Food-Related Quality of Life Is Impaired in Latinx and Non-Latinx Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Anxiety over food choices and symptoms related to food consumption diminish quality of life (QoL) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, the specific factors that impact QoL among IBD patients remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the relationships of demographic and disease factors with food-related QoL (FRQoL) in a large, diverse US cohort of IBD patients.

Stromal-Like Cells Are Found in Peripheral Blood of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Correlate With Immune Activation State.

Introduction: Recent studies have identified a critical role of stromal-immune cell interactions in immunity and immune tolerance. Transcriptomic profiling has implicated stromal cells in immune-mediated disorders including the 2 common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC). Stromal-immune interactions may edify inflammatory state and the development of IBD-related complications such as fibrosis, yet the lack of protein markers has hampered studying stromal-immune perturbation.

Early Life and Childhood Environmental Exposures, More Than Genetic Predisposition, Influence Age of Diagnosis in a Diverse Cohort of 2952 Patients With IBD.

Background And Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of established environmental risk factors and genetic risk on age of IBD diagnosis in a diverse cohort.

Methods: IBD patients in clinic completed detailed questionnaires.

Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Molecules in Serum: A Potential Tool for Crohn's Disease Management.

Crohn's disease (CD) is an idiopathic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with the primary method of diagnosis and follow-up being colonoscopy. A disturbed host-microbiome interaction, including the presence of pathobionts, is implicated in initiation and perpetuation of inflammation. As such, we hypothesized that bacterial quorum-sensing (QS) molecules (QSMs), small molecules bacteria generate to regulate gene expression, would be elevated in patients with CD.

Lamina Propria Phagocyte Profiling Reveals Targetable Signaling Pathways in Refractory Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Lamina propria phagocytes are key mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to understand the transcriptomic and functional differences in these cells based on location, disease type, inflammation state, and medication use in patients with IBD.

Methods: Phagocytic immune cells in the lamina propria, as defined by the marker CD11b, were isolated from 54 unique patients (n = 111 gut mucosal biopsies).

Transcriptional Behavior of Regulatory T Cells Predicts IBD Patient Responses to Vedolizumab Therapy.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic T cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Vedolizumab (VDZ), a monoclonal antibody against α4β7 integrin, inhibits lymphocyte extravasation into intestinal mucosae and is effective in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Aim: We sought to identify immune cell phenotypic and gene expression signatures that related to response to VDZ.

Social barriers influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) outcomes and disproportionally affect Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks with IBD.

Background: The impact of social determinants of health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains understudied. We evaluated the impact of social barriers on IBD outcomes within a diverse cohort of patients.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on adult IBD patients and assessed known social determinants of health.

Real-World Experience With Proactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring During Infliximab Reintroduction.

Background: Interruptions in infliximab therapy are associated with the development of antibodies to infliximab (ATI), infusion reactions (IRs), and loss of response. Despite these challenges, recent observational studies suggest that reinitiating infliximab after a drug holiday can be safe and effective. We assessed the utility of our protocol for restarting infliximab using early serum infliximab and ATI measurements.

Low-Fat, High-Fiber Diet Reduces Markers of Inflammation and Dysbiosis and Improves Quality of Life in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background & Aims: A high-fat diet has been associated with an increased risk of ulcerative colitis (UC). We studied the effects of a low-fat, high-fiber diet (LFD) vs an improved standard American diet (iSAD, included higher quantities of fruits, vegetables, and fiber than a typical SAD). We collected data on quality of life, markers of inflammation, and fecal markers of intestinal dysbiosis in patients with UC.

Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Molecules ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the Gut of Patients With IBD.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have intestinal inflammation and are treated with immune-modulating medications. In the face of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, we do not know whether patients with IBD will be more susceptible to infection or disease. We hypothesized that the viral entry molecules angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are expressed in the intestine.

Understanding Participation in Genetic Research Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: The Influences of Ethnicity, Gender, Education, and Age.

This study examined reasons for participation in a genetic study of risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). Our sample consisted of 101 patients diagnosed with MS who were approached about enrolling in the Multiple Sclerosis Genetic Susceptibility Study. Participants were predominantly Hispanic (80%), female (80%), and well educated (71%), having at least some level of college education.

Microbial Signatures and Innate Immune Gene Expression in Lamina Propria Phagocytes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Background & Aims: The interaction between intestinal microbiota and the immune system plays a vital role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although numerous deep-sequencing studies have suggested dysbiosis in IBD, identifying specific bacteria from the stool or mucosa that are responsible for disease susceptibility or severity has remained a challenge. Lamina propria phagocytes ideally are localized to interact with bacteria that are in close proximity to, or have invaded, the tissue.

Reclassifying Pseudopolyps in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Histologic and Endoscopic Description in the New Era of Mucosal Healing.

Introduction: In this study, we identify the frequency of pseudopolyps (PPs) with normal histology and their association to surrounding tissue.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in a study identifying endoscopic characteristics of PPs (n = 29) or were collected as part of our IBD biobank (n = 16). Statistical analysis included Stata v.

Hispanics Coming to the US Adopt US Cultural Behaviors and Eat Less Healthy: Implications for Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among US Hispanics is rising. Adoption of an American diet and/or US acculturation may help explain this rise.

Aims: To measure changes in diet occurring with immigration to the USA in IBD patients and controls, and to compare US acculturation between Hispanics with versus without IBD.

Inflammatory Cytokine Profile in Crohn's Disease Nonresponders to Optimal Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapy.

Background: A significant number of patients receiving therapy with antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents for Crohn's disease experience primary or secondary nonresponse. The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with nonresponse to anti-TNF agents have increased expression of alternative cytokine pathways.

Methods: We designed a prospective, cross-sectional study that included patients with Crohn's disease receiving anti-TNF undergoing colonoscopy with adequate serum trough drug levels (≥8 µg/mL) and without anti-drug antibodies.

Genetic Characterization and Influence on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Expression in a Diverse Hispanic South Florida Cohort.

Objectives: Hispanics represent an understudied inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population. Prior studies examining genetic predisposition to IBD in Hispanics are limited. In this study, we examined whether European-derived IBD variants confer risk in Hispanics and their influence on IBD phenotype in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHW).

Serum Amyloid A as a Surrogate Marker for Mucosal and Histologic Inflammation in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein, but its role as a biomarker of disease activity in Crohn's disease is unclear. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between SAA, inflammatory cytokines, and mucosal inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease and to investigate whether this marker might be useful in patients who do not have elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels despite having active disease.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including patients with Crohn's disease who underwent colonoscopies for assessment of disease activity.

Higher Adalimumab Levels Are Associated with Histologic and Endoscopic Remission in Patients with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Optimal levels of adalimumab (ADA) have not been defined according to the ultimate goal of inflammatory bowel disease treatment--histologic and/or endoscopic healing. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between random serum ADA levels and histologic and endoscopic healing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 66 patients receiving maintenance therapy with ADA for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Development of Advanced Imaging Criteria for the Endoscopic Identification of Inflammatory Polyps.

Objectives: Inflammatory polyps (IPs) are frequently encountered at colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. The aim of this prospective endoscopic image review and analysis was to describe endoscopic features of IPs in IBD patients at surveillance colonoscopy and determine the ability to endoscopically discern IPs from other colon polyps using high-definition white light (WL), narrow band imaging with magnification (NBI), and chromoendoscopy (CE).

Methods: Digital images of IPs using WL, NBI, and CE were reviewed by four attending gastroenterologists using a two-round modified Delphi method.

The association of tissue anti-TNF drug levels with serological and endoscopic disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease: the ATLAS study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between serum and intestinal anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels, and their relationship to endoscopic disease activity and levels of TNF.

Design: Cross-sectional study of 30 patients receiving treatment with infliximab or adalimumab for Crohn's disease or UC. For each patient, a sample of serum was matched to tissue biopsies.