Anaemia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease - A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is the most common complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to assess the prevalence of anaemia in IBD patients and to know its characteristics with regard to the main IBD clinical features. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted. We included all patients who had an appointment at the 15 participating centres during the period of 1 month, and who met the following selection criteria: age ≥18, diagnosis of IBD. Disease activity was evaluated by Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) for Crohn's disease (CD), and by Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) for ulcerative colitis (UC). RESULTS: One thousand three hundred and thirteen patients, were included: 54.8% female, mean age 42.8 (interquartile range (25th-75th): 31-53 years), 59% had a diagnosis of CD, 39% of UC and 2% IBD unclassified. The median follow-up since diagnosis was 7 years. The ongoing treatment was aminosalicylates (63.1%), corticosteroids (11.6%), immunomodulators (36.4%) and anti-tumour necrosis factor (27.3%). Anaemia was identified in 244 patients, representing a prevalence of 18.6% (95% CI 16.6-20.9). A majority of cases (90%) have mild/moderate anaemia (mean haemoglobin 11.3 ± 0.8 g/dl). Anaemia was significantly higher in females (p = 0.006), but there were no differences between CDs (19.1%) and UCs (17.7%; p = 0.688). Anaemia was more frequent in patients with active disease (HBI >4; SCCAI >2) than in those in clinical remission (33.6 vs. 15.6%, p < 0.001) and in patients on steroids (36.8%) vs. other treatments (p < 0.001). Only 47% of patients with anaemia were under any specific treatment (oral iron 67%; intravenous iron 41%). CONCLUSION: Anaemia was more frequent in patients with active disease and in those on corticosteroids. The treatment of anaemia still seems undervalued, whereas more than half of anaemic patients were not receiving any specific treatment and the use of oral iron prevails contrarily to current recommendations.

Chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of genotype and viremia were retrospectively evaluated on sustained virological response (SVR) rates in routine clinical practice. METHODOLOGY: From 1907 patients with chronic hepatitis C proposed for treatment, we analysed 1380 (1124 naive and 256 treatment-experienced) with complete follow-up. Genotype and HCV RNA quantification were assayed by commercial tests. Viremia was considered high if >800,000IU/mL, and low if <400,000IU/mL. Liver fibrosis was staged in 614 patients. RESULTS: Genotype 1 was the most frequent (60%), followed by 3 (25%), 4 (9%) and 2 (2%); 3.2% had other or unclassified genotype. Genotype 1 was more prevalent in central Portugal and genotype 4 in the south. Viremia was =800,000IU/mL in 54.6% and <400,000IU/mL in 34.6% of the patients, particularly in genotype 2 (p<0.03) and 4 (p<0.001). Genotype non-1 had a significantly lower viral load (p=0.004). Mild or moderate fibrosis was present in 71.7% and bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis in 28.3%, with no differences among genotypes. Treatment was discontinued in 19.8%. SVR was achieved in 55.3% of naive and 36.3% of re-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C in real-life achieves similar results obtained in clinical trials, despite differences of demographic and viral parameters.

Experience of a Portuguese Center: Effectiveness of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: In late 2014, Portugal implemented a national program for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C with directacting antiviral agents. This program has made Portugal one of the first European countries to implement a structured measure of treatment to eliminate this serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of direct-acting antiviral therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental on the national online platform from December 2014 until February 2017 and included patients with hepatitis C virus infection who underwent treatment. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at least 12 weeks post treatment. Data was analyzed with the SPSS 17.0 program. RESULTS: During the study period, 820 patients completed therapy and achieved sufficient follow-up time to assess sustained virologic response with an overall response rate of 97.2% (n = 797) and a response rate of 98.0%, 99.5%, 90.9%, 95.1% and 94.2% for genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Data suggested that advanced fibrosis (F3/F4), human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and treatment failure with interferon and ribavirin were not negatively related with sustained virologic response in our population. Most patients (80.1%) completed treatment with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir ± ribavirin. The most common adverse events were fatigue and insomnia followed by headache and weight loss. DISCUSSION: Patients predominantly had genotype 1 infection which correlates with HCV distribution in Europe, but we found a major proportion in genotype 4 which can be explained by immigration from African countries. Our patients' ages ranging from 22 to 90 years, reflected a new approach with no upper age limit. Direct-acting antivirals regimens resulted in remarkably high SVR rates compared to interferon-based regimens, which were consistent with clinical trials data. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that direct-acting antiviral-based regimens are safe and have a high success rate in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus infection in a real-world setting.

Introdução: No final de 2014 foi implementado em Portugal um programa nacional para o tratamento de doentes com infecção crónica por vírus da hepatite C com recurso a antivíricos de acção directa. Este programa fez com que Portugal fosse um dos primeiros países europeus a implementar uma medida estruturante para a eliminação da hepatite C. Este estudo tem como objectivo a avaliação da efectividade dos antivíricos de acção directa no tratamento da hepatite C crónica. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo observacional dos doentes seguidos no Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, entre dezembro de 2014 e fevereiro de 2017. O objectivo primário do estudo é avaliar a resposta virológica sustentada a partir das 12 semanas pós tratamento. Analisámos os dados com o programa SPSS 17.0. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo 820 doentes completaram o tratamento e o tempo necessário para avaliação da resposta virológica sustentada. A resposta virológica sustentada global foi de 97.2% (n = 797), com taxas de resposta de 97,2%, 98,5%, 90,9%, 95,1% e 94,2% para os genótipos 1a, 1b, 2, 3 e 4, respectivamente. Os dados sugerem não haver relação entre a fibrose avançada (F3 / F4), a coinfecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana e a falência do tratamento com interferão e ribavirina e uma menor resposta ao tratamento. A maioria dos doentes (80,1%) concluiu o tratamento com ledipasvir/sofosbuvir ± ribavirina. Os eventos adversos mais frequentes foram a fadiga e a insónia, seguida de dor de cabeça e perda de peso. Discussão: A população em estudo apresentou maior prevalência de infecção pelo genótipo 1, à semelhança dos restantes países Europeus, contudo a prevalência do genótipo 4 foi superior, reflectindo a imigração africana. A faixa etária (22 - 90 anos) dos doentes tratados reflecte uma nova abordagem sem limite superior de idade. A taxa de RVS obtida, muito superior à obtida com regimes baseados em interferão, foi consistente com os dados dos ensaios clínicos. Conclusão: Os dados encontrados demonstram que os regimes baseados em antivirais de acção directa, em contexto de vida real, são seguros e eficazes no tratamento de doentes com infecção por vírus da hepatite C.

The who-when-why triangle of CAM use among Portuguese IBD patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicines is increasing among chronic patients, particularly those afflicted with inflammatory bowel diseases. AIM: This study aimed to address the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines use among Portuguese inflammatory bowel diseases' patients. METHODS: Patients were invited to fill an anonymous questionnaire concerning the use of complementary and alternative medicines. RESULTS: Thirty-one per cent of the patients reported having used complementary and alternative medicines in the past, whereas 12% were using them by the time the questionnaire was administered. Fifty-nine per cent of the users did not share this information with their physician, whereas 14% and 8% discontinued their medication and periodical examination, respectively. Steroids prescription (OR=2.880) and a higher instruction level (OR=3.669) were predictors of complementary and alternative medicines use in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Roughly a third of Portuguese IBD patients had used CAM. Steroid treatment and an academic degree are associated with CAM use. Given the potential side effects and interactions, patient information about the benefits and limitations of conventional and complementary treatments should be reinforced.

Development and Validation of Risk Matrices for Crohn's Disease Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Early Therapeutic Interventions.

INTRODUCTION: The establishment of prognostic models for Crohn's disease [CD] is highly desirable, as they have the potential to guide physicians in the decision-making process concerning therapeutic choices, thus improving patients' health and quality of life. Our aim was to derive models for disabling CD and reoperation based solely on clinical/demographic data. METHODS: A multicentric and retrospectively enrolled cohort of CD patients, subject to early surgery or immunosuppression, was analysed in order to build Bayesian network models and risk matrices. The final results were validated internally and with a multicentric and prospectively enrolled cohort. RESULTS: The derivation cohort included a total of 489 CD patients [64% with disabling disease and 18% who needed reoperation], while the validation cohort included 129 CD patients with similar outcome proportions. The Bayesian models achieved an area under the curve of 78% for disabling disease and 86% for reoperation. Age at diagnosis, perianal disease, disease aggressiveness and early therapeutic decisions were found to be significant factors, and were used to construct user-friendly matrices depicting the probability of each outcome in patients with various combinations of these factors. The matrices exhibit good performance for the most important criteria: disabling disease positive post-test odds = 8.00 [2.72-23.44] and reoperation negative post-test odds = 0.02 [0.00-0.11]. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and demographical risk factors for disabling CD and reoperation were determined and their impact was quantified by means of risk matrices, which are applicable as bedside clinical tools that can help physicians during therapeutic decisions in early disease management.

Impact of Early Surgery and Immunosuppression on Crohn's Disease Disabling Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The definition of early therapeutic strategies to control Crohn's disease aggressiveness and prevent recurrence is key to improve clinical practice. This study explores the impact of early surgery and immunosuppression onset in the occurrence of disabling outcomes. METHODS: This was a multicentric and retrospective study with 754 patients with Crohn's disease, who were stratified according to the need for an early surgery (group S) or not (group I) and further divided according to the time elapsed from the beginning of the follow-up to the start of immunosuppression therapy. RESULTS: The rate of disabling events was similar in both groups (S: 77% versus I: 76%, P = 0.700). The percentage of patients who needed surgery after or during immunosuppression therapy was higher among group S, both for first surgeries after the index event (38% of groups S versus 21% of group I, P < 0.001) and for reoperations (38% of groups S versus 12% of group I, P < 0.001). The time elapsed to reoperation was shorter in group I (HR = 2.340 [1.367-4.005]), stratified for the onset of immunosuppression. Moreover, reoperation was far more common among patients who had a late start of immunosuppression (S36: 50% versus S0-6: 27% and S6-36: 25%, P < 0.001) and (I36: 16% versus I0-6: 5% and I6-36: 7%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although neither early surgery nor immunosuppression seem to be able to prevent global disabling disease, an early start of immunosuppression by itself is associated with fewer surgeries and should be considered in daily practice as a preventive strategy.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients on Third Generation Nucleos(t)ides Analogs: Risk Factors and Performance of a Risk Score.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence, risk factors and the performance of baseline REACH-B risk score in a Portuguese chronic hepatitis B (CHB) population on antiviral therapy. METHODS: Retrospective study of CHB patients who were treated with tenofovir or entecavir for at least 12 months. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with HCC. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of HCC at 1, 3 and 5 years on therapy. The performance of the REACH-B score at baseline was assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients initiated nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUC) therapy (age, 47 ± 14 years-old; 83 male; 11% had cirrhosis; 71% tenofovir; 73% HBeAg-negative; 61% treatment-naïve). After a median time under NUC of 39 months, 9 patients (7.5%) developed HCC. The calculated cumulative incidence rates of HCC at 1, 3 and 5 years on therapy were 5.1%, 7.3% and 8.8%, respectively. Independent predictors for HCC occurrence: age and cirrhosis at baseline. Diagnostic accuracy of baseline REACH-B score in predicting HCC development: AUC 0.738, 95%CI: 0.521-0.955. The cutoff value of 8 points had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 75%, 52%, 6% and 98%, respectively in predicting HCC occurrence during therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Older age and cirrhosis at baseline were independent predictors for HCC development. Discriminatory performance of baseline REACH-B score was limited.

OBJECTIVO: Estudar a incidência de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC), factores de risco e desempenho do score REACH-B (basal) numa população portuguesa de doentes com infecção crónica pelo vírus da hepatite B (VHB) sob análogos dos nucleós(t)idos de 3ª geração (NUC). MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospetivo de uma coorte de doentes com infecção crónica pelo VHB tratados com tenofovir ou entecavir durante pelo menos 12 meses. Foi realizada uma análise multivariada para identificar os factores associados ao desenvolvimento de CHC. Através do método de Kaplan-Meier foi estimada a incidência cumulativa de CHC ao final de 1, 3 e 5 anos sob terapêutica antiviral. RESULTADOS: Cento e vinte doentes iniciaram terapêutica com um NUC (idade, 47 ± 14 anos; 83 género masculino; 11% com cirrose; 71% tenofovir; 73% AgHBe-negativo; 61% naïves). Após um período mediano de 39 meses sob NUC, 9 doentes (7.5%) desenvolveram CHC. A incidência cumulativa de CHC ao final de 1, 3 e 5 anos sob terapêutica antiviral foi de 5,1%, 7,3% e 8,8%, respetivamente. Preditores independentes de CHC: idade e cirrose diagnosticada previamente ao início da terapêutica antiviral. Precisão diagnóstica da aplicação basal do score REACH-B para predizer CHC: AUC 0,738, 95%CI: 0,521-0,955. A utilização do valor cutoff de 8 pontos produziu uma sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo de 75%, 52%, 6% e 98%, respetivamente na predição de ocorrência de CHC durante o tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: Idade avançada e a presença de cirrose diagnosticada previamente ao início da terapêutica antiviral demonstraram-se preditores independentes para o desenvolvimento de CHC. O poder discriminatório basal do score REACH-B foi limitado.

[Portuguese Consensus on the Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Anaemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease]. / Consenso Português sobre o Diagnóstico, Prevenção e Tratamento da Anemia na Doença Inflamatória Intestinal.

INTRODUCTION: Anaemia can be considered the most common extra-intestinal manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, anaemia is often under-diagnosed and under-treated both in adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease. Herein, we report the consensus statements on the management of anaemia in inflammatory bowel disease developed by the Portuguese Working Group on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (known as Grupo de Estudo da Doença Inflamatória Intestinal - GEDII) to aid clinicians in daily management of inflammatory bowel disease patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted in order to prepare consensus statements on the following topics: (1) prevalence and diagnosis of anaemia in inflammatory bowel disease, (2) iron supplementation for the prevention of anaemia in inflammatory bowel disease and (3) treatment of anaemia in inflammatory bowel disease. The final statements for each topic were discussed at a consensus meeting and rated according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence. CONSENSUS: It was concluded that anaemia has a high incidence and prevalence in inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in those with active disease and hospitalised. Patients with anaemia had decreased quality of life and frequently complained of fatigue. Absolute indications for intravenous therapy should be considered: (1) moderate to severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 10.5 g/dL) or clearly symptomatic anaemia; (2) previous intolerance to oral iron supplements; (3) inappropriate response to oral iron; (4) active severe intestinal disease; (5) need for a quick therapeutic response (e.g. surgery in the short term); (6) concomitant therapy with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; and (7) patient's preference.

Introdução: A anemia pode ser considerada a manifestação extra-intestinal mais comum na doença inflamatória intestinal. Ainda assim, a anemia é subdiagnosticada e subtratada tanto em adultos como em crianças com doença inflamatória intestinal. Assim, apresentamos o consenso alcançado pelo Grupo de Estudo da Doença Inflamatória Intestinal - GEDII relativamente à gestão da anemia na doença inflamatória intestinal, com o objetivo de facilitar o acompanhamento clínico dos doentes com doença inflamatória intestinal. Material e Métodos: Foi conduzida uma revisão exaustiva da literatura, por forma a preparar statements de consenso nos seguintes tópicos: (1) prevalência e diagnóstico de anemia na doença inflamatória intestinal, (2) ferro da prevenção da anemia na doença inflamatória intestinal e (3) tratamento da anemia na doença inflamatória intestinal. Os statements finais para cada tópico foram discutidos na reunião de consenso e classificados de acordo com os níveis de evidência definidos em 2011 pelo Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Consensos: Concluiu-se que a anemia tem elevada incidência e prevalência na doença inflamatória intestinal, particularmente entre pacientes com doença ativa e hospitalizados. Indicações absolutas para terapia intravenosa devem ser consideradas quando existe: (1) anemia moderada a severa (hemoglobina < 10,5 g/dL) ou anemia claramente sintomática; (2) intoler'ncia prévia à terapêutica com ferro por via oral; (3) resposta inadequada à terapêutica com ferro por via oral; (4) doença intestinal ativa severa; (5) necessidade de resposta terapêutica rápida (e.g. cirurgia a curto prazo); (6) terapêutica concomitante com agente estimulante da eritropoiese; e (7) preferência do paciente.

Histological Outcomes and Predictive Value of Faecal Markers in Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis Patients Receiving Infliximab.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Histological healing has emerged as a promising therapeutic goal in ulcerative colitis. This is especially important in the context of biological therapies. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the ability of infliximab to induce histological remission in ulcerative colitis [UC] patients and to explore the utility of faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin in predicting histological activity. METHODS: Multi-centre, single-cohort, open-label, 52-week trial including moderately to severely biological-naïve UC patients receiving intravenous infliximab [5mg/kg]. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with histological remission [Geboes index ≤ 3.0] after 8 weeks of treatment, scored by two independent pathologists. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. The rate of histological remission increased from 5% at baseline to 15% and 35% at Week 8 and Week 52, respectively. At Week 8, 40% of patients were in clinical remission [Mayo ≤ 2] and 45% achieved mucosal healing [Mayo endoscopy subscore 0-1]. At Week 52, 25% of patients had clinical, endoscopic and histological remission. Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin showed the highest correlation with histological activity at Week 8 (area under the curve [AUC] 94%, p = 0.017; and 96%, p = 0.013, respectively) and both markers revealed an excellent positive predictive value for this outcome at this time point [100%, p = 0.017; and 94%, p = 0.013, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab was able to induce histological remission. There was a good agreement between histology and faecal biomarkers. Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin were good predictors of histological remission. Our data support inclusion of histology as a treatment target complementary to endoscopy in clinical trials when evaluating therapeutic response in UC.

IL23R polymorphisms influence phenotype and response to therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the clinical and genetic [IL23 receptor (IL23R) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] predictors of response to therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 174 patients with ulcerative colitis, 99 women and 75 men, were included. The mean age of the patients was 47±15 years and the mean disease duration was 11±9 years. The number of patients classified as responders (R) or nonresponders (NR) to several therapies was as follows: 110 R and 53 NR to mesalazine (5-ASA), 28 R and 20 NR to azathioprine (AZT), 18 R and 7 NR to infliximab. Clinical and demographic variables were recorded. A total of four SNPs were studied: IL23R G1142A, C2370A, G43045A, and G9T. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using Taqman probes. RESULTS: Older patients were more prone to respond to 5-ASA (P=0.004), whereas those with pancolitis were less likely to respond to such therapies (P=0.002). Patients with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) were less likely to respond to 5-ASA (P=0.001), AZT (P=0.03), and corticosteroids (P=0.06). Carriers of the mutant allele for IL23R SNPs had a significantly higher probability of developing EIMs (P<0.05), a higher probability of being refractory to 5-ASA (P<0.03), but a higher likelihood of responding to AZT (P=0.05). A significant synergism was observed between IL23R C2370A and EIMs with respect to nonresponse to 5-ASA (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Besides extent of disease and age at disease onset, the presence of EIMs may be a marker of refractoriness to 5-ASA, corticosteroids, and AZT. IL23R SNPs are associated both with EIMs and with nonresponse to 5-ASA and corticosteroids.

Review of the disease course among adult ulcerative colitis population-based longitudinal cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has a large impact on patients' lives. Clinical course studies of population-based cohorts contribute to our understanding of the disease as it progresses. We reviewed the clinical course of UC as reported in adult population-based longitudinal cohort studies. METHODS: A MEDLINE literature search to identify all adult population-based studies published up to June 2010 with data on the clinical course of UC was performed. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies reporting data from seven prospective longitudinal cohorts were identified. Extension from initial location varied from 10%-19% of the patients after 5 years of disease and from 11%-28% after 10 years in two of the cohorts. Disease activity appeared to improve over the disease course. The majority of patients had relapses in the first years of disease. The cumulative relapse rate varied from 67%-83% after 10 years of disease. From 1962-2004 a decreasing trend in the proportion of colectomies was observed. Most colectomies were performed during the first 2 years of disease and in patients with pancolitis. Salycilates were the most consumed medication followed by systemic steroids, immunosuppressors, and antitumor necrosis factors, with the latter two showing a substantial increased intake over time. Mortality increased with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS: This review shows how the clinical course of UC has changed over time and alerts to the need for more prospective cohort studies to evaluate long-term outcomes especially to study the impact of biologic agents on UC.

Crohn's disease in a southern European country: Montreal classification and clinical activity.

BACKGROUND: Given the heterogeneous nature of Crohn's disease (CD), our aim was to apply the Montreal Classification to a large cohort of Portuguese patients with CD in order to identify potential predictive regarding the need for medical and/or surgical treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was used based on data from an on-line registry of patients with CD. RESULTS: Of the 1692 patients with 5 or more years of disease, 747 (44%) were male and 945 (56%) female. On multivariate analysis the A2 group was an independent risk factor of the need for steroids (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.3) and the A1 and A2 groups for immunosuppressants (OR 2.2; CI 1.2-3.8; OR 1.4; CI 1.0-2.0, respectively). An L3+L3(4) and L(4) location were risk factors for immunosuppression (OR 1.9; CI 1.5-2.4), whereas an L1 location was significantly associated with the need for abdominal surgery (P < 0.001). After 20 years of disease, less than 10% of patients persisted without steroids, immunosuppression, or surgery. The Montreal Classification allowed us to identify different groups of disease severity: A1 were more immunosuppressed without surgery, most of A2 patients were submitted to surgery, and 52% of L1+L1(4) patients were operated without immunosuppressants. CONCLUSIONS: Stratifying patients according to the Montreal Classification may prove useful in identifying different phenotypes with different therapies and severity. Most of our patients have severe disease.