Rates of Adverse Events in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Undergoing Colectomy During Treatment With Tofacitinib vs Biologics: A Multicenter Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) receiving immunosuppressive drugs are at substantial risk of colectomy. We aimed to assess the risk of postoperative complications of tofacitinib exposure before colectomy in comparison with biologics. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted in patients with UC who underwent total colectomy for medically refractory disease, exposed to tofacitinib or a biologic before surgery. Primary outcome was the occurrence of any complication within 30 (early) and 90 (late) days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of infections, sepsis, surgical site complications, venous thromboembolic events (VTE), hospital readmissions, and redo surgery within the same timepoints. RESULTS: Three hundred one patients (64 tofacitinib, 162 anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents, 54 vedolizumab, and 21 ustekinumab) were included. No significant differences were reported in any outcome, except for a higher rate of early VTE with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents ( P = 0.047) and of late VTE with vedolizumab ( P = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, drug class was not associated with a higher risk of any early and late complications. Urgent colectomy increased the risk of any early (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-3.48) complications, early hospital readmission (OR 4.79, 95% CI 1.12-20.58), and early redo surgery (OR 7.49, 95% CI 1.17-47.85). A high steroid dose increased the risk of any early complications (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.08-3.57), early surgical site complications (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.01-4.09), and early redo surgery (OR 7.52, 95% CI 1.42-39.82). Laparoscopic surgery decreased the risk of any early complications (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.29-1.00), early infections (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.85), and late hospital readmissions (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-1.00). DISCUSSION: Preoperative tofacitinib treatment demonstrated a postoperative safety profile comparable with biologics in patients with UC undergoing colectomy.

Increased prevalence of high-risk coronary plaques in metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease patients: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (CTCA) can assess both the extent and the features of coronary plaques. We aimed to gather evidence about the prevalence and features of coronary plaques among MASLD patients. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and adjusted observational studies assessing the prevalence and features of coronary plaques by means of CTCA in MASLD patients as compared with a control group. The prevalence of coronary stenosis (defined as >30% and >50% diameter of stenosis), of increasing coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and of high-risk features (namely low-attenuation plaques, napkin ring sign, spotty calcification and positive remodelling) in MASLD patients were the endpoints of interest. RESULTS: Twenty-four observational studies were included. MASLD was associated with an increased prevalence of critical coronary stenosis compared with controls (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95%CI 1.23-1.93). Increased values of CAC score were observed in MASLD patients (OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.02-1.78 and OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.57-3.23 for CAC score 0-100 and >100, respectively). An increased risk of 'high-risk' coronary plaques was observed in MASLD patients (OR 2.13, 95%CI 1.42-3.19). As high-risk features plaques, a higher prevalence of positive remodelling and spotty calcification characterize MASLD patients (OR 2.92, 95%CI 1.79-4.77 and OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.22-7.20). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MASLD are at increased risk of developing critical coronary stenosis and coronary plaques characterized by high-risk features as detected by CTCA.

Impact of PNPLA3 rs738409 Polymorphism on the Development of Liver-Related Events in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex disease, resulting from the interplay between environmental determinants and genetic variations. Single nucleotide polymorphism rs738409 C>G in the PNPLA3 gene is associated with hepatic fibrosis and with higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we analyzed a longitudinal cohort of biopsy-proven NAFLD subjects with the aim to identify individuals in whom genetics may have a stronger impact on disease progression. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 756 consecutive, prospectively enrolled biopsy-proven NAFLD subjects from Italy, United Kingdom, and Spain who were followed for a median of 84 months (interquartile range, 65-109 months). We stratified the study cohort according to sex, body mass index (BMI)

SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: comparison between the first and second pandemic waves.

BACKGROUND: In Italy, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection peaked in April and November 2020, defining two pandemic waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and SARS-CoV-2 infections between pandemic waves. METHODS: Observational longitudinal study of IBD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with established diagnoses of IBD and of SARS-CoV-2 infection were consecutively enrolled in two periods: (i) first wave, from 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020; and (ii) second wave, from 15 September to 15 December 2020. RESULTS: We enrolled 937 IBD patients (219 in the first wave, 718 in the second wave). Patients of the first wave were older (mean ± SD: 46.3 ± 16.2 vs. 44.1 ± 15.4 years, p = 0.06), more likely to have ulcerative colitis (58.0% vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001) and comorbidities (48.9% vs. 38.9%; p < 0.01), and more frequently residing in Northern Italy (73.1% vs. 46.0%, p < 0.001) than patients of the second wave. There were no significant differences between pandemic waves in sex (male: 54.3% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.82) or frequency of active IBD (44.3% vs. 39.0%, p = 0.18). The rates of negative outcomes were significantly higher in the first than second wave: pneumonia (27.8% vs. 11.7%, p < 0.001), hospital admission (27.4% vs. 9.7%, p < 0.001), ventilatory support (11.9% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.003) and death (5.5% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.007). CONCLUSION: Between the first and second SARS-CoV-2 pandemic waves, demographic, clinical and geographical features of IBD patients were different as were the symptoms and outcomes of infection. These differences are likely due to the different epidemiological situations and diagnostic possibilities between the two waves.

The Predictive Role of Extracellular NAPRT for the Detection of Advanced Fibrosis in Biopsy-Proven Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Intrahepatic oxidative stress is a key driver of inflammation and fibrogenesis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to investigate the role of extracellular Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT) and extracellular nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAPRT) for the detection of advanced fibrosis. eNAMPT and eNAPRT were tested in 180 consecutive biopsy-proven NAFLD patients and compared with liver stiffness (LS) and the FIB-4 score. eNAMPT was similarly distributed across fibrosis stages, whereas eNAPRT was increased in patients with advanced fibrosis (p = 0.036) and was associated with advanced fibrosis (OR 1.08, p = 0.016). A multiple stepwise logistic regression model containing significant variables for advanced fibrosis (eNAPRT, type 2 diabetes, age, male sex, ALT) had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (Se 89.6%, Sp 67.3%, PPV 46.7%, NPV 93.8%) when compared to that of LS (0.79; Se 63.5%, Sp 86.2%, PPV 66.0%, NPV 84.8%) and to that of the FIB-4 score (0.73; Se 80.0%, Sp 56.8%, PPV 44.9%, NPV 86.6%). The use of eNAPRT in clinical practice might allow for the better characterization of NAFLD patients at higher risk of disease progression.

An Objective Comparison of Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab Effectiveness in Crohn's Disease Patients' Failure to TNF-Alpha Inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: The use of ustekinumab and vedolizumab as second-line therapies in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in which tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) failed is still debated. The aim of this study was to compare, in a large multicenter observational retrospective cohort, the effectiveness of ustekinumab and vedolizumab as second-line therapies, as assessed by clinical and objective outcomes including endoscopy and gastrointestinal imaging. METHODS: Clinical response, remission, and steroid-free remission at weeks 26 and 52 were evaluated in a retrospective propensity score-weighted and propensity score-matched cohort of patients in which TNFi failed. Objective response and remission were evaluated by 1 or more techniques among endoscopy, magnetic resonance/computed tomography enteroclysis, and small bowel ultrasound. RESULTS: A total of 470 patients with CD (239 treated with ustekinumab and 231 treated with vedolizumab) were included in the study. At week 26, clinical outcomes were similar between the 2 groups. At week 52, clinical remission (ustekinumab 42.5% vs vedolizumab 55.5%, P = 0.01) and steroid-free remission (ustekinumab 40.6% vs vedolizumab 51.1%, P = 0.038) rates were significantly higher in vedolizumab-treated patients. Three hundred two patients (hundred thirty-five treated with ustekinumab and hundred sixty-seven treated with vedolizumab) had an objective evaluation of disease activity at baseline and week 52. At week 52, objective response and remission rates were similar between the 2 groups. Clinical response at week 26 predicted steroid-free remission at week 52 in both ustekinumab-treated and vedolizumab-treated patients. Safety profiles were similar between the 2 groups. DISCUSSION: In patients with CD in which TNFi failed, both ustekinumab and vedolizumab showed similar clinical effectiveness after 26 weeks of treatment. At 1 year, vedolizumab was associated with a higher rate of clinical remission when compared with ustekinumab. However, no difference was observed between the 2 groups when objective outcomes were investigated at this time point.

Screening and surveillance of oesophageal varices in patients with HCV-positive liver cirrhosis successfully treated by direct-acting antiviral agents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: limited evidence is available to guide hepatologists regarding endoscopic surveillance of oesophageal varices (EV) in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-positive cirrhotic patients achieving a sustained virologic response. To address these issues, we conducted a long-term prospective study on 427 HCV-positive cirrhotic patients successfully treated by Direct Antiviral Agents (DAAs). METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups according to their baseline Baveno VI status: Group 1 (92, 21.5%, favourable Baveno VI status) and Group 2 (335, 78.5%, unfavourable Baveno VI status). Each patient underwent baseline endoscopy and was endoscopically monitored for a median follow-up of 65.2 months according to Baveno VI recommendations. RESULTS: About 4.3% of Group 1 patients showed baseline EV compared with 30.1% of Group 2 patients (p < .0001). No patients belonging to Group 1 without baseline EV developed EV at follow-up endoscopy compared with 6.5% in Group 2 patients (p = .02); 69/107 (64.5%) patients with baseline EV showed small varices. During the endoscopic follow-up, EV disappeared/improved in 36 (33.6%), were stable in 39 (36.4%) and worsened in 32 (29.9%) patients, all belonging to Group 2 (p = .001). Improvement in Baveno VI status was observed in 118/335 (35.2%, p < .0001) of Group 2 patients and among those without pre-therapy EV, none developed EV throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: HCV-positive cirrhotic patients cured by DAAs showing baseline favourable Baveno VI status and no worsening during follow-up can safely avoid endoscopic screening and surveillance. Patients having unfavourable Baveno VI status without baseline EV who improve their status may suspend further endoscopic surveillance.

Shared microbiological and immunological patterns in periodontitis and IBD: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: To extract the microbiological and immunological evidence underpinning the association between periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Relevant articles were sorted through a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science up to October 2020. Available evidence was grouped in three different clusters: (a) studies that examined oral microbial alterations in IBD patients; (b) studies that investigated intestinal dysbiosis in patients with periodontitis; and (c) evidence for a shared immunological pattern between the two conditions. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies involving 1,171 patients were included. Oral microbiome, either subgingival or salivary, was consistently altered in patients with IBD compared to healthy subjects (a) Additionally, gut dysbiotic microbiota of IBD patients was colonized by pathobionts from oral origin, either via haematogenous or enteric route. Suffering from periodontitis is associated with lower alpha diversity in the gut microbiome (b) Lastly, both IBD and periodontitis are characterized by similar expression patterns of inflammatory cytokines at the gingival and gut levels that are exacerbated when both diseases are present (c). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis and IBD share common dysbiotic and immunological traits. Well-designed preclinical models and longitudinal cohort studies are required to better explore the causal pathways between the two conditions (PROSPERO CRD42020194379).

Zonulin levels in complicated pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zonulin is a novel biomarker of intestinal permeability. The existing data suggest that upregulation of zonulin might be linked to systemic inflammation and pregnancy complications. A systematic search was performed in medical electronic databases to identify eligible studies that reported circulating zonulin levels in complicated pregnancies compared to controls. Eight studies with 1196 serum samples of pregnant women were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis on four studies revealed a significant increase in serum zonulin in women with Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to healthy controls (Cohen's d = 2.06; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.15, 3.98). By pooling four studies that investigated zonulin levels in Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), higher zonulin concentrations were found in cases, while the difference was not significant (Cohen's d = 0.86; 95% CI: -0.04, 1.75). Current evidence suggests that higher levels of zonulin during pregnancy seem to be associated with inflammation-related complications, including GDM and HDP.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Increased zonulin levels are considered as a marker of intestinal hyper-permeability. Upregulation of zonulin and concurrent systemic inflammation, are known to be associated with some pregnancy complications.What do the results of this study add? We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate changes in serum zonulin levels in pregnancies complicated with Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). According to our results, zonulin levels were significantly higher in complicated pregnancies than in normal pregnancies, particularly for GDM.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our findings revealed a probable association between increased zonulin levels and inflammation-related complications during pregnancy. Moreover, zonulin could serve as a reliable diagnostic clinical biomarker to identify (or predict) complications during pregnancy. Further studies are needed to examine the clinical accuracy of zonulin for detecting pregnancy-related complications.

Long-term follow-up of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C successfully treated with direct-acting antiviral agents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with improved glycometabolic control in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) but whether this effect is maintained over the long term with a reduction in liver-related events (LRE) is still debated. To address these issues, we conducted a long-term prospective study on diabetic and non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C cured by direct antiviral agents (DAAs). METHODS: Among 893 recruited patients, 15.7% were diabetic (Group 1) and 84.3% non-diabetic (Group 2); changes in fasting glucose (FG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were assessed in Group 1 while the incidence of LRE was established in the whole cohort. Differences between groups were evaluated and independent predictors of unfavourable clinical outcome were established. RESULTS: After a mean follow up of 44.5 months, a significant reduction in FG and HbA1c values was found in Group 1. Death was reported in 5.7% of patients in Group 1 vs 1.6% in Group 2 (P = .003), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-free survival was significantly lower in Group 2 (P = .015) as well as LRE-free survival in Group 1 cirrhotic patients (P = .0006). After adjustment for baseline variables, cirrhosis and albumin levels emerged as independent predictors of LRE; low albumin levels, DM and central obesity were associated with HCC risk in cirrhotic patients while insulin therapy emerged as unfavourable predictor among diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: SVR achieved by DAAs is associated with long-term improvement of glycometabolic control in diabetic patients, but among cirrhotics DM still exerts a detrimental effect on the liver.

Effectiveness and safety of switching to adalimumab biosimilar ABP 501 in Crohn's disease: the extrapolation concept.

We sincerely thank Viscido et al. for their appropriate and sharable comments on our recent study on adalimumab biosimilar ABP 501 in Crohn's disease (CD). The use of a biosimilar in inflammatory disorders is one of the current main topics, given the great opportunity to save resources that can be invested in innovative drugs and the ethical problems that non-medical switching can generate.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in 79 patients with IBD in Italy: an IG-IBD study.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has rapidly become a major health emergency worldwide. Patients with IBD are at increased risk of infection, especially when they have active disease and are taking immunosuppressive therapy. The characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with IBD remain unclear. DESIGN: This Italian prospective observational cohort study enrolled consecutive patients with an established IBD diagnosis and confirmed COVID-19. Data regarding age, sex, IBD (type, treatments and clinical activity), other comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)), signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and therapies were compared with COVID-19 outcomes (pneumonia, hospitalisation, respiratory therapy and death). RESULTS: Between 11 and 29 March 2020, 79 patients with IBD with COVID-19 were enrolled at 24 IBD referral units. Thirty-six patients had COVID-19-related pneumonia (46%), 22 (28%) were hospitalised, 7 (9%) required non-mechanical ventilation, 9 (11%) required continuous positive airway pressure therapy, 2 (3%) had endotracheal intubation and 6 (8%) died. Four patients (6%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 while they were being hospitalised for a severe flare of IBD. Age over 65 years (p=0.03), UC diagnosis (p=0.03), IBD activity (p=0.003) and a CCI score >1 (p=0.04) were significantly associated with COVID-19 pneumonia, whereas concomitant IBD treatments were not. Age over 65 years (p=0.002), active IBD (p=0.02) and higher CCI score were significantly associated with COVID-19-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Active IBD, old age and comorbidities were associated with a negative COVID-19 outcome, whereas IBD treatments were not. Preventing acute IBD flares may avoid fatal COVID-19 in patients with IBD. Further research is needed.

Interplay between Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Derangements in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Role of Selenoprotein P.

Background: Pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are complex and multifactorial. We investigated oxidative stress through the measurement of selenoprotein P (SeP) in serum and we explored its relation to metabolic derangements and liver damage in a group of non-diabetic NAFLD subjects. Methods: 57 NAFLD patients underwent a double-tracer oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin resistance (IR) components were calculated at baseline as follows: hepatic-IR = (endogenous glucose production*insulin); peripheral-IR = (glucose rate of disappearance(Rd)); adipose-tissue(AT)-IR as Lipo-IR = (glycerol rate of appearance (Ra)*insulin) or AT-IR = (free fatty acids (FFAs)*insulin). The lipid and amino acid (AA) profiles were assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. SeP levels were measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay. Results: Circulating SeP correlated with insulin (rS = 0.28), FFAs (rS = 0.42), glucose Rd (rS = -0.33) and glycerol Ra (rS = -0.34); consistently, SeP levels correlated with Lipo-IR and AT-IR (rS > 0.4). Among the AA and lipid profiles, SeP inversely correlated with serine (rS = -0.31), glycine (rS = -0.44) and branched chain AA (rS = -0.32), and directly correlated with saturated (rS = 0.41) and monounsaturated FFAs (rS = 0.40). Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis increased in subjects with higher levels of SeP. In multivariable regression analysis, SeP was associated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis (t = 2.4, p = 0.022). Conclusions: SeP levels were associated with an altered metabolic profile and to the degree of hepatic fibrosis, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Vedolizumab for treatment of chronic refractory pouchitis: a systematic review with pool analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: about 1%-2% of patients with chronic refractory pouchitis, in the context of ulcerative colitis, end up with a permanent ileostomy. The aim of this systematic review was to collect all published studies involving patients treated with vedolizumab for chronic refractory or antibiotic-dependent pouchitis and then pool the data regarding the effectiveness of this therapeutic strategy. METHODS: a MEDLINE and Web of Science search of all studies published in English until March 17, 2019 was conducted using the terms "vedolizumab and pouchitis". RESULTS: seven studies with a total of 44 patients with chronic pouchitis were included. Twenty-three out of 44 patients (52.3%) had undergone previous treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs. At week 12, 33 out of 44 patients (75%) reported clinical improvement. Endoscopic improvement, evaluated within 6 months of the start of vedolizumab therapy, was obtained in 28 out of the 38 patients in whom such data were available (73.7%). CONCLUSIONS: this first systematic review published in the literature on this issue suggests that vedolizumab has significant efficacy in chronic refractory or antibiotic-dependent pouchitis, also in patients who failed to respond to other treatments including those with anti-TNF agents.

Effectiveness and safety of adalimumab biosimilar ABP 501 in Crohn's disease: an observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: there are no studies in the literature about the effectiveness of adalimumab biosimilar ABP 501 in Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effectiveness and safety. METHODS: an observational study was performed in Crohn's disease patients treated with ABP 501, with the classic induction and maintenance regimen and in Crohn's disease patients who were switched from the adalimumab originator to ABP 501. RESULTS: eighty-seven patients were included in the study, of which 25 were naïve to the adalimumab originator and 62 were switched to ABP 501. In adalimumab-naïve patients, clinical response at three months was 60% (15/25) and clinical remission at three months was 56% (14/25). At six months, 95.2% (59/62) of the patients switched to ABP 501 were still in therapy, without a significant increase of clinical activity (Harvey-Bradshaw index from 3.4, 95% CI = 2.4-4.4, to 3.8, 95% CI = 2.7-4.9, p = 0.23) and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein from 4.2 mg/l, 95% CI = 2.5-5.9 mg/l, to 3.6 mg/l, 95% CI = 2.2-5 mg/l, p = 0.32). There were no unexpected adverse events during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: our results support ABP 501 as an effective and well-tolerated drug, with a good interchangeability with its originator for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Incidence of Prostate Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Background and objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer as well as some extra-intestinal tumors, but there are still limited data about the risk of prostate cancer (PC). To analyze if there is an increased risk of PC in patients affected by IBD, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: A Pubmed search of all studies comparing standardized incidence ratio (SIR) or odds ratio (OR) or relative risks (RR) of PC between IBD and non IBD groups, published until March 2020 was conducted. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Twelve studies, mostly population studies, were included. The quality score of these studies, evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, was 7. The heterogeneity was high among the studies in which ulcerative colitis (UC) was considered separate from Crohn's disease (CD) and in the studies that considered UC and CD together ("IBD-studies"), while it was low in the studies which considered CD separate from UC. Results: The relative risk of developing PC was 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.51, p = 0.007) in IBD, 1.10 (95%CI 0.98-1.25, p = 0.116) in CD, and 1.22 (95%CI 0.98-1.51, p = 0.07) in UC. Conclusions: Patients with IBD appear to have a slightly increased risk of PC compared to the general population.

Adalimumab versus azathioprine to halt the progression of bowel damage in Crohn's disease: application of Lémann Index.

Background: The Lémann Index (LI) was recently developed to evaluate the cumulative bowel damage in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).Aims: To search for a difference between adalimumab and azathioprine to halt the progression of bowel damage in active CD, using the LI.Methods: A single-centre, retrospective study was conducted. Patients with CD were included if they had colonoscopy and magnetic resonance enterography performed within 4 months from the start of adalimumab or azathioprine and repeated after 12 months of therapy. Primary outcome was reached if the increase of LI after 12 months of treatment was <0.3, the drug was not stopped, and the use of systemic steroids was continued for no more than 3 months.Results: Ninety-one patients were enrolled, 31 (34.1%) of them treated with adalimumab and 60 (65.9%) with azathioprine. Sixty-seven percent of patients treated with adalimumab reached the primary outcome compared to 28.3% of patients treated with azathioprine (p = .0006). The LI in the group on adalimumab therapy decreased after 12 months (from 9.9 to 8.8), while in the group on azathioprine therapy it increased (from 7.7 to 8.8).Conclusion: Treatment with adalimumab halts the progression of bowel damage in CD while that with azathioprine does not.

Risk factors of suspected spondyloarthritis among inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Background: Occurring in approximately 20-30% of patients, spondyloarthritis is the most common extraintestinal manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Aims: To look for risk factors of spondyloarthritis among inflammatory bowel disease patients.Methods: We modified the STRIPP questionnaire created for psoriatic patients and we created a rapid questionnaire for rheumatologic investigation in IBD patients (STRII). We submitted the questionnaire to all consecutive patients with a known spondyloarthritis in our centre and to patients with a negative rheumatological diagnosis to find the cut-off value. Finally, we prospectively submitted the STRII questionnaire to all consecutive IBD patients in our centre.Results: A cut-off ≥3 correlated with spondyloarthritis with an AUC = 0.91. The STRII questionnaire was submitted to 1147 IBD patients. Two hundred and forty-four out of 1147 (21.3%) collected a STRII score of ≥3. Female sex (p < .0001) and Crohn's disease (p = .023) were risk factors. Patients with a history of at least 1 immunosuppressant or biologic drug (p = .002 and p < .0001, respectively) had a higher rate of positivity to STRII questionnaire.Conclusion: Among IBD patients, females, Crohn's disease, those with a history of at least 1 immunosuppressive or biological therapy are at increased risk of spondyloarthritis.

Dual biological therapy with anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review with pool analysis.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases patients eligible for biological therapy represent a group with considerable disease burden and biologics only achieve 40% clinical remission rates in responders after 1 year of therapy. Aims: To collect all the published data about patients treated with dual biological therapy with an Anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab, for a period of at least 3 months and to pool the data about the effectiveness and safety. Methods: A MEDLINE, and Web of Science search of all studies published in English until 1 January 2019 was conducted. Results: We included 7 studies with a total of 18 patients. Fifteen patients were treated with a combination of an anti-TNF and vedolizumab, 3 patients were treated with vedolizumab and ustekinumab. Fifty-six percent of patients were affected by Crohn's disease and 50% of patients were treated with an immunosuppressant drug or steroid too. A clinical improvement was obtained in 100% of patients, and an endoscopic improvement in 93% of patients. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The use of dual biological therapy is an attractive therapeutic option and may be an opportunity to better tailor and personalize the therapies for patients. Further studies, as randomized control trials, to provide comparative efficacy and safety endpoints of combination therapies, and to clarify potential advantages of combined biological therapies, are needed.