Predictors of Pouchitis After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Children

Predicting Therapeutic Response in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis-A Journey Towards Precision Medicine

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disabling disease, characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon, with a rising prevalence worldwide in the pediatric age group. Although UC presents in children with varying severity, disease extent, and comorbidities, initial treatment is essentially uniform, consisting of 5-aminosalicylate drugs with corticosteroid induction for those with moderately to severely active disease. With the advent of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic therapy and several new biologics and small-molecule drugs for UC, precision medicine approaches to treatment are needed to more rapidly achieve sustained remission, restore quality of life, normalize development, and limit exposure to toxic corticosteroids in children with UC. Here, we review available data on clinical, biochemical, histopathologic, and molecular predictors of treatment response in UC. We also address known predictors and special treatment considerations in specific relevant scenarios such as very-early-onset UC, acute severe UC, ileal pouch anal anastomosis, and UC with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis. The review concludes with a prediction of how machine learning will integrate multimodal patient data to bring precision medicine to the bedside of children with UC in the future.

Updates in diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease

Worldwide incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is stable in developed countries, but rising in developing countries. Presenting symptoms of IBD can be highly variable. New imaging modalities, a greater armamentarium of therapeutic options, and a greater understanding of complication risks have changed the diagnosis and management of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases. Effective teamwork among those who care for pediatric patients with IBD minimizes complications and maximizes desired outcomes.

Surgery and paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

The incidence of paediatric Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. Surgical intervention is required during childhood in approximately 25% of children diagnosed with CD, and for 10% of those diagnosed with UC. Although there is evidence that the rate of surgical intervention undertaken in children is decreasing since the introduction of biologic therapy, this may only represent a delay rather than true reversal of the risk of surgery. Surgery for CD is not curative and limited resection is the key principle thus preserving bowel length. For UC, subtotal colectomy is relatively curative; ileo-anal pouch anastomosis can be performed to restore bowel continuity.

Risk of Colectomy in Patients With Pediatric-onset Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVES

Data describing the incidence and risk factors for colectomy in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) is inconsistent. Our aim was to describe the colectomy rate and to identify risk factors associated with colectomy in a large cohort of children with UC with long-term follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of pediatric UC cases that were diagnosed at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel between 1981 and 2013. Potential predictors for colectomy including age at diagnosis, sex, disease extent, severity indices, and different therapeutic regimens during disease course were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 188 patients with pediatric onset UC, 34 (18%) underwent colectomy. Median follow-up was 6.9 years (range, 1-30). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of the cumulative probability for colectomy were 4% at 1 year and 17% at 10 years from diagnosis. Multivariate Cox models showed that male sex (hazard ratio 4.2, P = 0.001) and severe disease at diagnosis reflected by Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index score ≥65 (hazard ratio 8.9, P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for colectomy. Age, disease extent, ethnicity, family history of inflammatory bowel disease, early introduction of immunomodulators, or treatment with antitumor necrosis factor α agent did not affect the risk of colectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Male sex and higher Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index score at diagnosis are independent risk factors for colectomy.