Infliximab serum concentrations in luminal Crohn's disease and its relationship with disease activity: A multicentric cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

In Latin America, experience with monitoring serum Infliximab (IFX) concentrations is scarce. Our study aimed to compare IFX serum concentrations between patients with active disease or in remission.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in patients with luminal Crohn's disease (CD) during maintenance treatment with IFX. Patients were classified as in remission or disease activity according to clinical scores and endoscopic, radiological, and laboratory markers. A comparison of IFX trough levels between the two groups was performed.

RESULTS

80 CD patients were included [41 (51%) in remission and 39 (49%) with active disease]. In the analysis of general disease activity, the median serum levels of IFX in patients with remission and with active CD were 5.63 [0.03-14.40] vs. 3.84 [0.03-14.40] (p=0.287). Furthermore, there was no difference in serum IFX concentrations in endoscopic, radiological, and laboratory activities. Only in the clinical evaluation there was a significant difference in the median serum IFX levels between patients in remission and disease activity, 5.63 [0.03-14.40] vs. 2.14 [0.32-10.54] (p=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

IFX serum concentrations during maintenance treatment were similar in patients with luminal CD in remission and general, endoscopic, radiological, and laboratory disease activity. Patients with clinically active disease had lower IFX concentrations than patients in remission.

Biological therapy, surgery, and hospitalization rates for inflammatory bowel disease: An observational Latin American comparative study between adults and pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE

Compare the proportions of use of biological therapy, surgeries, and hospitalizations between adults and pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)-patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Observational, retrospective, and multicenter study. Data were collected from all consecutive IBD patients seen as outpatients or admitted to hospital, during 2015-2021, in two IBD tertiary centers in a South Brazilian capital. Patients with unclassified colitis diagnosis were excluded from this study. Patients were classified as having CD or UC and sub-categorized as adult or pediatric according to age. Data were analyzed using frequency, proportion, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

A total of 829 patients were included: 509 with CD (378 adults/131 pediatric) and 320 with UC (225/95). Among patients with CD, no differences were observed for proportions of use of biological therapy (80.2% in pediatric vs. 73.3% in adults; P=0.129), surgery (46.6% vs. 50.8%; P=0.419), or hospitalization (64.9% vs. 56.9%; P=0.122). In UC, significant differences were observed for biological therapy (40.0% vs. 28.0%; P=0.048) and hospitalization (47.4% vs. 24.0%; P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in surgery rates (17.9% vs. 12.4%; P=0.219).

CONCLUSIONS

Biological therapy and incidence of hospitalization were greater among pediatric patients with UC, compared with adults; no difference was observed in the need for abdominal surgery. In CD, no significant difference was observed in the three main outcomes between the age groups.

Vedolizumab in Mild-to-Moderate Crohn's Disease Patients Naïve to Biological Therapy: A Multicentric Observational Study

Background

In real-world experience, the number of patients using vedolizumab as first-line biological therapy was low. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease (CD) biologic-naïve patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multicentric cohort study with patients who had clinical activity scores (Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]) measured at baseline and weeks 12, 26, 52, as well as at the last follow-up. Clinical response was defined as a reduction ≥3 in HBI, whereas clinical remission as HBI ≤4. Mucosal healing was defined as the complete absence of ulcers in control colonoscopies. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the persistence with vedolizumab.

Results

From a total of 66 patients, 53% (35/66) reached clinical remission at week 12. This percentage increased to 69.7% (46/66) at week 26, and 78.8% (52/66) at week 52. Mucosal healing was achieved in 62.3% (33/53) of patients. Vedolizumab was well tolerated, and most adverse events were minor. During vedolizumab treatment, 3/66 patients underwent surgery.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab as a first-line biological agent in patients with mild-to-moderate CD.

Adalimumab Serum Concentrations, Clinical and Endoscopic Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Multicentric Latin American Study

Despite some variability in ideal serum Adalimumab (ADA) concentrations, there is increasing evidence that higher concentrations of anti-TNF-α agents can be associated with sustained efficacy, and low or undetectable levels may lead to loss of response. This study aims to correlate serum ADA concentrations with clinical and endoscopic activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). A cross-sectional and multicentric study was performed with patients with CD, who used ADA for at least 24 weeks. Patients were allocated into groups according to the presence of clinical or endoscopic disease activity. Serum ADA concentrations were measured and compared between groups. Overall, 89 patients were included. A total of 27 patients had clinically active CD and 62 were in clinical remission. Forty patients had endoscopic disease activity and 49 were in endoscopic remission. The mean serum ADA concentration was 10.2 μg/mL in patients with clinically active CD and 14.3 μg/mL in patients in clinical remission (p = 0.395). The mean serum ADA concentration in patients with endoscopic activity was 11.3 μg/mL as compared to 14.5 μg/mL in those with endoscopic remission (p = 0.566). There was no difference between serum ADA concentrations regarding clinical or endoscopic activity in CD, as compared to patients in remission.

Effectiveness and Safety of Tofacitinib in the Management of Ulcerative Colitis: A Brazilian Observational Multicentric Study

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which affects the colorectal mucosa with a relapsing-remitting pattern. The therapeutic options currently available for the medical management of UC include many options. Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, more selective for JAK1 and JAK3, which reduces the inflammatory process involved in the pathogenesis of UC.

Methods

Retrospective observational multicentric study of patients with UC who used tofacitinib in any phase of their treatment. Clinical remission and response (according to Mayo score), mucosal healing, primary and secondary loss of response, discontinuation of the drug with possible causes, and the need for dose optimization or switching to biologicals, need for surgery and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

From a total of 56 included patients, clinical remission was observed in 43.6% at week 12, 54.5% at week 26, 57.9% at week 52, and 40% at the last follow-up visit. Clinical response was observed in 71.4%, 81.8%, 89.5%, and 61.8% at the same time periods, respectively. Mucosal healing rates were 50% and 17.8% needed colectomy.

Conclusions

Tofacitinib was effective in induction and maintenance of clinical response and remission rates, compatible to other international real-word studies and meta-analyses.

Nutritional Global Status and Its Impact in Crohn's Disease

Background

Malnutrition among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) subjects is well documented in literature and may emerge from factors including inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption and disease activity. The aim of this study was to complete a comprehensive nutrition assessment and explore what possibilities may help bring a better quality of life for IBD subjects.

Methods

Nutritional status based on biochemical tests, body composition and body mass index (BMI). Food intake was assessed by an alternate 3-day food record and the adequacy of intake was evaluated according to national and international references. Clinical disease activity was evaluated by the Harvey-Bradshaw index and CRP levels.

Results

The study included 217 patients and 65 controls, where 54.4% of these patients were classified as normal weight with a mean BMI lower than controls (23.8 ± 4.9 versus 26.9 ± 4.8 kg/m², P = 0.02). Patients with disease activity showed more overweight and obesity than patients with controlled disease. Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 19% of Crohn’s disease (CD), mainly in patients with ileal commitment and small bowel resections. Anemia was present in 21.7% of patients, being more common in patients with active disease (25%) and bowel resection (23%). Regarding calorie intake (EI), CD group ingested more than controls (1986.3 ± 595.9 kcal versus 1701.8 ± 478.9 kcal; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

CD patients presented micronutrient deficiency when compared with controls, explained for other reasons than intake restrictions. Also, fat excess might have contributed to disease burden as continuously reported in the literature.

Perception and clinical decisions from inflammatory bowel diseases' specialists towards positioning of new therapies in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: A national web-based survey from the Brazilian IBD study group (GEDIIB)

BACKGROUND

In the last decade, new therapies with different mechanisms of action have been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Due to the lack of comparative head-to-head trials, the ideal positioning of agents as the most appropriate first- or second-line therapies remains to be defined.

OBJECTIVE

This survey aimed to evaluate the perception and decisions of Brazilian Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) specialists in positioning of new therapies (vedolizumab [VEDO], ustekinumab [UST] and tofacitinib [TOFA]) in the management of IBD in different clinical scenarios.

METHODOLOGY

An anonymous national web-based questionnaire was used to determine the positioning of treatment options in different clinical scenarios (using Google Forms platform), which involved different age ranges, phenotypes, clinical situations and previous exposure to anti-TNF agents (14 scenarios for CD and 10 scenarios for UC). In CD, physicians could choose between UST or VEDO, whilst in UC, between UST, VEDO or TOFA. Six reasons for the specific choice were proposed, such as mechanism of action, safety, method of administration or onset of action. Statistical analysis was carried out with chi-square and t-tests.

RESULTS

A total of 150 out of 672 GEDIIB IBD specialists (22.32%) responded to the survey. In CD scenarios, UST was the most dominant choice (11/14 scenarios), with VEDO dominating only 3 clinical situations. In UC scenarios, VEDO was the dominant choice (8/10), with UST being chosen for scenarios that included extraintestinal manifestations. Among the reasons for specific choices, the most commonly chosen were the higher efficacy due to the intrinsic mechanism of action and safety profile.

CONCLUSIONS

UST was the dominant choice as compared to VEDO in CD in most scenarios, especially due to its mechanism of action and safety. VEDO was the dominant choice as compared to UST and TOFA in UC scenarios, mainly for reasons also related to its mechanism of action and safety profile. Comparative studies including patient outcomes are needed to better define the positioning of new IBD therapeutic options in our country.

Hypoalbuminemia as a risk factor for thromboembolic events in inflammatory bowel disease inpatients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are chronic entities characterized by local and systemic inflammation and may be associated with thrombosis. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of thromboembolic events (TEE) in hospitalized IBD patients and identify risk factors for their occurrence.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-center study included patients treated at a Brazilian IBD referral unit between 2004 and 2014. Patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours due to active IBD and who did not receive prophylaxis for TEE during hospitalization were included. Patients were allocated to 2 groups: those with TEE up to 30 days or at the time of hospitalization (TEE-group) and patients without TEE (control-group). Clinical and laboratory characteristics were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 53 patients evaluated, 69,8% with Crohn's disease (CD) and 30.2% with ulcerative colitis (UC). The prevalence of TEE 30 days before or during hospitalization was 15.1%, with 10.8% in CD and 25% in UC. In the TEE group, mean serum albumin was 2.06 g/dL versus 3.30 g/dL in the control group. Patients with albumin levels below 2.95 g/dL (43.18%) had a higher risk of developing TEE (relative risk, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.53) (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Albumin levels were significantly lower in patients with TEE, and hypoalbuminemia was considered a risk factor for the development of TEE in this population.

TISSUE EXPRESION OF THE GENES MUTYH AND OGG1 IN PATIENTS WITH SPORADIC COLORECTAL CANCER

BACKGROUND

MTUYH and OGG1 genes have importance in the base excision repair systems of oxidized DNA bases. Modification of the tissue expression of these genes is related to the increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

AIM

To evaluate the tissue expression of MUTYH and OGG1 comparing normal and neoplastic tissues of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer and to correlate it with clinical and histopathological variables.

METHOD

MUTYH and OGG1 tissue expression was quantified by RT-PCR in patients with colorectal cancer and the values were compared in normal and neoplastic tissues. MUTYH and OGG1 expression was measured and normalized to the constitutive 18S gene. The level of expression of both genes was correlated with the variables: age, gender, tumor location, size of the tumor, histological type, degree of cell differentiation, invasion depth in the intestinal wall, angiolymphatic infiltration, lymph node involvement and TNM staging.

RESULTS

Was found downregulation of both genes in neoplastic when compared to normal tissue. There was downregulation of the MUTYH in larger tumors and in patients with angiolymphatic invasion. Tumors with more advanced TNM stages (III and IV) presented downregulation of both genes when compared to those with earlier stages (I and II).

CONCLUSION

The MUTYH and OGG1 genes present downregulation in the more advanced stages of colorectal cancer.

Comparison of time until elective intestinal resection regarding previous anti-tumor necrosis factor exposure: a Brazilian study on patients with Crohn's disease

Background/Aims

The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents seems to reduce surgical rates and delay surgical procedures in prospective trials and population-based studies in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to identify whether preoperative anti-TNF agents influence the time from diagnosis to surgery.

Methods

An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with CD submitted to intestinal resections due to complications or medical therapy failure in a period of 7 years. The patients were allocated into 2 groups according to their previous exposure to anti-TNF agents in the preoperative period. Epidemiological aspects regarding age at diagnosis, smoking, perianal disease, and preoperative conventional therapy were considered. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to outline possible differences between the groups regarding the time to surgery.

Results

A total of 123 patients were included (71 and 52 with and without previous exposure to biologics, respectively). The overall time to surgery was 108±6.9 months (maximum, 276 months). The survival estimation revealed no difference in the mean time to intestinal resection between the groups (99.78±10.62 months in the patients without and 114.01±9.07 months in those with previous anti-TNF use) (log-rank P=0.35). There was no significant difference in the time to surgery regarding perianal CD (P=0.49), smoking (P=0.63), preoperative azathioprine (P=0.073) and steroid use (P=0.58).

Conclusions

The time from diagnosis to surgery was not influenced by the preoperative use of anti-TNF therapy in this cohort of patients.

Plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide correlate with insulin resistance in HIV patients

BACKGROUND

In HIV patients using HAART insulin resistance is a central pathophysiological condition that can contribute to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular complications. To examine the role of adipocyte hormones and LPS in insulin resistance in HIV patients, we investigated the role of adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and LPS levels in the insulin resistance of HIV-infected patients treated with HAART.

METHODS

This study included 67 HIV positive individuals on HAART and ten healthy controls. All participants performed plasma or serum levels of glucose; insulin; lipids, visfatin, leptin, adiponectin, and LPS. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), was used to estimate insulin resistance.

RESULTS

The levels of visfatin, leptin and adiponectin were similar between controls and HIV patients. However, circulating levels of LPS were higher in HIV patients on HAART than in controls. There was a positive correlation between LPS and TG (r = 0.49, p = 0.0001), between LPS and TG/HDL (r = 0.50, p = 0.0001), between LPS and insulin (r = 0.52, p = 0.0003), and between LPS and HOMA-IR (r = 0.52, p = 0.0005), in HIV patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed a clear correlation between plasma LPS and markers of insulin resistance, suggesting a relationship between LPS levels and metabolic alterations, particularly affecting lipids and insulin resistance in HIV patients.

Sibutramine enhances insulin sensitivity ameliorating metabolic parameters in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

AIM

To assess the effect of sibutramine-assisted weight reduction program on insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters in obese normal glucose tolerant individuals over a period of 24 weeks.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, prospective clinical trial was carried out at our medical centre. Forty female normal glucose tolerant patients, body mass index: 34.3 +/- 2.9 kg/m2 and age: 41.1 +/- 9.9 (range: 19-58 years), were randomized to placebo or sibutramine, 10 mg once daily.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients from sibutramine group and 14 placebo had completed the study protocol. Significant weight change was seen in sibutramine (p < 0.01) (-5.6 kg or -6.1% vs. +0.9 kg or +1.1% in placebo). Insulin sensitivity enhanced in sibutramine group (Kitt: from 4.03 +/- 1.97 to 5.09 +/- 2.48%/min; p < 0.05). Homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) decreased from 7.8 +/- 6.9 to 5.6 +/- 4.5 (p < 0.05). HOMA-beta also decreased from 508 +/- 381 to 374 +/- 256 (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in the placebo control group regarding insulin sensitivity or secretion. Concomitant reductions were observed in the sibutramine group in lipid parameters (triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol), uric acid and gamma-glutamyl transferase (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sibutramine has demonstrated efficacy in reducing weight in non-diabetic women along with amelioration in insulin sensitivity and additional improvement in metabolic parameters.

Nutritional risk factors for postoperative complications in Brazilian elderly patients undergoing major elective surgery

OBJECTIVE

In this prospective study, we assessed nutritional and immunologic risk factors for infectious complications and deaths related to infection in elderly patients undergoing major elective surgery.

METHODS

Seventy patients 60 y or older were enrolled in this study. The preoperative variables analyzed were body mass index, body mass index knee height, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, mid-arm muscle circumference, mid-arm muscle area, albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, and retinol-binding protein levels, immunoglobulins G, A, and M, C3, and C4 levels, total lymphocyte counts, and the occurrence of delayed hypersensitivity reactions (multitest).

RESULTS

Abnormally low levels of prealbumin (P = 0.004), retinol-binding protein (P = 0.05), and transferrin (P = 0.04) were related to infectious complications. Prealbumin levels (P = 0.02) and lymphocyte counts below 1500 cells/mm(3) (P = 0.04) were associated with mortality secondary to infection. Univariate regression analysis showed that levels of prealbumin (P = 0.02, odds ratio = 13.3, 95% confidence limits = 1.6, 110.9), retinol-binding protein (P = 0.03, odds ratio = 4.8, 95% confidence limits = 1.2, 19.3), and transferrin (P = 0.03; odds ratio = 4.2, 95% confidence limit = 1.2, 15.6) were associated with infectious complications. Multivariate analysis associated only prealbumin levels with infectious complications (P = 0.02, odds ratio = 13.3, 95% confidence limit = 1.6, 110.9). Regression analysis provided no conclusion regarding mortality because of the small number of deaths recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a good cardiac index (Goldman I and II) who underwent major elective surgery, prealbumin protein, retinol-binding protein, and transferrin levels below normal values represented a significant risk for postoperative infectious complications. Lymphocyte counts lower than 1500/m(3) and abnormal prealbumin values were associated with postoperative mortality secondary to infection. The anthropometric variables evaluated did not predict postoperative infectious complications and mortality.