de Medicamentos de Alto Custo da Secretaria de Saúde da Bahia. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com avaliação de prontuários de pacientes em acompanhamento ambulatorial que fizeram uso de SSZ. Foram levantados dados epidemiológicos, dados sobre a extensão da doença, exames laboratoriais, dose, tempo de uso e suspensão da SSZ, relatos de queixas espontâneas dos pacientes com relação a eventos adversos gastrointestinais, hematológicos, dermatológicos, neurológicos e urinários. Resultados: Foram avaliados 100 pacientes com média de idade de 44,1 anos (13-87), sendo 73% do sexo feminino. Apresentaram efeitos colaterais 37% dos pacientes, havendo necessidade de suspensão da medicação em 47,4% (18/37) dos casos, redução da dose em 18,4% (7/37) e hospitalização em 7,8% (3/37). Os efeitos colaterais mais frequentes nos pacientes com colite distal, predominando cefaléia (11 %), epigastralgia (11 %) e náuseas em 9% dos pacientes. Conclusões: A frequência de eventos adversos foi semelhante … relatada em outros estudos, com baixa frequência de reações adversas graves. Não foi observada relação entre a frequência e gravidade dos efeitos colaterais e a extensão da doença.