Publications by authors named "Massimo-C Fantini"

Introduction: IBD-Disk is a simple, easy-to-use, and self-administered analogue visual tool for assessing disability in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, it has not yet been validated in Italian. This study aims to validate IBD-Disk in an Italian cross-sectional multicentre study.

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Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) represent a fundamental therapeutic tool for the treatment of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Although JAKis are often considered a homogeneous class of drugs whose members are thought to be largely interchangeable, there are significant differences in their efficacy and safety profiles. This narrative review analyzes the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences among JAKIs, highlighting their clinical relevance based on the most recent available evidence.

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The nutritional status in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often impaired, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) remains under-investigated. The aim of this study was to assess diet quality (DQ) and adherence to MedDiet in a cohort of Sardinian IBD patients. We conducted a case-control study in which 50 Crohn's disease (CD) and 50 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients were matched with 100 healthy controls each.

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Xanthine oxidase (XO) plays a critical role in purine catabolism, catalyzing the conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine and xanthine to uric acid, contributing to superoxide anion production. This process is implicated in various human diseases, particularly gout. Traditional XO inhibitors, such as allopurinol and febuxostat, while effective, may present side effects.

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(1) : Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequently associated to other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). This study aims at assessing physicians' awareness of the issue and the current status of IMID management. (2) : A web-based survey was distributed to all 567 physicians affiliated to IG-IBD.

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Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is the most frequent extraintestinal manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). When IBD and spondyloarthritis coexist, musculoskeletal and intestinal disease features should be considered when planning a therapeutic strategy. Treatment options for IBD and SpA have expanded enormously over the last few years, but randomized controlled trials with specific endpoints focused on SpA are not available in the IBD setting.

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Background And Aims: Pragmatic studies designed to test interventions in everyday clinical settings can successfully complement the evidence from registration and explanatory clinical trials. The European consensus project PRACTICE-IBD was developed to identify essential criteria and address key methodological issues needed to design valid, comparative, pragmatic studies in inflammatory bowel diseases [BDs].

Methods: Statements were issued by a panel of 11 European experts in IBD management and trial methodology, on four main topics: [I] study design; [II] eligibility, recruitment and organisation, flexibility; [III] outcomes; [IV] analysis.

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Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of the body to neutralize them by anti-oxidant defense systems. Cells can produce ROS during physiological processes, but excessive ROS can lead to non-specific and irreversible damage to biological molecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Mitochondria mainly produce endogenous ROS during both physiological and pathological conditions.

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Background: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) with a rapidly growing worldwide incidence. The last decades presented rapid progress in pharmacological treatment leading in many cases to clinical and endoscopic remission, including biological treatment with anti-TNF agents.

Aim: The exact timing of introduction, optimization and maintenance of anti-TNF therapy in IBDs is not thoroughly covered in current guidelines.

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Background And Aims: Treatment of ulcerative colitis [UC] requires a patient-centric definition of comprehensive disease control that considers improvements in aspects not typically captured by classical landmark trial endpoints. In an international initiative, we reviewed aspects of UC that affect patients and/or indicate mucosal inflammation, to achieve consensus on which aspects to combine in a definition of comprehensive disease control, using a modified Delphi process.

Methods: The Delphi panel comprised 12 gastroenterologists and one patient advocate.

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Inflammatory bowel disease, whose major forms are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gut due to the loss of tolerance toward antigens normally contained in the gut lumen. G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 120 has gained considerable attention as a potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders due to its implication in the production of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 and the secretion of cholecystokinin. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of GPR120 in regulating immune system activity and inflammation.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can be disabling and often requires lifelong treatment and follow-up. Digital health technologies and distance-management tools are less costly alternatives for IBD management and clinical monitoring. This review discusses how telephone/videoconference appointments enable treatment optimization from an early disease stage, provide complementary value-based patient care and educational resources, and allow consistent follow-up with a high standard of care.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a complex, immune-mediated, disorder which leads to several gastrointestinal and systemic manifestations determining a poor quality of life, disability, and other negative health outcomes. Our knowledge of this condition has greatly improved over the last few decades, and a comprehensive management should take into account both biological (i.e.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the management of postoperative recurrence (POR) in Crohn's disease (CD) patients after surgery, focusing on whether early immunosuppression is necessary for those with just one risk factor.
  • The research involved comparing two groups: one receiving immediate immunosuppression after surgery and another guided by endoscopy, measuring endoscopic and clinical recurrence rates.
  • Results showed no significant differences in recurrence rates between the two groups, indicating immediate immunoprophylaxis may not be beneficial, suggesting the need for further prospective studies.
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Article Synopsis
  • There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease (CD), so patients require ongoing treatment to manage inflammation.
  • Several biological drugs have been approved for CD, including monoclonal antibodies like infliximab and adalimumab, aimed at different inflammation pathways, as well as darvadstrocel for specific complications.
  • The Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has developed new guidelines using GRADE methodology to improve the management of CD, providing 19 evidence-based recommendations across various clinical situations.
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  • - The study examined diagnostic delays in coeliac disease (CD) among 2362 adult patients across 19 Italian clinics, focusing on overall, patient-related, and physician-related delays.
  • - The median overall diagnostic delay was found to be 8 months, with patient-associated delays averaging 3 months and physician-associated delays averaging 4 months, linked to previous misdiagnosis and neurological symptoms.
  • - The findings highlight the importance of identifying factors that prolong diagnosis, suggesting the need for improved screening strategies for coeliac disease.
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Background: There are little data on the epidemiological and clinical features of adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the different Italian regions, mainly derived from the absence of a national registry. This prevents correct interpretation of the disease burden.

Aim: To assess the main clinical and epidemiological features of adult patients diagnosed with UC in Sardinia, Italy.

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Purpose: The purpose of this narrative review is to describe the clinical applications of advanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) techniques in patients affected by Crohn's disease (CD), giving insights about the added value of artificial intelligence (AI) in this field.

Methods: We performed a literature search comparing standardized and advanced imaging techniques for CD diagnosis. Cross-sectional imaging is essential for the identification of lesions, the assessment of active or relapsing disease and the evaluation of complications.

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Background: Patients on immunosuppressive drugs have been excluded from COVID-19 vaccines trials, creating concerns regarding their efficacy.

Aims: To explore the humoral response to COVID-19 vaccines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) METHODS: Effectiveness and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Treated with Immunomodulatory or Biological Drugs (ESCAPE-IBD) is a prospective, multicentre study promoted by the Italian Group for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. We present data on serological response eight weeks after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination in IBD patients and healthy controls (HCs).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study compared the effectiveness of ustekinumab and vedolizumab as second-line treatments for Crohn's disease in patients who did not respond to TNF inhibitors, with outcomes assessed through clinical measures and imaging techniques.
  • Results showed no significant differences in clinical outcomes at 26 weeks, but at 52 weeks, vedolizumab performed better with higher rates of clinical remission (55.5% vs 42.5%) and steroid-free remission (51.1% vs 40.6%).
  • Both treatments had similar safety profiles, and clinical responses at 26 weeks were predictive of later steroid-free remission for both medications.
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Background And Aims: Invariant natural killer T [iNKT] cells perform pleiotropic functions in different tissues by secreting a vast array of pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic molecules. However, the presence and function of human intestinal iNKT cells capable of secreting immunomodulatory molecules such as IL-10 has never been reported so far. Here we describe for the first time the presence of IL10-producing iNKT cells [NKT10 cells] in the intestinal lamina propria of healthy individuals and of Crohn's disease [CD] patients.

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