Prediction of long-term remission in patients following discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy in ulcerative colitis: a 10 year follow up study.

Background: The long-term outcomes of Ulcerative colitis (UC) after discontinuation of biological therapy are largely unknown. There is also a lack of accurate and validated markers that can predict outcome after withdrawal accurately. The aims of this study were to describe the long-term outcomes in UC patients following cessation of anti-TNF therapy and explore potential biomarkers as an approach towards precision medicine.

Pharmacodynamic mechanisms behind a refractory state in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background And Aims: Biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease is efficient in many cases but not all. The underlying molecular mechanisms behind non-response to biological therapy in inflammatory bowel disease are poorly described. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the mucosal cytokine transcript profile in non-immunogenic, non-responder patients with adequate trough level.

Characteristics of hepatitis C virus resistance in an international cohort after a decade of direct-acting antivirals.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens provide a cure in >95% of patients with chronic HCV infection. However, in some patients in whom therapy fails, resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) can develop, limiting retreatment options and risking onward resistant virus transmission. In this study, we evaluated RAS prevalence and distribution, including novel NS5A RASs and clinical factors associated with RAS selection, among patients who experienced DAA treatment failure.

Effect of the baseline Y93H resistance-associated substitution in HCV genotype 3 for direct-acting antiviral treatment: real-life experience from a multicenter study in Sweden and Norway.

The NS5A resistance-associated substitution (RAS) Y93H is found quite frequently (5-10%) at baseline in direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) treatment-naïve genotype (GT) 3a patients when studied by the population-sequencing method (cut-off 20%). This RAS may impair HCV DAA treatment response, since it possesses a high fold resistance to daclatasvir (DCV) and velpatasvir (VEL) in GT 3. We investigated the effect of baseline Y93H in patients with GT 3a infection on treatment outcome, with or without resistance-based DAA-treatment during 2014-2017.

Screening for hepatitis C in a general adult population in a low-prevalence area: the Tromsø study.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease in a substantial proportion of patients. The infection is frequently asymptomatic, leaving many infected individuals unaware of the diagnosis until complications occur. This advocates the screening of healthy individuals.

Personalized treatment of hepatitis C genotype 1a in Norway and Sweden 2014-2016: a study of treatment outcome in patients with or without resistance-based DAA-therapy.

Objectives: Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) may impair treatment response to direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. We investigated the effects of baseline NS3-RASs (Q80K and R155K) and clinically relevant NS5A-RASs in patients with HCV genotype (GT) 1a infection on treatment outcome, with or without resistance-based DAA-treatment. This multi-center study was carried out between 2014 and 2016.

Future complications of chronic hepatitis C in a low-risk area: projections from the hepatitis c study in Northern Norway.

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) infection causes an asymptomatic chronic hepatitis in most affected individuals, which often remains undetected until cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related complications occur. Screening of high-risk subjects in Northern Norway has revealed a relatively low prevalence in the general population (0.24%).

Repeated intensified infliximab induction - results from an 11-year prospective study of ulcerative colitis using a novel treatment algorithm.

Background: Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents play a pivotal role in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC), and yet, no international consensus on when to discontinue therapy exists.

Objective: The aim of this study is to study the long-term performance of a treatment algorithm of repeated intensified induction therapy with infliximab (IFX) to remission, followed by discontinuation in patients with UC.

Patients And Methods: Patients with moderate to severe UC were enroled in an open prospective study design.

Efficacy and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir and sofosbuvir/pegylated interferon/ribavirin: A phase III randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antiviral agents have improved treatment outcomes for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; however, head-to-head comparisons are limited. The C-EDGE Head-2-Head Study compared the safety and efficacy of elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) with sofosbuvir plus pegylated interferon/ribavirin (SOF/PR) in patients with HCV infection.

Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, phase III trial.

Hepatitis C reinfection after sustained virological response.

Background & Aims: On-going risk behaviour can lead to hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection following successful treatment. We aimed to assess the incidence of persistent HCV reinfection in a population of people who inject drugs (PWID) who had achieved sustained virological response (SVR) seven years earlier.

Methods: In 2004-2006 we conducted a multicentre treatment trial comprising HCV genotype 2 or 3 patients in Sweden, Norway and Denmark (NORTH-C).

Long-term results after anterior sphincteroplasty for anal incontinence.

Objective: To assess the long term incontinence and quality of life (Qol) results after elective anterior sphincteroplasty for anal incontinence.

Materials And Methods: Short and long term follow-up included respectively 28 and 25 of the 29 patients who were operated between 1989 and 1998 in our institution. Qol was assessed with gastro intestinal quality of life index (GIQLI).