The novel latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay system for simultaneous measurements of calprotectin and hemoglobin in feces.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fecal calprotectin (Fcal) as well as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are useful biomarkers for detecting activity and mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, we report the performance of simultaneous measurements of Fcal and FIT for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients using the newly-developed latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay (LATIA) system. METHODS: Fcal and hemoglobin were measured by the LATIA system in 152 UC patients who underwent colonoscopy. Fcal was also quantified with a conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fecal markers were evaluated in conjunction with the mucosal status of UC, which was assessed via the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) classification. RESULTS: The LATIA system could quantify calprotectin and hemoglobin simultaneously with the same fecal samples within 10 minutes. The values of the Fcal-LATIA closely correlated with those of the Fcal-ELISA (Spearman rank correlation coefficient, r=0.84; P<0.0001). The values of Fcal for each assay and the FIT all significantly correlated with the MESs (Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Fcal-LATIA: r=0.58, Fcal-ELISA: r=0.55, and FIT: r=0.72). The mucosal healing predictability (determined by an MES of 0 alone) of the Fcal-LATIA, Fcal-ELISA, and FIT-LATIA with the cutoffs determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.79, 0.78, and 0.92 for sensitivity, respectively, and 0.78, 0.69, and 0.73 for specificity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the novel Fcal-LATIA was equivalent to that of the conventional Fcal assay. Simultaneous measurements with FITs would promote the clinical relevance of fecal biomarkers in UC.

An Elevated Platelet Count Increases the Risk of Relapse in Ulcerative Colitis Patients with Mucosal Healing.

Background/Aims: Although mucosal healing (MH) has been considered a treatment goal for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), the risk factors predictive of relapse in patients who achieve MH are unknown. Because the platelet count has been shown to be a marker of inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases, this study aimed to assess whether the platelet count could predict relapse in UC patients with MH. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed. UC patients with MH were consecutively enrolled in the study and monitored for at least 2 years or until relapse. The correlation between the incidence of relapse and the platelet count at the time of study enrollment was examined. Results: In total, 43 patients were enrolled, and 14 patients (33%) relapsed. The median platelet count at the time of enrollment in the patients who relapsed significantly differed from that in the patients who did not relapse (27.2×104/µL vs 23.8×104/µL, respectively; p=0.016). A platelet count ＞25.0×104/µL was a significant risk factor for relapse based on a multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 4.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 25.28), and according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, this cutoff could identify patients susceptible to relapse (p=0.041, log-rank test). Conclusions: The platelet count could be used as a predictor of relapse in UC patients with MH.

Two Cases of Leiomyoma in the Colon Masquerading as Other Types of Colonic Pedunculated Polyps.

We describe two cases of leiomyoma in the colon that were diagnosed histologically after endoscopic resection. The first case was a 79-year-old Japanese woman who presented with a pedunculated polyp of 14 mm length at the splenic flexure. Preoperative diagnosis suggested a colonic mucosubmucosal elongated polyp. The second case was a 29-year-old Japanese woman who presented with a pedunculated polyp of 40 mm length at the hepatic flexure and had an ulcer on top of the polyp. Preoperative diagnosis suggested an inflammatory fibroid polyp. A pathological diagnosis of colonic leiomyoma was made after endoscopic resection in both cases. Both tumors were confirmed to originate, not from the proper muscle layer, but from the muscularis mucosae. These cases underscore that although colonic involvement is infrequent, leiomyomas can display pedunculated morphology in the colon rather than the typical gross appearance of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors seen with sessile morphology.

Simultaneous Measurements of Faecal Calprotectin and the Faecal Immunochemical Test in Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis Patients Can Stratify Risk of Relapse.

BACKGROUND: Both faecal calprotectin [Fcal] and the faecal immunochemical test [FIT] are useful to predict clinical relapse of ulcerative colitis [UC]. However, the difference between Fcal and FIT in ability to predict relapse has scarcely been reported. Whether the combined use of these two faecal markers increases the predictability is also unknown. METHODS: UC patients in clinical remission who underwent colonoscopy were enrolled prospectively, and the Fcal and FIT values were examined at enrolment. Their clinical course was observed for 2 years or until relapse. The correlation between the incidence of relapse and the values of the two markers was examined. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were enrolled, and 48 [42%] relapsed. Fcal ≥ 75 µg/g and FIT ≥ 110 ng/mL were defined as Fcal-positive and FIT-positive, respectively, according to the receiver operating characteristic curves. Both Fcal-positive and FIT-positive statuses were independent predictive factors of clinical relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-4.49; p = 0.0086, and HR 2.91; 95% CI, 1.49-5.50; p = 0.0022, respectively). Categorisation of patients into three groups according to the faecal marker status [FIT-positive, FIT-negative and Fcal-positive, and both negative] can efficiently stratify the risk of relapse with graded increases in risk [FIT-negative and Fcal-positive: HR 2.05; 95% CI, 1.02-4.43; p = 0.0045, and FIT-positive: HR 5.43; 95% CI, 2.57-11.76; p < 0.0001, compared with both negative]. CONCLUSIONS: Fcal vs FIT showed distinct properties regarding the prediction of relapse in UC. A risk assessment using both faecal markers could increase the predictability for relapse.

Fecal Immunochemical Test and Fecal Calprotectin Results Show Different Profiles in Disease Monitoring for Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Both fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and fecal calprotectin (Fcal) results are useful biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the situations in which each marker should be used are largely unknown. METHODS: A total of 110 colonoscopy intervals of UC patients were assessed, and correlations between changes in colonoscopic findings and changes in the two aforementioned fecal markers were examined. RESULTS: Among patients with mucosal healing (MH) and negative FIT or Fcal results at the initial colonoscopy, FIT and Fcal findings exhibited accuracies of 93% (38/41) and 79% (26/33), respectively, for predicting the results of the subsequent examination. Among the 24 patients who showed endoscopic activity at the precedent colonoscopy and MH at the subsequent examination, positive-to-negative conversion of FIT and Fcal findings at the subsequent examination was observed in 92% (12/13) and 62% (8/13) of patients, respectively. Among the 43 patients who showed endoscopic activity at both the precedent and subsequent examinations, Fcal findings reflected the change in endoscopic activity better than FIT results (r=0.59, p＜0.0001 vs r=0.30, p=0.054). CONCLUSIONS: The FIT is useful for confirming MH and the occurrence of relapse. In contrast, Fcal is useful for monitoring the mucosal status of patients with active inflammation.

Metachronous Neoplasia and Local Recurrence after Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Several reports discussed colonoscopic surveillance after polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for colorectal polyps, but only a few reports focused on prognostic analyses, and none involved metachronous neoplasia after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We conducted the present study to assess the risk of adenoma recurrence requiring endoscopic treatment, and to establish appropriate post-ESD colonoscopic surveillance. We enrolled 116 patients who had undergone colorectal ESD at Okayama University Hospital between February 2008 and July 2014 and had been followed-up >12 months. We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological features of 101 lesions from 101 patients. Metachronous adenomas were detected in 21 cases (20.8%). We divided the patients into 2 groups according to the occurrence of metachronous adenomas. Our comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between these groups showed that in the metachronous adenomas group the number of synchronous adenomas at index colonoscopy was high and the rate of laterally spreading tumor-nongranular (LST-NG) was higher. A multivariate analysis indicated that the number of synchronous adenomas was significantly associated with metachronous adenomas (HR: 2.54, 95%CI: 1.04-6.52, p<0.05). The colonoscopic surveillance planning after colorectal ESD should be more meticulous for patients with more synchronous adenomas.

Two electrosurgical endo-knives for endoscopic submucosal dissection of colorectal superficial neoplasms: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Few studies have directly compared endo-knives for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in humans. We compared the performances of the Mucosectom2 and SB knife Jr. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two trainee endoscopists performed ESD of 36 lesions in this prospective, randomized controlled trial. Mucosal incision with a 1.5-mm Dual knife and submucosal dissection using the Mucosectom2 were performed in 1 group. Mucosal incision with a 1.5-mm Dual knife and submucosal dissection with a SB knife Jr. were performed in the other group. The primary outcome was the ESD procedure time. Secondary outcomes were total procedure time, self-completion rates, and adverse events. RESULTS: ESD time in Mucosectom2 patients was not significantly shorter than in SB knife Jr. patients (57 ±â€Š32 min vs. 61 ±â€Š44 min, respectively; P  = 0.94). Total procedure time in Mucosectom2 patients was not significantly shorter than in SB knife Jr. patients (81 ±â€Š42 min vs. 82 ±â€Š51 min, respectively; P =  0.85). The trainee self-completion rate was slightly higher in SB knife Jr. patients than in Mucosectom2 patients, although the difference was not significant (94 % vs. 100 %, respectively; P  = 0.959). Fewer hemostatic procedures using the Coagrasper were performed in Mucosectom2 patients than in SB knife Jr. patients, although the difference was not significant (0.62 vs. 0.7, respectively; P  = 0.432). CONCLUSIONS: Mucosectom2 and SB knife Jr. did not significantly differ in performance for colorectal ESD to safely and reliably enhance ESD. Knife selection is not as important for learning colorectal ESD as patient- and lesion-related factors.

Ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission demonstrate correlations between fecal immunochemical test results, mucosal healing, and risk of relapse.

AIM: To assess the risk of relapse in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in clinical remission using mucosal status and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results. METHODS: The clinical outcomes of 194 UC patients in clinical remission who underwent colonoscopy were based on evaluations of Mayo endoscopic subscores (MESs) and FIT results. RESULTS: Patients with an MES of 0 (n = 94, 48%) showed a ten-fold lower risk of relapse than those with an MES of 1-3 (n = 100, 52%) (HR = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.05-0.19). A negative FIT result (fecal hemoglobin concentrations ≤ 100 ng/mL) was predictive of patients with an MES of 0, with a sensitivity of 0.94 and a specific of 0.76. Moreover, patients with a negative FIT score had a six-fold lower risk of clinical relapse than those with a positive score (HR = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.10-0.28). Inclusion of the distinguishing parameter, sustaining clinical remission > 12 mo, resulted in an even stronger correlation between negative FIT results and an MES of 0 with respect to the risk of clinical relapse (HR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.04-0.23). CONCLUSION: Negative FIT results one year or more after remission induction correlate with complete mucosal healing (MES 0) and better prognosis. Performing FIT one year after remission induction may be useful for evaluating relapse risk.

Fecal immunochemical test as a biomarker for inflammatory bowel diseases: can it rival fecal calprotectin?

Accurate evaluation of disease activity is essential for choosing an appropriate treatment and follow-up plan for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Endoscopy is required for accurately evaluating disease activity, but the procedures are sometimes invasive and burdensome to patients. Therefore, alternative non-invasive methods for evaluating or predicting disease activity including mucosal status are desirable. Fecal calprotectin (Fcal) is the most widely used fecal marker for IBD, and many articles have described the performance of the marker in predicting disease activity, mucosal healing (MH), treatment efficacy, and risk of relapse. Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can quantify the concentration of hemoglobin in stool and was originally used for the screening of colorectal cancer. We recently reported that FIT is also a useful biomarker for IBD. A direct comparison between the use of Fcal and FIT showed that both methods predicted MH in ulcerative colitis equally well. However, in the case of Crohn's disease, FIT was less sensitive to lesions in the small intestine, compared to Fcal. FIT holds several advantages over Fcal in regards to user-friendliness, including a lower cost, easy and clean handling, and the ability to make rapid measurements by using an automated measurement system. However, there is insufficient data to support the application of FIT in IBD. Further studies into the use of FIT for evaluating the inflammatory status of IBD are warranted.

Fecal Immunochemical Test Versus Fecal Calprotectin for Prediction of Mucosal Healing in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal healing (MH) has been proposed as a treatment goal of inflammatory bowel disease patients. We reported recently that not only fecal calprotectin (Fcal) but also the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can predict MH in ulcerative colitis. However, the predictive power of the fecal markers for MH in Crohn's disease (CD), particularly with small bowel lesions, has not been reported in detail. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictability of FIT versus Fcal for MH in CD. METHODS: Consecutive CD patients underwent colonoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy according to the disease location. FIT and Fcal were examined using stool samples collected the day before endoscopy. RESULTS: Seventy-one CD patients were analyzed, of whom 42 (59%) underwent balloon-assisted enteroscopy because of the presence of affected lesions in the small intestine. Both the Fcal and the FIT results were significantly correlated with endoscopic activity (r = 0.67 and 0.54, respectively). However, the FIT results did not correlate with the activity in patients with small bowel lesions alone, whereas Fcal did (r = 0.42 versus 0.78). Fcal predicted MH in CD with 87% sensitivity and 71% specificity, whereas the values for FIT were 96% and 48%, respectively. The specificity for MH among patients with small bowel lesions alone was low for FIT (40%) compared with Fcal (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Both FIT and Fcal were correlated with the mucosal status of CD. However, the specificity of FIT was not satisfactory, particularly for small bowel lesions.

Consecutive Measurements by Faecal Immunochemical Test in Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis Patients Can Detect Clinical Relapse.

BACKGROUND: We have reported that results of the quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT; haemoglobin concentrations in faeces measured using an antibody for human haemoglobin) effectively reflect the mucosal status of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictability of flare-up in quiescent UC patients by consecutive FIT evaluation. METHODS: Patients with UC who fulfilled the following criteria by index colonoscopy were enrolled: clinical remission; mucosal healing (Mayo endoscopic subscore 0); and negative FIT (less than 100ng/mL). These patients were followed up prospectively every 1-3 months by monitoring patient symptoms and FIT results between index and subsequent colonoscopies. RESULTS: The intervals between 2 colonoscopies (median 2.51 years) of 83 patients (49 males, median age at onset 34 years, median disease duration 9.74 years) were analysed. None of the 43 (52%) patients who maintained negative FIT throughout the observation period exhibited clinical relapse. On the other hand, 25/40 (63%) patients who showed positive conversion of FIT during the period experienced relapse. The cutoff FIT value of 450ng/mL could predict relapse with 73% positive predictive value and 96% negative predictive value. Moreover, positive conversion of FIT preceded occurrence of symptoms by 1 month or more in nearly one-third of patients with relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Consecutive measurements of FIT in quiescent UC patients who achieved mucosal healing with negative FIT would help identify patients with clinical relapse whose symptoms had not yet presented. Further investigations are required for more precise prediction of relapse with this modality.

The earliest trough concentration predicts the dose of tacrolimus required for remission induction therapy in ulcerative colitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Oral tacrolimus therapy is effective for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC), but dose adjustment according to the trough concentrations which varies largely among individuals, is required. This study aimed to identify factors to predict the tacrolimus dose required for achieving the target trough level for remission induction of UC. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive UC patients who were treated with tacrolimus were retrospectively analyzed. Tacrolimus doses were adjusted every 2 or 3 days to achieve trough concentrations of 10-15 ng/mL. The dose required for reaching the target trough level was analyzed based on disease characteristics, course of trough concentrations, and gene polymorphism related to tacrolimus metabolism. RESULTS: Median daily dose of tacrolimus required for achieving the target trough level was 0.19 (0.07-0.42) mg/kg, and patients were divided into high or low dose group (< 0.2 mg/kg or > 0.2 mg/kg). The value of initial trough concentration/starting dose was higher in the low dose group than in the high dose group (1.35 ng/mL/mg vs. 0.78 ng/mL/mg, p < 0.0001). Although presence of CYP3A5 *1 was more frequently observed in the high dose group, initial trough concentration was the only significant factor for determining requirement of high dose of tacrolimus (OR = 28.0, 95% confidence interval 3.20 - 631). CONCLUSIONS: The most practical predictor of the dose required for achieving the target trough concentration was the trough concentration measured 2 or 3 days after starting tacrolimus therapy. Our findings would make tarcolimus administration for UC safer, easier and more effective.

Evaluation of Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis by Fecal Calprotectin Vs. Fecal Immunochemical Test.

OBJECTIVES: We previously showed that a quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can predict mucosal healing (MH) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Fecal calprotectin (Fcal) has also been reported as an important biomarker of UC activity. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive ability of these two fecal markers for MH in UC. METHODS: FIT and Fcal were examined in stool samples from consecutive UC patients who underwent colonoscopy. Mucosal status was assessed via the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES). RESULTS: In total, 105 colonoscopies in 92 UC patients were evaluated in conjunction with the FIT and Fcal results. Both FIT and Fcal results were significantly correlated with MES (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient: 0.61 and 0.58, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the FIT values (<100 ng/ml) for predicting MH (MES 0 alone) were 0.95 and 0.62, respectively, whereas those of Fcal (<250 µg/g) were 0.82 and 0.62, respectively. The sensitivities became similar when MH was defined as MES 0 or 1 (0.86 vs. 0.86). Although the predictability of MH evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was similar for the two fecal markers (FIT 0.83 vs. Fcal 0.82 for MES 0 alone), the FIT results were relatively robust regardless of the cutoff value selected. CONCLUSIONS: Both FIT and Fcal can efficiently predict MH in UC, but FIT appears to be more sensitive than Fcal for predicting MES 0 alone.

Prompt resolution of hypoglycemia by hepatic transarterial embolization for malignant insulinoma with multiple liver metastases.

A 45-year-old female who presented with loss of consciousness and a cold sweat was found to have a pancreatic tumor and multiple liver metastases. Laboratory studies showed marked hypoglycemia and inappropriately elevated serum insulin, C-peptide, and serum tumor markers. Fine needle aspiration revealed Grade 3 small-cell type primary pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma. Consequently, the diagnosis of malignant insulinoma was made. Transarterial embolization (TAE) for hepatic metastases resulted in the reduction of tumor volume and prompt resolution of hypoglycemic attacks, whereas diazoxide and systemic chemotherapy had been ineffective for controlling blood glucose levels, and octreotide was unavailable due to the allergic effect. This case report highlights the potential usefulness of TAE for malignant insulinomas in the management of hypoglycemia.

Slight increases in the disease activity index and platelet count imply the presence of active intestinal lesions in C-reactive protein-negative Crohn's disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: Although the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level may, to some extent, predict the disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), it is not always elevated during periods of disease activity. This study aimed to identify factors predicting the presence of active intestinal lesions in CD patients without an elevated CRP level. METHODS: CD patients in whom the presence or absence of active intestinal lesions was evaluated using endoscopic and/or radiologic modalities were divided into two groups based on a negative (<3 mg/L) or positive (≥3 mg/L) CRP level. The correlations between the presence of active intestinal lesions and various clinical variables, including the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), leukocyte and platelet counts and hemoglobin, serum albumin and CRP levels, were determined in the CRP-negative patients. RESULTS: Of the 128 patients examined, 70 had a negative CRP status, approximately half of whom had active intestinal lesions. The multivariate analysis revealed a CDAI of >100 and platelet count of >33×10(4)/µL to be significant predictive factors for the presence of active lesions in the CRP-negative patients [CDAI >100, odds ratio (OR) =5.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.80-18.74, platelet count >33×10(4)/µL, OR =5.94; 95% CI, 1.34-28.87]. The sensitivity of fulfillment of either criterion for the presence of active intestinal lesions was 83%, while the specificity of fulfillment of both criteria was 94%. CONCLUSION: A relatively low CDAI and platelet count were identified as predictive markers of the presence of active intestinal lesions in CRP-negative CD patients. These results suggest that symptoms and laboratory data should be evaluated very carefully in such patients.

Long-term follow-up of ulcerative colitis patients treated on the basis of their cytomegalovirus antigen status.

AIM: To clarify the impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) activation and antiviral therapy based on CMV antigen status on the long-term clinical course of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. METHODS: UC patients with flare-up were divided into CMV-positive and -negative groups according to the CMV antigenemia assay. The main treatment strategy provided for the patients in the CMV-positive group comprised a dose reduction of corticosteroids and administration of ganciclovir. RESULTS: The median number of days to initial remission was significantly greater for the patients in the CMV-positive group (21 d vs 16 d, P = 0.009). However, the relapse rate after remission and colectomy rate during more than 30 mo of observation did not differ between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that administration of ganciclovir was the only independent factor for avoiding colectomy in patients of the CMV-positive group. CONCLUSION: CMV antigen status did not significantly affect the long-term prognosis in UC patients under treatment with appropriate antiviral therapy.

Prognosis of ulcerative colitis differs between patients with complete and partial mucosal healing, which can be predicted from the platelet count.

AIM: To determine the difference in clinical outcome between ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) 0 and those with MES 1. METHODS: UC patients with sustained clinical remission of 6 mo or more at the time of colonoscopy were examined for clinical outcomes and the hazard ratios of clinical relapse according to MES. Parameters, including blood tests, to identify predictive factors for MES 0 and slight endoscopic recurrence in clinically stable patients were assessed. Moreover, a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated, and the area under the curve was calculated to indicate the utility of the parameters for the division between complete and partial mucosal healing. All P values were two-sided and considered significant when less than 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 183 patients with clinical remission were examined. Patients with MES 0 (complete mucosal healing: n = 80, 44%) were much less likely to relapse than those with MES 1 (partial mucosal healing: n = 89, 48%) (P < 0.0001, log-rank test), and the hazard ratio of risk of relapse in patients with MES 1 vs MES 0 was 8.17 (95%CI: 4.19-17.96, P < 0.0001). The platelet count (PLT) < 26 × 10(4)/µL was an independent predictive factor for complete mucosal healing (OR = 4.1, 95%CI: 2.15-7.99). Among patients with MES 0 at the initial colonoscopy, patients of whom colonoscopy findings shifted to MES 1 showed significant increases in PLT compared to those who maintained MES 0 (3.8 × 10(4)/µL vs -0.6 × 10(4)/µL, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The relapse rate differed greatly between patients with complete and partial mucosal healing. A shift from complete to partial healing in clinically stable UC patients can be predicted by monitoring PLT.

Evaluation of mucosal healing of ulcerative colitis by a quantitative fecal immunochemical test.

OBJECTIVES: Accumulating evidence has underlined the importance of mucosal healing as a treatment goal for ulcerative colitis (UC). Quantitative fecal immunochemical tests (FITs), which can rapidly quantify fecal blood with automated equipment, have been used recently to screen for colorectal neoplasia. The aim of this study is to determine whether an FIT can evaluate mucosal healing in UC. METHODS: Feces collected from UC patients who underwent colonoscopy were examined by FITs, and results were compared with colonoscopic findings. Mucosal status was assessed using the Mayo endoscopic subscore classification. Maximum score for the colorectum in each patient was recorded. RESULTS: Evaluated were FIT results in conjunction with 310 colonoscopies that were performed in 152 UC patients. A large majority of patients with a Mayo 0 endoscopic score had negative FIT (<100 ng/ml) results (92%), and the proportion of negative FIT results decreased with increases in the Mayo score (Mayo 1: 47%, Mayo 2: 13%, Mayo 3: 12%, P<0.0001, Cochran-Armitage trend test). When the negative FIT was defined as <100 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of a negative FIT for mucosal healing (Mayo 0) were 0.92 and 0.71, respectively. When mucosal healing was defined as Mayo 0 or 1, those were 0.60 and 0.87, respectively. In addition, a positive FIT (≥100 ng/ml) predicted mucosal inflammation (Mayo 2 or 3) with sensitivity 0.87 and specificity 0.60, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The FIT can effectively and noninvasively evaluate mucosal healing in UC. This easy, rapid method can help evaluate and control disease activity of UC.

Noninvasive evaluation of mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Current opinions increasingly cite the need to achieve not only clinical response but also endoscopic mucosal healing in the treatment of both types of inflammatory bowel disease: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Although endoscopic procedures are necessary for confirmation of mucosal healing, undergoing colonoscopy is invasive and burdensome to patients. Therefore, alternative noninvasive methods of evaluating or predicting mucosal status have been eagerly desired. For this purpose, blood, fecal, and radiologic modalities have been suggested and examined. C-reactive protein and fecal markers such as fecal calprotectin can evaluate active inflammation to some extent in both UC and CD. However, their predictive values for mucosal healing have not yet been fully evaluated and current knowledge indicates that the values were rather insufficient. Radiologic modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound can also evaluate mucosal inflammation but are currently not suitable for detection of healing. Capsule endoscopy may be optimal for evaluating mucosal status of the small bowel in CD patients, but sufficient data are not yet available, particularly for mucosal healing. Thus, these candidates for the surrogate modality are currently imperfect for evaluation of mucosal healing, but the changes in values/findings of these modalities after initiation of therapy appear to be rather promising as a marker of efficacy of the therapy. Finally, our recent data showed that a fecal immunochemical test for evaluation of mucosal healing in UC was very promising and this method should be further evaluated in CD also.

[Classification of the bleeding pattern in colonic diverticulum is useful to predict the risk of bleeding or re-bleeding after endoscopic treatment].

We examined the re-bleeding rate after endoscopic hemostasis according to the bleeding pattern in patients with an acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage from colonic diverticula in 34 patients with active bleeding (Type 1) and 49 patients with exposed vessels and/or erosions in the base of diverticulum and no active bleeding (Type 2). Endoscopic hemostasis was performed by clipping the exposed vessel or erosions (direct method) or the entire diverticular orifice (reefing method). The incidence of re-bleeding was significantly higher in the Type 1 group than in the Type 2 group (p=0.002). All Type 1 cases were treated by the reefing method. In contrast, 14 of the 49 Type 2 cases were treated by the direct method, and no re-bleeding was observed in these cases. Of the other 35 Type 2 cases treated by reafing, rebleeding was seen in 5 cases. More effective endoscopic treatment is needed to prevent early re-bleeding, especially for Type 1 patients. The direct method may therefore reduce the rate of re-bleeding in Type 2 patients.