Advanced Age Does Not Negatively Impact Health-Related Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is significantly impacted in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many studies have assessed HRQoL in patients of all ages, and few focus on the elderly. AIM: To determine the influence of advanced age (> 65 years) and age at diagnosis on patients with IBD. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from a single IBD tertiary referral center. Patients had disease activity indices [Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI), Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index (UCDAI), and Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ)] recorded during every clinic visit. Three groups of patients: > 65 years, 41-64 years, and < 40 years with > 5 SIBDQ entries were included. Influence of disease type, disease duration, extent of involvement, and comorbidities such as cardiovascular (CV) disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), and psychological disorders were noted as confounders. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression model. RESULTS: Disease severity indices significantly affected SIBDQ score in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (p < 0.001 for HBI in CD, p < 0.001 UCDAI in UC). Disease extent (p = 0.011) and psychological disorders (p < 0.001) significantly affected SIBDQ score in CD. Chronological age, age at diagnosis, disease duration, number of clinic visits, CV disease, pulmonary disease, and DM were not significant predictors of SIBDQ score (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL was negatively influenced by disease extent and psychological disorders in CD but not in UC patients. Advanced age was not a predictor of poor HRQoL in both CD and UC.

Dyssynergic defecation: a treatable cause of persistent symptoms when inflammatory bowel disease is in remission.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of biologic agents in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased the likelihood of disease remission. Despite resolution of active inflammation, a subset of IBD patients report persistent defecatory symptoms. AIM: To evaluate a group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease with suspected functional defecatory disorders, by use of anorectal manometric testing and subsequent biofeedback therapy. METHODS: A group of IBD patients with persistent defecatory problems despite clinical improvement were included in this study. These patients had no evidence of left-sided disease. Endoscopic and radiographic study findings and timing in relation to the manometry study were recorded. Anorectal manometry was performed by the standard protocol and included rectal sensory assessment, ability to expel a balloon, and pressure dynamics with simulated defecation. RESULTS: Thirty IBD patients (Crohn's 23 patients; ulcerative colitis six patients) presented with defecatory disorders including constipation (67%) increased stooling (10%), and rectal urgency and/or incontinence and rectal pain (6%). All but one patient had anorectal manometric criteria of dyssynergia (presence of anismus motor pattern and inability to expel the balloon). Of the patients who completed biofeedback therapy, 30% had a clinically significant (≥7-point) improvement in SIBDQ score, with a reduction in health-care utilization after a six-month period (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Despite remission, some inflammatory bowel disease patients have persistent defecatory symptoms. Defecatory symptoms may not be predictive of an underlying inflammatory disorder. Lack of inflammatory activity and absence of left-sided disease should prompt investigation of functional disorders. Anorectal manometric testing and biofeedback therapy for patients with a diagnosis of dyssynergia may be a useful therapy.

Surgical outcomes in the elderly with inflammatory bowel disease are similar to those in the younger population.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a bimodal distribution with approximately 15 % of patients manifesting after age 65. Previous reports suggest an increased risk of surgical complications in the elderly. AIM: To compare surgical outcomes in elderly IBD patients (≥ 65 years at the time of surgery) to matched younger IBD cohorts. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study at a single academic center of patients who underwent surgery for IBD. Forty-two elderly patients (≥ 65 years) were matched at least 1:1 (median 1:5) to patients in each of three control groups [18-35 years (n = 71); 36-49 years (n = 62); 50-64 years (n = 58)] according to gender, disease type/location, and type of surgery. Postoperative complications were compared. Patient characteristics were used in multivariate risk models. Analysis was performed using ordinary logistic regression. RESULTS: Twenty ileal or ileocolonic resections, 12 partial or total colectomies, four stricturoplasties, and six laparoscopic partial or total colectomies were performed in the elderly group. The post-operative complication rate was not statistically different between the elderly and younger cohorts (38 % vs. 39 % vs. 40 % vs. 48 % in the 18-35, 36-49, 50-64, and ≥ 65 years groups, respectively, p = 0.26). The only significant risk factors for complication were Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.0002), preoperative hemoglobin (p = 0.0065), total parenteral nutrition use (p = 0.024), and failed medical therapy (as the indication for surgery) (p = <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical complication rate among elderly and younger IBD patients was similar. Advanced age by itself should not be considered a risk factor for adverse operative outcome.

Impact of pregnancy on health-related quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of pregnancy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: This was a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center and included women with ≥2 short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ) scores obtained during their pregnancy. Regression models were used to identify independent factors influencing SIBDQ scores and changes of SIBDQ scores at different time points. RESULTS: A total of 32 women (23 CD, 9 UC) with a mean age at pregnancy of 29.4 years and a mean disease duration of 7.8 years were included in the study. The mean pre-pregnancy SIBDQ score in our cohort was 49, which was significantly lower than the values during (55, P < 0.001) and post-pregnancy (53, P = 0.01). The score during pregnancy directly correlated with the pre-pregnancy SIBDQ score (correlation co-efficient 0.50, P = 0.003). Half of the patients had a ≥7-point increase in SIBDQ scores during pregnancy. Change in SIBDQ scores during pregnancy was inversely related to the pre-pregnancy score (-0.47, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.20) and changes in disease activity during pregnancy (-1.80, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the pregnant women with IBD in our cohort experienced improvement in their HRQoL. Pre-pregnancy HRQoL is predictive of HRQoL during pregnancy, supporting the need for optimizing disease activity prior to conception.

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: association with disease activity and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in an IBD cohort. It was hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased disease activity and lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Harvey-Bradshaw index and ulcerative colitis disease activity index were used to assess disease activity. Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores were used to assess HRQOL. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency and its association with disease activity and HRQOL. RESULTS: The study included 504 IBD patients (403 Crohn's disease [CD] and 101 ulcerative colitis [UC]) who had a mean disease duration of 15.5 years in CD patients and 10.9 years in UC patients; 49.8% were vitamin D deficient, with 10.9% having severe deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with older age (P = .004) and older age at diagnosis (P = .03). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with lower HRQOL (regression coefficient -2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.10 to -0.33) in CD but not UC (regression coefficient 0.41, 95% CI, -2.91 to 3.73). Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with increased disease activity in CD (regression coefficient 1.07, 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.71). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is common in IBD and is independently associated with lower HRQOL and greater disease activity in CD. There is a need for prospective studies to assess this correlation and examine the impact of vitamin D supplementation on disease course.

QuantiFERON TB gold testing for tuberculosis screening in an inflammatory bowel disease cohort in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a rare, yet devastating infectious complication associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) therapy. We evaluated the performance of the QuantiFERON TB Gold test (QFT-G) for TB screening in a cohort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in the United States. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational study of patients initiated and/or maintained on an anti-TNF-α agent in a single IBD referral center and recorded the frequency and the test results of QFT-G testing and the rate of TB reactivation. RESULTS: 512 QFT-G tests were done in 340 patients. Five patients (1.5%) had a positive, nine (2.7%) indeterminate, and 326 patients (95.8%) had a negative QFT-G. After a mean follow-up of 17 months there was one case of TB reactivation (0.3%). The use of immunosuppressive therapy or anti-TNF therapy at the time of testing did not affect the results of the QFT-G testing. Test-retest had substantial concordance (κ = 0.72). 25% of patients (n = 85) had TST testing. Concordance between the TST and QFT-G was found to be moderate (κ = 0.4152, P = 0.0041). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with negative QFT-G tolerated anti-TNF therapy with no evidence of TB reactivation. Concomitant use of immunosuppressive therapy or anti-TNF did not seem to affect QFT-G results. One patient had an indeterminate QFT-G while on infliximab and later developed miliary TB. Concordance with TST is moderate.

Does primary sclerosing cholangitis impact quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease?

BACKGROUND: Impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important concern in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; ulcerative colitis [UC], Crohn's disease [CD]). Between 2%-10% of patients with IBD have primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). There has been limited examination of the disease-specific HRQoL in this population compared to non-PSC IBD controls. METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-control study performed at a tertiary referral center. Cases comprised 26 patients with a known diagnosis of PSC and IBD (17 UC, 9 CD). Three random controls were selected for each case after matching for IBD type, gender, age, and duration of disease. Disease-specific HRQoL was measured using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). Disease activity for CD was measured using the Harvey-Bradshaw index (HB) and using the UC activity index for UC. Independent predictors of HRQoL were identified. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the age, gender distribution, or disease duration between PSC-IBD and controls. There was no difference in use of immunomodulators or biologics between the 2 groups. Mean SIBDQ score was comparable between PSC-IBD patients (54.5) and controls (54.1), both for UC and CD. Likewise, the disease activity scores were also similar (2.8 versus 3.1, P = 0.35). On multivariate analysis, higher disease activity score (-1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 95% CI -1.85 to -0.82) and shorter disease duration were predictive of lower HRQoL. Coexisting PSC did not influence IBD-related HRQoL. There was a higher proportion of permanent work disability in PSC-IBD (7.7%) compared to controls (0%). CONCLUSIONS: PSC does not seem to influence disease-specific HRQoL in our patients with IBD but is associated with a higher rate of work disability.

Clostridium difficile is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis: A national and tertiary center perspective.

OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is associated with antibiotic use, acid suppression, and hospitalization, all of which occur frequently in cirrhosis. The aim was to define the effect of CDAD on outcomes and identify risk factors for its development in cirrhosis. METHODS: Case-control studies using the de-identified national (Nationwide Inpatient Sample, NIS) and an identified liver transplant center database of hospitalized cirrhotics with and without CDAD were performed. The NIS 2005 was queried for mortality, charges, and length of stay (LOS) in cirrhotics with/without CDAD. Outcomes of cirrhosis and infections were also analyzed. In the transplant center database, risk factors for CDAD were defined in hospitalized cirrhotics with/without CDAD who were age matched in a 1:2 ratio. RESULTS: The NIS 2005 included 1,165 cirrhotics with and 82,065 without CDAD. Cirrhotics with CDAD had a significantly higher mortality (13.8% vs. 8.2%, P<0.001), LOS (14.4 days vs. 6.7 days, P<0.001), and charges ($79,351 vs. $35,686, P<0.001) compared with those without CDAD. On multivariate analysis, CDAD was associated with higher mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-1.85), charges, and LOS despite controlling for cirrhosis complications and infections. In the transplant center database, 54 cirrhotics with and 108 cirrhotics without CDAD were included. Outpatient spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis (35% vs. 13%, P=0.01), inpatient antibiotic (63% vs. 35%, P=0.0001), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use (74% vs. 31%, P=0.0001) were significantly higher in those with CDAD. CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotics with CDAD have a higher mortality, LOS, and charges on the NIS 2005 compared with those without CDAD. Antibiotic and PPI use are risk factors for CDAD development in hospitalized cirrhotics.

Impact of prior irregular infliximab dosing on performance of long-term infliximab maintenance therapy in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Infliximab is efficacious in the management of moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD). There are limited data regarding performance of infliximab in patients who require reinitiation of maintenance dosing following previous irregular exposure. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of CD patients treated with maintenance infliximab beyond 3 years. Maintenance infliximab infusion regimens were categorized as scheduled maintenance (SM) (maintenance infusions q < or =8 weeks after loading) or prior irregular (PI) (no loading, gap in therapy >8 weeks prior to or during maintenance therapy). We examined differences in need for medical and surgical hospitalizations as well as associated healthcare costs between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In all, 104 CD patients met criteria for 3-year maintenance infliximab treatment (SM n = 64; PI n = 40). The rates of CD-related surgeries (60.9% and 55.0%, P = not significant [N.S.]) and medical hospitalizations (35.9% and 37.5%, P = N.S.) prior to infliximab initiation was similar between the 2 groups. However, the rate of medical (26.5% versus 47.5%, P = 0.035) and surgical hospitalizations (21.8% versus 48.7%, P = 0.009) were significantly lower in the SM compared to the PI group. During the third year of treatment the excess costs per patient for the PI group compared to the SM group amounted to $11,464 in spite of both cohorts being on SM therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who begin and continue an uninterrupted maintenance dosing regimen had a lower incidence of hospitalization and surgery than those who received an irregular or interrupted regimen prior to beginning an SM regimen.

Impact of autonomic dysfunction on inflammatory bowel disease.

UNLABELLED: Functional symptoms are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The autonomic nervous system has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. Autonomic dysfunction (AD) is associated with systemic manifestations and altered gut motility that may contributed to functional symptoms. AIM: To examine the impact of clinically manifest AD on patients with IBD. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study from a single tertiary referral IBD center. The cases comprised 43 IBD patients with AD diagnosed using a standardized battery of tests. Three disease-matched controls were selected for each case. We performed multivariate regression to compare health-related quality of life (SIBDQ), disease activity scores, and healthcare utilization. RESULTS: Female sex (83.7% vs. 53.5%, P<0.001) and psychiatric comorbidity (41.9% vs. 10.9%, P<0.001) were more common among IBD patients with AD than IBD controls. Small bowel transit times were significantly longer in cases (92.7 min) compared with controls (62.9 min, P=0.02). On multivariate analysis, AD was associated with a 7-point lower adjusted SIBDQ score compared with IBD controls [odds ratio (OR)-7.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), -12.0--3.03]. AD was also significantly associated with having more than 3 annual gastroenterology office visits (OR 2.84; 95% CI, 1.09-7.35), and 1 or more IBD-related medical hospitalizations (OR 2.49; 95% CI, 1.09-5.71). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically manifest AD is associated with lower quality of life and higher healthcare utilization in IBD patients. They may represent a cohort at risk for worse outcomes.

Durability of infliximab in Crohn's disease: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Infliximab is effective maintenance for moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD); however, problems with immunogenicity and decreased efficacy often complicate long-term use. Durability of infliximab maintenance therapy over multiple years has not been defined. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of CD patients who received maintenance infliximab for ≥1 year with the intention of ongoing maintenance. Patients were categorized into those who either discontinued treatment or continued maintenance therapy. We examined the impact of demographic, clinical characteristics, and prior episodic exposure on long-term durability of infliximab therapy and also examined the reasons for discontinuation of therapy. RESULTS: A total of 153 CD patients received maintenance infliximab treatment beyond 1 year and 42 (27%) ultimately discontinued treatment. The mean duration of maintenance treatment at the time of discontinuation was 42.4 ± 19.1 months compared to a follow-up period of 49.4 ± 19.8 months in the cohort continuing therapy (P = 0.049). The main reasons for discontinuation were allergy/adverse reaction (44.2%) and decreased efficacy (38.2%). Use of concomitant immunosuppression was similar between the 2 groups (78.6% versus 83.8%, P = NS). However, the discontinued group had a higher rate of prior episodic dosing compared to CD patients who continued maintenance (28.8% versus 11.7%, P = 0.025), while there was no difference in the rate of intensified dosing (57.2% versus 50.5%, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: One-quarter of CD patients on long-term infliximab maintenance discontinued treatment. A history of prior episodic dosing was significantly associated with infliximab discontinuation, despite concomitant immunosuppression. These data emphasize the need for optimization of infliximab for successful long-term management.

Association of proton pump inhibitor therapy with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

OBJECTIVES: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. Bacterial contamination of ascites fluid leading to SBP is caused by bacterial translocation with subsequent bacteremia. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) suppress gastric acid secretion, allowing bacterial colonization of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and may predispose to bacterial overgrowth and translocation. The aim of this study was to determine whether PPI use in cirrhotics with ascites is associated with SBP. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed. Seventy cirrhotics admitted with paracentesis-proven SBP between 2002 and 2007 were matched 1:1 (for age and Child's class) with comparable cirrhotics with ascites who were admitted for conditions other than SBP. We excluded patients on chronic antibiotic prophylaxis or with antecedent gastrointestinal bleeding. Outpatient PPI use at the time of admission was compared between groups, and the effect of covariates was analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with SBP had a significantly higher rate of prehospital PPI use (69%) compared with ascitic cirrhotics hospitalized without SBP (31%, P = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in demographics, diabetes, etiology, or survival between groups. On multivariate analysis, PPI use was independently associated with SBP (odds ratio (OR) 4.31, confidence interval (CI) 1.34-11.7), and ascitic fluid protein was protective (OR 0.1, CI 0.03-0.25). In total, 47% of cirrhotic patients receiving PPI in this study had no documented indication for PPI treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PPI therapy is associated with SBP in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether PPI avoidance can reduce the incidence of SBP and improve outcomes.

The effect of fatigue on driving skills in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatic encephalopathy, both overt (OHE) and minimal (MHE), is associated with poor quality of life and fatigue. The aim of this study was to define the effect of fatigue on driving skills in MHE and OHE patients. METHODS: Cirrhotics and age/education-matched controls were administered a psychometric battery of tests to diagnose MHE. Cirrhotics with recent OHE on lactulose were also included. All subjects underwent a driving simulation; to assess fatigue, the second half performance was compared with the first half of the simulation. The outcomes were collisions, speeding, road excursions, and center crossings. Actual driving-associated fatigue was assessed by the American Medical Association (AMA) driver survey. RESULTS: A total of 100 cirrhotics (51 MHE, 27 no MHE, and 22 OHE) and 67 controls were included. A significantly higher proportion of OHE and MHE patients admitted to fatigue after actual driving on the AMA survey compared with no MHE patients (P=0.02). All patients who admitted to fatigue and none who denied fatigue on the AMA survey had simulator collisions. Psychometric and simulator performance in treated OHE patients was similarly impaired to MHE patients despite therapy. Within groups, a significant increase in collisions, speeding, and center crossings in the second half (P=0.01) was seen only in MHE patients. CONCLUSIONS: Psychometric and simulator performance in patients with recent OHE on treatment is similarly impaired as that of untreated MHE patients. Simulator performance in MHE worsens over time with fatigue. OHE and MHE patients had a higher rate of actual driving-associated fatigue on the AMA survey, which was significantly predictive of simulator collisions.