Adhesion molecules play a key role in the pathogenetic mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In the last decade, some progress has ...been made in understanding their key role in leukocyte trafficking control in terms of basic research, but evidence of clinical efficacy is lacking. In the last 2 years, new molecules directed against integrins and integrin receptors have been developed and investigated in clinical trials, showing that anti-α4β7 integrin agents can be effective and safe for the induction and maintenance of remission in active CD and UC. Preliminary data show that anti-MAdCAM, anti-β7 and anti-integrin receptor agents are not all effective in IBD. Such results open new perspectives on clinical management of IBD, and new directions in understanding the role of adhesion molecules and leukocyte recruitment both in CD and UC.
Introduction: Methotrexate is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis but randomised controlled trials demonstrated its efficacy also in Crohn's disease. Methotrexate, although marginally used in ...clinical practice, is considered an appropriate immunomodulator particularly in patients refractory or intolerant to thiopurines.
Areas covered: A literature search using 'methotrexate', 'Crohn's disease' and 'Inflammatory Bowel Disease' as key words, identified randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses and observational studies. The aim of this review is to summarise and critically discuss the available evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of methotrexate in the treatment of Crohn's disease.
Expert commentary: Methotrexate is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in steroid-dependent CD at a dose of 25 mg/week and 15 mg/week, respectively. Data from observational studies suggest that methotrexate may be as efficacious as thiopurines with a similar safety profile. In specific clinical settings, (patients with a history of malignancy or young Epstein-Barr Virus-seronegative patients), methotrexate compete favourably with thiopurines.
Summary
Background
Vedolizumab registration trials were the first to include elderly patients with moderate‐to‐severe ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD), but few real‐life data have been ...reported in this population.
Aims
We investigated the effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in matched cohorts of elderly and nonelderly UC and CD patients.
Methods
The Long‐term Italian Vedolizumab Effectiveness (LIVE) study is a retrospective‐prospective study including UC and CD patients who started vedolizumab from April 2016 to June 2017. Elderly patients (≥65 years) were matched clinically 1:2 to nonelderly patients (18–64 years); the 2 groups were followed until drug discontinuation or June 2019.
Results
The study included 198 elderly (108 UC, 90 CD) and 396 matched nonelderly patients (205 UC, 191 CD). Nonelderly UC patients had a significantly higher persistence on vedolizumab compared to elderly patients (67.6% vs. 51.4%, p = 0.02). No significant difference in effectiveness was observed between elderly and nonelderly CD patients (59.4% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.32). Age ≥65 years was associated with lower persistence in UC; for CD, previous exposure to anti‐TNF‐α agents, Charlson comorbidity index >2 and moderate‐to‐severe clinical activity at baseline were associated with lower persistence. There were recorded 130 adverse events, with comparable rates between the two groups. A Charlson comorbidity index >2 was associated with an increased risk of adverse events.
Conclusion
Vedolizumab can be considered a safe option in elderly IBD patients. Its effectiveness in elderly UC patients may be reduced, while no age‐dependent effect on effectiveness was observed in CD.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a huge impact on healthcare systems, resulting in many routine diagnostic procedures either being halted or postponed.
To evaluate whether the diagnoses of colorectal, ...gastric and pancreatic cancers have been impacted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Italy.
A survey designed to collect the number of histologically-proven diagnoses of the three cancers in gastroenterology services across Italy from January 1 to October 31 in 2017–2020. Non-parametric ANOVA for repeated measurements was applied to compare distributions by years and macro-areas.
Compared to 2019, in 2020 gastric cancer diagnoses decreased by 15.9%, CRC by 11.9% and pancreatic by 9.9%. CRC distributions showed significant differences between all years, stomach cancer between 2018 and 2020 and 2019–2020, and pancreatic cancer only between 2017 and 2019. The 2019–2020 comparison showed fewer CRC diagnoses in the North (-13.7%), Center (-16.5%) and South (-4.1%), fewer stomach cancers in the North (-19.0%) and South (-9.4%), and fewer pancreatic cancers in the North (-14.1%) and Center (-4.7%), with an increase in the South (+12.3%). Distributions of CRC and gastric cancer were significantly different between all years in the North.
This survey highlights the concerning effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnostic yield of gastroenterology services for stomach, colorectal and pancreatic cancers in Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for hospitalized patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). However, whether the addition/continuation of ...5-aminosalicylates (5ASA) with corticosteroids during hospitalization is superior to corticosteroids alone is unknown
METHODS
This was a randomized controlled investigator-blinded clinical trial conducted in ten centers in six countries. Patients hospitalized with ASUC (Lichtiger score ≥10) were eligible. Patients received corticosteroids alone or corticosteroid+5ASA (4gr/day mesalamine) by a stratified randomization according to 5ASA use prior to admission. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who responded to treatment by day 7, defined by a drop>3 points in the Lichtiger score and an absolute score<10 without the need for rescue medications or colectomy.
RESULTS
346 patients were screened and 149 were included (70/149 females, median age 41). Of these, 73 received corticosteriods+5ASA and 76 corticosteroids alone. For the primary outcome, 53/73 (72.6%) of patients receiving corticosteroids with 5ASA responded versus 58/76 (76.3%) of patients on corticosteroids alone (OR 0.82 95%CI 0.39-1.72, p=0.60). There was no difference between groups in duration of hospitalization or CRP normalization rate. Colectomy rate up to day 90 was similar, but the need for biologics among patients receiving combination corticosteroids with 5ASA was numerically lower by day 30 (p=0.11) and day 90 (p=0.07).
CONCLUSION
In this randomized controlled trial, combination 5ASA with corticosteroids did not benefit hospitalized patients with ASUC more than corticosteroids alone. An exploratory finding of a reduced need for biologics at 90 days in the combination group merits further evaluation.
Introduction and Aims:
As inflammatory bowel diseases IBD affect female patients almost exclusively during their reproductive age, issues related to fertility, fecundity, pregnancy, delivery, and ...lactation are of utmost importance. Lack of education and misconceptions regarding the effect of disease and/or treatment on reproductive outcome may lead to voluntary childlessness and/or development of unwanted cervical pathologies which may impact tremendously on patients’ welfare and quality of life. The aims of this study were to assess the perspectives of IBD patients on fertility, pregnancy and its outcomes, and lactation, as well as their awareness of human papillomavirus HPV-related pathologies and screening for cervical cancer.
Methods:
This prospective study was performed across nine different Mediterranean IBD centres between 2014 and 2015 and included consecutive female IBD patients between the ages of 16 and 50 years. All patients responded to a questionnaire based on ECCO guidelines.
Results:
A total of 348 IBD female patients with a mean age of 37.4 (standard deviation SD ± 2.1) years were recruited; 50% had a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, 49.4% had Crohn`s disease, and 0.6% patients had a diagnosis of indeterminate colitis IC. A significant proportion of patients > 60% were afraid that IBD may lead to a complicated pregnancy and that the disease itself and/or its medications can cause fetal harm. Patients had similar concerns that IBD can be transmitted to their offspring as well as with regard to breastfeeding. Counselling from health care professionals with regard to fertility, pregnancy, and lactation was associated positively with the highest number of pregnancies and inversely with the lowest number of patients who considered voluntary childlessness p < 0.0001. Patients with a higher level of education were more likely to get pregnant p = 0.004. There was a low uptake of the HPV vaccine. However, there was a reasonably good uptake of cervical cancer screening.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrates that women with IBD have misperceptions about fertility, pregnancy, and health maintenance. We also show that education by physicians has a positive influence. We thus conclude that improved multidisciplinary approaches should be used to educate and implement European guidelines for women with IBD.
Correct definition of the level of risk of invasive fungal infections is the first step in improving the targeting of preventive strategies. We investigated the potential relationship between ...pre-hospitalization exposure to sources of fungi and the development of invasive fungal infections in adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia after their first course of chemotherapy. From January 2010 to April 2012, all consecutive acute myeloid leukemia patients in 33 Italian centers were prospectively registered. Upon first admission, information about possible pre-chemotherapy risk factors and environmental exposure was collected. We recorded data regarding comorbid conditions, employment, hygienic habits, working and living environment, personal habits, hobbies, and pets. All invasive fungal infections occurring within 30 days after the first course of chemotherapy were recorded. Of the 1,192 patients enrolled in this study, 881 received intensive chemotherapy and were included in the present analysis. Of these, 214 developed an invasive fungal infection, including 77 proven/probable cases (8.7%). Of these 77 cases, 54 were proven/probable invasive mold infections (6.1%) and 23 were proven yeast infections (2.6%). Upon univariate analysis, a significant association was found between invasive mold infections and age, performance status, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking, cocaine use, job, hobbies, and a recent house renovation. Higher body weight resulted in a reduced risk of invasive mold infections. Multivariate analysis confirmed the role of performance status, job, body weight, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and house renovation. In conclusion, several hospital-independent variables could potentially influence the onset of invasive mold infections in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Investigation of these factors upon first admission may help to define a patient's risk category and improve targeted prophylactic strategies. (Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT01315925)
Biopsychosocial models for both organic and functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can be found in the literature. To clarify the role of psychopathological factors and their relationship with GI ...symptom severity, several studies have examined them in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - occasionally distinguishing between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) - and in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leading to unclear results.
We aimed to evaluate the psychopathological features of IBD and IBS patients in comparison with healthy individuals and assess the association with disease severity.
Sixty-nine IBD outpatients, of which 35 UC and 34 CD, and 75 IBS ones were consecutively recruited at the third level Gastroenterological Center of our University Hospital; 76 healthy controls were also recruited. The psychological status was assessed with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R).
IBD and IBS patients showed significantly higher scores on the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI) and subscales than controls (all p-values<0.001), and IBS patients showed significantly higher GSI, depression, and anxiety scores than IBD patients (all p-values<0.01). Psychopathology was comparable between UC and CD patients. In IBD and IBS patients the SCL-90-R GSI was significantly associated with disease severity (p<0.001).
The presence of chronic bowel symptoms, either organic or functional, is linked to a greater severity of psychopathology compared to the general population, possibly as a consequence of higher loads of stress due to the symptoms affecting everyday life. In both IBD and IBS patients, greater disease severity and worse psychopathological functioning are related.
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