Value of endoscopy and MRI for predicting intestinal surgery in patients with Crohn's disease in the era of biologics.

OBJECTIVE: Severe endoscopic lesions (SEL) in patients with colonic Crohn's disease (CD) have been linked to higher risk of colectomy. The aims of this study were to reassess the predictive value of colonoscopy compared against MRI for requirement of resection surgery in patients with CD and determine the influence of current therapeutic options. DESIGN: In this single-centre, observational, prospective, longitudinal study, patients with an established diagnosis of CD and suspected activity were included. After baseline assessment, including colonoscopy and MRI, patients were followed until resection surgery or the end of study. RESULTS: 112 patients were eligible for analysis. Ulcers were present in 94/112 (84%) of patients at colonoscopy (SELs in 51/112 (46%)) and stenosis in 38/112 (34%). MRI identified ulcers in 79/112 (71%) of patients, stenosis in 36/112 (32%) and intra-abdominal fistulae in 20/112 (18%). Surgical resection requirements (29/112 (26%)) were not associated with the presence of SELs at colonoscopy. The presence of stenosis (p<0.001) or intra-abdominal fistulae (p<0.001) at MRI correlated with a higher risk of surgery. In the multivariate analysis, perianal disease (OR 9 (2 to 39), p=0.003), stenosis (OR 3.4 (1 to 11), p=0.04) and fistulae at MRI (OR 10.6 (2 to 46), p=0.002) increased the risk of abdominal resection surgery, while months under immunomodulators (OR 0.94 (0.90 to 0.98), p=0.002) and/or antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy (OR 0.97 (0.94 to 1), p=0.04) during follow-up decreased this risk. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal disease, stenosis and/or intra-abdominal fistulae at MRI independently predict an increased risk of resection surgery in patients with CD, whereas immunosuppressants and/or anti-TNF therapy reduce such risk. Under current therapeutic strategies, the presence of SELs is not a predictor of resection surgery in patients with CD.

Ascorbic acid PEG-2L is superior for early morning colonoscopies in colorectal cancer screening programs: a prospective non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The quality of colon cleansing and the tolerability of anterograde preparation are essential to the success of colorectal cancer screening. AIM: To compare the tolerability and efficacy of low-volume preparations vs the standard regimen in individuals scheduled for an early morning colonoscopy. STUDY: Participants in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program using the fecal immunochemical test who were scheduled for a colonoscopy from 09:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. were prospectively included and assigned to: (1) control group (PEG-ELS 4L): PEG 4L and electrolytes; (2) group AscPEG-2L: a combination of PEG and ascorbic acid 2L; and (3) group PiMg: sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate 500 mL plus 2L of clear fluids. Tolerability was evaluated with a questionnaire and the quality of bowel preparation with the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. RESULTS: A total of 292 participants were included: 98 in the PEG-ELS 4L control group, 96 in the AscPEG-2L study group and 98 in the PiMg study group. Low-volume treatments were better tolerated than the standard solution (AscPEG-2L 94.8% and PiMg 93.9% vs PEG-ELS 4L 75.5%; p < 0.0001). The effectiveness of AscPEG-2L was superior to that of PEG-ELS 4L and PiMg (p = 0.011 and p = 0.032, respectively). Patient acceptance was higher for single-dose than for split-dose administration but efficacy was higher with the split dose than with other doses. CONCLUSIONS: In early morning colonoscopies, ascPEG-2L appears to be the best option, especially when administered in a split-dose.

[Aplasia after azathioprine administration: role of the thiopurine methyltransferase genetic polymorphism]. / Aplasia medular tras administración de azatioprina: papel de polimorfismo genético de la tiopurina metiltransferasa.

BACKGROUND: Azathioprine is an immunosuppressor drug widely used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Adverse effects during treatment are related to the activity of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), an enzyme which plays a role in azathioprine metabolism. The presence of the allelic variants of the TPMT gene allows us to classify patients into three different groups: high, moderate and low risk of myelosuppression after receiving standard doses of azathioprine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study of the allelic variants of the TPMT gene in the positions 460 and 719 with PCR methods in a patient with Crohn's disease, who developed aplasia after receiving azathioprine. The study was extended to his relatives. RESULTS: The patient under study carried the most frequent variant allele of the TPMT gene associated with low enzymatic activity. The mother and one sister of the patient were also carriers of this allelic variant. CONCLUSIONS: Genotyping the allelic variants of the TPMT gene is a useful method to identify patients at moderate or high risk of myelosuppression after administration of azathioprine.

Awareness of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and its relationship to insight into illness.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia have been found to show unawareness of cognitive impairment. However, its frequency and its relationship to lack of insight into illness are uncertain. METHOD: Forty-two patients with chronic schizophrenia were given tests of executive function and memory. Awareness of cognitive impairment was measured by means of discrepancy scores--differences between patient and psychologist ratings of memory and frontal/executive failures in daily life. Insight into illness was assessed using the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). RESULTS: A majority of the patients were found to underestimate their cognitive impairment; however, some overestimated it. Unawareness of cognitive impairment and lack of clinical insight loaded on different factors in a factor analysis, but these two factors were themselves correlated. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that both unawareness and overestimation of cognitive impairment characterise patients with schizophrenia, although the former is more common. Awareness of cognitive impairment occurs independently of insight into illness at the clinical level, although the two phenomena may be linked at a deeper level.

Ascorbic acid PEG-2L is superior for early morning colonoscopies in colorectal cancer screening programs: A prospective non-randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The quality of colon cleansing and the tolerability of anterograde preparation are essential to the success of colorectal cancer screening. AIM: To compare the tolerability and efficacy of low-volume preparations vs the standard regimen in individuals scheduled for an early morning colonoscopy. Study: Participants in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program using the fecal immunochemical test who were scheduled for a colonoscopy from 09:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. were prospectively included and assigned to: (1) control group (PEG-ELS 4L): PEG 4L and electrolytes; (2) group AscPEG-2L: a combination of PEG and ascorbic acid 2L; and (3) group PiMg: sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate 500 mL plus 2 L of clear fluids. Tolerability was evaluated with a questionnaire and the quality of bowel preparation with the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. RESULTS: A total of 292 participants were included: 98 in the PEG-ELS 4L control group, 96 in the AscPEG-2L study group and 98 in the PiMg study group. Low-volume treatments were better tolerated than the standard solution (AscPEG-2L 94.8% and PiMg 93.9% vs PEG-ELS 4L 75.5%; p < 0.0001). The effectiveness of AscPEG-2L was superior to that of PEG-ELS 4L and PiMg (p = 0.011 and p = 0.032, respectively). Patient acceptance was higher for single-dose than for split-dose administration but efficacy was higher with the split dose than with other doses. CONCLUSIONS: In early morning colonoscopies, ascPEG-2L appears to be the best option, especially when administered in a split-dose

ANTECEDENTES: La calidad de la limpieza del colon y la tolerancia a la preparación anterógrada son claves para el éxito de un programa de cribado de cáncer colorrectal. OBJETIVO: Comparar la tolerancia y eficacia de las preparaciones de volumen reducido frente a la preparación estándar en pacientes programados para colonoscopia a primera hora de la mañana. Estudio: Individuos del programa de cribado poblacional con test de sangre oculta en heces programados para colonoscopia entre las 09:00 y 10:20 a.m fueron prospectivamente asignados a: 1) Grupo Control (PEG-ELS 4L): PEG con electrolitos 4 litros; 2) Grupo AscPEG-2L: PEG más ácido ascórbico 2 litros; y 3) Groupo PiMg: picosulfato sódico más citrato de magnesio 500 ml seguido de 2 litros de líquidos claros. Se evaluó la tolerancia mediante cuestionario y la calidad mediante la Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 292 sujetos: 98 en el grupo control PEG-ELS 4L, 96 en el grupo a estudio AscPEG-2L y 98 en el grupo a estudio PiMg. Las soluciones de volumen reducido fueron mejor toleradas que la solución estándar (AscPEG-2L 94.8% y PiMg 93.9% vs PEG-ELS 4L 75.5%; p < 0.0001). La calidad de la preparación fue superior en el grupo AscPEG-2L que en el grupo control PEG-ELS 4L y grupo PiMg (p = 0.011 and p = 0.032, respectivamente). Las dosis partidas fueron peor aceptadas por los sujetos pero resultaron en una mayor calidad de la preparación. CONCLUSIONES: AscPEG-2L es la mejor opción para las colonoscopias programadas a primera hora de la mañana, especialmente cuando se administra en dosis partida

Infradiagnóstico de trastornos motores esofágicos en colagenosis y enfermedades autoinmunes / No disponible

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