Long-term clinical outcomes of intestinal Behçet's disease: A 30-year cohort study at a tertiary hospital in South Korea

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aimed to identify the long-term clinical outcomes of and prognostic factors for intestinal Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

A cohort of 780 patients with intestinal BD between 1997 and 2021 was investigated to determine long-term clinical outcomes and prognostic factors at an inflammatory bowel disease clinic at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up period of 12.7 ± 7.2 years, 5-aminosalicylic acids, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents were required in 94.9%, 67.2%, 43.8%, and 14.6% of the patients, respectively. The cumulative rates of anti-TNF-α use were 3.7%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 12.1%, 17.6%, and 24.0%, and those for abdominal surgery were 5.7%, 10.9%, 12.6%, 16.5%, 21.6%, and 28.3%, at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively, after initial diagnosis of intestinal BD. The cumulative rates of hospitalization were 11.8%, 21.9%, 27.9%, 38.8%, 54.4%, and 74.8%, and those of emergency room visits were 10.0%, 19.8%, 22.7%, 31.6%, 50.0%, and 65.0% at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 years. Older age at primary diagnosis, previous appendectomy history, higher disease activity index for intestinal Behçet's disease score, systemic BD, multiple intestinal ulcers, deep intestinal ulcers, higher C-reactive protein, lower hemoglobin, and lower albumin levels were associated with poor prognosis. Married status, higher body mass index, oral ulceration, and arthritis were negatively associated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Data on the long-term clinical outcomes of intestinal BD and their prognostic factors could guide physicians in patient monitoring and in optimizing individualized treatment.

Case Report: A Case of Intestinal Behçet's Disease Exhibiting Enhanced Expression of IL-6 and Forkhead Box P3 mRNA After Treatment With Infliximab

Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, as well as ophthalmological, neurological, and gastrointestinal manifestations. BD involving the gastrointestinal tract is known as intestinal BD. The mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract of patients with intestinal BD exhibits enhanced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These proinflammatory cytokines play pathogenic roles in the development of BD, as evidenced by the fact that biologics targeting these cytokines effectively induce BD remission. It should be noted, however, that the molecular mechanisms by which the blockade of these cytokines suppresses chronic inflammatory responses in BD are poorly understood. Herein, we report a case of intestinal BD resistant to prednisolone that was successfully treated with infliximab (IFX). The induction of remission by IFX was accompanied by a marked elevation of IL-6 and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) at mRNA level. This case suggests that induction of remission by IFX is mediated not only by the suppression of TNF-α-mediated signaling pathways, but also by the promotion of IL-6 expression and accumulation of regulatory T cells expressing FOXP3.

A20 Haploinsufficiency in a Chinese Patient With Intestinal Behcet's Disease-Like Symptoms: A Case Report

Objective: Intestinal Behcet's disease (iBD) is an autoimmune disorder diagnosed by typical intestinal ulcers and systemic Behcet's disease (BD) manifestations. Haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20) is a recently described autoinflammatory disease with a phenotype resembling BD, caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in TNFAIP3 gene (encoding A20). Methods: We described a 29-year-old female with iBD-like symptoms including relapsing ulceration of intestinal anastomosis, recurrent oral ulcers and vasculitis in extremities. Due to the atypical intestinal ulcers with long segmental involvement and intestinal obstruction, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to screen for the underlying genetic defect and the identified gene was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The expression levels of A20 was evaluated by Western blot. Sanger sequencing and Western blot were also performed in the patient's family members. Results: A heterozygous mutation of TNFAIP3 (c.305A>G, p. Asn 102 Ser) was identified in the patient. The identical TNFAIP3 mutation was also found in her father and brother who had suffered from recurrent oral ulcers since childhood. Functional experiments revealed that the expression of A20 was decreased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patient and her family members who carried the TNFAIP3 mutation. Conclusion: We described a Chinese patient with a novel heterozygous mutation in TNFAIP3 who developed iBD-like symptoms. We proposed that the TNFAIP3 heterozygous mutation (c.305A>G, p. Asn 102 Ser) with an insufficient expression of A20 may be associated with the iBD phenotype in patients.

The Efficacy of Medium- to Long-term Anti-TNF-α Antibody-based Maintenance Therapy in Behçet's Disease Patients with Intestinal Lesions

Objective Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody-based regimens are effective in Behçet's disease (BD) with intestinal lesions. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of medium- to long-term anti-TNF-α antibody-based maintenance therapy of BD intestinal and non-intestinal lesions. Methods In this retrospective study, the response to the treatment was assessed endoscopically and clinically. Treatment responders were transferred to maintenance therapy. We evaluated the sustain rate of maintenance therapy, reductions in the dose of prednisolone (PSL), and the presence of non-intestinal BD involvement before and after the start of anti-TNF-α antibody-based the maintenance therapy. Patients We assessed 20 BD patients with intestinal lesions who underwent anti-TNF-α antibody-based therapy. Results Treatment was discontinued in 3 patients (18%). Loss of response was noted in 1 (5.9%) patient. Maintenance therapy was continued in 13 (76%) patients. The cumulative sustain rates to maintenance therapy after 2, 4, and 6 years were 94%, 87%, and 72%, respectively. In the 13 patients with remission of intestinal lesions, the mean PSL dose decreased from 13.4±2.16 mg/day before treatment to 0.92±0.47 after treatment (p<0.0001). PSL was discontinued in 9 (69%) patients. Five of the 13 (38%) patients developed clinical features of non-intestinal BD during the remission-maintenance treatment. Conclusion Our results demonstrated the efficacy of medium- to long-term anti-TNF-α antibody-based maintenance treatment against BD intestinal lesions. Nevertheless, some cases with well-controlled intestinal lesions developed active non-intestinal BD symptoms. The results highlight the importance of a carefully planned treatment strategy for BD patients with intestinal involvement.

Remission induction, maintenance, and endoscopic outcome with oral 5-aminosalicylic acid in intestinal Behçet's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is recommended for the therapy of mild to moderate intestinal Behçet's disease (BD). However, the induction remission efficacy and endoscopic outcomes of 5-ASA are unknown. We investigated remission induction at 8 weeks, endoscopic outcomes until 52 weeks, and event-free survival at 52 weeks in patients with intestinal BD treated with 5-ASA.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with intestinal BD were treated with oral 5-ASA. Clinical remission was evaluated with the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). The endoscopic response was evaluated using the modified global gastrointestinal endoscopic assessment scores. Rescue therapy-free survival and surgery-free survival at 52 weeks were estimated, and predictive factors for a clinical response at weeks 8 and 52 were identified.

RESULTS

Seven patients (17%) withdrew 5-ASA early (≤ 8 weeks) because of adverse events. At week 8, clinical efficacy could be accurately evaluated in 28 patients, and the response and remission rates were 61% and 57%, respectively, using the CDAI. Endoscopic evaluation was achieved in 17 patients up to 52 weeks, and the endoscopic response and remission rates were 71% and 35%, respectively. The probabilities of rescue therapy-free survival and surgery-free survival were 73% and 100%, respectively, at 52 weeks in all 41 patients. The predictive factors for therapeutic effectiveness at week 8 were a higher baseline C-reactive protein level and CDAI, but they were negative predictive factors for a 52-week response.

CONCLUSIONS

5-ASA is effective for clinical and endoscopic induction and maintaining a response in patients with mild to moderate intestinal BD.

Fecal calprotectin as a non-invasive biomarker for intestinal involvement of Behçet's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The diagnostic and prognostic values of fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases have been proven. However, little is known about the usefulness of FC measurement in predicting intestinal involvement of Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive patients with systemic BD who underwent colonoscopy for the evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms were prospectively enrolled between November 2012 and March 2014 in a single tertiary medical center. Fecal specimens from the patients were obtained the day before bowel cleansing and 3 months after colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients showed intestinal ulcerations on colonoscopy (12 [48.0%] typical and 13 [52.0%] atypical ulcerations). The median FC level in the intestinal BD group was significantly higher than that in the non-diagnostic group (112.53 [6.86-1604.39] vs 31.64 [5.46-347.60] µg/g, respectively, P = 0.003). Moreover, the typical ulceration group showed a significantly higher median FC level than the atypical ulceration group in patients with intestinal BD (435.995 [75.65-1604.39] vs 71.42 [6.86-476.94] µg/g, respectively, P = 0.033). Multivariate analysis revealed higher FC as an independent predictor of intestinal BD (OR = 38.776; 95% CI = 2.306-652.021; P = 0.011). The cut-off level of FC for predicting intestinal BD was 68.89 µg/g (76% sensitivity and 79% specificity). The absolute changes between fecal calprotectin levels and the disease activity index of intestinal BD from initial diagnosis of intestinal BD to 3 months after diagnosis were significantly correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.470, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

The FC level might serve as a non-invasive surrogate marker of intestinal involvement of BD.

Clinical value of capsule endoscopy for detecting small bowel lesions in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To evaluate the clinical value of capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

The present study was a case-control pilot study conducted in intestinal BD patients and healthy volunteers. A total of 19 patients with intestinal BD (intestinal BD group) and 19 healthy volunteers (control group) matched for age and sex were enrolled. Frequency, number of small bowel lesions per subject, and Lewis score were comparatively evaluated between the two groups.

RESULTS

Of the 19 patients with intestinal BD, 18 (94.7%) had reddened lesions, 15 (78.9%) had erosions, and nine (47.4%) had ulcers. There were significant differences in the frequency of reddened lesions (P < 0.0001), erosions (P < 0.0001) and ulcers (P = 0.0011) between the two groups. The difference in the number of small bowel lesions between the two groups was also statistically significant. The median Lewis score in the intestinal BD group was significantly higher than that in the control group (intestinal BD group 237 (0-768) vs. control group 8 (0-135); P < 0.0001). Analysis according to the location in the small bowel revealed that the frequency of ulcers tended to increase towards the distal intestine.

CONCLUSION

This is the first CE study conducted to examine small bowel involvement in intestinal BD patients. Our results suggest that CE evaluation is necessary, in addition to colonoscopy, in all intestinal BD patients.

Correlation between soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 and endoscopic activity in intestinal Behçet's disease

PURPOSE

The serum levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) have recently been shown to be correlated highly with disease activity in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease (BD). However, it remains unclear whether sTREM-1 levels reflect endoscopic activity in intestinal BD. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of sTREM-1 levels with endoscopic activity in intestinal BD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 84 patients with intestinal BD were enrolled. Endoscopic activity was compared with sTREM-1 levels as well as other laboratory findings, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

RESULTS

sTREM-1 levels were significantly increased in intestinal BD patients compared with controls (37.98±27.09 pg/mL vs. 16.65±7.76 pg/mL, p=0.002), however, there was no difference between endoscopically quiescent and active diseases (43.53±24.95 pg/mL vs. 42.22±32.68 pg/mL, p=0.819). Moreover, serum sTREM-1 levels did not differ in terms of number, shape, depth, size, margin, or type of ulcer in patients with intestinal BD. However, mean ESR and CRP levels in patients with active disease were significantly higher than those in patients with quiescent disease (p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In addition, endoscopic activity scores for intestinal BD were correlated significantly with both CRP levels (γ=0.329) and ESR (γ=0.298), but not with sTREM-1 levels (γ=0.166).

CONCLUSION

Unlike CRP levels and ESR, serum sTREM-1 levels were not correlated with endoscopic activity in patients with intestinal BD.