Peripheral T-cell lymphoma mimicking 5-aminosalicylate hypersensitivity in ulcerative colitis

5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) remain an important strategy in the induction and maintenance of remission of inflammatory bowel diseases especially in ulcerative colitis. The prototypical drug of this class, sulfasalazine is generally well tolerated with severe hypersensitivity reactions and hepatotoxicity also described within the literature. When approaching a patient with an adverse reaction to 5-ASA, it can be difficult to differentiate clinically between a sulfa allergy versus a 5-ASA allergy versus a malignancy. We report on a case with initial signs and symptoms suggestive of a sulfa/5-ASA allergy that was subsequently found to be malignant in nature.

Obesity does not affect sodium picosulphate bowel preparation

BACKGROUND

A previous study utilising oral polyethylene-glycol by Borg et al. concluded that obesity is an independent predictor of inadequate bowel preparation at colonoscopy.

AIM

To compare bowel preparation quality between obese and non-obese individuals as assessed by Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) after using sodium picosulphate.

METHODS

Prospective recruitment of patients at a day surgical unit in a New South Wales academic hospital. Bowel preparation was with Picoprep in all patients. Body Mass Index and epidemiological details were collected. Bowel preparation efficacy was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Score.

RESULTS

One hundred and four patients were enrolled prospectively. Five (4.8%) were excluded owing to poor mental capacity. Sixty-three (64%) were non-obese, and 36 (36%) were obese. Fifty-seven (90%) non-obese and 32 (89%) obese patients had good bowel preparation. There was no statistical difference for sodium picosulphate bowel preparation between obese and non-obese individuals (P > 0.99) using Fisher's exact probability tests. The BBPS score in the left colon predicted the overall BBPS score in all patients (P < 0.001). Three of 99 patients (3%) did not tolerate sodium picosulphate, with nausea being the most common side-effect.

LIMITATIONS

Non-randomised study

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in bowel preparation quality between obese and non-obese patients using a low-volume bowel preparation (sodium picosulphate) and without dose modification of the bowel preparation. Sodium picosulphate was a welltolerated and an effective bowel preparation for obese individuals. With an increasing incidence of obesity and expanding colonoscopic indications within Australia and other Western countries from government-sponsored programs, it is paramount that procedural quality not be compromised in the obese patient.