BODY FAT COMPOSITION IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN SKINFOLDS AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with important changes in nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare body fat composition between two anthropometric methods: skinfolds and ultrasonography, in patients with IBD. METHODS: Single-center cross-sectional study with IBD patients in remission or active disease. For the agreement analysis between the body fat assessment methods, the Bland Altman method was used. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients with IBD were included, 75 with Crohn's disease and 26 with ulcerative colitis. Approximately 56% of the patients with Crohn's disease and 65.4% of those with ulcerative colitis had a body fat composition above normal levels, with no significant difference between the diseases (P=0.63). The Bland-Altman concordance analysis showed that the methods for assessing the percentage of fat by the adipometer and ultrasound were not in full agreement (P=0.001), despite both presented good correlation (CC 0.961; P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The analysis of body fat percentage in patients with IBD was different between the skinfolds and ultrasound. Both methods can be used to assess the of body fat percentage of patients with IBD. However, monitoring of body fat sequentially and longitudinally should always be performed using the same method throughout the disease course. Prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to precisely define the role of these two methods of measuring body composition in patients with IBD. BACKGROUND: • Inflammatory bowel diseases are associated with changes in nutritional status. BACKGROUND: • Skinfolds measurements and ultrasound are valid methods for assessing body composition and body fat. BACKGROUND: • These methods despite comparable are not identical and are useful in clinical nutritional practices in IBD.

Factors associated with low skeletal muscle index among patients with Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Disease-related skeletal muscle loss is highly prevalent among patients with Crohn's disease. Low skeletal muscle mass lead to disability and interventions to prevent skeletal mass loss as an effective strategy to prevent disability. The aim of this article was to identify the factor associated with skeletal muscle loss of Crohn's disease and seek for management target for the prevention of sarcopenia-related disability. METHODS: Patients with Crohn's disease were divided into low and normal skeletal muscle mass groups based on L3 skeletal muscle index using abdominal CT scans. The clinical and laboratory parameters and colonoscopy were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate regression logistic models were built to identify the prognostic markers of Crohn's disease-associated muscle loss. RESULTS: A total of 191 Crohn's disease patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 116 (60.73%) were detected to have low L3 skeletal muscle index, including 71 (68.26%) males. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR: 1.031, 95%CI: 1.006-1.057), female gender (OR: 2.939, 95%CI: 1.386-6.233), disease duration (OR: 0.988, 95%CI: 0.980-0.996), endoscopic disease activity (simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease) (OR: 0.923, 95%CI: 0.855-0.996), serum albumin (OR: 1.079, 95%CI: 1.009-1.154), and serum creatinine (OR: 1.037, 95%CI: 1.011-1.063) were associated with L3 skeletal muscle index among Crohn's disease patients. CONCLUSION: The gender, age, and duration of disease were uncontrollable factors associated with muscle loss of Crohn's disease. The treatment target of mucosal healing and improved nutritional status may be beneficial for maintaining muscle mass among Crohn's disease patients.

Safety and efficacy of the patency capsule.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The patency capsule is an effective diagnostic method for preventing video capsule retention in the small bowel during capsule endoscopy. The most frequently associated complication when using the patency capsule is symptomatic retention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of patency capsules administered to patients at a tertiary care hospital center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted that included all the patients with confirmed Crohn's disease that were administered a patency capsule, within the time frame of January 2019 and December 2020. PC diagnostic yield, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were evaluated, in relation to capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy findings. Complications associated with the patency capsule were also identified. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, in whom the patency capsule had 83% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 96% negative predictive value, with a diagnostic yield of 96.7%. There was one complication (3.3%) and it resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: The patency capsule is a safe and effective method for reducing video capsule retention during capsule endoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TWO ORAL CONTRAST AGENT VOLUMES FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ENTEROGRAPHY IN CROHN'S DISEASE PATIENTS.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a chronic and recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality and acceptance of two different oral contrast volumes for computed tomography enterography in Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 58 consecutive Crohn's disease patients who randomly received an oral contrast agent composed of 78.75 g polyethylene glycol diluted in either 1,000 mL or 2,000 mL of water. An examination was performed to evaluate the presence of inflammation or complications in the small bowel. The variables included the quality of intestinal segment filling and luminal distension, and oral contrast agent acceptance and tolerance in the patients. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and association tests. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were assessed, in which 58.6% were female, 34.5% exhibited clinically-active disease, and 63.8% were receiving biologic therapy. As for comparative analysis between the two different volumes of oral contrast, no statistically significant difference was found regarding bowel loop filling (P=0.58) and adequate luminal distension (P=0.45). Patients who received a larger volume (2,000 mL) exhibited side-effects more frequently (51.7% vs 31.0%; P=0.06) and had greater difficulty ingesting the agent (65.5% vs 37.9%; P=0.07) compared with a volume of 1,000 mL. CONCLUSION: The quality of computed tomography enterography was not influenced by the contrast volume. However, acceptance and tolerance were better in the 1,000 mL group.

Análise comparativa de dois volumes diferentes de agente de contraste oral para enterografia por tomografia computadorizada em pacientes com doença de Crohn / Comparative analysis of two oral contrast agent volumes for computed tomography enterography in crohn's disease patients

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a chronic and recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality and acceptance of two different oral contrast volumes for computed tomography enterography in Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 58 consecutive Crohn's disease patients who randomly received an oral contrast agent composed of 78.75 g polyethylene glycol diluted in either 1,000 mL or 2,000 mL of water. An examination was performed to evaluate the presence of inflammation or complications in the small bowel. The variables included the quality of intestinal segment filling and luminal distension, and oral contrast agent acceptance and tolerance in the patients. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and association tests. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were assessed, in which 58.6% were female, 34.5% exhibited clinically-active disease, and 63.8% were receiving biologic therapy. As for comparative analysis between the two different volumes of oral contrast, no statistically significant difference was found regarding bowel loop filling (P=0.58) and adequate luminal distension (P=0.45). Patients who received a larger volume (2,000 mL) exhibited side-effects more frequently (51.7% vs 31.0%; P=0.06) and had greater difficulty ingesting the agent (65.5% vs 37.9%; P=0.07) compared with a volume of 1,000 mL. CONCLUSION: The quality of computed tomography enterography was not influenced by the contrast volume. However, acceptance and tolerance were better in the 1,000 mL group.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença de Crohn (DC) é uma doença inflamatória intestinal caracterizada por uma inflamação crônica e recorrente do trato gastrointestinal causada por uma interação de fatores genéticos e ambientais. OBJETIVO: Comparar a qualidade e aceitação de dois volumes diferentes de contraste oral para enterografia por tomografia computadorizada em pacientes com doença de Crohn. MÉTODOS: Um estudo transversal foi conduzido em 58 pacientes com doença de Crohn que receberam aleatoriamente um agente de contraste oral composto por 78,75 g de polietilenoglicol diluído em 1.000 mL ou 2.000 mL de água. Um exame foi realizado para avaliar a presença de inflamação ou complicações no intestino delgado. As variáveis incluíram a qualidade do preenchimento do segmento intestinal e distensão luminal e aceitação e tolerância do contraste oral nos pacientes. A análise estatística incluiu estatística descritiva e testes de associação. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 58 pacientes, dos quais 58,6% eram mulheres, 34,5% apresentavam doença clinicamente ativa e 63,8% estavam recebendo terapia biológica. Quanto à análise comparativa entre os dois diferentes volumes de contraste oral, não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação ao enchimento da alça intestinal (P=0,58) e distensão luminal adequada (P=0,45). Pacientes que receberam um volume maior (2.000 mL) exibiram efeitos colaterais com mais frequência (51,7% vs 31,0%; P=0,06) e tiveram maior dificuldade para ingerir o agente (65,5% vs 37,9%; P=0,07) em comparação com um volume de 1.000 mL. CONCLUSÃO: A qualidade da entero-tomografia computadorizada não foi influenciada pelo volume de contraste. No entanto, aceitação e tolerância foram melhores no grupo de 1.000 mL.

Crohn Disease Active Inflammation Assessment with Iodine Density from Dual-Energy CT Enterography: Comparison with Histopathologic Analysis.

Background Dual-energy CT enterography (DECTE) has been shown to be useful in characterizing Crohn disease activity compared with clinical markers of inflammation but, to the knowledge of the authors, comparison has not been made with histopathologic specimens. Purpose To compare mucosal iodine density obtained at DECTE from Crohn disease-affected bowel with histopathologic specimens from surgically resected ileocolectomy bowel segments or terminal ileum colonoscopic biopsies in the same patients. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study. Bowel segments in adults with Crohn disease who underwent DECTE from January 2017 to April 2019 within 90 days of ileocolectomy or colonoscopy were retrospectively evaluated with prototype software allowing the semiautomatic determination of inner hyperdense bowel wall (mucosal) mean iodine density, normalized to the aorta. Mean normalized iodine density and clinical activity indexes (Crohn Disease Activity Index [CDAI] and Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]) were compared with histologic active inflammation grades by using two-tailed t tests. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for mean normalized iodine density, CDAI, and HBI to determine sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. A P value less than .05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results The following 16 patients were evaluated (mean age, 41 years ± 14 [standard deviation]): 10 patients (five men, five women; mean age, 41 years ± 15) with 19 surgical resection specimens and six patients with terminal ileum colonoscopic mucosal biopsies (four men, two women; mean age, 43 years ± 14). Mean normalized iodine density was 16.5% ± 5.7 for bowel segments with no active inflammation (n = 8) and 34.7% ± 9.7 for segments with any active inflammation (n = 17; P < .001). A 20% mean normalized iodine density threshold had sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 17 of 17 (100%; 95% CI: 80.5, 100), six of eight (75%; 95% CI: 35, 97), and 23 of 25 (92%; 95% CI: 74, 99), respectively, for active inflammation. Clinical indexes were similar for patients with and without active inflammation at histopathologic analysis (CDAI score, 261 vs 251, respectively [P = .77]; HBI score, 7.8 vs 6.4, respectively [P = .36]). Conclusion Iodine density from dual-energy CT enterography may be used as a radiologic marker of Crohn disease activity as correlated with histopathologic analysis. © RSNA, 2021 See also the editorial by Ohliger in this issue.

Colonoscopy-guided therapy for the prevention of post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: About half of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) require surgery within 10 years of diagnosis. Resection of the affected segment is highly effective, however the majority of patients experience clinical recurrence after surgery. Most of these patients have asymptomatic endoscopic recurrence weeks or months before starting with symptoms. This inflammation can be detected by colonoscopy and is a good predictor of poor prognosis.Therapy guided by colonoscopy could tailor the management and improve the prognosis of postoperative CD. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of prophylactic therapy guided by colonoscopy in reducing the postoperative recurrence of CD in adults. SEARCH METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched up to 17 December 2019: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Clinical Trials.gov, WHO Trial Registry and Cochrane IBD specialized register. Reference lists of included articles, as well as conference proceedings were handsearched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and cohort studies comparing colonoscopy-guided management versus management non-guided by colonoscopy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently considered studies for eligibility, extracted the data and assessed study quality. Methodological quality was assessed using both the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool for RCTs and Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) for cohort studies. The primary outcome was clinical recurrence. Secondary outcomes included: endoscopic, surgical recurrence and adverse events. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) for each dichotomous outcome and extracted the hazard ratio (HR) for time-to-event outcomes. All estimates were reported with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis. The overall quality of the evidence was evaluated using GRADE criteria. MAIN RESULTS: Two RCTs (237 participants) and five cohort studies (794 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was not conducted as the studies were highly heterogeneous. We included two comparisons. Intensification of prophylactic-therapy guided by colonoscopy versus intensification guided by clinical recurrence One unblinded RCT and four retrospective cohort studies addressed this comparison. All participants received the same prophylactic therapy immediately after surgery. In the colonoscopy-based management group the therapy was intensified in case of endoscopic recurrence; in the control group the therapy was intensified only in case of symptoms. In the RCT, clinical recurrence (defined as Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) > 150 points) in the colonoscopy-based management group was 37.7% (46/122) compared to 46.1% (21/52) in the control group at 18 months' follow up (RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.18, 174 participants, low-certainty evidence). There may be a reduction in endoscopic recurrence at 18 months with colonoscopy-based management (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95, 1 RCT, 174 participants, low-certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence for surgical recurrence was very low, due to only four cohort studies with inconsistent results reporting this outcome. Adverse events at 18 months were similar in both groups, with 82% in the intervention group (100/122) and 86.5% in the control group (45/52) (RR 0.95, 95% CI:0.83 to 1.08, 1 RCT, 174 participants, low-certainty of evidence).The most common adverse events reported were alopecia, wound infection, sensory symptoms, systemic lupus, vasculitis and severe injection site reaction. Perforations or haemorrhages secondary to colonoscopy were not reported. Initiation of prophylactic-therapy guided by colonoscopy versus initiation immediately after surgery An unblinded RCT and two retrospective cohort studies addressed this comparison. The control group received prophylactic therapy immediately after surgery, and in the colonoscopy-based management group the therapy was delayed up to detection of endoscopic recurrence. The effects on clinical and endoscopic recurrence are uncertain (clinical recurrence until week 102: RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.84; endoscopic recurrence at week 102: RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.84; 1 RCT, 63 participants, very low-certainty evidence). Results from one cohort study were similarly uncertain (median follow-up 32 months, 199 participants). The effects on surgical recurrence at a median follow-up of 50 to 55 months were also uncertain in one cohort study (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.62, 133 participants, very low-certainty evidence). There were fewer adverse events with colonoscopy-based management (54.8% (17/31)) compared with the control group (93.8% (30/32)) but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.82; 1 RCT, 63 participants). Common adverse events were infections, gastrointestinal intolerance, leukopenia, pancreatitis and skin lesions. Perforations or haemorrhages secondary to colonoscopy were not reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Intensification of prophylactic-therapy guided by colonoscopy may reduce clinical and endoscopic postoperative recurrence of CD compared to intensification guided by symptoms, and there may be little or no difference in adverse effects. We are uncertain whether initiation of therapy guided by colonoscopy impacts postoperative recurrence and adverse events when compared to initiation immediately after surgery, as the certainty of the evidence is very low. Further studies are necessary to improve the certainty of the evidence of this review.

Bowel obstruction due to video capsule endoscopy in a patient with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The retention of the endoscopic capsule (EC) is a serious complication and exceptionally, acute intestinal obstruction is conditioned. CLINICAL CASE: 64 years-old man, previously treated by gastroenterology for Crohn's disease. With good initial response to pharmacological treatment for 6 weeks, subsequently with the onset of pain and symptoms not explained by colonoscopy. EC was performed, presenting at 48 hours bowel obstruction symptoms with data of systemic inflammatory response and peritoneal irritation. Exploratory laparotomy with bowel resection and side-to-side stapled anastomosis was performed, histopathology report confirmed obstruction of the bowel lumen due to impacted EC in ileal stenosis area. In the immediate postoperative period with good evolution. At 8 weeks of the procedure, he went for an enterocutaneous fistula, which had a good response to conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: The rate of retention of CE in Crohn's disease is 5-6%, prior to its use, it is recommended to perform imaging studies to evaluate the bowel permeability, however negative studies do not exclude the presence of stenosis. In cases where intestinal resection is indicated, it is recommended to be wide with side-to-side stapled anastomosis to reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease.

ANTECEDENTES: La retención de la cápsula endoscópica (CE) es una complicación grave y provoca de forma excepcional obstrucción intestinal aguda en su presentación. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente masculino de 64 años, tratado previamente por gastroenterología por enfermedad de Crohn. Muestra buena respuesta inicial al tratamiento farmacológico por seis semanas, pero después refiere dolor y síntomas no explicados por la colonoscopia. Se realizó CE, con aparición a las 48 horas de cuadro de obstrucción intestinal, signos de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica e irritación peritoneal. Se practicó laparotomía exploradora más resección intestinal con anastomosis laterolateral mecánica y el informe de histopatología confirmó obstrucción de la luz intestinal por CE impactada en la zona de estenosis del íleon terminal. En el postoperatorio inmediato la evolución es buena. A las ocho semanas del procedimiento acude por fístula enterocutánea que tuvo buena respuesta al tratamiento conservador. CONCLUSIÓN: La tasa de retención de CE en la enfermedad de Crohn es de 5 a 6%; antes de programarla se recomienda realizar estudios de imagen para evaluar la permeabilidad de la luz intestinal, si bien los estudios negativos no excluyen la presencia de estenosis. En los casos en que esté indicada la resección intestinal, se recomienda que ésta sea amplia con anastomosis laterolateral mecánica para reducir el riesgo de recurrencia de la enfermedad.

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound for perianal fistula in Crohn's disease. / Papel da ultrassonografia endoscópica na avaliação da fístula perianal na doença de Crohn.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EU) in comparison with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and examination under anesthesia (EUA) in the management of patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional, observational study with patients with perianal Crohn's disease evaluated at a tertiary center in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, from February 2016 to March 2017. All patients underwent EU, MRI and EUA. We evaluated the degree of agreement between the three methods by obtaining the Kappa coefficient. A Kappa value of 0.7 or greater indicated good agreement. We used the Friedman's non-parametric test to compare the number of fistulous paths detected in each modality. We set the level of statistical significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: we included 20 patients. There was agreement between the three exams in 11 patients. The level of Kappa agreement between the three exams was 0.53 (moderate - p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in relation to the number of fistulous trajectories detected in the three exams (p=0.641). EU failed to identify a fistulous pathway in three patients; MRI failed in three; and EUA failed in two. CONCLUSION: EU was comparable to MRI and EUA for the evaluation of perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease, and can be considered a valid exam for preoperative investigation of such patients.

OBJETIVO: determinar o papel da ultrassonografia endoscópica (UE) em relação à ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e ao exame sob anestesia (ESA) no manejo de pacientes com doença de Crohn fistulizante perianal. MÉTODOS: estudo observacional transversal com pacientes com doença de Crohn perianal, avaliados em um centro terciário de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil, de fevereiro de 2016 a março de 2017. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à UE, RMN e ESA. O grau de concordância entre os três métodos foi avaliado através da obtenção do coeficiente de Kappa. Um valor de Kappa de 0,7 ou maior indicou boa concordância. O teste não paramétrico de Friedman foi utilizado para comparar o número de trajetos fistulosos detectados em cada modalidade. Considerou-se o nível de significância estatística como p<0,05. RESULTADOS: vinte pacientes foram incluídos. Houve concordância entre os três exames em 11 pacientes. O nível de concordância de Kappa entre os três exames foi 0,53 (moderado) (p<0,001). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação ao número de trajetos fistulosos detectados nos três exames (p=0,641). Houve falha na identificação de um trajeto fistuloso em três pacientes com a UE, em três pacientes com a RMN e em dois pacientes com o ESA. CONCLUSÃO: a UE foi comparável à RMN e ao ESA para avaliação da doença de Crohn fistulizante perianal, e pode ser considerada um exame válido para investigação pré-operatória desses pacientes.

Utilidad de la enterotomografía axial computarizada en el diagnóstico de enteritis por Crohn / Utility of the computerized axial intestine-tomography in the diagnosis of enteritis for Crohn

Fundamento: la localización de la enfermedad de Crohn de intestino delgado proximal es inusual, aún menos frecuente en edad pediátrica. Objetivo: presentar el caso de un adolescente de 16 años, masculino con síndrome de malabsorción intestinal de causa no precisada. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 16 años de edad de raza negra, que presenta diarreas crónicas de 4 años de evolución, dolor abdominal periumbilical, distensión abdominal y pérdida de peso. Por esta sintomatología acude a nuestra consulta. Conclusiones:la enterotomografía axial computarizada es una herramienta valiosa a la hora de diagnosticar la enteritis por Crohn cuando no se dispone de enteroscopios. Se debe sospechar la enfermedad de Crohn en pacientes pediátricos como causa de malabsorción intestinal. La evolución del paciente fue favorable(AU)

Background: the localization of the Crohns disease of proximal small intestine is unusual, even less frequent in pediatric age. Objective: to present the case of an adolescent with syndrome of intestinal malabsorption of not specified cause.Clinical case: 16-years-old, black, masculine patient that has for 4 years chronic diarrheas, periumbilical abdominal pain, abdominal distension and loss of weight. For these clinical elements he goes to our consultation. Conclusion:the computerized axial intestine-tomography is a valuable tool when diagnosing the enteritis for Crohn when there is not enteroscopy. Crohns disease should be suspected in pediatric patients as cause of intestinal malabsorption. The patient's evolution was favorable(AU)

Comparison of conventional and structured report in the evaluation of Crohn's disease through enterography / Comparação entre laudo convencional e estruturado na avaliação da Doença de Crohn por enterografia

ABSTRACT Context: There is an increasing interest in the standardization of the evaluation of imaging exams, especially enterography in Crohn's disease. Objective: To compare the quality of the conventional report with the structured report in computed tomography enterography in Crohn's disease. Method: Nine CT enterographies of patients with Crohn's disease with conventional reports were performed; after the standardization of the structured report by the radiology department of a university hospital that is a reference in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, the same exams were reevaluated, and new reports were issued, without the radiologists having access to the previous report; the 18 reports underwent evaluation of five specialists in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, resulting in 90 analyses of the report; the specialists evaluated the following criteria: clarity of the information of the report, ease in characterizing the extension of the disease, ease in defining the presence of complications, usefulness of the exam to define the behavior, and ease in defining the activity of the disease, with the use of a 0-10 score. The statistical analysis was perfrmed with Wilcoxon's non-parametric test, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: The mean scores assigned to the exam reports, using both reports (unstructured and structured) ranged from 7.98 to 9.16; however, the scores of the structured reports were significantly higher (p < 0.003). Conclusion: In the specialists' evaluation, the structured report was shown to be of better quality than the unstructured one in the CT enterography of patients with Crohn's Disease.

RESUMO Contexto: Há cada vez maior interesse em padronização na avaliação de exames de imagem, em especial a enterografia na Doenca de Crohn. Objetivo: Comparar a qualidade do laudo convencional com o estruturado na enterografia por tomografia computadorizada na Doença de Crohn. Método: Foram realizados nove enterografias por TC de pacientes com Doença de Crohn com laudos convencionais; após a padronização do laudo estruturado pelo serviço de radiologia um hospital universitário, referência no atendimento de pacientes com doenças inflamatórias intestinais, os mesmos exames foram reavaliados e novos laudos foram emitidos, sem que os radiologistas tivessem acesso ao laudo anterior; os 18 laudos foram submetidos a avaliação de cinco especialistas em Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais, resultando em 90 análises de laudo; os especialistas avaliaram os seguintes critérios: clareza das informações do laudo, facilidade em caracterizar a extensão da doença, facilidade em definir a presença de complicações, utilidade do exame para definir a conduta e facilidade em definir a atividade da doença, conferindo uma pontuação de 0 a 10. A análise estatística foi realizada com o teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon, considerando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: os escores médios atribuídos aos laudos do exame, usando ambos os relatórios (não estruturado e estruturado), variaram de 7,98 a 9,16; todavia, os escores dos laudos estruturados foram significativamente maiores (p < 0,003). Conclusão: Na avaliação dos especialistas o laudo estruturado mostrou-se de melhor qualidade que o não estruturado na enterografia por tomografia computadorizada de pacientes com Doença de Crohn.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico da tuberculose intestinal em pacientes de um hospital universitário / Clinical and epidemiological profile of intestinal tuberculosis in patients of a university hospital

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer o perfil clínico-epidemiológico da tuberculose intestinal em pacientes assistidos em um ambulatório específico. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo e retrospectivo, no qual foram avaliadas as principais características da população com diagnóstico de tuberculose intestinal atendida em um hospital universitário e notificada de janeiro 2009 a junho de 2017. RESULTADOS: A população foi constituída na maioria por mulheres, com média de 47,7 anos, negativas para o anti-HIV e residentes na região metropolitana. Ao diagnóstico, 27,3% apresentavam alteração de hábito intestinal e 45,4% doença fistulizante/ estenosante. Quase todos os resultados do PPD foram positivos, e 100% das radiografias de tórax não possuíam anormalidades. No histopatológico do segmento intestinal, o achado mais prevalente foi o granuloma caseoso. CONCLUSÃO: A tuberculose deve ser investigada em pacientes com doença intestinal no nosso país. (AU)

epidemiological profile of intestinal tuberculosis in patients assisted in a specific outpatient clinic. METHODS: This was a descriptive and retrospective study evaluating the main characteristics of the population with diagnosis of Intestinal tuberculosis treated at a University Hospital, and notified from January 2009 to June 2017. RESULTS: The population consisted mostly of women, with a mean age of 47.7 years, negative for anti-HIV, and livingin the metropolitan region of the city. At diagnosis, 27.3% presented changed bowel habits, and 45.4% fistulizing/stenosing disease. Almost all PPD results were positive and 100% of chest radiographs had no abnormalities. In the histopathology of the intestinal segment, the most prevalent finding was caseous granuloma. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis should be investigated in patients with intestinal disease in our country. (AU)

Utilidad de la monitorización terapéutica de infliximab en el manejo de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Usefulness of therapeutic monitoring of infliximab in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Primary non-response and secondary loss of response (LOR) are significant problems of biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in IBD patients receiving these drugs can improve outcomes. Aim: To measure serum infliximab levels and anti-infliximab antibodies (ATI) in patients with IBD post-induction phase and during maintenance therapy assessing the clinical course of IBD. Patients and Methods: Prospective study of IBD patients receiving infliximab between July 2016-May 2017. Group-A included patients who received induction therapy while Group-B included patients who were in maintenance therapy. TDM was performed in serum samples collected at weeks-14 and 30 in Group-A and before the infliximab maintenance dose in Group-B. Clinical scores, fecal calprotectin and endoscopic score were also evaluated. Results: Of 14 patients in Group-A, 57% achieved endoscopic response. Median serum infliximab concentrations at week-14 and 30 were 2.65 AU/mL (0.23-32.58) and 2.3 AU/mL (0.3-16.8), respectively. Patients with mucosal healing had non-significantly higher median infliximab concentrations at week- 14, as compared to week 30 (median 3.2 vs 2.2 AU/ml, respectively, p 0.6). ATI >10 ug/mL were found in one and seven patients at week-14 and 30, respectively. At 52 weeks of follow-up, four patients (31%) had LOR. Group-B included 36 patients, 33% had LOR. Median serum concentrations of infliximab were 1.4 AU/mL (0.27-7.03). No significant differences in serum infliximab concentration were observed between patients in remission and those with inflammatory activity. Seventeen patients had ATI >10 ug/mL. Conclusions: Clinical algorithms using TDM might help to optimize the pharmacological therapy of IBD.

Papel da ultrassonografia endoscópica na avaliação da fístula perianal na doença de Crohn / Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound for perianal fistula in Crohn's disease

RESUMO Objetivo: determinar o papel da ultrassonografia endoscópica (UE) em relação à ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e ao exame sob anestesia (ESA) no manejo de pacientes com doença de Crohn fistulizante perianal. Métodos: estudo observacional transversal com pacientes com doença de Crohn perianal, avaliados em um centro terciário de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil, de fevereiro de 2016 a março de 2017. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à UE, RMN e ESA. O grau de concordância entre os três métodos foi avaliado através da obtenção do coeficiente de Kappa. Um valor de Kappa de 0,7 ou maior indicou boa concordância. O teste não paramétrico de Friedman foi utilizado para comparar o número de trajetos fistulosos detectados em cada modalidade. Considerou-se o nível de significância estatística como p<0,05. Resultados: vinte pacientes foram incluídos. Houve concordância entre os três exames em 11 pacientes. O nível de concordância de Kappa entre os três exames foi 0,53 (moderado) (p<0,001). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação ao número de trajetos fistulosos detectados nos três exames (p=0,641). Houve falha na identificação de um trajeto fistuloso em três pacientes com a UE, em três pacientes com a RMN e em dois pacientes com o ESA. Conclusão: a UE foi comparável à RMN e ao ESA para avaliação da doença de Crohn fistulizante perianal, e pode ser considerada um exame válido para investigação pré-operatória desses pacientes.

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EU) in comparison with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and examination under anesthesia (EUA) in the management of patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional, observational study with patients with perianal Crohn's disease evaluated at a tertiary center in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, from February 2016 to March 2017. All patients underwent EU, MRI and EUA. We evaluated the degree of agreement between the three methods by obtaining the Kappa coefficient. A Kappa value of 0.7 or greater indicated good agreement. We used the Friedman's non-parametric test to compare the number of fistulous paths detected in each modality. We set the level of statistical significance at p<0.05. Results: we included 20 patients. There was agreement between the three exams in 11 patients. The level of Kappa agreement between the three exams was 0.53 (moderate - p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in relation to the number of fistulous trajectories detected in the three exams (p=0.641). EU failed to identify a fistulous pathway in three patients; MRI failed in three; and EUA failed in two. Conclusion: EU was comparable to MRI and EUA for the evaluation of perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease, and can be considered a valid exam for preoperative investigation of such patients.

Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography in small intestine of Crohn's disease / Enterografia por tomografia computorizada e por ressonância magnética na avaliação da Doença de Crohn do intestino delgado

Abstract Crohn disease is defined as a chronic inflammatory and idiopathic process that can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The small intestine is the most frequently affected place, so small bowel morphology investigation is often mandatory.For decades small bowel was almost inaccessible to endoscopies, and, studies like enteroclysis and bowel transit time test, were considered gold standard tests. Recently, innovative imaging techniques, improved diagnosis and follow-up of Crohn disease patients by allowing the exploration of this gut segment.Authors review literature, concerning the role of computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography in the evaluation of small bowel Crohn disease.Authors conclude that the choice of examination to be made should be weighted considering several factors such as the age of the patient, their tolerability, the Crohn's disease phenotype and the availability of hospital resources.

Resumo A doença de Crohn é definida como um processo inflamatório e idiopático crônico que pode afetar qualquer parte do trato gastrintestinal. O intestino delgado é o local mais frequentemente afetado e, assim, com frequência torna-se obrigatória uma investigação da morfologia do intestino delgado.Durante décadas, o intestino delgado era praticamente inacessível às endoscopias; nesse contexto, estudos como a enteróclise e a determinação do tempo de trânsito intestinal eram considerados como os critérios diagnósticos principais. Recentemente, técnicas imaginológicas inovadoras aperfeiçoaram o diagnóstico e seguimento de pacientes com doença de Crohn, por permitirem a exploração desse segmento intestinal.Os autores revisam a literatura pertinente ao papel da enterografia por tomografia computadorizada e da enterografia por ressonância magnética na avaliação da doença de Crohn no intestino delgado.Os autores concluem que a escolha do exame a ser realizado deve levar em conta diversos fatores, como a idade do paciente, tolerabilidade, o fenótipo da doença de Crohn e a disponibilidade dos recursos hospitalares.