Global Incidence of Acute Pancreatitis Is Increasing Over Time: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with significant associated morbidity and mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies to explore the changing temporal trends of acute pancreatitis incidence globally. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search to identify population-based studies reporting the annual incidence of acute pancreatitis. Abstracts were assessed independently to identify applicable articles for full-text review and data extraction. Joinpoint temporal trend analyses were performed to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The AAPCs were pooled in a meta-analysis to capture the overall and regional trends in acute pancreatitis incidence over time. Temporal data were summarized in a static map and an interactive, web-based map. RESULTS: Forty-four studies reported the temporal incidence of acute pancreatitis (online interactive map: https://kaplan-acute-pancreatitis-ucalgary.hub.arcgis.com/). The incidence of acute pancreatitis has increased from 1961 to 2016 (AAPC, 3.07%; 95% CI, 2.30% to 3.84%; n = 34). Increasing incidence was observed in North America (AAPC, 3.67%; 95% CI, 2.76% to 4.57%; n = 4) and Europe (AAPC, 2.77%; 95% CI, 1.91% to 3.63%; n = 23). The incidence of acute pancreatitis was stable in Asia (AAPC, -0.28%; 95% CI, -5.03% to 4.47%; n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the global incidence of acute pancreatitis over the last 56 years and demonstrates a steadily rising incidence over time in most countries of the Western world. More studies are needed to better define the changing incidence of acute pancreatitis in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Risk of adverse events associated with upper and lower endoscopic ultrasound: a population-based cohort study.

Background and study aim Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) enables diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic interventions but is associated with adverse events. We conducted a population-based cohort study to determine the risk of adverse events for upper and lower EUS with and without fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Patients and methods All adults who underwent EUS and resided in Calgary in 2007-2013 were included. Endoscopy and provincial databases were used to identify EUS procedures, unplanned emergency department visits, and hospital admissions within 30 days of the procedures, which were then characterized through formal chart review. Adverse events were defined a priori and classified as definitely, possibly, or not related to EUS. The primary outcome was 30-day risk of adverse events classified as definitely or possibly related to EUS. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted with risk factors known to be associated with EUS adverse events. Results 2895 patients underwent 3552 EUS procedures: 3034 (85 %) upper EUS, of which 710 (23 %) included FNA, and 518 (15 %) lower EUS, of which 23 (4 %) involved FNA. Overall, 69 procedures (2 %) involved an adverse event that was either definitely or possibly related to EUS, with 33 (1 %) requiring hospitalization. None of the adverse events required intensive care or resulted in death. On multivariable analysis, only FNA was associated with increased risk of adverse events (odds ratio 6.43, 95 % confidence interval 3.92-10.55; P  < 0.001). Conclusion Upper and lower EUS were generally safe but FNA substantially increased the risk of adverse events. EUS-related complications requiring hospitalization were rare.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Children: A Population-Based Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although venous thromboembolism [VTE] is a well-known complication of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in adults, limited data exist on the risk in children. We report the incidence of VTE among children with and without IBD. METHODS: We conducted a matched cohort study within a distributed network of population-based Canadian provincial health administrative databases. Children <16 years diagnosed with IBD were identified using validated algorithms from administrative data in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Québec and compared to age- and sex-matched children without IBD. Hospitalizations for VTE within 5 years of IBD diagnosis were identified. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to pool province-specific incidence rates and incidence rate ratios [IRR] with 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Hazard ratios [HR] from Cox proportional hazards models were pooled with fixed-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: The 5-year incidence of VTE among 3593 children with IBD was 31.2 [95% CI 23.7-41.0] per 10 000 person-years [PY] compared to 0.8 [95% CI 0.4-1.7] per 10 000 PY among 16 289 children without IBD [unadjusted IRR 38.84, 95% CI 16.59-90.83; adjusted HR 22.91, 95% CI 11.50-45.63]. VTE was less common in Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis [unadjusted IRR 0.47, 95% CI 0.27-0.83; adjusted HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.94]. The findings were similar for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when comparing children with and without IBD. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of VTE is much higher in children with IBD than controls without IBD. While the absolute risk is low, we found a higher incidence rate than previously described in the pediatric literature.Conference Presentation: An abstract based on the data included in this paper was presented at Canadian Digestive Diseases Week [Montréal, Canada] in March 2020.

Temporal and spatial effect of air pollution on hospital admissions for myocardial infarction: a case-crossover study.

BACKGROUND: In studies showing associations between ambient air pollution and myocardial infarction (MI), data have been lacking on the inherent spatial variability of air pollution. The aim of this study was to determine whether the long-term spatial distribution of air pollution influences short-term temporal associations between air pollution and admission to hospital for MI. METHODS: We identified adults living in Calgary who were admitted to hospital for an MI between 2004 and 2012. We evaluated associations between short-term exposure to air pollution (ozone [O3], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], sulfur dioxide [SO2], carbon monoxide [CO], particulate matter < 10 µm in diameter [PM10] and particulate matter < 2.5 µm in diameter [PM2.5]), and hospital admissions for MI using a time-stratified, case-crossover study design. Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) scores were calculated from a composition of O3, NO2 and PM2.5. Conditional logistic regression models were stratified by low, medium and high levels of neighbourhood NO2 concentrations derived from land use regression models; results of these analyses are presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: From 2004 to 2012, 6142 MIs were recorded in Calgary. Individuals living in neighbourhoods with higher long-term air pollution concentrations were more likely to be admitted to hospital for MI after short-term elevations in air pollution (e.g., 5-day average NO2: OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.40, per interquartile range [IQR]) as compared with regions with lower air pollution (e.g., 5-day average NO2: OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.78-1.04, per IQR). In high NO2 tertiles, the AQHI score was associated with MI (e.g., 5-day average OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.24, per IQR; 3-day average OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23, per IQR). INTERPRETATION: Our results show that the effect of air pollution on hospital admissions for MI was stronger in areas with higher NO2 concentrations than that in areas with lower NO2 concentrations. Individuals living in neighbourhoods with higher traffic-related pollution should be advised of the health risks and be attentive to special air quality warnings.

Nurse-Led, Shared Medical Appointments for Common Gastrointestinal Conditions-Improving Outcomes Through Collaboration With Primary Care in the Medical Home: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common gastrointestinal disorders accounting for a significant demand for specialty care. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, access and outcomes of patients assessed by a nurse-led, shared medical appointment. METHODS: This prospective observational study utilized a sample of 770 patients referred to a gastroenterology Central Access and Triage for routine GERD, dyspepsia or IBS from 2011 to 2014. Patient demographics, clinical indication, frequency and outcomes of endoscopy, quality of life, wait times and long-term outcomes (>2 years) were compared between 411 patients assigned to a nurse-led, shared medical appointment and 359 patients assigned to clinic for a gastroenterology physician consultation. RESULTS: The nurse-led, shared medical appointment pathway compared with usual care pathway had shorter median wait times (12.6 weeks versus 137.1 weeks, P < 0.0001), fewer endoscopic exams (50.9% versus 76.3%, P < 0.0001), less gastroenterology re-referrals (4.6% versus 15.6%, P < 0.0001), and reduced visits to the emergency department (6.1% versus 12.0%, P = 0.004). After two years of follow-up, outcomes were no different between the pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GERD, IBS or dyspepsia who attend the nurse-led, shared medical appointment have improved access to care and reduced resource utilization without increased risk of significant gastrointestinal outcomes after two years of follow-up.

The Role of Bowel Ultrasound in Detecting Subclinical Inflammation in Pregnant Women with Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Maintaining disease remission improves outcomes for pregnant women with Crohn's disease (CD). As symptoms may correlate poorly with disease activity in the gravid state, we investigated the utility of bowel sonography during pregnancy to assess disease activity. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of pregnant women with CD undergoing bowel sonography between July 1, 2012, and December 1, 2016. Clinically active disease was defined using standardized clinical indices (Harvey Bradshaw Index >4 for active disease). Sonographic findings were graded as inactive (normal, mild) or active (moderate, severe) by expert radiologists. RESULTS: There were 91 pregnancies in 82 CD patients. Symptoms were present in 12 pregnancies; however, eight (67%) had sonographic findings of inactive disease, and escalation of therapy was not initiated. Conversely, sonographically active disease in seven asymptomatic pregnancies resulted in four women escalating therapy. The remaining three women declined escalation of therapy, one had a miscarriage, and the other two women had persistently active disease on sonography and endoscopy at one-year postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Bowel ultrasound may detect subclinical inflammation in asymptomatic pregnant women with CD and stratify CD activity in symptomatic patients. Therefore, bowel sonography should be considered as a useful adjunct for the assessment of the pregnant woman with Crohn's disease.

The Simple Pediatric Activity Ultrasound Score (SPAUSS) for the Accurate Detection of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the most significant ultrasound (US) parameters that predict inflammatory activity and develop a simple US activity score. METHODS: Patients were identified through retrospective evaluation of an established database of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with endoscopy and US within 60 days were included (N = 75). US parameters evaluated included: bowel wall thickness (BWT), mesenteric inflammatory fat, lymphadenopathy, and hyperemia. The weighted kappa statistic was calculated to assess agreement between sonographic and endoscopically identified disease location. Using a proportional odds model and ordinal logistic regression, statistically significant (P < 0.05) parameters were used to generate a score. Variables were weighted to classify individuals into severity classes. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to demonstrate the score's discriminative and predictive capacity. RESULTS: There was substantial agreement between US and endoscopy for all disease locations (weighted kappa = 0.85) and substantial agreement for ileocolonic disease (weighted kappa = 0.96). Two sonographic parameters were identified as contributing significantly to disease activity: BWT and mesenteric inflammatory fat (P < 0.05). A predictive score was developed incorporating BWT, hyperemia and inflammatory fat, and receiver operating characteristic curve curves demonstrated good predictive capacity to distinguish between the absence of disease (normal) and active disease with an area under the curve of 82.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The most important sonographic parameters for predicting disease activity were BWT and mesenteric inflammatory fat. When combined with hyperemia into a simple score, there was accurate detection of inflammatory activity in children with inflammatory bowel disease. This score may facilitate noninvasive, bedside detection of inflammation, and standardize the use of US in children.

Population Density and Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Population-Based Study in 13 Countries or Regions in Asia-Pacific.

INTRODUCTION: Living in an urban environment may increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is unclear if this observation is seen globally. We conducted a population-based study to assess the relationship between urbanization and incidence of IBD in the Asia-Pacific region. METHODS: Newly diagnosed IBD cases between 2011 and 2013 from 13 countries or regions in Asia-Pacific were included. Incidence was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI) and pooled using random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was used to assess incidence rates and their association with population density, latitude, and longitude. RESULTS: We identified 1175 ulcerative colitis (UC), 656 Crohn's disease (CD), and 37 IBD undetermined (IBD-U). Mean annual IBD incidence per 100 000 was 1.50 (95% CI: 1.43-1.57). India (9.31; 95% CI: 8.38-10.31) and China (3.64; 95% CI, 2.97-4.42) had the highest IBD incidence in Asia. Incidence of overall IBD (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.01-4.76]) and CD (IRR: 3.28; 95% CI: 1.83-9.12) was higher across 19 areas of Asia with a higher population density. In China, incidence of IBD (IRR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.10-5.16) and UC (IRR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.2-5.8) was positively associated with gross domestic product. A south-to-north disease gradient (IRR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.98) was observed for IBD incidence and a west-to-east gradient (IRR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05-1.24) was observed for CD incidence in China. This study received IRB approval. CONCLUSIONS: Regions in Asia with a high population density had a higher CD and UC incidence. Coastal areas within China had higher IBD incidence. With increasing urbanization and a shift from rural areas to cities, disease incidence may continue to climb in Asia.

Rural and urban disparities in the care of Canadian patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Canada's large geographic area and low population density pose challenges in access to specialized health care for remote and rural residents. We compared health services use, surgical rate, and specialist gastroenterologist care in rural and urban inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in Canada. METHODS: We used validated algorithms that were applied to population-based health administrative data to identify all people living with the following three Canadian provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario (ON). We compared rural residents with urban residents for time to diagnosis, hospitalizations, outpatient visits, emergency department (ED) use, surgical rate, and gastroenterologist care. Multivariable regression compared the outcomes in rural/urban patients, controlling for confounders. Provincial results were meta-analyzed using random-effects models to produce overall estimates. RESULTS: A total of 36,656 urban and 5,223 rural residents with incident IBD were included. Outpatient physician visit rate was similar in rural and urban patients. IBD-specific and IBD-related hospitalization rates were higher in rural patients (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.34, and IRR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.56, respectively). The rate of ED visits in ON were similarly elevated for rural patients (IRR 1.53, 95% CI 1.42-1.65, and IRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.25-1.40). There were no differences in surgical rates or prediagnosis lag time between rural and urban patients. Rural patients had fewer IBD-specific gastroenterologist visits (IRR 0.79, 95% CI 0.73-0.84) and a smaller proportion of their IBD-specific care was provided by gastroenterologists (28.3% vs 55.2%, P<0.0001). This was less pronounced in children <10 years at diagnosis (59.3% vs 65.0%, P<0.0001), and the gap was widest in patients >65 years (33.0% vs 59.2%, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: There were lower rates of gastroenterologist physician visits, more hospitalizations, and greater rates of ED visits in rural IBD patients. These disparities in health services use result in costlier care for rural patients. Innovative methods of delivering gastroenterology care to rural IBD patients (such as telehealth, online support, and remote clinics) should be explored, especially for communities lacking easy access to gastroenterologists.

Corrigendum: Rural and Urban Residence During Early Life Is Associated with a Lower Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Inception and Birth Cohort Study.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2017.208.

Rural and Urban Residence During Early Life is Associated with Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Inception and Birth Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rural/urban household at the time of diagnosis, or within the first 5 years (y) of life. METHODS: Population-based cohorts of residents of four Canadian provinces were created using health administrative data. Rural/urban status was derived from postal codes based on population density and distance to metropolitan areas. Validated algorithms identified all incident IBD cases from administrative data (Alberta: 1999-2008, Manitoba and Ontario: 1999-2010, and Nova Scotia: 2000-2008). We determined sex-standardized incidence (per 100,000 patient-years) and incident rate ratios (IRR) using Poisson regression. A birth cohort was created of children in whom full administrative data were available from birth (Alberta 1996-2010, Manitoba 1988-2010, and Ontario 1991-2010). IRR was calculated for residents who lived continuously in rural/urban households during each of the first 5 years of life. RESULTS: There were 6,662 rural residents and 38,905 urban residents with IBD. Incidence of IBD per 100,000 was 33.16 (95% CI 27.24-39.08) in urban residents, and 30.72 (95% CI 23.81-37.64) in rural residents (IRR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81-0.99). The protective association was strongest in children <10 years (IRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43-0.73) and 10-17.9 years (IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.81). In the birth cohort, comprising 331 rural and 2,302 urban residents, rurality in the first 1-5 years of life was associated with lower risk of IBD (IRR 0.75-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: People living in rural households had lower risk of developing IBD. This association is strongest in young children and adolescents, and in children exposed to the rural environment early in life.

A Simple Ultrasound Score for the Accurate Detection of Inflammatory Activity in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is accurate in the detection of Crohn's disease. Our aim was to identify ultrasound parameters contributing to inflammatory disease activity, develop a simple score, and validate this score prospectively. METHODS: This study comprised 2 single-center investigations. The first was a retrospective study on a population that had received colonoscopies (as a gold-standard diagnostic) within 60 days of ultrasound. The second was a prospective study on 2 populations: patients requiring induction with adalimumab and patients on adalimumab maintenance therapy. Ultrasound and endoscopy were preformed within 14 days in both prospective groups. The endoscopy results were graded with the Simple Endoscopic Score and the Rutgeerts score and compared with 5 ultrasound parameters. We used a proportional odds model to determine which ultrasound parameters correlated significantly with the endoscopy results. We then developed a predictive ultrasound score for disease activity, plotted the receiver operating characteristic curves, and undertook prospective validation of the score. RESULTS: We evaluated 160 patients retrospectively to compare ultrasound and colonoscopy. Two of 5 parameters were found to correlate significantly with disease activity: bowel wall thickness (P = <0.0001) and color Doppler signal (P = 0.0292). We developed a score that uses weighted variables. The area under the corresponding receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8658. CONCLUSIONS: A simple ultrasonographic score that accurately identifies Crohn's disease activity has been developed and validated. Ultrasound may be a surrogate for endoscopy to guide disease management, but future studies should be conducted to establish interrater variability.

Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection has changed with improvements in sanitation and methods of eradication. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate changes in the global prevalence of H pylori infection. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for studies of the prevalence of H pylori infection published from January 1, 1970 through January 1, 2016. We analyzed data based on United Nations geoscheme regions and individual countries. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), weighted by study size. We extrapolated 2015 prevalence estimates to obtain the estimated number of individuals with H pylori infection. RESULTS: Among 14,006 reports screened, we identified 263 full-text articles on the prevalence of H pylori infection; 184 were included in the final analysis, comprising data from 62 countries. Africa had the highest pooled prevalence of H pylori infection (70.1%; 95% CI, 62.6-77.7), whereas Oceania had the lowest prevalence (24.4%; 95% CI, 18.5-30.4). Among individual countries, the prevalence of H pylori infection varied from as low as 18.9% in Switzerland (95% CI, 13.1-24.7) to 87.7% in Nigeria (95% CI, 83.1-92.2). Based on regional prevalence estimates, there were approximately 4.4 billion individuals with H pylori infection worldwide in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: In a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of H pylori infection worldwide, we observed large amounts of variation among regions-more than half the world's population is infected. These data can be used in development of customized strategies for the global eradication.

Trends in Epidemiology of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Distributed Network Analysis of Multiple Population-Based Provincial Health Administrative Databases.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing worldwide. We used population-based health administrative data to determine national Canadian IBD incidence, prevalence, and trends over time of childhood-onset IBD. METHODS: We identified children <16 years (y) diagnosed with IBD 1999-2010 from health administrative data in five provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec), comprising 79.2% of the Canadian population. Standardized incidence and prevalence were calculated per 100,000 children. Annual percentage change (APC) in incidence and prevalence were determined using Poisson regression analysis. Provincial estimates were meta-analyzed using random-effects models to produce national estimates. RESULTS: 5,214 incident cases were diagnosed during the study period (3,462 Crohn's disease, 1,382 ulcerative colitis, 279 type unclassifiable). The incidence in Canada was 9.68 (95% CI 9.11 to 10.25) per 100,000 children. Incidence was similar amongst most provinces, but higher in Nova Scotia. APC in incidence did not significantly change over the study period in the overall cohort (+2.06%, 95% CI -0.64% to +4.76%). However, incidence significantly increased in children aged 0-5y (+7.19%, 95% +2.82% to +11.56%). Prevalence at the end of the study period in Canada was 38.25 (95% CI 35.78 to 40.73) per 100,000 children. Prevalence increased significantly over time, APC +4.56% (95% CI +3.71% to +5.42%). CONCLUSIONS: Canada has amongst the highest incidence of childhood-onset IBD in the world. Prevalence significantly increased over time. Incidence was not statistically changed with the exception of a rapid increase in incidence in the youngest group of children.

Temporal trends in the use of diagnostic imaging for inpatients with pancreatic conditions: How much ionizing radiation are we using?

BACKGROUND: Low-dose ionizing radiation from medical imaging has been indirectly linked with subsequent cancer and increased costs. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for defining pancreatic anatomy and complications. Our primary goal was to identify the temporal trends associated with diagnostic imaging for inpatients with pancreatic diseases. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2000 to 2008. Pancreas-related ICD-9 diagnostic codes were matched to all relevant imaging modalities. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2008, a significant increase in admissions (p < 0.001), but decrease in overall imaging procedures (p = 0.032), for all pancreatic disorders was observed. This was primarily a result of a reduction in the number of CT and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography examinations (i.e., reduced radiation exposure, p = 0.008). A concurrent increase in the number of inpatient magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography/magnetic resonance imaging performed was observed (p = 0.040). Intraoperative cholangiography and CT remained the dominant imaging modality of choice overall (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Inpatients with pancreatic diseases often require diagnostic imaging during their stay. This results in substantial exposure to ionizing radiation. The observed decrease in the use of CT may reflect an improved awareness of potential stochastic risks.

CONTEXTE: Les faibles doses de rayonnement ionisant associées à l'imagerie médicale ont été indirectement associées à des cas subséquents de cancer et à une augmentation des coûts. Considérée comme la norme dans le domaine, la tomographie par ordinateur est utilisée pour étudier l'anatomie et les complications pancréatiques. Notre principal objectif consistait à dégager les tendances temporelles associées à l'utilisation de l'imagerie diagnostique chez des patients hospitalisés atteints de maladies pancréatiques. MÉTHODES: Des données ont été extraites de la base de données du Nationwide Inpatient Sample [échantillon national sur les malades hospitalisés] associé au Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project [Projet sur les coûts et l'utilisation des soins de santé] pour les années 2000 à 2008. Les codes de la CIM-9 attribués aux maladies pancréatiques ont été associés aux techniques d'imagerie pertinentes. RÉSULTATS: De 2000 à 2008, une hausse importante du nombre d'admissions (p < 0,001) a été observée pour l'ensemble des maladies pancréatiques, parallèlement à une baisse du nombre total d'examens d'imagerie (p = 0,032). Ces changements sont principalement attribuables à une diminution du nombre de tomographies par ordinateur et de cholangiopancréatographies rétrogrades endoscopiques effectuées (donc à une diminution de l'exposition au rayonnement, p = 0,008). Par ailleurs, une augmentation du nombre de tomographies et de cholangio-pancréatographies par résonance magnétique effectuées sur des patients hospitalisés (p = 0,040) a également été observée. Dans l'ensemble, les cholangio-pancréatographies et les tomographies peropératoires demeurent les techniques d'imagerie les plus utilisées (p = 0,027). CONCLUSION: Les patients atteints de maladies pancréatiques ont généralement besoin de subir un examen d'imagerie médicale pendant leur séjour à l'hôpital, et peuvent donc être exposés à une dose substantielle de rayonnement ionisant. La baisse observée du nombre de tomographies par ordinateur pourrait témoigner d'une sensibilisation améliorée aux risques stochastiques potentiels.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcer disease is not associated with air pollution: a case-crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between short-term elevations in air pollution and an increased risk of exacerbating gastrointestinal disease. The objective of the study was to evaluate if day-to-day increases in air pollution concentrations were positively associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) secondary to peptic ulcer disease (PUD). METHODS: A time-stratified case-crossover study design was used. Adults presenting to hospitals with their first UGIB secondary to PUD from 2004-2010 were identified using administrative databases from Calgary (n = 1374; discovery cohort) and Edmonton (n = 1159; replication cohort). Daily concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were estimated in these two cities. Conditional logistic regression models were employed, adjusting for temperature and humidity. Odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were expressed relative to an interquartile range increase in the concentration of each pollutant. RESULTS: No statistically significant associations were observed for any of the individual pollutants based on same-day, or 1-day lag effects within the Calgary discovery cohort. When the air pollution exposures were assessed as 3-, 5-, and 7-day averages, some pollutants were inversely associated with UGIB in the discovery cohort; for example, 5-day averages of nitrogen dioxide (OR = 0.68; 95 % CI: 0.53-0.88), and particulate matter <2.5 µm (OR = 0.75; 95 % CI: 0.61-0.90). However, these findings could not be reproduced in the replication cohort. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that short-term elevations in the level of ambient air pollutants does not increase the incidence of UGIB secondary to PUD.

Effects of Concomitant Immunomodulator Therapy on Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy for Crohn's Disease: A Meta-analysis of Placebo-controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There is debate over whether patients with Crohn's disease who start anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy after failed immunomodulator therapy should continue to receive concomitant immunomodulators. We conducted a meta-analysis of subgroups from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of anti-TNF agents to compare the efficacy and safety of concomitant immunomodulator therapy vs anti-TNF monotherapy. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of literature published from 1980 through 2008 and identified 11 RCTs of anti-TNF agents in patients with luminal or fistulizing Crohn's disease. We excluded RCTs of patients who were naive to anti-TNF and immunomodulator therapy. The primary end points were clinical response at weeks 4-14 and 24-30 and remission at weeks 24-30. Secondary end points included infusion site or injection site reactions and selected adverse events. A priori subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate fistula closure and the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with different anti-TNF agents. RESULTS: Overall, combination therapy was no more effective than monotherapy in inducing 6-month remission (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-1.31), inducing a response (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.79-1.48), maintaining a response (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.67-3.49), or inducing partial (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.84-1.88) or complete fistula closure (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.68-1.78). In subgroup analyses of individual anti-TNF agents, combination therapy was not more effective than monotherapy in inducing 6-month remission in those treated with infliximab (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 0.97-3.07), adalimumab (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.58-1.35), or certolizumab (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.65-1.34). Overall, combination therapy was not associated with an increase in adverse events, but inclusion of infliximab was associated with fewer injection site reactions (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.79.) CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of a meta-analysis, continued use of immunomodulator therapy after starting anti-TNF therapy is no more effective than anti-TNF monotherapy in inducing or maintaining response or remission. RCTs are needed to adequately assess the efficacy of continued immunomodulator therapy after anti-TNF therapy is initiated.

Clinic-based Point of Care Transabdominal Ultrasound for Monitoring Crohn's Disease: Impact on Clinical Decision Making.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The use of cross-sectional imaging is important to characterise inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] activity, extent, and location and to exclude complications, regardless of symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of routine use of sonography in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: A total of 49 patients with Crohn's disease were prospectively evaluated. Clinical symptoms (Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]), disease character, serological markers of inflammation [C-reactive protein], and endoscopic evaluation were collected and reviewed by two independent IBD-specialty physicians. Clinical decisions regarding management were recorded. A separate, blinded physician then performed bowel ultrasound [US] and graded disease activity:] as inactive, mild, or active. A second blinded physician read and graded a sub-set of the US images. Clinical decisions of both IBD-physicians after US were independently recorded. Changes in clinical management following US information and inter-rater agreement on US disease activity parameters were evaluated. The concordance between US, CRP and clinical symptoms [HBI] were analysed. Follow-up data after US evaluation were collected. RESULTS: Clinical decisions were changed after ultrasound assessment in 30/49 [60%] and 28/48 [58%] of cases, for each physician respectively [p < 0.0001 for each]. Many [59%] of the patients seen in clinic were asymptomatic with an HBI of 3 or less [n = 29]; however, 52% [n = 15] of these had active disease found on US, resulting in alterations in clinical management. The agreement in overall score between the US reviewers was good, ĸ = 0.749 [0.5814, 0.9180], p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Clinic-based point of care US can play a significant role in guiding therapeutic management and is an important adjunct to routine clinical and laboratory assessment.

Intrapartum corticosteroid use significantly increases the risk of gestational diabetes in women with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study compared perinatal outcomes in women with and without IBD. METHODS: The population-based Data Integration, Measurement, and Reporting (DIMR) administrative discharge database was used to identify women (≥18 years of age) in Alberta, Canada, with IBD who delivered a baby between 2006 and 2009 inclusive. Women without IBD were randomly sampled and matched in a 3:1 ratio to IBD cases by age at conception (±1 year). Odds ratios of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, low birth weight, cesarean section, and neonatal intensive care unit admission were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen IBD patients were age-matched to 381 pregnant women without IBD. Gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and cesarean section were more common in women with IBD compared with controls (6.9 versus 1.8%, p = 0.03; 12.9 versus 0.3%, p < 0.0001; 43.1 versus 21.0%, p = 0.009, respectively). On multivariate analysis, women with IBD were independently more likely to have gestational diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 4.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-16.3), preterm birth (OR = 19.7, 95% CI 2.2-173.9), and to deliver by cesarean section (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.6) after adjusting for age and smoking status. CONCLUSION: Intrapartum corticosteroid use significantly increases the risk of gestational diabetes in women with IBD. Furthermore, IBD patients are at higher risk of preterm delivery and are more likely to undergo cesarean section compared with a healthy age-matched population. The finding of a higher risk of gestational diabetes is a novel finding not previously reported in the IBD literature.

Ambient ozone concentrations and the risk of perforated and nonperforated appendicitis: a multicity case-crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Environmental determinants of appendicitis are poorly understood. Past work suggests that air pollution may increase the risk of appendicitis. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether ambient ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations were associated with appendicitis and whether these associations varied between perforated and nonperforated appendicitis. METHODS: We based this time-stratified case-crossover study on 35,811 patients hospitalized with appendicitis from 2004 to 2008 in 12 Canadian cities. Data from a national network of fixed-site monitors were used to calculate daily maximum O3 concentrations for each city. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate city-specific odds ratios (ORs) relative to an interquartile range (IQR) increase in O3 adjusted for temperature and relative humidity. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to derive a pooled risk estimate. Stratified analyses were used to estimate associations separately for perforated and nonperforated appendicitis. RESULTS: Overall, a 16-ppb increase in the 7-day cumulative average daily maximum O3 concentration was associated with all appendicitis cases across the 12 cities (pooled OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.13). The association was stronger among patients presenting with perforated appendicitis for the 7-day average (pooled OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.36) when compared with the corresponding estimate for nonperforated appendicitis [7-day average (pooled OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.09)]. Heterogeneity was not statistically significant across cities for either perforated or nonperforated appendicitis (p > 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of ambient O3 exposure may increase the risk of perforated appendicitis.