Adult patients with short bowel syndrome treated with teduglutide: A descriptive cohort study

BACKGROUND

Teduglutide is a synthetic glucagon-like peptide-2 analogue approved for the treatment of short bowel syndrome associated with chronic intestinal failure (SBS-IF) in adult patients. Clinical trials have demonstrated its ability to reduce parenteral support (PS) requirement. This study aimed to describe the effect of 18-month treatment with teduglutide, evaluating PS and factors associated with PS volume reduction of ≥20% from baseline and weaning. Two-year clinical outcomes were also assessed.

METHODS

This descriptive cohort study collected data prospectively from adult patients with SBS-IF treated with teduglutide and enrolled in a national registry. Data were collected every 6 months and included demographics, clinical, biochemical, PS regimen, and hospitalizations.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were included. After 2 years, 74% (n = 25) had a PS volume reduction of ≥20% from baseline, and 26% (n = 9) achieved PS independency. PS volume reduction was significantly associated with longer PS duration, significantly lower basal PS energy intake, and absence of narcotics. PS weaning was significantly associated with fewer infusion days, lower PS volume, longer PS duration, and lower narcotics use at baseline. Alkaline phosphatase was significantly lower in weaned patients after 6 and 18 months of treatment. During the 2-year study duration, patients who had PS volume reduction of ≥20% had significantly fewer yearly hospitalizations and hospital-days.

CONCLUSIONS

Teduglutide reduces PS volume and promotes weaning in adults with SBS-IF. Lack of narcotics and longer PS duration were associated with PS volume reduction and weaning, and lower baseline PS volume and fewer infusion days were favorable in obtaining enteral autonomy.

Home parenteral nutrition in older vs younger patients: Clinical characteristics and outcomes

BACKGROUND

There is a demographic shift toward older patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN), but data on clinical outcomes are limited. The objective of this study was to determine differences between older and younger HPN patients in regard to HPN indications, prescriptions, and outcomes over the first 2 years receiving HPN.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from HPN adult patients entered in the Canadian HPN Registry. New HPN patients enrolled between 2003 and 2017 and receiving HPN for at least 2 years were selected. Data included demographics, PN prescriptions, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) over the past year, survival, and quality of life based on Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS).

RESULTS

Four hundred two patients were included: 184 patients were ≥60 years old, and 219 patients were between 18 and 59 years old. There were no differences in the main indications for HPN, body mass index (BMI), and PN prescriptions at baseline. At 2 years, younger patients received more energy from PN than older patients (27.9 vs 19.6 kcal/kg; P < .001), but BMI remained comparable. There were fewer CRBSIs in the older group (20% vs 36%, P = .0023), but 78% of younger patients remained alive vs 69% in the older group (P = .0401). In those alive, the proportion of patients continuing to receive HPN was comparable and the proportion of patients with a KPS ≥60.

CONCLUSIONS

Older HPN patients have similar clinical characteristics as younger patients but have fewer CRBSIs and higher 2-year mortality.

The new place of enterohormones in intestinal failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since the approval of teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog, for the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) associated with intestinal failure, enterohormone therapy has received significant interest and is becoming the first choice of treatment in selected patients. As such, it is paramount to assess and understand the new place of hormonal therapy in the algorithm of treatments in SBS-intestinal failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

Specialized intestinal failure units have recently reported their outcomes with teduglutide to evaluate if they are consistent with the phase III trials results. SBS-intestinal failure patients are very heterogenous including their response to this treatment, hence the importance of real-life studies beyond the context of clinical trials. Moreover, it is essential to find a consensus on criteria identifying candidate patients for teduglutide. In addition, the impact of teduglutide on quality of life and its cost-effectiveness are emerging as well as new enterohormone treatments are being studied whether it is long action GLP-2 analog or other ileocolonic break hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 analog.

SUMMARY

Hormonotherapy is currently modifying the natural history of patients with SBS-intestinal failure by decreasing their need for parenteral support and possibly even complications associated with long-term parenteral support. Enterohormone treatment is now the cornerstone in SBS-intestinal failure and should be offered as a first-line therapy to selected patients.

Antimicrobial Locks in Patients Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is one of the most common and potentially fatal complications in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). In order to prevent permanent venous access loss, catheter locking with an antimicrobial solution has received significant interest and is often a favored approach as part of the treatment of CRBSI, but mainly for its prevention. Several agents have been used for treating and preventing CRBSI, for instance antibiotics, antiseptics (ethanol, taurolidine) and, historically, anticoagulants such as heparin. Nonetheless, current guidelines do not provide clear guidance on the use of catheter locks. Therefore, this review aims to provide a better understanding of the current use of antimicrobial locking in patients on HPN as well as reviewing the available data on novel compounds. Despite the fact that our current knowledge on catheter locking is still hampered by several gaps, taurolidine and ethanol solutions seem promising for prevention and potentially, but not proven, treatment of CRBSI. Additional studies are warranted to further characterize the efficacy and safety of these agents.

Comparing outcomes for endoscopic submucosal dissection between Eastern and Western countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To compare endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) outcomes between Eastern and Western countries.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL and EBM reviews to identify studies published between 1990 and February 2016. The primary outcome was the efficacy of ESD based on information about either curative resection, en bloc or R0 resection rates. Secondary outcomes were complication rates, local recurrence rates and procedure times.

RESULTS

Overall, 238 publications including 84318 patients and 89512 gastrointestinal lesions resected using ESD were identified. 90% of the identified studies reporting ESD on 87296 lesions were conducted in Eastern countries and 10% of the identified studies reporting ESD outcomes in 2216 lesions were from Western countries. Meta-analyses showed higher pooled percentage of curative, en bloc, and R0 resection in the Eastern studies; 82% (CI: 81%-84%), 95% (CI: 94%-96%) and 89% (CI: 88%-91%) compared to Western studies; 71% (CI: 61%-81%), 85% (CI: 81%-89%) and 74% (CI: 67%-81%) respectively. The percentage of perforation requiring surgery was significantly greater in the Western countries (0.53%; CI: 0.10-1.16) compared to Eastern countries (0.01%; CI: 0%-0.05%). ESD procedure times were longer in Western countries (110 min vs 77 min).

CONCLUSION

Eastern countries show better ESD outcomes compared to Western countries. Availability of local ESD expertise and regional outcomes should be considered for decision making to treat gastrointestinal lesions with ESD.