Epithelioid Granulomas Associate With Increased Severity and Progression of Crohn's Disease, Based on 6-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Epithelioid granulomas are characteristics of a subset of patients with Crohn's disease (CD), but their significance, with regard to disease progression and severity, is unclear. We investigated the relationship between granulomas and CD severity over a 6-year time period in a large cohort of patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with CD seen at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the University of Pittsburgh; data were collected from 2009 through 2014 and patients were assigned to groups with and without histologic evidence of granuloma. Demographic, clinical (including disease activity, quality of life, medication use, and healthcare utilization), and laboratory data were used in association and survival analyses. Differences between groups were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Of 1466 patients with CD, granulomas were identified in 187 (12.8%). In the subset of patients who underwent surgery, 21.0% had granulomas. The presence of granuloma was associated with increased serum levels of c-reactive protein (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% CI, 2.078-4.208; P < .0001), younger mean age at diagnosis (23.6 ± 11.3 years in patients with granulomas vs 27.9 ± 13.3 years in patients without; P = .0005), higher rates of stricturing or penetrating disease phenotype, higher rates of steroid and narcotic use, and higher healthcare utilization. Among patients that underwent surgery, the presence of granulomas was associated with need for repeat surgery during the 6-year observation period (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.54-4.02; P = .0002). Infliximab use was associated with detection of granuloma in a significantly lower proportion of surgical specimens compared to patients who had not been treated with a biologic agent (OR, 0.22; 95 CI, 0.05-0.97; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Epithelioid granulomas develop in less than 13% of patients with CD, and are associated with a more aggressive disease phenotype. Patients who have undergone surgery for CD and have granulomas are at increased risk for repeat surgery within 6 years.

Inflammatory bowel disease of the lung: The role of infliximab?

Pulmonary extra-intestinal manifestations (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease are well described with a variable incidence. We present a case of Crohn's disease with pulmonary EIM including chronic bronchitis with non-resolving bilateral cavitary pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy successfully treated with infliximab. Additionally, we present a case summary from a literature review on pulmonary EIM successfully treated with infliximab. Current treatment recommendations include an inhaled and/or systemic corticosteroid regimen which is largely based on case reports and expert opinion. We offer infliximab as an adjunctive therapy or alternative to corticosteroids for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease related pulmonary EIM.

Pneumococcal vaccination rates in VHA patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract not caused by infectious agents. Symptoms of IBD, such as diarrhea and pain, diminish one's quality of life. Underlying immune dysregulation may put IBD patients at risk for severe infectious disease making preventative vaccination highly recommended. Therefore, this study sought to assess rates of pneumococcal vaccination in patients with IBD.A cross-sectional observational study was employed utilizing administrative data extracts from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to identify patients diagnosed with IBD per International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, Clinical Modification codes. Their pneumococcal vaccine histories were determined from Common Procedural Terminology codes. Data were aggregated to the patient level and subjected to multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with receipt of the vaccination and 1-year mortality; survival analyses extended follow-up to as much as 4 years following IBD diagnosis.From October 2004 to September 2009, 49,350 patients were diagnosed with IBD in the VHA. Incidence was approximately 6000 cases/y. Patients averaged 62 years (±15, range 19-98) with 45% aged 65 or older. Approximately 6% were women, 21% were highly disabled from a military service-connected condition, 46% had hypertension, 38% dyslipidemia, and 18% diabetes. Only 20% of the cohort received pneumococcal vaccination including 5% vaccinated prior to IBD diagnosis, 2% on the date of diagnosis, and 13% subsequently. Being married, living outside the Northeast, and having more comorbidities were associated with vaccination before IBD diagnosis; models of vaccination at or after diagnosis demonstrated poor fit: little better than chance. Vaccinations before, after, and at diagnosis were protective against 1-year mortality adjusting for clinical and demographic covariates. Living in the South was an independent risk factor for death among IBD patients.While vaccination for pneumococcus is a low-cost, low-risk recommendation for persons with IBD with an apparent survival benefit, vaccination rates were low.