KODA score: an updated and validated bowel preparation scale for patients undergoing small bowel capsule endoscopy.

Background and study aims A reliable outcome measure is needed for bowel preparation quality during capsule endoscopy. Currently, no scales are adequately validated. Our objective was to update an existing small bowel preparation score, create a standardized training module, then determine its inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Patients and methods Modification to produce standardized scoring of an existing small bowel preparation score was performed followed by development of a training module and validation to create the new Korea-Canada (KODA) score. Twenty readers from a range of backgrounds, including capsule endoscopists, gastroenterology fellows, residents, medical students, and nurses rated bowel cleanliness in 25 capsule videos consisting of 1,233 images, in duplicate 4 weeks apart, after completing the training module. Sequential images selected in 5-minute intervals during small bowel transit were rated on a scale between 0-3 based on the amount of visualized mucosa and the degree of obstruction. Reliability was assessed using estimates of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results Intraclass correlation coefficients for inter-rater (ICC 0.81, 95 % CI 0.70-0.87) and intra-rater (ICC 0.92, 95 % CI 0.87-0.94) reliability were almost perfect among the 20 readers. Inter-rater reliability ranged between 0.72 (95 % CI 0.57-0.81) and 0.89 (95 % CI 0.79-0.93) for nurses and residents, respectively. Intra-rater reliability was greater than 0.90 for all groups except for nurses, which was still almost perfect (ICC 0.86, 95 % CI 0.79-0.90). Conclusions Almost perfect inter-rater and intra-rater reliability was observed for the KODA score. This simple score could be used for future clinical trials after completion of the training module.

Recurrence of Clostridium difficile Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The RECIDIVISM Study.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI) contributes to a significant burden of disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we seek to identify risk factors for rCDI in a population of IBD patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital IBD Centre. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, IBD patients with rCDI diagnosed between 2010 and 2013 were identified and compared with IBD patients with single-episode CDI. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of rCDI in IBD. Outcome analysis was performed for hospitalizations due to CDI, colectomy, and CDI-attributable mortality. RESULTS: A total of 503 patients were included, 110 (22%) of whom had IBD (49% CD, 51% ulcerative colitis). Recurrent CDI occurred in 32% of IBD patients compared with 24% of non-IBD patients (P<0.01). IBD patients with rCDI were more likely than those without rCDI to report recent antibiotic therapy (42.9 vs. 30.7%, P<0.01), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) use (51.5 vs. 30.7%, P<0.001), steroid use (51.4 vs. 33.3%, P<0.001), and biologic therapy (48.6 vs. 40.0%, P<0.01). Infliximab (34.3 vs. 17.3%, P<0.01) but not adalimumab was associated with more rCDI events. Using a Cox model of predictors of rCDI in IBD, significant predictors included non-ileal Crohn's disease (hazard ratio (HR) 2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-6.30) and the use of 5-ASA (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.11-4.18). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the general population, IBD patients are 33% more likely to experience rCDI. Within the IBD cohort, exposure to certain drug classes (antibiotics, 5-ASA, steroids, certain biologics) and non-ileal Crohn's disease were found to be the predictors of rCDI.