Estimating the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in Portugal using a pharmaco-epidemiological approach.

PURPOSE: To estimate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prevalence in Portugal from 2003 to 2007, and to obtain disease, sex and age specific estimates. METHODS: A pharmaco-epidemiological approach based on intestinal anti-inflammatory (IAI) drugs consumption was used. Proportion of patients taking IAI drugs and mean prescribed daily dose (PDD) were estimated from a sample of 513 IBD patients. Assumptions were made about unknown parameters and sensitivity analysis performed: drug compliance (80% in base case; range 70-85%) and proportion of sulphasalazine used in IBD (52%; range 40-80%). Sex and age specific estimates were based on a proposed methodological extension and results from a nationwide (n = 5893) cross-sectional study. RESULTS: IBD prevalence increased from 86 patients per 100 000 in 2003 to 146 in 2007. Regions more affected were Lisboa and Porto (173 and 163 per 100 000 in 2007, respectively). Prevalence increased from 42 and 43 per 100 000 in 2003 to 71 and 73 in 2007, respectively for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). In 2007, prevalence was higher in the 40-64 age stratum for UC (99 per 100 000) and in the 17-39 stratum for CD (121). Prevalence was consistently higher in females. CONCLUSIONS: Portugal is half way between countries with the highest and lowest IBD prevalence, but is steeply making the road to the highest-level group. Despite limitations of the proposed methods, assumptions were reasonable and estimates seem to be valid. Feasibility and comparability of this methodology makes it an interesting tool for future studies on IBD epidemiology.

Inflammatory bowel disease: a patient's and caregiver's perspective.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey examining the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on patients' and their caregivers' daily activities. Questionnaires were distributed to patients registered in the APDI (Portuguese Association for IBD) database and their respective caregivers in 2007. Of 422 patient respondents, 251 had Crohn's disease (CD) and 171 had ulcerative colitis (UC), with the majority of patients being women (58.1%) and aged over 40 years (37.4%). The number of disease flares experienced by IBD patients was slightly higher for patients with CD than for patients with UC (2.64 vs. 2.34), and surgery was more often required in CD patients as compared to UC patients (42.4 vs. 7%). Sixty percent (60%) of patients reported having no problems with mobility, daily activities, or personal hygiene; however, over half of all patients experienced some pain and anxiety. Adult patients and children and adolescents respectively experienced time off work or school due to their disease but caregivers were not affected in this regard. The caregivers life (N=324) was affected by anxiety, with the major concern reported as the risk of the patient developing cancer. Both IBD patients and caregivers thought that the provision of information on new drugs and contact time with a doctor would have the biggest impact on improving care. The symptoms and complications of IBD have a considerable impact on the lives of patients and their caregivers, and several actions could be taken to improve their care.

Interval colorectal cancer after colonoscopy. / Cáncer colorrectal de intervalo después de colonoscopia.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Interval colorectal cancer (iCRC) can occur due to missed lesions or to a newly developed lesion. The present study aimed to assess the iCRC rate and its characteristics in our population and find possible explanations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed between January 2011 and January 2015 at our department. Demographics, endoscopic data, and tumor characteristics (location, histology, staging) were collected. We identified patients diagnosed with CCR who underwent colonoscopy at our department in the previous 10years and presented the disease (iCRC) before the date of their next recommended exam. The cases of iCRC were characterized and compared with other CRC cases. Possible explanations for the appearance of iCRC were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients presented with CRC, 61.7% were men, and mean patient age was 70.7years. We identified 10 patients with iCRC: 6 were men, and mean patient age was 71.1years. Mean time for iCRC diagnosis after index colonoscopy was 3.5±1.84years. Tumor was located in the right colon in 50% of the patients with iCRC and in 24.5% of the patients without iCRC (P=.091). More patients with iCRC had a family history of CRC (50%) than the patients with reference CRC (3.1%) (P=.000). CONCLUSIONS: In our case series, 3.76% of all CRC were iCRC. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with or without iCRC, with the exception of family history of CRC.

Reactive arthritis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease arthritis: a challenging diagnosis.

Reactive arthritis comprises a subgroup of infection-associated arthritis which occurs after genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract infection in genetically susceptible hosts. Studies have proposed Salmonella, Shigella or Yersinia infection as the microorganisms responsible for the post-dysenteric form. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is a well recognised best-known predisposing factor. We report a case of HLA-B27-associated reactive arthritis after Salmonella goldcoast enteritis, mimicking inflammatory bowel disease arthritis.

Use of sedation for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Survey of National Endoscopy Society Members.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sedation rates may vary among countries, depending on patients' and endoscopists' preferences. The aim of this survey was to investigate the rate of using premedication for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy in endoscopy societies, members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). METHODS: We evaluated a multiple-choice questionnaire which was e-mailed to representatives of national endoscopy societies, which are members of the ESGE. The questionnaire had 14 items referring to endoscopy practices in each country and the representatives' endoscopy units. RESULTS: The response rate was 76% (34/45). In 47% of the countries, less than 25% of patients undergo routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy with conscious sedation. In 62% of the responders' endoscopy units, patients are not asked their preference for sedation and do not sign a consent form (59%). Common sedatives in use are midazolam (82%), diazepam (38%) or propofol (47%). Monitoring equipment is not available 'in most of the endoscopy units' in 46% (13/28) of the countries. Though they were available in 91% of the national representatives' endoscopy units, they are rarely (21%) used to monitor unsedated routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: In about 50% of ESGE-related countries, less than 25% of patients are sedated for routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. Major issues to improve include availability of monitoring equipment and the use of a consent form.