Barriers to and requirements for a successful transition in inflammatory bowel disease from pediatric to adult care in Greece.

Background: The incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising, while the relapsing and often severe nature of IBD, and its impact on emotional and pubertal development and social maturation underline the need for a successful transition from pediatric to adult care.

Methods: A web-based survey was distributed via the Hellenic Group for the Study of IBD, the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology Department of North Greece, and the Hellenic Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

Results: The questionnaire was answered by 98 individuals (78 adult and 20 pediatric gastroenterologists, out of 357 and 30, respectively).

Effect of golimumab on health-related quality of life, other patient-reported outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: a real-world multicenter, noninterventional, observational study in Greece.

Background And Aims: This real-world study assessed the impact of golimumab on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with ulcerative colitis over 12 months in Greece.

Methods: GO-LIFE was a noninterventional, prospective, multicenter, 12-month study. Patients who had moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis were naïve to antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNFα) therapy and had failed previous conventional therapy.

Red cell distribution width as a marker of activity in inflammatory bowel disease: a narrative review.

Red blood cell distribution width is a parameter measured automatically in every complete blood count that actually reflects the degree of anisocytosis of the red blood cell population. It is a cost-effective tool used in everyday clinical practice along with other parameters to define and narrow the cause of anemia. In a series of pathologic entities, such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, malignancy, chronic renal diseases and chronic respiratory diseases, where inflammation and oxidative stress comprise the major pathophysiologic insults, red cell distribution width behaves as a significant and competent marker able to predict and assess disease activity and severity.

Intestinal tuberculosis: a diagnostic challenge--case report and review of the literature.

Even though tuberculosis is considered rare in developed countries, its rising incidence, especially in high-risk populations, places intestinal tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of patients with atypical abdominal symptoms or signs. We, herein, report the case of an immunocompetent woman, from a nonendemic area, who developed intestinal tuberculosis, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges caused due to nonspecific symptoms, inconclusive clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, which could not rule in or rule out tuberculosis. Antituberculosis treatment was administered based on endoscopic findings and histological features of mucosal biopsies, which were indicative of intestinal tuberculosis, and the patient showed a marked clinical and laboratory improvement.

Is diabetes a causal agent for colorectal cancer? Pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms.

The possible relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and colorectal cancer (CRC), concerning pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms is highlighted in this review. The most recent and complete articles and developments in this particular field were thoroughly reviewed. Common risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and Western diet between DM and CRC, led to the theory that DM might be a causal agent for CRC development.

4,4'-Methylenedianiline-induced hepatitis in an industrial worker: case report and review of the literature.

4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) is a chemical used in manufacturing and insulation processes and is a well-known hepatotoxin. We report the case of a 42-year-old construction-site worker who was accidentally exposed to large amounts of MDA and developed acute liver damage. The clinical course is described, with particular emphasis on the timely identification of the underlying cause and prompt management that led to an uneventful recovery.