Terapia biológica na doença de Crohn: quando iniciar? / Biologic therapy for Crohn's disease: when to initiate?

A doença de Crohn se caracteriza como uma doença inflamatória, que acomete qualquer porção do trato gastrintestinal, resultante da desrregulação imunológica, gerenciada por fatores endógenos e exógenos. As formas de abordagem terapêutica da doença variam conforme sua apresentação clínica e gravidade, bem como o impacto na qualidade de vida do portador. A terapia biológica vem se tornando uma das principais classes utilizadas no contexto desta enfermidade, mas não está claro quando deve ser iniciada ou em que momento a própria doença deve ser considerada moderada ou grave. Sua forma de apresentação multiforme dificulta a classificação dos pacientes nestes grupos. Neste trabalho, foi realizada revisão de literatura sobre a introdução de terapia biológica como tratamento da doença inflamatória intestinal em curso. (AU)

Crohn's Disease (CD) is an inflammatory disease that can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by immune dysregulation, managed by endogenous and exogenous factors. The forms of therapeutic approach of the disease vary significantly according to its clinical presentation and severity, as well as to the impact on patient's quality of life. Biologic therapy has become one of the main classes used in the context of this disease; however, when it should be initiated or at what time the disease itself should be considered moderate or severe is not clear. Its multiform presentation makes it difficult to classify patients in these groups. In this work, a literature review was carried out about the introduction of the biologic therapy as a treatment of the ongoing inflammatory bowel disease. (AU)

Calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: Hospital Central Universitario Dr. Antonio María Pineda / Quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Hospital Central Universitario Dr. Antonio María Pineda

La Enfermedad Inflamatoria Intestinal (EII) es una enfermedad que impacta negativamente la calidad de vida del paciente viéndose limitados para realizar sus actividades diarias más comunes. Se realizó un estudio transversal, prospectivo, a través de la aplicación del cuestionario IBDQ ­ 32 a 56 pacientes cuyo objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de vida en pacientes con EII del Servicio de Gastroenterología del Departamento de Medicina del Hospital Central Universitario Dr. Antonio María Pineda de Barquisimeto, estado Lara. Los resultados indican que aun cuando los pacientes están bajo tratamiento 1:4 manifiestan dolor abdominal y diarrea, más de la mitad persiste con un patrón evacuatorio anormal, 1:3 tiene síntomas dispépticos y 1:6 refiere distensión abdominal. Más de la mitad de los pacientes presentan rectorragia en intensidad variable. Por otra parte, 1 de cada 4 pacientes manifiestan a veces emociones de frustración, impaciencia e inquietud, 26,8% de los pacientes sienten desánimo frente a su enfermedad y 23,2% manifiestan mal humor; el 17,9% de los pacientes manifiesta síntomas sugestivos de depresión. En conclusión, se puede considerar que las EII son enfermedades que generan limitación y discapacidad disminuyendo la calidad de vida del paciente(AU)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) negatively affects the quality of life of the patient with limitations in their daily activities. A prospective transversal study was performed in 56 patients through the application of the IBDQ ­ 32 questionnaire in order to evaluate quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease of the Servicio de Gastroenterología, Department of Medicine, Hospital Central Universitario Dr. Antonio María Pineda of Barquisimeto, Lara state. The results show that in treated, controlled, patients, 1 out of 4 have abdominal pain and diarrhea, more than half have rectal evacuatory dysfunction, 1 out of 3 have dyspeptic symptoms and 1 out of 6 complain of abdominal distension. More than half have rectorrhagia of variable intensity. 25% of patients sometimes feel frustration, impatience and restlessness, 26.8% feel discouragement towards the disease and 23.2% show moodiness; 17.9% of patients show symptoms suggestive of depression. IBD is a group of diseases that generate limitation and disability diminishing the quality of life of patients(AU)

Manifestações clínicas iniciais em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal / The onset of clinical manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease patients

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is often delayed because of the lack of an ability to recognize its major clinical manifestations. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to describe the onset of clinical manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Investigators obtained data from interviews and the medical records of inflammatory bowel disease patients from a reference centre located in Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 306 patients were included. The mean time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 28 months for Crohn's disease and 19 months for ulcerative colitis. The main clinical manifestations in Crohn's disease patients were weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and asthenia. The most relevant symptoms in ulcerative colitis patients were blood in the stool, faecal urgency, diarrhoea, mucus in the stool, weight loss, abdominal pain and asthenia. It was observed that weight loss, abdominal pain and distension, asthenia, appetite loss, anaemia, insomnia, fever, nausea, perianal disease, extraintestinal manifestation, oral thrush, vomiting and abdominal mass were more frequent in Crohn's patients than in ulcerative colitis patients. The frequencies of urgency, faecal incontinence, faeces with mucus and blood, tenesmus and constipation were higher in ulcerative colitis patients than in Crohn's disease patients. The mean time from the onset of clinical symptoms to the diagnosis of Crohn's disease was 37 months for patients with ileocolonic location, 26 months for patients with ileum location and 18 months for patients with colon location. In ulcerative colitis patients, the mean time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 52 months for proctitis, 12 months for left-sided colitis and 12 months for extensive colitis. CONCLUSION: Ulcerative colitis presented a high frequency of intestinal symptoms, and Crohn's disease showed a high frequency of systemic manifestations at the onset of manifestation. There was a long delay in diagnosis, but individuals with more extensive disease and more obvious symptoms showed a shorter delay.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: O diagnóstico da doença inflamatória intestinal é frequentemente retardado pela falta de capacidade para reconhecer as suas principais manifestações clínicas. OBJETIVO: Nosso estudo teve como objetivo descrever as manifestações clínicas iniciais em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal. Os pesquisadores obtiveram dados por entrevistas e registros médicos de pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal em um centro de referência localizado na Bahia. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 306 pacientes. O tempo entre o início dos sintomas e o diagnóstico foi de 28 (±48) meses para doença de Crohn e 19 (±46) meses para colite ulcerativa. O tempo médio desde o início dos sintomas clínicos até o diagnóstico de doença de Crohn foi de 37 meses para pacientes com localização do ileocolon, 26 meses para a localização do íleo e 18 meses para a localização do cólon. Nos doentes com colite ulcerativa, o tempo médio desde o início dos sintomas até ao diagnóstico foi de 52 meses para proctite, 12 meses para colite no lado esquerdo e 12 meses para colite extensa. As principais manifestações clínicas em pacientes com doença de Crohn foram perda de peso, dor abdominal, diarreia e astenia. Os sintomas mais relevantes da colite ulcerativa foram sangue nas fezes, urgência fecal, diarreia, muco nas fezes, perda de peso, dor abdominal e astenia. Observou-se que a perda de peso, dor abdominal e distensão, astenia, perda de apetite, anemia, insônia, febre, náusea, doença perianal, manifestação extraintestinal, afta oral, vômitos e massa abdominal foram mais frequentes na doença de Crohn. A frequência de urgência e incontinência fecal, fezes com muco e sangue, tenesmo e constipação foram maiores na colite ulcerativa. CONCLUSÃO: A colite ulcerativa apresentou alta frequência de sintomas intestinais e a doença de Crohn mostrou alta frequência de manifestações sistêmicas. Houve um grande atraso no diagnóstico, mas indivíduos com doença mais extensa e sintomas mais exuberantes mostraram um atraso menor.

Doença inflamatória do intestino: impacto no score da qualidade de vida, depressão e ansiedade em pacientes atendidos em um centro de atendimento terciário no Brasil / Inflammatory bowel disease: impact on scores of quality of life, depression and anxiety in patients attending a tertiary care center in brazil

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease frequently affects patients at working age, compromising their quality of life in several levels: physical, psychological, familial and social. Few studies have evaluated the impact of Inflammatory bowel disease on quality of life, anxiety and depression in Brazilian patients. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate quality of life and its correlation with psychological aspects of patients with inflammatory bowel disease through the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. METHODS: Cross-sectional study; Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, Short Form-36 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were applied to consecutive outpatients in a tertiary referral center for inflammatory bowel disease. Harvey-Bradshaw Index and Truelove scores were used to evaluate Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis activity. Sample calculation: 113 patients for a significance level of 5%, power of 90% and a correlation coefficient of at least 0.3 between scales. Statistical analysis: Student-t test, Pearson and Spearman correlations. RESULTS: One hundred twenty patients participated in the study; mean age: 41.7 years; female: 58.3%; Crohn's Disease: 69 patients. No low scores for quality of life were found across the four Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire domains; the Short Form-36 showed low scores in physical limitations (47.2±42.4) and emotional aspects (49.8±43.4); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score presented a mean of 9.5±2.7 for anxiety and 8.7±2.0 for depression. Quality of life was decreased and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale did show increased indices of anxiety and depression, in both diseases only when clinically active. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale showed that outpatients of a tertiary care center for inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil presented good quality of life. The worst quality of life was associated with the intensity of the disease activity.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença inflamatória do intestino afeta frequentemente os pacientes em idade de trabalho, comprometendo a qualidade de vida em vários níveis: físico, psicológico, familiar e social. Poucos estudos avaliaram o impacto da doença inflamatória do intestino na qualidade de vida, ansiedade e depressão em pacientes brasileiros. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida e sua correlação com os aspectos psicológicos dos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal através do Questionário da Doença Inflamatória do Intestino e da Escala de Ansiedade e Depressão Hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, com uma amostra de pacientes consecutivos, nos quais foram aplicados os questionários de perguntas fechadas sobre Qualidade de Vida através dos questionários: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey 36; e ansiedade e depressão: Hospital Anxiety and Depression em suas versões validadas para a língua portuguesa praticada no Brasil. Foram aplicados em pacientes ambulatoriais consecutivos em um centro de referência terciária para doença inflamatória intestinal. Os índices Harvey-Bradshaw Index e Truelove foram utilizados para avaliar a doença de Crohn e a atividade da colite ulcerativa. Cálculo da amostra: 113 pacientes para um nível de significância de 5%, força de 90% e um coeficiente de correlação de pelo menos 0,3 entre as escalas. Análise estatística: teste Student-t, correlações Pearson e Spearman. RESULTADOS: Cento e vinte pacientes participaram do estudo; idade média: 41,7 anos; feminino: 58,3%; doença de Crohn: 69 pacientes. Não foram encontrados escores baixos para a qualidade de vida nos quatro domínios do questionário da Inflammatory Bowel Disease; O Short-Form-36 mostrou baixa pontuação em limitações físicas (47,2±42,4) e aspectos emocionais (49,8±43,4); O índice da escala Hospital Anxiety and Depression apresentou uma média de 9,5±2,7 para ansiedade e 8,7±2,0 para depressão. A qualidade de vida foi diminuída e a Hospital Anxiety and Depression mostrou índices aumentados de ansiedade e depressão, em ambas as doenças somente quando clinicamente ativo. CONCLUSÃO: O questionário da Inflammatory Bowel Disease e a Escala de Hospital Anxiety and Depression mostraram que os pacientes ambulatoriais de um centro de cuidados terciários para doença inflamatória do intestino no Brasil apresentaram boa qualidade de vida. A pior qualidade de vida foi associada à intensidade da atividade da doença.

Impact of biological therapy on body composition of patients with Chron's disease / Impacto da terapia biológica em portadores de doença de Crohn: Um estudo prospectivo

Summary Introduction: Protein-energy malnutrition in Crohn's disease (CD) has been reported in 20 to 92% of patients, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and higher costs for the health system. Anti-TNF drugs are a landmark in the clinical management, promoting prolonged remission in patients with CD. It is believed that the remission of this disease leads to nutritional recovery. The effect of biological therapy on body composition and nutritional status is unclear. Method: Prospective study of body assessment by bioelectrical impedance method in patients with moderate to severe CD undergoing treatment with infliximab. The main outcome was the body composition before and after 6 months of anti-TNF therapy. Results: There was a predominance of females (52%) with a mean age of 42±12 years. Most patients were eutrophic at baseline and remained so. There was an increase in all parameters of body composition after anti-TNF treatment: BMI (22.9±3.2 versus 25±3.8; p=0.005), waist circumference (88.1±6.7 versus 93.9±7.7; p=0.002), lean mass index (17.5±2.2 versus 18.2±2.3; p=0.000) and fat mass index (5.5±2.3 versus 6.8±2.3; p=0.000). Phase angle remained unchanged (6.2 versus 6.8; p=0.94). Conclusion: After therapy with IFX, all components of body composition increased, except for phase angle. The substantial increase in fat mass index and waist circumference led to concern regarding cardiovascular risk and, thus, to the need for further studies.

Resumo Introdução: Desnutrição proteico-calórica em pacientes de doença de Crohn (DC) tem sido relatada em 20 a 92% dos casos associando-se a maior morbimortalidade e maiores custos para o sistema de saúde. Agentes anti-TNF são um marco no controle clínico, promovendo remissão prolongada em portadores de DC. Acredita-se que a remissão da doença leve à recuperação nutricional desses pacientes. O efeito da terapia biológica na composição corporal e no estado nutricional é pouco conhecido. Método: Estudo prospectivo de avaliação corporal por método de bioimpedância em portadores de DC moderada a grave submetidos a terapia com infliximabe (IFX). O desfecho principal foi a composição corporal antes e após 6 meses de terapia anti-TNF. Resultados: Houve predomínio do sexo feminino (52%), com média de idades de 42±12 anos. A maioria dos pacientes era eutrófica na inclusão do estudo e assim permaneceu. Houve aumento de todos os parâmetros da composição corporal após o tratamento anti-TNF: IMC (22,9±3,2 versus 25±3,8; p=0,005), circunferência abdominal (88,1±6,7 versus 93,9±7,7; p=0,002), índice de massa magra (17,5±2,2 versus 18,2±2,3; p=0,000) e índice de massa gorda (5,5±2,3 versus 6,8±2,3; p=0,000). O ângulo de fase manteve-se inalterado (6,2 versus 6,8; p=0,94). Conclusão: Após terapia com IFX, observou-se aumento de todos os componentes da composição corporal, exceto no ângulo de fase. O aumento substancial do índice de massa gorda e da circunferência abdominal levantam a preocupação de aumento nos riscos cardiovasculares e necessidade de estudos complementares.

Bone mineral density and inflammatory bowel disease severity

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). In this study, the association between disease severity and BMD in patients with IBD was evaluated. Associations between BMD and the Montreal classification, disease activity and drug therapy were also tested. A cross-sectional prevalence study with a comparison group was conducted. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were evaluated: 68 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 60 with Crohn's disease (CD). The control group consisted of 67 healthy subjects. All patients and controls had BMD measured and in IBD patients, current medications, hospitalization, and disease location, extent and phenotype, according to the Montreal classification, were recorded. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to evaluate categorical variables. In the CD group, most patients were diagnosed between 17-40 years of age. Ileocolonic and non-stricturing non-penetrating disease were the most frequent disease location and behavior, respectively. In UC patients, extensive colitis was the most frequent disease location. UC and CD patients were more likely to have osteopenia than controls (OR=14.93/OR=24.38, respectively). In the CD group, male patients, perianal disease, penetrating behavior and age at diagnosis >40 years were associated with low BMD. Taking azathioprine and infliximab also seemed to be associated with osteopenia. In the UC group, we observed an association between low BMD and male patients, left colitis, corticosteroid use and hospitalization. Disease activity was not associated with osteopenia or osteoporosis in CD and UC patients. Disease severity seems to be associated with osteopenia in IBD patients.

Calidad del sueño en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Sleep quality in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Although inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) etiology is still unknown, genetic, environmental and immunological factors are implicated. Studies have considered quality of sleep as a risk factor in IBD course. Objective: To determine sleep quality in IBD patients, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and healthy controls (HC). Methods: Cross sectional study assessing sleep quality in adult patients with IBD, IBS and HC. All patients answered a validated Spanish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire in order to evaluate sleep quality. A PSQI global score > 5 is indicative of poor sleep quality. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed. Results: The study included 276 patients, 111 with IBD, 85 with IBS and 80 HC. A PSQI score > 5 was observed in 67 percent of IBD and IBS patients and 55 percent of HC. IBD and IBS patients exhibited poorer sleep quality than HC, although results did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.069 and p = 0.076, respectively). In IBD patients, an association between disease activity and sleep quality was observed (p = 0.025). However, when analyzing separately patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn ́s Disease (CD), only in UC patients sleep quality was related with disease activity. The use of sleep medications was significantly higher in IBD and IBS patients compared with healthy controls (p = 0.021 and p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are frequent in IBD, IBS patients and even healthy controls. Additionally, IBD patients with active disease, particularly those with UC, exhibit worse sleep quality.

Aunque la etiología de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) es aún desconocida, factores genéticos, ambientales e inmunológicos estarían implicados. Estudios han considerado la calidad del sueño como un factor de riesgo en la evolución de la EII. Objetivo: Determinar la calidad del sueño en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII), síndrome intestino irritable (SII) y controles sanos (CS). Métodos:Estudio transversal en pacientes adultos con EII, SII y CS. Se evaluó la calidad del sueño mediante el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP), siendo una puntuación global > 5 indicativa de mala calidad del sueño. Variables demográficas y clínicas fueron evaluadas. Resultados:Se incluyeron 276 pacientes, 111 con EII, 85 SII y 80 CS. ICSP > 5 fue observado en 67 por ciento de los pacientes con EII y SII, y 55 por ciento de los CS. Los pacientes con EII y SII mostraron una peor calidad del sueño comparado con CS sin alcanzar significancia estadística (p: 0,069 y p: 0,076, respectivamente). En los pacientes con EII, se observó una asociación entre actividad de la enfermedad y calidad del sueño (p: 0,025). Sin embargo, al analizar por diagnóstico específico, sólo pacientes con colitis ulcerosa (CU) presentaron esta asociación. El uso de medicamentos para dormir fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con EII y SII comparado con CS (p: 0,021 y p: 0,009, respectivamente). Conclusión:Los trastornos del sueño son frecuentes en pacientes con EII, SII e incluso CS. Pacientes con EII activa, en particular aquellos con CU, presentaron una peor calidad del sueño.

GENDER-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN CLINICAL COURSE OF CROHN?S DISEASE IN AN ASIAN POPULATION: a retrospective cohort review / Diferenças relativas aos sexos no curso clínico da doença de Crohn em uma população da Ásia: uma revisão de coorte retrospectivo.

Context Data from Asian populations about gender-related differences in Crohn’s disease are few. Objectives This study was to analyze the clinical characteristics between women and men affected by Crohn’s disease. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study to analyze consecutive Crohn’s disease patients from Jan 2000 to Dec 2012. Clinical and phenotypic characteristics and treatment outcomes were evaluated. Results 79 patients (55 male and two of them with positive family history) were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Ileocolonic disease and inflammatory lesion was the most dominant site of involvement and disease behavior respectively in both men and women. Apart from higher frequency of nausea (45.83 vs 23.64%, P 0.024) and lower body mass index (19.44 vs 22.03 kg/m2, P 0.003) reported in women, no significant gender-related differences in clinical characteristics were observed. Women were more associated with delay use of immunosuppressive therapy (12 vs 36 months, P = 0.028), particularly for those aged less than 40 years old (85 vs 62.6%, P = 0.023). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that active smoking (HR, 4.679; 95% CI, 1.03-21.18) and delayed use of immunosuppressive therapy (HR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.01-16.88) were only independent risk factors associated with increased risk of complications. Conclusions There were no significant gender-specific differences in clinical and phenotypic characteristics between male and female Crohn’s disease patients. Smoking history and delay use of immunosuppressive therapy were associated with higher risk of complications. .

Contexto Os dados de populações asiáticas sobre as diferenças de gênero em doença de Crohn são poucos. Objetivos Este estudo analisou as características clínicas entre mulheres e homens afetados pela doença de Crohn. Métodos Estudo ininterrupto de coorte retrospectivo para analisar pacientes com doença de Crohn a partir de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2012. Foram avaliadas as características clínicas e fenotípicas e os resultados do tratamento. Resultados Foram diagnosticados 79 pacientes (55 do sexo masculino, sendo 2 deles com história familiar positiva). A lesão inflamatória e a localização ileocolônica foram a apresentação mais comum para ambos os sexos. Além da alta frequência de náusea (45,83% vs 23,64%, P = 0,024) e baixo índice de massa corporal (19,44 vs 22,03 kg/m2, P = 0,003) relatado em mulheres, há diferenças significativas relacionadas com o gênero nas características clínicas observadas. As mulheres foram mais associadas com o uso tardio de terapia com imunossupressor (12 vs 36 meses, P = 0,028), especialmente para aquelas com idade inferior à 40 anos (85% vs 62,6%, P = 0,023). A análise de regressão de riscos proporcionais de Cox revelou que o tabagismo ativo (taxa de risco 4,679, intervalo de confiança de 95%,1,03-21,18) e uso de terapia imunossupressora (taxa de risco 4,13, 95% e intervalo de confiança, 1,01-16,88) foram fatores de risco independentes associados ao aumento do risco de complicações. Conclusões Não houve diferenças significativas específicas de gêneros masculinos e femininos nas características clínicas e fenotípicas nos pacientes com doença de Crohn. História de tabagismo e uso tardio da terapia imunossupressora foram associados com maior risco de co...

Crohn's disease activity assessed by doppler sonography: the role of aortic flow parameters

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal neovascularization and abnormal abdominal arterial flow rates have been reported in Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate Doppler sonography as a method for assessing Crohn's disease activity based on changes in splanchnic hemodynamics. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with Crohn's disease, 22 healthy volunteers and 12 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were evaluated by Doppler ultrasound for flow parameters of the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. This evaluation included the cross-sectional area, maximum flow volume, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, resistance and the pulsatility index. Disease activity was classified according to the Crohn's disease activity index. RESULTS: Most measurements in the aorta and superior mesenteric artery were significantly different between Crohn's disease patients and both control groups. Only the aortic maximum flow volume (CC = 0.37, p = 0.009) and aortic peak systolic velocity (CC = 0.30, p = 0.035) showed a significant positive correlation with the Crohn's disease activity index. The determination of cut-off points for the aortic maximum flow volume and peak systolic velocity measurements increased the sensitivity (80 and 75% for flow volume and velocity, respectively), specificity (57 and 75%), accuracy (67 and 75%) and positive (57 and 68%) and negative (80 and 81%) predictive values. These cut-off values permitted the correct classification of most of the patients with Crohn's disease with respect to disease activity. None of the superior mesenteric artery measurements were able to discriminate patients in relation to disease activity. CONCLUSION: The aortic maximum flow volume and peak systolic velocity levels estimated by Doppler sonography reflected disease activity in Crohn's disease. Doppler sonography of the aorta is therefore a novel noninvasive adjunct method that may be ...

25 (OH) vitamin D level in Crohn’s disease: association with sun exposure & disease activity.

Background & objectives: Western studies show that up to 65 per cent of patients with Crohn’s disease have low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentrations, and 45 per cent of these patients have metabolic bone disease. No data are available from India or from any country with comparable climatic conditions or ethnicity. We carried out this study to measure the serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels of Crohn’s disease patients and compare with matched controls and to assess the consequences of low 25 (OH) vitamin D levels on bone and mineral metabolism in these patients. Methods: Adult patients with Crohn’s disease were compared with age and sex matched patients diagnosed to have irritable bowel syndrome. Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, the effect of disease characteristics, sunlight exposure and milk consumption on 25 (OH) vitamin D level, and the consequences of low 25 (OH) vitamin D level on bone and mineral metabolism were assessed. Results: Thirty four patients with Crohn’s disease (M:F, 24:10, age 39.2 ± 12.9 yr) and 34 controls (M:F, 24:10, age 38.9 ± 13.4 yr) were studied. 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with Crohn’s disease as compared to controls (Crohn’s disease vs controls: 16.3 ± 10.8 vs 22.8 ± 11.9 ng/ml; P<0.05). The severity of disease activity as assessed by the Harvey Bradshaw score correlated negatively (Correlation coefficient -0.484, significance P<0.004), and the duration of sunlight exposure correlated positively (Correlation coefficient 0.327, significance P=0.007) with the serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level. Interpretation & conclusions: Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were significantly lower among patients with Crohn’s disease as compared to age and sex matched controls. Further, 25 (OH) vitamin D levels in patients with Crohn’s disease were lower in those with severe disease activity and less sun exposure. Further studies need to be done to correlate low 25 (OH) vitamin D level with bone density and assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation in these patients.

Gut permeability to lactulose and mannitol differs in treated Crohn's disease and celiac disease patients and healthy subjects

The gut barrier monitors and protects the gastrointestinal tract from challenges such as microorganisms, toxins and proteins that could act as antigens. There is evidence that gut barrier dysfunction may act as a primary disease mechanism in intestinal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the barrier function towards sugars after the appropriate treatment of celiac disease and Crohn's disease patients and compare the results with those obtained with healthy subjects. Fifteen healthy volunteers, 22 celiac disease patients after 1 year of a gluten-free diet, and 31 Crohn's disease patients in remission were submitted to an intestinal permeability test with 6.0 g lactulose and 3.0 g mannitol. Six-hour urinary lactulose excretion in Crohn's disease patients was significantly higher than in both celiac disease patients (0.42 vs 0.15 percent) and healthy controls (0.42 vs 0.07 percent). Urinary lactulose excretion was significantly higher in celiac disease patients than in healthy controls (0.15 vs 0.07 percent). Urinary mannitol excretion in Crohn's disease patients was the same as healthy controls (21 vs 21 percent) and these values were significantly higher than in celiac disease patients (10.9 percent). The lactulose/mannitol ratio was significantly higher in Crohn's disease patients in comparison to celiac disease patients (0.021 vs 0.013) and healthy controls (0.021 vs 0.003) and this ratio was also significantly higher in celiac disease patients compared to healthy controls (0.013 vs 0.003). In spite of treatment, differences in sugar permeability were observed in both disease groups. These differences in the behavior of the sugar probes probably reflect different mechanisms for the alterations of intestinal permeability.

Curso terapêutica em gastroenterologia: aula 9: doença de crohn / Gastroenterology therapeutics course: class 9: crohn's disease

A doença de Crohn é uma doença intestinal inflamatória caracterizada por inflamação transmural e descontínua que pode acometer qualquer segmento do tubo digestivo, desde a boca até o ânus. Íleo terminal e cólon ascendente adjacente (ileocolite) são os principais locais acometidos, e os pacientes podem se apresentar com ulceração, estenose, formação de fístulas e abscesso. Em relação à terapêutica farmacológica, os aminossalicilatos e os corticosteróides são as drogas classicamente usadas, mas novos agentes farmacológicos estão sendo investigados e têm criado grande expectativa para um futuro bem próximo.

Avaliação da densidade mineral óssea em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal / Bone mineral density evaluation in inflammatory bowel disease patients

RACIONAL: Pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal têm maior prevalência de redução da densidade mineral óssea em comparação às pessoas saudáveis. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a densidade mineral óssea em uma população de pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal. MÉTODOS: Noventa pacientes de 20 a 50 anos de idade, do ambulatório de doença inflamatória intestinal do Serviço de Gastroenterologia do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, foram selecionados para avaliação. Desses, 76 completaram todas as etapas de avaliação. A densitometria foi realizada da coluna lombar e fêmur direito em aparelho Hologyc QDR 1000/W. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal tiveram significativa redução da densidade mineral óssea, avaliada por massa óssea em números absolutos (g/cm²), em todas as regiões avaliadas, colo do fêmur, fêmur total e coluna lombar. As variáveis analisadas como, índice de atividade de doença, uso de corticóide, cirurgias prévias, índice de massa corpórea e falta de atividade física, não demonstraram correlação com a massa óssea, ou seja, não influenciaram os resultados da densidade mineral óssea no grupo estudado de doentes com doença inflamatória intestinal. CONCLUSÃO: Densidade mineral óssea reduzida foi encontrada nos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal do Ambulatório de Doença Inflamatória Intestinal do Serviço de Gastroenterologia do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, mais pronunciadamente nos pacientes com doença de Crohn, semelhante ao descrito na literatura. Nenhuma das variáveis analisadas mostrou correlação com a densidade mineral óssea.

Enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales: experiencia de dos centros chilenos / Inflammatory bowel disease: experience of two chilean centers

Background: The incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has increased, particularly in the developed world, and probably also in Chile. Aim: To report our experience with a large group of patients from two medical centers, Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile (HCUCH) and Clinica Las Condes (CLC) and to characterize the clinical features of IBD in Chile. Patients and methods: Retrospective review of 238 patients with IBD (age range 14-78 years, 143 women) treated at HCUCH and CLC between January 1990 and August 2002. Results: One hundred eighty one patients had ulcerative colitis (UC) and 57 had Crohn's disease (CD), with an UC/CD ratio of 3.2/1. Forty eight percent of patients were aged between 20 and 39 years old and 69% were diagnosed after 1995. Patients from HCUCH had more severe disease, more complications and needed surgery more often. Conclusions: Clinical features of Chilean patients with IBD are similar to those of other countries. UC is more common than EC. There is a higher proportion of women with the disease. The severity of the disease was higher among HCUCH.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and analysis of induced sputum cells in Crohn's disease

With the aim of investigating the presence of latent inflammatory process in the lungs of patients with Crohn's disease, 15 patients with Crohn's disease were evaluated by spirometry, the methacholine challenge test, induced sputum, and skin tests for inhaled antigens. Serum IgE, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit were also determined. The patients were compared with 20 healthy controls by the Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact tests. Their respiratory physical examination was normal. None had a personal or family history of clinical atopy. None had a previous history of pulmonary disease, smoking or toxic bronchopulmonary exposure. None had sinusitis, migraine, diabetes mellitus, or cardiac failure. Four (26.6 percent) of the patients with Crohn's disease had a positive methacholine challenge test whereas none of the 20 controls had a positive methacholine test (P = 0.026, Fisher exact test). Patients with Crohn's disease had a higher level of lymphocytes in induced sputum than controls (mean 14.59 percent, range 3.2-50 vs 5.46 percent, 0-26.92 percent, respectively; P = 0.011, Mann-Whitney test). Patients with Crohn's disease and a positive methacholine challenge test had an even higher percentage of lymphocytes in induced sputum compared with patients with Crohn's disease and a negative methacholine test (mean 24.88 percent, range 12.87-50 vs 10.48 percent, 3.2-21.69 percent; P = 0.047, Mann-Whitney test). The simultaneous findings of bronchopulmonary lymphocytosis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with Crohn's disease were not reported up to now. These results suggest that patients with Crohn's disease present a subclinical inflammatory process despite the absence of pulmonary symptoms.

Doença de Crohn: estado atual da abordagem terapêutica clínica / Crohn's disease: actual state of clinical therapeutic approach

A doença de Crohn (DC) é uma enteropatia recorrente, espontânea, debilitante e de etiologia desconhecida. Sua farmacoterapia permaneceu relativamente inalterada nos últimos 20 anos, firmando-se no uso de medicamentos à base de ácido 5-aminossalicílico (5-ASA), corticosteróides, antibióticos e imunossupressores. Investigações recentes sobre a sua fisiopatologia têm produzido novas drogas e tratamentos. Esta revisäo aborda os agentes atualmente em uso e oferece um panorama das terapias em surgimento

Doença de Crohn na infância: relato de caso / CrohnÝs disease at the children

Desde sua caracterizaçäo clínica em 1932, a doença de Crohn tem sido objeto de inúmeros estudos e relatos e, a despeito deste interesse científico, muitos aspectos desta moléstia como sua etiologia, tratamento e prevençäo permanecem obscuros. É relatado o acompanhamento de uma criança com doença de Crohn, com evoluçäo arrastada, recidivante e refratária, que culminou, a despeito de todos os recursos clínicos utilizados, em óbito. Os autores tecem comentários sobre as opções terapêuticas e suas conseqüências alertando para a gravidade da doença nesta faixa etária