Inhibin B and antiMüllerian hormone as surrogate markers of fertility in male and female Crohn's disease patients: a case-control study.

Background: Several studies suggest that women with Crohn disease (CD) have reduced fertility due to decreased ovarian reserve, among other causes. On the other hand, male CD patients could have difficulties conceiving. The present study aimed to test the effect of CD on both male and female fertility potential, Sertoli cell function and ovarian reserve, assessed by inhibin-B (IB) plus IB:FSH ratio (IFR) and antiMüllerian hormone (AMH), respectively. Sexual dysfunction (SD) was studied as secondary endpoint. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, case-control study. Serum IB levels plus IFR were measured in 58 men with CD and compared to 25 age-matched healthy controls (HC). Serum AMH levels were measured in 50 women with CD and in 30 HC matched by age. SD was assessed by means of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIFE-15) in males and the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) in women. Results: A total of 108 CD patients and 55 HC were included. IB serum levels were significantly lower in CD men than in HC (177 ± 58 vs. 234 ± 75 pg./mL, p = 0.001). IFR was also decreased in CD patients compared to HC (58.27 ± 59.5 vs. 91.35 ± 60.04, p = 0.014). Women with CD > 30 years had lower serum AMH levels compared to HC (1.15 ± 0.74 vs. 2.14 ± 1.68 ng/mL, p = 0.033). In addition, CD women >30 years presented a serum AMH < 2 ng/mL more frequently than HC (90% vs. 40%, p = 0.004). The prevalence of SD was significantly higher among both male and female CD patients compared to HC, without association to fertility potential. Age was the only predictor of low ovarian reserve. Conclusion: Testicular Sertoli cell function assessed through serum IB levels and IFR is decreased in CD male patients compared to HC, regardless of age. Age > 30 years is the single independent predictor of reduced ovarian reserve in women with CD. These results should be confirmed in further studies in order to properly counsel patients with CD and desire for offspring.

Ustekinumab and vedolizumab for the prevention of postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease: Results from the ENEIDA registry.

BACKGROUND: Anti-TNF agents are the only effective biological agents for the prevention of postoperative recurrence (POR) in Crohn's disease (CD). However, they are contraindicated or have been shown to fail in some patients. Although ustekinumab and vedolizumab were licensed for CD some years ago, data in this setting are scarce. METHODS: All CD patients in whom ustekinumab or vedolizumab was prescribed for the prevention of POR within three months of ileocolonic resection with anastomosis were identified from the ENEIDA registry. The development of endoscopic, clinical and surgical POR was registered. RESULTS: Forty patients were treated for the prevention of POR with ustekinumab and 25 were treated with vedolizumab. Eighty per cent had at least one risk factor for POR (prior resections, active smoking, perianal disease or penetrating disease behaviour). All the patients had been exposed to anti-TNF therapy. After a median follow-up of 17 and 26 months, the cumulative probability of clinical POR at 12 months after surgery was 32% and 30% for ustekinumab and vedolizumab, respectively. Endoscopic assessment within the first 18 months after surgery was available for 80% of the patients on ustekinumab and 70% for those on vedolizumab. The rate of endoscopic POR was 42% for ustekinumab and 40% for vedolizumab. One patient treated with ustekinumab and two with vedolizumab underwent a new intestinal resection. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab and vedolizumab seem to be effective in the prevention of POR in patients at high risk. Our results warrant controlled trials comparing these drugs with conventional therapies.

Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, a side effect of iron carboxymaltose administration.

Carboxymaltose iron (Ferinject®) is a formulation for intravenous (iv) administration, used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia and/or iron deficiency when oral administration of iron is not effective or due to intolerance. Its safety profile is excellent with few, but not nonexistent, side effects. Hypophosphatemia has been described as one of them. It is usually mild, transient and asymptomatic. However, in some cases it may be accompanied by nausea, asthenia, in addition to muscular and neurological symptoms and hematological alterations. It is, therefore, a potentially serious adverse effect whose prevalence is unknown and which requires high clinical suspicion to be detected.

Community-based screening of Chagas disease among Latin American migrants in a non-endemic country: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a parasitic disease endemic to Latin America, but it has become a disease of global concern due to migration flows. Asymptomatic carriers may host the parasite for years, without knowing they are infected. The aim of this study is to assess prevalence of Chagas disease and evaluate the participants' level of knowledge between Latin American migrants attending a community-based screening campaign. METHODS: Three community-based campaigns were performed in Alicante (Spain) in 2016, 2017 and 2018, including educational chats and blood tests for Trypanosoma cruzi serology. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge about the mechanisms of transmission, disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. People seropositive for T. cruzi underwent diagnostic confirmation by two different tests. Results were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression and expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aORs), adjusting for age, sex, and time in Spain. RESULTS: A total of 596 participants were included in the study; 17% were aged under 18 years. Prevalence in adults was 11% [54/496; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.3-14.5%] versus 0% among children. All but one case were in Bolivians. Diagnosis was independently associated with having been born in Bolivia (aOR: 102, 95% CI: 13-781) and a primary school-level education (aOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.14-5.06). Of 54 people diagnosed with Chagas disease (most of whom were asymptomatic), 42 (77.7%) returned to the clinic at least once, and 24 (44.4%) received treatment. Multivariable analysis showed that coming from Argentina (aOR: 13, 95% CI: 1.61-1188) or Bolivia (aOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.19-3.39) and having received information about Chagas disease in Spain (aOR: 4.63, 95% CI: 2.54-8.97) were associated with a good level of knowledge on the disease. Having primary level studies (aOR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34-0.98) and coming from Ecuador (aOR: 4.63, 95% CI: 2.52-847) were independently associated with a lower level of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based interventions are a good strategy for diagnosing neglected diseases such as Chagas disease in non-endemic countries and for identifying and treating infected, asymptomatic individuals.