Appropriateness of routine pre-endoscopic SARS-CoV-2 screening with RT-PCR in asymptomatic individuals and its impact on delayed diagnosis.

AIMS: Endoscopy units are considered to be at an increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2. Our aim is to assess the correlation between pre-endoscopic screening with reverse-transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) in asymptomatic individuals scheduled for elective endoscopy and the epidemiological data published by the local Health Administration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study collecting the results of our screening strategy spanning June/2020-June/2021, the effective potential growth (EPG), an index measuring the outbreak risk, and the 7 and 14-day cumulative incidence (CI). Indication, delay and the findings of the endoscopic examinations were registered for RT-PCR positive patients. RESULTS: A total of 5808 tests were performed, yielding 125 positive results (2.15%). All positive tests occurred in weeks of high/very high risk (EPG>100) with the highest monthly rate being 9.36%, recorded in January/2021. A significant correlation (rho=0.796; p<0.001) between weekly positive rates and EPG was observed, and a significantly lower weekly number of positive tests was recorded when EPG<100. Planning the screening strategy one week ahead according to EPG>100 would have avoided up to 826 tests with only one positive result to account for. One hundred and thirteen individuals tested positive and 89 endoscopies were delayed. The most common findings were colon polyps, colorectal cancer and gastric metaplasia. Oncological diagnosis was delayed 50±3 days. CONCLUSIONS: No positive RT-PCR test were registered out of high-risk periods. Epidemiological administrative data in the preceding two weeks showed a significant correlation with screening results and could be useful to plan pre-endoscopic screening and avoid unnecessary tests.

The impact of COVID-19 on patients with IBD in a prospective European cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: There are concerns on the potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). AIM: To report the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in a European prospective cohort study of patients with IBD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively collected data from 5,457 patients with IBD nested in the ongoing I-CARE project and still followed up in April 2020, with monthly online monitoring of clinical activity, treatment, imaging and endoscopy. Investigators were also contacted to report incidental cases. RESULTS: In total, 233 (4.3%) reported COVID-19 and 12 (0.2%) severe COVID-19, with no COVID-19 deaths. The risk of COVID-19 in patients with IBD was not increased compared to the general population (SIR: 1.18 95%CI [1.03-1.34], p = 0.009), as well as the risk of severe COVID-19 (SIR: 0.69 95%CI [0.35-1.20], p = 0.93). We did not observe any negative impact of the different IBD-related medication on the risk of either COVID-19 or severe COVID-19. In 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in a drastic decrease in endoscopic and imaging procedures from March to May 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019. No impact on clinical IBD disease activity as well as ongoing treatment were noted. CONCLUSION: No increase in either COVID-19 or severe COVID-19 incidences were observed in patients with IBD. There was no impact of COVID-19 on IBD-related medication and clinical activity. Access to endoscopy and imaging was restricted during the first months of the first COVID-19 outbreak.

Impact of immunosuppressants on SARS-CoV-2 infection in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Older age has been reported as a risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19). The impact of immunosuppressants (IMS) on COVID-19 is still under debate. AIM: To describe the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in relation to the use of IMS. METHODS: IBD patients over 65 years of age were selected and grouped in terms of IMS use. Confirmed COVID-19, adherence to IST, comorbidities and concomitant non-IBD-related treatments between 1st of March 2020 to 1st of March 2021 were recorded. RESULTS: Out of 418 patients included, 89 (21.3%) were on IMS. Thirty-two patients (7.7%) had COVID-19, 7 of whom were on IMS (7.6% not on IMS vs. 7.9% on IMS; P = 0.933) and 7 (22%) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of COVID-19 among elderly IBD patients was similar to that reported in the background population, regardless of the use of IMS.

Treatment Adherence and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Biological Agents During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of COVID19 evolved rapidly into a global pandemic, forcing hospitals, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) referral units, to change their practices to ensure quality of care. AIMS: To describe the clinical outcomes and the fulfilment of the treatment schedule of patients with IBD treated with biological agents in a single-center of a red-zone of the pandemic, and to report the patients' perceptions about COVID-19 and the measures adopted at our center. METHODS: Therapeutic adherence and clinical outcomes were collected for all patients undergoing treatment with intravenous biologicals and subcutaneous biologicals at our center. A telephone survey was also performed to assess these patients' perceptions of the COVID pandemic and the related measures adopted at their IBD unit. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were included (117 on intravenous and 117 on subcutaneous biologicals). Only 10% of patients postponed intravenous infusions intentionally and 5% postponed the collection of subcutaneous biologicals at the hospital pharmacy. Only five confirmed COVID-19 cases were registered (2.1%), all of them of mild severity. One hundred and fifty-five patients participated in the survey (77 on intravenous and 78 on subcutaneous drugs). Fear of going to the hospital was the most common reason for postponing biological administrations. Among those on combination therapy, only 7% admitted to have withdrawn immunosuppressants. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to intravenous and subcutaneous biological therapies during the pandemic was high in a single-center cohort of IBD patients even though the cumulative incidence of confirmed COVID-19 was low.