A phase I/II clinical trial of ex-vivo expanded human bone marrow derived allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells in adult patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

Background: Perianal fistulas (PF) affect one-third patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with limited therapeutic options. There is dearth of literature on safety and efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) in this population.

Methods: An open-label, phase I/II, single-arm study was conducted involving local administration of human allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in perianal fistula of patients with Crohn's disease refractory to standard therapies.

Coconut Water Induces Clinical Remission in Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial.

Background & Aims: Coconut water (CW) is anti-inflammatory, can manipulate the gut microbiome, and is a rich source of potassium. Gut microbiome modulation improves outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC), and potassium possesses in vitro anti-inflammatory property. We evaluated the effect of CW as an adjunct therapy for patients with mild-moderate UC.

"Prevalence, Predictors, and Impact of Hepatic Steatosis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study".

Background And Aims: There are no prospective studies evaluating effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). This prospective observational study assessed the prevalence of NAFLD, its predictors, and its effect on long-term outcomes in UC.

Methods: Consecutive UC patients underwent transient elastography, body composition analysis, bone densitometry, anthropometry, and baseline demographic and subjective global assessment.

Thiopurines Have Sustained Long-term Effectiveness in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Which is Independent of Disease Duration at Initiation: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Background And Aims: Thiopurines are viable option for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in resource-limited countries. However, data on the effect of disease duration at thiopurines initiation on long-term effectiveness are limited.

Method: We performed a propensity matched analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD].

Revised Algorithmic Approach to Differentiate Between Nonspecific and Specific Etiologies of Chronic Terminal Ileitis.

Introduction: Chronic isolated terminal ileitis (TI) may be seen in Crohn's disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) in addition to other etiologies that may be managed symptomatically. We developed a revised algorithm to distinguish patients with a specific etiology from a nonspecific etiology.

Methods: Patients with chronic isolated TI followed up from 2007 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed.

Low prevalence of Clostridioides difficile infection in acute severe ulcerative colitis: A retrospective cohort study from northern India.

Background: The incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is high in ulcerative colitis and is associated with disease flares and adverse outcomes. However, the data on the dynamics of CDI in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is rather scarce. We evaluated the prevalence of CDI in patients with ASUC.

Recanalized Paraumbilical Vein Leading to Hepatic Myelopathy Causing Spastic Paraparesis in a Patient with Chronic Liver Disease.

A 34-year-old male visited our hospital with complaints of recurrent episodes of altered behavior since past 6 months along with difficulty in walking since past 3 months. He was diagnosed of chronic liver disease in the past. Examination revealed spasticity and brisk deep tendon reflexes in both the lower limbs.

Serum albumin is the strongest predictor of anti-tumor necrosis factor nonresponse in inflammatory bowel disease in resource-constrained regions lacking therapeutic drug monitoring.

Background/aims: Evidence on predictors of primary nonresponse (PNR), and secondary loss of response (SLR) to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents in inflammatory bowel disease is scarce from Asia. We evaluated clinical/biochemical/molecular markers of PNR/SLR in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with anti-TNF agents (January 2005-October 2020) were ambispectively included.

High seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in non-vaccinated patients with inflammatory bowel disease from Northern India.

Background: The information on seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its comparison to healthy controls is sparse. We compared the seroprevalence rates in patients with IBD and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods: Patients with IBD and HCs (contact of patients) underwent SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing (chemiluminescent immunoassay: Siemens kit IgG against antigen-S1RBD) between July 2020 and April 2021.

Efficacy and safety of biosimilar versus originator infliximab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A real-world cohort analysis.

Background: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) monoclonal antibody, infliximab, is the primary therapeutic modality for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), refractory to conventional therapy. Biosimilars of infliximab have been shown to have equivalent efficacy to originator infliximab. We compared the safety and efficacy of infliximab biosimilar with the originator in Indian patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Relapse rates after withdrawal of thiopurines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Purpose: Withdrawal of thiopurines after remission is associated with an increased risk of relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, long-term data on thiopurine withdrawal is limited, especially from developing countries where the cost of long-term therapy poses a significant burden on patients.

Methods: Patients with IBD on thiopurine monotherapy for ≥ 4 months, who stopped thiopurines while in clinical remission and were not on any other immunomodulator or biologics at the time of withdrawal, were included in this retrospective analysis.

Minimal risk of lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer despite long-term use of thiopurines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A longitudinal cohort analysis from northern India.

Background And Aim: Thiopurines are widely used to maintain remission in both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Reported effectiveness and tolerability rates have been variable across studies. There are only sparse data in Asian population regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of thiopurines.

Stringent screening strategy significantly reduces reactivation rates of tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on anti-TNF therapy in tuberculosis endemic region.

Background: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) leads to an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation despite latent tuberculosis (LTB) screening, especially in TB endemic regions.

Aim: We evaluated the effect of stringent screening strategy and LTB prophylaxis on TB reactivation.

Methods: We performed an ambispective comparison between patients who received anti-TNF therapy after January 2019 (late cohort) and between Jan 2005 and Jan 2019 (early cohort).