Posterior Malleolus Fracture Fixation In Lateral Decubitus Position: Surgical Technique and Results in 60 Patients.

The present study shows how posterior malleolus fractures (PMFs) and distal fibular fractures were fixed using the posterolateral approach with the patient in lateral decubitus position, not previously described in the literature. This technique has been used in 60 consecutive patients (42 women and 18 men; mean age 54.7; range 21-92 years), 33 of which presented as fracture dislocations from March, 2021 to December, 2023. After PMFs fixation in lateral decubitus position, release of the sacral support allowed patients to be placed supine (without de-sterilizing the operative field), in order to proceed with medial malleolus or posteromedial fragment fixation. Fractures were classified according to the Lauge Hansen classification as SER4 (n = 50), PER4 (n = 7), SAD (n = 1), and PAB (n = 2). Fractures were classified according to Rammelt & Bartonicek, as type B (n = 40), C (n = 13), and D (n = 7). During the same period of time 14 fractures involving the PM, classified as type A, were treated with indirect fixation, whilst 6 geriatric and/or poor mobility patients with fracture dislocations were treated with retrograde hindfoot nail fixation. Follow-up period ranged from 4-36 months (mean = 14.4; SD = 8.8). Complications occurred in 5 patients (8.3%; 3 had delayed (medial) wound healing, one developed CRPS and one required implants removal and arthroscopy because of metal irritation and stiffness). No deep infections, thromboembolic events, fracture malreductions or malunions were recorded and all patients returned to the preinjury mobilization status. In conclusion, PM fracture fixation was feasible and safely performed with patients in lateral decubitus position.

Predictors of Response to Vedolizumab in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results from the Greek VEDO-IBD Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Optimization of treatment with biologics is currently an unmet need for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Real-world studies provide neutral estimates of drug efficacy and safety within unselected patient populations and allow for the recognition of specific characteristics that affect response to therapy. AIMS: We aimed to depict the efficacy of vedolizumab in patients with UC in a real-world setting and identify prognosticators of improved outcomes. METHODS: Patients with active UC who commenced treatment with vedolizumab were prospectively followed up. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical/endoscopic-reported outcomes were recorded at baseline and at weeks 14 and 54. Predefined endpoints of early and persistent efficacy were analyzed against clinical characteristics to identify prognostic factors for response. RESULTS: We included 96 patients (anti-TNF-exposed = 38.5%). At week 14, 73 patients (76%) had clinical response and 54 (56.3%) clinical remission. At week 54, the primary endpoint of vedolizumab persistence was met by 72 patients (75%), whereas steroid-free clinical remission by 59.4%. Among patients who had endoscopy, rates for mucosal healing (Mayo endoscopic score of 0) were 29.8% at week 14 and 44.6% at week 54, respectively. Vedolizumab treatment led to significant improvements in quality of life. Corticosteroid-refractory or anti-TNF-refractory disease, articular manifestations, and high baseline UC-PRO2 were associated with decreased efficacy of vedolizumab in the primary and secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Vedolizumab is characterized by high efficacy and long-term treatment persistence in UC. More aggressive disease, as indicated by refractoriness to steroids or anti-TNFs and elevated baseline PROs, may predict suboptimal response and help pre-treatment prognostic stratification of patients.

The burden and management of anemia in Greek patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective, multicenter, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a common extraintestinal manifestation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affecting negatively the patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and real-life management of anemia in IBD patients in Greece. METHODS: This study was conducted in 17 Greek IBD referral centers. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, IBD and anemia treatment data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 1394 IBD patients [560 ulcerative colitis (UC), 834 Crohn's disease (CD)] were enrolled. Anemia at any time was reported in 687 (49.3%) patients of whom 413 (29.6%) had episodic and 274 (19.7%) had recurrent/persistent anemia. Anemia was diagnosed before IBD in 45 (6.5%), along with IBD in 269 (39.2%) and after IBD in 373 (54.3%) patients. In the multivariate analysis the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (p = 0.0008), IBD duration (p = 0.026), IBD related surgeries and hospitalizations (p = 0.026 and p = 0.004 accordingly) were risk factors of recurrent/persistent anemia. Serum ferritin was measured in 839 (60.2%) IBD patients. Among anemic patients, 535 (77.9%) received treatment. Iron supplementation was administered in 485 (90.6%) patients, oral in 142 (29.3%) and intravenous in 393 (81%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of anemia in IBD patients, followed at Greek referral centers, is approximately 50%. Development of recurrent/persistent anemia may be observed in 20% of cases and is independently associated with the presence of extraintestinal manifestations, IBD duration, IBD related surgeries and hospitalizations. Anemia treatment is administered in up to [Formula: see text] of anemia IBD patients with the majority of them receiving iron intravenously.

Efficacy of Vaccination and Revaccination Against Hepatitis B Virus Using 2 Different Strategies in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit an increased risk for acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV), thus they should be vaccinated preferably, if not already infected or immunized. We assessed the efficacy of HBV vaccination in IBD patients and impact of different factors on the immune response. We also evaluated the success rate of 2 different revaccination strategies in the nonresponders. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study carried out in 5 tertiary centers. All patients were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), and antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen. Patients tested negative and underwent the standard schedule with 20 µg at 0, 1, and 6 months. Nonresponders (anti-HBs <10 IU/L) were offered a revaccination scheme with either 3 doses of 40 µg at 0, 1, and 6 months or an accelerated scheme with 20 µg at 0, 1, and 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients were included, and 273 (66.7%) of those (females: 49.5%; Crohn's disease [CD]: 56.7%) responded to baseline vaccination. A total of 189 (69.2%) of 273 (females: 48.1%; CD: 60.3%) developed anti-HBs >100 IU/L. Body mass index <30 kg/m2 (P = .017) was positively associated, while diagnosis of CD (P = .013), extensive UC (P <.0001), extraintestinal manifestations (P = .001), and treatment with immunomodulators/anti-tumor necrosis factor (P < .00) negatively affected the response. Revaccination was offered to 103 patients, and 58.3% of them achieved anti-HBs >10 IU/L. Both revaccination strategies were equally effective. CONCLUSIONS: IBD patients demonstrate lower response to HBV vaccination compared with the general population. Age, body mass index, type, disease activity, and immunosuppression negatively affect the response. Half of nonresponders may benefit from an enhanced revaccination attempt.

In this retrospective study, we addressed the impact of several factors on the immune response postvaccination against hepatitis B virus in a large cohort of >400 inflammatory bowel disease patients and compared the effectiveness of 2 different revaccination strategies on nonresponders.

Endoscopic Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease After Curative Ileocecal Resection with Early Prophylaxis by Anti-TNF, Vedolizumab or Ustekinumab: A Real-World Multicentre European Study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic-post-operative-recurrence [ePOR] in Crohn's disease [CD] after ileocecal resection [ICR] is a major concern. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early prophylaxis with biologics and to compare anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy to vedolizumab [VDZ] and ustekinumab [UST] in a real-world setting. METHODS: A retrospective multicentre study of CD-adults after curative ICR on early prophylaxis was undertaken. ePOR was defined as a Rutgeerts score [RS] ≥ i2 or colonic-segmental-SES-CD ≥ 6. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors, and inverse probability treatment weighting [IPTW] was applied to compare the effectiveness between agents. RESULTS: The study included 297 patients (53.9% males, age at diagnosis 24 years [19-32], age at ICR 34 years [26-43], 18.5% smokers, 27.6% biologic-naïve, 65.7% anti-TNF experienced, 28.6% two or more biologics and 17.2% previous surgery). Overall, 224, 39 and 34 patients received anti-TNF, VDZ or UST, respectively. Patients treated with VDZ and UST were more biologic experienced with higher rates of previous surgery. ePOR rates within 1 year were 41.8%. ePOR rates by treatment groups were: anti-TNF 40.2%, VDZ 33% and UST 61.8%. Risk factors for ePOR at 1 year were: past-infliximab (adjusted odds ratio [adj.OR] = 1.73 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.01-2.97]), past-adalimumab [adj.OR = 2.32 [95% CI: 1.35-4.01] and surgical aspects. After IPTW, the risk of ePOR within 1 year of VDZ vs anti-TNF or UST vs anti-TNF was comparable (OR = 0.55 [95% CI: 0.25-1.19], OR = 1.86 [95% CI: 0.79-4.38]), respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevention of ePOR within 1 year after surgery was successful in ~60% of patients. Patients treated with VDZ or UST consisted of a more refractory group. After controlling for confounders, no differences in ePOR risk were seen between anti-TNF prophylaxis and other groups.