High-dose fast infusion of parenteral iron isomaltoside is efficacious in inflammatory bowel disease patients with iron-deficiency anaemia without profound changes in phosphate or fibroblast growth factor 23.

OBJECTIVE: Iron isomaltoside (Monofer(®)) is a high-dose intravenous iron preparation with good tolerability and efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). This trial evaluates the safety and efficacy, including effect on intact fibroblast growth factor 23 (iFGF23) of a high single dose and cumulative doses of iron isomaltoside in IBD patients with IDA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The trial was a prospective, open-label, multi-centre trial conducted in IBD patients with IDA. Based upon haemoglobin (Hb) levels at baseline and weight, the patients received 1500, 2000, 2500 or 3000 mg of iron isomaltoside infused in single doses up to 2000 mg. The outcome measurements included adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and changes in haematology and biochemistry parameters. RESULTS: Twenty-one IBD patients with IDA were enrolled, receiving 1500 (seven patients), 2000 (eight patients), 2500 mg (four patients) or 3000 (two patients) mg of iron. No serious ADRs were observed. Four patients experienced nine mild to moderate ADRs (hypersensitivity, pyrexia, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia (two events) and eye allergy (two events)). In total, 15 (75%) patients had an increase in Hb of ≥2.0 g/dL during the trial, with normalisation of ferritin. No changes in iFGF23 or clinically significant hypophosphataemia were found. CONCLUSION: Rapid infusions of high-dose iron isomaltoside, administered as single doses up to 2000 mg and cumulative doses up to 3000 mg, were without safety concerns and were efficacious in increasing Hb levels in IBD patients. Iron isomaltoside did not induce profound phosphate wasting via increased iFGF23 levels.

Capsule endoscopic findings correlate with fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein in patients with suspected small-bowel Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a sensitive method for detecting inflammatory lesions in the small bowel. Such lesions may be due to Crohn's disease but also to other causes and a histological diagnosis may be difficult to achieve in the small bowel. The aim of the study was to find a possible correlation between capsule endoscopic findings, biochemical parameters, and symptoms in patients with suspected or known small-bowel Crohn´s disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE were included. CE findings of inflammation were graded using the Lewis score. C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin were used as biochemical parameters. Symptoms were graded using the Harvey-Bradshaw index. The patients were followed up after 9 months with a second CE, CRP, fecal calprotectin, and Harvey-Bradshaw index. RESULTS: There was a significant persistent correlation between endoscopic inflammation and fecal calprotectin (p = 0.003 at inclusion and p < 0.001 at follow-up). CRP was correlated to endoscopic inflammation at inclusion (p = 0.006), but not at follow-up. Symptoms were not correlated with endoscopic inflammation. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE in patients with suspected Crohn´s disease are correlated to fecal calprotectin and CRP, but not to symptoms.

Capsule retentions and incomplete capsule endoscopy examinations: an analysis of 2300 examinations.

UNLABELLED: Aim. To evaluate capsule endoscopy in terms of incomplete examinations and capsule retentions and to find risk factors for these events. Material and Methods. This retrospective and consecutive study includes data from 2300 capsule enteroscopy examinations, performed at four different hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden from 2003 to 2009. Results. The frequency of incomplete examinations was 20%. Older age, male gender, suspected, and known Crohn's disease were risk factors for an incomplete examination. The PillCam capsule had the highest rate of completed examinations. Capsule retention occurred in 1.3% (n = 31). Risk factors for capsule retention were known Crohn's disease and suspected tumor. Complications of capsule retention were acute obstructive symptoms in six patients and one death related to complications after acute surgical capsule retrieval. CONCLUSION: Capsule endoscopy is considered a safe procedure, although obstructive symptoms and serious complications due to capsule retention can be found in a large series of patients.