Validating Crohn's disease activity indices for use in assessing postoperative recurrence

BACKGROUND

The Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) has been used in medical trials with scores <150 indicative of remission. Its value in assessing postoperative recurrence is unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the utility of the CDAI in determining the presence or absence of symptomatic disease recurrence in patients having previously undergone ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Ninety-three patients underwent clinical and colonoscopic evaluation within 12 months of ileocolic resection. Endoscopic appearance was assessed using the Rutgeerts score (i0-i4). Symptomatic disease recurrence was defined by the composite of symptom severity warranting therapy and an endoscopic score ≥ i2. CDAI scores were calculated. Comparisons were made using the receiver operator curve (ROC).

RESULTS

Thirty-nine (42%) patients had recurrent disease (22% symptomatic, 20% endoscopic only) at 12 months. Median CDAI for symptomatic recurrence was 198 (interquartile range [IQR]: 106-293), 80 for asymptomatic subjects (IQR 35-115). The area under the ROC curve for symptomatic disease and CDAI was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.91). Recurrence was best predicted by a CDAI of ≥ 148 (sensitivity 70%, specificity 81%). A strong linear relationship existed between the CDAI and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (r = 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

The CDAI performs reasonably well in the postoperative setting and 150 appears the best cutpoint for indicating symptomatic disease. However, it is likely not suitable for use as the primary outcome measure. These data suggest that a combination of symptom assessment plus endoscopic evidence of recurrence should remain the gold standard definition for assessing outcomes in postoperative CD trials.

The effectiveness of budesonide therapy for Crohn's disease

AIM

To assess the effectiveness and safety of budesonide in comparison to corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), or placebo for inducing remission of active Crohn's disease and for maintaining remission.

STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials comparing budesonide to corticosteroids, 5-ASA products or placebo were included. Trials had to report on the effectiveness of treatment (defined as decreasing or maintaining Crohn's Disease Activity Index, CDAI, scores < or = 150) or adverse events.

DATA ANALYSIS

After assessing the validity of study design and independent, duplicate data extraction from selected trials, summary relative risks (RR) were calculated for each outcome. A test of heterogeneity was also calculated for each outcome using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Budesonide was more likely to induce remission than placebo (RR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.15-2.88) or 5-ASA (RR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.26-2.39), although only one trial compared budesonide to 5-ASA products. Although budesonide induced remission less frequently than conventional corticosteroids (RR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.995), there was no significant difference between conventional corticosteroids and budesonide for inducing remission among patients with a low disease activity (initial CDAI=200-300). Budesonide was significantly less likely to cause corticosteroid-associated adverse events than conventional corticosteroids (RR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.53-0.80). No significant difference in total adverse events or corticosteroid-associated adverse events was demonstrated between budesonide and 5-ASA or placebo.

CONCLUSION

Budesonide is significantly more effective than placebo or 5-ASA for inducing remission of active Crohn's disease. Although budesonide is 13% less effective for the induction of remission in active Crohn's disease than conventional corticosteroids, it is less likely to cause corticosteroid-related adverse effects. Budesonide is ineffective in maintaining remission.

Pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis occurs with increased frequency in patients with associated primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), present in 5% of patients with ulcerative colitis, may be associated with pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The cumulative frequency of pouchitis in patients with and without PSC who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis was determined. A total of 1097 patients who had an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis, 54 with associated PSC, were studied. Pouchitis was defined by clinical criteria in all patients and by clinical, endoscopic, and histological criteria in 83% of PSC patients and 85% of their matched controls. PSC was defined by clinical, radiological, and pathological findings. One or more episodes of pouchitis occurred in 32% of patients without PSC and 63% of patients with PSC. The cumulative risk of pouchitis at one, two, five, and 10 years after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was 15.5%, 22.5%, 36%, and 45.5% for the patients without PSC and 22%, 43%, 61%, and 79% for the patients with PSC. In the PSC group, the risk of pouchitis was not related to the severity of liver disease. In conclusion, the strong correlation between PSC and pouchitis suggest a common link in their pathogenesis.