Faster and less invasive tools to identify patients with ileal colonization by adherent-invasive E. coli in Crohn's disease.

Background And Aims: The identification of Crohn's disease (CD)-associated adherent and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is time-consuming and requires ileal biopsies. We aimed to identify a faster and less invasive methods to detect ileal colonization by AIEC in CD patients.

Methods: CD patients requiring ileo-colonoscopy were consecutively enrolled in this prospective multicenter study.

Ustekinumab is more effective than azathioprine to prevent endoscopic postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

Background: Preventing postoperative recurrence (POR) is a major concern in Crohn's disease (CD). While azathioprine is an option, no data is available on ustekinumab efficacy in this situation.

Aims: We compared the effectiveness of ustekinumab versus azathioprine in preventing endoscopic POR in CD.

Variation of faecal calprotectin level within the first three months after bowel resection is predictive of endoscopic postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

Background: Early prediction of postoperative recurrence (POR) remains a major concern in Crohn's disease (CD).

Aims: To assess serial faecal calprotectin (Fcal) monitoring within the first three months to predict CD endoscopic POR.

Methods: In a multicenter randomized controlled trial, CD patients received azathioprine 2.

Macrophages Inability to Mediate Adherent-Invasive Replication is Linked to Autophagy in Crohn's Disease Patients.

The macrophages from Crohn's Disease (CD) patients are defective to control the replication of CD-associated adherent-invasive (AIEC). We aimed to identify the host factors associated with AIEC replication focusing on polymorphisms related to autophagy. Peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), obtained from 95 CD patient, 30 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 15 healthy subjects, were genotyped for several CD-associated polymorphisms.

Oral Curcumin No More Effective Than Placebo in Preventing Recurrence of Crohn's Disease After Surgery in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Aims: Recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) after surgery is a major concern. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and induces endoscopic remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. We investigated the efficacy of curcumin vs placebo in preventing post-operative recurrence of CD, based on endoscopic and clinical indices, in patients receiving concomitant thiopurine therapy.

Combined evaluation of biomarkers as predictor of maintained remission in Crohn's disease.

Background: The individual performances and the complementarity of Crohn's disease (CD) activity index (CDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (Fcal) to monitor patients with CD remain poorly investigated in the era of "tight control" and "treat to target" strategies.

Aim: To assess CDAI, CRP and Fcal variation, alone or combined, after 12 wk (W12) of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy to predict corticosteroids-free remission (CFREM = CDAI < 150, CRP < 2.9 mg/L and Fcal < 250 μg/g with no therapeutic intensification and no surgery) at W52.

Bowel wall healing assessed using magnetic resonance imaging predicts sustained clinical remission and decreased risk of surgery in Crohn's disease.

Background: Endoscopic mucosal healing is considered as the best therapeutic target in Crohn's disease (CD) as it is associated with better long-term outcomes. We investigated whether bowel wall healing (BWH) assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could predict favorable outcomes and could be a potential therapeutic target.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis from two prospective studies (n = 174 patients).

Granulocyte/monocyte adsorptive apheresis for the treatment of therapy-refractory chronic active ulcerative colitis.

Objectives: Current options for patients with steroid-dependent, chronic-active ulcerative colitis (UC) with insufficient response/intolerance to immunosuppressants (ISs) and/or biologics are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of granulocyte/monocyte adsorptive (GMA) apheresis (Adacolumn) in this population.

Materials And Methods: Ninety five adults with steroid-dependent active UC and insufficient response/intolerance to IS and/or TNF inhibitors received 5-8 aphereses in a single induction series of ≤10 weeks.

Faecal calprotectin and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting Crohn's disease endoscopic postoperative recurrence.

Aim: To assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and faecal calprotectin to detect endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: From two tertiary centers, all patients with CD who underwent ileocolonic resection were consecutively and prospectively included. All the patients underwent MRI and endoscopy within the first year after surgery or after the restoration of intestinal continuity [median = 6 mo (5.

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis: Anti-TNF Therapy in Refractory Pouchitis and Crohn's Disease-Like Complications of the Pouch After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Following Colectomy for Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Inflammatory complications including chronic refractory pouchitis and Crohn's disease (CD)-like complications of the pouch are common complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) following colectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in distinguishing patients with chronic refractory pouchitis from those with CD-like complications of the pouch.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search to identify articles and abstracts reporting anti-TNF agents efficacy in treating inflammatory complications of the pouch after IPAA for UC.

Magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) and Clermont score are highly and equally effective MRI indices in detecting mucosal healing in Crohn's disease.

Background: Magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) and Clermont score are currently the two main MRI indices that have been validated compared to endoscopy in Crohn's disease (CD).

Aims: To compare the accuracy of MaRIA and Clermont score in assessing CD mucosal healing.

Methods: Fourty-four CD patients underwent prospectively and consecutively MRI and colonoscopy.

Fecal Matrix Metalloprotease-9 and Lipocalin-2 as Biomarkers in Detecting Endoscopic Activity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Background: Fecal biomarkers are emerging tools in the assessment of mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Goals: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of fecal matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and fecal lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) compared with calprotectin in detecting endoscopic activity in IBD STUDY:: Overall, 86 IBD adults underwent colonoscopy consecutively and prospectively, with Crohn's disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) in Crohn's disease (CD) patients or Mayo endoscopic subscore calculation for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and stool collection. Fecal calprotectin was measured using quantitative immunochromatographic testing.

Comparative Acceptability and Perceived Clinical Utility of Monitoring Tools: A Nationwide Survey of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Objective control of intestinal inflammation during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming the main driver for medical treatment. However, the monitoring tools-related burden remains poorly investigated. We aimed to evaluate their comparative acceptability and utility according to patients with IBD.

Medical Therapies for Stricturing Crohn's Disease: Efficacy and Cross-Sectional Imaging Predictors of Therapeutic Failure.

Background: Medical therapy efficacy remains controversial in stricturing Crohn's disease. Cross-sectional imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging, has been suggested as very helpful to guide therapeutic decision making.

Aim: To assess efficacy and predictors of therapeutic failure in patients receiving medical treatments for stricturing Crohn's disease.

Efficacy of adalimumab in patients with Crohn's disease and symptomatic small bowel stricture: a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort (CREOLE) study.

Objective: The efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factors (anti-TNFs) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and symptomatic small bowel stricture (SSBS) is controversial. The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of adalimumab in these patients and to identify the factors predicting success.

Design: We performed a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study in patients with CD and SSBS.

Impact of medication reconciliation at discharge on continuity of patient care in France.

Background Care transitions from hospital to community have been identified as risk points for the continuity of patient care. Without upstream information, the community pharmacist (CP) cannot ensure error-free drug dispensing. A hospital-to-community records transmission process would enable CPs to guarantee that all prescription drugs are ready to pick up at hospital discharge, and to improve their responses to patient health inquiries.

Negative Screening Does Not Rule Out the Risk of Tuberculosis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Undergoing Anti-TNF Treatment: A Descriptive Study on the GETAID Cohort.

Aim: to describe the characteristics of incident cases of tuberculosis [TB] despite negative TB screening tests, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] undergoing anti-TNF treatment, and to identify the risk factors involved.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at GETAID centers on all IBD patients undergoing anti-TNF treatment who developed TB even though their initial screening test results were negative. The following data were collected using a standardized anonymous questionnaire: IBD, and TB characteristics and evolution, initial screening methods and results, and time before anti-TNF treatment was restarted.

Endoscopy-based management decreases the risk of postoperative recurrences in Crohn's disease.

Aim: To investigate whether an endoscopy-based management could prevent the long-term risk of postoperative recurrence.

Methods: From the pathology department database, we retrospectively retrieved the data of all the patients operated on for Crohn's disease (CD) in our center (1986-2015). Endoscopy-based management was defined as systematic postoperative colonoscopy (median time after surgery = 9.

Myenteric plexitis is a risk factor for endoscopic and clinical postoperative recurrence after ileocolonic resection in Crohn's disease.

Background: As surgical resection is not curative in Crohn's disease, postoperative recurrence remains a crucial issue. The selection of patients, according to available risk factors, remains disappointing in clinical practice highlighting the need for better criteria, such as histologic features.

Aims: To investigate whether submucosal and myenteric plexitis increase the risk of endoscopic, clinical and surgical postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

The Clinical Outcome in Patients Treated With a Newly Designed SEMS in Cervical Esophageal Strictures and Fistulas.

Background And Goals: Using a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) in the cervical esophagus is controversial due to an increased risk of complications. Here we assessed a new type of SEMS purpose-designed for the cervical esophagus area.

Study: Patients with malignant or benign stenosis within 4 cm distance of the upper esophageal sphincter who underwent placement of a SEMS with a shorter proximal head (Niti-S Esophageal Covered Stent-Cervical-type, NSECSC), were included.

Safety and Efficacy of Granulocyte/Monocyte Apheresis in Steroid-Dependent Active Ulcerative Colitis with Insufficient Response or Intolerance to Immunosuppressants and/or Biologics [the ART Trial]: 12-week Interim Results.

Background And Aims: Patients with active, steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis with insufficient response or intolerance to immunosuppressants and/or biologic therapies have limited treatment options. Adacolumn, a granulocyte/monocyte adsorptive apheresis device, has shown clinical benefit in these patients. This study aimed to provide additional clinical data regarding the safety and efficacy of Adacolumn in this patient subgroup.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance enterocolonography in predicting remission after anti-TNF induction therapy in Crohn's disease.

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance entero-colonography (DW-MREC) with no rectal distension and with no bowel cleansing is accurate to assess inflammatory activity in ileocolonic Crohn's disease (CD).

Aim: To study DW-MREC parameters as predictors of remission (CDAI < 150 and CRP < 5mg/L) after anti-TNF induction therapy.

Methods: Forty consecutive CD patients were prospectively and consecutively included.

Methotrexate Is Not Superior to Placebo for Inducing Steroid-Free Remission, but Induces Steroid-Free Clinical Remission in a Larger Proportion of Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background & Aims: Parenteral methotrexate is an effective treatment for patients with Crohn's disease, but has never been adequately evaluated in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine its safety and efficacy in patients with steroid-dependent UC.

Methods: We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of parenteral methotrexate (25 mg/wk) in 111 patients with corticosteroid-dependent UC at 26 medical centers in Europe from 2007 through 2013.

GipA Factor Supports Colonization of Peyer's Patches by Crohn's Disease-associated Escherichia Coli.

Background: Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) associated with Crohn's disease target M cells lining Peyer's patches (PPs) through the expression of long polar fimbriae (LPF) and survive macrophage killing. Invasion of PPs constitutes a way to colonize the mucosa for bacteria able to escape or resist killing of underlying immune cells. We aimed to identify new virulence factors involved in PPs colonization by AIEC.