WARNING TO DELAY IN DIAGNOSING MICROSCOPIC COLITIS IN OLDER ADULTS. A SERIES OF CASES

BACKGROUND

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing non-bloody diarrhea, and several cases are undiagnosed as a hidden cause of chronic diarrhea.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to report the symptoms, delay diagnosis and the treatment of MC in a case series.

METHODS

All patients were treated at a Gastroenterology reference office from May 2022 to June 2023. Personal history including preexisting disorders, use of medications and smoking habits were collected. The delay between the onset of symptoms and the correct diagnosis was informed. All patients consented to use budesonide MMX (Corament®) off label.

RESULTS

During the study period, six Caucasoid patients were diagnosed with MC, five females and one male, between the ages of 65 and 74. All patients had comorbities and were taking multiple prescription drugs. Laboratory findings showed negative serology for celiac disease for all patients, normal levels of albumin and vitamin B12. The delay between the symptoms and the MC diagnosis varied from 2 months to 6 years. All patients had a previous diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. All patients were in complete clinical remission during the treatment and referred no side effects of the drug.

CONCLUSION

Older females using high-risk medications are suggestive of MC. Preventing delay in the diagnosis of MC is crucial to improvement in patients´ quality of life. Budesonide MMX appears to be effective, safe and well-tolerated.

BACKGROUND

• Microscopic Colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing non-bloody diarrhea.

BACKGROUND

• Several cases are undiagnosed and can be a hidden cause of chronic diarrhea.

BACKGROUND

• Treatment with budesonide MMX (Corament®, off label) was effective and safe.

MICROSCOPIC COLITIS: CONSIDERATIONS FOR GASTROENTEROLOGISTS, ENDOSCOPISTS, AND PATHOLOGISTS

•Diagnosis of microscopic colitis necessitates effective communication among gastroenterologists, endoscopists, and pathologists. •The gastroenterologist should refer every patient with chronic watery diarrhea to perform a colonoscopy in spite of the benign course of the disease and the absence of alarm symptoms. •The endoscopist should take 2 or 3 biopsy samples of the colonic mucosa from the right and left colon, put in separate recipients, despite that the mucosa looked macroscopically normal. •The pathologist should be encouraged to use objective histological criteria to make the diagnosis. Microscopic colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by non-bloody diarrhea that can range from mild to severe. It is difficult to attribute up to 10-20% of chronic diarrhea to microscopic colitis. The three determinants factors of the diagnosis are characteristic clinical symptoms, normal endoscopic picture of the colon, and pathognomonic histological picture. This manuscript aimed to update considerations and recommendations for professionals involved (gastroenterologist, endoscopists and pathologist) in the diagnosis of MC. In addition, a short recommendation about treatment.

THE MANAGEMENT OF DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS BY THE GASTROENTEROLOGIST. A SERIES OF CASES

BACKGROUND

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is considered a skin celiac disease (CD). The individuals can be seen by primary care professionals or by dermatologists that could refer the patient to a gastroenterologist.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with DH and referred to a gastroenterologist and evaluate the treatment response.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied patients with DH referred to the same gastroenterologist at a private office in Curitiba, Brazil, between January 2010 to December 2019. We included adult patients with a confirmed DH diagnosis. Symptoms, clinical signs, laboratory and histological data, as well as treatment response, were collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were studied (60.6% women, mean age at diagnosis 40.8±12.61 years). The median delay for DH diagnosis was four years. Skin involvement was mild in 33.3%, moderate in 18.2%, and severe in 48.5%. The more frequent gastrointestinal complaints were abdominal distension (78.8%), flatulence (75.7%), and gastroesophageal reflux (51.5%). Depression and anxiety were observed in 81.8% and anemia in 51.1%. A higher prevalence of bone disorders was associated with higher age at DH diagnosis (P=0.035). Duodenal biopsy showed changes in all patients. Improvement after treatment only with a gluten-free diet (GFD) plus dapsone was verified in 81.2%.

CONCLUSION

Patients with DH referred to a gastroenterologist showed a high frequency of gluten intolerance and systemic complaints. Duodenal histological alterations were found in all the cases. The treatment based on GFD plus dapsone was effective in most patients.

Upper gastrointestinal complaints in celiac patients at diagnosis. Association with endoscopic and histopathological findings

This study investigated the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Brazilian patients at the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD), associating with endoscopic and histopathological findings. We did a retrospective study including adult patients diagnosed with CD during January 2013 to December 2019.

SERONEGATIVE CELIAC DISEASE IN BRAZILIAN PATIENTS: A SERIES OF CASES

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune reaction mostly to wheat gluten. The diagnosis is based on clinical, serological and histological findings in patients ingesting gluten. Cases that the clinical profile indicates CD and the autoantibodies are negative bring so a dilemma for the professional, as the risk of missed the diagnosis or a delay at the same.

OBJECTIVE

To show the importance of correct diagnosis of cases with seronegative celiac disease (SNCD).

METHODS

Ten cases of SNCD Brazilian patients were retrospectively studied (2013 to 2019). Data of clinical complaints, autoantibodies, IgA serum levels, histological findings and HLA-DQ2/DQ-8 were compiled. Dual-X densitometry, delay at diagnosis, previous autoimmune diseases and family history of CD were also checked.

RESULTS

All SNCD patients presented clinical symptoms of CD, with confirmed diagnosis by histological findings of the duodenal mucosa and HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 positivity. All patients had normal IgA levels and negative autoantibodies (IgA-anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysial). Dual-X densitometry detected osteopenia in two women and osteoporosis in two males, all with low levels of vitamin D. Delay diagnostic ranged from 1 to 19 years. Familiar occurrence of CD was reported in 40% of the cases. After one year of gluten-free diet, eight patients refer improve of symptoms, while duodenal biopsies, done in five cases, showed histological improvement.

CONCLUSION

Patients who demonstrate the clinical profile of celiac disease with negative serology and normal levels of IgA, especially those who have family members with celiac disease, should be submitted to duodenal biopsies to look for histological findings.

ILEITIS - DO ENDOSCOPIST AND PATHOLOGIST SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE?

BACKGROUND

Ileitis is defined as an inflammation of the ileum, which is evaluated during colonoscopy. Biopsies should be performed on altered ileus, aiding to the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the correlation of anatomopathological findings on ileitis between pathologists and endoscopists.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional study, between 2013 and 2017. Examination report, indications for colonoscopy, and medical records were evaluated to identify whether the colonoscopic findings were clinically significant. Anatomopathological samples were reviewed by a pathologist expert in gastrointestinal tract. Patients over 18 years of age who had undergone ileoscopy were included, whereas patients below 18 years of age and those with previous intestinal resections were excluded. The correlation was assessed using the kappa coefficient index.

RESULTS

A total of 5833 colonoscopies were conducted in the study period and 3880 cases were included. Ileal alterations were observed in 206 cases, with 2.94% being clinically significant. A hundred and sixty three biopsies were evaluated using the kappa index, resulting in agreement among pathologists of 0.067 and among pathologist and endoscopist of 0.141.

CONCLUSION

It was observed that despite the low concordance between pathologists and endoscopists, there was no change in patient outcomes. This study confirms the importance of knowledge of the main anatomopathological changes related to ileitis by pathologists and endoscopists, making the best diagnosis and follow-up.

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS IN BRAZILIAN CELIAC WOMEN

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic enteropathy in response to ingestion of gluten. CD was associated with gynecological disorders.

OBJECTIVE

In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the age of menarche, age of menopause, number of pregnancies and abortions in Brazilian celiac patients.

METHODS

We studied 214 women diagnosed with CD and as control group 286 women were investigated.

RESULTS

Regarding the mean age of menarche, a significant difference was found (12.6±1.40 in CD and 12.8±1.22 years in healthy group; P=0.04). Regarding abortions, in CD women 38/214 (17.8%) and 28/286 (9.8%) in the control group reported abortion (P=0.0092, OR:1.98; CI95%=1.1- 3.3). There was no significant difference in the mean age of menopause nor number of pregnancies per woman.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that celiac women had a higher mean age of menarche and higher risk of spontaneous abortions.

Comparison of the effects of endovenous laser ablation at 1470 nm versus 1940 nm and different energy densities

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate histological and immunohistochemical changes in the great saphenous vein after endovenous laser ablation at two different wavelengths (1470 vs. 1940 nm) and linear endovenous energy density values (50 vs. 100 J/cm).

METHOD

Segments were obtained from the conventional eversion removal of great saphenous vein and divided into a control group and four groups for ex vivo irradiation (control group; A: 1470 nm, 50 J/cm; B: 1470 nm, 100 J/cm; C: 1940 nm, 50 J/cm; D: 1940 nm, 100 J/cm). Fifty venous segments ( n = 10/group) were analyzed. Changes were classified into low-temperature changes, moderate-temperature changes, high-temperature changes, and very high-temperature changes.

RESULTS

In the intima, low-temperature changes + moderate-temperature changes were significantly more prevalent in group A (65.4%) than in D ( p = 0.001). In the media, low-temperature changes + moderate-temperature changes were achieved mostly in groups A and C (77.4% and 75.0%, respectively). In adventitia fragments, 100% of changes in group A were low-temperature changes + moderate-temperature changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1940-nm laser wavelength with linear endovenous energy density of 100 J/cm was excessively destructive to the intima and media causing a high rate of high-grade thermal damage. These findings corroborate the possibility of using lower linear endovenous energy densities with 1940-nm devices to achieve effective occlusion with less high grade thermal damage to the intima and media, as well as to prevent damages to the adventitia and perivenous tissues, including venous perforation and its attendant clinical consequences.

Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis in Brazilian twins: a long-term follow-up and screening of their relatives

OBJECTIVES

To investigate three pairs of twins with celiac disease (CD) concerning clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, and long-follow-up, besides screening CD in their first-degree relatives.

PATIENTS/METHODS

CD was diagnosed in childhood by endoscopic duodenal biopsy in two monozygotic (MZ) female pairs (A1 and A2, B1 and B2) and one dizygotic (DZ) pair, in which the male (C1) had CD and the female (C2) was negative. The patients had periodic evaluations after a gluten-free diet (GFD) for 16 to 21 years. Nine first-degree relatives were screened by serological tests and when positive, referred for intestinal biopsies.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, all CD patients had the classic presentation. A1/A2: scalloped duodenal mucosa with atrophic areas, Marsh III-b, after 16 years of GFD was antiendomysium antibody (EmA) negative, normal mucosa. B1/B2 at diagnosis: mucosal atrophy, Marsh III-b, after 21 years was EmA negative, decreased folds. Patient C1: decreased folds, Marsh III-b, after 16 years was EmA positive, decreased folds, admitted to gluten ingestion. A1, A2, and B1 presented dermatitis herpetiformis. The father of A1/A2 and the mother of C1/C2 were celiac.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term follow-up of the patients allowed some observations such as the concordance for CD in MZ twins, both in relation to the time of onset and the severity of the disease. Also, the findings of serological, endoscopic, and histological analyses were similar. Dermatitis herpetiformis was present in patients with CD, with partial concordance in MZ twins.

The influence of methylene blue on the healing of intestinal anastomoses subjected to ischemia and reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of methylene blue, on the healing of intestinal anastomoses subjected to ischemia and reperfusion in rats. METHODS: Forty-five rats divided into the following three groups were used: control (G1); ischemia without methylene blue (G2); and ischemia with methylene blue (G3). A laparotomy was performed and the cranial mesenteric artery isolated. Whereas the cranial artery was temporarily occluded for 45 minutes in groups G2 and G3, prior to enterotomy and intestinal anastomosis, in group G1 the enterotomy and intestinal anastomosis were performed without prior lesion. Afterwards, 2mL of 0.5% methylene blue were instilled in the peritoneal cavities of the animals in group G3, and 2mL of isotonic saline solution in the peritoneal cavities of the animals in group G2. After the reperfusion, an enterectomy and intestinal anastomosis were performed. After the animals had been sacrificed on the seventh day after the operation, the abdominal cavity was examined by resection of a segment of the intestine containing the anastomosis in order to measure its strength and for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Free fluid or abscesses in the peritoneal cavity were rare. When inflammation was analyzed, the group subjected to ischemia without methylene blue had a higher score for mononuclear cells (p=0.021) and granulation tissue (p=0.044). No significant difference was observed in the density of type I or type III collagens. CONCLUSION: The methylene blue did not show beneficial effect on the healing of intestinal anastomoses subjected to ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

A Brazilian experience of the self transglutaminase-based test for celiac disease case finding and diet monitoring

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid and easy fingertip whole blood point-of-care test for celiac disease (CD) case finding and diet monitoring.

METHODS: Three hundred individuals, 206 females (68.7%) and 94 males (31.3%), were submitted to a rapid and easy immunoglobulin-A-class fingertip whole blood point-of-care test in the doctor’s office in order to make immediate clinical decisions: 13 healthy controls, 6 with CD suspicion, 46 treated celiacs, 84 relatives of the celiac patients, 69 patients with dyspepsia, 64 with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), 8 with Crohn’s disease and 9 with other causes of diarrhea.

RESULTS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with duodenal biopsies was performed in patients with CD suspicion and in individuals with positive test outcome: in 83.3% (5/6) of the patients with CD suspicion, in 100% of the patients that admitted gluten-free diet transgressions (6/6), in 3.8% of first-degree relatives (3/79) and in 2.9% of patients with dyspepsia (2/69). In all these individuals duodenal biopsies confirmed CD (Marsh’s histological classification). The studied test showed good correlation with serologic antibodies, endoscopic and histological findings.

CONCLUSION: The point-of-care test was as reliable as conventional serological tests in detecting CD cases and in CD diet monitoring.

Clinical, neurovascular and neuropathological features in Sneddon's syndrome

Sneddon's syndrome (SS) is characterized by ischemic cerebrovascular episodes and livedo reticularis. It is more common in young women and can also be associated with valvulopathy, a history of spontaneous abortion, renal involvement and vascular dementia. We describe three cases of young women with this disease. The patients had repeated ischemic cerebral episodes, livedo reticularis and thrombocytopenia. CT and MRI showed strokes and cerebral atrophy. Autopsy in one of the patients revealed cerebral infarctions. Anticardiolipin antibodies were detected in two patients. Antiphospholipid antibodies may be found in some patients with ischemic cerebrovascular events and livedo reticularis. SS may thus be associated with antiphospholipid syndrome. We described three new cases of SS and discuss the pathophysiology of this disease.

Thyroid disorders in Brazilian patients with celiac disease

INTRODUCTION/AIM

Patients with celiac disease (CD) can develop a gluten related autoimmune disorder that affects not only the small intestine but other tissues as well. An increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases has been reported, particularly autoimmune thyroiditis. The aim of this study was to characterize thyroid disorders in patients with CD.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Fifty-two patients with CD (43 female, 9 male; mean age, 41.1 years) were studied. Nine were on a gluten-free diet (GFD). They were divided into four groups: Group 1, without thyroid involvement (n=30); Groups 2A-C, with thyroid involvement (n=22); Group 2A, subclinical hypothyroidism (n=11); Group 2B, clinical hypothyroidism (n=10); and Group 2C, other thyroid disorders (n=1). CD was confirmed by serologic and histologic criteria. Thyroid involvement was detected by measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO).

RESULTS

Increased levels of TSH and/or anti-TPO levels were detected in Groups 2A (21.1%) and 2B (19.2%). The patients of Group 2B presented clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism before the diagnosis of CD, and 5 of these patients were receiving levothyroxine. One woman (Group 2C; 1.92%) had a medullary carcinoma. There was statistical significance between the age when thyroid disease was diagnosed (current age) and the age of CD diagnosis between Groups 1 and 2B. Patients with thyroid involvement presented associated diseases such as diabetes mellitus (2), Down's syndrome (2), ulcerative colitis (1), and dermatitis herpetiformis (2).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated an increased prevalence of thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism, 19.2%; and subclinical hypothyroidism, 21.2%), and other associated diseases in celiac patients, even on a GFD, increasing with the age of the patients. Screening for associated diseases is recommended for patients with CD, independent of age at diagnosis or treatment duration.