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The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Jan 2024We aimed to evaluate the histologic features predictive of prognosis and correlate them with endoscopic findings in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) having complete...
BACKGROUND/AIMS
We aimed to evaluate the histologic features predictive of prognosis and correlate them with endoscopic findings in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) having complete or partial mucosal healing (MH).
METHODS
We prospectively collected and reviewed data from patients with UC who underwent colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy with biopsy. Complete and partial MH were defined as Mayo endoscopic subscores (MESs) of 0 and 1, respectively. Histologic variables, including the Nancy index (NI), predicting disease progression (defined as the need for medication upgrade or hospitalization/surgery), were evaluated and correlated with endoscopic findings.
RESULTS
Overall, 441 biopsy specimens were collected from 194 patients. The average follow-up duration was 14.7 ± 7.4 months. There were 49 (25.3%) and 68 (35.1%) patients with MESs of 0 and 1, respectively. Disease progression occurred only in patients with an MES of 1. NI ≥ 3 was significantly correlated with disease progression during follow-up. Mucosal friability on endoscopy was significantly correlated with NI ≥ 3 (61.1% in NI < 3 vs. 88.0% in NI ≥ 3; p = 0.013).
CONCLUSION
Histological activity can help predict the prognosis of patients with UC with mild endoscopic activity. Mucosal friability observed on endoscopy may reflect a more severe histological status, which can be a risk factor for disease progression.
Topics: Humans; Colitis, Ulcerative; Intestinal Mucosa; Severity of Illness Index; Colonoscopy; Prognosis; Disease Progression
PubMed: 38086619
DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2023.167 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2023Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) significantly affects women in their reproductive years. Understanding the relationship between IBD and pregnancy is crucial, given its... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) significantly affects women in their reproductive years. Understanding the relationship between IBD and pregnancy is crucial, given its impact across pre-gestational, gestational, and postpartum phases. Monitoring IBD activity during pregnancy involves various modalities. This review discusses these modalities, focusing on the efficacy and safety of Small Intestine Ultrasound (IUS) as a noninvasive and reliable option. While IUS has gained popularity, its technique-sensitive nature necessitates trained staff for optimal usage.
PubMed: 38068395
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237343 -
Journal of Gastroenterology and... Mar 2024Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) without analgesia or sedation can be unpleasant for patients, resulting in unsatisfactory examinations. Prior familiarization videos (FVs)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized controlled trial of effects of a familiarization video and patient-controlled Entonox inhalation on patient stress levels and clinical efficacy of flexible sigmoidoscopy without analgesia or sedation for investigation of fresh rectal bleeding.
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) without analgesia or sedation can be unpleasant for patients, resulting in unsatisfactory examinations. Prior familiarization videos (FVs) and intra-procedural Entonox inhalation have shown inconsistent effects. This study investigated their effects on undesirable participant factors (anxiety, stress, discomfort, pain, satisfaction, later unpleasant recall of procedure, and vasovagal reactions) and clinical effectiveness (extent of bowel seen, lesions detected, and procedural/recovery times).
METHODS
This cluster-randomized single-center study evaluated 138 participants undergoing FS. There were 46 controls, 49 given access to FV, and 43 access to both FV and self-administered Entonox. Participant factors were measured by self-administered questionnaires, independent nurse assessments, and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics.
RESULTS
Questionnaires showed that the FV group was slightly more tense and upset before FS, but knowledge of Entonox availability reduced anxiety. Nonlinear HRV metrics confirmed reduced intra-procedural stress response in the FV/Entonox group compared with controls and FV alone (P < 0.05). Entonox availability allowed more bowel to be examined (P < 0.001) but increased procedure time (P < 0.05), while FV alone had no effect. FV/Entonox participants reported 1 month after FS less discomfort during the procedure. Other comparisons showed no significant differences between treatment groups, although one HRV metric showed some potential to predict vasovagal reactions.
CONCLUSIONS
Entonox availability significantly improved clinical effectiveness and caused a slight reduction in undesirable participant factors. The FV alone did not reduce undesirable participant factors or improve clinical effectiveness. Nonlinear HRV metrics recorded effects in agreement with stress reduction and may be useful for prediction of vasovagal events in future studies.
Topics: Humans; Analgesia; Nitrous Oxide; Oxygen; Pain; Sigmoidoscopy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38054398
DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16433 -
Innovations in Pharmacy 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths in Michigan, but not all Michigan adults had appropriate CRC screening. To assess the...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths in Michigan, but not all Michigan adults had appropriate CRC screening. To assess the relationship between rurality and age on CRC screenings to inform how pharmacists could focus their efforts to educate, facilitate, or offer CRC health screenings. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using 2018 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (MiBRFSS) survey data. Michigan participants aged ≥ 50 years were included. Outcomes included the utilization of stool-based tests, sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies, and the most recent CRC screening. Demographic variables included age, sex, income, race/ethnicity, relationship status, education level, employment status, income, rurality, and health insurance. Representative sampling weights were used to adjust for the complex survey design. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. IBM SPSS version 28.0.1.0 was used and an a priori p-value of <0.05 was deemed significant. A weighted total of 3,762,540 participants were included, of which 21.3% (n = 781,907) reported living in a rural area and approximately 70% (n = 2,616,646) were between the ages of 50-69 years old. Most participants reported being White, non-Hispanic (n = 3,104,117, 84.5%), having health insurance (n = 3,619,801, 96.4%), and having a colonoscopy (74.6%, n= 2,620,581). There was no difference based on rurality. Compared to those aged 50-59 years, adults 60-69 years (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.58,2.45), 70-79 years (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 2.40,4.51), and ≥ 80 years (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.54,3.24) had higher odds of receiving a colonoscopy. Lack of insurance was associated with lower odds of receiving a colonoscopy (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.56). Most participants reported having a CRC screening but efforts to increase CRC screening in Michigan adults aged 50-59 are warranted.
PubMed: 38035320
DOI: 10.24926/iip.v14i1.5212 -
Lancet (London, England) Nov 2023The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in extensive disruption to the delivery of elective health services. Official figures of NHS waiting lists in England do not account for...
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in extensive disruption to the delivery of elective health services. Official figures of NHS waiting lists in England do not account for patients on the hidden waiting list (ie, patients who have symptoms or disease requiring elective procedures who have not been placed on the waiting list due to pandemic-related disruption). The aim of this study was to model the elective procedure backlog in England, including the hidden waiting list.
METHODS
We used publicly available activity data from NHS Digital to estimate procedure-level backlogs in England for the pandemic period (from Jan 1, 2020, to Dec 31, 2022) compared with expected population need for elective procedures based on pre-pandemic trends, adjusting for population growth and ageing, as well as patient deaths while on the waiting list. The primary outcome was the elective procedure backlog. Elective procedures were defined as including surgery, endoscopy, interventional radiology, and interventional cardiology. The secondary outcome was the procedural hidden waiting list. The elective procedure backlog was reported by specialty and procedure.
FINDINGS
The total elective procedure backlog in England on Dec 31, 2022, was modelled to be 4 519 467 procedures. The hidden waiting list was 3 621 423, comprising 80·3% of the total backlog. Half the total backlog (2 228 348, 49·3%) was in people aged 16-59 years. The largest backlogs were in general surgery (1 463 423, 32·4%), orthopaedics (1 001 850, 22·2%), and urology (510 649, 11·3%). Overall, 84·7% (3 827 687 procedures) of the backlog were for day-case procedures. The procedures with the greatest total backlog were sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy (546 930, 12·1%), gastroscopy (376 089, 8·3%), cataract surgery (238 912, 5·3%), and lower limb joint replacement (209 976, 4·6%).
INTERPRETATION
NHS waiting lists are an unreliable guide to the true population need for elective procedures. Initiatives are needed to identify and prioritise patients requiring urgent treatment. Most need is for low-complexity high-volume day-case surgery. Sustained, ring-fenced funding is required to invest in scaling up the operative workforce and facilities, and to increase the resilience of surgical services to avoid existing backlogs being compounded by future external pressures. This modelling study is based on an assumption that over the course of the pandemic the incidence of surgical disease did not change.
FUNDING
None.
Topics: Humans; Waiting Lists; Pandemics; England; COVID-19; Cataract Extraction; Elective Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 37997119
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02073-1 -
JAMA Network Open Nov 2023Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer-screening disparities existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is unclear whether those have changed since the pandemic.
IMPORTANCE
Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer-screening disparities existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is unclear whether those have changed since the pandemic.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether changes in screening from before the pandemic to after the pandemic varied for immigrants and for people with limited income.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This population-based, cross-sectional study, using data from March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2022, included adults in Ontario, Canada, the country's most populous province, with more than 14 million people, almost 30% of whom are immigrants. At both dates, the screening-eligible population for each cancer type was assessed.
EXPOSURES
Neighborhood income quintile, immigrant status, and primary care model type.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
For each cancer screening type, the main outcome was whether the screening-eligible population was up to date on screening (a binary outcome) on March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2022. Up to date on screening was defined as having had a mammogram in the previous 2 years, a Papanicolaou test in the previous 3 years, and a fecal test in the previous 2 years or a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the previous 10 years.
RESULTS
The overall cohort on March 31, 2019, included 1 666 943 women (100%) eligible for breast screening (mean [SD] age, 59.9 [5.1] years), 3 918 225 women (100%) eligible for cervical screening (mean [SD] age, 45.5 [13.2] years), and 3 886 345 people eligible for colorectal screening (51.4% female; mean [SD] age, 61.8 [6.4] years). The proportion of people up to date on screening in Ontario decreased for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, with the largest decrease for breast screening (from 61.1% before the pandemic to 51.7% [difference, -9.4 percentage points]) and the smallest decrease for colorectal screening (from 65.9% to 62.0% [difference, -3.9 percentage points]). Preexisting disparities in screening for people living in low-income neighborhoods and for immigrants widened for breast screening and colorectal screening. For breast screening, compared with income quintile 5 (highest), the β estimate for income quintile 1 (lowest) was -1.16 (95% CI, -1.56 to -0.77); for immigrant vs nonimmigrant, the β estimate was -1.51 (95% CI, -1.84 to -1.18). For colorectal screening, compared with income quintile 5, the β estimate for quntile 1 was -1.29 (95% CI, 16 -1.53 to -1.06); for immigrant vs nonimmigrant, the β estimate was -1.41 (95% CI, -1.61 to -1.21). The lowest screening rates both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were for people who had no identifiable family physician (eg, moving from 11.3% in 2019 to 9.6% in 2022 up to date for breast cancer). In addition, patients of interprofessional, team-based primary care models had significantly smaller reductions in β estimates for breast (2.14 [95% CI, 1.79 to 2.49]), cervical (1.72 [95% CI, 1.46 to 1.98]), and colorectal (2.15 [95% CI, 1.95 to 2.36]) postpandemic screening and higher uptake of screening in general compared with patients of other primary care models.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this cross-sectional study in Ontario that included 2 time points, widening disparities before compared with after the COVID-19 pandemic were found for breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening based on income and immigrant status, but smaller declines in disparities were found among patients of interprofessional, team-based primary care models than among their counterparts. Policy makers should investigate the value of prioritizing and investing in improving access to team-based primary care for people who are immigrants and/or with limited income.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Early Detection of Cancer; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pandemics; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Ontario; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37983033
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.43796 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2023(1) Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in endoscopic remission have persistent histologic activity, which is associated with worse outcomes. There are...
(1) Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in endoscopic remission have persistent histologic activity, which is associated with worse outcomes. There are limited data on the association between adalimumab drug concentrations and histologic outcomes using validated histologic indices. We aimed to assess the relationship between adalimumab concentrations and the Robarts Histopathology Index (RHI). (2) Patients from a tertiary IBD center from 2013 to 2020 with serum adalimumab (ADA) trough concentrations measured during maintenance therapy (≥14 weeks) and a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies performed within 90 days of drug level were included. Blinded histologic scoring using the RHI was performed. Primary analysis assessed the relationship between adalimumab drug concentrations and histologic remission using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. (3) In 36 patients (26 Crohn's Disease, 9 ulcerative colitis, 1 indeterminate), median adalimumab concentrations were higher (17.3 ug/mL, 12.2-24.0) in patients with histologic remission compared to those without (10.3 ug/mL, 6.8-13.9, p = 0.008). The optimal ADA concentration identified using the Youden threshold was ≥16.3 ug/mL (sensitivity 70%, specificity 90%). Patients with ADA ≥ 16.3 ug/mL had higher histologic remission rates (78%) compared to lower ADA concentrations (14%, = 0.002), as well as higher mucosal healing rates (86%) compared to lower levels (12%, = 0.001). Symptoms correlated weakly and non-significantly with both histologic (RHI) scores (r = 0.25, = 0.2) and adalimumab concentrations (r = 0.05, = 0.8). (4) The current study demonstrated that higher serum adalimumab concentrations (≥16.3 ug/mL) are needed for histologic remission and mucosal healing assessed using the RHI.
PubMed: 37959261
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216796 -
JAMA Network Open Nov 2023To date, the diagnostic test completion rate and the time to diagnostic endoscopy or colonoscopy among adults with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and/or hematochezia have...
IMPORTANCE
To date, the diagnostic test completion rate and the time to diagnostic endoscopy or colonoscopy among adults with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and/or hematochezia have not been well characterized.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic test completion rate and the time to diagnostic testing among veterans younger than 50 years with IDA and/or hematochezia.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cohort study was conducted within the Veterans Health Administration between October 1, 1999, and December 31, 2019, among US veterans aged 18 to 49 years from 2 separate cohorts: those with a diagnosis of IDA (n = 59 169) and those with a diagnosis of hematochezia (n = 189 185). Statistical analysis was conducted from August 2021 to August 2023.
EXPOSURES
Diagnostic testing factors included age, sex, race and ethnicity, Veterans Health Administration geographic region, and hemoglobin test value (IDA cohort only).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Primary outcomes of diagnostic testing were (1) bidirectional endoscopy after diagnosis of IDA and (2) colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy after diagnosis of hematochezia. The association between diagnostic testing factors and diagnostic test completion was examined using Poisson models.
RESULTS
There were 59 169 veterans with a diagnosis of IDA (mean [SD] age, 40.7 [7.1] years; 30 502 men [51.6%]), 189 185 veterans with a diagnosis of hematochezia (mean [SD] age, 39.4 [7.6] years; 163 690 men [86.5%]), and 2287 veterans with IDA and hematochezia (mean [SD] age, 41.6 [6.9] years; 1856 men [81.2%]). The cumulative 2-year diagnostic workup completion rate was 22% (95% CI, 22%-22%) among veterans with IDA and 40% (95% CI, 40%-40%) among veterans with hematochezia. Veterans with IDA were mostly aged 40 to 49 years (37 719 [63.7%]) and disproportionately Black (24 480 [41.4%]). Women with IDA (rate ratio [RR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.40-0.43) had a lower likelihood of diagnostic test completion compared with men with IDA. Black (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.62-0.68) and Hispanic (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82-0.94) veterans with IDA were less likely to receive diagnostic testing compared with White veterans with IDA. Veterans with hematochezia were mostly White (105 341 [55.7%]). Among veterans with hematochezia, those aged 30 to 49 years were more likely to receive diagnostic testing than adults younger than 30 years of age (age 30-39 years: RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.12-1.18; age 40-49 years: RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.33-1.40). Hispanic veterans with hematochezia were less likely to receive diagnostic testing compared with White veterans with hematochezia (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In the cohorts of veterans younger than 50 years with IDA and/or hematochezia, the diagnostic test completion rate was low. Follow-up was less likely among female, Black, and Hispanic veterans with IDA and Hispanic veterans with hematochezia. Optimizing timely follow-up across social and demographic groups may contribute to improving colorectal cancer outcomes and mitigate disparities.
Topics: Male; Female; Adult; Humans; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Cohort Studies; Colonoscopy; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
PubMed: 37930701
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.41516 -
ACG Case Reports Journal Nov 2023Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) can be caused by a variety of causes. Pseudoaneurysms have been described as a rare etiology of LGIB and are associated with...
Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) can be caused by a variety of causes. Pseudoaneurysms have been described as a rare etiology of LGIB and are associated with pancreatic pseudocysts that involve adjacent vasculature. Our study describes a 38-year-old man with recent severe coronavirus disease 2019 and necrotizing pancreatitis presenting with hematochezia and blood clots by gastrostomy-jejunostomy. Initial flexible sigmoidoscopy did not elicit an etiology for the LGIB. Recurrent hematochezia prompted colonoscopy and angiography, which demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm in the marginal artery of Drummond as the source. Our case highlights the importance of repeat evaluation of gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown etiology.
PubMed: 37928236
DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001193 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Nov 2023BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the colon. The mainstay of treatment to achieve and maintain remission is 5-aminosalicylic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the colon. The mainstay of treatment to achieve and maintain remission is 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). At least 20% of patients with UC experience an acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) flare, requiring aggressive early intervention to prevent complications. The first-line treatment of ASUC is intravenous steroids followed by infliximab or cyclosporin in patients for whom steroids fail. Refractory disease failing medical therapy and warranting surgery is common. Lately, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as tofacitinib, filgotinib, and upadacitinib, have been licensed for moderate-to-severe UC in adults. Nevertheless, the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in ASUC has not yet been established. CASE REPORT We report a case of an 18-year-old woman with 4-year history of severe UC. Both infliximab and adalimumab treatments failed, despite the concurrent use of azathioprine, and she was reliant on steroids. Moreover, tofacitinib failed after 1 year of therapy. She was admitted as a case of ASUC. Flexible sigmoidoscopy confirmed severe pancolitis. Finally, she was treated effectively with oral upadacitinib 45 mg given once daily. She went into full clinical, biochemical, and steroid-free remission in 60 days and endoscopic remission at 180 days. CONCLUSIONS This case report features the potential safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in adults with ASUC. Larger trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety in patients admitted with ASUC.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Colitis, Ulcerative; Infliximab; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; Mesalamine; Steroids; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37926993
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.940966