Evaluation of Genetic Variants Associated with the Risk of Thiopurine-Related Pancreatitis: A Case Control Study from ENEIDA Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for developing pancreatitis due to thiopurines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not clearly identified. Our aim was to evaluate the predictive pharmacogenetic risk of pancreatitis in IBD patients treated with thiopurines. METHODS: We conducted an observational pharmacogenetic study of acute pancreatitis events in a cohort study of IBD patients treated with thiopurines from the prospectively maintained ENEIDA registry biobank of GETECCU. Samples were obtained and the CASR, CEL, CFTR, CDLN2, CTRC, SPINK1, CPA1, and PRSS1 genes, selected based on their known association with pancreatitis, were fully sequenced. RESULTS: Ninety-five cases and 105 controls were enrolled; a total of 57% were women. Median age at pancreatitis diagnosis was 39 years. We identified 81 benign variants (50 in cases and 67 in controls) and a total of 35 distinct rare pathogenic and unknown significance variants (10 in CEL, 21 in CFTR, 1 in CDLN2, and 3 in CPA1). None of the cases or controls carried pancreatitis-predisposing variants within the CASR, CPA1, PRSS1, and SPINK1 genes, nor a pathogenic CFTR mutation. Four different variants of unknown significance were detected in the CDLN and CPA1 genes; one of them was in the CDLN gene in a single patient with pancreatitis and 3 in the CPA1 gene in 5 controls. After the analysis of the variants detected, no significant differences were observed between cases and controls. CONCLUSION: In patients with IBD, genes known to cause pancreatitis seem not to be involved in thiopurine-related pancreatitis onset.

Validity and Reliability of Spanish Version of Two Questionnaires of Vocal Fatigue in Female Teachers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the reliability, validity, and the specificity and sensitivity of the Spanish version of two questionnaires, the Voice Fatigue Index (VFI) and the Voice Fatigue Handicap Questionnaire (VFHQ), in female teachers, analyze the influence of the sociodemographic factors on the questionnaires, and conduct a comparative study of the psychometric characteristics of the two questionnaires on vocal fatigue (VF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The VFI and VFHQ, Spanish version, was produced following a rigorous forward and backward translation. Seventy-one female teachers were recruited to complete the VFI and VFHQ Spanish version. They also completed Voice Handicap Index-10 in its Spanish version to validate the translation of the VF questionnaires. Finally, they completed a self-elaborated questionnaire to describe the factors that influenced their vocal load and other relevant biological, personal, and occupational data. RESULTS: The two questionnaires showed high indicators of reliability for VFI (factor 1 α = 0.92, factor 2 α = 0.85, and factor 3 α = 0.92) and for VFHQ (α = 0.95). The scores from VFIf1, VFIf2, and VFHQ attained high validity values in Pearson's correlation coefficient when compared to the Voice Handicap Index-10 reference questionnaire. VFIf3 showed low validity values in Pearson's when compared to the others VFI factors (f1, f2), the VFHQ, and the Voice Handicap Index-10 reference questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed good reliability and validity of the VFI and VFHQ in its Spanish version. Thus, it is suggested to use the VFHQ to identify and quantify the VF handicap. To identify individuals who suffer from VF or are at high risk of VF and vocal discomfort, we recommend the application of the VFI. Based on validity results, the VFI does not appear to be a valid tool in the detection of individuals who recuperate their voice after an episode of VF.

Effects of anti-TNF-alpha therapy on hemoglobin levels and anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is involved in inducing inflammatory anemia. The potential effect of anti-TNF-α agents on anemia in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is still unknown. METHODS: Analytical data and disease characteristics from 362 IBD patients [271 CD/91UC) treated with anti-TNF-α drugs were retrospectively collected. Effects on disease activity, blood markers and prevalence of anemia were assessed after 6 and 12 months of therapy. RESULTS: 29.3% patients presented anemia at baseline, and significantly reduced to 14.4% and 7.8% after 6 and 12 months of therapy, respectively. Mean ±â€¯SD Hb levels increased significantly at month 6, and this increase was sustained at 12 months. Serum markers of iron metabolism increased significantly compared to baseline, as disease activity measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) was reduced. All these effects were observed independently for CD and UC, and were independent of iron supplementation during treatment. Anemia at baseline (OR 4.09; 95%CI 1.98-8.45) and elevated CRP (OR 3.45; 95CI 1.29-9.22) were independently associated with risk of persistent anemia, as well as iron replacement during therapy (OR 4.36; 95%CI 2.07-9.16). CONCLUSIONS: Controlling disease activity with anti-TNF- α therapy significantly and independently associated with resolution of anemia in IBD, with no relevant role for iron replacement therapy.

Metabolic bone disease in patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease from Spain.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence of metabolic bone disease (MBD) in a cohort of Southern European patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to identify associated risk factors in this population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, both cross-sectional and longitudinal study of MBD, assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), among patients diagnosed with IBD and previously recognized risk factors for this complication from two referral Spanish institutions. RESULTS: A total of 612 patients (58.6% diagnosed with Crohn's disease) were included. Mean (SD) age was 44.9 (14.7) years; 71.7% of patients received at least one tapered dosage of corticosteroids before first DXA. MBD and osteoporosis were diagnosed in 66.4% and 21.4% of patients, respectively. At baseline, male gender, menopause and ulcerative colitis were found as independent risks factors for osteoporosis, whereas age, more than three IBD-related hospitalizations and previous steroid treatment were found as independent risks factors for MBD. A total of 261 patients had at least a second DXA and were included in the longitudinal study; median follow up was 56.4 months. Logistic regression model identified menopause, ulcerative colitis and baseline lumbar DXA T-score value, but not steroid treatment, as risk factors for worsening ⩾1 SD in follow-up DXA T-score. According to guidelines, all patients under treatment with corticosteroids received calcium and vitamin D supplements. CONCLUSION: MBD is a frequent complication in south-European IBD patients. Routine evaluation of bone density when risk factors are present, as well as calcium plus D vitamin prophylaxis in patients under corticosteroid treatment should be recommended.

Fecal calprotectin is not superior to serum C-reactive protein or the Harvey-Bradshaw index in predicting postoperative endoscopic recurrence in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a widely used noninvasive marker of gut inflammation that is associated with endoscopic severity in Crohn's disease (CD). However, FC has been inconsistent in predicting postoperative recurrence of CD, and its utility in the postoperative setting remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood and fecal samples were collected in consecutively recruited patients with CD who had undergone ileocolonic resection and required a colonoscopy to assess postoperative recurrence, as defined by the Rutgeerts score (RS). RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were prospectively recruited at five centers. Overall, 49 (57%) had CD recurrence (RS≥i2). FC concentrations trended to increase with RS severity; FC median (interquartile range) was significantly higher in patients with endoscopic recurrence than those in endoscopic remission [172.5 (75-375) vs. 75 (36.5-180.5) µg/g, respectively]. The same occurred for C-reactive protein (CRP) [0.5 (0.1-0.95) vs. 0.1 (0.02-0.27)] mg/dl and the Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) [4 (2-7) vs. 1 (0-3.5)]. The three variables significantly correlated. The area under the curve to discriminate between patients in endoscopic remission and recurrence was 0.698 for FC, with 62 µg/g being the optimal cut-off point. This indicated FC would have 85.7% sensitivity and 45.9% specificity in detecting any recurrence, having positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 67.7 and 70.8%, respectively. Area under the curve for CRP and HBI were both 0.710. The combination of CRP and HBI provided a positive predictive value 95.7 and a diagnostic odds ratio of 30.8. CONCLUSION: FC is not better than CRP combined with HBI to predict endoscopic postoperative recurrence of CD.

Anemia at the time of diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease: Prevalence and associated factors in adolescent and adult patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence, characteristic and determinants of anemia, at the time of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis have yet to be fully elucidated. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Analytical data and disease characteristics obtained upon diagnosis of 1278 IBD patients [Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis (CD/UC): 718/560] were collected. RESULTS: Anemia was present in 41.2% of patients at diagnosis (47% and 33.8% of CD and UC patients, respectively; p<0.001), being severe in 5.5%. Iron deficiency anemia represented 69.6% of cases, with no differences between CD and UC. Female sex was the strongest risk factor for anemia in both CD and UC (OR 7.11; 95%CI 4.18-12.10 and 6.55; 95%CI 3.39-12.63, respectively), followed by elevated (≥2mg/dL) C-reactive protein (OR 4.08; 95%CI 2.39-6.97 and 4.58; 95%CI 2.26-9.27, respectively). Current smoking was a risk factor for anemia in CD (OR 2.23; 95%CI 1.24-4.02), but a protective one in UC (OR 0.36; 95%CI 0.14-0.92). A penetrating CD behavior increased the risk of anemia (OR 3.34; 95%CI 1.36-8.21); in UC, anemia increased with disease extension (E2+E3) (OR 1.80; 95%CI 1.13-2.86). CONCLUSIONS: Female sex and disease activity are major determinants of anemia at IBD diagnosis. Anemia is associated with disease behavior in CD and with disease extension in UC.

A new role for reticulon-4B/NOGO-B in the intestinal epithelial barrier function and inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by an impaired intestinal barrier function. We aimed to investigate the role of reticulon-4B (RTN-4B/NOGO-B), a structural protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, in intestinal barrier function and IBD. We used immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, real-time PCR, and Western blotting to study tissue distribution and expression levels of RTN-4B/NOGO-B in control and IBD samples from mouse and humans. We also targeted RTN-4B/NOGO-B using siRNAs in cultured human intestinal epithelial cell (IECs). Epithelial barrier permeability was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement. RTN-4B/NOGO-B is expressed in the intestine mainly by IECs. Confocal microscopy revealed a colocalization of RTN-4B, E-cadherin, and polymerized actin fibers in tissue and cultured IECs. RTN-4B mRNA and protein expression were lower in the colon of IL-10(-/-) compared with wild-type mice. Colocalization of RTN-4B/E-cadherin/actin was reduced in the colon of IL-10(-/-) mice. Analysis of endoscopic biopsies from IBD patients showed a significant reduction of RTN-4B/NOGO-B expression in inflamed mucosa compared with control. Treatment of IECs with H2O2 reduced TEER values and triggered phosphorylation of RTN-4B in serine 107 residues as well as downregulation of RTN-4B expression. Acute RTN-4B/NOGO-B knockdown by siRNAs resulted in a decreased TEER values and reduction of E-cadherin and α-catenin expression and in the amount of F-actin-rich filaments in IECs. Epithelial RTN-4B/NOGO-B was downregulated in human and experimental IBD. RTN-4B participates in the intestinal epithelial barrier function, most likely via its involvement in E-cadherin, α-catenin expression, and actin cytoskeleton organization at sites of cell-to-cell contacts.

Epidemiology and temporal trends (2000-2012) of inflammatory bowel disease in adult patients in a central region of Spain.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A growing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported recently in southern Europe, with records of pediatric cases confirming these tendencies in Spain. Data on adult populations, however, have not been provided for over 10 years and need to be updated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective registry of all adult patients with a diagnosis of IBD, including both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), attending five public hospitals covering a population of 514 368 inhabitants, was assessed. RESULTS: In 2012, the prevalence of CD and UC in adults was 137.17/100 000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval 114-160) and 99.84/100 000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval 79-119), respectively. The mean incidence rate during the period 2000-2012 of CD and UC was 8.9 and 5.6/100 000 inhabitants per year, respectively. Most of our patients (75.55%) had been diagnosed during the last 13 years. CD affected both sexes equally; a trend toward a progressive increase in the age at diagnosis, ileal location, and inflammatory behavior was documented for CD patients. In contrast, UC affected male patients with a higher frequency (57.8%; P=0.015), specifically those older than 40 years of age. Age at UC onset tended to increase progressively from 2000 to 2012 (P<0.001), but the extension on the disease remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: IBD is a highly prevalent disorder in our region, reaching the incidence of CD similar to the figures provided for Northern Europe. Changes in IBD localization, behavior, and age at diagnosis were documented during the period 2000-2012.

[Intestinal lymphoma and mesenteric panniculitis: complications of undiagnosed celiac disease]. / Linfoma intestinal y paniculitis mesentérica: complicaciones de una enfermedad celíaca no diagnosticada.

Celiac disease is the most common severe food intolerance in the Western world and is due to gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible children and adults. The key treatment in these patients is a gluten-free diet, because most complications are more common when dietary compliance is poor. The most serious complication of celiac disease is the development of neoplasms (the most common of which is enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma). However, a number of reports have indicated an increased prevalence of ulcerative jejunitis and extraintestinal manifestations, including chronic hepatitis, fibrosing lung disease, and epilepsy syndromes. We report the case of a 53-year-old-man with long-standing diarrhea; because celiac disease was not suspected, the patient developed celiac-associated T-cell lymphoma and mesenteric panniculitis.

Linfoma intestinal y paniculitis mesentérica: complicaciones de una enfermedad celíaca no diagnosticada / Intestinal lymphoma and mesenteric panniculitis: complications of undiagnosed celiac disease

La enfermedad celíaca se produce por la ingesta de gluten en niños y adultos genéticamente susceptibles, y es la intolerancia alimentaria grave más común en los países occidentales. La eliminación del gluten presente en la dieta es obligatoria en estos pacientes, ya que la mayoría de las complicaciones que pueden presentarse son más frecuentes en caso de incumplir el tratamiento. El desarrollo de neoplasias constituye la complicación más grave de la celiaquía (el más frecuente es el linfoma de células T asociado a enteropatía), pero se han descrito otras, como la yeyunoileítis ulcerativa, y manifestaciones extraintestinales, como la hepatitis crónica, la enfermedad pulmonar fibrosante, el síndromes de epilepsia, etc. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 53 años de edad con síndrome diarreico de muy larga evolución, en el que no se sospechó una enfermedad celíaca y se complicó con un linfoma intestinal de células T asociado a enteropatía y una paniculitis mesentérica

Celiac disease is the most common severe food intolerance in the Western world and is due to gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible children and adults. The key treatment in these patients is a gluten-free diet, because most complications are more common when dietary compliance is poor. The most serious complication of celiac disease is the development of neoplasms (the most common of which is enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma). However, a number of reports have indicated an increased prevalence of ulcerative jejunitis and extraintestinal manifestations, including chronic hepatitis, fibrosing lung disease, and epilepsy syndromes. We report the case of a 53-year-old-man with long-standing diarrhea; because celiac disease was not suspected, the patient developed celiac-associated T-cell lymphoma and mesenteric panniculitis