ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) has been related to an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicide risk (SR). However, the nature of their relationship still deserves clarification. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients with CD, and to investigate the relationship between MDD and CD outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving CD patients was performed. CD activity was evaluated by the Harvey-Bradshaw index and CD phenotype by the Montreal classification. The presence of MDD was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire score-9 (PHQ-9). Sociodemographic data and other characteristics were retrieved from electronic medical records. Results: 283 patients with CD were included. The prevalence of MDD was 41.7%. Females had a risk of MDD 5.3 times greater than males. CD disease duration was inversely correlated with MDD severity. Individuals with active CD were more likely to have MDD (OR = 796.0; 95% CI 133.7‒4738.8) than individuals with CD remission. MDD was more prevalent in inflammatory behavior (45.5%) and there were no statistical differences regarding the disease location. 19.8% of the sample scored positive for SR. Conclusion: The present results support data showing an increased prevalence of MDD in individuals with CD. Additionally, it indicates that MDD in CD might be related to the activity of CD. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results and to address whether MDD leads to CD activity, CD activity leads to MDD or both ways are existent.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Background Behçet's disease is a rare immune-mediated disorder that can affect the gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence and extension of small bowel involvement is largely unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the small bowel lesions diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and to verify if these findings were associated to the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and disease activity after long-term follow-up. Methods This study included 19 Behçet's disease patients who underwent DBE. After a mean follow-up of 15 years the endoscopic findings were associated to the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, disease activity and current therapy through collection of electronic medical records. Results A total of 63.2% patients were female and the mean age was 37 years at the time of DBE. Mean disease duration at baseline was 24 years. 11 patients had no gastrointestinal symptoms and eight patients presented either abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding or diarrhea. The average procedure time was 1 hour and 30 minutes and the ileum was achieved in all patients but one. Small bowel ulcers were diagnosed in 78.9%, with 63.1% of jejunal involvement. Two patients presented only small bowel edema and two were normal by DBE. Eight patients had concomitant gastric ulcers. Gastrointestinal symptoms prior to DBE were present in 36.8% of the patients and, after follow-up, all of them persisted with some of the symptoms. Bleeding was reported by three patients at baseline and persisted in only one patient. The frequency of treatment with steroids and immunomodulators was 31.6% and 57.9% at baseline, respectively, and 21% in both at the end of the follow-up. No patient was treated with biologics at the time of the DBE procedure and the current rate of biologic use is 21%. Conclusion Small bowel involvement in Behçet's disease was frequently demonstrated by DBE even in asymptomatic patients. Understanding clinical evolution of the disease over the years and the impact of such diagnosis still represents a challenge, possibly with the need for novel treatment.
RESUMO Contexto A doença de Behçet é uma doença imunomediada rara que pode afetar o trato gastrointestinal. A prevalência e extensão do envolvimento do intestino delgado é desconhecida. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as lesões do intestino delgado diagnosticadas por enteroscopia de duplo balão (EDB) e verificar se esses achados estavam associados à presença de sintomas gastrointestinais e atividade da doença após seguimento de longo prazo. Métodos Este estudo incluiu 19 pacientes com doença de Behçet que foram submetidos a EDB. Após seguimento médio de 15 anos, os achados endoscópicos foram associados à presença de sintomas gastrointestinais, atividade da doença e terapia atual por meio de coleta de prontuário eletrônico. Resultados Um total de 63,2% dos pacientes eram do sexo feminino e a média de idade era de 37 anos no momento da EDB. A duração média da doença no início do estudo foi de 24 anos. 11 pacientes não apresentaram sintomas gastrointestinais e oito pacientes apresentaram dor abdominal, sangramento gastrointestinal ou diarréia. O tempo médio do procedimento foi de 1 hora e 30 minutos e o íleo foi atingido em todos os pacientes, exceto em um. Úlceras de intestino delgado foram diagnosticadas em 78,9%, sendo 63,1% de acometimento jejunal. Dois pacientes apresentaram apenas edema de intestino delgado e dois apresentaram EDB normais. Oito pacientes tinham úlceras gástricas concomitantes. Sintomas gastrointestinais prévios à EDB estavam presentes em 36,8% dos pacientes e, após o seguimento, todos persistiram com alguns dos sintomas. Sangramento foi relatado por três pacientes no início do estudo e persistiu em apenas um paciente. A frequência de tratamento com esteroides e imunomoduladores foi de 31,6% e 57,9% no início do estudo, respectivamente, e 21% em ambos ao final do seguimento. Nenhum paciente foi tratado com biológicos no momento da EDB e a taxa atual de uso de biológicos é de 21%. Conclusão O envolvimento do intestino delgado na doença de Behçet foi frequentemente demonstrado por EDB mesmo em pacientes assintomáticos. Compreender a evolução clínica da doença ao longo dos anos e o impacto de tal diagnóstico ainda representa um desafio, possivelmente com a necessidade de novos tratamentos.