Change in fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease initiating biologic therapy.

Background: Fatigue is common among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL).

Aims: Describe fatigue evolution and identify factors associated with fatigue outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) initiating biologic treatment.

Methods: Data from adult Belgian patients with UC or CD enrolled in a prospective real-world study were utilized.

Long-term outcome of enterocutaneous fistula in patients with Crohn's disease treated with anti-TNF therapy: a cohort study from the GETAID.

Objectives: Although anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is the treatment of choice for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD), the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF therapy in enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) remains unclear.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2009, we retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of all CD patients with ECF (excluding perianal fistula) treated with anti-TNF therapy followed up in Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif (GETAID) centers. ECF closure and tolerance of anti-TNF therapy were studied using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Safety and efficacy of extractible self-expandable metal stents in the treatment of Crohn's disease intestinal strictures: a prospective pilot study.

Background: Endoscopic management of Crohn's disease (CD) intestinal strictures with balloon dilation is effective; however, recurrences are frequent and require further dilations or surgery. The use of extractible metallic stents may be as effective as balloon dilation with fewer recurrences. The aim was to investigate in a prospective pilot study the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of the use of extractible stents in the treatment of CD intestinal strictures.

Cytomegalovirus-associated protein losing gastropathy in an immunocompetent adult: a case report.

Cytomegalovirus infection of the gastro-intestinal tract is frequent and may be serious in the immunocompromised patient. We report a case of cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent young man who presented total food intolerance, pleural effusion and oedema as the result of severe protein losing hypertrophic gastropathy. Hypertrophic gastropathy with severe mucosal protein loss has been described in Menetrier's disease, a condition of unknown cause which involves foveolar hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa.