Volume 81 - 2018 - Fasc.4 - Original articles
Dosing interval and diagnosis predict infliximab levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on maintenance treatment
Objective : The aim of the study was to identify factors in- fluencing infliximab (IFX) trough levels (TL) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Methods : This was a multicentre cross-sectional study performed at 5 large IBD centres in Slovakia. The cohort consisted of IBD patients, treated either with original IFX or CT-P13 biosimilar, who were examined for the IFX TL and antidrug antibodies (ADA) in a central laboratory.
Results : The patient cohort consisted of 116 consecutive IBD patients, 68 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 48 with ulcerative colitis (UC). CD patients had significantly lower IFX TL compared to UC, 2.41 (0.998-5.56) mg/L vs. 4.49 (1.76-8.41) mg/L, p = 0.017. During maintenance treatment, significantly higher mean IFX TL were observed in patients with a 4 week dosing interval than in patients with a 6 or 8 (7.44±3.6 µg/mL vs. 4.19±4.2 vs. 3.30±3.1 µg/mL, p = 0.011 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no difference in median TL IFX between original IFX and biosimilar CT-P13 (3.25 (1.24-6.52) mg/L vs. 3.03 (1.30-7.10)). IFX TL correlated with ADA (p=0.005). Multiple regression analysis revealed two independent factors for IFX TL: dosing interval (p<0.0001) and diagnosis (p=0.02).
Conclusion : In the present study we observed that IBD patients assigned to an intensified dosing interval during maintenance therapy have significantly higher IFX TL than patients receiving conventional 8 week interval. Patients with UC had significantly higher IFX TL. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 465-470).
Should we worry about incidental gastrointestinal tract involvement in positron emission tomography-computed tomography as gastroenterologist?
Background and aim : Positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT) scans detects benign clinical conditions in addition to malignancy, and this leads to additional investigation and expenditure. The purpose of our study was to assess the endoscopic and histopathologic results of incidental 18F-FDG uptake in the GI tract.
Patients and Method : We enrolled 110 patients who underwent gastroscopy/colonoscopy for incidental GI tract involvement in PET/CT. Histopathologic and endoscopic results were compared with FDG uptake level, pattern of uptake(diffuse/focal), and site of involvement.
Results : In our study, 52.7% of the patients were male and the mean age was 57±11 years. Among the participants, 47.3% and 52.7% of patients had upper GI tract and colorectal involvement in PET/CT, respectively. Gastritis and colonic polyps were the most common endoscopic diagnoses that caused FDG uptake in the upper and lower GI tract, respectively. Endoscopic evaluation was normal in 23.6% of patients with pathologic FDG involvement. The rates of adenomatous polyps, malignancy, and hyperplastic polyps were 18.5%, 13.6%, and 6.8%, respectively. The mean SUVmax were higher in malignant lesions than in non-malignant lesions (14.3±8.9 vs. 9.3±5.3)(p=0.02). Diffuse or focal FDG involvement patterns on PET/CT did not help to discriminate malignancy in the GI tract.
Conclusion : Malignancy was detected in only 13.6% of patients with FDG involvement in the GI tract, and the involvement pattern(diffuse/focal) and SUVmax did not differentiate malignancy. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 471-475).
Comparison between abdominal fat measured by CT and anthropometric indices as prediction factors for mortality and morbidity after colorectal surgery
Aim : This study aims to determine which anthropometric (body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)) and radiological (visceral fat area (VFA) measured by CT scan) measurements of adiposity correlated better with postoperative outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. We also assessed which of these measurements best predicted overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).
Methods : Data from 90 consecutive Caucasian CRC patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer between 2010 and 2011 with a median follow-up of 53.25 months were analysed. The correlations of different adiposity measurements and postoperative outcomes were determined using logistic regression models and multivariate analyses.
Results : Higher WHtR (p = 0.007) and VFA (p = 0.01) significantly increased the risk of overall morbidity, especially of Clavien-Dindo III or IV. The WHtR correlated best with VFA (p < 0.0001), which is considered the gold standard for measuring visceral fat, whereas BMI (p = 0.15) was not a good predictor of postoperative morbidity.
Multivariate analyses showed consistently significant results for postoperative complications for VFA in combination with all of the other variables analysed and for WHtR, confirming that VFA and WHtR were reliable independent prognostic factors of morbidity. VFA had a significant effect on OS (p = 0.012) but did not correlate with DFS (p = 0.51).
Conclusions : Both VFA and WHtR independently provided predictive data for potential postoperative complications after CRC surgery. In case CT scan was used for diagnostic purposes, VFA should be used in routine clinical practice. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 477-483).
Effectiveness and safety of a new regimen of polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid for same-day bowel cleansing in constipated patients
Background and study aims : In an exploratory study we compared a new regimen of low-volume polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid (PEG-Asc) with the standard regimen for same-day bowel cleansing in constipated patients.
Patients and methods : Between January and June 2015 we studied consecutive patients with constipation (Rome III constipation criteria) scheduled for colonoscopy. The initial group received the standard regimen of PEG-Asc. The subsequent group received the new regimen. The new regimen involved ingestion of 10 mL of sodium picosulfate and 50g of magnesium citrate dissolved in 0.2 L of water followed by 0.2 L of PEG-Asc +0.2 L of water given 6 or 7 times over 3 hours. Bowel cleansing was prospectively evaluated using the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS). Bowel cleansing, adenoma detection rates and adverse events were reviewed using electronic medical records and endoscopic filing system.
Results : Sixty-two patients used the standard regimen and sixty used the new regimen. The basic characteristics of the two groups were similar. The mean volume of PEG-Asc and total liquid intake was less with the new regimen compared to the standard regimen (1.3 L vs. 2.0 L, P<0.001; 2.6 L vs. 3.0 L, P<0.001). The proportion of patients with a BBPS score = 6 was significantly greater with the new than the standard regimen (93% vs. 76%, P=0.008). Nausea and/or vomiting was also significantly less frequent than with the standard regimen (5% vs. 16%, P=0.046).
Conclusions : The new regimen of PEG-Asc gave improved same-day bowel cleansing for colonoscopy in constipated patients.
(Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 485-489).
Diverticular disease and posture during defecation : a prospective comparative study
Background and study aims : Although several factors are thought to be responsible for the development of colonic diverticulosis (CD), the underlying pathogenesis is still obscure and needs clarification. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, location and clinical features of CD and especially to detect whether there is an association between CD and postures during defecation.
Patients and methods : This prospective study enrolled 757 patients. The subjects were divided into two groups as a diverticulosis group (D group, n:95) and non-diverticulosis group (non-D group, n:662).
Prediction of the presence of esophageal varices using spleen stiffness measurement by transient elastography in cirrhotic patients
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) is currently recommended in cirrhotic patients to detect the presence of esophageal varices (EV). Spleen stiffness measurement (ssM) with FibroScan has been used for this purpose, showing variable sensitivity (S) and specificity (Sp).
The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of ssM to detect the presence and size of EV in cirrhotic patients in comparison to other noninvasive modalities.
Patients and methods : Sixty-six patients with cirrhosis who had undergone UGE in the previous 6 months underwent ssM and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using FibroScan. Biochemical parameters and ultrasonography data were also collected to calculate other noninvasive indexes.
Results : Valid spleen stiffness measurements were obtained for 60 of the 66 patients initially included in the study (90.1%).
In the multivariate analysis only splenomegaly and ssM were predictive of esophageal varices. ssM was the most accurate diagnostic tool, obtaining an area under the ROC curve of 0.8 for values below 48 KPascals, with S = 87%, Sp = 69%, and 76.7% of successfully diagnosed patients.
Conclusions : ssM with FibroScan was significantly higher for cirrhotic patients with EV. Our study suggests that spleen stiffness may be useful to identify cirrhotic patients at risk of having EV, although further studies are needed. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 496-502).
Horizontal hepatitis B virus transmission through non-sexual close contact in Turkish chronic hepatitis B patients living outside of Turkey
Background & Aims : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global threat and with the growing cultural diversity in Western Europe, knowledge on routes of infection in order to decrease HBV spreading is essential. This study assessed the risk of horizontal transmission through non-sexual close contact in the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) population in Maastricht (the Netherlands) and Genk (Belgium), with a main focus on the differences between ethnic groups.
Methods : In this multicenter retrospective study, 166 CHB patients, who were still under follow-up between December 2009 to December 2014, were recruited from the Hepatology Outpatient Departments of two hospitals, one in Maastricht and one in Genk. Ethnicity (defined as country of origin (COO)) and routes of transmission were collected from all patients.
Results : The CHB population in Maastricht and Genk consisted of 98 and 68 patients, respectively. In Maastricht, 31% were of Dutch and 16% of Chinese origin. In Genk, mainly Belgian (15%) and Turkish (50%) patients were included. The percentage of horizontal transmission in the total study cohort was 9%. Moreover, the COO groups Dutch/Belgian (n=40), Turkish (n=38) and Chinese (n=18) differed in the number of cases infected by horizontal transmission (4%, 30% and 6%, p=0.030).
Conclusions : Although the prevalence of horizontal transmission in the total study cohort is low, non-sexual close contact may play a role in the migrant population, particularly the Turkish. This should be an important public health target with respect to the prevention of HBV spreading. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 503-508).
Utility of gray-scale histogram analysis in the assessment of treatment response in patients with infected cirrhotic ascites
Objective : To evaluate the utility of B-mode gray-scale histogram analysis in the management of patients with infected cirrhotic ascites
Methods : A total of 97 patients (mean(SD) age : 66.8(14.2) years, 50.5% were males) diagnosed with cirrhotic ascites were included in this non-interventional study. Paracentesis for ascitic fluid analysis [culture tests, white blood cell count, albumin and protein levels, serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG)] and gray-scale histogram analysis for ascites/subcutaneous echogenicity ratio (ASER) were performed at baseline in each patient and on Day 2 and Day 5 of treatment in patients with infected ascites. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was plotted to determine performance of ASER in identification of antibiotic resistance with calculation of area under curve (AUC) and ideal cut-off value of % change in ASER to detect antibiotic resistance.
Results : Treatment was associated with a significant decrease in median (min-max) ASER [from 0.005(0.0002-0.02) at baseline to 0.003(0.0001-0.01) on Day 2 and 0.0005(0.0001-0.009) on Day 5] and ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) count [from 600(300-2200) at baseline to 350(50-1250) on Day 2 and 100(50-1100) on Day 5] (p<0.001 for each). ROC analysis revealed that less than 38% reduction in ASER [AUC: 0.923, 95% CI (0.797-0.982), p<0.001] was a potential marker of antibiotic resistance with a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 95.0%.
Conclusions : In conclusion, our findings emphasize potential utility of gray-scale histogram based quantitative analysis of ascitic fluid echogenicity as an adjunct non-invasive method in the assess- ment of treatment response and early recognition of treatment failure in patients with infected ascites. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 509-516).
