The Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in the Treatment of Crohn's Disease: Results From the SUCCESS Consortium.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab (UST) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: This study used a retrospective, multicenter, multinational consortium of UST-treated CD patients. Data included patient demographics, disease phenotype, disease activity, treatment history, and concomitant medications. Cumulative rates of clinical, steroid-free, endoscopic, and radiographic remissions were assessed using time-to-event analysis, and clinical predictors were assessed by using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses. Serious infections and adverse events were defined as those requiring hospitalization or treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: A total of 1,113 patients (51.8% female, 90% prior antitumor necrosis factor exposure) were included, with a median follow-up of 386 days. Cumulative rates of clinical, steroid-free, endoscopic, and radiographic remissions at 12 months were 40%, 32%, 39%, and 30%, respectively. Biologic-naive patients achieved significantly higher rates of clinical and endoscopic remissions at 63% and 55%, respectively. On multivariable analyses, prior antitumor necrosis factor (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.99) and vedolizumab exposure (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.88) were independently associated with lower likelihoods of achieving endoscopic remission. In patients who experienced loss of remission, 77 of 102 (75%) underwent dose optimization, and 44 of 77 (57%) achieved clinical response. An additional 152 of 681 patients (22.3%) were dose-optimized because of primary nonresponse incomplete response to UST, of whom 40.1% (61 of 152) responded. Serious infections occurred in 3.4% of patients while other noninfectious adverse events (lymphoma [n = 1], arthralgia [n = 6], rash [n = 6], headache [n = 3], hepatitis [n = 3], hair loss [n = 3], neuropathy [n = 1], and vasculitis [n = 1]) occurred in 2.4% of patients. DISCUSSION: UST represents a safe and effective treatment option for CD, with 40% of patients from a highly refractory cohort achieving clinical remission by 12 months. The greatest treatment effect of UST was seen in biologic-naive patients, and dose escalation may recapture clinical response.

Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis for the Management of Ulcerative Colitis Is Associated With Significant Disability.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Disability in patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) after total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare disability in patients with IPAA vs medically managed UC, and identify predictors of disability. METHODS: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study performed at 5 academic institutions in New York City. Patients with medically or surgically treated UC were recruited. Clinical and socioeconomic data were collected, and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD-DI) was administered to eligible patients. Predictors of moderate-severe disability (IBD-DI ≥35) were assessed in univariable and multivariable models. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients with IPAA and 128 patients with medically managed UC completed the IBD-DI. Among patients with IPAA and UC, 35 (37.2%) and 30 (23.4%) had moderate-severe disability, respectively. Patients with IPAA had significantly greater IBD-DI scores compared with patients with medically managed UC (29.8 vs 17.9; P < .001). When stratified by disease activity, patients with active IPAA disease had significantly greater median IBD-DI scores compared with patients with active UC (44.2 vs 30.4; P = .01), and patients with inactive IPAA disease had significantly greater median IBD-DI scores compared with patients with inactive UC (23.1 vs 12.5; P < .001). Moderate-severe disability in patients with IPAA was associated with female sex, active disease, and public insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IPAA have higher disability scores than patients with UC, even after adjustment for disease activity. Female sex and public insurance are predictive of significant disability in patients with IPAA.

Patients with More Severe IBD Get Clostridioides difficile Rather than Clostridioides difficile Increasing the Severity of IBD.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who have Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) have worse outcomes. AIMS: We aimed to determine whether such outcomes are the result of CDI or whether CDI occurs in patients who have more severe IBD. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients hospitalized for ≥ 2 IBD flares from 2010 to 2019. The primary outcome was time to IBD flare between hospitalizations. First, time to flare was compared between patients who were hospitalized for a flare complicated by CDI and subsequently for a CDI-negative flare (cohort A, denoted +/-) versus patients who were hospitalized for two CDI-negative flares (cohort B, -/-). Second, time between flares was compared within the subset of cohort A patients who had three flares (cohort C, -/+/-) before and after CDI. RESULTS: Time between flares was a median of 4 months (IQR 1-9) among 51 cohort A patients versus 12 months (IQR 6-38) among 51 cohort B patients (log-rank P < 0.01). In contrast, the median time between flares was similar within cohort C before and after CDI (log-rank P = 0.54). At time of the second IBD flare, patients in cohort A (+/-) were more likely to have moderate or severe disease compared to patients in cohort B (-/-). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prior CDI had shorter time to subsequent IBD flare relative to their CDI-negative counterparts. This is not likely due to CDI itself because there was no difference in time between flares before versus after acquiring CDI. Rather, patients who acquire CDI may have more severe IBD.

Increasing Prevalence of Frailty and Its Association with Readmission and Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients with IBD.

BACKGROUND: Although age is often used as a clinical risk stratification tool, recent data have suggested that adverse outcomes are driven by frailty rather than chronological age. AIMS: In this nationwide cohort study, we assessed the prevalence of frailty, and factors associated with 30-day readmission and mortality among hospitalized IBD patients. METHODS: Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we examined all patients with IBD hospitalized from 2010 to 2014. Based on index admission, we defined IBD and frailty using previously validated ICD codes. We used univariable and multivariable regression to assess risk factors associated with all-cause 30-day readmission and 30-day readmission mortality. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2014, 1,405,529 IBD index admissions were identified, with 152,974 (10.9%) categorized as frail. Over this time period, the prevalence of frailty increased each year from 10.20% (27,594) in 2010 to 11.45% (33,507) in 2014. On multivariable analysis, frailty was an independent predictor of readmission (aRR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.14-1.17), as well as readmission mortality (aRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.23) after adjusting for relevant clinical factors. Frailty also remained associated with readmission after stratification by IBD subtype, admission characteristics (surgical vs. non-surgical), age (patients ≥ 60 years old), and when excluding malnutrition, weight loss, and fecal incontinence as frailty indicators. Conversely, we found older age to be associated with a lower risk of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty, independent of age, comorbidities, and severity of admission, is associated with a higher risk of readmission and mortality among IBD patients, and is increasing in prevalence. Given frailty is a potentially modifiable risk factor, future studies prospectively assessing frailty within the IBD patient population are needed.

Acute Venous Thromboembolism Risk Highest Within 60 Days After Discharge From the Hospital in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We assessed the timing and risk factors associated with readmission to the hospital for VTE among patients with IBD. METHODS: We collected data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database on IBD index admissions resulting in readmission to the hospital for VTE within 60 days, from 2010 through 2014. We used univariable and multivariable regression to assess risk factors associated with VTE readmission with unadjusted risk ratio (RR) and adjusted RR (aRR) as measures of effect. Time to VTE readmission was assessed in 10-day intervals, for up to 90 days. RESULTS: We identified 872,122 index admissions of patients with IBD; 1160 resulted in readmission with VTE. More than 90% of readmissions occurred within 60 days of discharge from the index admission. Factors associated with hospital readmission with VTE included prior VTE, longer length of hospital stay, comorbidities, having a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy at index admission, and age older than 18 years. Additional risk factors included Clostridium difficile infection at index admission (aRR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.17-1.85) and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility (aRR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.14-1.70) or discharge with home health services (aRR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.41-1.94). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients admitted to the hospital with IBD, most readmissions with VTE occur within 60 days of discharge. Readmission with VTE is associated with C difficile infection and discharge to a skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or with home health services. Studies are needed to evaluate the potential benefit of extending VTE prophylaxis for patients admitted to the hospital with IBD for up to 2 months after discharge, to minimize risk.

Hormone Therapy for Cancer Is a Risk Factor for Relapse of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Exposure to hormone contraception has been associated with an increased risk of relapse of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Little is known about the effects of cancer therapies, specifically hormone therapies, on the course of IBD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, collecting data from 5 medical centers, on patients with IBD who received a subsequent diagnosis of breast or prostate cancer from 1997 through 2018. For patients with quiescent IBD at their cancer diagnosis, the primary outcome was relapse of IBD. For patients with active IBD at their cancer diagnosis, the primary outcome was IBD remission. RESULTS: Our analysis included 447 patients with IBD (44% with Crohn's disease, 53% with ulcerative colitis, and 3% with IBD unclassified) who had either breast (78%) or prostate (22%) cancer. At their cancer diagnosis, 400 patients (90%) had inactive IBD, and 47 (10%) had active IBD. Among patients with inactive IBD, 112 (28%) developed active IBD. Previous exposure to steroids, immunomodulators, or biologics was associated with IBD relapse after a cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] for steroids, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.18-2.71; HR for immunomodulators, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.38-3.55; HR for biologics, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.01-5.36). Hormone monotherapy (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.21-3.29) and combination cytotoxic and hormone therapy (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.01-3.43) was associated with IBD relapse. Among 34 patients who received only cytotoxic chemotherapy, 75% remained in remission from IBD at 250 months compared with 42% of those who received hormone monotherapy (log rank, 0.02). Among patients with active IBD at their cancer diagnosis, 14 (30%) entered remission from IBD, but there were no significant factors of achieving IBD remission. CONCLUSIONS: In a multicenter retrospective study, we found that patients with IBD and breast or prostate cancer who receive hormone therapy have an increased risk for relapse of IBD and related adverse outcomes.

Enteric Infections Are Common in Patients with Flares of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have examined the role of non-Clostridium difficile enteric infections in flares of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our objective was to investigate enteric infection detected by multiplex PCR stool testing in patients with IBD. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 9403 patients who underwent 13,231 stool tests with a gastrointestinal pathogen PCR panel during a diarrheal illness from March 2015 to May 2017. Our primary outcome was the presence of an infection. Secondary outcomes included endoscopic and histologic predictors of infection, and IBD outcomes following testing. RESULTS: A total of 277 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 300 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 8826 patients without IBD underwent 454, 503, and 12,275 tests, respectively. Compared to patients without IBD, patients with IBD were less likely to test positive (CD 18.1%, UC 16.1%, no IBD 26.6%, p < 0.001). Compared to patients without IBD, CD had a higher prevalence of norovirus (p = 0.05) and Campylobacter (p = 0.043), whereas UC had a lower prevalence of norovirus (p = 0.001) and a higher prevalence of Campylobacter (p = 0.013), Plesiomonas (p = 0.049), and Escherichia coli species (p < 0.001). Of 77 patients who underwent endoscopy, there were no major endoscopic or histologic predictors of a positive test. Patients who tested negative were more likely to have IBD therapy escalated (p = 0.004). Enteric infection did not impact IBD outcomes following testing (log-rank 0.224). CONCLUSIONS: Non-Clostridium difficile enteric infections were identified in 17% of symptomatic patients with IBD. Endoscopic and histologic findings may not differentiate flare from infection. Norovirus and E.coli may play an important role in flare of IBD.

The Distribution of Enteric Infections Utilizing Stool Microbial Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal infection is a major cause of morbidity. We sought to characterize the pathogenic etiologies of gastrointestinal infection to identify seasonal patterns and predictors of specific infections utilizing a multiplex PCR assay in clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 9403 patients who underwent 13,231 stool tests with a FilmArray gastrointestinal pathogen PCR panel during an episode of diarrhea from March 2015 to May 2017. Our primary outcome was the presence of a positive panel. Logistic regression was used to test for associations between season and infections. RESULTS: A positive result was found in 3426 tests (25.9%) in 2988 patients (31.8%), yielding 4667 pathogens consisting of 1469 viruses (31.5%), 2925 bacteria (62.7%), and 273 parasites (5.8%). Age less than 50 years was associated with a higher prevalence of pathogens compared to age ≥ 50 (p < 0.0001). The overall prevalence of a positive result for bacteria peaked in the summer (635, 29.2%), and the prevalence of viruses peaked in the winter (446, 31.8%). Compared to the winter, testing in the summer yielded a higher prevalence of bacteria (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.33, 1.73, p < 0.0001) and lower odds of viruses (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.58, 0.81, p < 0.0001), primarily driven by E. coli species and norovirus. CONCLUSIONS: Season was a major determinant in detecting specific pathogens. Our substantially lower positivity rate than previous reports in the literature on multiplex PCR assays may more accurately reflect true clinical practice. Recognizing the temporal distribution of enteric pathogens may help facilitate empiric treatment decisions in certain clinical situations.

Stool PCR for Gastrointestinal Pathogens in Patients With and Without Immune-Mediated Intestinal Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, two immune-mediated luminal conditions, have higher rates of certain infections than healthy counterparts. The prevalence of many gastrointestinal infections in these patients, however, is unknown. AIMS: Using a novel clinical stool pathogen PCR test, we investigated the hypothesis that patients with celiac disease/inflammatory bowel disease had different distributions of diarrheal pathogens than other patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of outpatients who underwent stool pathogen testing with the FilmArray Gastrointestinal PCR Panel (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, UT) at our institution from January 1 to December 31, 2015. Rates of pathogens were measured in patients with or without celiac disease/inflammatory bowel disease. RESULTS: Of 955 patients, 337 had positive test for any pathogen, with 465 bacterial, parasitic, or viral pathogens identified. One hundred and twenty-seven patients (13.3%) had celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, of which 29/127 (22.8%) had a positive test, compared to 308/828 other patients (37.2%) (p = 0.002). Patients with celiac disease/inflammatory bowel disease had significantly fewer viruses (1.6 vs. 8.1% of patients; p = 0.008) and parasites (0 vs. 3.3%; p = 0.039), with nonsignificant trend toward fewer bacteria (21.3 vs. 29.2%; p = 0.063). Escherichia coli species were most common in both populations. CONCLUSIONS: Stool PCR identified numerous pathogens in patients with or without celiac disease/inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with celiac disease/inflammatory bowel disease were significantly less likely to have any pathogen identified, and had significantly fewer viruses and parasites. In this population, knowledge of common pathogens can guide diagnostic evaluation and offer opportunities for treatment.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and its relationship to the colon in a black cohort of inflammatory bowel disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have identified subgroups of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients at increased likelihood for developing primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Most studies look at predominantly white populations. GOALS: The aim of our study was to determine the characteristics of PSC in a black cohort of patients and its relationship to disease location in IBD. STUDY: A retrospective analysis was performed on IBD patients over the age of 18 years. RESULTS: Of the 209 black patients identified as having IBD, 7 (3.5%) had a concomitant diagnosis of PSC; 5/138 (3.6%) ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and 2/71 (2.8%) Crohn's disease patients (CD). Numerically, more males developed PSC in both the UC and CD subgroups. Age at diagnosis of IBD tended to be younger among PSC cohorts. All PSC-UC patients had pancolitis (P<0.0001), and all PSC-CD patients had a colonic component to their disease. In the UC cohort, PSC patients were statistically more likely to be on immunosuppressive therapy (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: With greater research, physicians will better recognize IBD phenotypes at highest risk of PSC and hopefully identify complications of PSC, including cholangiocarcinoma.

Concomitant Administration of Ozanimod and Serotonergic Antidepressants in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis or Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Ozanimod, approved for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), is a weak in vitro monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor. MAO-B inhibitors can cause serotonin accumulation with concomitant use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). We evaluated the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) potentially associated with serotonin accumulation during ozanimod and concomitant SSRI/SNRI use in this post hoc analysis of pooled UC studies and the open-label extension RMS DAYBREAK. METHODS: Data for ozanimod 0.92 mg from pooled UC studies (n = 1158; cutoff: January 10, 2022) and RMS DAYBREAK (n = 2257; cutoff: February 1, 2022) were analyzed. Concomitant SSRI/SNRI use was allowed in the UC (n = 67) and RMS (n = 274) studies. A narrow Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities search ("serotonin syndrome," "neuroleptic malignant syndrome," and "malignant hyperthermia") and a broad search including terms potentially associated with serotonin accumulation were conducted. The percentages of patients with TEAEs in both searches were analyzed by concomitant SSRI/SNRI use when the TEAE occurred. RESULTS: No patients had TEAEs matching the narrow search criteria. No differences were observed in the percentages of patients with ≥1 TEAE matching the broad search regardless of SSRI/SNRI use in UC (with: 25.4% [n = 17 of 67]; without: 15.0% [n = 164 of 1091]) and RMS (with: 12.4% [n = 34 of 274]; without: 15.6% [n = 310 of 1982]) studies. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence of increased TEAEs potentially associated with serotonin accumulation was observed with concurrent use of ozanimod and SSRIs/SNRIs. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01647516, NCT02531126, NCT02435992, NCT02576717.

No evidence of increased treatment-emergent adverse effects potentially associated with serotonin accumulation was observed with concurrent use of ozanimod and serotonergic antidepressants. Our findings support the absence of clinically meaningful ozanimod monoamine oxidase B inhibition in vivo.

Efficacy and Safety of Approximately 3 Years of Continuous Ozanimod in Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: Interim Analysis of the True North Open-label Extension.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: This interim analysis from the True North open-label extension [OLE] study examines efficacy and safety of approximately 3 years of continuous ozanimod treatment in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Clinical responders after 52 weeks of ozanimod during the phase 3 True North study, who continued treatment in the OLE, were evaluated. Efficacy, including endoscopic and histological endpoints, was assessed during the OLE for approximately 2 additional years through OLE Week 94, using observed case [OC] and nonresponder imputation [NRI] analyses. Adverse events were monitored from True North baseline through OLE data cutoff and expressed as exposure-adjusted incidence rates. RESULTS: This analysis included 131 patients; 54% had achieved corticosteroid-free remission at True North Week 52. In OC analyses, clinical response, clinical remission, and corticosteroid-free remission were achieved by 91.4%, 69.1%, and 67.9% of patients, respectively, at OLE Week 94 [146 weeks of total treatment]. Similarly, endoscopic improvement, histological remission, and mucosal healing were achieved by 73.3%, 67.3%, and 56.3% of patients, respectively, at OLE Week 94. Efficacy rates were lower using NRI analyses, but maintenance of efficacy was demonstrated through OLE Week 94. No new safety signals emerged from this analysis. Serious infections, malignancy, cardiovascular events, and hepatic events occurred infrequently. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who achieved clinical response after 1 year of ozanimod treatment during True North, a high percentage sustained clinical and mucosal efficacy over 2 additional years in the OLE. No new safety signals were observed with long-term ozanimod use.

Histologic markers of inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mucosal healing, based on histologic analysis, is an end point of maintenance therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). There are few data on how histologic signs of inflammation correlate with endoscopic and peripheral blood measures of inflammation in these patients. We investigated patterns of histologic features of inflammation in patients with UC in clinical remission, and correlated these with endoscopic and biochemical measures of inflammation. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 103 patients with UC in clinical remission undergoing surveillance colonoscopy while receiving maintenance therapy with mesalamine or thiopurines; 2674 biopsy specimens were collected from 708 colonic segments. Each colonic segment was evaluated based on the Mayo endoscopic subscore and the Geboes histology score (range, 0-5.4). Biomarkers were measured in peripheral blood samples. RESULTS: Histologic features of inflammation were found in 54% of patients receiving maintenance therapy; 37% had at least moderate inflammation based on histology scores. Of the 52 patients with endoscopic evidence only of left-sided colitis, 34% had histologic features of inflammation in their proximal colon. Histology scores correlated with endoscopic scores for per-segment inflammation (Spearman ρ = 0.65; P < .001). Patients with histology scores greater than 3.1 had a significantly higher mean level of C-reactive protein than those with scores less than 3.1. There were no differences among treatment groups in percentages of patients with histologic scores greater than 3.1. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in clinical remission from UC still frequently have histologic features of inflammation, which correlate with endoscopic appearance. Patients with at least moderate levels of inflammation, based on histologic grading (score >3.1), have higher serum levels of C-reactive protein, which could be used as a surrogate marker of histologic inflammation.

CD73 is a phenotypic marker of effector memory Th17 cells in inflammatory bowel disease.

Purinergic signaling and associated ectonucleotidases, such as CD39 and CD73, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CD39 is known to be a Treg memory cell marker, and here we determine the phenotype and function of CD73(+) CD4(+) T lymphocytes in patients with IBD. We describe elevated levels of CD73(+) CD4(+) T cells in the peripheral blood and intestinal lamina propria of patients with active IBD. The functional phenotype of these CD73(+) CD4(+) T cells was further determined by gene expression, ecto-enzymatic activity, and suppressive assays. Increased numbers of CD73(+) CD4(+) T cells in the periphery and lamina propria were noted during active inflammation, which returned to baseline levels following anti-TNF treatment. Peripheral CD73(+) CD4(+) T cells predominantly expressed CD45RO, and were enriched with IL-17A(+) cells. The CD73(+) CD4(+) cell population expressed higher levels of RORC, IL-17A, and TNF, and lower levels of FOXP3 and/or CD25, than CD73(-) CD4(+) T cells. Expression of CD73 by peripheral CD4(+) T cells was increased by TNF, and decreased by an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody (infliximab). In vitro, these peripheral CD73(+) CD4(+) T cells did not suppress proliferation of CD25(-) effector cells, and expressed higher levels of pro-inflammatory markers. We conclude that the CD73(+) CD4(+) T-cell population in patients with active IBD are enriched with cells with a T-helper type 17 phenotype, and could be used to monitor disease activity during treatment.

Descending aortic calcification increases renal dysfunction and in-hospital mortality in cardiac surgery patients with intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation placed perioperatively: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery increases length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. A significant number of patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures require perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. Use of an IABP has been linked to an increased incidence of perioperative renal dysfunction and death. This might be due to dislodgement of atherosclerotic material in the descending thoracic aorta (DTA). Therefore, we retrospectively studied the correlation between DTA atheroma, AKI and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: A total of 454 patients were retrospectively matched to one of four groups: -IABP/-DTA atheroma, +IABP/-DTA atheroma, -IABP/+DTA atheroma, +IABP/+DTA atheroma. Patients were then matched according to presence/absence of DTA atheroma, presence/absence of IABP, performed surgical procedure, age, gender and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). DTA atheroma was assessed through standard transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) imaging studies of the descending thoracic aorta. RESULTS: Basic patient characteristics, except for age and gender, did not differ between groups. Perioperative AKI in patients with -DTA atheroma/+IABP was 5.1% versus 1.7% in patients with -DTA atheroma/-IABP. In patients with +DTA atheroma/+IABP the incidence of AKI was 12.6% versus 5.1% in patients with +DTA atheroma/-IABP. In-hospital mortality in patients with +DTA atheroma/-IABP was 3.4% versus 8.4% with +DTA atheroma/+IABP. In patients with +DTA atheroma/+IABP in hospital mortality was 20.2% versus 6.4% with +DTA atheroma/-IABP. Multivariate logistic regression identified DTA atheroma>1 mm (P=*0.002, odds ratio (OR)=4.13, confidence interval (CI)=1.66 to 10.30), as well as IABP support (P=*0.015, OR=3.04, CI=1.24 to 7.45) as independent predictors of perioperative AKI and increased in-hospital mortality. DTA atheroma in conjunction with IABP significantly increased the risk of developing acute kidney injury (P=0.0016) and in-hospital mortality (P=0.0001) when compared to control subjects without IABP and without DTA atheroma. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative IABP and DTA atheroma are independent predictors of perioperative AKI and in-hospital mortality. Whether adding an IABP in patients with severe DTA calcification increases their risk of developing AKI and mortality postoperatively cannot be clearly answered in this study. Nevertheless, when IABP and DTA are combined, patients are more likely to develop AKI and to die postoperatively in comparison to patients without IABP and DTA atheroma.

Evaluation of 6 candidate genes on chromosome 11q23 for coeliac disease susceptibility: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Recent whole genome analysis and follow-up studies have identified many new risk variants for coeliac disease (CD, gluten intolerance). The majority of newly associated regions encode candidate genes with a clear functional role in T-cell regulation. Furthermore, the newly discovered risk loci, together with the well established HLA locus, account for less than 50% of the heritability of CD, suggesting that numerous additional loci remain undiscovered. Linkage studies have identified some well-replicated risk regions, most notably chromosome 5q31 and 11q23. METHODS: We have evaluated six candidate genes in one of these regions (11q23), namely CD3E, CD3D, CD3G, IL10RA, THY1 and IL18, as risk factors for CD using a 2-phase candidate gene approach directed at chromosome 11q. 377 CD cases and 349 ethnically matched controls were used in the initial screening, followed by an extended sample of 171 additional coeliac cases and 536 additional controls. RESULTS: Promotor SNPs (-607, -137) in the IL18 gene, which has shown association with several autoimmune diseases, initially suggested association with CD (P < 0.05). Follow-up analyses of an extended sample supported the same, moderate effect (P < 0.05) for one of these. Haplotype analysis of IL18-137/-607 also supported this effect, primarily due to one relatively rare haplotype IL18-607C/-137C (P < 0.0001), which was independently associated in two case-control comparisons. This same haplotype has been noted in rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Haplotypes of the IL18 promotor region may contribute to CD risk, consistent with this cytokine's role in maintaining inflammation in active CD.

Minor Hematochezia Decreases Use of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pharmacologic prophylaxis rates remain low. We sought to understand the reasons for this by assessing factors associated with VTE prophylaxis in patients with IBD and the safety of its use. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted among patients hospitalized between January 2013 and August 2018. The primary outcome was VTE prophylaxis, and exposures of interest included acute and chronic bleeding. Medical records were parsed electronically for covariables, and logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with VTE prophylaxis. RESULTS: There were 22,499 patients studied, including 474 (2%) with IBD. Patients with IBD were less likely to be placed on VTE prophylaxis (79% with IBD, 87% without IBD), particularly if hematochezia was present (57% with hematochezia, 86% without hematochezia). Among patients with IBD, admission to a medical service and hematochezia (adjusted odds ratio 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.46) were among the strongest independent predictors of decreased VTE prophylaxis use. Neither hematochezia nor VTE prophylaxis was associated with increased blood transfusion rates or with a clinically significant decline in hemoglobin level during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized patients are less likely to be placed on VTE prophylaxis if they have IBD, and hematochezia may drive this. Hematochezia appeared to be minor and was unaffected by VTE prophylaxis. Education related to the safety of VTE prophylaxis in the setting of minor hematochezia may be a high-yield way to increase VTE prophylaxis rates in patients with IBD.

Fertility Impact of Initial Operation Type for Female Ulcerative Colitis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the mainstay of surgical treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) but is associated with an increased risk of infertility. We developed a simulation model examining the impact of initial surgical procedure on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and fertility end points. METHODS: A patient-level state transition model was used to analyze outcomes by surgical approach strategy for females of childbearing age. Initial surgical options included IPAA, rectal-sparing colectomy with end ileostomy (RCEI), and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA). The primary outcome examined was QALYs, whereas secondary outcomes included UC and fertility-associated end points. RESULTS: IPAA resulted in higher QALYs for patients aged 20-30 years, as compared with RCEI. For patients aged 35 years, RCEI resulted in higher QALYs (7.54 RCEI vs 7.53 IPAA) and was associated with a 28% higher rate of childbirth, a 14-month decrease in time to childbirth, and a 77% reduction in in vitro fertilization utilization. When accounting for the decreased infertility risk associated with laparoscopic IPAA, IPAA resulted in higher QALYs (7.57) even for patients aged 35 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increased risk of infertility, our model results suggest that IPAA may be the optimal surgical strategy for female UC patients aged 20-30 years who desire children. For patients aged 35 years, RCEI should additionally be considered, as QALYs for RCEI and IPAA were similar. These quantitative data can be used by patients and providers to help develop an individualized approach to surgical management choice.

Disability in inflammatory bowel disease patients is associated with race, ethnicity and socio-economic factors.

BACKGROUND: Race, ethnicity and socio-economic status impact clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, their impact on disability has not been studied. AIM: To determine the association between race, ethnicity and socio-economic factors with disability in IBD, using the validated IBD disability index (IBD-DI). METHODS: Ambulatory IBD patients were enrolled at five academic centres participating in the New York Crohn's and Colitis Organization. We assessed the IBD-DI, and collected clinical and socio-economic data. Factors associated with moderate-to-severe disability (IBD-DI score > 35) on univariable analysis were tested in multivariable models with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) reported. RESULTS: In this study, 323 patients (57.3% CD, 51.4% female) were enrolled; 17.7% were Hispanic, 17% were non-Hispanic black, 56.0% were non-Hispanic Caucasian and 9.3% belonged to non-Hispanic non-black minority races. However, 39.0% of patients were publicly insured and 38.4% of patients had low annual household income (<$50 000). 100 (31.0%) patients reported moderate-to-severe disability. On multivariable analysis, Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.6), non-Hispanic non-black minority race (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-8.9), public payer (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0) and low annual household income (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7-5.4) were associated with moderate-to-severe disability controlling for disease characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: IBD patients who are minorities, have public insurance, or low household income, are 2-3 times more likely to report moderate-to-severe disability independent of disease characteristics in the United States. Future studies are needed to study their complex relationship and to mitigate disability.

Escalation of Immunosuppressive Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Not Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Infection With Clostridium difficile.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often leading to diagnostic confusion and delays in IBD therapy escalation. This study sought to assess outcomes after CDI in IBD patients exposed to new or escalated immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included IBD patients with documented CDI at 4 academic medical centers. Data were abstracted from clinical databases at each institution. Outcomes at 30 and 90 days were compared between patients undergoing new or intensified immunosuppressive therapy and those without therapy escalation. Continuous variables were compared using t tests, and proportions using chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of individual variables with severe outcomes (including death, sepsis, and/or colectomy) within 90 days. Secondary outcomes included CDI recurrence, rehospitalization, worsening of IBD, and severe outcomes within 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 207 adult patients with IBD and CDI were included, of whom 62 underwent escalation to biologic or corticosteroid therapy (median time to escalation, 13 days). Severe outcomes within 90 days occurred in 21 (15.6%) nonescalated and 1 (1.8%) therapy-escalated patients. Serum albumin <2.5 mg/dL, lactate >2.2 mg/dL, intensive care unit admission, hypotension, and comorbid disease were associated with severe outcomes. Likelihood of severe outcomes was decreased in patients undergoing escalation of IBD therapy after CDI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.12) and increased among patients aged >65 years (aOR, 4.55). CONCLUSIONS: Therapy escalation for IBD within 90 days of CDI was not associated with worse clinical outcomes. Initiation of immunosuppression for active IBD may therefore be appropriate in carefully selected patients after treatment of CDI.