Long-term prognosis of clinical symptoms and health-related quality of life in microscopic colitis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Microscopic colitis, comprising collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC), is a common cause of chronic diarrhoea. The long-term prognosis is not well described.

AIM

To study outcome of symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

A case-control study using a postal questionnaire with three population-based controls per patient matched for age, sex and municipality. HRQoL was assessed by the Short Health Scale (SHS). Patients in clinical remission, defined as a mean of <3 stools/day, were evaluated separately (CC; n = 72, LC; n = 60).

RESULTS

The study included 212 patients and 627 matched controls. Median disease duration was 5.9 (range 0.5-27) years and 6.4 (0.3-14.8) years for CC and LC respectively. Abdominal pain, fatigue, arthralgia, myalgia, faecal incontinence and nocturnal defecation were significantly more prevalent in CC patients compared with controls. These differences persisted in CC patients in clinical remission with respect to abdominal pain (36% vs. 21%), fatigue (54% vs. 34%), arthralgia (61% vs. 41%) and myalgia (53% vs. 37%). In LC patients, abdominal pain, fatigue, faecal incontinence and nocturnal defecation were more prevalent compared with controls. In LC patients in clinical remission, fatigue was more prevalent compared with controls (54% vs. 37%). These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). All four HRQoL dimensions (symptom burden, social function, disease-related worry, general well-being) were impaired in patients with active CC and LC.

CONCLUSIONS

Although considered to be in clinical remission, patients with microscopic colitis suffer from persisting symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, arthralgia or myalgia several years after diagnosis.

The burden of hepatitis C in Sweden: a national study of inpatient care

The spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Sweden in the 1970s indicated that serious liver complications (SLC) would increase in the 2000s. The aim of this study was to analyse the burden of HCV-associated inpatient care in Sweden, to demonstrate the changes over time and to compare the findings with a noninfected population. The HCV-cohort (n: 43,000) was identified from the national surveillance database 1990-2006, and then linked to national registers to produce an age-, sex-, and region-matched noninfected comparison population (n: 215,000) and to obtain information on demographics, cancers, inpatient care and prescriptions. Cox regression was used to estimate the likelihood (hazard ratios) for admission to hospital in the HCV compared with the noninfected cohort. The hazard ratios were 4.03 (95% CI: 3.98-4.08) for all care, 77.52 (71.02-84.60) for liver-related care and 40.74 (30.58-54.27) for liver cancer care. The admission rate in the HCV-cohort compared with the noninfected cohort, the rate ratio (age- and sex-adjusted) for all inpatient care was 5.91 (95% CI: 5.87-5.94), and the rate ratio for liver-related care was 70.05 (66.06-74.28). In the HCV-cohort, 45% of all episodes were for psychiatric, mostly drug-related, care. Inpatient care for SLC increased in the 2000s. To conclude, drug-related care was common in the HCV-infected cohort, the demand for liver-related care was very high, and SLC increased notably in the 2000s, indicating that the burden of inpatient care from serious liver disease in HCV-infected individuals in Sweden is an increasing problem.

Anger, depression and anxiety associated with endothelial function in childhood and adolescence

OBJECTIVE

Psychosocial adversity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. The authors assessed associations of reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT), a measure of endothelial function predictive of CVD, with self-assessed psychological health among school children.

METHODS

A total of 248 healthy school children (mean (SD) age 14.0 (1.0); 136 girls and 112 boys) underwent RH-PAT testing. They completed the Beck Youth Inventories (BYI) of emotional and social impairment scales, which is used to screen for depression, anxiety, anger and disruptive behaviour.

RESULTS

No sex differences were observed for the RH-PAT score. Statistically significant differences were observed for the BYI scores; girls had higher scores for depression, anger and anxiety. Among the girls, there were statistically significant associations between lower RH-PAT scores and higher scores for anger (B coefficient=-0.100, p=0.040), depression (-0.108, p=0.009) and anxiety (-0.138, p=0.039) after adjustment for age. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with higher RH-PAT scores (0.09, p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The girls have higher levels of self-assessed anger; depression and anxiety compared with the boys, and these characteristics are associated with lower RH-PAT scores, indicating attenuated endothelial function. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with better endothelial function. Although psychological ill-health is associated with impaired endothelial function and CVD among adults, such processes may also be relevant to children. Psychosocial adversity in childhood might be a risk factor for subsequent CVD.

Maternal country of origin, breast milk characteristics and potential influences on immunity in offspring

Breast milk contains pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines with potential to influence immunological maturation in the child. We have shown previously that country of birth is associated with the cytokine/chemokine profile of breast milk. In this study we have investigated how these differences in breast milk affect the cellular response of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs, cell line HT-29) to microbial challenge. Ninety-five women were included: 30 from Mali in West Africa, 32 Swedish immigrants and 33 native Swedish women. CBMCs or IECs were stimulated in vitro with breast milk, alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or peptidoglycan (PGN). Breast milk in general abrogated the LPS-induced down-regulation of surface CD14 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression on CB monocytes, while inhibiting the PGN-induced TLR-2 up-regulation. However, breast milk from immigrant women together with LPS induced a lower CBMC release of interleukin (IL)-6 (P = 0·034) and CXCL-8/IL-8 (P = 0·037) compared with breast milk from Swedish women, while breast milk from Swedish women and Mali women tended to increase the response. The same pattern of CXCL-8/IL-8 release could be seen after stimulation of IECs (HT-29). The lower CBMC and IEC (HT-29) responses to microbial compounds by breast milk from immigrant women could be explained by the fact that breast milk from the immigrant group showed a divergent pro- and anti-inflammatory content for CXCL-8/IL-8, transforming growth factor-β1 and soluble CD14, compared to the other two groups of women. This may have implications for maturation of their children's immune responses.

Cancer risk among patients with multiple sclerosis and their parents

BACKGROUND

We investigated cancer risk among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether variation by age at MS diagnosis helps to elucidate mechanisms underlying the previously reported reduced cancer risk. We also studied cancer risk among parents to ascertain if MS susceptibility genes may confer protection against cancer in relatives.

METHODS

Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for age, sex, area, and socioeconomic index, estimated cancer risk among 20,276 patients with MS and 203,951 individuals without MS, using Swedish general population register data. Similar analyses were conducted among 11,284 fathers and 12,006 mothers of patients with MS, compared with 123,158 fathers and 129,409 mothers of controls.

RESULTS

With an average of 35 years of follow-up, there was a decreased overall cancer risk among patients with MS (hazard ratio = 0.91, 0.87-0.95). Increased risks were observed for brain tumors (1.44, 1.21-1.72) and urinary organ cancer (1.27, 1.05-1.53). Parents of patients with MS did not have a notably increased or decreased overall cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduction in cancer risk in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may result from behavioral change, treatment, or we speculate that some immunologic characteristics of MS disease activity improve antitumor surveillance. The lack of association among parents indicates that a simple inherited characteristic is unlikely to explain the reduced cancer risk among patients with MS. MS is associated with increased risk for some cancers, such as of urinary organs and brain tumors (although surveillance bias may be responsible).

Breast-feeding and a subsequent diagnosis of measles

BACKGROUND

Breast-feeding protects against many infectious diseases and may also influence immunization outcomes.

AIM

This study investigated if breast-feeding protects against clinical measles and if it modified the effect of immunization.

METHODS

We used logistic regression with data for 10 207 individuals from the 1970 British Cohort study (BCS70). Breast-feeding data were collected at five years of age, and information on clinical measles infection, as well as socio-economic measures was collected at the age of ten years. Breast feeding was categorized as: breast-fed <1 month (n = 1611), breast-fed for 1-3 months (n = 1016), breast-fed for more than three months (n = 1108), breast-feeding of uncertain duration (n = 21) and never breast-fed (n = 6451).

RESULTS

Breast-feeding for more than three months was negatively associated with a diagnosis of clinical measles infection after adjustment for crowding, social class, measles vaccination, parity and sex with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.69 (0.60-0.81) compared with those who never breast-fed. Measles vaccination was highly associated with low risk for measles with: 0.14 (0.13-0.16). Age at acute measles infection was not associated with breastfeeding. Breast-feeding did not notably alter measles immunization efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Immunization against measles provides effective protection against the disease. A more modest reduction in the risk of a measles diagnosis is associated with breast-feeding. The associations with a diagnosis of measles for breast-feeding and measles immunization are independent of each other.

Coeliac disease and risk of sepsis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the risk of subsequent sepsis in individuals with coeliac disease.

DESIGN

We used Swedish national health registers to identify 15 325 individuals with a diagnosis of coeliac disease (1964-2003) and 14 494 inpatient reference individuals. Cox regression estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for subsequent sepsis.

RESULTS

Compared with inpatient reference individuals, individuals with coeliac disease were at increased risk of sepsis (HR = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.2 to 1.9, p<0.001). The highest risk estimates were seen for pneumococcal sepsis (HR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.2 to 5.1, p = 0.014). Individuals with coeliac disease diagnosed in childhood were not at increased risk of subsequent sepsis (HR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6 to 1.9, p = 0.908). When individuals with coeliac disease were compared with reference individuals from the general population, coeliac disease was associated with an increased risk of sepsis (HR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1 to 3.0, p<0.001). The HR for pneumococcal sepsis was 3.9 (95% CI = 2.2 to 7.0, p<0.001). In this comparison, children with coeliac disease were also at an increased risk of sepsis (HR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2 to 2.7, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a modestly increased risk of sepsis in patients with coeliac disease with the highest risk for pneumococcal sepsis. This risk increase was limited to those with coeliac disease diagnosed in adulthood. Potential explanations include hyposplenism, increased mucosal permeability and an altered composition of the intestinal glycocalyx in individuals with coeliac disease.

Decrease of RA-related orthopaedic surgery of the upper limbs between 1998 and 2004: data from 54,579 Swedish RA inpatients

OBJECTIVES

To describe the overall use and temporal trends in orthopaedic upper limb surgery associated with RA on a nation wide basis in Sweden between 1998 and 2004.

METHODS

Data for all inpatient visits during 1998-2004 for patients older than 18 yrs with RA-related diagnoses were extracted from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Registry (SNHDR). The SNHDR prospectively collects data on all hospital admissions in Sweden according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Data were analysed with respect to orthopaedic surgery of the hand, elbow and shoulder.

RESULTS

During the study period, 54,579 individual RA patients were admitted to a Swedish hospital and 9% of these underwent RA-related surgery of the upper limbs. The RA patient cohort underwent a total of 8251 RA-related upper limb surgical procedures. The hand (77%) was most frequently operated on, followed by the shoulder (13%) and the elbow (10%). There was a statistically significant decrease of 31% for all admissions associated with RA-related upper limb surgery during 1998-2004 (P = 0.001). Some 10% of all RA-related upper limb surgery was due to total joint arthroplasties (TJAs), mostly for the elbow (59%). During 1998-2004, all TJAs, elbow-TJAs and shoulder-TJAs had a stable occurrence. In contrast, the overall numbers of hand-TJAs significantly increased (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of RA-related upper limb surgery decreased and TJAs had a stable occurrence in Sweden during 1998-2004. The findings of this study may reflect trends in disease management and health outcomes of RA patients in Sweden.

Differential regulation of IgG subclasses and IgE antimalarial antibody responses in complicated and uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

The aim of this study was to assess the immunoglobulin (Ig)-subclass distribution of antimalarial antibody responses in 110 and 169 Thai patients with complicated and uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, respectively. Antimalarial plasma IgG subclasses and IgE antibody levels against a crude malaria blood stages, and antigen preparation were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). On admission, the levels of anti-P. falciparum IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3 were significantly lower in patients with complicated malaria than uncomplicated malaria (IgG1, P < 0.0001; IgG2, P < 0.0001; IgG3, P < 0.0001). The levels of antimalarial IgE were slightly lower, but not statistically significant (P = 0.389) in the complicated malaria. After adjusting all antibody levels and age, anti-P. falciparum IgG3 levels remained significantly associated with complicated malaria. None of the other antibody concentrations showed statistically significant associations with complicated malaria. The anti-P. falciparum IgG3 levels were related to the IgG1 as well as IgG2 levels. A correlation between anti-P. falciparum IgG2 and IgE was observed in the complicated malaria group, and this may indicate their roles in the severity of disease. Our data suggest that anti-P. falciparum IgG3 is associated with a reduced risk of complicated malaria and that antimalarial Ig-subclasses are differently regulated in patients with complicated and uncomplicated malaria.

Cardiomyopathy, pericarditis and myocarditis in a population-based cohort of inpatients with coeliac disease

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the risk of myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and pericarditis in patients with celiac disease (CD) from a general population cohort.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Through the Swedish national registers we identified 9363 children and 4969 adults with a diagnosis of CD (1964-2003). These individuals were matched with upto five reference individuals for age, sex, calendar year and county (n = 69 851). Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for later heart disease.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Myocarditis, cardiomyopathy (any or dilated), and pericarditis defined according to relevant international classification of disease codes in the Swedish national inpatient register.

RESULTS

Celiac disease diagnosed in childhood was not associated with later myocarditis (HR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.0-1.5), cardiomyopathy of any type (HR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.2-3.7), or pericarditis (HR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.1-1.9). Restricting our analyses to adulthood CD and heart disease diagnosed from 1987 and onwards in departments of cardiology/internal medicine, we found no association between CD and later myocarditis (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 0.4-11.7), dilated cardiomyopathy (HR = 1.7; 95% CI = 0.4-6.5) or pericarditis (HR = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.5-4.0).

CONCLUSION

This study found no association between CD, later myocarditis, cardiomyopathy or pericarditis.

Family conditions and dietary control in phenylketonuria

OBJECTIVE

This investigation is an attempt to describe coping with phenylketonuria (PKU) in order to understand some aspects underlying good compliance.

METHODS

The coping concept was applied to PKU in two questionnaires. Self- and parental ratings were combined with assessments of phenylalanine levels and the severity of the disease. All Swedish patients with PKU born in 1980-91, a total of 53 children and youths with their parents, were invited to participate in the study and 41 (77%) of them did so.

RESULTS

The patients turned out to have good compliance with the diet. The main result was that patients with separated or divorced parents were more likely to have higher phenylalanine levels and this association was not diminished by adjustment for the potential confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

Patients' need for support must be judged individually according to different family conditions.

Protection against clinical pertussis induced by whole-cell pertussis vaccination is related to primo-immunisation intervals

AIMS

Information on subjects who had at least three immunisations against pertussis was provided by longitudinal data from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) and used to assess whether three whole-cell pertussis (wP) immunisations given within less than 5 months confer less effective protection in childhood compared with a schedule with a longer interval.

METHODS

Age at pertussis infection was the dependent variable in a Cox regression analysis, to investigate associations with duration between first and third pertussis immunisation; with third immunisation modelled as a time-dependent covariate. Adjustment was for number of pertussis immunisations (three or four), sex, social class and other potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

A total of 8545 children were included in the analysis and 556 had a history of whooping cough. A duration of over 4 months between first and third pertussis immunisations is statistically significantly associated with a reduced risk of pertussis infection by age 10 years, compared with three immunisations given over a shorter period, producing a statistically significant adjusted hazard ratio of 0.74 (0.62-0.92). A fourth immunisation against pertussis further enhanced the protective effect with a hazard ratio of 0.59 (0.44-0.82).

CONCLUSION

These results were based on a historical UK cohort using wP vaccine, and indicate that a vaccination schedule with an interval between the immunisations greater than 4 months, and also including a fourth immunisation, would be more effective in this population than a three dose schedule within a shorter interval without booster.

Fc gamma Receptor IIa (CD32) Polymorphism and Antibody responses to Asexual Blood-stage Antigens ofPlasmodium falciparumMalaria in Sudanese Patients

In a prospective clinical study in New Halfa Teaching Hospital, the possible association between FcgammaRIIa-R/H131 polymorphism and anti-malarial antibody responses with clinical outcome of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among Sudanese patients was investigated. A total of 256 individuals were consecutively enrolled, comprising 115 patients with severe malaria, 85 with mild malaria and 56 malaria-free controls. Genotyping of FcgammaRIIa-R/H131 dimorphism was performed using gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with allele-specific restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR product. The antibody responses to asexual blood-stage antigens were assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The frequency of the FcgammaRIIa-R/R131 genotype was significantly higher in those with severe malaria when compared with patients with mild malaria, while the FcgammaRIIa-H/H131 genotype showed a significant association with mild malaria. A reduced risk of severe malaria with IgG3 antibodies in combination with the H/H131 genotype was observed. Furthermore, low levels of IgG2 antibodies reactive with the Pf332-C231 antigen were also associated with lower risk of severe malaria in individuals carrying the H131 allele. The levels of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies were statistically significantly higher in the mild malaria patients when compared with the severe malaria patients. Taken together, our study revealed that the FcgammaRIIa-R/R131 genotype is associated with the development of severe malaria, while the H/H131 genotype is more likely to be associated with mild malaria. Our results also revealed that the natural acquisition of immunity against clinical malaria appeared to be more associated with IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies, signifying their roles in parasite-neutralizing immune mechanisms.

A population-based study of coeliac disease, neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that coeliac disease (CD) is associated with several neurological diseases. However, the evidence of such an association is inconclusive as earlier research has often been based on small numbers with retrospective data collection.

AIM

To use Cox regression to examine the risk of neurological disease in individuals with CD.

METHODS

Through Swedish national registers we identified some 14 000 individuals with a diagnosis of CD (1964-2003) and 70 000 reference individuals matched for age, sex, calendar year and county.

RESULTS

Coeliac disease was associated with later polyneuropathy [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.4; 95% CI = 2.3-5.1]. We found no statistically significant association between CD and subsequent multiple sclerosis (HR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.3-2.3), Parkinson's disease (HR = 1.2; 95% CI = 0.8-1.9), Alzheimer's disease (HR = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.9-2.6), hereditary ataxia (HR = 1.3; 95% CI = 0.5-3.6), the symptom ataxia (HR = 1.9; 95% CI = 0.6-6.2), Huntington's disease (HR = 1.7; 95% CI = 0.3-8.6), myasthenia gravis (HR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.2-3.8) or spinal muscular atrophy (HR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.1-3.8). Prior polyneuropathy was associated with subsequent CD (odds ratio = 5.4; 95% CI = 3.6-8.2).

CONCLUSIONS

The association between CD and polyneuropathy indicates shared risks. We suggest that individuals with polyneuropathy routinely undergo screening for CD. There is no notable association between CD and other neurological outcomes investigated in this study.

Vascular disease in a population-based cohort of individuals hospitalised with coeliac disease

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with coeliac disease (CD).

DESIGN

Swedish national hospital-based register data were used to identify 13,358 individuals who had been diagnosed with CD (1964-2003) and 64,118 age-matched and sex-matched individuals without CD. Cox regression was used to estimate the risk of vascular disease in subjects with CD. Analyses were restricted to individuals with a follow-up of >1 year and with no vascular disease before study entry.

RESULTS

CD was associated with myocardial infarction (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.48), angina pectoris (1.46; 1.25 to 1.70), heart failure (1.41; 1.22 to 1.62), brain haemorrhage (1.40; 1.05 to 1.88) and ischaemic stroke (1.35; 1.14 to 1.60). These risk estimates were similar when analyses were restricted to adults in whom vascular disease had been listed as the main diagnosis. In post-hoc analyses, where reference individuals were restricted to inpatients, no association was found between CD and later vascular disease, except for a lower risk of heart failure (0.79; 0.68 to 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The positive association between CD and later vascular disease may be explained by ascertainment bias.

Coeliac disease and the risk of fractures - a general population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies have suggested that untreated coeliac disease may be associated with osteoporosis, but results are contradictory for the risk of long-term fractures.

AIM

To study the association between coeliac disease and fractures.

METHODS

We used Cox regresson to examine the future risk of hip fracture and fracture of any type in more than 13 000 individuals with coeliac disease and 65 000 age- and sex-matched reference individuals in a general population-based cohort.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 1365 first hip fractures and 4847 fractures of any type occurred. Coeliac disease was positively associated with subsequent hip fracture (hazard ratio = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.8-2.4) (in children: hazard ratio = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.1-6.2) and fractures of any type (hazard ratio = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.3-1.5) (in children: hazard ratio = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.0-1.2). The absolute excess risk of hip fractures in children with coeliac disease was 4/100 000 person-years. Incidence ratios for hip fracture in individuals with CD were around two both prior to diagnosis of coeliac disease and afterwards; this risk increase remained 20 years after diagnosis of coeliac disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with coeliac disease, including children with coeliac disease, may be at increased risk of hip fracture and fracture of any type. Coeliac disease may be positively associated with long-term hip fracture risk.

Breast feeding and resilience against psychosocial stress

BACKGROUND

Some early life exposures may result in a well controlled stress response, which can reduce stress related anxiety. Breast feeding may be a marker of some relevant exposures.

AIMS

To assess whether breast feeding is associated with modification of the relation between parental divorce and anxiety.

METHODS

Observational study using longitudinal birth cohort data. Linear regression was used to assess whether breast feeding modifies the association of parental divorce/separation with anxiety using stratification and interaction testing. Data were obtained from the 1970 British Cohort Study, which is following the lives of those born in one week in 1970 and living in Great Britain. This study uses information collected at birth and at ages 5 and 10 years for 8958 subjects. Class teachers answered a question on anxiety among 10 year olds using an analogue scale (range 0-50) that was log transformed to minimise skewness.

RESULTS

Among 5672 non-breast fed subjects, parental divorce/separation was associated with a statistically significantly raised risk of anxiety, with a regression coefficient (95% CI) of 9.4 (6.1 to 12.8). Among the breast fed group this association was much lower: 2.2 (-2.6 to 7.0). Interaction testing confirmed statistically significant effect modification by breast feeding, independent of simultaneous adjustment for multiple potential confounding factors, producing an interaction coefficient of -7.0 (-12.8 to -1.2), indicating a 7% reduction in anxiety after adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast feeding is associated with resilience against the psychosocial stress linked with parental divorce/separation. This could be because breast feeding is a marker of exposures related to maternal characteristics and parent-child interaction.

Diagnosis underlying appendectomy and coeliac disease risk

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies suggest that appendectomy is associated with a substantially reduced risk of certain types of bowel inflammation such as ulcerative colitis, particularly where the underlying diagnosis is acute appendicitis. Previous research on appendectomy and coeliac disease is inconsistent, based on small numbers with retrospective data collection, and has not differentiated between different diagnoses underlying appendectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of diagnosis underlying appendectomy with coeliac disease.

METHODS

We used Cox regression to study the risk of later appendectomy in more than 14,000 individuals with coeliac disease and 68,000 referents without coeliac disease, identified through the Swedish National Registers 1964-2003, and conditional logistic regression to study the risk of coeliac disease associated with a history of prior appendectomy. Appendectomy was categorised according to the underlying diagnosis: perforated appendicitis, non-perforated appendicitis, and appendectomy without appendicitis.

RESULTS

Overall, coeliac disease was negatively associated with perforated appendicitis (hazard ratio=0.78, 95% confidence interval=0.60-1.01), not associated with non-perforated appendicitis (hazard ratio=1.11, 95% confidence interval=0.99-1.25), but positively associated with appendectomy without appendicitis (hazard ratio=1.58, 95% confidence interval=1.32-1.89). The magnitudes of the relative risks were similar irrespective of whether coeliac disease occurred prior to or after appendectomy.

CONCLUSION

Coeliac disease and perforated appendicitis are negatively associated irrespective of the timing of the conditions. Not surprisingly, CD increases the risk for appendectomy without appendicitis.

Coeliac disease and risk of tuberculosis: a population based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease often characterised by malnutrition and linked to a number of complications such as an increased risk of lymphoma, adverse pregnancy outcome, and other autoimmune diseases. Tuberculosis (TB) affects a large proportion of the world population and is more common in individuals with malnutrition. We investigated the risk of TB in 14 335 individuals with CD and 69 888 matched reference individuals in a general population based cohort study.

METHODS

Cox proportional hazards method was used to calculate the risk of subsequent TB in individuals with CD. In a separate analysis, the risk of CD in individuals with prior TB was calculated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

CD was associated with an increased risk of subsequent TB (hazard ratio (HR) 3.74, 95% CI 2.14 to 6.53; p < 0.001). Similar risk estimates were seen when the population was stratified for sex and age at CD diagnosis. Individuals with CD were also at increased risk of TB diagnosed in departments of pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases, paediatrics, or thoracic medicine (HR 4.76, 95% CI 2.23 to 10.16; p < 0.001). The odds ratio for CD in individuals with prior TB was 2.50 (95% CI 1.75 to 3.55; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CD is associated with TB. This may be due to malabsorption and lack of vitamin D in persons with CD. Individuals with TB and gastrointestinal symptoms should be investigated for CD.

Spleen enlargement and genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum infection in two ethnic groups with different malaria susceptibility in Mali, West Africa

The high resistance to malaria in the nomadic Fulani population needs further understanding. The ability to cope with multiclonal Plasmodium falciparum infections was assessed in a cross-sectional survey in the Fulani and the Dogon, their sympatric ethnic group in Mali. The Fulani had lower parasite prevalence and densities and more prominent spleen enlargement. Spleen rates in children aged 2-9 years were 75% in the Fulani and 44% in the Dogon (P<0.001). There was no difference in number of P. falciparum genotypes, defined by merozoite surface protein 2 polymorphism, with mean values of 2.25 and 2.11 (P=0.503) in the Dogon and Fulani, respectively. Spleen rate increased with parasite prevalence, density and number of co-infecting clones in asymptomatic Dogon. Moreover, splenomegaly was increased in individuals with clinical malaria in the Dogon, odds ratio 3.67 (95% CI 1.65-8.15, P=0.003), but not found in the Fulani, 1.36 (95% CI 0.53-3.48, P=0.633). The more susceptible Dogon population thus appear to respond with pronounced spleen enlargement to asymptomatic multiclonal infections and acute disease whereas the Fulani have generally enlarged spleens already functional for protection. The results emphasize the importance of spleen function in protective immunity to the polymorphic malaria parasite.

Pre-pubertal growth and cognitive function

British longitudinal data were used to investigate the association of heights at 22 months and 5 years with a digit recall test at age 10 years. Greater height, particularly at 5 years, was associated with higher scores, suggesting that some exposures influence both growth and capability for cognitive function.

Trends in disease modifying antirheumatic drug prescription in early rheumatoid arthritis are influenced more by hospital setting than patient or disease characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To characterise temporal trends and factors associated with the prescription of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) at the initial consultation in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Data from 2584 patients with early RA at 19 hospitals were extracted from the Swedish Rheumatoid Arthritis Register for the period 1997-2001. Disease characteristics and DMARD prescription at first consultation with the rheumatologist were investigated using cross tabulation and logistic regression.

RESULTS

DMARD prescriptions, particularly for methotrexate, increased from 1997 to 2001 independently of patient characteristics. Stratification by hospital type showed that patients in district hospitals were less likely to be prescribed DMARDs than those in university hospitals (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40 to 0.69), p<0.001), independently of confounding factors. Association of the DAS28 with the likelihood of DMARD prescription was greater among patients attending district hospitals (OR = 1.65 (1.34 to 2.02), p<0.001) than those at university hospitals (OR = 1.23 (1.07 to 1.41), p = 0.003) and county hospitals (OR = 1.34 (1.01 to 1.63), p = 0.003). Interaction testing indicated that the difference was significant (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Temporal trends in DMARD prescription indicate an increasingly aggressive approach to disease management among Swedish rheumatologists. However, the association of hospital type with DMARD prescription suggests that the adoption of research findings in clinical care varies considerably.

Diagnosis and procedure-specific survival among transfusion of recipients in 1993 and 2000, Orebro County, Sweden

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Survival rates in patients transfused in 1993 and 2000 were compared in relation to diagnoses and surgical interventions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood centre and hospital records of all patients transfused from March to May in Orebro County in 1993 (n = 932) and 2000 (n = 990), were matched with the national register of deaths.

RESULTS

Relative risk of death within 1 year, adjusted for diagnoses, operations and other confounders in patients transfused in 2000 compared to 1993 was 0.78 (CI 0.66-0.91). Among those transfused 1993, 39% were alive after 7 years.

CONCLUSION

The improved survival among those transfused in 2000 could not be accounted for by differences in ages or case-mix.

Higher IL-10 levels are associated with less effective clearance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites

The implications of high levels of the immune regulatory cytokine IL-10 in Plasmodium falciparum malaria are unclear. IL-10 may down-regulate pro-inflammatory responses and also exacerbate disease by inhibiting anti-parasitic immune functions. To study possible inhibiting effects on parasite clearance, IL-10 plasma levels were determined in 104 Tanzanian children, 1 to 4 years old, with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, and analysed for association with parasite densities during 3 days of anti-malarial treatment. Higher baseline IL-10 plasma levels were associated with statistically significantly higher parasite densities after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. These associations could not be explained by differences in initial parasitaemia, temperature, age, sex or type of treatment. Induction of high IL-10 production might be a direct or indirect mechanism whereby the parasite evades the immune response.

Atopic disorders among Estonian schoolchildren in relation to tuberculin reactivity and the age at BCG vaccination

BACKGROUND

Published data about a relationship of atopic diseases to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination and tuberculin responses are inconsistent. Our aim was to determine this association in a country with a low prevalence of allergies.

METHODS

A random sample of 10-11-year-old schoolchildren in Tallinn was studied by a parental questionnaire (n = 979) and skin-prick tests (n = 643), according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Data about BCG vaccinations and tuberculin tests were obtained from school records (n = 723).

RESULTS

The prevalence of allergic symptoms and atopy was similar in children vaccinated during the first month of life and later. Positive tuberculin responses (> or =5 mm) were inversely related to symptoms of asthma [odds ratio (OR) 0.10 (95% confidence interval 0.00-0.68) for exercise-induced wheezing; OR 0.37 (0.12-0.99) for night cough], and eczema [OR 0.53 (0.28-0.98)] but not to atopy. However, among BCG-revaccinated children, atopy tended to be more common in tuberculin responders, and the atopic children were significantly more likely to have a positive tuberculin response after the revaccination than would be predicted by their first test.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no protective effect of early BCG vaccination against atopy in school age, although tuberculin responses and allergic symptoms were inversely related.

Early intrauterine exposure to tobacco-inhaled products and obesity

An association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring obesity has been reported. This study assessed the impact of maternal smoking during the first trimester. Data on 4,974 German children aged 5-6 years were obtained at school entry health examinations in 2001-2002 in Bavaria. Obesity was defined by body mass index using International Obesity Task Force cutpoints. Prevalence of obesity was 1.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5, 2.4) in offspring of never smokers, 4.5% (95% CI: 2.9, 6.7) for maternal smoking during the first trimester only, and 5.9% (95% CI: 3.8, 8.7) for maternal smoking throughout pregnancy. Unadjusted odds ratios were higher for maternal smoking throughout pregnancy (odds ratio = 3.23, 95% CI: 2.00, 5.21) compared with the first trimester only (odds ratio = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.49, 3.91). Adjusted odds ratios were similar: 1.70 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.87) for maternal smoking throughout pregnancy and 2.22 (95% CI: 1.33, 3.69) for maternal smoking in the first trimester only. When modeled together, no statistically significant difference in obesity risk was found between maternal smoking in the first trimester compared with throughout pregnancy. The effect of intrauterine tobacco exposure on childhood obesity may depend largely on cigarette smoking during the first trimester, whereas the additional impact of smoking throughout pregnancy might be due to confounding by sociodemographics. Women should be encouraged to quit smoking prior to conception.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases in two British national birth cohorts

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of multiple gastrointestinal diseases in the general British population.

AIM

To examine the prevalence of Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gall stones (GS), and peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

SUBJECTS

The 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) and the National Child Development Study (NCDS) are two one week national birth cohorts born in 1970 and 1958, respectively. All cohort members living in Great Britain were interviewed in 1999/2000.

METHODS

The prevalence rates of the five diseases were calculated, and associations with sex and childhood social class were investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

At age 30 years, the prevalence rates per 10,000 (95% confidence interval (CI)) in the 1970 and 1958 cohorts, respectively, were: CD 38 (26-49), 21 (13-30); UC 30 (20-41), 27 (18-37); IBS 826 (775-877), 290 (267-330); GS 88 (71-106), 78 (62-94); and PUD 244 (214-273), 229 (201-256). There was a significantly higher proportion with CD (p=0.023) and IBS (p=0.000) in the 1970 cohort compared with the 1958 cohort at age 30 years. Comparing the cohorts in the 1999/2000 sweep, UC, GS, and PUD were significantly (p=0.001, p=0.000, p=0.000) more common in the 1958 cohort. There was a statistically significant trend for a higher risk of GS with lower social class in both cohorts combined (p=0.027).

CONCLUSION

The study indicates an increasing temporal trend in the prevalence of CD and suggests a period effect in IBS, possibly due to adult life exposures or variation in recognition and diagnosis of IBS.

Pertussis infection in childhood and subsequent type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Pertussis has been implicated but not proven as a risk for Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Previous studies have investigated paediatric, but not adult-onset Type 1 DM. We investigated association of pertussis exposures and Type 1 DM with follow-up into adulthood.

METHODS

Longitudinal analysis of 16 820 members (100 with Type 1 DM) of two nationally representative British birth cohorts (the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) and the National Child Development Study (NCDS)) followed from birth to ages 30 years (BCS70) and 42 years (NCDS). Cox regression analysis with age of onset for Type 1 DM as the dependent variable investigated relationships with pertussis infection and immunization, modelled as time-dependent co-variates. Simultaneous adjustment was made for Wild measles, mumps and chickenpox infections; tetanus and smallpox immunizations; sex, parental social class and cohort. The potential confounding factors were modelled as fixed co-variates.

RESULTS

Cox regression analysis produced adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) of 2.21 (1.35-3.59) and 0.73 (0.49-1.05) for Type 1 DM (with onset at any age) associated with pertussis infections and immunization (trend over number of vaccinations), respectively. Adjusted ORs from Cox regression for Type 1 DM with onset after age 10 years are 2.59 (1.56-4.30) for pertussis infection and 0.63 (0.42-0.94) for pertussis immunization. None of the other infections or immunizations are notably associated with Type 1 DM.

CONCLUSIONS

Some pertussis infections may be a risk for Type 1 DM and immunization may confer protection. Further research should consider delayed Type 1 DM following pertussis exposures.

Siblings and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Environmental exposures in early life have been implicated in the aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Siblings are used as proxy markers to characterize patterns of exposure relevant to the risk of IBD.

METHODS

Some 15,823 patients with ulcerative colitis and 12,668 with Crohn disease from the Swedish In-patient Register were compared with 79,546 and 63,035 controls, respectively, in a case-control study. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate associations with older and younger siblings, and adjustment was made for sex, year of birth, mother's age, region and, additionally, father's social class.

RESULTS

Older siblings are associated with a graded increased risk for ulcerative colitis (P for trend <0.001) and an adjusted odds ratio of 1.15 (95% CI 1.07-1.24) for three or more older siblings. Younger siblings are associated with a graded decreased risk for Crohn disease (P for trend <0.001) with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.83 (0.76-0.90) for three or more younger siblings. The greatest protective association with Crohn disease was seen for younger siblings born within 2 years of the subject. Older maternal age is independently associated with a decreased risk of Crohn disease, with P for trend <0.001. Additional adjustment for social class did not substantially alter the results.

CONCLUSIONS

Having siblings is associated with the risk and phenotype of developing IBD, possibly through their influence on patterns of antigenic exposure in early life. The association of maternal age with Crohn disease may reflect age-related changes in maternal immune profile.

Childhood indicators of susceptibility to subsequent cervical cancer

Common warts could indicate cervical cancer susceptibility, as both are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Eczema was also investigated, as atopic eczema has been negatively associated with warts, but non-atopic eczema may be associated with compromised host defences, as observed in patients with HIV, suggesting increased susceptibility to HPV infection and cervical cancer. 'Cervical cancer' was self-reported during an interview by 87 of 7594 women members of two longitudinal British birth cohorts. The accuracy of the diagnoses is limited by lack of confirmation using medical records. Odds ratios are adjusted for common warts and eczema in childhood; and cigarette smoking, number of cohabiting partners and social class in early adult life. The odds ratios of warts and eczema with cervical cancer are 2.50 (95% confidence interval 1.14-5.47) and 3.27 (1.95-5.49), respectively. The association of eczema with cervical cancer is independent of hay fever as a marker of atopy, suggesting the importance of non-atopic eczema. Both heavier smoking compared with non-smoking and four or more cohabiting partners compared with one/none have odds ratios for cervical cancer of 8.26 (4.25-15.10) and 4.89 (1.39-17.18), respectively. Common warts in childhood may indicate cervical cancer susceptibility; this and the relationship with eczema deserves investigation.

Upregulated eotaxin expression and T cell infiltration in the basal and papillary epithelium in cows' milk associated reflux oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

Cows' milk sensitive reflux oesophagitis is an emerging clinical entity in children, normally indistinguishable from primary gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) apart from the response to dietary antigen exclusion. It is conjectural whether a tendency towards mucosal eosinophilia distinguishes this group from primary GOR.

AIMS

To determine whether there may be differences in the mucosal lesion within the oesophagus in those children with reflux in association with cows' milk induced small bowel pathology, particularly in relation to the eosinophil chemokine eotaxin.

METHODS

A total of 29 children underwent endoscopic assessment, including nine with cows' milk sensitive enteropathy (CMSE) and associated GOR, seven histologically normal controls, six with primary GOR, and seven disease controls. Oesophageal biopsy specimens were examined immunohistochemically for the chemokines eotaxin and MCP-2, and T cell lineage and activation markers.

RESULTS

Strong upregulation of eotaxin expression, limited to basal and papillary epithelium, occurred in all CMSE patients. By contrast, weak expression was seen in a minority of controls and in 50% of primary GOR patients. Infiltration of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes occurred in similar distribution in CMSE patients, significantly increased above controls. Significant upregulation of activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR) was also seen in the CMSE group within basal and papillary epithelium compared to controls and primary GOR.

CONCLUSION

Basal and papillary epithelial eotaxin expression, with focal lymphocyte activation, was seen in infants with CMSE associated GOR. This preliminary study provides early evidence to suggest a pathogenesis distinct from primary GOR, in which specific recruitment of T cells and eosinophils may contribute to oesophageal dysmotility.

Review article: the concept of entero-colonic encephalopathy, autism and opioid receptor ligands

There is growing awareness that primary gastrointestinal pathology may play an important role in the inception and clinical expression of some childhood developmental disorders, including autism. In addition to frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, children with autism often manifest complex biochemical and immunological abnormalities. The gut-brain axis is central to certain encephalopathies of extra-cranial origin, hepatic encephalopathy being the best characterized. Commonalities in the clinical characteristics of hepatic encephalopathy and a form of autism associated with developmental regression in an apparently previously normal child, accompanied by immune-mediated gastrointestinal pathology, have led to the proposal that there may be analogous mechanisms of toxic encephalopathy in patients with liver failure and some children with autism. Aberrations in opioid biochemistry are common to these two conditions, and there is evidence that opioid peptides may mediate certain aspects of the respective syndromes. The generation of plausible and testable hypotheses in this area may help to identify new treatment options in encephalopathies of extra-cranial origin. Therapeutic targets for this autistic phenotype may include: modification of diet and entero-colonic microbial milieu in order to reduce toxin substrates, improve nutritional status and modify mucosal immunity; anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory therapy; and specific treatment of dysmotility, focusing, for example, on the pharmacology of local opioid activity in the gut.

Inflammatory bowel disease and laterality: is left handedness a risk?

BACKGROUND

Left handedness has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune diseases.

AIMS

To determine whether left handedness is associated with IBD in two prospective national birth cohorts.

METHODS

Subjects with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were identified from two national longitudinal birth cohorts at age 26 years (1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70), born in 1970) and age 33 years (National Child Development Study (NCDS), born in 1958). Laterality was determined at age 10 (BCS70) or seven (NCDS) years, based on hand preference for writing and foot preference for kicking a ball (BCS70 only). Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of handedness with CD, UC, and IBD in the cohorts combined and adjusted for sex.

RESULTS

Both cohorts combined showed increased adjusted relative odds of 2.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97--4.65; p=0.059), 2.13 (95% CI 0.92--4.91; p=0. 077), and 2.13 (95% CI 1.20--3.78; p=0.010) for CD, UC, and IBD, respectively in left handers.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests a link between IBD and left handedness which may be genetic and/or environmental in origin.

Domestic labour, paid employment and women's health: analysis of life course data

The relationship between the amount of domestic labour performed by a woman during her lifetime and a variety of self-reported and objective measures of her health in early old age was examined in the female members (n = 155) of a data set containing considerable life course information, including full household, residential and occupational histories. Domestic labour, on its own, proved a weak predictor of health. The relationship strengthened when domestic labour was combined with the hazards of the formal paid employment which the woman had performed. This suggests that it is the combination of domestic labour plus paid employment which influences women's health. The robustness of this conclusion is indicated by its agreement with other studies which reached the same conclusion through an analysis of data with markedly different characteristics.

Measles vaccination and inflammatory bowel disease: a national British Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Measles vaccination has been suggested as a risk for inflammatory bowel disease. Atypical age of measles infection has also been associated with Crohn's disease. This study was designed to examine the relationship of measles vaccination and age of measles vaccination with later inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

A prospective population-based national birth cohort was used, of those born in 1 wk in April 1970 in Great Britain. The data are from 7616 responding members of the 1970 British Cohort Study with complete vaccination data, who were traced at age 26 yr. A diagnosis of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and diabetes mellitus (a control disease) was obtained by survey at age 26 yr, and confirmed by physicians. Vaccination data were from survey at age 5 yr. Measles and mumps infection data were obtained from the survey at age 10 yr. Adjustment was made for sex, household crowding in childhood, and father's social class at birth.

RESULTS

No statistically significant association was found between measles vaccination status at 5 yr and Crohn's disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-1.63), ulcerative colitis (adjusted OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.20-1.61), or diabetes (adjusted OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.33-1.74). There was a statistically significant trend (p = 0.040) with increasing age of measles vaccination for risk of Crohn' s disease, although this was based on very few cases vaccinated after age 2 yr.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, monovalent measles vaccination status is not associated with inflammatory bowel disease by age 26 yr. Older age at measles vaccination needs to be examined in other studies to confirm whether it is a genuine risk for Crohn's disease.

The initial care of newborn infants and subsequent hay fever

BACKGROUND

Patterns of neonatal exposure to microorganisms have changed substantially over the last 100 years, and it has been suggested that this has influenced the risk of immune-mediated disease. Using a proxy measure, we tested the hypothesis that the initial handling of newborn infants, which is known to affect the pattern of exposure to microorganisms, may alter the risk of developing subsequent atopy, as indicated by hay fever.

METHODS

Analysis was performed on 5,519 members of the 1970 British Cohort Study, a nationally representative birth cohort. Cohort members with hay fever were identified at intervals up to the age of 26 years. Details of neonatal care and childhood circumstances were recorded prospectively. Those who had spent their first night away from their mother in the communal infant nursery were selected as likely to have experienced atypical exposure compared with infants who remained with their mother. Adjustment was made for potential confounding factors in infancy and childhood by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Unadjusted relative odds (with 95% CI) for developing hay fever among those spending the first night in the communal nursery, when compared with other infants who remained with the mother, were 1.48 (1.23-1.77), P<0.001. Comprehensive adjustment for the potential confounding factors, including feeding practices on the first day of life, markers of social and material circumstances, and region, did not substantially alter this relationship, with adjusted relative odds of 1.31 (1.08-1.59), P=0.005.

CONCLUSIONS

While our proxy measure is associated with an increased risk of hay fever, further research is required to confirm that this is due to the pattern of infectious exposure in very early life. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the first challenges are particularly important in the development of the newborn infant's immune system.

Enterocolitis in children with developmental disorders

OBJECTIVE

Intestinal pathology, i.e., ileocolonic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH) and mucosal inflammation, has been described in children with developmental disorders. This study describes some of the endoscopic and pathological characteristics in a group of children with developmental disorders (affected children) that are associated with behavioral regression and bowel symptoms, and compares them with pediatric controls.

METHODS

Ileocolonoscopy and biopsy were performed on 60 affected children (median age 6 yr, range 3-16; 53 male). Developmental diagnoses were autism (50 patients), Asperger's syndrome (five), disintegrative disorder (two), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (one), schizophrenia (one), and dyslexia (one). Severity of ileal LNH was graded (0-3) in both affected children and 37 developmentally normal controls (median age 11 yr, range 2-13 yr) who were investigated for possible inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tissue sections were reviewed by three pathologists and scored on a standard proforma. Data were compared with ileocolonic biopsies from 22 histologically normal children (controls) and 20 children with ulcerative colitis (UC), scored in an identical manner. Gut pathogens were sought routinely.

RESULTS

Ileal LNH was present in 54 of 58 (93%) affected children and in five of 35 (14.3%) controls (p < 0.001). Colonic LNH was present in 18 of 60 (30%) affected children and in two of 37 (5.4%) controls (p < 0.01). Histologically, reactive follicular hyperplasia was present in 46 of 52 (88.5%) ileal biopsies from affected children and in four of 14 (29%) with UC, but not in non-IBD controls (p < 0.01). Active ileitis was present in four of 51 (8%) affected children but not in controls. Chronic colitis was identified in 53 of 60 (88%) affected children compared with one of 22 (4.5%) controls and in 20 of 20 (100%) with UC. Scores of frequency and severity of inflammation were significantly greater in both affected children and those with UC, compared with controls (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A new variant of inflammatory bowel disease is present in this group of children with developmental disorders.