Severe pulmonary toxicity after azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine initiation for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Lung Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Shared Pathways and Unwanted Connections

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, frequently associated with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) that can severely affect IBD patients' quality of life, sometimes even becoming life-threatening. Respiratory diseases have always been considered a rare and subsequently neglected extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that respiratory involvement is frequent in IBD patients, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Airway inflammation is the most common milieu of IBD-related involvement, with bronchiectasis being the most common manifestation. Furthermore, significant differences in prevalence and types of involvement are present between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The same embryological origin of respiratory and gastrointestinal tissue, in addition to exposure to common antigens and cytokine networks, may all play a potential role in the respiratory involvement. Furthermore, other causes such as drug-related toxicity and infections must always be considered. This article aims at reviewing the current evidence on the association between IBD and respiratory diseases. The purpose is to raise awareness of respiratory manifestation among IBD specialists and emphasize the need for identifying respiratory diseases in early stages to promptly treat these conditions, avoid worsening morbidity, and prevent lung damage.

Cytomegalovirus Pneumonia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Literature Review and Clinical Recommendations

Aim

The objective was to elucidate the correlation between CMVP and immunosuppressive therapy in IBD patients, we hope this review could expand on the significance of CMV as an opportunistic pathogen and the potential impact on morbidity and mortality in IBD patients.

Methods

Records and clinical trajectories linked to CMVP in IBD patients were extracted from the PubMed database, irrespective of language barriers. The reference lists incorporated in these studies were manually inspected. Conclusions were generated using straightforward descriptive analysis.

Results

In total, 18 IBD patients, including Crohn's disease (CD, 67%) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC, 33%), affected by CMVP were identified from 17 published articles. A minority of these patients (17%) exhibited active disease, whereas the majority (83%) presented with quiescent disease. Fever (100%) and dyspnea (44%) emerged as the most prevalent clinical symptoms. All the patients had undergone immunosuppressive therapy. A significant proportion, up to 89%, had received thiopurine treatment prior to the CMVP diagnosis. Interestingly, none of the patients were subjected to biological therapy. Half of the patients manifested with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Almost all patients (94%) were administered antiviral treatment and a substantial 83% experienced full recovery. Immunosuppressive agents were either tapered or discontinued altogether. A subset of patients, 17%, suffered fatal outcomes.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the need for heightened suspicion of CMVP in IBD patients who exhibit symptoms such as fever and dyspnea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CMVP should be considered a potential differential diagnosis. It was observed that CMVP primarily transpires during CD remission. Azathioprine emerged as the predominant immunosuppressant linked to CMV reactivation. The prompt application of effective antiviral therapy can substantially enhance patient outcomes. CMV vaccine might serve as a viable prevention strategy.

Medication-induced Pulmonary Injury: A Scenario- and Pattern-based Approach to a Perplexing Problem

Medication-induced pulmonary injury (MIPI) is a complex medical condition that has become increasingly common yet remains stubbornly difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis can be aided by combining knowledge of the most common imaging patterns caused by MIPI with awareness of which medications a patient may be exposed to in specific clinical settings. The authors describe six imaging patterns commonly associated with MIPI: sarcoidosis-like, diffuse ground-glass opacities, organizing pneumonia, centrilobular ground-glass nodules, linear-septal, and fibrotic. Subsequently, the occurrence of these patterns is discussed in the context of five different clinical scenarios and the medications and medication classes typically used in those scenarios. These scenarios and medication classes include the rheumatology or gastrointestinal clinic (disease-modifying antirheumatic agents), cardiology clinic (antiarrhythmics), hematology clinic (cytotoxic agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, retinoids), oncology clinic (immune modulators, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies), and inpatient service (antibiotics, blood products). Additionally, the article draws comparisons between the appearance of MIPI and the alternative causes of lung disease typically seen in those clinical scenarios (eg, connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease in the rheumatology clinic and hydrostatic pulmonary edema in the cardiology clinic). Familiarity with the most common imaging patterns associated with frequently administered medications can help insert MIPI into the differential diagnosis of acquired lung disease in these scenarios. However, confident diagnosis is often thwarted by absence of specific diagnostic tests for MIPI. Instead, a working diagnosis typically relies on multidisciplinary consensus. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Respiratory Tract Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease can manifest in many extraintestinal organ systems. The most frequently involved extraintestinal locations include the mucocutaneous, hepatobiliary, and ocular organ systems. The respiratory tract is less commonly involved and is therefore frequently overlooked. Consequently, it is believed that involvement of the respiratory tract in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is underreported. The pathogenesis is thought to be multifactorial, involving the common embryologic origin shared by the respiratory and luminal digestive tract, molecular mimicry, and immunologic interactions leading to immune-complex deposition in affected tissue. The spectrum of manifestations of the respiratory tract related to inflammatory bowel disease is broad. It not only includes direct involvement of the respiratory tract (ie, airways, interstitium, and pleura) but also can result as a consequence of systemic involvement such as in thromboembolic events. In addition, it may also be related to other conditions that affect the respiratory tract such as sarcoidosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Though some conditions related to respiratory tract involvement might be subclinical, others may have life-threatening consequences. It is critical to approach patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease-related respiratory tract involvement in concert with pulmonology, infectious diseases, and any other pertinent experts, as treatments may require a multidisciplinary overlap of measures. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for the clinician to be aware of the array of respiratory tract manifestations of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, in addition to the possible spectrum of therapeutic measures.

Bronchoalveolar lavage as a diagnostic procedure: a review of known cellular and molecular findings in various lung diseases

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a commonly used procedure in the evaluation of lung disease as it allows for sampling of the lower respiratory tract. In many circumstances, BAL differential cell counts have been reported to be typical of specific lung disorders. In addition, more specific diagnostic tests including molecular assays such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, special cytopathologic stains, or particular microscopic findings have been described as part of BAL fluid analysis. This review focuses on common cellular and molecular findings of BAL in a wide range of lung diseases. Since the performance of the first lung irrigation in 1927, BAL has become a common and important diagnostic tool. While some pulmonary disorders have a highly characteristic signature of BAL findings, BAL results alone often lack specificity and require interpretation along with other clinical and radiographic details. Development of new diagnostic assays is certain to reinforce the utility of BAL in the future. Our review of the BAL literature is intended to serve as a resource to assist clinicians in the care of patients with lung disorders.

Pulmonary Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease are increasingly recognized in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Most commonly, incidental abnormalities are noted on chest imaging or pulmonary function tests. Although clinically significant pulmonary disease is less common, it can carry significant morbidity for patients. We review the presenting symptoms, workup, and management for several of the more common forms of inflammatory bowel disease-related pulmonary disease. Increased awareness of the spectrum of extraintestinal inflammatory bowel disease will help providers more readily recognize this phenomenon in their own patients and more comprehensively address the protean sequelae of inflammatory bowel disease.

Safety of drugs used for the treatment of Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Medications in treating Crohn's disease (CD) have evolved over the last two decades, particularly with the use of biologic agents. There are, however, concerns about the safety and adverse events associated with these medications. The authors review the safety profile of immunosuppressive medications used in Crohn's disease in adult patients.

AREAS COVERED

The authors performed a literature search until October 2018 to examine safety data on thiopurines, methotrexate, anti-TNFα agents, vedolizumab and ustekinumab. The authors focused on 'trial' and 'real-world' data for the biologic agents. Safety in pregnancy and the elderly are also presented.

EXPERT OPINION

Available data in CD suggest that immunosuppressive medications are relatively safe, although there are concerns about an elevated risk of serious infections, skin cancer and lymphoma particularly with thiopurines and anti-TNFα agents. Data on vedolizumab and ustekinumab suggest these newer biologic agents are well tolerated; however, longer term data in CD are required to identify risks with extended use. Apart from methotrexate, there appear to be no adverse congenital outcomes with exposure of drugs during pregnancy.

Efficacy and safety of long-term thiopurine maintenance treatment for ulcerative colitis in Turkey: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Thiopurines are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, but data are limited. Or aim was to determine the outcome of thiopurine application in children diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients with UC, diagnosed at our center between 2005 and 2016 and applied azathiopurine (AZA), were included in the study. Data were collected retrospectively. The diagnosis of UC was based on the conventional clinical, radiological, histological, and endoscopic assessment. All patients with UC at this intercept were analyzed at the 4- and 6-week and 3-month intervals after remission to determine patient characteristics, thiopurine properties, and its efficacy and toxicity. Determination of remission, relapse, and steroid refractoriness/dependency were guided according to the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation consensus.

RESULTS

Azathiopurine was started at the median 1 month (0-12 months), and it was applied thereafter for maintenance (n=43). Response to remission induction was obtained in 40 (93.7%) patients. The median duration of the AZA treatment was 24 months (5-63). In 34 (85%) of the 40 children, it was well tolerated until the last visit. During the follow-up, adverse events occurred in 6 patients. These are leucopenia, neutropenia, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rush.

CONCLUSION

Thiopurine is an appropriate treatment option for remission in patients with UC. For a long-term follow-up, it is very important to identify patients with UC who have clinical remission with side effects and with thiopurine application.

Long-term quality of life associated with early surgical complications in patients with ulcerative colitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is recommended for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in terms of surgical treatment. Measuring surgical complications of IPAA and long-term quality of life (QOL) are important to achieve an acceptable risk/benefit ratio for patients with UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with UC who underwent total proctocolectomy (TPC) with IPAA from February 2008 to July 2016 at our institute were included. Early surgical complications were defined as mechanical/infectious events within one month after IPAA. Assessment of QOL was performed using the Cleveland Global Quality of Life instrument (CGQL), with 50% improvement as a cut-off value. Demographic and clinical variables were compared with univariable analysis and step-wise logistic regression models were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 58 eligible patients had a median follow-up time of 78.5 months [interquartile range (IQR), 34.4-92.8] from February2008 to March 2017, including 25 cases (43.1%) developed early surgical complications. Age at pouch surgery and excessive blood loss were risk factors associated with early surgical complications (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, older age at surgery [odds ratio (OR), 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.1] and significant blood loss (≧400 ml) (OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.21-16.87) were contributing factors for developing early surgical complications. The CGQL score was significantly increased after IPAA (0.728 ± 0.151 vs. 0.429 ± 0.173, p < 0.001). Early surgical complications (OR, 5.55; 95%CI, 1.44-21.37), older age at surgery (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12) and use of immunomodulatory (OR, 17.50; 95% CI, 1.52-201.39) were associated with poor long-term QOL.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that early surgical complications might contribute to develop a poor CGQL score, suggesting intentional control of risk factors associated with early surgical complications should be taken into consideration for patients with UC for pouch surgery.

Drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia in a patient with Crohn's disease: diagnosis and treatment using fraction of exhaled nitric oxide

Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid agents (mesalazine and sulfasalazine) and azathioprine are the mainstays of treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. Reports of pulmonary toxicity induced by oral 5-aminosalicylic acid agents or azathioprine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are very rare; to date, only 38 cases have been reported worldwide. We, herein, report a case involving a 26-year-old man who was diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia after using mesalazine and azathioprine for the treatment of Crohn's disease and recovered after treatment. We also found that the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide level was elevated in this patient. After treatment, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide level decreased and the symptoms improved. The present case shows that fraction of exhaled nitric oxide is related to the disease activity and treatment effectiveness of druginduced eosinophilic pneumonia.

Pulmonary Toxicities from Conventional Chemotherapy

Despite significant recent progress in precision medicine and immunotherapy, conventional chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of the treatment of most cancers. Chemotherapy-induced lung toxicity represents a serious diagnostic challenge for health care providers and requires careful consideration because it is a diagnosis of exclusion with significant impact on therapeutic decisions. This review aims to provide clinicians with a valuable guide in assessing their patients with possible chemotherapy-induced lung toxicity.

Unusual Case of Acute Lung Injury in a Renal Allograft Recipient

A renal allograft recipient developed cough with hemoptysis on the 1^st postoperative day. A chest X-ray was performed which was suggestive of fluid overload. His fluid was restricted and diuretics were added. On the same day, his pulmonary infiltrates worsened and a computed tomography (CT) of the chest was carried out, which was suggestive of the right lower lobe consolidation and left pleural effusion. He underwent a bronchoscopy and the lavage was sent for cultures, which did not grow any infective organism. Besides routine antibiotics, treatment for possible cytomegalovirus, fungal infections, and pneumocystis infection was instituted. Noninvasive ventilation was started on day 8. A repeat CT of the chest on the postoperative day 8 showed further worsening of the pulmonary infiltrates. As all the initial cultures and serology were negative, a possibility of interstitial pneumonitis was considered. Mycophenolate sodium was considered as a possible cause of the lung infiltrates and was withdrawn. The patient showed progressive improvement. His antibiotics were withdrawn. He was discharged on day 14. A repeat CT 4 weeks post transplant showed significant improvement in his pulmonary pathology. The acute lung injury was considered to be a drug reaction secondary to mycophenolate sodium. In a renal allograft recipient with persistent pulmonary infiltrates, interstitial involvement secondary to drugs should be considered if the patient does not improve with the standard treatment measures.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with azathioprine therapy in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory granulomas and necrotizing small-vessel vasculitis, primarily affects the respiratory tract and kidneys. Azathioprine (AZA) is a purine analog that is commonly used for maintaining GPA remission after induction therapy with cyclophosphamide. While the dose-dependent side effects of AZA are common and well known, hypersensitivity reactions such as pulmonary toxicity are rare. Here, we describe a case involving a 38-year-old man with GPA-associated pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis who developed subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) during AZA maintenance therapy. Five months after the initiation of AZA administration (100 mg/day), the patient was admitted with a 7-day history of cough, dyspnea, and fever. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest showed ill-defined centrilobular nodules and diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lung fields. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for infectious etiologies. A transbronchial lung biopsy specimen revealed poorly formed non-necrotizing granulomas. A chest radiograph obtained at 2 weeks after discontinuation of AZA showed normal findings. The findings from this case suggest that AZA-induced HP should be considered as a differential diagnosis when a patient with GPA exhibits fresh pulmonary lesions accompanied by respiratory symptoms during AZA therapy.

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Bronchopulmonary signs and symptoms are examples of variable extraintestinal manifestations of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These complications of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) seem to be underrecognized by both pulmonary physicians and gastroenterologists. The objective of the present review was to gather and summarize information on this particular matter, on the basis of available up-to-date literature. Tracheobronchial involvement is the most prevalent respiratory presentation, whereas IBD-related interstitial lung disease is less frequent. Latent and asymptomatic pulmonary involvement is not unusual. Differential diagnosis should always consider infections (mainly tuberculosis) and drug-induced lung pathology. The common link between intestinal disease and lung pathology is unknown, but many hypotheses have been proposed. It is speculated that environmental pollution, common immunological mechanisms and predisposing genetic factors may play a role.

Six Cases of Lung Injury Following Anti-tumour Necrosis Factor Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Limited data are available regarding the pulmonary toxicity of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

We retrospectively searched the IBD registry of Asan Medical Center in order to identify patients with lung injury following anti-TNF therapy.

RESULTS

Among 1002 patients who were treated using anti-TNF therapy, six cases (0.6%) of anti-TNF-induced lung injury (ATILI) were identified. ATILI was observed soon after the beginning of anti-TNF therapy (two to four doses of anti-TNF). All of these patients experienced improvements in their respiratory symptoms and radiographic findings once the anti-TNF therapy was discontinued. One patient who suffered ATILI following adalimumab was switched to subsequent infliximab and was without recurrence of ATILI.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be vigilant regarding the possibility of ATILI in IBD patients treated with anti-TNF agents.

Symptom management in inflammatory bowel disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease can present with a wide variety of symptoms. Most are related to disease activity and should be managed with appropriate medical therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. However, some patients may develop symptoms due to the side effects of the medications, or due to immunosuppression. In these cases, the offending medications should be discontinued until resolution of the symptoms and a few may be able to restart therapy. Symptoms can also occur as an extraintestinal manifestation of the disease or due to concomitant autoimmune-mediated disorders. Regardless of the etiology, symptoms should be addressed promptly with immediate evaluation and appropriate therapy, as a delay may lead to permanent sequela.

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a systemic illness that may affect up to half of all patients. Among the extraintestinal manifestations of IBD, those involving the lungs are relatively rare and often overlooked. However, there is a wide array of such manifestations, spanning from airway disease to lung parenchymal disease, thromboembolic disease, pleural disease, enteric-pulmonary fistulas, pulmonary function test abnormalities, and adverse drug reactions. The spectrum of IBD manifestations in the chest is broad, and the manifestations may mimic other diseases. Although infrequent, physicians dealing with IBD must be aware of these conditions, which are sometimes life-threatening, to avoid further health impairment of the patients and to alleviate their symptoms by prompt recognition and treatment. Knowledge of these manifestations in conjunction with pertinent clinical data is essential for establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of IBD-related respiratory disorders depends on the specific pattern of involvement, and in most patients, steroids are required in the initial management. Corticosteroids, both systemic and aerosolized, are the mainstay therapeutic approach, while antibiotics must also be administered in the case of infectious and suppurative processes, whose sequelae sometimes require surgical intervention.

Use of thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease: Safety issues

Thiopurines are widely used for maintenance treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Inter-individual variability in clinical response to thiopurines may be attributed to several factors including genetic polymorphisms, severity and chronicity of disease, comorbidities, duration of administration, compliance issues and use of concomitant medication, environmental factors and clinician and patient preferences. The purpose of this review is to summarise the current evidence on thiopurine safety and toxicity, to describe adverse drug events and emphasise the significance of drug interactions, and to discuss the relative safety of thiopurine use in adults, elderly patients, children and pregnant women. Thiopurines are safe to use and well tolerated, however dose adjustment or discontinuation of treatment must be considered in cases of non-response, poor compliance or toxicity. Drug safety, clinical response to treatment and short to long term risks and benefits must be balanced throughout treatment duration for different categories of patients. Treatment should be individualised and stratified according to patient requirements. Enzymatic testing prior to treatment commencement is advised. Surveillance with regular clinic follow-up and monitoring of laboratory markers is important. Data on long term efficacy, safety of thiopurine use and interaction with other disease modifying drugs are lacking, especially in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease. High quality, collaborative clinical research is required so as to inform clinical practice in the future.

Pulmonary manifestations of Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a systemic illness with a constellation of extraintestinal manifestations affecting various organs. Of these extraintestinal manifestations of CD, those involving the lung are relatively rare. However, there is a wide array of lung manifestations, ranging from subclinical alterations, airway diseases and lung parenchymal diseases to pleural diseases and drug-related diseases. The most frequent manifestation is bronchial inflammation and suppuration with or without bronchiectasis. Bronchoalveolar lavage findings show an increased percentage of neutrophils. Drug-related pulmonary abnormalities include disorders which are directly induced by sulfasalazine, mesalamine and methotrexate, and opportunistic lung infections due to immunosuppressive treatment. In most patients, the development of pulmonary disease parallels that of intestinal disease activity. Although infrequent, clinicians dealing with CD must be aware of these, sometimes life-threatening, conditions to avoid further impairment of health status and to alleviate patient symptoms by prompt recognition and treatment. The treatment of CD-related respiratory disorders depends on the specific pattern of involvement, and in most patients, steroids are required in the initial management.

[Drug induced interstitial lung disease in systemic diseases]

Immunosuppressants and immunomodulators are designed to regulate excessive immune response responsible for inflammatory lesions and are prescribed more and more in internal medicine. These drugs are known for their efficiency but with a significant toxicity including interstitial lung disease (ILD). Some factors liable to pulmonary toxicity include advanced age, genetic polymorphism and the existence of prior pulmonary disease. Cytotoxicity and hypersensitivity are the main mechanisms of pulmonary toxicity. There is no universal classification of drug induced-lung disease. Theoretically, drugs may be responsible for all histological aspects of ILD. Methotrexate is the most well-known drug as a provider of ILD with a prevalence of 0.3 to 11.6%. Some cases of ILD have also been reported with the new biologics used in systemic diseases. The diagnostic approach to the suspicion of drug ILD is to eliminate non-medicinal causes of pneumonia including infections and tumors before exploring the clinical symptomatology and the results of imaging and bronchoalveolar lavage cell profile. The analysis of the clinical symptomatology check the compatibility of the chronology of clinical and/or radiological pneumonia with the medication suspected. Subsequently, data from the clinical case are compared with those of the literature. Treatment involves stopping the suspected drug. The use of corticosteroids may be required in case of signs of severity or a lingering evolution.

Cytomegalovirus pneumonia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, and although CMV pneumonia may be a fatal disease in IBD patients, little information is available on this issue. The objectives of this study were to identify risk factors for the development of CMV pneumonia in IBD patients and to find useful information to better manage this potentially fatal complication.

METHODS

A computerized search without language restrictions was conducted using PubMed and SCOPUS. An article was considered eligible for inclusion in the systematic review if it reported detailed data on patients with IBD presenting with pneumonia due to CMV.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 articles describing the history of 13 patients, published between the years 1996 and 2011, were finally considered. All patients were adults with a mean age of 33 years, and 11/13 were females. Fever and dyspnea were the most frequent symptoms. The most frequent radiological signs were bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Six cases were complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Eight of the 13 were transferred to intensive care units and four of them died.

CONCLUSIONS

CMV pneumonia should always be suspected in IBD patients who present with fever and tachypnea, especially if the latter is worsening and/or is associated with dyspnea. Treatment must be early and specific.

Non-infectious pulmonary complications of newer biological agents for rheumatic diseases--a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

Lung disease is commonly encountered in rheumatological practice either as a manifestation of the underlying condition or as a consequence of using disease-modifying therapies. This has been particularly apparent with the TNF-α antagonists and exacerbations of interstitial lung disease (ILD). In view of this, we undertook a review of the current literature to identify non-infectious pulmonary complications associated with the newer biologic agents used for the treatment of rheumatic conditions.

METHODS

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE for reviews, meta-analyses, clinical studies and randomized controlled trials, case studies and series, published up to June 2010 using the terms rituximab (RTX), certolizumab, golimumab (GOL), tocilizumab (TCZ) and abatacept in the advanced search option without limitations. In addition, abstracts from International Rheumatology conferences and unpublished data from the Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and drug manufacturers were used to complement our search. References were reviewed manually and only those articles that suggested a potential relationship between the biological agent and lung toxicity, following exclusion of other causes, were included.

RESULTS

Reported non-infectious pulmonary adverse events with TCZ included a fatal exacerbation of RA-associated ILD, new-onset ILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and allergic pneumonitis, as well as three cases of microbiological culture-negative pneumonia. Although RTX had a higher incidence of pulmonary toxicity, only 7 of the 121 cases reported involved rheumatological diseases. GOL treatment was associated with four cases of non-infectious pulmonary toxicity and two cases of pneumonia with negative microbiological studies. There were no episodes of pulmonary toxicity identified for either certolizumab or abatacept.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight an association between the use of newer biologic agents (TCZ, RTX and GOL) and the development of non-infectious parenchymal lung disease in patients with RA. Post-marketing surveillance and biologic registries will be critical for detecting further cases of ILD and improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of this process. As the use of these drugs increases, clinicians must remain vigilant for potential pulmonary complications and exercise caution in prescribing biologic therapies, particularly to rheumatological patients with pre-existing ILD.

Pulmonary diseases associated with inflammatory bowel diseases

Among the extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases, those involving the lung are relatively rare. However, there is a wide array of such manifestations, spanning from drug-related pathologies to airway disease, fistulas, granulomatous diseases, autoimmune and thromboembolic disorders. Although infrequent, people dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases must be aware of these conditions, sometimes life-threatening, to avoid further impairment of the health status of the patients and to alleviate their symptoms by prompt recognition and treatment.

Azathioprine or mercaptopurine-induced acute pancreatitis is not a disease-specific phenomenon

BACKGROUND

Several reports suggest an increased rate of adverse reactions to azathioprine in patients with Crohn's disease.

AIM

To compare the incidence of thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with that in patients with vasculitis.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis was performed using data collected in three databases by two university hospitals (241 patients with IBD and 108 patients with vasculitis) and one general district hospital (72 patients with IBD).

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis in Crohn's disease equalled that of ulcerative colitis (UC) (2.6% vs. 3.7%) and this did not differ from vasculitis patients (2.6% vs.1.9%). In addition, the cumulative incidence of thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis in UC patients was not different from that in vasculitis patients. In the IBD group, 100% of thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis patients were women, whereas in the vasculitis group the two observed thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis cases (n = 2 of 2) concerned were men (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the alleged higher cumulative incidence of thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis in Crohn's disease compared with vasculitis or UC patients was not confirmed. Female gender appears to be a risk factor for developing thiopurine-induced acute pancreatitis in IBD patients.

Azathioprine induced pneumonitis in a patient with ulcerative colitis

Immunomodulator therapy with the thiopurine analogues azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) is commonly prescribed for maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ten to twenty-five percent of patients have to withdraw from AZA or 6-MP due to adverse events that are partly explained by the relative activity of the drug metabolizing enzymes. Most of the potential major adverse events (myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis) are well known. Pulmonary toxicity is rare but severe and may lead to respiratory insufficiency and even death. We describe a case of a young woman with ulcerative colitis (UC) who developed respiratory symptoms and fever combined with nodular densities and ground glass areas in both lungs on CT scan. An infection was ruled out and the diagnosis azathioprine induced pneumonitis was made. The drug was stopped and within one week her fever and respiratory symptoms resolved. Clinicians should be alert to this serious adverse event when treating patients with thiopurines.

3,3'-diindolylmethane attenuates colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis in mice

BACKGROUND

3,3-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a major in vivo product of acid-catalyzed oligomerization of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) derived from Brassica food plants. Although DIM is known as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic phytochemical, the effects of DIM on inflammation in vivo are still unknown. In the present study we investigated the antiinflammatory effects of DIM on experimental colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis.

METHODS

To determine if DIM has an antiinflammatory effect in vivo, we examined the therapeutic effects of DIM in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced experimental colitis and colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS in BALB/c mice.

RESULTS

Treatment with DIM significantly attenuated loss of body weight, shortening of the colon, and severe clinical signs in a colitis model. This was associated with a remarkable amelioration of the disruption of the colonic architecture and a significant reduction in colonic myeloperoxidase activity and production of prostaglandin E(2), nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines. Further, DIM administration dramatically decreased the number of colon tumors in AOM/DSS mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DIM-mediated antiinflammatory action at colorectal sites may be therapeutic in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease and colitis-associated colon cancer.

Efficacy of 6-mercaptopurine treatment after azathioprine hypersensitivity in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in cases of azathioprine (AZA) hypersensitivity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS: Twenty nine previously confirmed Crohn’s disease (CD) (n = 14) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 15) patients with a known previous (AZA) hypersensitivity reaction were studied prospectively. The 6-MP doses were gradually increased from 0.5 up to 1.0-1.5 mg/kg per day. Clinical activity indices (CDAI/CAI), laboratory variables and daily doses of oral 5-ASA, corticosteroids, and 6-MP were assessed before and in the first, sixth and twelfth months of treatment.

RESULTS: In 9 patients, 6-MP was withdrawn in the first 2 wk due to an early hypersensitivity reaction. Medication was ineffective within 6 mo in 6 CD patients, and myelotoxic reaction was observed in two. Data were evaluated at the end of the sixth month in 12 (8 UC, 4 CD) patients, and after the first year in 9 (6 UC, 3 CD) patients. CDAI decreased transiently at the end of the sixth month, but no significant changes were observed in the CDAI or the CAI values at the end of the year. Leukocyte counts (P = 0.01), CRP (P = 0.02), and serum iron (P = 0.05) values indicated decreased inflammatory reactions, especially in the UC patients at the end of the year, making the possibility to taper oral steroid doses.

CONCLUSION: About one-third of the previously AZA-intolerant patients showed adverse effects on taking 6MP. In our series, 20 patients tolerated 6MP, but it was ineffective in 8 CD cases, and valuable mainly in ulcerative colitis patients.

Pulmonary abnormalities in inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common clinical problem affecting up to half of all IBD patients; pulmonary disease, however, ranks among less common extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. Pulmonary disease in patients with IBD is most frequently drug induced due to treatment with sulfasalazine or mesalamine leading to eosinophilic pneumonia and fibrosing alveolitis or due to treatment with methotrexate leading to pneumonitis. Recently, various opportunistic infections have been shown to be a further important cause of pulmonary abnormalities in those IBD patients who are treated with immunosuppressants such as anti TNF-α monoclonal antibodies, methotrexate, azathioprine or calcineurin antagonists. In not drug related pulmonary disease a wide spectrum of disease entities ranging from small and large airway dysfunction to obstructive and interstitial lung disorders exist. Patients with lung disorders and inflammatory bowel disease should be evaluated for drug-induced lung disease and opportunistic infections prior to considering pulmonary disease as an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease.