Assessment Of Crohn's Disease Activity Research Articles

Simplified magnetic resonance index of activity score versus simple endoscopic score in Crohn's disease: prospective study

BackgroundTo evaluate the correlation between simplified MR index of activity (sMaRIA) score and simple endoscopic score (SES-CD) in Crohn's disease activity assessment. A prospective study was done on established Crohn's disease patients referred to our institution. Magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy were performed as an activity assessment protocol searching for activity signs through calculation of sMaRIA score and SES-CD score and correlation between them. One hundred patients were enrolled in the study in period from July 2021 to July 2022. Patients with isolated upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease (n = 4) or performed surgery before completion of activity assessment protocol (n = 9) or dropout (n = 18) were excluded. Patients with any age group, with ileal or colonic or ileo-colonic Crohn's disease and completed the protocol were eligible for the study (n = 69).ResultsSixty-nine patients with 345 bowel segments (five segments for each patient: ileum, right colon, transverse colon, left colon/sigmoid and rectum) were completely evaluated: 33 males and 36 females with mean age 29.16 ± 11.37 years. sMaRIA and SES-CD scores were calculated for each patient (global), and each bowel segment showed 97.50% sensitivity and 79.31% specificity at the level of global scores as well as significant positive correlation between the two scores at patient level/overall segments (rs = 0.816, p < 0.001), at ileal segments (rs = 0.704, p < 0.001) and colonic segments (right colon rs = 0.661, p ≤ 0.001, transverse colon rs = 0.586, p ≤ 0.001, left colon rs = 0.731, p < 0.001 and rectum rs = 0.786, p < 0.001). There were good inter-rater agreement between the two radiologists for the three parameters (wall thickness > 3 mm, mural edema and fat stranding) and moderate for mucosal ulcer detection with k value 0.666, 0.712, 0.712 and 0.565, respectively.ConclusionssMaRIA score is considered to be a reliable tool for Crohn's disease activity evaluation as compared to SES-CD.

The Pediatric Crohn Disease Morbidity Index (PCD-MI): Development of a Tool to Assess Long-Term Disease Burden Using a Data-Driven Approach.

Heterogeneity and chronicity of Crohn disease (CD) make prediction of outcomes difficult. To date, no longitudinal measure can quantify burden over a patient's disease course, preventing assessment and integration into predictive modeling. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a data driven, longitudinal disease burden score. Literature was reviewed for tools used in assessment of CD activity. Themes were identified to construct a pediatric CD morbidity index (PCD-MI). Scores were assigned to variables. Data were extracted automatically from the electronic patient records at Southampton Children's Hospital, diagnosed from 2012 to 2019 (inclusive). PCD-MI scores were calculated, adjusted for duration of follow up and assessed for variation (ANOVA) and distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov). Nineteen clinical/biological features across five themes were included in the PCD-MI including blood/fecal/radiological/endoscopic results, medication usage, surgery, growth parameters, and extraintestinal manifestations. Maximal score was 100 after accounting for follow-up duration. PCD-MI was assessed in 66 patients, mean age 12.5 years. Following quality filtering, 9528 blood/fecal test results and 1309 growth measures were included. Mean PCD-MI score was 14.95 (range 2.2-32.5); data were normally distributed ( P = 0.2) with 25% of patients having a PCD-MI < 10. There was no difference in the mean PCD-MI when split by year of diagnosis, F -statistic 1.625, P = 0.147. PCD-MI is a calculatable measure for a cohort of patients diagnosed over an 8-year period, integrating a wide-range of data with potential to determine high or low disease burden. Future iterations of the PCD-MI require refinement of included features, optimized scores, and validation on external cohorts.

Vitamin D levels in the assessment of Crohn's disease activity and their relation to nutritional status and inflammation.

Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently associated with malnutrition, inflammation and a deficiency of vitamin D (VD) with the relationships between these symptoms being poorly defined. VD is a modulator of the immune system and is associated with the onset of CD and disease activity. The level of serum VD may have potential in the assessment of CD activity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between VD, nutritional status and inflammation, and to identify more accurate VD thresholds. The study included 76 outpatients with CD diagnosed between October 2018 and October 2020 and 76 healthy volunteers. Levels of serum 25(OH)D and nutritional indicators, as well as biochemical and disease activity assessments, were conducted. Patients with CD and healthy participants were found to differ significantly in their 25(OH)D levels as well in levels of nutritional and inflammatory indicators. The optimal VD cut-off value was found to be 46.81 nmol/L for CD development and 35.32 nmol/L for disease activity. Levels of 25(OH)D were correlated with both nutritional status and inflammation. The VD level is likely to be a useful additional tool in the evaluation of CD patients and predicting the disease activity and clinical response. The VD level may relate both to the nutritional status and levels of inflammation in CD patients, and disease progression.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of Crohn’s disease activity: comparison with computed tomography enterography

Continuous assessment of disease activity remains a huge challenge during the follow-ups of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) by comparing with computed tomography enterography (CTE) in the assessment of disease activity in CD. Fifty-two patients diagnosed with CD were included in this study, using the CEUS and CTE as imaging methods for comparison. The selected parameters included the location and thickness of the thickest part of the intestinal wall, mesenteric fat proliferation, mesenteric vessels change, enhancement pattern and the presence of complications. Patients were clinically assessed using the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) was regarded as the reference standard. The location of the thickest part of the intestinal wall (κ = 0.653), bowel wall thickness (ICC = 0.795), mesenteric vessels change (κ = 0.692) and complications (κ = 0.796) displayed substantial agreement (0.61-0.80) between CEUS and CTE, while the detection of mesenteric fat proliferation (κ = 0.395) and enhancement pattern (κ = 0.288) showed fair consistency (0.21-0.40) for comparison. In CEUS, bowel wall thickness, mesenteric fat proliferation, enhancement pattern and mesenteric vessels change were statistically significant in assessing CD activity, while bowel wall thickness, mesenteric fat proliferation and mesenteric vessels change in CTE. Bowel wall thickness showed the best diagnostic performance in the assessment of CD activity at CEUS and CTE. CEUS provides a radiation-free and effective way to assess the CD activity in comparison with CTE, which also avoids frequent colonoscopy examinations, improves tolerance of patients, and reduces the cost of medical care, thereby serving as a useful tool for CD follow-up.

Evaluation of Crohn Disease Activity Using a Potential Abbreviated MRE Protocol Consisting of Balanced Steady-State Free Precession MRI Only Versus Full-Protocol MRE.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of the present study was to compare the diagnostic performance of an abbreviated MR enterography (MRE) protocol consisting of balanced steady-state free-precession (b-SSFP) imaging only versus standard full-protocol MRE for the evaluation of Crohn disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This single-center retrospective study included 112 patients with Crohn disease (66 women and 46 men; age range, 18-84 years) who underwent MRE between January 2017 and March 2018. Utilizing binary and 5-point Likert confidence scales, two blinded readers independently interpreted and scored disease activity on b-SSFP sequences only and on full-protocol MRE images. Interreader and intrareader agreement on confidence regarding disease activity were calculated using weighted kappa indexes. Correlation between MRE findings of Crohn disease and the Harvey-Bradshaw index was also performed. RESULTS. Perfect intrareader agreement and strong interreader agreement on disease activity were observed (intrareader agreement: κ = 0.97, 0.96, and 0.96 for reader A, reader B, and both readers combined; interreader agreement: κ = 0.82 for b-SSFP imaging only and κ = 0.81 for MRE). For detecting active Crohn disease, b-SSFP sequences had a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 100%, respectively, for reader A and 98% and 86%, respectively, for reader B. Strong-to-perfect intrareader agreement was achieved between b-SSFP imaging only and MRE for identification of penetrating disease (κ = 0.80 and 0.97) and stenosing disease (κ = 0.87 and 0.95). Perfect intrareader agreement was also obtained between b-SSFP imaging only and MRE for detecting abnormal bowel segments (κ = 0.91 for reader A; κ = 0.98 for reader B). Weak agreement was noted between both b-SSFP imaging only and MRE versus the Harvey-Bradshaw index (κ = 0.08 of reader A; κ = 0.04 for reader B). CONCLUSION. Robust agreement was observed between b-SSFP imaging only and full-protocol MRE for the assessment of Crohn disease activity and complications. An abbreviated MRE protocol that exclusively uses b-SSFP sequences appears feasible and has significant implications for health care resources.

The diagnostic usefulness of fecal lactoferrin in the assessment of Crohn's disease activity

BackgroundDiagnosis and monitoring of Crohn's disease (CD) is difficult and time-consuming. In recent years, diagnostic usefulness of fecal calprotectin has been proven. However, data on the utility of other fecal markers are scarce. AimsTo evaluate the usefulness of fecal lactoferrin (FL) in the assessment of CD activity. MethodsThe group consisted of 101 CD patients (median age: 30years, IQR: 24–37). FL was measured in a single stool sample by using the immunoenzymatic methods. The clinical activity of the disease was evaluated by using the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Depending on the location of the disease, either a colonoscopy or magnetic resonance enterography was performed or both in order to evaluate the disease activity by using appropriate endoscopic and enterographic scores. ResultsMedian FL concentration was 84.14 (IQR: 36.4–302.9) μg/ml and it correlated with C-reactive protein concentration (p=0.0000001, r=0.5), CDAI (p=0.002, r=0.3) and colonic Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) (p=0.000004, r=0.5). Assuming endoscopic remission in the large intestine with colonic SES-CD≤3 points, a ROC curve showed that FL concentration of 145.82μg/ml had 84.6% sensitivity and 60.5% specificity in discriminating CD patients with endoscopically active and inactive disease [AUC: 0.676 (95% CI: 0.531–0.8), (p=0.0347)]. The positive predictive value for this concentration was 42% and negative predictive value −92%. ConclusionsFL is a sensitive marker of CD activity and it reliably reflects the mucosal inflammatory lesions in large intestine. Thus, it can be helpful in diagnostics and monitoring of CD.

Value of imaging findings score in valuing the activity of Crohn disease

Objective To evaluate the value of multi-slice CT enterography(MSCTE),capsule endoscopy(CE) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) findings score in the assessment of Crohn disease activity,prospectively.Methods One hundred and eight patients were diagnosed with CD by endoscopy combined with clinical or pathological results,and all of the patients' Crohn disease activity index(CDAI) were greater than or equal to 150.MSCTE were performed in all the patients.At the same time,48 and 60 patients of them were voluntary to accept CEUS and CE examination,respectively.The imaging score of the three different techniques was calculated.Patients' CDAI were calculated combined with the C-reactive protein(CRP) content and clinical feature.To analyze the correlation among the imaging score patients' CDAI,and CRP content,respectively using the Pearson method.Results The mean score of MSCTE,CEUS and CE were(7.6±2.7),(11.5 ±4.3) and(12.8±8.2),respectively.The patients' mean CDAI and CRP content were(296.1±93.5) and(23.7±5.2) mg/L,respectively.It was high correlation between MSCTE score and CDAI (r=0.916,P＜0.01),but it was moderate between CEUS(r=0.752,P＜0.01),CE(r=0.707,P＜0.01) score and CDAI.There was no evident correlation between MSCTE(r=0.167,P＞0.05),CEUS(r=0.200,P＞0.05) score and CRP content excepting the CE result(r=0.467,P＜0.01).Conclusions There was a good correlation between the MSCTE score and CDAI.We could use MSCTE findings score to assess the activity of CD patients prospectively. Key words: Crohn disease; Tomography,X-ray computed; Ultrasonography

TGF-β1 and granulocyte elastase in the evaluation of activity of inflammatory bowel disease. A pilot study

The aim was to assess the usefulness of TGF-β1 and elastase in the evaluation of activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). 32 patients diagnosed with UC, 31 with CD and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by videocolonoscopy and histopathological evaluation of intestinal biopsies. Disease activity was assessed by use of the Mayo Scoring System for Assessment of Ulcerative Colitis Activity in UC patients and by CDAI in CD patients. hsCRP was determined by the immunonephelometric method, TGF-β1 and elastase plasma concentration by ELISA. The results of the study were analyzed using Statistica and R statistical language. In UC a positive correlation between disease activity and platelet level, hsCRP and TGF-β1 concentration was noted. Elastase concentration in UC patients was significantly higher than in CD, but there was no correlation with the activity of the disease. In CD patients we observed a positive correlation between disease activity and leukocytes, platelet levels and elastase concentration, and a very low correlation with hsCRP and TGF-β1. Determination of TGF-β1 can be used for evaluation of inflammatory activity in UC and it is connected with elevated concentrations of CRP and platelets. To a lower extent TGF-β1 can also be used for evaluation of inflammatory activity in CD. Examination of elastase concentration may be useful in the assessment of CD activity. Plasma elastase concentration may be helpful in UC and CD differentiation. The preliminary results of this investigation seem promising; nevertheless, more studies are necessary.

Resistance index in mural arteries of thickened bowel wall: predictive value for Crohn disease activity assessment in pediatric patients

To define reliable Doppler parameters in mural arteries of affected bowel loops for quantitative assessment of Crohn disease (CD) activity in pediatric population and compare Doppler parameters with Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI). Thirty-four pediatric patients (7 with inactive, 27 with active disease of different severity; 13 male and 21 female; mean age 13; range 7-18) with CD were prospectively evaluated by Doppler ultrasound (DUS) of affected bowel segments. Using semiquantitative color and power Doppler assessment of vascularization of thickened bowel wall and mesentery, patients were divided in four grades. Spectral measurements (peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI)) of mural arteries were compared with PCDAI. There was a significant difference in distribution of semiquantitative color values between inactive and active group. PSV and EDV values showed no significant difference between inactive and active group, while mean RI was significantly higher in the inactive group. RI was also significantly negatively correlated with PCDAI. Intensity of color and power Doppler signals and RI measurement of mural arteries in thickened bowel wall is linked to CD activity and therefore might be of use in pediatric patients.

Prospective Evaluation of MR Enterography as the Primary Imaging Modality for Pediatric Crohn Disease Assessment

The objectives of this study were prospective evaluation of MR enterographic accuracy for detecting Crohn disease imaging features in pediatric patients, compared with a CT reference standard, as well as determination of MR enterographic accuracy for detecting active bowel inflammation and fibrosis using a histologic reference standard. The study group for this blinded prospective study included 21 pediatric subjects with known Crohn disease scheduled for clinical CT and histologic bowel sampling for symptomatic exacerbation. All subjects and their parents gave informed consent to also undergo MR enterography. CT and MR enterography examinations were independently reviewed by two radiologists and were scored for Crohn disease features. All bowel histology specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist for the presence of active mucosal inflammation and mural fibrosis, followed by correlation of imaging and histologic findings. All 21 subjects underwent MR enterography and histologic sampling, 18 of whom also underwent CT. MR enterography had high sensitivity for detecting Crohn disease imaging features (e.g., bowel wall thickening, mesenteric inflammation, lymphadenopathy, fistula, and abscess) compared with CT, with individual sensitivity values ranging from 85.1% to 100%. Of a total of 53 abnormal bowel segments with correlation of MRI and histologic findings, MR enterography showed 86.7% accuracy (90.0% sensitivity and 82.6% specificity) for detecting active inflammation (p < 0.001). The accuracy of MR enterography for detecting mural fibrosis overall was 64.9%, compared with histology, but increased to 83.3% (p < 0.05) for detecting fibrosis without superimposed active inflammation. MR enterography can substitute for CT as the first-line imaging modality in pediatric patients with Crohn disease, on the basis of its ability to detect intestinal pathologic abnormalities in both small and large bowel as well as extraintestinal disease manifestations. Additionally, MR enterography provides an accurate noninvasive assessment of Crohn disease activity and mural fibrosis and can aid in formulating treatment strategies for symptomatic patients and assessing therapy response.

Ileoscopy via Stoma After Diverting Ileostomy: A Safe and Effective Tool to Evaluate for Crohn’s Recurrence of Neoterminal Ileum

Recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) most commonly occurs in the neoterminal ileum near the stoma after fecal diverting ileostomy. Methods used to assess CD recurrence include small bowel series, ileostomy injection, computed tomography (CT) enterography, and capsule endoscopy. Retrograde ileoscopy via stoma is also a valuable tool for recognition of CD recurrence; however, this technique has not been formally studied. To evaluate the safety and utility of retrograde ileoscopy via stoma in patients with CD. Patients with CD who underwent ileoscopy via stoma between January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2008 were included. This was a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center. The main outcome measures were procedural complications and findings. A total of 243 ileoscopies were performed on 99 patients. The most common indications for ileoscopy were CD activity assessment in 34.5% and abdominal pain in 33.3%. The procedure was outpatient in 75.8%. Meperidine and midazolam were most commonly used. Average depth of intubation was 28.4 cm. CD recurrence was detected in 70% of patients. Biopsies were obtained during ileoscopy in 117 studies, and biopsy and ileoscopy findings correlated in 111 studies (94.8%). One polypectomy, 24 balloon stricture dilations, and 8 intralesional steroid injections were performed. All patients tolerated the procedure well without procedure- or anesthesia-related complications. No hospital admissions or procedure-related deaths occurred. Retrograde ileoscopy via stoma is a safe and effective procedure for evaluating recurrence of CD of the neoterminal ileum. It also allows for therapeutic interventions such as balloon dilatation of ileal strictures and steroid injections.

MR Enterographic Manifestations of Small Bowel Crohn Disease

Magnetic resonance (MR) enterography is a clinically useful technique for the evaluation of both intraluminal and extraluminal small bowel disease, particularly in younger patients with Crohn disease. MR enterography offers the advantages of multiplanar capability and lack of ionizing radiation. It allows evaluation of bowel wall contrast enhancement, wall thickening, and edema, findings useful for the assessment of Crohn disease activity. MR enterography can also depict other pathologic findings such as lymphadenopathy, fistula and sinus formation, abscesses, and abnormal fold patterns. Even subtle disease manifestations may be detected when adequate distention of the small bowel is achieved, although endoscopic and double-contrast barium small bowel techniques remain superior in the depiction of changes in early Crohn disease (eg, aphthoid ulceration). Further research will be needed to determine whether MR imaging enhancement patterns may reliably help discriminate between active and inactive disease.

Correlation Between the Crohn's Disease Activity and Harvey–Bradshaw Indices in Assessing Crohn's Disease Severity

Clinical trials of Crohn's disease generally use the Crohn's Disease Activity Index to assess disease activity; these calculations are complex, time-consuming, and impracticable. We investigated whether a simpler tool, the Harvey-Bradshaw Index, was equally effective in assessing disease severity. Crohn's Disease Activity and Harvey-Bradshaw Index scores were collected from 2 large multicenter Crohn's disease studies. The PEGylated antibody fragment evaluation in Crohn's disease: safety and efficacy (PRECiSE) 1 and 2 trials assessed efficacy and tolerability of certolizumab pegol (PEGylated, humanized, Fab' fragment of an antitumor necrosis factor alpha antibody). PRECiSE 1 and 2 data were analyzed to determine if results from the Crohn's Disease Activity Index correlated with those from the Harvey-Bradshaw Index criteria for defining response and remission. Analysis of almost 1000 data pairs showed a positive correlation between scores. The correlation between the indices for pooled data from PRECiSE 1 and PRECiSE 2 was 0.800 (Spearman correlation coefficient). The correlations between indices for the PRECiSE 1 or PRECiSE 2 were 20.698 and 0.716, respectively (Kronecker product variance). A 3-point change in the Harvey-Bradshaw Index score corresponded to a 100-point change in the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (clinical response); scores < or =4 points corresponded to a Crohn's Disease Activity Index score < or =150 points (clinical remission). Results from the Crohn's Disease Activity Index correlate with those from the Harvey-Bradshaw Index; use of the Harvey-Bradshaw Index might permit simpler Crohn's disease activity assessment in long-term clinical trials, and facilitate standardized disease activity measurements and cross-center comparisons.

Risk Factors Associated with Crohnʼs Disease Recurrence in Neo-Terminal Ileum after Diverting Ileostomy

Purpose: Fecal diversion and ileostomy have been used to achieve clinical remission in intractable Crohn's disease (CD). The efficacy of fecal diverting surgery in treating CD has not been systemically evaluated. As the majority of patients with recurrent CD would have the disease located at the distal neo-terminal ileum, retrograde ileoscopy via stoma could be a valuable tool to assess CD activity in these patients. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of recurrent CD in patients with stoma using ileoscopy and to assess the risk factors associated with CD recurrence. Methods: Eighty-seven patients with CD who underwent ileoscopy via stoma between 2001 and 2007 were identified from our endoscopy database. Inclusion criteria were: patients with age > 18 years with confirmed diagnosis of CD and ileostomy, with at least 1 ileoscopy via stoma. Recurrence of CD was defined as endoscopic inflammation, ulcers, or strictures on the retrograde ileoscopy. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic and histological data were collected. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: Clinical phenotypes of CD were inflammatory in 17%, stricturing in 33% and fistulizing in 50% of patients. Before the fecal diverting surgery, disease location was ileocolonic in 69%, colonic in 22% and the small bowel alone in 9%. Perianal disease was present in 32%. A total of 243 ileoscopies via stoma were performed. The most common indications for ileoscopy were CD activity assessment in 34.5%, abdominal pain in 33.3%, diarrhea in 26.4%, and small bowel obstructive symptoms in 18.4%. Recurrence of CD in the neo-terminal ileum was diagnosed by ileoscopy in 58 cases (66.7%). The median interval from the 1st ileostomy to the disease recurrence was 7 (IQR 3, 15) years. The most common findings during ileoscopy were erythema 36.2%, ulceration 32.8% and stricture in 24.1%. Risk factors associated with CD recurrence after ileostomy are listed in Table 1.Table: Factors Associated with Recurrence after Ileostomy: Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards AnalysisConclusion: Retrograde ileoscopy via stoma detected 67% of patients with evidence of CD recurrence. Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of CD in these patients were the total duration of CD, years from CD diagnosis to the first ileostomy, perforating disease, small bowel disease, and the requirement of biologics.

Assessment of Crohn's Disease Activity by Doppler Sonography of the Superior Mesenteric Artery, Clinical Evaluation and the Crohn's Disease Activity Index: A Prospective Study

AIM: Recent data have shown that superior mesenteric artery (SMA) flow rates are significantly increased in active Crohn's disease, suggesting that SMA flow may be a useful, non-invasive index of disease activity. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the use of SMA Doppler sonography as an indicator of Crohn's disease activity and to compare with clinical evaluation and the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with active Crohn's (n=19), inactive Crohn's (n=17) and control subjects (n=17) were evaluated. Categorization of disease activity was based on a reference standard. CDAI scores were also calculated independently. The SMA flow parameters evaluated were resistive index, pulsatility index, end diastolic velocity, peak systolic velocity, time averaged maximum velocity, cross-sectional area and maximum flow volume. RESULTS: Using a three-group ANOVA for each of peak systolic velocity (PSV) (P=0.01), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) (P=0.04), pulsatility index (PI) (P=0.003), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV) (P=0.05), and maximum flow volume (TAMV.CSA) (P=0.01), there was a significant effect of group. Using post-hoc tests, only EDV (P=0.01), TAMV (P=0.02) and TAMV.CSA (P=0.003) were significantly different between active and inactive Crohn's disease, though with considerable overlap of values for EDV and TAMV. The mean CDAI scores were significantly different between patients with active Crohn's (287) and inactive Crohn's (71) (P=0.0001) and correlated well with the reference standard. CONCLUSION: Only three of several parameters previously described as allowing Crohn's disease activity assessment actually did so in our study. However, for two of these parameters (EDV, TAMV), there was overlap between the measurements in the active and inactive groups, thus limiting the ability to discriminate disease activity in practice. The degree of overlap for maximum flow volume (TAMV.CSA) between active and inactive disease was considerably less and this parameter may be more discriminatory of disease activity. On the other hand, we found CDAI scores to be accurate in disease categorization. We agree that there appear to be hyperdynamic changes in active Crohn's disease but suggest that Doppler ultrasound assessment does not reliably assess disease activity in routine clinical practice. Byrne, M. F.et al. (2001). Clinical Radiology56, 973–978.

The Crohn's disease activity assessment

The Crohn's disease activity assessment

Doppler ultrasound measurement of intestinal blood flow in inflammatory bowel disease.

Our aim was to assess the role of Doppler ultrasound (US) in detecting changes in the splanchnic hemodynamic variables measured in patients with active or quiescent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy subjects. Sixty-five patients, 31 with Crohn's disease (CD), 24 with ulcerative colitis (UC), 10 with IBS, and 10 matched normal subjects were evaluated by means of Doppler US. The mean velocity of portal and mesenteric venous flow, the blood flow volume of portal and mesenteric veins, and the resistance index (RI) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were studied in all patients. Patients with active IBD had a splanchnic venous flow that was significantly higher, and an RI of the SMA significantly lower, than the IBS patients and healthy controls; however, a higher portal and mesenteric blood flow and lower RI of the SMA was documented in patients with active UC but not in those in whom the disease was quiescent. Patients with quiescent CD had significantly higher portal and mesenteric blood flow and lower RI of the SMA than IBS and healthy controls. No significant differences were found between IBS patients, quiescent UC patients, and healthy controls. This study shows that Doppler US can demonstrate splanchnic hemodynamic changes in active IBD patients and, in particular, can be used to differentiate between active and quiescent UC. However, the assessment of CD activity by means of Doppler US requires further investigation.