Controversies in classification of peritoneal tuberculosis and a proposal for clinico-radiological classification.

Introduction: Peritoneal tuberculosis is a common type of abdominal tuberculosis. The most commonly used classification divides peritoneal tuberculosis into wet-ascitic type, dry-plastic type, and fixed-fibrotic type. Areas covered: We performed a systematic literature search on the definitions of existing classification of peritoneal tuberculosis. The literature search identified confusion in the classification of peritoneal tuberculosis. The classification system also fails to classify some patterns of peritoneal tuberculosis like an abdominal cocoon and a substantial overlap in various categories was found. The impact of the present classification on clinical management is unclear. Lack of prospective studies and the presence of heterogeneity in reporting add to the confusion. Expert opinion: We suggest that a uniform system which better classifies peritoneal tuberculosis and helps in clinical management should be used in future studies. We propose a simple, clinico-radiological classification of peritoneal tuberculosis into two types: distension-dominant and/or pain-obstruction dominant based on the clinical presentation. This approach will be relevant to clinicians as patients with the pain-obstruction dominant presentation are more likely to receive surgical interventions and may benefit from additional measures aimed to reduce fibrosis-like addition of steroids to ATT. Future studies should aim to validate the proposed clinico-radiological classification in patients with peritoneal tuberculosis.

Oral Nano Vitamin D Supplementation Reduces Disease Activity in Ulcerative Colitis: A Double-Blind Randomized Parallel Group Placebo-controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D possesses anti-inflammatory properties and could be beneficial in ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: We studied the effect of oral nano vitamin D3 supplementation on disease activity in active UC [ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI)≥3]. Patients with active UC and vitamin D <40 ng/mL were randomized to receive either oral nano vitamin D (60,000 IU/d×8 d) or placebo. They were evaluated for disease activity (UCDAI scores, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and fecal calprotectin) at baseline and reassessed at 4 weeks. The response was defined as a 3-point reduction in UCDAI score at 4 weeks and reduction in inflammatory markers. RESULTS: The median vitamin D levels increased from 15.4 to 40.83 mg/dL in vitamin D group (P≤0.001) and marginally from 13.45 to 18.85 mg/dL (P=0.027) in controls. The 3-point reduction in UCDAI was seen more often in vitamin D group as compared with the control (53% vs. 13%; P=0.001). Increase in vitamin D levels correlated with reduction in UCDAI score (P≤0.001; ρ=-0.713), C-reactive protein (P≤0.001; ρ=-0.603), and calprotectin (P=0.004; ρ=-0.368). Patients who achieved target vitamin D of >40 ng/mL (n=17) more often had a 3-point reduction in UCDAI (80% vs. 20%; P≤0.001) and reduction in grade of severity from 60% to 35% (P=0.038). Vitamin D administration (odds ratio, 9.17; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-41.67) and baseline histologic activity (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence intervals, 1.2-3.08) independently predicted response. CONCLUSIONS: Oral nano vitamin D supplementation in active UC is associated with a reduction in disease activity and severity grade and is seen more often in those who achieved a target vitamin D level of 40 ng/mL.