Clinical and histological predictors of response to medical therapy in collagenous colitis.

OBJECTIVES: Collagenous colitis (CC) is an uncommon form of inflammatory bowel disease. The response to typical medical therapies (antimotility agents, 5-aminosalicylic acid [5-ASA], and corticosteroids) is variable. We aimed to determine if there are clinical or histological variables that can predict response to medical therapy. METHODS: All cases of CC were identified in three tertiary care medical centers. All charts of included patients were reviewed and clinical variables (age, gender, duration of symptoms, frequency of bowel movements, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) were recorded. Available histology slides were reviewed by one GI pathologist. Intraepithelial inflammation, epithelial loss or detachment, inflammation in the lamina propria, presence of eosinophilia, crypt inflammation, Paneth's cell metaplasia, and collagen layer thickness were recorded. Depending on their response to therapy, patients were divided into three groups: 1) spontaneous recovery or response to antidiarrheal agents alone, 2) response to 5-ASA agents, and 3) response to corticosteroids after failure of antidiarrheal agents and 5-ASA. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients with CC were identified. Of these, 62 patients were included. The median age was 58 (range = 20-85), and 88% were female. Among the histological parameters only the degree of inflammation in the lamina propria significantly differed between the three response groups (p = 0.007). Patients who required corticosteroids had greater inflammation. Among the clinical parameters age at presentation and use of NSAIDs significantly differed between groups. In the antidiarrheal group, patients tended to be more elderly, and in the corticosteroid group, more patients were on NSAIDs. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The degree of lamina propria inflammation can be used as a histological predictor to guide treatment in patients with CC. 2) Patients who responded to antidiarrheal agents or had spontaneous remissions were significantly older than those patients requiring 5-ASA compounds or corticosteroids. 3) Patients who were taking NSAIDs were more likely to require corticosteroid therapy, presumably reflecting more severe disease.

Colonic disorders in adult cystic fibrosis.

By 1996, the median survival of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in North America had increased to 31 years. With the markedly improved life expectancy, many CF patients are now adults. There is an associated increased risk of certain colonic disorders, and the emergence of other previously unrecognized disorders, in adult CF patients. The distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), which is more common in older patients, is a frequent cause of abdominal pain. Intussusception may complicate DIOS; other differential diagnoses include appendiceal disease, volvolus, Crohn's disease, fibrosing colonopathy and colonic carcinoma. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis, although uncommon in patients with CF, is often delayed, and appendiceal abscess is a frequent complication. The prevalence of Crohn's disease in CF has been shown to be 17 times that of the general population. Right-sided microscopic colitis is a recently recognized entity in CF of uncertain clinical significance. Fibrosing colonopathy has been confined mostly to children with CF, attributed to the use of high strength pancreatic enzyme supplements, but it has been reported in three adults. Nine cases of carcinoma of the large intestine have been reported worldwide, associated with an apparent excess risk of digestive tract cancers in CF. Despite high carrier rates of Clostridium difficile in patients with CF, pseudomembranous colitis is distinctly rare, but severe cases complicated by toxic megacolon have been reported. In these patients, watery diarrhea is often absent. Adult CF patients with refractory or unexplained intestinal symptoms merit thorough investigations.

Update on the role of H pylori infection in gastrointestinal disorders.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is accepted as the primary cause of peptic ulcer disease, and there is evidence to suggest its role in other gastrointestinal disorders. An estimated 20% to 40% of the Canadian population is infected with H pylori; however, clinically relevant disease is present in only approximately 10% to 20% of these individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the diseases for which eradication of H pylori is beneficial to ensure that patients do not receive unnecessary treatment. In patients with ulcers induced by long term treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, preliminary results suggest that eradication of H pylori may reduce the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding. Furthermore, a benefit has been observed for the eradication of H pylori before patients commence therapy with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. An association between the presence of H pylori and specific dyspeptic symptoms has yet to be established; however, there may be a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia who benefit from the eradication of H pylori. The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disorder and H pylori infection remains unclear. In Canada, the recommended therapy for the eradication of H pylori is seven days of twice-daily treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin or metronidazole. Although the proton pump inhibitors are treated as a class for use in these regimens, there is suggestion that a faster onset of action may lead to a higher rate of eradication.

The Second Canadian Consensus Conference on the Management of Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

The Second Canadian Consensus Conference on the Management of Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) was organized by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology to address major advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of GERD, to review the new methods of investigation and therapy introduced since the first conference in 1992 and to examine the issue of relevant health economics. The changes that have taken place over the past four years have been sufficiently dramatic to necessitate reassessment of the recommendations made following the first conference. The second conference dealt with the investigation and treatment of uncomplicated GERD and the complex issues of esophageal and extraesophageal complications such as chest pain, Barrett's esophagus, and reflux-related pulmonary and laryngeal disorders. The role of laparoscopic surgery was also discussed. A decision tree for investigation and treatment of patients with GERD was developed. The 38 participants represented a broad spectrum of experience, location of practice and special interests. The distribution of participants conformed to the recommendations of the Canadian Medical Association guidelines for consensus documents in that there should be input from all possible interested parties. A list of the state-of-the-art lectures presented during the conference, the small group sessions, the session chairpersons and participants are appended to this document. CONCLUSIONS. UNCOMPLICATED GERD: GERD with alarm symptoms must be investigated immediately. There was no consensus about when to investigate uncomplicated GERD, ie, whether to perform endoscopy immediately or after initial therapy fails. There was controversy regarding 'step up' (H2 receptor antagonist [H2RA] or prokinetic [PK] first therapy) versus 'step down' therapy (proton pump inhibitor [PPI] first therapy). The majority decision was for short term 'step up' therapy and investigation if symptoms do not improve or recur. Maintenance therapy should be carried out with the initial therapy that was effective. H2RAs and PKs may suffice for maintenance therapy in milder GERD; however, for severe esophagitis, PPIs should be used. SURGERY: Indications for laparoscopic surgery should be the same as for conventional antireflux operations. NONCARDIAC ANGINA-LIKE CHEST PAIN: After exclusion of nonesophageal causes, the majority decided that eight weeks of therapy with a PPI should be performed, while some suggested work-up before a therapeutic test. In the absence of response or recurrence, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and, depending on the circumstances, 24 h ambulatory pH/motility may be indicated. BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS: Only patients who, in case of future discovery of cancer or dysplasia, are able or willing to undergo therapy should have surveillance. In the absence of dysplasia EGD should be performed every two years, and in the presence of mild dysplasia every three to six months. All agreed that for severe dysplasia, esophagectomy or poor risk patients, esophageal mucosal ablation is indicated. ESTRAESOPHAGEAL COMPLICATONS (EECs): Asthma, chronic cough and posterior laryngitis were considered EECs. Although PPIs may decrease symptoms, improvement alone is not diagnostic of the presence of EEC. Ambulatory pH studies with two pH probes or ambulatory pH/motility may be useful in establishing causation. HEALTH ECONOMICS: There are limited data for an economic comparison among the different drugs or between medical and surgical therapy.

Colonic carcinoma in two adult cystic fibrosis patients.

Two adult women with cystic fibrosis (CF) who developed colonic carcinoma, both at age 31, are described. In both patients the carcinoma occurred in the midtransverse colon. The diagnosis had not been suspected, partly because of the patients' relatively young age. In case 1, the symptoms also mimicked the distal intestinal obstruction syndrome. At diagnosis she was shown to have metastases to the regional lymph nodes. In case 2, despite a long history of chronic pulmonary and sinus disorders, CF was not diagnosed until the patient was 36 years old. The incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies has been shown to be significantly increased in patients with CF. As the life expectancy of the CF population increases, vigilance for gastrointestinal cancers in CF patients is important, as illustrated by these two cases.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura in three patients with preexisting ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with extraintestinal diseases in numerous target tissues. Associated immune-mediated hematological diseases, however, are rarely described. We report three Caucasian adult patients with UC and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Platelet-associated antibodies (IgG) were positive in two patients, and bone marrow examinations in two patients revealed normal to increased megakaryocyte numbers. ITP was treated with corticosteroids in all patients. Two patients eventually received intravenous immune gamma-globulin, and one patient required surgical splenectomy. Of particular interest, UC preceded the onset of ITP in all patients (by from 1 to 19 yr). This suggests that ITP in these patients is causally associated with UC, possibly secondary to immunostimulation from lumenal antigens and altered immunoregulation.

Multifocal uptake of Tc-99m mebrofenin in dilated liver ductules in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

A patient with cystic fibrosis and a previous cholecystectomy, underwent Tc-99m mebrofenin scintigraphy to rule out hepatobiliary disease. The scan revealed multiple focal collections of radiopharmaceutical within the liver parenchyma. This unusual pattern of multiple focal parenchymal activity may be specific for patients with cystic fibrosis. This is the first time this unusual pattern has been confirmed at autopsy.

Polyarthritis associated with gastric carcinoma.

In a 68-year-old man who had polyarthritis associated with gastric carcinoma surgical resection of the tumour was accompanied by prompt resolution of the arthritic syndrome. In 11 years of follow-up the arthritis has remained in complete remission and there has been no recurrence of the carcinoma. An awareness that polyarthritis may be a presenting manifestation of an underlying carcinoma may, especially in an elderly person, lead to early recognition and treatment of the malignant disease.

Functioning heterotopic oxyntic mucosa in the rectum.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the rectum is an extremely rare condition. It is significant clinically because it may cause rectal bleeding or may present as a mass which must be distinguished from a neoplasm. Another case is described, and the 9 previously reported cases are reviewed. This is the first case to be reported in which the heterotopic mucosa was actually shown to secrete measurable acid in response to pentagastrin. The lesion could be accurately demarcated using a pH-probe after pentagastrin stimulation, a maneuver which was helpful in the complete surgical excision of the lesion.

The butterfat absorption test in adults.

The usefulness of the butterfat absorption test in assessing fat absorption has been studied in 89 adult patients. In 42 patients who were shown to have steatorrhea by the criteria of the fat balance studies, 33 patients (78.6%) had abnormally low serum optical density values following butterfat ingestion. In 8 patients, steatorrhea could not be clearly explained on the basis of their underlying disease. If these 8 patients are excluded from consideration, then 28 of 34 patients (82.4%) had an abnormal response following butterfat ingestion. A maximum increase of optical density of 0.25 or less is a useful indication of fat malabsorption in adult patients.