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Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients use a wide variety of immunosuppressive drugs, including biologics, but their effect on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine antibody levels remains a mystery. Aim: We analysed whether the drugs used in the treatment of IBD patients could affect the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Material and methods: This is a prospective, single-centre evaluation of the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after vaccination at various time points: every 2 months throughout the 6th month after the first dose. Results: We included a total of 346 vaccinated IBD patients in the study. A negative correlation between antibody level and time from full vaccination was confirmed for the following types of therapy: infliximab (rho = -0.32, p < 0.001), adalimumab (rho = -0.35, p = 0.025), and vedolizumab (rho = -0.50, p < 0.001). In the case of other, long-term drug administration, a negative correlation between antibody level and time from full vaccination was confirmed for mesalazine (rho = -0.35, p < 0.001), budesonide (rho = -0.58, p = 0.004), systemic glucocorticoids (rho = -0.58, p < 0.001), and azathioprine (rho = -0.44, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Due to the immunosuppressive and biological treatment, IBD patients are exposed to a shorter persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and require booster doses. The role of gastroenterologists in educating patients about the need to continue SARS-CoV-2 vaccination remains crucial.
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INTRODUCTION: Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are at high risk of developing malignancies, so prevention and adherence to cancer screening may improve detection. The aim of this study was to assess compliance with medical recommendations, especially primary and secondary prevention of cancer. METHODS: This one-center cross-sectional study was carried out between June and December 2021 amongst patients at the Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, IBD Division, National Medical Institute of Ministry of Interior Affairs and Administrations, or the outpatient clinic. Patients with IBD were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire, which included 42 questions concerning lifestyle, cancer risk factors, cancer history, and checkups. STATISTICAL METHODS: The results of the qualitative variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. We used Fisher's exact test and the Chi-squared test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: A total of 313 patients were enrolled in the study: 145 women and 168 men. In the group, 182 had Crohn's disease (CD), 120 had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 11 with IBDU (unclassified IBD). Most participants had a disease duration of over 8 years and received biological treatment, corticoids, and/or immunosuppressive therapy. Amongst respondents, 17% (31) of patients with CD and 25.8% (31) with UC were overweight, and 10.5% (19) with CD and 15.8% (19) with UC were obese (p = 0.017). We found that 16.3% of all respondents were smokers (79.6% (144) with CD, 90.8% (109) with UC, and 72.7% (8) with IBDU; p = 0.053), and 33.9% declared that they consumed alcohol (39.4% (71) with CD, 26.9% (32) with UC, and 18.2% (2) with IBDU; p = 0.045). A total of 25.4% of patients were exposed to UV radiation, but only 18.8% used sunblock. In addition, 58.8% (67) of patients with CD and 35.8% (19) with UC receiving immunosuppressants had regular laboratory tests (p = 0.02). Furthermore, 41.4% (46) of patients with UC, 27.1% (49) of patients with CD, and 70.0% (7) of patients with IBDU declared not to perform any dermatological control (p = 0.013). A total of 77% of patients had abdominal ultrasound. Out of 52.9% of patients for whom colonoscopy was recommended, only 27.3% had it performed (16.9% (30) with CD vs. 43.1% (50) with UC p < 0.001). Most examinations were ordered by gastroenterologists. Female patients had regular breast control (CD, 78.6% (66); UC, 91.2% (52); IBDU, 50% (2); p = 0.034), and 93.8% (76) had gynecological examinations. Additionally, 80.2% of patients knew about HPV, but most declared not to be vaccinated. A total of 17.9% of patients had urological control, but most had no important pathology detected. CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, many patients are still exposed to risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and low physical activity, that are modifiable. Laboratory tests in patients with immunosuppressive treatment should be performed regularly. Systematic control, especially dermatological checkups, should be recommended. Additionally, not only gastrologists but also other specialists and GPs should remind patients about regular checkups. Primary prevention, such as HPV vaccinations, should be recommended to all patients.
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(1) Background: Social distancing rules have been widely introduced in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. So far, the effectiveness of these methods has not been assessed in the group of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. (2) Methods: The study included 473 patients with IBD who made 1180 hospital visits from 1 May to 30 September 2020. During each visit, the patients completed a five-step, progressive scale that was developed to assess the degree of social isolation. In parallel, other demographic data were collected and the concentrations of anti-severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG and IgM+IgA antibodies were measured using the ELISA method. (3) Results: The study found a significant correlation between the degree of social distancing and the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the groups with the lowest degree of isolation (3 to 5). (4) Conclusions: Maintaining social distancing is an effective method for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus among IBD patients.
