The ACCURE-trial: the effect of appendectomy on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis, a randomised international multicenter trial (NTR2883) and the ACCURE-UK trial: a randomised external pilot trial (ISRCTN56523019).

BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years evidence has accumulated confirming the immunomodulatory role of the appendix in ulcerative colitis (UC). This led to the idea that appendectomy might alter the clinical course of established UC. The objective of this body of research is to evaluate the short-term and medium-term efficacy of appendectomy to maintain remission in patients with UC, and to establish the acceptability and cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared to standard treatment. METHODS/DESIGN: These paired phase III multicenter prospective randomised studies will include patients over 18 years of age with an established diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and a disease relapse within 12 months prior to randomisation. Patients need to have been medically treated until complete clinical (Mayo score <3) and endoscopic (Mayo score 0 or 1) remission. Patients will then be randomised 1:1 to a control group (maintenance 5-ASA treatment, no appendectomy) or elective laparoscopic appendectomy plus maintenance treatment. The primary outcome measure is the one year cumulative UC relapse rate - defined both clinically and endoscopically as a total Mayo-score ≥5 with endoscopic subscore of 2 or 3. Secondary outcomes that will be assessed include the number of relapses per patient at 12 months, the time to first relapse, health related quality of life and treatment costs, and number of colectomies in each arm. DISCUSSION: The ACCURE and ACCURE-UK trials will provide evidence on the role and acceptability of appendectomy in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and the effects of appendectomy on the disease course. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NTR2883 ; ISRCTN56523019.

The influence of lifestyle factors on fecal volatile organic compound composition as measured by an electronic nose.

INTRODUCTION: Fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous metabolic products which are increasingly considered potential non-invasive biomarkers for the detection of various (gastrointestinal) diseases. The influence of lifestyle factors on fecal VOC patterns remains unexplored but is of importance prior to implementation of VOC analysis as a diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, dietary preferences, medication use and co-morbidity on fecal VOC patterns. METHODS: For this study, fecal samples of patients undergoing a colonoscopy were collected prior to endoscopy. All participants completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors, co-morbidity and medication use. Patients without colonic abnormalities were included in this study. Fecal VOC patterns were analyzed by means of an electronic nose (eNose) device (Cyranose® 320). RESULTS: From the 1039 participants willing to participate in the initial study, 211 were eligible as controls. All unique lifestyle variables investigated in this study affected the fecal VOC composition. The strongest influences were caused by low BMI, a vegetarian diet and an active smoking status, whereas the least influence was found for the variables gender, age > 55 years and previous smokers. DISCUSSION: Age, gender, BMI, smoking habits, dietary preferences, co-morbidity and medication use all have unique effects on fecal VOC composition. Future studies should carefully consider this influence on VOC outcome when defining VOC signatures as biomarker for diagnostic purposes.

Decision-making in ileocecal Crohn's disease management: surgery versus pharmacotherapy.

Ileocecal Crohn's disease (CD) can be treated medically as well as surgically. Both treatment modalities have been improved markedly in the last two decades, making CD more manageable. However, multidisciplinary research, addressing issues such as timing of surgery or medical treatment versus surgery, is scarce. Particularly in limited ileocecal CD, ileocolic resection might be a good alternative to long-term medical therapy. This review discusses the evidence on medical and surgical treatment options for ileocecal CD. It provides an aid in decision-making by discussing a treatment algorithm that can be used until further evidence on treatment is available.