Bone health in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are prone to reduced bone mineral density and elevated overall fracture risk. Osteopenia affects up to 40% of patients with IBD (high regional variability). Besides disease activity, IBD specialists must consider possible side effects of medication and the presence of associated diseases and extraintestinal manifestations. Osteopenia and osteoporosis remain frequent problems in patients with IBD and are often underestimated because of widely differing screening and treatment practices. Malnutrition, chronic intestinal inflammation and corticosteroid intake are the major pathophysiological factors contributing to osteoporosis. Patients with IBD are screened for osteoporosis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is recommended for all patients with a prolonged disease course of more than three months, with repeated corticosteroid administration, aged >40 years with a high FRAX risk score or aged <40 years with multiple risk factors. From a therapeutic perspective, besides good disease control, vitamin D supplementation and glucocorticoid sparing, several specific osteological options are available: bisphosphonates, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) inhibitors (denosumab), parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogues and selective estrogen receptor modulators. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of IBD-associated bone loss.

Comparative Evaluation of the ABC Score to Other Risk Stratification Scales in Managing High-risk Patients Presenting With Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: The ABC risk score identifies patients at high risk of mortality in acute lower and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). We aimed to externally validate the ABC score while comparing it to other prognostication scales when assessing UGIB patients at high risk of negative outcomes before endoscopy. METHODS: UGIB patients from a national Canadian registry (REASON) were studied, with mortality prediction as a primary outcome. Secondary endpoints included prognostication of rebleeding, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ICU and hospitalization lengths of stay (LOS), and a previously proposed composite outcome measure. Univariable and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses compared discriminatory abilities of the ABC score to the AIMS65, Glasgow Blatchford Scale (GBS), and clinical Rockall score. RESULTS: The REASON registry included 2020 patients [89.4% nonvariceal; mean age (±SD): 66.3±16.4 y; 38.4% female]. Overall mortality, rebleeding, ICU admission, transfusion and composite score rates were 9.9%, 11.4%, 21.1%, 69.0%, and 67.3%, respectively. ICU and hospitalization LOS were 5.4±9.3 and 9.1±11.5 days, respectively. The ABC score displayed superior 30-day mortality prediction [0.78 (0.73; 0.83)] compared with GBS [0.69 (0.63; 0.75)] or clinical Rockall [0.64 (0.58; 0.70)] but not AIMS65 [0.73 (0.67; 0.79)]. Although most scales significantly prognosticated secondary outcomes in the univariable analysis except for ICU LOS, discriminatory abilities on areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were poor. CONCLUSIONS: ABC and AIMS65 display similar good prediction of mortality. Clinical usefulness in prognosticating secondary outcomes was modest for all scales, limiting their adoptions when informing early management of high-risk UGIB patients.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Increases Cardiovascular Risk in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population. Both conditions seem more frequent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess the effect of NAFLD and liver fibrosis on intermediate-high cardiovascular risk in IBD. Methods: We prospectively included IBD patients undergoing a routine screening program for NAFLD by transient elastography (TE) with associated controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were defined as CAP ≥275 dB m-1 and liver stiffness measurement by TE ≥8 kPa, respectively. Cardiovascular risk was assessed with the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator and categorized as low if <5%, borderline if 5%-7.4%, intermediate if 7.5%-19.9%, and high if ≥20% or if previous cardiovascular event. Predictors of intermediate-high cardiovascular risk were investigated by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 405 patients with IBD included, 278 (68.6%), 23 (5.7%), 47 (11.6%), and 57 (14.1%) were categorized as at low, borderline, intermediate, and high ASCVD risk, respectively. NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were found in 129 (31.9%) and 35 (8.6%) patients, respectively. After adjusting for disease activity, significant liver fibrosis and body mass index, predictors of intermediate-high ASCVD risk were NAFLD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.97, 95% CI, 1.56-5.68), IBD duration (aOR 1.55 per 10 years, 95% CI, 1.22-1.97), and ulcerative colitis (aOR 2.32, 95% CI, 1.35-3.98). Conclusions: Assessment of cardiovascular risk should be targeted in IBD patients with NAFLD, particularly if they have longer IBD duration and ulcerative colitis.

Discontinuation of immunosuppression in patients with immune-mediated drug-induced liver injury or idiopathic autoimmune hepatitis: A case-control study.

Background and Aim: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) may present with autoimmune features and require immunosuppressive therapy (IST) to reach biochemical response. Discontinuation of IST without hepatitis relapse may be more frequent in these patients as compared to patients with classical autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). We aimed to determine baseline characteristics and outcome of patients with immune-mediated drug induced liver injury (IMDILI) with particular emphasis on IST during follow-up. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients presenting at a tertiary care center between January 2005 and December 2019 either with IMDILI or with classical AIH, for whom full baseline characteristics and a close follow-up were available over a 12-month period. Results: Overall, 31 patients (IMDILI n = 16, mean age 59 [34-74] years; AIH n = 15, mean age 47 [15-61] years) were included, showing similar biochemical, serological, and histological characteristics. Incriminating drugs in IMDILI patients were mostly represented by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and sartans. Initial corticosteroids combined with IST led to biochemical response in all patients. Compared to idiopathic AIH, more patients with IMDILI were weaned off corticosteroids at the end of follow-up (11/16 [68.7%] vs 4/15 [26.6%], P < 0.02). At 1 year of follow-up, more patients in the IMDILI group compared to the classical AIH group were off any type of IST (13/16 [81%] vs 15/15 [100%], P = 0.08). Conclusions: Although presenting with similar baseline biochemical and histological characteristics as idiopathic AIH, patients with IMDILI may not require long-term IST.

Comparative Efficacy of Biologic Therapies for Inducing Response and Remission in Fistulizing Crohn's Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The medical treatment of fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD) remains a challenge to clinicians. Over the last 20 years, biologic therapies have been the mainstay of medical treatment of fistulizing CD. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of biologic therapies in inducing response and remission in fistulizing CD. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central databases from inception to December 2021. Inclusion criteria were any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of biologic therapies against an active comparator or placebo for induction of response or remission in adults with fistulizing CD. The proportion of patients with fistula response or remission, as defined by each clinical trial, was our primary study outcome. A Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis was used to measure treatment effects and results were reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: In our analysis, 10 studies were included, and all were RCTs. Infliximab was superior to adalimumab in inducing response (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06-0.99) but not in inducing remission (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.04-2.27). Tumor necrosis factor antagonists were superior to placebo in the induction of response (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35-0.750) and remission (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.58). Infliximab was superior to placebo in inducing response (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17-0.75) and remission (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03-0.87). Ustekinumab was superior to placebo in inducing response (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26-0.860) but not in inducing remission (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.13-1.93). When comparing biologic therapies against each other, there was no statistical difference in inducing remission. Vedolizumab was not superior to placebo in inducing remission (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.04-2.29). Certolizumab was not superior to placebo in inducing response (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.40-1.55) or remission (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.40-1.55). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor necrosis factor antagonists are effective in inducing response and remission in fistulizing CD. Infliximab was superior to adalimumab for inducing response but not for inducing remission. Ustekinumab is effective in the induction of response but not in the induction of remission. When compared against each other, biologic therapies showed no significant difference in the induction of remission. Based on the available data, infliximab is the preferred first-line treatment. As for other biologics, the limited published data do not allow us to make firm recommendations. This study supports current practice and emphasizes the need for dedicated RCTs to evaluate the efficacy of biologic therapies in fistulizing CD.

Despite the era of biologic therapies, the management of fistulizing Crohn's disease remains challenging. This is the first systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of biologic therapies in inducing response and remission in patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease. We found that anti-tumor necrosis factor agents are effective in inducing response and remission. Infliximab was superior to adalimumab for inducing response but not for inducing remission.

Alcohol and cannabis consumption in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence, pattern of consumption and impact on the disease.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: There is little guidance regarding the impact of alcohol and cannabis on the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics and impact of alcohol and cannabis use on the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: We performed an analysis of prospectively collected data within the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study with yearly follow-ups and substance-specific questionnaires. We analyzed the prevalence of use, the profile of users at risk for addiction and the impact of alcohol and cannabis on the course of the disease. RESULTS: We collected data of 2828 patients included between 2006 and 2018 and analyzed it according to their completion of specific surveys on alcohol and cannabis use. The prevalence of patient-reported active use was 41.3% for alcohol and 6% for cannabis. Heavy drinkers were over-represented among retired, married smokers receiving mostly aminosalicylates and less immunosuppression. In ulcerative colitis patients, low-to-moderate drinking was associated with less extensive disease. Cannabis users were often students with ileal Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease consume alcohol or cannabis. Heavy alcohol consumption is most likely in male smokers >50 years, whereas young men with ileal disease rather use cannabis.

Efficacy of Intravenous Ustekinumab Reinduction in Patients With Crohn's Disease With a Loss of Response.

Background/Aims: In patients receiving ustekinumab (UST) for treatment of Crohn's disease, there is no proven strategy to enhance or re-capture response. We assessed the utility of UST intravenous (IV) reinduction (~6 mg/kg) to achieve clinical, biochemical and endoscopic response or remission, in patients with partial or loss of response to UST maintenance therapy. Methods: A multicentre, retrospective cohort study was performed. Adults who received an IV reinduction dose of UST for either partial response or secondary loss of response to UST were assessed. The primary outcome was clinical remission off corticosteroids (Harvey Bradshaw Index <5), with biochemical response (defined as ≥ 50% decrease of CRP or FCP and/or endoscopic response (defined as a decrease in Simple Endoscopic Score-CD ≥ 50%). Secondary outcomes included clinical, biomarker and endoscopic response/remission, as well as safety. Results: Sixty-five patients (median age 38 years, 54.7% women) underwent IV UST reinduction between January 2017 and April 2019. Most patients (88.3%) were already on escalated maintenance dosing of UST 90 mg subcutaneous every 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed at a median of 14 weeks (IQR: 12-19) post-reinduction. The primary outcome of clinical remission off corticosteroids with biochemical and/or endoscopic response was achieved in 31.0% (n = 18). Pre-reinduction UST concentrations were ≥1 µg/mL in 88.6% (mean 3.2 ± 2.0 µg/mL). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: UST IV reinduction can be effective in patients with Crohn's disease with partial or loss of response to UST maintenance therapy. Further studies evaluating this strategy are warranted.

[The use of ultrasound in IBD: an essential tool?] / Échographie dans les maladies inflammatoires chroniques de l'intestin†: nouvel outil indispensable†?

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) characterized by an inflammation of the digestive tract wall. Current guidelines recommend a «treat to target¼ management and a "tight control" of the inflammation for an optimal follow-up. Intestinal ultrasound, due to its low cost, its feasibility at bed side, its absence of preparation and its non-invasive character, has proved its place in the diagnosis and the follow-up of IBD. It allows the evaluation of various parameters of the lumen, the intestinal wall, the mesentery, the vascularization as well as complications.

La maladie de Crohn (MC) et la rectocolite hémorragique (RCH) sont des maladies inflammatoires chroniques de l'intestin (MICI) caractérisées par une inflammation de la paroi du tube digestif. Les recommandations de prise en charge suggèrent de viser une cible thérapeutique et de procéder à une évaluation régulière de l'inflammation appelée «â€…contrôle serré ¼ (tight control en anglais). Le but est de proposer une adaptation thérapeutique si la cible n'est pas atteinte (concept du treat-to-target). L'échographie, par son faible coût, sa faisabilité au lit du malade, son absence de préparation colique et son caractère non invasif, a démontré sa place dans le diagnostic et le suivi des MICI. Elle permet d'évaluer divers paramètres de la lumière, de la paroi intestinale, du mésentère, la vascularisation et de rechercher des complications.

Update on TDM (Therapeutic Drug Monitoring) with Ustekinumab, Vedolizumab and Tofacitinib in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The goal of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is to optimize anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) biologic treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although commercial assays are readily available for both ustekinumab and vedolizumab, the use of TDM with these newer biologic medications is at its infancy. The clinical utility of TDM with non-anti-TNF mechanisms of action is not clear. This review summarizes the latest available data on the pharmacokinetics of newer biologic and oral small molecules and highlights the threshold concentrations that have been associated with improved outcomes in IBD patients.

Checklist feasibility and impact in gastrointestinal endoscopy: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Background and study aim Checklists prevent errors and have a positive impact on patient morbidity and mortality in surgical settings. Despite increasing use of checklists in gastrointestinal endoscopy units across many countries, a summary of cumulated experience is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the feasibility of successful checklist implementation in gastrointestinal endoscopy units and summarise the evidence of its impact on the commitment in safety culture. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed identifying the use of a checklist or time-out in endoscopy units from 1978 to January 2020 using OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases, with search terms related to checklist and endoscopy. We summarised overall adherence to checklists from included studies through a narrative synthesis, characterizing barriers and facilitators according to nurse and physician perspectives, while also summarizing safety endpoints. Results The seven studies selected from 673 screened citations were highly heterogeneous in terms of methodology, context, and outcomes. Across five of these, checklist adherence rates post-intervention varied for both nurses (84 % to 96 %) and physicians (66 % to 95 %). Various facilitators (education, continued reassessment) and barriers (lack of safety culture, checklist completion time) were identified. Most studies did not report associations between checklist implementation and clinical outcomes, except for better team communication. Conclusion Implementation of a gastrointestinal endoscopy checklist is feasible, with an understanding of relevant barriers and facilitators. Apart from a significant increase in the perception of team communication, evidence for a measurable impact attributable to gastrointestinal checklist implementation on endoscopic processes and safety outcomes is limited and warrants further study.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: limited benefits from early colonoscopy in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of colonoscopy in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) remains controversial. AIM: To characterise the utility of early colonoscopy (within 24 hours) in managing acute LGIB. METHODS: A systematic literature search to October 2019 identified fully published articles and abstracts of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies with control groups assessing early colonoscopy in acute LGIB. The primary outcome was rebleeding. Secondary outcomes included mortality, surgery, length of stay (LOS), definite cause of bleeding and adverse events. Odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MD) were calculated. RESULTS: Of 1116 citations, 4 RCTs (466 patients) and 13 observational studies with elective colonoscopy (>24 hours) as control group (1 061 281 patients) were included. No differences in rebleeding were noted between early and elective colonoscopy groups among RCTs alone (OR = 1.70; 0.79; 3.64), or observational studies alone (OR = 1.20; 0.69; 2.09). No other significant between-group differences in outcomes were found when restricting the analysis to RCTs. Among observational studies only, early colonoscopy was associated with lower rates of all-cause mortality (OR = 0.86; 0.75; 0.98), surgery (OR = 0.52; 0.42; 0.64), blood transfusion (OR = 0.81; 0.75; 0.87), units of blood transfusion (MD = -4.30; -6.24; -2.36) and shorter LOS (MD = -1.70; -1.70; -1.70 days). CONCLUSION: In contradistinction to observational studies, data from RCTs do not support a role for early colonoscopy in the routine management of acute LGIB with regards to the most important clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to better identify patients with high-risk LGIB who may benefit from early colonoscopy.

Varicella zoster virus in inflammatory bowel disease patients: what every gastroenterologist should know.

Primary Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infection results in varicella (chickenpox) while its reactivation results in herpes zoster (HZ; shingles). Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are susceptible to complications of primary VZV infection and have an increased risk of HZ. Concerns of VZV and HZ infection in the IBD population has been highlighted by the emergence of JAK-inhibitors and their safety profile in this patient population such as tofacitinib for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). The current pipeline of emerging therapies include novel molecules targeting multiple pathways including JAK/signal transducer and cytokine signalling pathways such as JAK/STAT. Hence VZV and HZ will be increasingly relevant for gastroenterologists treating IBD patients in light of these emerging therapies.

[Management of gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak]. / Prise en charge des patients avec maladies digestives et hépatiques durant la pandémie COVID-19.

The current epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 infection poses new challenges in the management of patients with gastrointestinal or liver disease. Consultations with patients with chronic diseases should ideally be done via telemedicine and treatments administered at home if possible. The latter should be maintained in non-infected subjects to limit the risk of decompensation of their underlying disease. In the event of proven infection, immunomodulatory or biological treatments will tend to be reduced or discontinued unless the disease is in a severely active phase. Elective endoscopy should be postponed, and urgent procedures should be performed with appropriate personal protective equipment.

L'épidémie actuelle d'infection par le SARS-CoV-2 pose de nouveaux défis dans la prise en charge des patients avec pathologies gastroentérologique ou hépatologique. Les consultations avec les patients atteints de maladies chroniques devraient se faire idéalement par télémédecine et les traitements administrés à domicile si possible. Ces derniers doivent être maintenus chez les sujets non infectés pour limiter le risque de décompensation de leur maladie de base. En cas d'infection avérée, on aura tendance à diminuer voire interrompre les traitements immunomodulateurs ou biologiques sauf si la maladie est en phase sévèrement active. Les examens endoscopiques électifs doivent être reportés. Les interventions urgentes doivent être effectuées en appliquant des mesures de protection adéquates.

Update on the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects patients during their peak reproductive years. This raises important questions, in both patients and healthcare providers, regarding conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Lack of information and insufficient communication among healthcare providers can leave patients with limited information and even contradictory advice. Given the fact that pregnant and/or breastfeeding IBD patients are excluded from clinical studies the evidence on many questions related to pregnancy and postpartum period is limited. However, there exists increasing data from case series and cohort studies that allows to provide clinical guidance. The overarching concept is that optimizing the mother's health is critical for optimizing the health of the unborn child and benefit of continuing medical therapy in IBD during pregnancy outweighs possible risks in most instances. This paper provides an up-to-date systematic review of the literature on IBD in pregnancy and proposes guidance to questions frequently encountered by healthcare professionals.

Proton pump inhibitors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains a public health burden with a persistent high mortality despite advances in modern day management. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) as medical therapy is an attractive adjuvant to endoscopic treatment in UGIB but the method and dose of PPI therapy remains controversial. This chapter aims to describe the current evidence addressing acute PPI use in the management of UGIB. It will explore the evidence behind the timing, the dosage and the mode of administration of PPI during initial UGIB management, prior to and immediately following endoscopy, as well as in the short-term following discharge.

Maladaptive coping, low self-efficacy and disease activity are associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are key aspects in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to evaluate factors associated with adverse PRO, including modifiable social constructs of maladaptive coping and self-efficacy as well as physician-patient concordance on PRO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) from September 2015 to March 2016. Validated questionnaires were used to assess quality of life (Short IBD Questionnaire), disability (IBD disability index), productivity (work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), coping strategies [Brief Coping Operations Preference Enquiry (Brief COPE)], and self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale). Independent physician assessment was used to compare concordance with patients. RESULTS: In all, 207 (CD: 144 and UC: 63) patients, with median age of 39 years, were included, with 42.5% males. Significant proportion of patients reported moderate/severe impairment of disability (30.5%), quality of life (29.4%), productivity (52.4%), anxiety (32.9%) and depression (23.3%). Disease activity and maladaptive coping were independently associated with unfavourable PRO, whereas self-efficacy had a positive effect in multivariate analysis. Physicians could accurately identify the magnitude of PRO impairment in standard clinical settings (r = 0.59-0.65, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Disease activity and modifiable psychological constructs are associated with unfavorable PRO in patients with IBD. These factors could assist with identifying high-risk patients, many of whom may benefit from targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.

Low endoscopy bleeding risk in patients with congenital bleeding disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Haemophilia A and haemophilia B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), factor VII deficiency and factor XI deficiency are congenital bleeding disorders predisposing to bleeding during invasive procedures. The ageing population of people with congenital bleeding disorders will likely increasingly require gastrointestinal endoscopy. The bleeding risk postgastrointestinal endoscopy and optimal prophylactic treatment regimens are not well described. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review at the McGill University Health Centre. Adult patients with haemophilia A or B, VWD, FVII deficiency and FXI deficiency who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures were included. Bleeding prophylaxis included combinations of plasma-derived factor (VWD) or recombinant factor (haemophilia A and haemophilia B), desmopressin and/or tranexamic acid. Our primary outcome was the 72-hour postendoscopy bleeding rate. RESULTS: One hundred and four endoscopies were performed in 48 patients. Haemophilia A (45.3% of endoscopies) was the most common bleeding disorder, followed by VWD (38.5%), FXI deficiency (8.7%), haemophilia B (4.8%) and FVII deficiency (2.9%). All patients were reviewed by the Haemophilia Treatment Center with peri-procedure treatment protocols put in place as required. The overall 72-hour bleeding rate was 0.96%, confidence interval (CI) 95% (0.17%-5.25%). The colonoscopic postpolypectomy bleeding rate was 1/21 (4.8%, CI 95% (0.9%-22.7%)) in comparison with the general population rate of 0.3%-10% for high-risk endoscopy (including colonoscopic polypectomy). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study describing patients with inherited bleeding disorders undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. The bleeding risk is not significantly higher to the general population when haemostatically managed by a team experienced in bleeding disorders.

Outcomes following restrictive or liberal red blood cell transfusion in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion reduces mortality and rebleeding after upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). However, there is no evidence to guide transfusion strategies in lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). AIM: To assess the association between RBC transfusion strategies and outcomes in patients with LGIB METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of the UK National Comparative Audit of LGIB and the Use of Blood. The relationships between liberal RBC transfusion and clinical outcomes of rebleeding, mortality and a composite outcome for safe discharge were examined. Transfusion strategy was dichotomised and defined as "liberal" when transfusion was administered for haemoglobin (Hb) ≥80 g/L (or ≥90 g/L in patients with acute coronary syndrome) or major haemorrhage, and "restrictive" otherwise. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the independent association between liberal RBC transfusion and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 2528 consecutive patients enrolled from 143 hospitals in the original study, 666 (26.3%) received RBC transfusion (mean age 73.3 ± 16 years, 49% female, initial mean haemoglobin 90 ± 24 g/L, 2.3% had haemodynamic instability). The rebleeding rate in transfused patients was 42.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, there was no difference between liberal and restrictive RBC transfusion strategies for the odds of rebleeding (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.6-1.22), in-hospital mortality (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.3-1.1) or of achieving the composite outcome (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.5-1.1). CONCLUSION: Although these results could be due to residual confounding, they provide an important foundation for the design of randomised trials to evaluate transfusion strategies for LGIB.

Screening for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Cohort Study Using Transient Elastography.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients may be at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to chronic inflammation, hepatotoxic drugs, and alteration of the gut microbiota. Prospective data using accurate diagnostic methods are lacking. Methods: We prospectively investigated prevalence and predictors of NAFLD and liver fibrosis by transient elastography (TE) with associated controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in IBD patients as part of a routine screening program. NAFLD was defined as CAP ≥248 dB/m. Significant liver fibrosis (stage 2 or higher out of 4) was defined as TE measurement ≥7.0 kPa. Predictors of NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 384 patients (mean age 42.4 years, 45.0% male, 64.6% with Crohn's disease) with no significant alcohol intake were included. Prevalence of NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis was 32.8% and 12.2%, respectively. Independent predictors of NAFLD were older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.82), higher body mass index (BMI; aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.20-1.42) and higher triglycerides (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.01-2.09). Significant liver fibrosis was independently predicted by older age (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.12-1.64) and higher BMI (aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.23). Extrahepatic diseases were more common in IBD patients with NAFLD compared with those without, namely chronic kidney disease (10.3 vs 2.3%; P < 0.001) and cardiovascular diseases (11.3 vs 4.7%; P = 0.02). Conclusions: NAFLD diagnosed by TE with CAP is a frequent comorbidity in IBD patients and is associated with extrahepatic diseases. Noninvasive screening strategies could help early diagnosis and initiation of interventions, including weight loss, correction of dyslipidemia, and linkage to care. 10.1093/ibd/izy200_video1izy200.video15794817619001.