STEP-CD study: ustekinumab use in paediatric Crohn's disease-a multicentre retrospective study from paediatric IBD Porto group of ESPGHAN.

Ustekinumab is an effective therapy for adult Crohn's disease (CD), but data in paediatric CD patients are scarce. The aim of the study was to describe the real-life effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in paediatric CD. This is a multicentre review of children with Crohn's disease treated with ustekinumab. The aim of our study was to describe the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in paediatric real-life practice. This is a study of the Paediatric IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) Porto group of ESPGHAN. Corticosteroid (CS)- and exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN)-free remission, defined as weighted Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (wPCDAI) < 12.5, and physician global assessment (PGA) were determined at weeks 12 and 52. A total of 101 children were included at a median age of 15.4 years (IQR 12.7-17.2) with a median follow-up of 7.4 months (IQR 5.6-11.8). Ninety-nine percent had received prior anti-TNF, 63% ≥ 2 anti-TNFα therapies and 22% vedolizumab. Baseline median wPCDAI was 39 (IQR 25-57.5) (71 (70%) patients with moderate-severe activity). Weeks 12 and 52 CS- and EEN-free remission were both 40.5%. Clinical response at week 6, iv induction route and older age at onset of ustekinumab treatment were predictive factors associated with clinical remission at week 12. Seven minor adverse events probably related to ustekinumab were reported. One patient died from an unrelated cause.  Conclusion: Our results suggest that ustekinumab is effective and safe in children with chronically active or refractory CD. What is Known: • Ustekinumab is an effective therapy for adult moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD). • Off-label use of ustekinumab in children is increasing especially in anti-TNF refractory CD. What is New: • Is the largest cohort of real-world use of ustekinumab in paediatric CD to date. • Clinical response at week 6, iv induction and older age at onset of ustekinumab were predictive factors associated with clinical response at week 12.

Early use of teduglutide in paediatric patients with intestinal failure is associated with a greater response rate: a multicenter study.

Teduglutide is a glucagon-like-peptide-2 analogue that reduces the need for parenteral support in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Nevertheless, data about long-term therapy with teduglutide in children are still scarce. Our objective was to describe the real-life experience with teduglutide in children with SBS over the last 5 years in Spain. This was a national multicentre and prospective study of paediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF) treated with teduglutide for at least 3 months. The data included demographic characteristics, medical background, anthropometric data, laboratory assessments, adverse events, and parenteral nutrition (PN) requirements. Treatment response was defined as a > 20% reduction in the PN requirement. The data were collected from the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database. Thirty-one patients from seven centres were included; the median age at the beginning of the treatment was 2.3 (interquartile range (IQR) 1.4-4.4) years; and 65% of the patients were males. The most frequent cause of IF was SBS (94%). The most common cause of SBS was necrotizing enterocolitis (35%). The median residual bowel length was 29 (IQR 12-40) cm. The median duration of teduglutide therapy was 19 (IQR 12-36) months, with 23 patients (74%) treated for > 1 year and 9 treated for > 3 years. The response to treatment was analysed in 30 patients. Twenty-four patients (80%) had a reduction in their weekly PN energy > 20% and 23 patients (77%) had a reduction in their weekly PN volume > 20%. Among the responders, 9 patients (29%) were weaned off PN, with a median treatment duration of 6 (IQR 4.5-22) months. The only statistically significant finding demonstrated an association between a > 20% reduction in the weekly PN volume and a younger age at the start of treatment (p = 0.028).   Conclusions: Teduglutide seems to be an effective and safe treatment for paediatric patients with IF. Some patients require a prolonged duration of treatment to achieve enteral autonomy. Starting treatment with teduglutide at a young age is associated with a higher response rate. What is Known: •  Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) plays a crucial role in the regulation of intestinal adaptation in short bowel syndrome (SBS). Teduglutide is a GLP-2 analog that reduces the need for parenteral support in patients with SBS. • Data about long-term therapy with teduglutide in children in real life are still scarce. What is New: • Most pediatric patients with SBS respond in a satisfactory manner to teduglutide treatment. The occurrence of long-term adverse effects is exceptional. • Starting treatment with the drug at a young age is associated with a greater response rate.

Blood gene expression biomarkers of response to anti-TNF drugs in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases before initiation of treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Changes in gene expression profiles among individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) could potentially influence the responsiveness to anti-TNF treatment. The aim of this study was to identify genes that could serve as predictors of early response to anti-TNF therapies in pediatric IBD patients prior to the initiation of treatment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, and multicenter study, enrolling 24 pediatric IBD patients aged less than 18 years who were initiating treatment with either infliximab or adalimumab. RNA-seq from blood samples was analyzed using the DESeq2 library by comparing responders and non-responders to anti-TNF drugs. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analyses unveiled 102 differentially expressed genes, with 99 genes exhibiting higher expression in responders compared to non-responders prior to the initiation of anti-TNF therapy. Functional enrichment analyses highlighted defense response to Gram-negative bacteria (FDR = 2.3 ×10-7) as the most significant biological processes, and hemoglobin binding (FDR = 0.002), as the most significant molecular function. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed notable enrichment in transcriptional misregulation in cancer (FDR = 0.016). Notably, 13 genes (CEACAM8, CEACAM6, CILP2, COL17A1, OLFM4, INHBA, LCN2, LTF, MMP8, DEFA4, PRTN3, AZU1, and ELANE) were selected for validation, and a consistent trend of increased expression in responders prior to drug administration was observed for most of these genes, with findings for 4 of them being statistically significant (CEACAM8, LCN2, LTF2, and PRTN3). CONCLUSIONS: We identified 102 differentially expressed genes involved in the response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBDs and validated CEACAM8, LCN2, LTF2, and PRTN3. Genes participating in defense response to Gram-negative bacterium, serine-type endopeptidase activity, and transcriptional misregulation in cancer are good candidates for anticipating the response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBDs.

Effect of peeling, cutting, or shredding of lettuce, carrot, or potato on the efficacy of chlorine disinfection.

Minimally processed vegetables are washed and subsequently disinfected by immersion in water solutions with antimicrobials which reduce the initial pathogenic or spoilage microbial load. Chlorine remains one of the most widely used disinfectants for vegetables and hence the importance of studying its properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of peeling, cutting, and shredding on the effectiveness of chlorine (200 ppm) as a disinfectant in lettuce, carrot, and potato. Three independent repetitions of each experiment were completed, and data was statistically analyzed. Results showed that the maintenance of the chlorine concentration in the disinfectant solution, over time, depended on the vegetables' preliminary processing technique (whole, peeled, cut, or shredded) (p < 0.05). In general, the disinfection treatments studied reduced Escherichia coli by 1-8 logs. The addition of chlorine in the disinfectant solution allowed greater reduction in E. coli than using water immersions (p < 0.05) and disinfection times longer than 5 min did not improve these microbiological reductions (p>0.05). The vegetables' subdivision (whole, peeled, cut, or shredded) can affect both E coli's reduction and the vegetables' residual chlorine concentration. No trend was observed in terms of sensory differences and their relationship to the vegetables' processing and disinfection. These results suggest that each facility must validate its disinfection processes, according to the conditions established on site and reduction goals related to initial microbial counts, vegetables' quality, processing operations, and other important aspects.

Influence of the starting day of luteal phase stimulation on double stimulation cycles.

Background: Double ovarian stimulation is one of the most used strategies in poor-prognosis patients. There is a high heterogeneity between the studies regarding the execution of this stimulation protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the day on which luteal phase stimulation begins after the first oocyte retrieval affects ovarian response in DuoStim cycles. Methods: This observational and retrospective study included 541 DuoStim cycles between January 2018 and December 2021 in a private fertility clinic. Patients were assigned to 4 groups according to the timing of the onset of luteal phase stimulation after oocyte retrieval (0-2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day and 5th-6th day). The primary outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved in the luteal phase in each group. Results: No differences were found between groups in the number of oocytes collected (5.12 ± 3.56 vs. 5.39 ± 3.74 vs. 5.61 ± 3.94 vs. 5.89 ± 3.92; p=0,6), MII or number of follicles. An increase in the duration of stimulation was found when stimulation started on the 4th day (10.42 ± 2.31 vs. 10.68 ± 2.37 vs. 11.27 ± 2.40 vs. 10.65 ± 2.37 days, p=0,033). A lower number of fertilized oocytes was observed when stimulation began before the fourth day (3.36 ± 2.80 vs. 3.95 ± 2.53 vs. 4.03 ± 2.73 vs. 4.48 ± 3.11; p=0,036). The number of blastocysts was higher when the stimulation started 5-6 days after retrieval (1.82 ± 1.74 vs. 2.13 ± 1.61 vs. 2.33 ± 2.06 vs. 2.91 ± 2.39; p= 0,030). Discussion: The number of oocytes retrieved does not differ depending on the day that stimulation begins. However, oocytes competence in terms of fertilized oocytes and blastulation, appears to be lower when the second stimulation starts before the fourth day after oocyte retrieval.

Polymorphisms indicating risk of inflammatory bowel disease or antigenicity to anti-TNF drugs as biomarkers of response in children.

Few genetic polymorphisms predict early response to anti-TNF drugs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even fewer have been identified in the pediatric population. However, it would be of considerable clinical interest to identify and validate genetic biomarkers of long-term response. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the usefulness of biomarkers of response to anti-TNFs in pediatric IBD (pIBD) as long-term biomarkers and to find differences by type of IBD and type of anti-TNF drug. The study population comprised 340 children diagnosed with IBD who were treated with infliximab or adalimumab. Genotyping of 9 selected SNPs for their association with early response and/or immunogenicity to anti-TNFs was performed using real-time PCR. Variants C rs10508884 (CXCL12), A rs2241880 (ATG16L1), and T rs6100556 (PHACTR3) (p value 0.049; p value 0.03; p value 0.031) were associated with worse long-term response to anti-TNFs in pIBD. DNA variants specific to disease type and anti-TNF type were identified in the pediatric population. Genotyping of these genetic variants before initiation of anti-TNFs would enable, if validated in a prospective cohort, the identification of pediatric patients who are long-term responders to this therapy.

Takayasu's arteritis as an incidental finding in a patient with celiac disease: the importance of positron emission computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Takayasu arteritis is a large-vessel vasculitis which affects large-caliber elastic arteries, primarily the aorta and its main branches. It mainly affects women between 20-30 years, so it is rare in children. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 15-year-old female who was followed up since she was 9 years old due to celiac disease. At the age of 13, anaemia of chronic disorders associated to elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation were detected. The patient remained asymptomatic. After excluding other diseases, we requested a positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT); lesions compatible with large-vessel vasculitis were detected. Cardiology evaluation showed an aneurysm in the right coronary artery. Angio-CT suggested Takayasu type III arteritis. CONCLUSIONS: The delay in the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis in pediatric patients is quite common. In this case, we have found phase II lesions, with no previous phase I symptoms. However, PET-CT allowed the diagnosis of vasculitis, key to the diagnosis of the patient.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La arteritis de Takayasu es una vasculitis de grandes vasos que afecta a las arterias elásticas de gran calibre, fundamentalmente la aorta y sus ramas principales. Ocurre frecuentemente en mujeres entre los 20-30 años, por lo que es muy infrecuente en la edad pediátrica. CASO CLÍNICO: Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 15 años en seguimiento desde los 9 años por enfermedad celiaca. A los 13 años se detectó anemia de trastornos crónicos, elevación de proteína C reactiva y velocidad de sedimentación globular. La paciente permaneció en todo momento asintomática. Tras descartar otros procesos, se solicitó tomografía computarizada por emisión de positrones (PET-TC), donde se detectaron lesiones compatibles con vasculitis de grandes vasos. La valoración por Cardiología evidenció un aneurisma en coronaria derecha. Se realizó angio-TC, que sugirió arteritis de Takayasu tipo III. CONCLUSIONES: Es frecuente un retraso en el diagnóstico de la arteritis de Takayasu en los pacientes pediátricos. En este caso se encontraron lesiones de la fase II sin la presencia de síntomas correspondientes a la fase I. El PET-TC permitió el diagnóstico de vasculitis, clave para el diagnóstico de la paciente.

Increased incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis among the child population of Zaragoza. An emergent disease.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by esophageal dysfunction and progression to fibrosis. Its incidence is increasing in our setting with deep regional variations. To corroborate this hypothesis, a longitudinal, retrospective, multicenter observational study was carried out of patients who received a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis from 2008 to 2022 at public hospitals in the province of Zaragoza. The annual incidence rates and mean incidence rate were calculated using the data for the reference population. A total of 104 patients were included. The mean incidence rate was 5.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants < 15 years old/year (0.75-11.2). In the first five-year period (2008-2012) the rate was 1.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year, compared with a rate of 6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year in the second 5-year period (2013-2017), [OR 5,68 (IC 95% 2,55 - 12,67, p < 0,05]; and 8.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year in the third five-year period (2018-2022), [OR 7,74 (IC 95% 3,52 - 16,99, p < 0,05] It is concluded that eosinophilic esophagitis incidence has increased among the child population of Zaragoza over the past 15 years, with a 7-fold higher risk of having the condition in the third five-year period compared with the first one.

Desarrollo y validación de una escala de percepción de riesgo de COVID-19 en Perú / Development and validation of a COVID-19 risk perception scale in Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Desarrollar y validar una escala de percepción de riesgo ante la COVID-19 (PR-COVID-19-PE) en población peruana. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal psicométrico, realizado en el 2022. En la fase 1 se diseñó la escala inicial mediante revisión teórica, grupos focales, panel de expertos y revisión documental de escalas. En la fase 2 se determinó la escala mediante juicio de expertos y una prueba piloto. En la fase 3 se hizo una encuesta virtual en 678 pobladores peruanos adultos. Se efectuó un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Para determinar la validez de criterio se realizó un análisis correlacional (r de Pearson) con una escala válida de percepción de riesgo y la escala de miedo a la COVID-19. Resultados. La PR-COVID-19-PE está compuesta por dos dimensiones (cognitivo y emocional), presentó buen ajuste en la validez de constructo (x2/gl=2,34, Comparative Fit Index = 0,96, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0,96, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0,05 y Standarized Root Mean-Square = 0,07) y óptima consistencia interna (ώ=0,88). Asimismo, reportó correlación con otra escala de percepción de riesgo ante la COVID-19 (r=0,70, p<0,001) y miedo a la COVID-19 (r = 0,41, p < 0,001). Además, presenta invarianza métrica y escalar tanto por sexo como por nivel educativo. Conclusiones. La escala PR-COVID-19-PE presentó adecuada confiabilidad y validez de contenido, constructo y criterio. Constituye un instrumento para medir la percepción de riesgo ante la COVID-19 en poblaciones similares. Sin embargo, se requiere estudios adicionales en diferentes grupos poblacionales.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To develop and validate a risk perception scale for COVID-19 (PR-COVID-19-PE) in the Peruvian population. Materials and methods. Psychometric cross-sectional study conducted in 2022. In phase 1, in order to design the scale, we carried out a theoretical review and a documentary review of scales, we also used focus groups as well as an expert panel. Phase 2 included expert judgment and a pilot test. A virtual survey was conducted among 678 Peruvian adults during phase 3. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out as well. We used a correlational analysis (Pearson's r) with a valid risk perception scale and the COVID-19 fear scale to determine criterion validity. Results. The PR-COVID-19-PE has two dimensions (cognitive and emotional) and showed good fit during construct validity (x2/gl=2.34, Comparative Fit Index=0.96, Tucker-Lewis Index=0.96, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation= 0.05 and Standardized Root Mean-Square=0.07) and optimal internal consistency (ώ=0.88). Likewise, the PR-COVID-19-PE showed correlation with another COVID-19 risk perception scale (r=0.70, p< 0.001) and a fear of COVID-19 scale (r=0.41, p<0.001). In addition, it presents metric and scalar invariance by both sex and educational level. Conclusions. The PR-COVID-19-PE scale showed adequate reliability and content, construct and criterion validity. It is an instrument that can measure COVID-19 risk perception in similar populations. However, further studies are required for different populations.

Seguridad y eficacia de una nueva pauta de suplementación en pacientes con fibrosis quística e insuficiencia de vitamina D / Safety and efficacy of a new supplementation protocol in patients with cystic fibrosis and vitamin D deficiency

Objetivos: Basándonos en los documentos de consenso europeo y americano de fibrosis quística (FQ) se propone un incremento de la suplementación de vitamina D (VD) en pacientes con FQ y niveles insuficientes. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue conocer la seguridad y la eficacia de este nuevo protocolo. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, experimental no aleatorizado ni controlado. A los pacientes con niveles insuficientes (<30ng/ml) se les administró dosis crecientes de VD (entre 800 y 10.000UI/día). Se realizó seguimiento durante 12 meses analizando estatus vitamínico, nutricional, función pulmonar y metabolismo fosfocálcico. Análisis estadístico: pruebas t para datos apareados y regresión logística con análisis multivariable. Resultados: Un total de 30 pacientes entre 1 y 39 años (mediana 9,1) completaron el estudio. Se retiraron 2 por niveles de 25 OH VD>100ng/ml a los 3 meses sin encontrarse signos clínicos ni analíticos de hipercalcemia. Tras 12 meses se observó un incremento de 7,6ng/ml (IC 95% 4,6-10ng/ml) de los niveles medios de 25 OH VD. El 37% alcanzaron niveles ≥30ng/ml, un 13% <20ng/ml y un 50% entre 20 y 30ng/ml. No se observó asociación de la mejoría de los niveles de VD con la función pulmonar. Conclusiones: Con el protocolo propuesto se consigue un incremento de los niveles séricos de VD y una disminución del porcentaje de pacientes con insuficiencia de la misma, aunque todavía muy lejos de alcanzar los porcentajes de suficiencia recomendados para esta entidad. (AU)

Objectives: Based on the European and American cystic fibrosis (CF) consensus recommendations, an increase in vitamin D (VD) supplementation in patients with CF and insufficient or deficient levels was proposed. The objective of our study was to determine the safety and efficacy of this new protocol. Material and methods: Multicentre nonrandomized uncontrolled experimental study. Patients with insufficient levels (<30ng/mL) received increasing doses of VD (between 800 and 10,000IU/day). Patients were followed up for 12 months, during which their vitamin and nutritional status, pulmonary function and calcium and phosphate metabolism were assessed. Statistical analysis: t test for paired data and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Thirty patients aged 1–39 years (median, 9.1) completed the follow-up. Two patients were dropped from the study on account of 25-OH VD levels greater than 100ng/mL at 3 months without clinical or laboratory signs of hypercalcaemia. At 12 months, we observed an increase of 7.6ng/mL (95% CI, 4.6–10ng/mL) in the mean 25-OH VD level and an improvement in vitamin status: 37% achieved levels of 30ng/mL or greater, 50% levels between 20 and 30ng/mL and 13% remained with levels of less than 20ng/mL. We found no association between improved VD levels and pulmonary function. Conclusions: The proposed protocol achieved an increase in serum VD levels and a decrease in the percentage of patients with VD insufficiency, although it was still far from reaching the percentages of sufficiency recommended for this entity. (AU)

Safety and efficacy of a new supplementation protocol in patients with cystic fibrosis and vitamin D deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Based on the European and American Cystic Fibrosis (CF) consensus recommendations, an increase in vitamin D (VD) supplementation in patients with CF and insufficient or defficient levels was proposed. The objective of our study was to determine the safety and efficacy of this new protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicentre nonrandomized uncontrolled experimental study. Patients with insufficient levels (<30 ng/mL) received increasing doses of VD (between 800 and 10 000 IU/day). Patients were followed up for 12 months, during which their vitamin and nutritional status, pulmonary function and calcium and phosphate metabolism were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: t test for paired data and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty patients aged 1-39 years (median, 9.1) completed the follow-up. Two patients were dropped from the study on account of 25-OH VD levels greater than 100 ng/mL at 3 months without clinical or laboratory signs of hypercalcaemia. At 12 months, we observed an increase of 7.6 ng/mL (95% CI, 4.6-10 ng/mL) in the mean 25-OH VD level and an improvement in vitamin status: 37% achieved levels of 30 ng/mL or greater, 50% levels between 20 and 30 ng/mL and 13% remained with levels of less than 20 ng/mL. We found no association between improved VD levels and pulmonary function. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed protocol achieved an increase in serum VD levels and a decrease in the percentage of patients with VD insufficiency, although it was still far from reaching the percentages of sufficiency recommended for this entity.

Understanding racial bias through electroencephalography.

Research on racial bias in social and cognitive psychology has focused on automatic cognitive processes such as categorisation or stereotyping. Neuroimaging has revealed differences in the neural circuit when processing social information about one's own or another's ethnicity. This review investigates the influence of racial bias on human behaviour by reviewing studies that examined changes in neural circuitry (i.e. ERP responses) during automatic and controlled processes elicited by specific tasks. This systematic analysis of specific ERP components across different studies provides a greater understanding of how social contexts are perceived and become associated with specific stereotypes and behavioural predictions. Therefore, investigating these related cognitive and neurobiological functions can further our understanding of how racial bias affects our cognition more generally and guide more effective programs and policies aimed at its mitigation.

Association between HLA DNA Variants and Long-Term Response to Anti-TNF Drugs in a Spanish Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort.

The genetic polymorphisms rs2395185 and rs2097432 in HLA genes have been associated with the response to anti-TNF treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim was to analyze the association between these variants and the long-term response to anti-TNF drugs in pediatric IBD. We performed an observational, multicenter, ambispective study in which we selected 340 IBD patients under 18 years of age diagnosed with IBD and treated with anti-TNF drugs from a network of Spanish hospitals. Genotypes and failure of anti-TNF drugs were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox logistic regression. The homozygous G allele of rs2395185 and the C allele of rs2097432 were associated with impaired long-term response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBD after 3 and 9 years of follow-up. Being a carrier of both polymorphisms increased the risk of anti-TNF failure. The SNP rs2395185 but not rs2097432 was associated with response to infliximab in adults with CD treated with infliximab but not in children after 3 or 9 years of follow-up. Conclusions: SNPs rs2395185 and rs2097432 were associated with a long-term response to anti-TNFs in IBD in Spanish children. Differences between adults and children were observed in patients diagnosed with CD and treated with infliximab.

Lead ingestion, medical emergency and action plan.

Ingestion of lead material represents a therapeutic challenge involving high toxicity, significant clinical impact, and controversy regarding management. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl, who accidentally ingested a fishing sinker. She remained asymptomatic and first level tests were performed (blood lead levels and x-ray to locate object). Because of sinker location in the jejunum, two rectal enemas and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were administered, serial blood lead level measurements were performed. Because of sinker persistence, a colonoscopy was undertaken. She did not require chelation treatment. However, she required follow-up to monitor long-term toxicity and sequels.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy in Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Predictive Factors and Long-Term Step-Down Efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the short- and long-term efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in real-world practice with a step-down strategy, and to evaluate factors predictive of PPI responsiveness. METHODS: We collected data regarding the efficacy of PPIs during this cross-sectional analysis of the prospective nationwide RENESE registry. Children with EoE treated with PPI monotherapy were included. Histological remission was defined as a peak eosinophilic count of <15 eosinophils (eos)/high-power field (hpf). Factors associated with PPI responsiveness were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After induction therapy, histological and clinico-histological remission were observed in 51.4% (n = 346) and 46.5% of children, respectively. Normal endoscopic appearance of the esophagus was associated with a higher possibility [odds ratio (OR), 9.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.10-40.16], and fibrostenotic phenotype was associated with a lower possibility (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18-0.74) of histological remission. Long-term therapy with a step-down strategy effectively maintained histological remission in 68.5% and 85.3% of children at 7 months (n = 108) and 16 months (n = 34), respectively. Complete initial histological remission (≤5 eos/hpf) was associated with a higher possibility of sustained histological remission (OR, 5.08; 95% CI, 1.75-14.68). Adverse events were infrequent and mild. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the efficacy of PPIs for a large cohort of children with EoE with sustained histological remission using a step-down strategy. Children with fibrostenotic phenotypes are less likely to respond to induction therapy. Furthermore, patients with complete initial histological remission are more likely to experience long-term histological remission.

Arteritis de Takayasu como hallazgo incidental en un paciente con enfermedad celiaca: la importancia de la tomografía computarizada por emisión de positrones / Takayasu's arteritis as an incidental finding in a patient with celiac disease: the importance of positron emission computed tomography

Resumen Introducción: La arteritis de Takayasu es una vasculitis de grandes vasos que afecta a las arterias elásticas de gran calibre, fundamentalmente la aorta y sus ramas principales. Ocurre frecuentemente en mujeres entre los 20-30 años, por lo que es muy infrecuente en la edad pediátrica. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 15 años en seguimiento desde los 9 años por enfermedad celiaca. A los 13 años se detectó anemia de trastornos crónicos, elevación de proteína C reactiva y velocidad de sedimentación globular. La paciente permaneció en todo momento asintomática. Tras descartar otros procesos, se solicitó tomografía computarizada por emisión de positrones (PET-TC), donde se detectaron lesiones compatibles con vasculitis de grandes vasos. La valoración por Cardiología evidenció un aneurisma en coronaria derecha. Se realizó angio-TC, que sugirió arteritis de Takayasu tipo III. Conclusiones: Es frecuente un retraso en el diagnóstico de la arteritis de Takayasu en los pacientes pediátricos. En este caso se encontraron lesiones de la fase II sin la presencia de síntomas correspondientes a la fase I. El PET-TC permitió el diagnóstico de vasculitis, clave para el diagnóstico de la paciente.

Abstract Background: Takayasu arteritis is a large-vessel vasculitis which affects large-caliber elastic arteries, primarily the aorta and its main branches. It mainly affects women between 20-30 years, so it is rare in children. Case report: We describe the case of a 15-year-old female who was followed up since she was 9 years old due to celiac disease. At the age of 13, anaemia of chronic disorders associated to elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation were detected. The patient remained asymptomatic. After excluding other diseases, we requested a positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT); lesions compatible with large-vessel vasculitis were detected. Cardiology evaluation showed an aneurysm in the right coronary artery. Angio-CT suggested Takayasu type III arteritis. Conclusions: The delay in the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis in pediatric patients is quite common. In this case, we have found phase II lesions, with no previous phase I symptoms. However, PET-CT allowed the diagnosis of vasculitis, key to the diagnosis of the patient.

Development and validation of a COVID-19 risk perception scale in Peru. / Desarrollo y validación de una escala de percepción de riesgo de COVID-19 en Perú.

OBJECTIVES.: Motivation for the study. Risk perception of COVID-19 is a construct that varies according to the characteristics of the population in each geographic area; however, there is no validated scale to measure this construct in the Peruvian population. Main findings. A COVID-19 risk perception scale composed of two dimensions (cognitive and emotional) was designed and validated using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Implications. Having a valid and reliable instrument will help identify the variation of risk perception of COVID-19 according to contextual and psychological factors in the Peruvian population. . To develop and validate a risk perception scale for COVID-19 (PR-COVID-19-PE) in the Peruvian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Psychometric cross-sectional study conducted in 2022. In phase 1, in order to design the scale, we carried out a theoretical review and a documentary review of scales, we also used focus groups as well as an expert panel. Phase 2 included expert judgment and a pilot test. A virtual survey was conducted among 678 Peruvian adults during phase 3. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out as well. We used a correlational analysis (Pearson's r) with a valid risk perception scale and the COVID-19 fear scale to determine criterion validity. RESULTS.: The PR-COVID-19-PE has two dimensions (cognitive and emotional) and showed good fit during construct validity (x2/gl=2.34, Comparative Fit Index=0.96, Tucker-Lewis Index=0.96, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation= 0.05 and Standardized Root Mean-Square=0.07) and optimal internal consistency (ώ=0.88). Likewise, the PR-COVID-19-PE showed correlation with another COVID-19 risk perception scale (r=0.70, p< 0.001) and a fear of COVID-19 scale (r=0.41, p<0.001). In addition, it presents metric and scalar invariance by both sex and educational level. CONCLUSIONS.: The PR-COVID-19-PE scale showed adequate reliability and content, construct and criterion validity. It is an instrument that can measure COVID-19 risk perception in similar populations. However, further studies are required for different populations.

OBJETIVOS.: Desarrollar y validar una escala de percepción de riesgo ante la COVID-19 (PR-COVID-19-PE) en población peruana. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio transversal psicométrico, realizado en el 2022. En la fase 1 se diseñó la escala inicial mediante revisión teórica, grupos focales, panel de expertos y revisión documental de escalas. En la fase 2 se determinó la escala mediante juicio de expertos y una prueba piloto. En la fase 3 se hizo una encuesta virtual en 678 pobladores peruanos adultos. Se efectuó un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Para determinar la validez de criterio se realizó un análisis correlacional (r de Pearson) con una escala válida de percepción de riesgo y la escala de miedo a la COVID-19. RESULTADOS.: La PR-COVID-19-PE está compuesta por dos dimensiones (cognitivo y emocional), presentó buen ajuste en la validez de constructo (x2/gl=2,34, Comparative Fit Index = 0,96, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0,96, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0,05 y Standarized Root Mean-Square = 0,07) y óptima consistencia interna (ώ=0,88). Asimismo, reportó correlación con otra escala de percepción de riesgo ante la COVID-19 (r=0,70, p<0,001) y miedo a la COVID-19 (r = 0,41, p < 0,001). Además, presenta invarianza métrica y escalar tanto por sexo como por nivel educativo. CONCLUSIONES.: La escala PR-COVID-19-PE presentó adecuada confiabilidad y validez de contenido, constructo y criterio. Constituye un instrumento para medir la percepción de riesgo ante la COVID-19 en poblaciones similares. Sin embargo, se requiere estudios adicionales en diferentes grupos poblacionales.