Characteristics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Compared to Other National Centers in Colombia / Características de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal con respecto a otros centros nacionales de Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune-mediated disease whose incidence in Latin America has increased in recent years. Aim: To analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with IBD treated in a university hospital and present the epidemiological data compared to other centers in Colombia. Patients and methods: Descriptive study of patients with IBD (1996-2019) at the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Analysis of data from centers in Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, and Cartagena. Results: Of 386 patients, 277 presented with ulcerative colitis (UC), 102 with Crohn's disease (CD), and seven with unclassifiable colitis. IBD was more frequent in women (53 %). Mortality was less than 1 %. The involvement of UC was mainly pancolitis (42.6 %). The greater the extent of the disease, the higher the hospitalization and surgery rates (OR 3.70, P < 0.01). Thirteen percent of patients with UC received biologics. Compromise due to CD was mainly ileocolonic (43.6 %) and ileal (43.6 %). The predominant clinical pattern of CD was structuring (50%). Forty-five percent received biologicals and 56 % surgery. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) was found in 4 % of patients (n = 15). Two patients with PSC developed colorectal cancer (OR 4.18; p 0.008), while 13 patients with UC developed colon cancer and seven dysplastic changes. Three patients with CD developed colon cancer. Conclusions: The results were compared to other reference centers. We found similar trends in the clinical behavior and treatment of IBD, with higher hospitalization and surgery rates in our cases.

Resumen Introducción: la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) es una enfermedad inmunomediada, cuya incidencia en Latinoamérica ha aumentado en los últimos años. Objetivo: analizar las características demográficas y clínicas de los pacientes con EII tratados en un hospital universitario y presentar los datos epidemiológicos con respecto a otros centros en Colombia. Pacientes y métodos: estudio descriptivo de pacientes con EII (1996-2019) en el Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Análisis de datos de centros de Medellín, Cali, Bogotá y Cartagena. Resultados: de 386 pacientes, 277 presentaron colitis ulcerativa (CU), 102 enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y 7 colitis no clasificable. La EII fue más frecuente en mujeres (53 %). La mortalidad fue menor de 1 %. El compromiso de la CU fue principalmente la pancolitis (42,6 %). Entre mayor la extensión de la enfermedad, más alta fue la tasa de hospitalización y cirugías (OR 3,70; p < 0,01). El 13 % de los pacientes con CU recibió biológicos. El compromiso por la EC fue principalmente ileocolónico (43,6 %) e ileal (43,6 %). El patrón clínico predominante de la EC fue estenosante (50%). El 45 % recibió biológicos y 56% cirugía. La colangitis esclerosante primaria (CEP) se encontró en 4 % de los pacientes (n = 15). Dos pacientes con CEP desarrollaron cáncer colorrectal (OR 4,18; p 0,008), mientras que 13 pacientes con CU desarrollaron cáncer de colon y 7 cambios displásicos. 3 pacientes con EC desarrollaron cáncer de colon. Conclusiones: se compararon los resultados en relación con otros centros de referencia. Encontramos tendencias similares en el comportamiento clínico y en el tratamiento de la EII, con mayores tazas de hospitalizaciones y cirugías en nuestros casos.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic sclerosis: An updated review.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by vascular disease, fibrosis of the skin, and internal organ dysfunction. Gastrointestinal involvement is the most frequent complication of internal organs, impacting up to 90% of patients. Gastrointestinal involvement can affect any region of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, with a predominance of disorders being observed at the level of the upper digestive tract. The gastrointestinal involvement primarily involves the esophagus, small bowel, and rectum. The severity of gastrointestinal involvement affects quality of life and is a marker of worse prognosis and mortality in these patients. In this review, we describe the current findings regarding gastrointestinal involvement by this entity.

Outcome of COVID-19 in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis: An International Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data regarding outcome of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are lacking. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We performed a retrospective study on patients with AIH and COVID-19 from 34 centers in Europe and the Americas. We analyzed factors associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes, defined as the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care admission, and/or death. The outcomes of patients with AIH were compared to a propensity score-matched cohort of patients without AIH but with chronic liver diseases (CLD) and COVID-19. The frequency and clinical significance of new-onset liver injury (alanine aminotransferase > 2 × the upper limit of normal) during COVID-19 was also evaluated. We included 110 patients with AIH (80% female) with a median age of 49 (range, 18-85) years at COVID-19 diagnosis. New-onset liver injury was observed in 37.1% (33/89) of the patients. Use of antivirals was associated with liver injury (P = 0.041; OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.05-10.78), while continued immunosuppression during COVID-19 was associated with a lower rate of liver injury (P = 0.009; OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71). The rates of severe COVID-19 (15.5% versus 20.2%, P = 0.231) and all-cause mortality (10% versus 11.5%, P = 0.852) were not different between AIH and non-AIH CLD. Cirrhosis was an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 in patients with AIH (P < 0.001; OR, 17.46; 95% CI, 4.22-72.13). Continuation of immunosuppression or presence of liver injury during COVID-19 was not associated with severe COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: This international, multicenter study reveals that patients with AIH were not at risk for worse outcomes with COVID-19 than other causes of CLD. Cirrhosis was the strongest predictor for severe COVID-19 in patients with AIH. Maintenance of immunosuppression during COVID-19 was not associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19 but did lower the risk for new-onset liver injury during COVID-19.

Colestasis en el adulto: enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico. Revisión de tema / Diagnostic and therapeutic approach for cholestasis in the adult

Resumen La colestasis es uno de los motivos de consulta más frecuentes en hepatología. Se genera por una alteración en la síntesis, la secreción o el flujo de la bilis, a través del tracto biliar. Esta se define por una elevación de enzimas como la fosfatasa alcalina (Alkaline Phosphatase, ALP) y la gamma-glutamil transferasa, y en estadios tardíos con la hiperbilirrubinemia, al igual que con otras manifestaciones clínicas, tales como el prurito y la ictericia. El enfoque diagnóstico implica establecer el origen de dicha elevación, determinando si es intrahepática o extrahepática. Si es intrahepática, se debe esclarecer si proviene de los hepatocitos o de la vía biliar de pequeño y de gran calibre. El tratamiento dependerá de la etiología, por lo cual es importante un diagnóstico preciso. En esta revisión se presenta la fisiopatología y un enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico.

Abstract Cholestasis is one of the most frequent reasons for hepatology consultation. It is generated by altered synthesis, secretion or flow of bile through the biliary tract and is defined by elevated levels of enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase. In late stages, hyperbilirubinemia and clinical manifestations such as pruritus and jaundice develop. The diagnostic approach involves establishment of the reasons for elevated enzyme levels and determination of whether it is intrahepatic or extrahepatic. If it is intrahepatic, the source must be determined (hepatocytes, small bile ducts, or large caliber bile ducts). Treatment depends on the etiology, so accurate diagnosis is important. This review presents the pathophysiology and a diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Implicaciones hepáticas en la pandemia por COVID-19 / Liver implications during the COVID-19 Pandemic

La infección generada por el coronavirus, denominado SARS-CoV-2, llamada coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), surgió en China a finales de diciembre de 2019. Actualmente ha sido categorizada como una pandemia por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se han documentado alteraciones de pruebas hepáticas, sin embargo, los estudios se han enfocado en los efectos cardíacos, pulmonares y renales de esta infección. La alteración de pruebas hepáticas en el contexto de COVID-19 puede ser consecuencia de hepatitis viral, toxicidad farmacológica, inflamación o choque. También se considera como un marcador de pronóstico y gravedad de la enfermedad. El impacto de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes con enfer-medad hepática preexistente o receptores de trasplante hepático no es claro, y se plantean distintas hipótesis sobre mayor o menor riesgo de enfermedad grave y de descompensación de la enfermedad de base.(AU)

The infection generated by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged late December of 2019 in China. It is currently categorized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Studies have focused on cardiac, pulmonary, and renal effects of this infection, but liver test abnormalities have also been documented. This alteration may be a consequence of viral hepatitis, phar-macological toxicity, inflammation, or shock. It is also considered a marker of prognosis and severity of the disease. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with pre-existing liver disease or liver transplant recipients is unclear, and different hypotheses exist regarding the higher or lower risk of severe disease and decompensation of the underlying disease.

Crioglobulinemia esencial como causa de hemorragia alveolar - reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Essential cryoglobulinemia as a cause of alveolar hemorrhage - case report and literature review / Crioglobulinemia essencial como causa de hemorragia alveolar

Presentamos el caso de una paciente quien ingresa por la presencia de lesiones petequiales, artralgias y una úlcera en miembro inferior. La presencia de azoados en ascenso progresivo se documenta durante su estancia. Se instaura manejo con corticoide IV sin respuesta y se obtienen mejoría con plasmaféresis. Posteriormente se observa la presencia de deterioro del patrón respiratorio, disnea sumado a la presencia de compromiso pulmonar en parches por medio de tomografía de tórax y con evidencia de hemorragia alveolar. Se descartan causas autoinmunes e infecciosas, así como neoplasias hematológicas. Se concluye que la presencia de crioglobulinemia es la única causa de dicha entidad.

We report the case of a patient who is admitted by the presence of petechial lesions, arthralgia and an ulcer in lower limb. The presence of progressively increasing creatinine is documented while staying. Unanswered management with corticosteroid IV was instituted and there was an improvement with plasmapheresis. Later, the presence of impaired breathing pattern was notice, dyspnea combined with the presence of lung involvement in patches through chest tomography and evidence of alveolar hemorrhage. Autoimmune and infectious causes and hematological malignancies were dismissed. The presence of cryoglobulinemia was identified as the unique cause of such entity.

Presentamos o caso duma paciente que ingressa pela presencia de lesiones petequiales, artraigias e uma úlcera no membro inferior. A presencia de azoados em ascensão progressivo documenta-se durante sua estancia. Instaura-se manejo com corticoide IV sim resposta e melhoram com plasmaféresis. Posteriormente, observou-se além a presencia de deterioro do padrão respiratório disnea a presencia de compromisso pulmonar em parches com tomografia de tórax e com evidencia de hemorragia alveolar. Descartem-se causas autoimunes e infecciosas, assim como neoplasias hematológicas. Conclui-se que a presencia de crioglobulinemia é a única causa de essa entidade.

Tuberculosis peritoneal con niveles elevados de CA 125 / Peritoneal tuberculosis with elevated levels of CA 125

Resumen La tuberculosis peritoneal hace parte de los diagnósticos diferenciales de ascitis; sin embargo, su documentación está dada por la presencia de granulomas necrotizantes al igual que el crecimiento de micobacterias en las muestras tomadas del peritoneo. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con dolor abdominal y ascitis en quien se documentaron lesiones nodulares en cavidad peritoneal, con niveles marcadamente elevados de "Antígeno Carbohidrato o Antígeno Cáncer" CA 125, sin cambios en otros órganos, realizando biopsias de peritoneo, con documentación de granulomas necrotizantes y crecimiento de micobacterias en el cultivo, por lo que se instauró tratamiento con adecuada respuesta logrando disminución progresiva de la ascitis y ganancia de peso.

Summary The peritoneal tuberculosis is one of the differential diagnosis of ascites, but its documentation is provided by the presence of necrotizing granulomas as mycobacterial growth in samples taken from the peritoneum. This article presents the case of a patient with abdominal pain and ascites with the documentation of nodular lesions in the peritoneal cavity, with markedly elevated levels of "Carbohidrate Antigen o Cancer Antigen" CA 125, without changes in other organs. The peritoneum biopsies reports necrotizing granulomas and growth of mycobacteria in culture, then she received anti TB treatment with adequate response reducing the ascites' amount and earning weight.