Rate and Predictors of Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis Treated with Thiopurines: Results of a Multicentric Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: 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. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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%). CONCLUSIONS: In UC, thiopurine monotherapy is associated with MH in 43.7% and HH in 38%.

An unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in a hemodialysis patient.

Iron deficiency caused by gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common cause of anemia in hemodialysis patient. Herein, we report the case of an 89-year-old hemodialysis patient who presented with acute anemia and melena. Endoscopy found gastritis and diverticulosis without active bleeding. A capsule endoscopy (CE) was then performed and revealed multiple vascular lesions that lead to the diagnosis of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus syndrome (BRBNS). This rare disease is associated with multiple venous malformations in the skin and the GI tract, usually observed in children. The patient developed 4 months latter 2 skin lesions compatible with BRBNS. Treatment included blood transfusion and intravenous iron supplementation. We reported an unusual presentation of venous malformation BRBS which differs from angioectasia, in an adult hemodialysis patient. Overall prognosis is good.

[Acute pancreatitis after treatment by celecoxib]. / Pancréatite aiguë survenant après la prise de celecoxib.

Drug-induced pancreatitis injury due to celecoxib, a first generation Cox-2 inhibitor, has been rarely reported. We describe one case of severe pancreatitis after treatment with celecoxib for 3 months in a woman. No aetiology has been found for pancreatitis. The role of celecoxib in the etiology of colitis was considered probable. This report and a few other cases in the literature suggest to seek a pancreatitis in the event of pains abdominal when there is a catch of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug inhibitor.

Incidence and severity of non alcoholic and non biliary pancreatitis in a gastroenterology department.

AIMS: Etiological investigations proposed for patients with acute pancreatitis have been evolving considerably these past few years, significantly limiting the number of cases labeled idiopathic. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of non alcoholic non biliary pancreatitis and identify causes, comparing severity by etiology. PATIENT AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 108 patients managed from October 1996 to April 2005. Standar-dized extensive etiological investigations were performed. The following criteria of severity were recorded: peak CRP value, Ranson score, Balthazar score, duration of hospital stay and pseudocyst occurrence. RESULTS: The cause of acute pancreatitis was alcohol (N=45), gallstones (N=50), obstruction (N=10), unknown (N=10), drugs (N=9), auto-immunity (N=4), infections (N=3), post-operative (N=2), post-ERCP (N=2), trauma (N=1), hypertriglyceridemia (N=1), genetic (N=1). The main criteria of severity were significantly different between non alcoholic non biliary pancreatitis and the other causes (CRP>120 mg/L, Ranson score>3 and Balthazar score > or =D) while other criteria (pseudocyst occurrence and duration of hospitalisation) were similar. Mean peak CRP was 79.5 mg/L for the overall population and varied significantly by etiology: peak CRP for drug-induced acute pancreatitis (4.6 mg/L) was significantly lower than for the other causes (P<10(-6)). CONCLUSION: This study shows that non alcoholic non biliary causes account for one third of the cases of acute pancreatitis, usually with a mild to moderate presentation. As the mean peak CRP value is significantly lower in drug-induced acute pancreatitis, careful search for an adverse drug reaction is appropriate in patients with acute pancreatitis of unknown cause and a low peak CRP level.