Severe outbreak of ulcerative colitis and cerebral neoplasia. Difficult management in COVID times.

A 61-year-old male diabetic patient, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) 30 years ago, currently under treatment with mesalazine is presented. He was admitted to the emergency department due to a severe outbreak of UC, with 15 depositions daily, rectal bleeding and poor general condition. A brain CT-scan was carried out in the emergency department due to a sudden self-limited aphasia. A left frontal lesion of 45x38 mms with a prominent perilesional edema and with a displacement of the midline was reported. This was believed to be a meningioma (figure 1A). Urgent neurosurgery was not performed, prioritizing the severe flare-up UC. Based on this, full-dose metilprednisolone was administered.

Switch to subcutaneous infliximab during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: preliminary results.

A new subcutaneous formulation of the infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 has recently been developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), providing response rates similar to intravenous treatment. The use of this new formulation was requested, in an effort to limit patient attendance at intravenous infusion centers and to maintain biological treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this observational, retrospective and descriptive study was to assess CT-P13 efficacy and safety after switching from intravenous to a subcutaneous formulation in patients with IBD receiving maintenance therapy. This article shows preliminary results after six months of follow-up.

Views of patients with inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: ACCU survey results.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: the SARS-COV-2 pandemic has forced a substantial change in the care of patients with digestive pathologies, especially for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients taking immunosuppessive medications. In this regard, some national and international guidelines have indicated the standards to be taken into account. However, few studies have evaluated how patients have dealt with this infection. Therefore, this study was performed with the aim to determine how the SARS-COV-2 pandemic has affected our IBD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: an online survey was performed among the members (295) of the Association of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (ACCU), which consisted of 19 questions. Finally, it was completed by 168 patients. RESULTS: fifty-eight per cent of cases were female, 63.7 % had Crohn's disease (CD) and 53 % received biologic therapy. Five per cent were infected by SARS-CoV-2 and were male. The main concern of the patients was the fear of acquiring the infection (80.9 %). More than 90 % continued their treatments and half of the patients worked from home during the pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: the perspective of the patients is necessary to achieve an adequate management and evolution of the disease. More studies are needed to assess the impact that exceptional situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may have on IBD patients in order to improve adherence and control of the disease.