Faecal analysis and plasma complement factor 3c levels at admission for an acute attack of ulcerative colitis are predictive of the need for colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation limited to the large bowel. Early identification of reliable predictive markers addressing the risk of need for colectomy in a severe attack of ulcerative colitis is of crucial importance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate faecal characteristics and peripheral blood tests as predictive markers for subsequent risk of colectomy in a severe attack of ulcerative colitis. METHODS: This was an observational study. Samples were collected in a cohort of 18 patients with a severe attack of ulcerative colitis. A panel of selected variables was evaluated (faecal characteristics, peripheral blood samples including complement factor 3c, circulating cytokines and antisecretory factor) for ability to predict colectomy. The patients were observed for up to 58 months (median 37.5, range 0.5-58 months) and allocated to one of two groups depending on the clinical outcome on the basis of the need for colectomy. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent colectomy. The present study showed a positive correlation between increased bowel movements (P=0.01), faecal weight/bowel movement (P=0.03) and complement factor 3c levels (P=0.01) and a need for later colectomy. None of the other laboratory markers investigated were shown to be predictive of risk for later colectomy. CONCLUSION: Early faecal analysis and measurement of complement factor 3c may be useful as predictive markers of the need for colectomy related to a severe attack of ulcerative colitis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not improve the effects of standardized treatment in a severe attack of ulcerative colitis: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Complementary therapy options are needed in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis (UC). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to have positive effects in experimental models of colitis and perianal Crohn's disease. METHODS: In the present prospective randomized open-label study, HBOT in addition to conventional medical treatment was compared with conventional treatment alone. The primary objective in this study was improved clinical outcome evaluated by Mayo score, laboratory tests and fecal weight. The secondary objectives were improvement in health-related quality of life, avoidance of colectomy and evaluation of HBOT safety. RESULTS: The authors found no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups in any of the assessed variables. CONCLUSION: The study results do not support the use of HBOT as a treatment option in a severe attack of UC.

Effects of a supplementary diet with specially processed cereals in patients with short bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Short bowel syndrome patients frequently experience impaired health-related quality of life. This syndrome is also associated with increased costs for the individuals concerned and the community. Intake of specially processed cereals has been demonstrated to decrease intestinal secretion. This study evaluates the effect of a supplementary diet with specially processed cereals compared with nonprocessed cereals. METHODS: This investigation is a randomized double-blind, cross-over multicentre prospective study of 26 intestinal resected out patients, considered as short bowel syndrome patients. The patients were divided into groups A or B, in accordance with the first allocated treatment. Subgroup analyses of the underlying diagnoses and type of surgical procedure were performed. The studied parameters were faecal volume, nocturnal stools, abdominal pain/discomfort, health-related quality of life, peripheral blood tests and anthropometric data. RESULTS: In both groups, intake of nonprocessed cereals significantly decreased the faecal volume. The subgroup analyses of patients with a history of ulcerative colitis (compared with Crohn's disease) and nonileostomy-operated procedure (compared with ileostomi-operated procedure) showed significantly decreased faecal volume during nonprocessed cereals intake. Peripheral blood tests, quality of life and anthropometry were not affected. CONCLUSION: In this study, nonprocessed cereals seemed to be as effective as specially processed cereals in decreasing faecal volume in general and especially in ulcerative colitis patients (mainly operated with nonileostomy techniques). Our results indicate that use of supplementary cereals is safe for this group of patients, but should optimally include evaluation of the underlying diagnosis and the surgical method used.