Clinical Decision Making in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Mimics: Practice Management from Inflammatory Bowel Disease LIVE.

Background: Since 2009, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialists have utilized "IBD LIVE," a weekly live video conference with a global audience, to discuss the multidisciplinary management of their most challenging cases. While most cases presented were confirmed IBD, a substantial number were diseases that mimic IBD. We have categorized all IBD LIVE cases and identified "IBD-mimics" with consequent clinical management implications. Methods: Cases have been recorded/archived since May 2018; we reviewed all 371 cases from May 2018-February 2023. IBD-mimics were analyzed/categorized according to their diagnostic and therapeutic workup. Results: Confirmed IBD cases made up 82.5% (306/371; 193 Crohn's disease, 107 ulcerative colitis, and 6 IBD-unclassified). Sixty-five (17.5%) cases were found to be mimics, most commonly medication-induced (n = 8) or vasculitis (n = 7). The evaluations that ultimately resulted in correct diagnosis included additional endoscopic biopsies (n = 13, 21%), surgical exploration/pathology (n = 10, 16.5%), biopsies from outside the GI tract (n = 10, 16.5%), genetic/laboratory testing (n = 8, 13%), extensive review of patient history (n = 8, 13%), imaging (n = 5, 8%), balloon enteroscopy (n = 5, 8%), and capsule endoscopy (n = 2, 3%). Twenty-five patients (25/65, 38%) were treated with biologics for presumed IBD, 5 of whom subsequently experienced adverse events requiring discontinuation of the biologic. Many patients were prescribed steroids, azathioprine, mercaptopurine, or methotrexate, and 3 were trialed on tofacitinib. Conclusions: The diverse presentation of IBD and IBD-mimics necessitates periodic consideration of the differential diagnosis, and reassessment of treatment in presumed IBD patients without appropriate clinical response. The substantial differences and often conflicting treatment approaches to IBD versus IBD-mimics directly impact the quality and cost of patient care.

3-Dimensional Pouchography: A Proof-of-Concept Study of a Novel Technique for Visualizing Ileoanal Pouch Anatomy & Morphology in Normal and Mechanical Pouch Complication Patients.

BACKGROUND: Herein, we present a proof-of-concept study of 3-dimensional (3D) pouchography using virtual and printed 3D models of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with normal pouches and in cases of mechanical pouch complications. MATERIALS & METHODS: We performed a retrospective, descriptive case series of a convenience sample of 10 pouch patients with or without pouch dysfunction who had CT scans appropriate for segmentation were identified from our pouch registry. The steps involved in clinician-driven automated 3D reconstruction are presented. RESULTS: Three patients who underwent CT imaging and were found to have no primary pouch pathology, and seven patients with known pouch pathology identifiable with 3D reconstruction including pouch strictures, megapouch, pouch volvulus, and twisted pouches underwent 3D virtual modeling; one normal and one twisted pouch were 3D printed. We discovered that 3D pouchography reliably identified staple lines (pouch body, anorectal circular and transverse, and tip of J), the relationship between staple lines, and variations in pouch morphology, and pouch pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional reconstruction of IPAA morphology is highly feasible using readily available technology. In our practice, we have found 3D pouchography to be an extremely useful adjunct to diagnose various mechanical pouch complications and improve planning for pouch salvage strategies. Given its ease of use and helpfulness in understanding the pouch structure and function, we have started to routinely integrate 3D pouchography into our clinical pouch referral practice. Further study is needed to formally assess to value of this technique to aid in the diagnosis of pouch pathology.

Redo IPAA for long rectal cuff syndrome after ileoanal pouch for inflammatory bowel disease.

ABTRACT: BACKGROUND: When constructing an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), the rectal cuff should ideally be 1-2 cm long to avoid subsequent complications. METHODS: We identified patients from our IBD center who underwent redo IPAA for a long rectal cuff. Long rectal cuff syndrome (LRCS) was defined as a symptomatic rectal cuff ≥ 4 cm. RESULTS: Forty patients met the inclusion criteria: 42.5% female, median age at redo surgery 42.5 years. The presentation was ulcerative proctitis in 77.5% of the cases and outlet obstruction in 22.5%. The index pouch was laparoscopically performed in 18 patients (45%). The median rectal cuff length was 6 cm. The pouch was repaired in 16 (40%) cases, whereas 24 (60%) required the creation of a neo-pouch. At the final pathology, the rectal cuff showed chronic active colitis in 38 (90%) cases. After a median follow-up of 34.5 (IQR 12-109) months, pouch failure occurred in 9 (22.5%) cases. The pouch survival rate was 78% at 3 years. Data on the quality of life were available for 11 (27.5%) patients at a median of 75 months after redo surgery. The median QoL score (0-1) was 0.7 (0.4-0.9). CONCLUSION: LRCS, a potentially avoidable complication, presents uniformly with symptoms of ulcerative proctitis or stricture. Redo IPAA was restorative for the majority.

Preoperative Use of Multiple Advanced Therapies Is Not Associated With Endoscopic Inflammatory Pouch Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) can experience pouch inflammation postoperatively. The use of antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) biologics may be associated with pouch inflammation, but limited data exist on the impact of multiple advanced therapies on development of subsequent pouch inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess for an association between preoperative use of multiple advanced therapies and risk of endoscopically detected inflammatory pouch diseases (EIPDs). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and indeterminate colitis (IBDU) patients who underwent an IPAA at a quaternary care center from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients were grouped based on number and type of preoperative drug exposures. The primary outcome was EIPD within 5 years of IPAA. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-eight patients were included in this analysis. Most of these patients had UC (95.0%) and demonstrated pancolonic disease distribution (86.1%). The majority of patients were male (57.4%) and underwent surgery for medically refractory disease (79.2%). The overall median age at surgery was 38.6 years. Preoperatively, 68 patients were biologic/small molecule-naïve, 125 received anti-TNF agents only, and 105 received non-anti-TNF agents only or multiple classes. Ninety-one patients developed EIPD. There was no significant association between type (P = .38) or number (P = .58) of exposures and EIPD, but older individuals had a lower risk of EIPD (P = .001; hazard ratio, 0.972; 95% confidence interval, 0.956-0.989). CONCLUSION: Development of EIPD was not associated with number or type of preoperative advanced therapies.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab and vedolizumab in elderly patients with Crohn's disease.

Studies report favorable efficacy and safety profiles of ustekinumab (UST) and vedolizumab (VDZ) in Crohn's disease (CD), but effectiveness and safety data in elderly patients with CD is lacking. We retrospectively analyzed 78 elderly patients (39 each UST and VDZ) and found that patients on UST and VDZ experienced similar rates of clinical response, remission and mucosal healing despite high proportion of prior biologic exposure. Both UST and VDZ appear to be effective and safe in this at-risk CD population. Further large studies are needed to validate our findings.

Clinical issues facing pouch patients: an introduction to a special issue on the ileal pouch.

For over 40 years, restorative proctocolectomy has been used in patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis undergoing proctocolectomy. Radiologists are now encountering an increasing number of patients with an ileal pouch and therefore need to understand the clinical issues and concerns in these patients. This review is the introduction of a special issue on the ileal pouch and was written with both surgeon and gastroenterology input. The intent is to assist the radiologist in understanding the clinical questions posed by both the patients and their physicians. Subsequent sessions will address specific imaging modalities and techniques, how the gastroenterologists and surgeons address issues with these patients, and a final session summarizing the sessions and speculating on future investigations and approaches.

Crohn's Disease Is Associated with Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation in IBD is postulated to drive NAFLD progression from steatosis to fibrosis. AIMS: To study the histopathological spectrum of NAFLD in Crohn disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Patients with biopsy proven NAFLD at a quaternary center from 2008 to 2018 were included in this retrospective analysis. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosed either clinically and/or endoscopically at the time of liver biopsy. Multivariable regression and propensity score (PS) weighted analysis were conducted. Statistical analysis were performed using SAS statistical software. RESULTS: Among 1009 patients with NAFLD a diagnosis of IBD was identified in 50 cases (34 CD and 16 UC). On multivariable analysis; CD was independently associated with significantly higher odds of advanced fibrosis (AF) on liver biopsy (adjusted OR = 4.09, 95% CI = 1.40-11.94) compared to NAFLD patients without IBD. Similar results were obtained with both the overlap PS weighted model (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.55-6.49) and the PS matched model (OR = 3.49, 95% CI = 1.50-8.13). CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of patients with histologically well characterized NAFLD, AF was more common in CD patients than NAFLD patients without IBD. These findings must be confirmed in a larger cohort, but suggest CD patients with NAFLD could be at greater risk for liver fibrosis.

Validation of stricture length, duration and obstructive symptoms as predictors for intervention in ileal stricturing Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for intervention in terminal ileal (TI) stricturing Crohn's disease (CD) are poorly defined. Novel and rigorous definitions for TI strictures recently became available. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the rates of symptoms or need for endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) or surgery as well as risk factors of progression in a well-defined stricturing CD cohort. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients with non-penetrating stricturing TI CD, as defined by centrally-read magnetic resonance enterography CONSTRICT criteria, were separated into a derivation and validation cohort. Clinical and imaging characteristics were collected following prespecified scoring conventions. Primary outcome was a composite endpoint of EBD or surgery ("intervention"). Multivariable analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients (48.8% female, median age 36 years) met selection criteria, 17.4% had prior EBD, 59.3% previously received biologics and 58.1% of strictures were anastomotic. Median follow-up was 63.4 [95% CI: 57, 68.9] months. In the derivation cohort, at 12 and 48 months, 26% and 45% of patients had intervention, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed obstructive symptoms (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.444; 95% CI 1.126-1.852), stricture duration (HR 0.974; 95% CI, 0.954-0.995) and length (HR 1.039; 95% CI, 1.011-1.069) predicted intervention. The concordance index for split-sample validation was 0.74 and 0.67, respectively. Biologics were not associated with intervention. An online risk calculator was constructed. CONCLUSION: In patients with TI stricturing CD, 26% and 45% required intervention at 1 and 4 years. Obstructive symptoms, stricture duration and length were independent and validated predictors of the need for intervention. These findings are important for clinical practice and aid in the design of future trials for CD strictures.

Intra-abdominal septic complications after ileocolic resection increases risk for endoscopic and surgical postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative recurrence [POR] of Crohn's disease following ileocolonic resection is common. The impact of immediate postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications [IASC] on endoscopic and surgical recurrence has not been elucidated. AIMS: To evaluate if IASC is associated with an increased risk for endoscopic and surgical POR. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of adult Crohn's disease patients undergoing ileocolonic resection with primary anastomosis between 2009 and 2020. IASC was defined as anastomotic leak or intra-abdominal abscess within 90 days of the date of surgery. Multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazard modelling were performed to assess the impact of IASC on endoscopic POR [modified Rutgeerts' score ≥ i2b] at index postoperative ileocolonoscopy and long-term surgical recurrence. RESULTS: In 535 Crohn's disease patients [median age 35 years, 22.1% active smokers, 35.7% one or more prior resection] had an ileocolonic resection with primary anastomosis. A minority of patients [N = 47; 8.8%] developed postoperative IASC. In total, 422 [78.9%] patients had one or more postoperative ileocolonoscopies, of whom 163 [38.6%] developed endoscopic POR. After adjusting for other risk factors for postoperative recurrence, postoperative IASC was associated with significantly greater odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.45 [1.23-4.97]; p = 0.01) and decreased time (adjusted hazards ratio [aHR]: 1.60 [1.04-2.45]; p = 0.03] to endoscopic POR. Furthermore, IASC was associated with increased risk (aOR: 2.3 [1.04-4.87] p = 0.03) and decreased survival-free time [aHR: 2.53 [1.31-4.87]; p = 0.006] for surgical recurrence. CONCLUSION: IASC is associated with an increased risk for endoscopic and surgical POR of Crohn's disease. Preoperative optimization to prevent IASC, in addition to postoperative biological prophylaxis, may help reduce the risk for endoscopic and surgical POR.

Mild neoterminal ileal post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease conveys higher risk for severe endoscopic disease progression than isolated anastomotic lesions.

There are conflicting data assessing the impact of isolated post-operative anastomotic inflammation on future disease progression. The aim of this study was to determine the relative risk of severe disease progression in post-operative Crohn's disease (CD) patients with isolated anastomotic disease. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of adult CD patients undergoing ileocolonic resection between 2009 and 2020. Patients with a post-operative ileocolonoscopy ≤18 months from surgery and ≥1 subsequent ileocolonoscopy were included. Disease activity was assessed using the modified Rutgeerts' score (RS). Primary outcome was severe endoscopic progression, defined as i3 or i4 disease, on immediate subsequent ileocolonoscopy and during entire post-operative follow-up. Secondary outcome was surgical recurrence. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-nine CD patients had an ileocolonoscopy ≤18 months from surgery, index RS of i0-i2b and ≥1 subsequent ileocolonoscopy. At index ileocolonoscopy, 34.7% had i0 disease, 16.1% i1, 24.6% i2a and 24.6% i2b. On multivariable logistic regression, i2b disease was associated with severe endoscopic progression compared to i0 or i1 (aOR 5.53; P < 0.001) and i2a disease patients (aOR 2.63; P = 0.03). However, i2a disease did not confer increased risk compared to i0 or i1 disease (P = 0.09). Furthermore, i2b patients experienced severe endoscopic progression significantly earlier than i0 or i1 disease (aHR 4.68; P < 0.001), whereas i2a disease did not differ from i0 or i1 disease (P = 0.25). Surgical recurrence was not associated with index RS i0-i2b (P = 0.86). CONCLUSION: Post-operative ileal disease recurrence, not isolated anastomotic inflammation, confers increased risk for severe endoscopic disease progression. Location of CD recurrence may impact optimal management strategies.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Elderly Crohn's Disease Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and safety profile of ustekinumab (UST) in Crohn's disease (CD) is favorable; however, data in elderly patients are lacking. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of UST in elderly CD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of CD patients classified as elderly (age ≥ 65 years at UST initiation) or nonelderly (<65 years) treated at a large, tertiary referral center. Outcomes assessed were clinical (measured by physician global assessment [PGA]) and steroid-free response, remission, adverse events, and postsurgical complications were compared by age category. Multivariable regression modeling and survival analysis was also performed. RESULTS: In total, 117 patients (elderly n = 39, nonelderly n = 78) were included in the study. Elderly patients had predominantly moderate disease (87.2%), while nonelderly had a higher proportion of severe disease activity (44.9%) (p = 0.001), though no differences in baseline endoscopic activity, prior biologic use, or steroid or immunomodulator use at baseline existed (p > 0.05 all). While nearly 90% patients in both groups experienced clinical response to UST, compared to nonelderly, elderly patients were less likely to achieve complete clinical remission (28.2% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.01). On regression modeling, age was not associated with clinical outcomes (p > 0.05 all). Mucosal healing was achieved in 26% elderly and 30% nonelderly patients (p = 0.74). There were no significant differences in infusion reactions (2.6% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.77), infection (5.2% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.7), or postsurgical complications (p = 0.99) by age category. CONCLUSION: UST is safe and effective in elderly CD. Although limited by sample size and retrospective design, such real-world data can inform biologic positioning in this IBD population.

Test Characteristics of Cross-sectional Imaging and Concordance With Endoscopy in Postoperative Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Postoperative Crohn's disease (CD) surveillance relies on endoscopic monitoring. The role of cross-sectional imaging is less clear. We evaluated the concordance of cross-sectional enterography with endoscopic recurrence and the predictive ability of radiography for future CD postoperative recurrence. METHODS: We performed a multi-institution retrospective cohort study of postoperative adult patients with CD who underwent ileocolonoscopy and cross-sectional enterography within 90 days of each other following ileocecal resection. Imaging studies were interpreted by blinded, expert CD radiologists. Patients were categorized by presence of endoscopic postoperative recurrence (E+) (modified Rutgeerts' score ≥i2b) or radiographic disease activity (R+) and grouped by concordance status. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients with CD with paired ileocolonoscopy and imaging were included. A majority (54.2%) exhibited concordance (34.7% E+/R+; 19.4% E-/R-) between studies. The plurality (41.7%; n = 90) were E-/R+ discordant. Imaging was highly sensitive (89.3%), with low specificity (31.8%), in detecting endoscopic postoperative recurrence. Intestinal wall thickening, luminal narrowing, mural hyper-enhancement, and length of disease on imaging were associated with endoscopic recurrence (all P < .01). Radiographic disease severity was associated with increasing Rutgeerts' score (P < .001). E-/R+ patients experienced more rapid subsequent endoscopic recurrence (hazard ratio, 4.16; P = .033) and increased rates of subsequent endoscopic (43.8% vs 22.7%) and surgical recurrence (20% vs 9.5%) than E-/R- patients (median follow-up, 4.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectional imaging is highly sensitive, but poorly specific, in detecting endoscopic disease activity and postoperative recurrence. Advanced radiographic disease correlates with endoscopic severity. Patients with radiographic activity in the absence of endoscopic recurrence may be at increased risk for future recurrence, and closer monitoring should be considered.

Pouch Function Over Time and With Advancing Age.

BACKGROUND: No long-term pouch studies have included follow-up >30 years or an analysis in patients >80 years old. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate pouch function and pouch failure in patients with a pouch in situ >30 years and in patients >80 years old. DESIGN: This is a retrospective review. SETTING: This study was conducted at an IBD referral center. PATIENTS: Adult patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent an IPAA between 1983 and 1990 were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were pouch function and pouch failure rates. METHODS: Data collection included diagnosis, age at IPAA, indication for IPAA, medications at IPAA, pathology at the time of IPAA, postoperative morbidity, functional outcomes, quality of life, pouch excision or ileostomy and indication, and date of last follow-up. All living patients were contacted in April 2020 to retrieve functional data and pouch failure rates. RESULTS: A total of 566 patients had a pouch constructed between 1983 and 1990; of the 145 at most recent contact, 75 had their pouch in situ ≥30 years and 14 were ≥80 years old. Mean age at diagnosis was 25.8 years (10.6 SD), age at surgery was 34.7 years (11.3 SD), and age at last follow-up was 60.5 years (13.2 SD). At a median of 30 years (IQR, 21-32), 145 patients responded to the functional survey. Significantly increased rates of urgency (always, mostly, sometimes: 71.5% vs 23.5%) and seepage during the day (71.4% vs 22.4%) were observed in patients ≥80 years. In patients ≥80 years with a pouch in situ ≥30 years, urgency and incontinence were sometimes experienced by nearly 50% and pouch failure occurred in one third of patients. The overall rate of pouch failure was 19.4% (n = 110) at a median follow-up of 15 years; risk factors were female sex, 3-stage approach, and pelvic sepsis. LIMITATIONS: A retrospective database was used. CONCLUSION: Patients with IPAA maintain good pouch function even after 30 years and in patients over the age of 80 years. Pouch function declines with time and failure rates increase over time. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B684.Función De La Bolsa Ileal En El Tiempo Y En Pacientes De Edad Avanzada. ANTECEDENTES: No se han efectuado estudios en pacientes con bolsa a largo plazo que incluyan un seguimiento por treinta años o más y en pacientes mayores de 80 años. OBJETIVO: Investigar la funcionalidad o la falla de la bolsa en pacientes bolsa in situ por mas de treinta años y en pacientes mayors de 80 años. DISEO: Revisión retrospective. ESCENARIO: Centro de referencia de Enfermedad Inflamatoria Intestinal. PACIENTES: Pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de colitis ulcerative sometidos a anastomosis bolsa ileal anal (IPAA) entre 1983 y 1990. PRINCIPALES PARAMETROS DE RESULTADOS: Indices de efectividad y disfunción de la bolsa ileal. METODOS: Recopilación de la información incluyendo diagnóstico, edad del procedimiento (IPAA), indicaciones para IPAA, medicamentos para IPAA, patología en el transcurso del IPAA, morbilidad postoperatoria, resultados funcionales, calidad de vida, excisión de la bolsa o ileostomía y su indicación y fecha de seguimiento mas reciente. Se contactaron a todos los pacientes vivos en abril de 202 para recuperar la información de los índices de funcionalidad o disfunción de la bolsa. RESULTADOS: Se les construyó una bolsa a un total de 566 pacientes entre 1983 y 1990; de los 145 mas recientemente contactados, 75 permanecían con su bolsa in situ ≥ 30 años y 14 eran mayores de 80 años. La edad media en el momento de diagnóstico fue de 25.8 años (con desviación estándar de 10.6, sd), edad al momento de la cirugía fue de 34.7 años (11.3sd), y la edad en el último seguimiento de 60.5 años (13.2,sd). A una media de 30 años (IQR: 21,32), 145 pacientes respondieron al cuestionario de funcionalidad. En pacientes mayores de 80 años se observaron tasas aumentadas de urgencia (siempre, la mayor parte de las veces, algunas veces: 71.5% vs 23.5%) y fuga durante el día (71.4% versus 22.4%). En pacientes mayores de 80 años con una bolsa in situ durante 30 años o más, experimentaron urgencia e incontinencia en cerca del 50% y disfunción de la bolsa en un tercio de los pacientes. La tasa global de fallo de la bolsa fue de 19.4% (n = 110) en un seguimiento a 15 años; los factores de riesgo asociados fueron: sexo femenino, abordaje de tres tiempos y sepsis pélvica. LIMITACIONES: Información retrospective. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con IPAA continúan con una función adecuada de la bolsa aún después de 30 años de efectuada así como en pacientes mayores de 80 años. La funcionalidad de la bolsa disminuye con el tiempo y las tasa de falla aumentan de igual forma con el tiempo. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B684. (Traducción- Dr. Miguel Esquivel-Herrera).

Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Increased in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Large, Multi-Network Study.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) involve an inflammatory state where sleep dysregulation is common. Little is known about implications, if any, of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aims to investigate if IBD patients are at higher risk for OSA. Methods: This retrospective multivariate analysis utilized a commercial database named Explorys (IBM Watson). We identified patients from 1/2015 to 1/2020 with UC and CD. Cohorts of these patients with and without OSA were then created and prevalence values were obtained. A multivariate analysis was used to correct for several potential confounding variables. Results: The overall prevalence of OSA was 7.8% in UC and 7.2% in CD, as compared with a prevalence of 4.3% in non-IBD patients (odds ratio [OR] for UC: 1.9 [95% CI 1.86-1.94, P < .0001], OR for CD: 1.72 [95% CI 1.69-1.76, P < .0001]). In multivariate analysis, age above 65, Caucasian race, male sex, obesity, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes were all independent risk factors for the development of OSA, with obesity being the most significant. After controlling for the listed variables in the multivariate analysis, IBD was an independent risk factor associated with OSA (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.43-1.48). Conclusions: In this large population-based study, IBD was independently associated with increased prevalence of OSA. This has implications for screening for OSA in IBD, as well as management of other risk factors for OSA in IBD.

Biomarkers for the Evaluation of Pouch Inflammation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Ileal pouch inflammation is a common problem following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Despite its prevalence, diagnosis remains multimodal and requires endoscopy. The use of biomarkers in the prediction of and/or association with pouchitis has not been well characterized. We performed a systematic review to summarize the available evidence. Method: A search of Ovid, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted. Inclusion criteria included studies evaluating biomarkers for the evaluation and prediction of inflammation in patients with IPAA utilizing pouchoscopy as the gold standard. Exclusion criteria included studies on the role of the microbiome or genetic markers. Results: A total of 28 studies, 5 case-control studies, and 23 observational cohort studies were identified. Fecal biomarkers were assessed in 23 studies, of which fecal calprotectin was the most commonly studied with sensitivities ranging from 57% to 92% and specificities from 19% to 92%. Six studies examined serum biomarkers. None of the serum biomarkers demonstrated a high sensitivity or specificity in association with pouch inflammation. Six studies described the longitudinal assessment of biomarkers. Of these studies, only three reported a predictive role of biomarkers in diagnosing endoscopic inflammation. Conclusions: Biomarkers have emerged as a potential option to improve the management of pouchitis given the relative ease of sampling compared to pouchoscopy. Unfortunately, the evaluated biomarkers have not consistently demonstrated accuracy in predicting inflammation. Moreover, these biomarkers have not been reliably shown to be sensitive or specific in association with endoscopic pouch inflammation to merit their widespread use in clinical practice.

The impact of body mass index on efficacy and safety in the tofacitinib OCTAVE ulcerative colitis clinical programme.

BACKGROUND: Obesity may affect efficacy and safety of biologic treatments for ulcerative colitis (UC). Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of UC. AIMS: To assess efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with UC, by baseline body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This post hoc analysis evaluated patients with UC receiving placebo or tofacitinib from the 8-week OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 (NCT01465763, NCT01458951) and 52-week OCTAVE Sustain (NCT01458574) studies. Patients were stratified by BMI at OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 baseline (<25, 25 to <30 and ≥30 kg/m2 ). Outcomes included remission, endoscopic improvement, clinical response, sustained steroid-free remission, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire total score and Short Form-36 Health Survey scores. Adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: At Week 8 of OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, and Week 52 of OCTAVE Sustain, higher proportions of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (b.d.) achieved clinical response vs placebo, regardless of baseline BMI subgroup (all P < 0.05). Proportions of patients achieving efficacy endpoints were generally similar across BMI subgroups; in univariate and multivariate regression analyses, BMI was not a significant predictor (all P ≥ 0.05; univariate BMI [continuous] odds ratio for remission: 0.98 [95% confidence interval 0.95, 1.02]). There was no consistent trend between BMI and adverse events. Among patients receiving tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. in OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, serious infections were numerically greater in the BMI ≥30 subgroup (3.2%) vs other subgroups (0.4%). Limitations included small patient numbers in the BMI ≥30 subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib were similar in patients with UC regardless of baseline BMI.