Kinnucan, Jami

Background: Video capsule retention is a complication that can have serious consequences in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). The patency capsule was developed to detect small bowel strictures. The usefulness of patency capsules in patients who do not have evidence of small bowel disease on imaging is uncertain. Study: This is a multicenter retrospective study of patients with suspected or confirmed CD who underwent a patency capsule study between January 2017 and February 2023. We excluded patients who were lost to follow-up or did not have computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen within 180 days before or after the patency capsule study. Results: A total of 105 patients met the inclusion criteria with 69% having a confirmed CD diagnosis. The majority of patients (95/105; 90.5%) passed their patency capsule. A total of 91 patients had their subsequent video capsule endoscopy (VCE), with 96.7% (88/91) successfully passing the capsule. Out of those who passed the VCE, 2 patients had patency capsule retention. Both had normal small bowel imaging. Meanwhile, the 3 patients who had VCE retention had evidence of small bowel disease in their imaging scans. The presence of abnormal small bowel wall thickening or stricture on imaging had a statistically significant association with VCE retention (P=0.02). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a statistically significant association between small bowel disease on imaging and retention of both patency capsules and VCE. Small bowel imaging in patients with suspected or documented CD had a negative predictive value of 100% for VCE retention.

Abstract Background Metformin exerts anti-inflammatory properties through a positive effect on oxidative stress, gut barrier integrity, and the gut microbiota. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of metformin on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX database in patients with IBD and T2DM who initiated metformin vs oral hypoglycemics or insulin (control cohort) between August 31, 2002, and August 31, 2022. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed. Primary outcomes were need for intravenous (IV) steroid use or IBD-related surgery within 1, 2, and 3 years after metformin initiation. Results Our cohorts included 1323 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (mean age 58.7 ± 12.2 years, 50.1% female, 77.3% White) and 1278 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) (mean age 56.3 ± 12.6 years, 58.2% female, 76.5% White). At 1 year, patients with UC and CD were less likely to require IV steroids (UC: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.59; P < .01; CD: aOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53-0.85; P < .01). The decreased need for IV steroids persisted in all metformin groups at 2 and 3 years. Patients with CD were at a lower risk for IBD-related surgery at year 1 (aOR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.31-0.81; P < .01), and this finding persisted at 3 years (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.89; P < .01). Metformin did not affect risk for surgery in patients with UC. Conclusions Patients with IBD and T2DM on metformin had a decreased likelihood of worse IBD outcomes.

ABSTRACT Treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease are constantly evolving; however, medication-refractory disease remains an issue. Pediatric case series show the potential benefit of sirolimus therapy in refractory Crohn's disease (CD); however, limited data exist in adult patients. As such, we retrospectively identified and report clinical outcomes for 4 patients prescribed sirolimus for treatment of refractory CD. Despite a median sirolimus therapy duration of 524 days and some therapeutic benefits, all patients discontinued therapy due to adverse effects. Our findings suggest that while sirolimus may have clinical utility, its role may be limited by treatment-derived adverse effects.

Abstract Background/Aim Limited data exists on 30-day readmission rates, readmission causes and predictors following Ischemic Colitis (IC). The aim is to identify etiologies for the above using a national database. Methods A retrospective cohort study using the 2019 National Readmission Database (NRD) of adult patients with an index admission (IA) for IC from January to November and were readmitted within 30 days of discharge was performed. The primary outcome was readmission of any cause. Secondary outcomes were mortality and resource utilization associated with readmission. Independent risk factors for all-cause readmission were identified using Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 6,853 IC patients were identified. Readmission within 30 days occurred in 762 (11%). The primary readmission cause was sepsis. A total of 325 patients died during the IA and additional 30 patients died within 30 days of discharge. Independent predictors of readmission were discharge to short term hospital, a Charlson comorbidity index score ≥ 2 and admission at large size hospital. Having private insurance and undergoing colonoscopy were associated with lower readmission odds. Economic burden of readmission was $12 million in total costs and $51.4 million in total charges. Conclusion Among admitted IC patients, 30-day readmission rate was 11% with half of those secondary to sepsis. Undergoing colonoscopy during the IA is associated with 34% less risk of readmission and disposition to other facilities appears associated with increased early readmission risk. Prospective evaluation to confirm these findings along with development of optimal care strategies to reduce readmission post IC episodes are needed.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is recommended in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although the 2-dose Heplisav-B vaccine has proven effective, more than 20% of patients with IBD do not seroconvert. We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of a third Heplisav-B dose in patients with IBD lacking HBV immunity despite 2-dose vaccination. METHODS: Adults with IBD who had received 2-dose Heplisav-B vaccination between 2018 and 2023 were identified. Seroconversion was defined as hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) ≥ 10 IU/L measured at ≥4 weeks after vaccination. Patients who did not seroconvert were prospectively offered a third Heplisav-B dose, followed by repeat HBsAb measurement. Demographic, clinical, medication, and vaccination data were compared between those who did and did not seroconvert. RESULTS: Of 192 patients identified, 71.9% (138/192) seroconverted after 2-dose Heplisav-B vaccination. The 54 patients (28.1%) who did not seroconvert were more likely to be male, have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or elevated Charlson Comorbidity Index. Of the 54 patients, 30 (55.6%) elected to receive a third Heplisav-B dose, with 56.7% (17/30) achieving seroconversion (median HBsAb titer 376 IU/L, IQR 47–1,000 IU/L) despite a median intervaccination time of 416 days (IQR 90.8–667.8). No differences were noted between patients who did vs did not seroconvert after third-dose vaccination. DISCUSSION: In patients with IBD lacking HBV immunity despite 2-dose Heplisav-B vaccination, administration of a third dose resulted in a 56.7% seroconversion rate. Our results suggest that administration of an additional Heplisav-B dose may be an effective strategy in patients lacking immunity despite primary 2-dose vaccination.