Infliximab for anoperineal lesions in Crohn's disease: remission appears to be based on rapid combination therapy at high doses

Study Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare in real life the characteristics of treatment with infliximab according to the presence or absence of anoperineal involvement in Crohn's disease. Methods: We performed a single-center, prospective, non-interventional study, on patients with Crohn's disease in remission who had been treated with infliximab for at least 1 year. Patients with poor treatment compliance, on antibiotics, or those with a stoma were excluded. Results: We included 52 patients in this study: 34 with anoperineal lesions with or without luminal lesions, and 18 with luminal lesions only. Patients with anoperineal lesions were more likely to have undergone surgery (70.6% versus 38.9%, p = 0.027), had a shorter median time to infliximab treatment initiation (0.5 versus 5.5 years, p = 0.005), a higher mean dose of infliximab (6.6 versus 5.1 mg/kg, p = 0.015), and were more likely to receive combination treatments including infliximab (52.9% versus 11.1%, p = 0.008) than patients with luminal involvement only. Conclusions In our study, infliximab treatment was initiated more quickly, at higher doses, and more in combination therapy for anoperineal Crohn's disease than for luminal damage alone. Additional studies are required to confirm this finding and to assess the tolerance of this treatment throughout patient management. (AU)

Lessons from the first 70 patients operated by doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy in a French team specialising in surgical proctology / Lições dos primeiros 70 pacientes operados por ligadura de artéria hemorroidária guiada por doppler com mucopexia por uma equipe francesa especializada em proctologia cirúrgica

ABSTRACT Background: Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy is a minimal-invasive surgical technique. It is both effective and less painful than conventional haemorrhoidectomy. Methods: We gathered records on all patients operated on between November 2012 and June 2014. Pre- and postoperative scores were calculated during consultation and then by phone. Unsuccessful surgical treatment was defined by persistent haemorrhoid symptoms within three months following the procedure and relapse defined by recurrent symptoms after the third postoperative month. Results: During the period analysed, 70 patients underwent consecutive surgical procedures for haemorrhoid prolapse (52%), bleeding (29%), or both (17%). Hospitalisation was outpatient or overnight for 87% of patients. There were no complications in 92.7% of cases. The average period away from work was 11 days (± 6.5). The time between the procedure and last postoperative consultation, followed by telephone contact, was respectively 2.7 months (± 5.8) and 16.5 months (± 4.9). At the time of the postoperative telephone call, the Thaha et al. score decreased by 5.6 (p < 0.001), while the quality of life score decreased by 2 (p < 0.001). The Wexner score remained the same or improved for all patients except one. Treatment was unsuccessful for 6/67 patients (9%) and 10/61 patients (16.4%) experienced a subsequent recurrence in haemorrhoid symptoms. Only those over 51 years old were statistically associated with more frequent recurrences (p = 0.044). Conclusion: Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy is an effective technique in the medium-term. Good tolerance in makes this treatment an attractive alternative to conventional haemorrhoidectomy.

RESUMO Experiência: A ligação de artéria hemorroidária com mucopexia orientada por Doppler é técnica cirúrgica minimamente invasiva. Esse procedimento é efetivo e menos doloroso do que a hemorroidectomia convencional. Métodos: Reunimos os prontuários de todos os pacientes operados entre novembro de 2012 e junho de 2014. Foram calculados escores pré-operatórios e pós-operatórios durante as consultas e, em seguida, por telefone. Tratamento cirúrgico malsucedido foi definido como a persistência dos sintomas de hemorroidas dentro de três meses após o procedimento, e recidiva foi definida por sintomas recorrentes depois do terceiro mês do pós-operatório. Resultados: Durante o período analisado, 70 pacientes passaram por procedimentos cirúrgicos consecutivos para prolapso de hemorroida (52%), sangramento (29%), ou ambos (17%). Para 87% dos pacientes, a hospitalização foi ambulatorial ou de pernoite. Não ocorreram complicações em 92,7% dos casos. O período médio de absenteísmo foi de 11 ± 6,5 dias. Os tempos transcorridos entre o procedimento e a última consulta no pós-operatório, seguida pelo contato telefônico, foram de respectivamente 2,7 ± 5,8 meses e 16,5 ± 4,9 meses. Por ocasião do contato telefônico no pós-operatório, o escore de Thaha et al. diminuiu em 5,6 pontos (p < 0,001), enquanto o escore de qualidade de vida diminuiu em 2 pontos (p < 0,001). O escore de Wexner permaneceu igual ou melhorou para todos os pacientes, exceto um. O tratamento não obteve sucesso para 6/67 pacientes (9%); e 10/61 pacientes (16,4%) sofreram uma subsequente recorrência nos sintomas hemorroidários. Apenas aqueles participantes com mais de 51 anos demonstraram associação estatística com recorrências mais frequentes (p = 0,044). Conclusão: A ligação de artéria hemorroidária com mucopexia orientada por Doppler é técnica efetiva no meio termo. A boa tolerância faz com que esse tratamento seja uma alternativa efetiva à hemorroidectomia convencional.