Aminosalicylates, thiopurines and methotrexate in inflammatory bowel disease: Is it possible to discontinue the treatment? / Aminosalicilatos, tiopurínicos y metotrexato en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, ¿es posible suspender el tratamiento?

The current goals of treatment in inflammatory bowel disease, both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are to achieve clinical, endoscopic and ideally histological remission and improve the quality of life of these patients. Current therapies are effective in achieving remission in most cases, but there is a lack of clear guidelines on their optimal duration. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence on the withdrawal of therapy with 5-aminosalicylates, thiopurines and methotrexate. We also aim to identify which specific group of patients, while in remission and in the absence of risk factors, may be able to discontinue therapy without a significant risk of relapse.

[Performance of prognostic index in severe Clostridium difficile-associated infection: retrospective analysis in a university hospital]. / Rendimiento de índices pronósticos en infección asociada a Clostridium difficile grave: Análisis retrospectivo en un hospital universitario.

INTRODUCTION: By consensus severe, Clostridium difficile-associated infection (CDAI) is one that results in hospitalization in ICU, colectomy or death within 30 days. Multiple prognostic indices (IP) attempt to predict these adverse events. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of 4 PI in predicting severe CDI. METHODS: Hospitalized patients ≥ 18 years old with ICD were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with recurrent infection or hematological cancer were excluded. Four PI were evaluated: UPMC version 1, Calgary version 1, Hines VA and Calgary version 2. RESULTS: Seven of 81 patients (8.1%) met the definition of severe CDI. Positive predicted value (PPV) and negative predicted value (NPV) of PI ranged from 20-75% and 91.3-95.7%, respectively. Only Hines VA index had a satisfactory Kappa index (0.74; 95% CI 0.41-1) with a PPV of 75% and NPV of 95,7%. However, because of the variables included, this PI could be calculated only in 32.6% of patients. CONCLUSION: Hines VA index has the best predicted value and agreement to rule out a severe CDI. Like others PI it has the limitation of including difficult variables to assess in all patients and tends to overestimate an unfavorable course.

Rendimiento de índices pronósticos en infección asociada a Clostridium difficile grave: Análisis retrospectivo en un hospital universitario / Performance of prognostic index in severe Clostridium difficile-associated infection: Retrospective analysis in a university hospital

Introduction: By consensus severe, Clostridium difficile-associated infection (CDAI) is one that results in hospitalization in ICU, colectomy or death within 30 days. Multiple prognostic indices (IP) attempt to predict these adverse events. Objective: To evaluate the performance of 4 PI in predicting severe CDI. Methods: Hospitalized patients ≥ 18 years old with ICD were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with recurrent infection or hematological cancer were excluded. Four PI were evaluated: UPMC version 1, Calgary version 1, Hines VA and Calgary version 2. Results: Seven of 81 patients (8.1%) met the definition of severe CDI. Positive predicted value (PPV) and negative predicted value (NPV) of PI ranged from 20-75% and 91.3-95.7%, respectively. Only Hines VA index had a satisfactory Kappa index (0.74; 95% CI 0.41-1) with a PPV of 75% and NPV of 95,7%. However, because of the variables included, this PI could be calculated only in 32.6% of patients. Conclusion: Hines VA index has the best predicted value and agreement to rule out a severe CDI. Like others PI it has the limitation of including difficult variables to assess in all patients and tends to overestimate an unfavorable course.

Introducción: Por consenso, la infección asociada a Clostridium difficile (IACD) grave es aquella que resulta en hospitalización en unidad de cuidados intensivos, colectomía o muerte dentro de 30 días. Múltiples índices pronósticos (IP) intentan predecir estos eventos adversos. Objetivo: evaluar el rendimiento de cuatro IP en la predicción de IACD grave. Metodología: pacientes hospitalizados ≥ 18 años con IACD fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. Se excluyeron pacientes con infección recurrente o cáncer hematológico. Se evaluaron cuatro IP: UPMC versión 1, Calgary versión 1, Hines VA y Calgary versión 2. Resultados: Siete de 81 pacientes (8,1%) presentaron una IACD grave. El valor predictor positivo (VPP) y valor predictor negativo (VPN) de los IP varió entre 20-75% y 91,3-95,7%, respectivamente. Sólo el índice de Hines VA tuvo un índice Kappa satisfactorio (0,74;IC 95% 0,46-1) con un VPP de 75% y un VPN de 95,7%. Sin embargo, por las variables incluidas en este IP, sólo pudo ser calculado en 32,6% de los pacientes. Conclusión: El índice de Hines VA presenta el mejor valor predictor y concordancia para descartar una IACD grave. Como otros IP, tiene la limitación de incluir variables difícilmente evaluables en todos los pacientes y tiende a sobreestimar un curso desfavorable.