Hepatocellular carcinoma is diagnosed at a later stage in alcoholic patients: Results of a prospective, nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is diagnosed at a later stage. The aim of this study was to compare HCC characteristics and outcomes in an alcohol-related group (group A) and a non-alcohol-related group (group NA). METHODS: A total of 1207 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively included between May 2008 and October 2009. Patients with multiple causes (alcohol plus another cause) were excluded. Patients were followed every year for 5 years. Recorded variables, including etiologies were tested as prognostic factors of survival in a multivariate Cox model after adjustments for a lead-time bias. RESULTS: In all, 894 patients were analyzed: 582 (65.1%) were in group A, and 312 (34.9%) were in group NA. Alcohol-related HCC was more likely to be diffuse and detected in patients with a worse performance status and worse liver function. After adjustments for a lead-time bias, the median overall survival (OS) was 9.7 and 5.7 months in groups NA and A, respectively (P = .0002), and 5.8 and 5.0 months in alcohol-abstinent and alcohol non-abstinent groups, respectively (P = .09). The prognostic role of alcohol disappeared when survival was assessed at each Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage. Patients with HCC detected during a cirrhosis follow-up program (n = 199 [22.3% of the whole cohort]) had increased lead time-adjusted median OS in comparison with patients with HCC diagnosed incidentally (11.7 vs 5.4 months; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with patients with non-alcohol-related HCC, patients with alcohol-related HCC have reduced OS, mainly because of worse liver function and tumor characteristics at diagnosis, as attested by similar survival within each BCLC stage. Cancer 2018;124:1964-72. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Features of Autoimmune Pancreatitis Associated With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Few people know of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a rare disorder associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We aimed to describe phenotype and outcomes of IBD and AIP when associated. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of cases of AIP in IBD identified from the multicenter Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif in Belgium and France from July 2012 through July 2015. Patients were diagnosed with AIP based on the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP. A definitive AIP diagnosis was based on histological analysis of pancreatic resection specimens or samples collected by fine-needle aspiration during endoscopic ultrasound. Patients with probable type 1 AIP were identified based on imaging findings, clinical and/or radiologic responses to steroids, level of serum immunoglobulin G4, and involvement of other organs. Patients with probable type 2 AIP were identified based on imaging findings, clinical and/or radiologic responses to steroids, and association with IBD. The primary objective was to collect information on the characteristics of AIP in patients with IBD. We also compared features of patients with IBD with and without AIP in a case-control analysis, using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 91 individuals with AIP and IBD (47 women) seen at 23 centers (58 had ulcerative colitis [UC] and 33 Crohn's disease [CD]). Eighty-nine patients had type 2 AIP, and 2 patients had type 1 AIP. The mean age at diagnosis of AIP was 35 ± 12 years, and for IBD it was 32 ± 12 years. AIP preceded IBD in 19 patients (21%). Over a mean follow-up period of 5.7 ± 4.9 years, 31 patients (34%) relapsed, 11 patients (12%) developed diabetes, and 17 patients (19%) developed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In patients with UC, factors independently associated with AIP included proctitis (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-6.3; P = .007) and colectomy (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 2.5-20; P = .0003). In patients with CD, AIP was significantly associated with fewer perianal lesions (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.77; P = .023), non-stricturing non-penetrating CD (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.25-33.3; P = .0029), and higher rate of colectomy (OR, 27.8; 95% CI, 3.6-217; P = .0029). CONCLUSIONS: In a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with AIP and IBD, followed for an average of 5.7 ± 4.9 years, we found most to have type 2 AIP. Two-thirds of patients have UC, often with proctitis. One-third of patients have CD, often with inflammatory features. Patients with IBD and AIP have higher rates of colectomy than patients with just IBD.

Rate and Predictors of Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis Treated with Thiopurines: Results of a Multicentric Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mucosal healing (MH) with thiopurines has been poorly investigated in ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to assess MH rate in UC patients treated with thiopurine monotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected all UC patients treated with thiopurines more than 6 months who have undergone colonoscopy at baseline and after at least 6 months of treatment. Patients were recruited from January 2005 to May 2015 through a personal database and/or standardized hospital inpatient diagnostic dataset. Patients were excluded in case of any use of other immunomodulator or biological agent. MH was defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore ≤1 and UCEIS ≤ 2. Histological healing (HH) was defined by the absence of epithelial polynuclear infiltrate, cryptic abscesses, or ulcerations. RESULTS: Eighty patients (31 women, median age 43 [IQR 32-58]) were included. Median disease duration was 10.5 [6-16] years. At baseline, median full Mayo score, endoscopic subscore, and UCEIS were 8 [6.8-10], 3 [2-3], and 5 [3-6], respectively. MH was first assessed after a mean follow-up of 38 ± 31 months. Median full Mayo score, endoscopic subscore, and UCEIS decreased to 3.5 [1-6], 2 [0-2.2], and 2 [0-4], respectively. MH was achieved in 43.7%, HH in 38%. In multivariate analysis, predictors of MH were thiopurine exposure duration ≥2 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.9, CI 95% (1.1-7.6), p = 0.03] and a prior acute severe colitis [OR 5.9, CI 95% (1.1-32), p = 0.04]. Factors associated with MH during treatment were partial Mayo score ≤2 (NPV = 100%), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (NPV = 75%), and MCV ≥ 95 fL (NPV = 73%). CONCLUSIONS: In UC, thiopurine monotherapy is associated with MH in 43.7% and HH in 38%.

Diagnostic Delay Is Associated with a Greater Risk of Early Surgery in a French Cohort of Crohn's Disease Patients.

AIM: To investigate whether a diagnostic delay is associated with a poor outcome in Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: Medical and socioeconomic characteristics as well as medications and need for surgery of consecutive CD adults patients followed in three referral centers were prospectively recorded using an electronic database (Focus_MICI®). A long diagnostic delay was defined by the upper quartile. We compared patients with long diagnostic delay to those with earlier diagnosis regarding the time to: (1) first intestinal surgery, (2) first use of immunosuppressants (IMSs), and (3) first use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy using the Kaplan-Meier test and the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 497 patients with CD (53.6 % women) were analyzed. Median diagnostic delay was 5 months (IQR 25-75 %: 2-13 months). Median follow-up was 9 years (IQR 4-16.2), and 148 (29.8 %) patients had major surgery. There were no significant differences between patients with late and early diagnosis regarding age at diagnosis, disease phenotype, need for IMS therapy, and need for anti-TNF therapy. Time to first major surgery was shorter in patients with late diagnosis (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this large multicenter prospective cohort of French CD patients, a long diagnostic delay (>13 months) increased the risk of early surgery. No associated factors could be identified in this study.

Microscopic colitis or functional bowel disease with diarrhea: a French prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients with microscopic colitis (MC; lymphocytic (LC) or collagenous (CC) colitis) and to compare them with patients with functional bowel disorder with diarrhea (FBD-D). METHODS: Between September 2010 and June 2012, patients fulfilling the following inclusion criteria were prospectively included in 26 centers in France: (i) having at least three bowel movements daily with change in stool consistency; (ii) duration of abnormal bowel habit >4 weeks; and (iii) normal or near-normal colonoscopy. Each patient underwent a colonoscopy and colonic biopsies. We compared the demographic, clinical, biological, and etiological characteristic of patients with MC (CC and LC) with those of control patients with FBD-D. RESULTS: A total of 433 patients were included: 129 with MC (87 LC and 42 CC), 23 with another organic disease, and 278 with FDB-D, including patients with diarrhea and abdominal pain who met the criteria of Rome III (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea) and patients with functional diarrhea without abdominal pain. Logistic regression analysis identified the following independent predictors of MC: age >50 years (odds ratio (OR)=3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.6-5.9), presence of nocturnal stools (OR=2, 95% CI=1.1-3.9), weight loss (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.3-4.7), duration of diarrhea <12 months (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.1-3.5), recent introduction of new drugs (OR=3.7, 95% CI=2.1-6.6; P<0.0001), and the presence of a known autoimmune disorder (OR=5.5, 95% CI=2.5-12). CONCLUSIONS: Age >50 years, the presence of nocturnal stools, weight loss, the introduction of a new drug, and the presence of a known autoimmune disease increase the probability of MC and thus the indication for colonoscopy with biopsies.

Portuguese Results of the ETICC Study: Impact of the Pandemic COVID-19 in the Diagnosis and Management of Colorectal Cancer in 2020 in Portuguese Hospitals.

Introduction: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had affected clinical practice in several ways, including the restriction of nonessential endoscopic procedures. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate how colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and management was affected during the first year of pandemics in Portugal. Methods: This is a Portuguese substudy of the French retrospective multicentric study ETICC (Etude de l'Impact de la pandémie COVID-19 sur le diagnostic et la prise en charge du Cancer Colorectal). We compared patients' characteristics, clinical manifestations, CRC staging at diagnosis, delay to first medical appointment, histological diagnosis, surgical and medical treatments between the year previous to the pandemics (control) and the first year of pandemics. Results: We included 766 patients: 496 in the control group and 270 in the COVID group. There was no significant difference in CRC staging at diagnosis between both groups, with 21% being diagnosed as metastatic in the control group and 22% in the first year of pandemics (p = 0.770). Contrary to what happened in France, there was a significant decrease in CRC diagnosis in asymptomatic patients (25-8.4%; p < 0.001) and after a positive fecal immunochemical test (20.8-11.3%; p = 0.002) during the pandemics. Although the increase in the overall complication rate at diagnosis was nonsignificant, in Portugal, there was a significant increase in diagnosis of abdominal occlusion (12.1-18.1%; p = 0.033). In Portugal, time between the beginning of symptoms and the first medical appointment significantly increased from a median of 50 days to 64 days during COVID (p < 0.001). On the contrary, time between histological diagnosis and tumor resection had significantly decreased from a median of 65 to 39 days (p < 0.001). Time between histological diagnosis and neoadjuvant treatment was not statistically different (median of 64-67 days; p = 0.590), as was time between histological diagnosis and palliative chemotherapy (median of 50-51 days; p = 1.000). Time from CRC resection and adjuvant treatment has significantly decreased from a median of 54 to 43 days (p = 0.001). Discussion: We found a significant impact in CRC diagnosis in the first year of pandemics, more pronounced than what was found in France. These are likely related not only with the closing of endoscopy units but also with the difficulties patients had in finding an appointment with their general practitioners. On the other hand, both in France and Portugal, the first year of pandemics did not worsen CRC staging at diagnosis and did not significantly affect medical and surgical treatments once the diagnosis was made.

Introdução: A pandemia provocada pelo coronovírus (COVID-19) condicionou a prática clínica de múltiplas formas, incluindo a restrição a exames endoscópicos não urgentes. Por este motivo, decidimos avaliar o impacto do primeiro ano de pandemia no diagnóstico e tratamento do cancro colorretal (CCR) em Portugal. Métodos: Este é um subestudo do estudo Francês retrospetivo multicêntrico ETICC (Etude de l'Impact de la pandémie COVID-19 sur le diagnostic et la prise en charge du Cancer Colorectal). Foram comparadas as características dos doentes, manifestações clínicas, estadiamento do CCR ao diagnóstico, intervalos entre primeiro contacto médico neste contexto, diagnóstico histológico e tratamentos, entre o primeiro ano de pandemia e o ano precedente. Resultados: Foram incluídos 766 doentes, 496 no grupo controlo e 270 no grupo COVID. Em França e em Portugal não se verificou um agravamento no estadiamento do CCR à data do diagnóstico no primeiro ano de pandemia, com 21% dos casos metastáticos à data de diagnóstico no grupo controlo e 22% no primeiro ano da pandemia (p = 0.770). Contudo, apenas em Portugal se constatou uma redução significativa do número de CCR em doentes assintomáticos (25% para 8.4%; p < 0.001) ou após uma pesquisa de sangue oculto positiva (20.8% para 11.3%; p = 0.002) durante a pandemia. Apesar do aumento na taxa de complicações ao diagnóstico não ser significativa, em Portugal a taxa de diagnósticos em contexto de oclusão intestinal aumentou significativamente (12.1% para 18.1%; p = 0.033). Em Portugal, o tempo entre início dos sintomas e a primeira consulta médica aumentou significativamente, de uma mediana de 50 para 64 dias durante o COVID (p < 0.001). Por outro lado, o tempo entre diagnóstico histológico e resseção tumoral reduziu significativamente de 65 para 39 dias (p < 0.001). O tempo entre diagnóstico histológico e tratamento neoadjuvante (mediana de 64 para 67 dias; p = 0.590) ou quimioterapia paliativa (mediana de 50 para 51 dias; p = 1.000) não foi estatisticamente significativo, tendo decrescido significativamente o tempo entre resseção e adjuvância (mediana de 54 para 43 dias, p = 0.001). Discussão: Este estudo evidenciou um impacto significativo no diagnóstico de CCR durante o primeiro ano de pandemia, mais pronunciado que em França. Este achado dever-se-á não só à limitação do acesso aos exames endoscópicos, mas também à dificuldade da população portuguesa em aceder aos Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Por outro lado, tanto em França como em Portugal, no primeiro ano de pandemia não se verificou um agravamento no estadiamento ou atraso no tratamento médico e cirúrgico do CCR.

Outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding are similar between direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists.

BACKGROUND: The increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) related to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) remains debated. AIMS: To describe the epidemiology and outcomes of UGIB in patients treated with oral anticoagulants. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre study in French general hospitals enrolled all consecutive patients with UGIB during one year. Patients treated with oral anticoagulants were retrieved from the cohort. Main outcomes were mortality and rebleeding during the first 6 weeks and need for non-endoscopic treatment (surgery or interventional radiology). RESULTS: Among the 2498 patients included, 475 (19%) had an oral anticoagulant, mostly with VKA (267 patients [56.2%]). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except for renal failure and cirrhosis that were more prevalent in the VKA group. Gastroscopy was normal in 73 patients (15.3%); peptic lesions were the main cause of UGIB (n = 233, 49%). Endoscopic treatment was performed in 128 patients (26.9%), leading to bleeding resolution in 74% (n = 95). Mortality rate at 6 weeks was 12.4% (59 patients), and was higher in the VKA group compared to DOACs (16.1% vs 7.8%, P < 0.01). By multivariate analysis, only the Charlson index ≥ 5 and UGIB occurrring in in-patients were independently associated with mortality. Rebleeding (56 patients [11.8%]) and need for non-endoscopic treatment (18 patients [3.8%]) were not associated with the type of anticoagulant. CONCLUSION: DOACs do not alter outcomes of UGIB as compared to VKA. Comorbidities and associated treatment are the most important factors worsening the prognosis of UGIB.

Liver function test abnormalities are associated with a poorer prognosis in Covid-19 patients: Results of a French cohort.

AIM: To assess the impact of liver function test (LFT) abnormalities on the prognosis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a French cohort of hospitalized patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From March 13 to April 22, 2020, we collected on a computerized and anonymized database, medical records, laboratory data and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized for confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection (RT-PCR and/or CT-scan). Patients were followed up until April 22, 2020 or until death or discharge. We have considered for statistical analysis, LFT abnormalities with levels greater than two times the upper limit of normal. Composite endpoint included admission to ICU, mechanical ventilation, severe radiologic injury and death to define disease severity. RESULTS: Among 281 patients (median age 60 years) with COVID-19, 102 (36.3%) had abnormal LFT. Hypertension (45.6%) and diabetes (29.5%) were the main comorbidities. 20.2% were taken liver-toxic drugs at the admission and 27.4% were given drugs known to induce hepatic cytolysis during hospitalization. Patients with elevated levels of ALT or AST were significantly more severe with a higher rate of admission to ICU (40.0% vs 6.0%, p< 0.0001), and global mortality (26.7% vs 12.1%, p= 0.03). In multivariate analysis, obesity and cytolytic profil were associated with the composite endpoint (respectively 2.37 [1.21; 4.64], p= 0.01 and OR 6.20, 95% confidence interval [1.84, 20.95], p-value 0.003) CONCLUSION: Most of liver injuries are mild and transient during COVID-19. LFT abnormalities are associated with a poorer prognosis and could be a relevant biomarker for early detection of severe infection.

Prognosis of variceal and non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in already hospitalised patients: Results from a French prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Patients who develop upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) while in hospital appear to have a poor prognosis. Our study aims at analysing the difference in outcome between in-patients (IPs) and out-patients presenting with variceal and non-variceal UGIB. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre prospective study by collecting data about variceal and non-variceal UGIB cases through 46 hospitals in France between November 2017 and October 2018. We then compared baseline demographic features, endoscopic findings and outcome between patients who developed variceal and non-variceal UGIB on admission (OPs) and those at least 24 h after hospitalisation (IPs). Our primary end-point was mortality and re-bleeding rates at 6 weeks of bleeding onset. RESULTS: A total of 2498 UGIB cases were identified, of whom 634 (25.4%) occurred in IPs. IPs were older than OPs (72.5 vs. 67.2 years old, p < 0.001) and had a higher rate of comorbidities (38.9% vs. 26.6%, p < 0.0001). Their bleeding was more severe with a Rockall score of >5 present in 40.9% (vs. 30.3% in OPs, p < 0.0001). The 6-week mortality rate was significantly higher in IPs when compared to OPs (21.7% vs. 8%, p < 0.0001). Prothrombin time <50% and rebleeding were the only independent predictors of mortality (p = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Six-week rebleeding occurred more frequently among IPs (18.6% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.015) and predictors included female sex, active bleeding upon endoscopy and a Blatchford score >11 (p = 0.017, 0.011 and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: IPs who develop variceal and non-variceal UGIB are more likely to be elderly with more comorbidities. They have a higher rate of mortality and rebleeding. Independent predictors of mortality were underlying coagulopathy and bleeding recurrence. An optimal bleeding management and efficient rebleeding prevention may improve outcome in these patients.

Prognostic factors associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding based on the French multicenter SANGHRIA trial.

Background and study aims Prognostic and risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) might have changed overtime because of the increased use of direct oral anticoagulants and improved gastroenterological care. This study was undertaken to assess the outcomes of UGIB in light of these new determinants by establishing a new national, multicenter cohort 10 years after the first. Methods Consecutive outpatients and inpatients with UGIB symptoms consulting at 46 French general hospitals were prospectively included between November 2017 and October 2018. They were followed for at least for 6 weeks to assess 6-week rebleeding and mortality rates and factors associated with each event. Results Among the 2498 enrolled patients (mean age 68.5 [16.3] years, 67.1 % men), 74.5 % were outpatients and 21 % had cirrhosis. Median Charlson score was 2 (IQR 1-4) and Rockall score was 5 (IQR 3-6). Within 24 hours, 83.4 % of the patients underwent endoscopy. The main causes of bleeding were peptic ulcers (44.9 %) and portal hypertension (18.9 %). The early in-hospital rebleeding rate was 10.5 %. The 6-week mortality rate was 12.5 %. Predictors significantly associated with 6-week mortality were initial transfusion (OR 1.54; 95 %CI 1.04-2.28), Charlson score > 4 (OR 1.80; 95 %CI 1.31-2.48), Rockall score > 5 (OR 1.98; 95 %CI 1.39-2.80), being an inpatient (OR 2.45; 95 %CI 1.76-3.41) and rebleeding (OR 2.6; 95 %CI 1.85-3.64). Anticoagulant therapy was not associated with dreaded outcomes. Conclusions The 6-week mortality rate remained high after UGIB, especially for inpatients. Predictors of mortality underlined the weight of comorbidities on outcomes.

Determinants of improvement in quality of life of alcohol-dependent patients during an inpatient withdrawal programme.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the improvement in quality of life (QoL) of alcohol-dependent patients during a 3-week inpatient withdrawal programme, and to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and alcohol-related variables associated with baseline QoL on admission and with improvement of QoL during residential treatment. METHODS: This prospective, observational study included 414 alcohol-dependent patients, hospitalised for a period of 3 weeks. QoL was measured on admission and at discharge using the French version of the Medical Outcome Study SF-36. The mean scores for each dimension and for the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were calculated. RESULTS: The mean scores per dimension and the mean Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were significantly lower on admission than at discharge; the lowest scores being observed for social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems. At discharge, the mean scores per dimension were similar to those observed in the French general population. Female gender, age > 45 years, living alone, working as a labourer or employee, somatic comorbidity, and the existence of at least five criteria for alcohol dependence according to the DSM-IV classification were associated with a low Physical Component Summary score on admission; psychiatric comorbidity, the presence of at least five DSM-IV dependence criteria, smoking and suicidality were associated with a low Mental Component Summary score on admission. The increase in Physical and Mental Component Summary scores during hospitalisation was more marked when the initial scores were low. Apart from the initial score, the greatest improvement in Physical Component Summary score was seen in patients with a high alcohol intake and in those without a somatic comorbidity; the increase in Mental Component Summary score was greatest in patients without psychotic symptoms and in those who abused or were dependent on illegal drugs. CONCLUSION: QoL improvement after a residential treatment was related to low QoL scores at admission. Improvement in physical component of QoL was related to baseline alcohol intake and good somatic status. Improvement in mental component of QoL was related to other drugs abuse/dependence.

Increased incidence of Campylobacter enteritis and their quinolone resistance between 2010 and 2015: Results of a French national observatory conducted in 21 general hospitals (CHG).

INTRODUCTION: In Europe, the number of cases of Campylobacter enteritis and their quinolone resistance is increasing. The aims of this work were to evaluate: (1) the hospital epidemiology of bacterial enteritis between 2010 and 2015. (2) The proportion of Campylobacter and Salmonella enteritis. (3) Resistance to quinolones in adult and paediatric populations. (4) To investigate possible regional epidemiological and bacteriological disparities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a multicentric study carried out in 21 general hospitals (CHG) representing 14 French regions with a prospective collection of the results of coprocultures from 2010 to 2015 in adult and paediatric populations (children < 15 years old not exposed to quinolones). The epidemiological and bacteriological data were collected from software laboratory for positive stool cultures for Campylobacter and Salmonella. The results were compared year by year and by a period of 2 years. RESULTS: In adults, Campylobacter enteritis was each year significantly more frequent than Salmonella (P < 0.001), with a significant increase from 2010 to 2015 (P < 0.05). In children, there was also a significant and stable predominance of Campylobacter enteritis over the study period (P = 0.002). The quinolone resistance of Campylobacter was greater than 50% on the whole territory, with no North-South difference over the three periods studied. It increased significantly from 2012 to 2015 in adults (48% to 55%, P < 0.05) and in children (54% to 61%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the increase in the prevalence of Campylobacter enteritis compared to Salmonella between 2010 and 2015. The quinolone resistance of Campylobacter is greater than 50% on the whole territory, stable between 2010 and 2015 in adults and significantly increased in children.

Long-term follow-up and predictive factors of recurrence of anemia in a cohort of 102 very elderly patients explored for iron-deficiency anemia.

AIM: To evaluate long-term follow-up and predictors of relapse of anemia in a cohort of 102 very elderly patients previously explored for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). METHODS: One hundred and two patients [61 women and 41 men, mean age 82+/-5.8 y (75 to 98)] explored for IDA were prospectively followed up from inclusion (June 2003 to May 2005) until death or May 2006. Survival rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Predictors of recurrence of anemia were identified by multivariate analysis in the 4 following subgroups: unexplained IDA (subgroup 1, n=27), benign lesion (subgroup 2, n=37), cancer treated curatively (subgroup 3, n=28), cancers treated palliatively (subgroup 4, n=10). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 20 months. At baseline, main clinical and laboratory data were not significantly different in the 4 subgroups, especially as regards severe comorbidities. Thirty-three patients died, 10 (30%) of them in the first month. Ten (100%) belonged to subgroup 4 versus, respectively, n=7 (26%), n=8 (22%), and n=8 (29%) of patients from subgroups 1, 2, and 3 (P<0.001). No death was directly related to recurrence of anemia. Survival rate at 1 year was 10% in subgroup 4, significantly lower than the other 3 subgroups (subgroup 1: 84%; subgroup 2: 86%; subgroup 3: 78%; log-rank test, P<0.0001). Anemia recurred in 18 cases, and required red cell transfusion in 13 cases. Predictive factors of recurrence of anemia [odds ratio (confidence interval 95%), P] were cancers treated palliatively [14.9 (3-72), P<0.01] and angiodysplasias [4.5 (1.1-18.2), 0.035]. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of very elderly patients explored for IDA, the mortality rate and the long-term survival were not different for patients with IDA related to a cancer treated curatively than those with unexplained IDA and those with IDA related to a benign lesion. Angiodysplasias and cancers treated palliatively were associated with recurrence of anemia. These results suggest interventionist strategies (including endoscopic investigation and appropriate surgery) for elderly patients with IDA.

Crohn's disease treatment practices in France in1999-2013: A prospective survey in non-academic hospitals.

AIMS: To describe the characteristics of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in non-academic hospitals in France and to evaluate how therapeutic practices changed between 1999 and 2013. METHODS: During 2 weeks in September 2013, we solicited disease and treatment information for CD patients seen by gastroenterologists in 57 French non-academic hospitals. In four groups of patients defined according to the date of CD diagnosis (<1999, 1999-2003, 2004-2008, and 2009-2013), the use of immunosuppressor (IS) and anti-TNF treatments during the first 5 years following diagnosis of CD was compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 739 consecutive CD patients (median age at diagnosis 25.4 years) were included in the survey. CD location was ileal for 31%, colonic for 21%, and ileocolonic for 45%. CD phenotypes were non-penetrating/non-stricturing (58.7%), stricturing (26.9%), and penetrating (12.7%), with perianal lesions in 26.1%. The proportions of patients who began IS or anti-TNF treatment within 5 years of diagnosis increased significantly from 18% and 0%, respectively, in <1999 (n=170) to 52% and 23% in 1999-2003 (n=120), 66% and 70% in 2004-2008 (n=155), and 75% and 100% in 2009-2013 (n=294; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this French non-academic hospital cohort of CD patients, the proportions of patients being treated with anti-TNF or IS therapy in the first 5 years after diagnosis both increased sharply since 1999.

Management and predictors of early mortality in elderly patients with iron deficiency anemia: a prospective study of 111 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in the elderly. It usually results from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and requires endoscopic exploration of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this prospective study in elderly patients was to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopy, the therapeutic impact, and identify predictors of early mortality. METHODS: From June 2003 to May 2005, all patients over 75 years, hospitalized for anemia were screened for iron deficiency. Clinical (including serious comorbidities), biological, endoscopic and therapeutic data were collected. One month after treatment, a follow-up was carried out to assess the tolerance of such investigation and treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients (69 women, 82.3 +/- 6.4 years) had IDA, 102 (92%) underwent an upper endoscopy and 91 (82%) a colonoscopy. Nine (8%) patients were not investigated because of poor clinical condition (N=4) or dementia (N=5). Of the 75 (68%) patients with an identified source of bleeding, 12 (11%) had a synchronous lesion, 43 (39%) a colorectal source including 31 (72%) colorectal cancer, and 44 (40%) an upper GI source. Sixty-nine (92%) of the 75 patients received at least one of the following treatments: medical (N=27), endoscopic (N=20), and surgical (N=31). Surgery was curative in 28/31 (90%) cases of which 25/27 were colorectal cancers. One month after treatment, overall mortality was 11/111 (10%) and 4/31 (13%) after surgery. Predictors of early mortality (Odd ratio, 95% Confidence Interval) were: a malign cause (42; 3-588), no specific treatment (34; 3-423), at least 2 co-morbidities (20; 1-400). CONCLUSION: In an unselected hospitalized population of elderly patients with IDA, endoscopy was generally feasible, allowing identification of a source of bleeding, especially colorectal cancer. A specific treatment was usually possible and proved curative without increase in early mortality.

Over 90% of cases of Microscopic Colitis can be diagnosed by performing a short colonoscopy.

AIMS: To determinate the topographical distribution of key diagnostic histological features of lymphocytic colitis (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC) and to establish what correlations may exist between the histological findings and the causes and severity of MC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with MC were included in a prospective multicentre French study from September 2010 to October 2012. MC was diagnosed by performing total colonoscopy with multiple biopsies of the rectum and colon collected in separate jars and analyzed separately for each site (descending and sigmoid colon, transverse colon, ascending colon). CC was defined as a subepithelial collagen layer>10µm thick and LC as an intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) count>20 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells without any associated thickening of the subepithelial collagen. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients, 69 with LC 26 and with CC, were included in the analysis. The sensitivity of the biopsies for diagnosing MC was maximum in the transverse colon and minimum in the rectum. Rectal and left colonic biopsies resulted in the diagnosis of CC and CL in 93% and 94% of cases, respectively. All the remaining cases of MC were diagnosed by performing additional biopsies beyond the splenic flexure. In patients with LC, a higher rate of IELs was associated with the absence of abdominal pain (P=0.01) and a shorter duration of diarrhea (P=0.001). In patients with CC, a lower level of collagen thickness in the basement membrane was associated with the presence of an autoimmune disease (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: More than 90% of cases of microscopic colitis were diagnosed in this study by performing rectal and left colonic biopsies.

Middle-term mortality and re-bleeding after initial diverticular bleeding: A nationwide study of 365 mostly elderly French patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the mortality and re-bleeding rates, and the risk factors involved, in a cohort of patients with previous diverticular bleeding (DB). METHODS: In 2007, data on 2462 patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding were collected prospectively at several French hospitals. We studied the follow-up of patients with DB retrospectively. The following data were collected: age, mortality rates and re-bleeding rates, drug intake, surgery and comorbidities. RESULTS: Data on 365 patients, including 181 women (mean age 83.6 ± 9.8 years) were available. The median follow-up time was 3.9 years (IQR 25-75: 1.7-5.4). Of these, 148 patients died (40.5%). Among the 70 patients (19.2%) who had at least one re-bleeding episode, nine died and three underwent surgical procedures. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy was discontinued in 70 cases (19.2%). The independent risk factors contributing to mortality were age > 80 years (HR = 3.18 (2.1-4.9); p < 0.001) and a Charlson comorbidity score > 2 (1.91 (1.31-2.79); p = 0.003). Discontinuation of therapy was not significantly associated with a risk of death due to cardiovascular events. No risk factors responsible for re-bleeding were identified, such as antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in particular. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the rates of mortality and DB re-bleeding after a median follow-up time of 3.9 years were 19.2% and 40.5%, respectively. The majority of the deaths recorded were not due to re-bleeding.

Disulfiram efficacy in the treatment of alcohol dependence: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite its success with compliant or supervised patients, disulfiram has been a controversial medication in the treatment of alcoholism. Often, study designs did not recognize a pivotal factor in disulfiram research, the importance of an open-label design. Our objectives are: (1) to analyze the efficacy and safety of disulfiram in RCTs in supporting abstinence and (2) to compare blind versus open-label studies, hypothesizing that blinded studies would show no difference between disulfiram and control groups because the threat would be evenly spread across all groups. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register for RCTs on disulfiram use with alcoholics in comparison to any alcoholic control group. The primary outcome was defined by the authors of each trial. Additional analyses included: blind vs. open-label, with or without supervision, cocaine study or not, and type of control. Overall, the 22 included studies showed a higher success rate of disulfiram compared to controls Hedges'g = .58 (95%CI = .35-.82). When comparing blind and open-label RCTs, only open-label trials showed a significant superiority over controls g = .70 (95%CI = .46-.93). RCTs with blind designs showed no efficacy of disulfiram compared to controls. Disulfiram was also more effective than the control condition when compared to naltrexone g = .77, 95%CI = .52-1.02, to acamprosate g = .76, 95%CI = .04-1.48, and to the no disulfiram groups g = .43, 95%CI = .17-.69. LIMITS INCLUDE: (1) a population of 89% male subjects and (2) a high but unavoidable heterogeneity of the studies with a substantial I-square in most subgroups of studies. CONCLUSIONS: Blinded studies were incapable of distinguishing a difference between treatment groups and thus are incompatible with disulfiram research. Based on results with open-label studies, disulfiram is a safe and efficacious treatment compared to other abstinence supportive pharmacological treatments or to no disulfiram in supervised studies for problems of alcohol abuse or dependence.

Impact of complementary and alternative medicine on the quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: results from a French national survey.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Few data have been published on the impact of CAM on the quality of life (QOL). AIMS: The aim of the study was to describe CAM use in French patients with IBD, identify characteristics associated with CAM use, and assess the impact of CAM on the QOL. METHODS: We conducted an internet survey on CAM through the French IBD patient's association website. Patients had to answer a questionnaire (LimeSurvey application) about sociodemography, IBD treatment, CAM type, socioeconomic data, and QOL using the Short IBD Questionnaire (SIBDQ). Patients noted the impact of CAM on their symptoms and on their QOL on a scale of 0-100. CAM users and nonusers were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 936 IBD patients responded and 767 (82.4%) filled up the whole questionnaire: 503 reported CAM use and 172 had never used. The types of CAM reported were diet-based (30.7%), body-based (25.1%), homeopathic or traditional medicine (19.6%), naturopathy (15.2%), and mind-body medicine (9.1%). The gastroenterologist was aware of CAM use in only 46% of patients. CAM users were more likely to have ulcerative colitis [odds ratio (OR)=1.78, P=0.018], clinical remission (OR=1.42, P=0.06), high level of education (OR=1.51, P=0.02), poor observance (OR=1.81, P=0.017), or to have terminated conventional treatment (OR=2.03, P=0.003). CAM users tend to have higher rates of SIBDQ scores, greater than 50 (OR=1.57, P=0.06). Improvement in symptoms and QOL was reported with all CAM types except mind medicine. CONCLUSION: CAM use is widespread among IBD patients. CAM users report improvement in symptoms and QOL, but they tend to stop their conventional treatment. Better information about CAM might improve adherence to conventional treatment.