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686 Background: Preclinical evidence suggests that statins have anti-neoplastic properties by inhibiting cell proliferation, and inducing apoptosis. Statins may be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but their effect on CRC related mortality is unclear. We performed a meta-analysis of published observational studies evaluating statin use in patients with CRC and its association with overall and CRC-specific mortality. Methods: Through a systematic search upto August 2014, we identified 7 observational studies (64,773 patients with CRC;19.5% statin users) reporting the association between statin use and mortality in patients with CRC. Summary hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was estimated using the random effects model, and heterogeneity was measured using the inconsistency index (I2). Results: On meta-analysis, statin use was associated with a 26% reduction in all-cause mortality in CRC patients as compared to non-use (6 studies; adjusted HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.67-0.83) with minimal heterogeneity (I2=18%), after adjusting for age, sex and CRC stage. Only one study adjusted for concomitant metformin use. Five studies evaluated CRC-specific mortality; on meta-analysis, use of statins (vs non-use) was also associated with decreased CRC-specific mortality (adjusted HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.70-0.83; minimal heterogeneity, I2=17%). On limiting analysis to statin use after diagnosis of CRC, use of statins remained significantly associated with reduced CRC-specific mortality (3 studies; adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.60-0.81), but not overall mortality (4 studies; adjusted HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.64-1.05). On restricting analysis to studies, which adjusted for concomitant use of aspirin/NSAID, the inverse association between statin use and overall- (5 studies; adjusted HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.66-0.84) and CRC-specific mortality (4 studies; adjusted HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.69-0.84) remained significant. Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis, statin use in patients with CRC may be associated with reduced all-cause and CRC-specific mortality. This observation merits prospective investigation of statins’ effect on outcome in CRC patients.

We present a case of a patient with a diagnostic dilemma who was referred for possible faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for refractory diarrhoea secondary to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). On detailed history, the patient was exposed to ipilimumab concomitantly while being treated for CDI, and was instead diagnosed with diarrhoea secondary to superimposed ipilimumab-associated colitis. Ipilimumab is an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody approved for use in metastatic melanoma and under trial for other indications. Ipilimumab is associated with several immune-related adverse effects, of which diarrhoea and colitis are the most common. While FMT has shown tremendous efficacy in managing recurrent and refractory CDI, it was not offered in this case due to negative C. difficile testing showing a high degree of suspicion for ipilimumab-associated colitis due to recent drug use. Our patient was successfully managed with fluid resuscitation and steroids, and remains symptom free at last follow-up at 9 months.

Abstract Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) as a complication of routine genitourinary (GU) procedures in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to study the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis administered prior to these procedures. Methods. We conducted a prospective, single-center, case-control study between December 1, 2001 and May 31, 2006. Case patients were hospitalized with total hip or knee PJI. Control subjects underwent a THA or TKA and were hospitalized during the same period on the same orthopedic floor without a PJI. Data regarding demographic features and potential risk factors were collected. The outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) of PJI after GU procedures performed within 2 years of admission. Results. A total of 339 case patients and 339 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Of these, 52 cases (15%) and 55 controls (16%) had undergone a GU procedure in the preceding 2 years. There was no increased risk of PJI for patients undergoing a GU procedure with or without antibiotic prophylaxis (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2–4.5, P = .95 and aOR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6–1.7, P = .99, respectively). Results were similar in a subset of patients with a joint age less than 6 months, less than 1 year, or greater than 1 year. Conclusions. Genitourinary procedures were not risk factors for subsequent PJI. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis before GU procedures did not decrease the risk of subsequent PJI in our study.

SummaryBackgroundCytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein‐4 (CTLA‐4) has an important role in T‐cell regulation, proliferation and tolerance. Anti‐CTLA‐4 agents, such as ipilimumab and tremelimumab, have been shown to prolong overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma, and their use is being investigated in the treatment of other malignancies. Their novel immunostimulatory mechanism, however, predisposes patients to immune‐related adverse effects, of which gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhoea and colitis are the most common.AimsTo discuss the existing literature and summarise the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical features of anti‐CTLA‐4‐associated colitis, and to present a management algorithm for it.MethodsWe searched PubMed for studies published through October 2014 using the terms ‘anti‐CTLA,’ ‘ipilimumab,’ ‘tremelimumab,’ ‘colitis,’ ‘gastrointestinal,’ ‘immune‐related adverse effect,’ ‘immunotherapy,’ ‘melanoma,’ and ‘diarrhoea.’ResultsWatery diarrhoea is commonly associated with anti‐CTLA‐4 therapy (27–54%), and symptoms occur within a few days to weeks of therapy. Diffuse acute and chronic colitis are the most common findings on endoscopy (8–22%). Concomitant infectious causes of diarrhoea must be evaluated. Most cases may be successfully managed with discontinuation of anti‐CTLA‐4 and conservative therapy. Those with persistent grade 2 and grade 3/4 diarrhoea should undergo endoscopic evaluation and require corticosteroid therapy. Corticosteroid‐resistant cases may respond to anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐alpha therapy such as infliximab. Surgery is reserved for patients with bowel perforation or failure of medical therapy.ConclusionGiven the increasing use of anti‐CTLA‐4 therapy, clinicians must be aware of related adverse events and their management.