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.

Clinical predictors of early and late endoscopic recurrence following ileocolonic resection in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Multiple factors are suggested to place Crohn's disease patients at risk of recurrence after ileocolic resection with conflicting associations. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of recurrence at first (early) and further (late) postoperative colonoscopy. METHODS: Crohn's disease patients undergoing ileocolic resection were prospectively recruited at six North American centers. Clinical data was collected and endoscopic recurrence was defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2. A multivariable model was fitted to analyze variables independently associated with recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 365 patients undergoing 674 postoperative colonoscopies were included with a median age of 32 years, 189 (51.8%) were male and 37 (10.1%) non-Whites. Postoperatively, 133 (36.4%) used anti-TNF and 30 (8.2%) were smokers. At first colonoscopy, 109 (29.9%) had recurrence. Male gender (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.12 - 3.40), non-White ethnicity (OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.09 - 5.63), longer interval between surgery and colonoscopy (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.002 - 1.18), and postoperative smoking (OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.16 - 6.67) were associated with recurrence, while prophylactic anti-TNF reduced the risk (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14 - 0.55). Postoperative anti-TNF prophylaxis had a protective effect on anti-TNF experienced patients but not on anti-TNF naïve patients. Among patients without recurrence at first colonoscopy, Rutgeerts score i1 was associated with subsequent recurrence (OR = 4.43, 95% CI 1.73 - 11.35). CONCLUSIONS: We identified independent clinical predictors of early and late Crohn's disease postoperative endoscopic recurrence. Clinical factors traditionally used for risk stratification failed to predict recurrence and need to be revised.

Superior Efficacy of Infliximab Versus Adalimumab for First-Line Treatment of Crohn's Perianal Fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease perianal fistulae (CD-PAF) occur in 25% of patients and are notoriously challenging to manage. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are first line agents. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare infliximab (IFX) versus adalimumab (ADA) efficacy in CD-PAF healing over time. METHODS: A retrospective study at two large-tertiary medical centers was performed. Inclusion criteria were actively draining CD-PAF and initial treatment with IFX or ADA following CD-PAF diagnosis. The primary endpoints were perianal fistula response and remission at 6 and 12 months. Secondary endpoints included biologic persistence over time and dose escalation at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Among 151 patients included in the study, 92 received IFX and 59 received ADA as first line agents after CD-PAF diagnosis. At 6 months, the 64.9% of the IFX group and 34.8% of the ADA group demonstrated CD-PAF clinical improvement (p < 0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences among the IFX and ADA groups for clinical response at 6-months and 12-months (p = 0.002 and p = 0.042, respectively). There were no factors that predicted response, with the exception of concomitant immunomodulator affecting the 6-month clinical response (p = 0.021). Biologic persistence, characterized by Kaplan Meier methods, was significantly longer in the IFX group compared to the ADA group (Log-rank p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: IFX induction and maintenance is associated with higher rates of response and remission in CD-PAF healing as well as higher treatment persistence compared to ADA. Additionally, our study supports the use of concomitant immunomodulator therapy for CD-PAF healing and remission.

Antibody Kinetics after Three Doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants calls for more data on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine response. Aims: We aimed to assess the response to a third mRNA vaccine dose against SARS-CoV-2 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: This was a single-center, observational prospective study of IBD patients who received a third mRNA vaccine dose against SARS-CoV-2. Antibody titers were taken post-third-dose at one and three months using the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2-S enzyme immunoassay. Titers less than 0.8 units/mL were considered negative according to the manufactures. Titers between 0.8 units/mL and 250 units/mL were considered non-neutralizing. Titers greater than 250 units/mL were considered neutralizing. Results: Eighty-three patients were included, all of whom had detectable antibodies at 3 months post-third dose. A total of 89% showed neutralizing and 11% non-neutralizing titers. Participants with non-neutralizing titers were more likely to be on systemic corticosteroids (p = 0.04). Two participants seroconverted from negative to positive, whereas 86% with non-neutralizing titers boosted to neutralizing levels. Only one participant with neutralizing titers after a third dose had a decrease to a non-neutralizing level within 3 months. Conclusions: Our findings support the ongoing recommendations for additional doses in immunocompromised individuals. However, longitudinal studies with a greater-sized patient population are needed.

Genetic coding variant in complement factor B (CFB) is associated with increased risk for perianal Crohn's disease and leads to impaired CFB cleavage and phagocytosis.

OBJECTIVE: Perianal Crohn's disease (pCD) occurs in up to 40% of patients with CD and is associated with poor quality of life, limited treatment responses and poorly understood aetiology. We performed a genetic association study comparing CD subjects with and without perianal disease and subsequently performed functional follow-up studies for a pCD associated SNP in Complement Factor B (CFB). DESIGN: Immunochip-based meta-analysis on 4056 pCD and 11 088 patients with CD from three independent cohorts was performed. Serological and clinical variables were analysed by regression analyses. Risk allele of rs4151651 was introduced into human CFB plasmid by site-directed mutagenesis. Binding of recombinant G252 or S252 CFB to C3b and its cleavage was determined in cell-free assays. Macrophage phagocytosis in presence of recombinant CFB or serum from CFB risk, or protective CD or healthy subjects was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Perianal complications were associated with colonic involvement, OmpC and ASCA serology, and serology quartile sum score. We identified a genetic association for pCD (rs4151651), a non-synonymous SNP (G252S) in CFB, in all three cohorts. Recombinant S252 CFB had reduced binding to C3b, its cleavage was impaired, and complement-driven phagocytosis and cytokine secretion were reduced compared with G252 CFB. Serine 252 generates a de novo glycosylation site in CFB. Serum from homozygous risk patients displayed significantly decreased macrophage phagocytosis compared with non-risk serum. CONCLUSION: pCD-associated rs4151651 in CFB is a loss-of-function mutation that impairs its cleavage, activation of alternative complement pathway, and pathogen phagocytosis thus implicating the alternative complement pathway and CFB in pCD aetiology.

Artificial Intelligence Enabled Histological Prediction of Remission or Activity and Clinical Outcomes in Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Microscopic inflammation has significant prognostic value in ulcerative colitis (UC); however, its assessment is complex with high interobserver variability. We aimed to develop and validate an artificial intelligence (AI) computer-aided diagnosis system to evaluate UC biopsies and predict prognosis. METHODS: A total of 535 digitalized biopsies (273 patients) were graded according to the PICaSSO Histologic Remission Index (PHRI), Robarts, and Nancy Histological Index. A convolutional neural network classifier was trained to distinguish remission from activity on a subset of 118 biopsies, calibrated on 42 and tested on 375. The model was additionally tested to predict the corresponding endoscopic assessment and occurrence of flares at 12 months. The system output was compared with human assessment. Diagnostic performance was reported as sensitivity, specificity, prognostic prediction through Kaplan-Meier, and hazard ratios of flares between active and remission groups. We externally validated the model in 154 biopsies (58 patients) with similar characteristics but more histologically active patients. RESULTS: The system distinguished histological activity/remission with sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 85% (PHRI), 94% and 76% (Robarts Histological Index), and 89% and 79% (Nancy Histological Index). The model predicted the corresponding endoscopic remission/activity with 79% and 82% accuracy for UC endoscopic index of severity and Paddington International virtual ChromoendoScopy ScOre, respectively. The hazard ratio for disease flare-up between histological activity/remission groups according to pathologist-assessed PHRI was 3.56, and 4.64 for AI-assessed PHRI. Both histology and outcome prediction were confirmed in the external validation cohort. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated an AI model that distinguishes histologic remission/activity in biopsies of UC and predicts flare-ups. This can expedite, standardize, and enhance histologic assessment in practice and trials.

Serum Lipidomic Screen Identifies Key Metabolites, Pathways, and Disease Classifiers in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: There is an unmet medical need for biomarkers that capture host and environmental contributions in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). This study aimed at testing the potential of circulating lipids as disease classifiers given their major roles in inflammation. METHODS: We applied a previously validated comprehensive high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted lipidomic workflow covering 25 lipid subclasses to serum samples from 100 Crohn's disease (CD) patients and 100 matched control subjects. Findings were replicated and expanded in another 200 CD patients and 200 control subjects. Key metabolites were tested for associations with disease behavior and location, and classification models were built and validated. Their association with disease activity was tested using an independent cohort of 42 CD patients. RESULTS: We identified >70 metabolites with strong association (P < 1 × 10-4, q < 5 × 10-4) to CD. Highly performing classification models (area under the curve > 0.84-0.97) could be built with as few as 5 to 9 different metabolites, representing 6 major correlated lipid clusters. These classifiers included a phosphatidylethanolamine ether (O-16:0/20:4), a sphingomyelin (d18:1/21:0) and a cholesterol ester (14:1), a very long-chain dicarboxylic acid [28:1(OH)] and sitosterol sulfate. These classifiers and correlated lipids indicate a dysregulated metabolism in host cells, notably in peroxisomes, as well as dysbiosis, oxidative stress, compromised inflammation resolution, or intestinal membrane integrity. A subset of these were associated with disease behavior or location. CONCLUSIONS: Untargeted lipidomic analyses uncovered perturbations in the circulating human CD lipidome, likely resulting from multiple pathogenic mechanisms. Models using as few as 5 biomarkers had strong disease classifier characteristics, supporting their potential use in diagnosis or prognosis.

This study reports a comprehensive untargeted lipidomic analysis of 600 serum samples from patients with Crohn's disease and matched control subjects, identified and replicated ~70 metabolites associated with Crohn's disease, and developed highly performing classification models (area under the curve > 0.84-0.97) with as few as 5 metabolites.

Cavitary lung nodules as an extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis.

A man in his 30s with ulcerative colitis (UC) on immunosuppressive agents and extensive travel history presented with subacute dyspnoea and dry cough. CT of the chest demonstrated numerous cavitary pulmonary nodules. An extensive infectious, malignant and autoimmune evaluation was pursued, ultimately with histopathology most consistent with necrobiotic lung nodules as an extraintestinal manifestation of UC. Steroids and ustekinumab were initiated with improvement in symptoms and resolution of cavitary lesions on follow-up imaging. In a patient with inflammatory bowel disease and cavitary lung lesions, necrobiotic lung nodules should be considered, particularly when evaluation for infectious causes is negative.

Constrained multiple instance learning for ulcerative colitis prediction using histological images.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the colon and the rectum characterized by a remitting-relapsing course. To detect mucosal inflammation associated with UC, histology is considered the most stringent criteria. In turn, histologic remission (HR) correlates with improved clinical outcomes and has been recently recognized as a desirable treatment target. The leading biomarker for assessing histologic remission is the presence or absence of neutrophils. Therefore, the finding of this cell in specific colon structures indicates that the patient has UC activity. However, no previous studies based on deep learning have been developed to identify UC based on neutrophils detection using whole-slide images (WSI). METHODS: The methodological core of this work is a novel multiple instance learning (MIL) framework with location constraints able to determine the presence of UC activity using WSI. In particular, we put forward an effective way to introduce constraints about positive instances to effectively explore additional weakly supervised information that is easy to obtain and enjoy a significant boost to the learning process. In addition, we propose a new weighted embedding to enlarge the relevance of the positive instances. RESULTS: Extensive experiments on a multi-center dataset of colon and rectum WSIs, PICASSO-MIL, demonstrate that using the location information we can improve considerably the results at WSI-level. In comparison with prior MIL settings, our method allows for 10% improvements in bag-level accuracy. CONCLUSION: Our model, which introduces a new form of constraints, surpass the results achieved from current state-of-the-art methods that focus on the MIL paradigm. Our method can be applied to other histological concerns where the morphological features determining a positive WSI are tiny and similar to others in the image.

Advanced endoscopic resection for colorectal dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis.

Background and study aims Little is known about outcomes of advanced endoscopic resection (ER) for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with dysplasia. The aim of our meta-analysis was to estimate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for dysplastic lesions in patients with IBD. Methods We performed a systematic review through Jan 2021 to identify studies of IBD with dysplasia that was treated by EMR or ESD. We estimated the pooled rates of complete ER, adverse events, post-ER surgery, and recurrence. Proportions were pooled by random effect models. Results Eleven studies including 506 patients and 610 lesions were included. Mean lesion size was 23 mm. The pooled rate of complete ER was 97.9 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 95.3 % to 99.7 %). The pooled rate of endoscopic perforation was 0.8 % (95 % CI:0.1 % to 2.2 %) while bleeding occurred in 1.6 % of patients (95 %CI:0.4 % to 3.3 %). Overall, 6.6 % of patients (95 %CI:3.6 % to 10.2 %) underwent surgery after an ER. Among 471 patients who underwent surveillance, local recurrence occurred in 4.9 % patients (95 % CI:1.0 % to 10.7 %) and metachronous lesions occurred in 7.4 % patients (95 %CI:1.5 % to 16 %) over a median follow-up of 33 months. Metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) was detected in 0.2 % of patients (95 %CI:0 % to 2.2 %) during the surveillance period. Conclusions Advanced ER is safe and effective in the management of large dysplastic lesions in IBD and warrants consideration as first-line therapy. Although the risk of developing CRC after ER is low, meticulous endoscopic surveillance is crucial to monitor for local or metachronous recurrence of dysplasia.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease: a US multicenter study.

Background and study aims In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endoscopically visible lesions with distinct borders can be considered for endoscopic resection. The role of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for these lesions is not well defined because of a paucity of data. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of colorectal ESD of dysplastic lesions in patients with IBD across centers in the United States. Patients and methods This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with IBD who were referred for ESD of dysplastic colorectal lesions at nine centers. The primary endpoints were the rates of en bloc resection and complete (R0) resection. The secondary endpoints were the rates of adverse events and lesion recurrence. Results A total of 45 dysplastic lesions (median size 30mm, interquartile range [IQR] 23 to 42 mm) in 41 patients were included. Submucosal fibrosis was observed in 73 %. En bloc resection was achieved in 43 of 45 lesions (96 %) and R0 resection in 34 of 45 lesions (76 %). Intraprocedural perforation occurred in one patient (2.4 %) and was treated successfully with clip placement. Delayed bleeding occurred in four patients (9.8 %). No severe intraprocedural bleeding or delayed perforation occurred. During a median follow-up of 18 months (IQR 13 to 37 months), local recurrence occurred in one case (2.6 %). Metachronous lesions were identified in 11 patients (31 %). Conclusions ESD, when performed by experts, is safe and effective for large, dysplastic colorectal lesions in patients with IBD. Despite the high prevalence of submucosal fibrosis, en bloc resection was achieved in nearly all patients with IBD undergoing ESD. Careful endoscopic surveillance is necessary to monitor for local recurrence and metachronous lesions after ESD.

PICaSSO virtual electronic chromendoscopy accurately reflects combined endoscopic and histological assessment for prediction of clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A composite endoscopic-histologic remission is increasingly explored as an important endpoint in ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated combined endoscopic-histologic remission for predicting clinical outcomes at 12 months compared with endoscopic remission alone using the high definition virtual chromoendoscopy (VCE) Paddington International virtual ChromoendoScopy ScOre (PICaSSO) and histology scores. METHODS: Ulcerative colitis patients, prospectively enrolled from 11 international centres, underwent VCE with targeted biopsies and followed up for 12 months. Endoscopic activity was assessed by Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES), Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index Severity (UCEIS) followed by VCE-PICaSSO. Robarts Histopathological Index|Robarts Histological index≤3 without neutrophils in mucosa, and Nancy Histological index (NHI)≤ 1 were used to define histologic remission. Combined endoscopic-histologic remission was compared with endoscopic remission alone by Cox proportional hazards model and by two- and three-proportion analysis using pre-specified clinical outcomes. RESULTS: 307 patients were recruited and 302 analysed. There was no difference in survival without specified clinical outcomes between PICaSSO defined endoscopic remission alone and endoscopic plus histologic remission in the rectum (HR 0.42, 95%CI 0.16-1.11 and HR 1.03, 95%CI 0.42-2.52 for Robarts Histological index and NHI respectively) at 12 months. There was however a significant survival advantage without specified clinical outcome events for UCEIS combined with histology compared with UCEIS alone (HR 0.30, 95%CI 0.12-0.75, p = 0.02) at 12 months (but not combined with NHI). For MES there was no advantage for predicting specified clinical outcomes at 12 months for endoscopy alone versus endoscopy plus histology, but there were differences in two and three proportion analysis at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic remission by VCE-PICaSSO alone was similar to combined endoscopic and histologic remission for predicting specified clinical outcomes at 12 months. Larger studies with specific therapeutic interventions are required to further confirm the findings.

Antibody Response 3 Months After 2-Dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

INTRODUCTION: The response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies requires further investigation because previous studies indicate that patients on immune therapy might have decreased antibody concentrations. METHODS: We present the antireceptor binding domain antibody response over a period of 3 months in 217 patients with IBD who completed standard 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine series. RESULTS: Almost all (98.6%) IBD vaccine recipients had a positive antireceptor binding domain antibody response at least 3 months after vaccination. Decreased antibody titers at 3 months were seen in a subset of patients on antitumor necrosis factor-alpha. Approximately 10% of the participants with high-titer antibodies at 1 month had a decrease to low-positive titers at 3 months, which was mostly observed in those on combination therapy and antitumor necrosis factor-alpha monotherapy. DISCUSSION: Larger longitudinal studies are required to define the response in IBD population and its clinical impact.

PICaSSO Histologic Remission Index (PHRI) in ulcerative colitis: development of a novel simplified histological score for monitoring mucosal healing and predicting clinical outcomes and its applicability in an artificial intelligence system.

Histological remission is evolving as an important treatment target in UC. We aimed to develop a simple histological index, aligned to endoscopy, correlated with clinical outcomes, and suited to apply to an artificial intelligence (AI) system to evaluate inflammatory activity. METHODS: Using a set of 614 biopsies from 307 patients with UC enrolled into a prospective multicentre study, we developed the Paddington International virtual ChromoendoScopy ScOre (PICaSSO) Histologic Remission Index (PHRI). Agreement with multiple other histological indices and validation for inter-reader reproducibility were assessed. Finally, to implement PHRI into a computer-aided diagnosis system, we trained and tested a novel deep learning strategy based on a CNN architecture to detect neutrophils, calculate PHRI and identify active from quiescent UC using a subset of 138 biopsies. RESULTS: PHRI is strongly correlated with endoscopic scores (Mayo Endoscopic Score and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity and PICaSSO) and with clinical outcomes (hospitalisation, colectomy and initiation or changes in medical therapy due to UC flare-up). A PHRI score of 1 could accurately stratify patients' risk of adverse outcomes (hospitalisation, colectomy and treatment optimisation due to flare-up) within 12 months. Our inter-reader agreement was high (intraclass correlation 0.84). Our preliminary AI algorithm differentiated active from quiescent UC with 78% sensitivity, 91.7% specificity and 86% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: PHRI is a simple histological index in UC, and it exhibits the highest correlation with endoscopic activity and clinical outcomes. A PHRI-based AI system was accurate in predicting histological remission.

A Role for CXCR3 Ligands as Biomarkers of Post-Operative Crohn's Disease Recurrence.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Crohn's disease [CD] recurrence following ileocolic resection [ICR] is common. We sought to identify blood-based biomarkers associated with CD recurrence. METHODS: CD patients undergoing ICR were recruited across six centres. Serum samples were obtained at post-operative colonoscopy. A multiplex immunoassay was used to analyse 92 inflammation-related proteins [Olink Proteomics]. Bayesian analysis was used to identify proteins associated with increasing Rutgeerts score. Identified proteins were used in receiver operating characteristic [ROC] analysis to examine the ability to identify CD recurrence [Rutgeerts score ≥i2]. Existing single cell data were interrogated to further elucidate the role of the identified proteins. RESULTS: Data from 276 colonoscopies in 213 patients were available. Median time from surgery to first and second colonoscopy was 7 (interquartile range [IQR] 6-9) and 19 [IQR 16-23] months, respectively. Disease recurrence was evident at 60 [30%] first and 36 [49%] second colonoscopies. Of 14 proteins significantly associated with Rutgeerts score, the strongest signal was seen for CXCL9 and MMP1. Among patients on anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs, CXCL9 and CXCL11 were most strongly associated with Rutgeerts score. Both are CXCR3 ligands. Incorporation of identified proteins into ROC analysis improved the ability to identify disease recurrence as compared to C-reactive protein alone: area under the curve [AUC] 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-0.82] vs 0.64 [95% CI 0.56-0.72], p = 0.012. Single cell transcriptomic data provide evidence that innate immune cells are the primary source of the identified proteins. CONCLUSIONS: CXCR3 ligands are associated with CD recurrence following ICR. Incorporation of novel blood-based candidate biomarkers may aid in identification of CD recurrence.

Serum Analyte Profiles Associated With Crohn's Disease and Disease Location.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) can affect any segment of the digestive tract but is most often localized in the ileal, ileocolonic, and colorectal regions of the intestines. It is believed that the chronic inflammation in CD is a result of an imbalance between the epithelial barrier, the immune system, and the intestinal microbiota. The aim of the study was to identify circulating markers associated with CD and/or disease location in CD patients. METHODS: We tested 49 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in serum samples from 300 patients with CD and 300 controls. After quality control, analyte levels were tested for association with CD and disease location. RESULTS: We identified 13 analytes that were higher in CD patients relative to healthy controls and that remained significant after conservative Bonferroni correction (P < 0.0015). In particular, CXCL9, CXCL1, and interleukin IL-6 had the greatest effect and were highly significant (P < 5 × 10-7). We also identified 9 analytes that were associated with disease location, with VEGF, IL-12p70, and IL-6 being elevated in patients with colorectal disease (P < 3 × 10-4). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple serum analytes are elevated in CD. These implicate the involvement of multiple cell types from the immune, epithelial, and endothelial systems, suggesting that circulating analytes reflect the inflammatory processes that are ongoing within the gut. Moreover, the identification of distinct profiles according to disease location supports the existence of a biological difference between ileal and colonic CD, consistent with previous genetic and clinical observations.

Risk Factors for Infection and Health Impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in People With Autoimmune Diseases.

BACKGROUND: People with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions taking immunomodulatory/suppressive medications may have higher risk of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Chronic disease care has also changed for many patients, with uncertain downstream consequences. METHODS: We included participants with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions followed by specialists at Johns Hopkins. Participants completed periodic surveys querying comorbidities, disease-modifying medications, exposures, COVID-19 testing and outcomes, social behaviors, and disruptions to healthcare. We assessed whether COVID-19 risk is higher among those on immunomodulating or suppressive agents and characterized pandemic-associated changes to care and mental health. RESULTS: In total, 265 (5.6%) developed COVID-19 over 9 months of follow-up (April-December 2020). Patient characteristics (age, race, comorbidity, medications) were associated with differences in social distancing behaviors during the pandemic. Glucocorticoid exposure was associated with higher odds of COVID-19 in models incorporating behavior and other potential confounders (odds ratio [OR]: 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.89). Other medication classes were not associated with COVID-19 risk. Diabetes (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.73), cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.28), and kidney disease (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.97) were associated with higher odds of COVID-19. Of the 2156 reporting pre-pandemic utilization of infusion, mental health or rehabilitative services, 975 (45.2%) reported disruptions therein, which disproportionately affected individuals experiencing changes to employment or income. CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoid exposure may increase risk of COVID-19 in people with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Disruption to healthcare and related services was common. Those with pandemic-related reduced income may be most vulnerable to care disruptions.

Ustekinumab is effective for perianal fistulising Crohn's disease: a real-world experience and systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Perianal Crohn's disease (pCD) is a debilitating complication affecting up to 30% of Crohn's disease (CD) population, leading to increased morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life. Despite the growing armamentarium of medications for luminal CD, their efficacy in pCD remains poorly studied. AIM: To determine the efficacy of ustekinumab, a biologic approved for luminal CD, in pCD through a retrospective cohort study and systematic review. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on patients with CD with active perianal fistulae treated with ustekinumab from September 2013 to August 2019 was performed to determine perianal fistula response and remission at 6 and 12 months after ustekinumab induction. A systematic review was performed to further establish rates of fistula response and remission with ustekinumab. RESULTS: At 6 months, 48.1% (13/27) patients achieved fistula response with none achieving fistula remission on provider exam, and 59.3% (16/27) achieved patient-reported symptomatic improvement with 3.7% (1/27) achieving symptomatic remission. At 1 year, on provider exam, 55.6% (5/9) had fistula response with none achieving fistula remission, and 100% (9/9) had symptomatic improvement with 22.2% (2/9) achieving symptomatic remission. There were no major safety signals during 1-year follow-up. The systematic review of 25 studies found 44% (92/209) of patients with active perianal fistulas had a clinical response within 6 months of follow-up, and 53.9% (85/152) of patients with 12 months of follow-up achieved clinical response. CONCLUSION: Ustekinumab presents a safe and effective therapy for treatment of pCD. Prospective, randomised trials are needed to further elucidate long-term efficacy of ustekinumab for pCD.

Targeted next-generation sequencing supports serrated epithelial change as an early precursor to inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal neoplasia.

Serrated epithelial change (SEC) manifests in patients with long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is characterized by disorganized crypt architecture, irregular serrations, and goblet cell-rich epithelium. The serrated nature of SEC is reminiscent of serrated colorectal polyps, which frequently harbor KRAS/BRAF mutations. SEC is, however, not only histologically distinct from sporadic serrated polyps but also associated with colorectal neoplasia. Whether SEC is a precursor to IBD-associated neoplasia remains unclear. To further define the relationship of SEC with serrated colorectal polyps and IBD-associated neoplasia, we performed targeted next-generation sequencing on colorectal specimens to include the following: SEC without dysplasia/neoplasia (n = 10), SEC with separate foci of associated dysplasia/adenocarcinoma from the same patients (n = 17), and uninvolved mucosa (n = 10) from 14 patients. In addition, we molecularly profiled sessile serrated lesion (SSL)-like or serrated lesion, not otherwise specified (SL-NOS), specimens, from 11 patients who also had IBD. This control cohort included SSL-like/SL-NOS without dysplasia/neoplasia (n = 11), SSL-like/SL-NOS with associated low-grade dysplasia (n = 2), and uninvolved mucosa (n = 8). By next-generation sequencing, the most frequently mutated gene in SEC without neoplasia and associated dysplasia/adenocarcinoma from separate foci in the same patients was TP53. Recurrent TP53 mutations were present in 50% of SEC specimens without dysplasia/neoplasia. In addition, alterations in TP53 were detected at a prevalence of 71% in low-grade dysplasia, 83% in high-grade dysplasia, and 100% in adenocarcinoma. Paired sequencing of SEC and associated neoplasia revealed identical TP53 missense mutations for 3 patients. In contrast, 91% of SSL-like/SL-NOS specimens without dysplasia/neoplasia harbored KRAS/BRAF mutations, which were conserved in associated low-grade dysplasia. No genomic alterations were found in uninvolved mucosa from either patients with SEC or patients with SSL-like/SL-NOS. Based on our findings, we conclude SEC is distinct from SSL-like serrated colorectal lesions in patients with IBD and an early precursor to IBD-associated neoplasia that warrants colonoscopic surveillance.