Chromoendoscopy Is More Effective Than Standard Colonoscopy in Detecting Dysplasia During Long-term Surveillance of Patients With Colitis.

Background & Aims: Patients with colitis have an increased risk of colorectal cancer, compared with persons without colitis. Many studies have shown chromoendoscopy (CE) to be superior to standard methods of detecting dysplasia in patients with colitis at index examination. We performed a prospective, longitudinal study to compare standard colonoscopy vs CE in detecting dysplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in a surveillance program.

6-Mercaptopurine/Azathioprine remains an important contributor in managing Crohn's disease.

Two large studies concluded that AZA started early after diagnosis of Crohn's disease have no late maintenance value. This is contrary to previous studies on 6MP for Crohn's disease and could lead to negating the value of two of the few drugs that have been proven successful. We here outline the many reasons why 6MP remains a valuable drug in the treatment of Crohn's disease.

The effect of intravenous cyclosporine on rates of colonic surgery in hospitalized patients with severe Crohn's colitis.

Background: The role of intravenous (IV) cyclosporine in severe Crohn's colitis (CC) is poorly studied.

Aim: Our primary aim was to determine the in-hospital colonic resection rate in patients with severe CC who received IV cyclosporine, and the potential predictors of resection among these patients.

Methods: An inpatient pharmacy query of all patients who received IV cyclosporine at Mount Sinai Medical Center for 12.

Prognosis of lymphoma in patients following treatment with 6-mercaptopurine/azathioprine for inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and azathioprine (AZA) are effective for induction and maintenance therapy of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). There is an increased risk of lymphoma in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with 6-MP/AZA. Little, however, is known about the prognosis of IBD patients treated with 6-MP/AZA who develop lymphoma.

Early mucosal healing with infliximab is associated with improved long-term clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis.

Background & Aims: In the Active Ulcerative Colitis Trial (ACT)-1 and ACT-2, patients with ulcerative colitis treated with infliximab were more likely than those given placebo to have a clinical response, undergo remission, and have mucosal healing. We investigated the association between early improvement (based on endoscopy) and subsequent clinical outcome.

Methods: Patients underwent endoscopic evaluations at weeks 0, 8, 30, and 54 (ACT-1 only), and were categorized into 4 subgroups by week 8 (Mayo endoscopy subscore, 0-3).