Voth, Elida

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at significantly increased risk for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) with an increased risk of adverse outcomes including increased in-hospital mortality, IBD treatment failure, re-hospitalization, and high CDI recurrence rates. The existing literature on predictors of these adverse outcomes is limited. We evaluated four potentially modifiable novel risk factors [body mass index (BMI), statin use, opioid use, and antidepressant use] on CDI risk and adverse outcomes in these patients. Methods: Using a retrospective design, variables were abstracted from records for patients with IBD and CDI from 2008 to 2013. Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: There were 137 patients with IBD and CDI included in this study. On multivariate analysis controlling for age, 43% of patients in the overweight BMI category had severe or severe, complicated CDI, compared with 22% of patients in the underweight/normal BMI [odds ratio (OR) 2.85, p = 0.02] and 19% in the obese category (OR 3.95, p = 0.04). Statin use was associated with severe or severe, complicated CDI when controlling for age and BMI (OR 5.66, p = 0.01). There was no association between statin use and IBD exacerbations following CDI. Opioid and antidepressant use were not associated with disease severity or frequency of IBD exacerbations following CDI. Conclusions: An overweight BMI and statin use were associated with severe or severe, complicated CDI in IBD patients. Further studies are needed to better understand how these factors impact management of patients with IBD to improve clinical outcomes and potentially reduce the risk of complications from CDI.

INTRODUCTION: IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is an immune-mediated systemic vasculitis characterized by palpable purpura, arthralgias, abdominal pain, and renal disease. Approximately 90% of cases occur in children; however, adults are at increased risk for more severe disease. The pathogenesis of IgAV is associated with inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, and medication triggers, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors. We describe a case of a man with Crohn’s disease (CD) who developed IgAV in the setting of a perirectal abscess, recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), and anti-TNF therapy. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 20 year old man with ileocolonic Crohn’s disease and perianal involvement, inflammatory arthropathy, and recurrent CDI presented to an outside ED with increased abdominal pain and rash on the extremities, trunk, and soft palate. Medications included etanercept, vedolizumab, and prednisolone. In the ED, the patient was hypotensive and tachycardic. CT abdomen/pelvis noted multifocal active inflammatory disease and a 3.2 cm abscess in the left ischiorectal fossa. He was initiated on broad spectrum antibiotics for septic shock and underwent emergent perirectal drain placement; post-operatively, his shock resolved. He was transferred to our institution for further management. Upon arrival, the patient was hemodynamically stable and remained on broad spectrum antibiotics and high dose prednisolone. Review of systems was notable for worsening abdominal pain and hematuria. Biopsy of the rash demonstrated IgA vasculitis. C. difficile toxin PCR was positive. Repeat urinalysis demonstrated nephrotic range proteinuria and hematuria, consistent with IgA nephropathy. ACE-inhibitor therapy was initiated, and skin lesions gradually improved with topical triamcinolone. DISCUSSION: We report a case of a patient with ileocolonic and perianal Crohn’s disease on TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy who developed IgA vasculitis in the setting of septic shock secondary to perirectal abscess and recurrent CDI. This case highlights anti-TNF therapy, infection and inflammatory bowel diseases as potential causes of systemic vasculitis. A high clinical suspicion is needed in order to obtain an early histopathologic diagnosis for IgAV and prompt evaluation of other organ system involvement.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at significantly increased risk for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). CDI in IBD is associated with increased in-hospital mortality, IBD treatment failure, re-hospitalization and high CDI recurrence rates. The existing literature on predictors of these adverse outcomes is limited. We evaluated four potentially modifiable novel risk factors (BMI, statin use, opioid use, and antidepressant use) on the risk and outcomes of CDI in patients with IBD. METHODS: CDI disease severity and other clinical outcomes, including colon surgery, CDI recurrence, CDI-related hospitalization, IBD exacerbations, and mortality were abstracted using the electronic medical record. Additionally, variables including BMI, statin use, opioid use, and antidepressant use at the time of CDI were abstracted from records for patients with IBD and CDI from 2008 and 2013. Statistical analysis comprised of descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: There were 137 patients with IBD and CDI included in this study: 70 with ulcerative colitis (51%), 63 with Crohn's disease (46%), and 4 with indeterminate colitis (3%). The median age was 46 years, and 55% were female. On multivariate analysis controlling for age, 43% of patients in the overweight BMI category had severe or severe complicated CDI, compared to 22% of patients in the underweight/normal BMI (OR, 2.85, P = 0.02) and 19% in the obese category (OR, 3.95, P = 0.04). Statin use was associated with severe or severe complicated CDI when controlling for age and BMI (OR, 5.66, P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis controlling for age and CDI severity, there was no association between statin use and post-CDI IBD exacerbations. Opioid and antidepressant use were not associated with CDI disease severity or IBD exacerbations. BMI category, statin use, opioid use, and antidepressant use were not associated with colon surgery, CDI recurrence, CDI-related hospitalizations, or mortality at 1 year. CONCLUSION: An overweight BMI and statin use were associated with severe or severe complicated CDI. There was no association between statin use and IBD exacerbations following CDI. Opioid and antidepressant use were not associated with disease severity or frequency of IBD exacerbations following CDI. Further studies are needed to better understand how these results could impact management of patients with IBD to improve clinical outcomes and potentially reduce the risk of CDI.