Extraintestinal Manifestations Research Articles

Insights into renal and urological complications of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized by immune-mediated inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which follows a relapsing and remitting course. Apart from affecting the gastrointestinal tract, IBD also has extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs). While the etiology of extraintestinal manifestation remains unclear, it is theorized to be based on immunological responses influenced by genetic factors. Renal involvement is one of the EIMs observed in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The renal manifestations in IBD patients encompass a range of conditions including nephrolithiasis, amyloidosis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis (GN), obstructive pathologies, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The incidence of CKD in IBD patients varies from 5%-15%. The decline in renal function can stem from various factors such as direct inflammatory damage to the kidneys leading to glomerular or tubular injury, or from complications like recurrent stones, amyloidosis, or GN. Additionally, nephrotoxic medications used in treating IBD, such as TNF-α inhibitors, calcineurin inhibitors, and aminosalicylates, can exacerbate the decline in renal function. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding these patients' screening and renal function monitoring. This review aims to assess the existing literature on the different renal complications among individuals with IBD, shedding light on their pathophysiology and management.

Long-term benefit of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis in clinical practice: ULISES study.

Ustekinumab is approved for ulcerative colitis (UC). To assess the durability of ustekinumab in patients with UC and its short-term effectiveness, durability and tolerability in clinical practice. Retrospective, multicentre study of patients who had received their first ustekinumab dose at least 16 weeks before inclusion. Patients were followed until treatment discontinuation or last visit. Only patients with active disease at the start of ustekinumab treatment were considered in the effectiveness analysis. Patients who stopped ustekinumab before their last visit were considered not to be in subsequent remission. We included 620 patients; 155 (25%) discontinued ustekinumab during follow-up (median 12 months). Rate of discontinuation was 20% per patient-year of follow-up. Anaemia at baseline (hazard ratio, HR 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.1), steroids at baseline (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.06-2.08) and more severe clinical activity at baseline (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.09-2.06) were associated with higher risk of discontinuation. At the end of induction, 226 (40%) patients were in steroid-free clinical remission. Moderate-severe vs mild disease activity at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.5), male sex (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.4-0.8), and increased number of previous biologics (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.6-0.8) were associated with lower likelihood of steroid-free clinical remission at week 16. One hundred and seventy-six patients (28%) had at least one adverse event. We observed no negative impact of ustekinumab on extraintestinal manifestations and/or immune-mediated diseases. Ustekinumab durability in UC was relatively high, and treatment was effective in highly refractory patients. The safety profile was consistent with previous studies.

The impact of crohn's disease on patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

The knee joint remains the most affected joint in extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease (CD). Given the increasing prevalence of CD and overall demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), it is likely that an increasing number of patients with CD will require TKA. The purpose of this study was to assess the inpatient postoperative complication in patients with CD undergoing TKA. We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between the years of 2016 to 2019, including a total of 558,371 patients who underwent primary TKA. Among these, 1461 were in the CD group and 556,910 were in the non-CD group (controls). Data pertaining to demographics, length of stay (LOS), total healthcare cost, mortality, and in-hospital complications (blood loss anemia, blood transfusion, periprosthetic infection, periprosthetic dislocation, periprosthetic mechanical complication, acute renal failure, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, superficial/deep surgical site infection, and wound dehiscence) were compared between the two groups. Patients diagnosed with CD had higher postoperative complications such as blood loss anemia (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.39, p = 0.004), periprosthetic infection (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.23-2.63, p = 0.006), and the need for blood transfusion (OR: 1.447, 95% CI: 1.01-2.06, p = 0.044) in comparison to the control group. In-hospital mortality and acute renal failure were similar in both groups. The CD group had a significantly prolonged LOS (2.54 vs. 2.35 days, p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was noted concerning in-hospital charges between the two groups. CD patients undergoing TKA experienced increased LOS and postoperative complications. However, these complications were minor and did not affect total hospital cost. Further prospective cohort studies could build upon the findings described to continue to maximize outcomes in CD patients undergoing TKA, which might extend to other cohorts.

Inflammatory bowel diseases and spondyloarthritis: a focus on female patients.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are chronic inflammatory diseases and represent the two most important types of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), while spondyloarthritis (SpA) comprises a heterogeneous group of systemic inflammatory chronic rheumatic diseases, including peripheral SpA and axial SpA. Joint manifestations are the most commonly observed extraintestinal manifestations, and they can precede or not the diagnosis of IBD. Notably, in women, misdiagnoses of IBD as irritable bowel syndrome and SpA as fibromyalgia are common, leading to delayed diagnoses, increased disease burden, and poorer prognoses. This narrative review emphasizes the critical role of diagnostic tools in facilitating early referrals of IBD patients with suspected SpA and vice versa to rheumatologists and gastroenterologists, respectively. Special attention is given to the multidisciplinary approach for more effective management of these conditions, particularly in female patients. In this narrative review, we critically evaluated the literature on this topic, focusing on papers written in English that address female issues in IBD and SpA. IBD and SpA are chronic inflammatory disorders often occurring in the same patients. Female patients are often misdiagnosed, and this delay in diagnosis is associated with a higher disease burden and a poorer prognosis. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to enable early referral between gastroenterologists and rheumatologists, as this means a better prognosis for patients with a reduction in the economic and social burden associated with IBD and SpA.

Beyond the Gut: Exploring Cardiovascular Implications of Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that presents with gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal bloating due to the inflammation in the small intestine. It has been associated with various extraintestinal manifestations, including mucocutaneous findings such as dermatitis herpetiformis, anemia, dental enamel defects, osteoporosis, and arthritis. Studies have revealed an increasing association between CD and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia. Chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies from malabsorption, endothelial dysfunction, thrombophilic autoantibodies, thrombocytosis, and protein C and S deficiency have been proposed as the probable mechanisms for the association between the 2 conditions. This article aims to provide a review of the pathophysiological mechanism of celiac disease causing various CVDs and to compare and contrast the existing studies suggesting both favorable and unfavorable CVD outcomes in patients with CD.

The association between erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum and pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

The objectives of this study is to estimate rates and identify factors associated with erythema nodosum (EN) and pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This cohort study examined longitudinal visits of patients aged ≤ 21 years from the ImproveCareNow (ICN) registry. We evaluated the association of factors at the patient-level (demographics and IBD diagnosis age) and visit-level (IBD severity scores, markers and phenotypes, comorbidities, and treatment) with the presence of EN and PG, using longitudinal logistic regression models adjusted for time and within-patient clustering. A total of 285,913 visits from 32,497 patients aged ≤ 21 years from the ICN registry were analyzed. The occurrence of EN was 1.57% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.43%-1.71%) and the occurrence of PG was 0.90% (95% CI: 0.80%-1.00%). Co-occurrence of EN and PG was reported in 0.30% (95% CI: 0.25%-0.37%) patients. Both EN and PG were associated (p < 0.0001) with worse intestinal disease, lower remission, higher inflammatory markers, and extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) arthritis and uveitis. EN and PG were associated with increased disease severity and other noncutaneous EIMs (arthritis and uveitis). A small subset of patients had developed both EN and PG.

Role of iron deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relapsing chronic inflammatory disorder of the small and large gut with rising incidence and prevalence worldwide. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of IBD, which correlates with the disease activity and tendency to relapse even after successful management. Anemia affects various aspects of quality of life, such as physical, cognitive, emotional, and workability, as well as healthcare costs. The anemia in IBD can be due to iron deficiency (ID) or chronic disease. The relative frequency of ID in IBD is 60%, according to some studies, and only 14% receive treatment. The evaluation of ID is also tricky as ferritin, being an inflammatory marker, also rises in chronic inflammatory diseases like IBD. The review of anemia in IBD patients involves other investigations like transferrin saturation and exploration of other nutritional deficiencies to curb the marker asthenia with which these patients often present. It underscores the importance of timely investigation and treatment to prevent long-term sequelae. We can start oral iron therapy in certain circumstances. Still, as inflammation of the gut hampers iron absorption, an alternative route to bypass the inflamed gut is usually recommended to avoid the requirement for blood transfusions.

Advancements in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management: From Traditional Treatments to Monoclonal Antibodies and Future Drug Delivery Systems

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder with two main subtypes: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The pathogenesis involves genetic predisposition, dysbiosis, and immune dysregulation. Complications include perianal lesions, strictures, fistulas, perforations, and an increased risk of colon cancer. Clinical classification ranges from mild to fulminant and recurrent disease, with common symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and weight loss. Extraintestinal manifestations include arthritis, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, and uveitis. Conventional treatments using aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators have limitations. Biologics, introduced in the 1990s, offer improved efficacy and specificity, targeting factors like TNF-α, integrins, and cytokines. Monoclonal antibodies play a crucial role in IBD management, aiming to reduce relapses, hospitalizations, and surgeries. In conclusion, this review is aimed at summarizing the latest knowledge, advantages, and drawbacks of IBD therapies, such as small molecules, biologics, and monoclonal antibodies, to provide a basis for further research in the IBD field.

Induction and maintenance of mucosal healing in Crohn’s disease with ustekinumab in clinical practice across all care levels in Germany (MUCUS)

The impact of ustekinumab (UST) on mucosal- and fistula healing and extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) in Crohn’s disease (CD) were not fully elucidated in the registration trials. In this prospective, multicenter study (EudraCT number: 2017-005151-83) we evaluated the German label real-world-effectiveness of UST to achieve the primary endpoint of combined clinical and endoscopic response at week 52 and several secondary endpoints. Of 79 screened we enrolled 52 patients (female n = 28, bionaïve n = 13, biologic n = 39). At week 52 (per protocol analysis), 52% (n = 13/25) of patients achieved the primary endpoint [50% (n = 3/6) in the bionaïve, 45.5% (n = 5/11) biologic, 62.5% (n = 5/8 ) multiple biologics cohorts, respectively with age as independent predictor [OR 95% CI 0.933 (0.873, 0.998) p = 0.043], 60% (n = 15/25) achieved endoscopic response [50% (n = 3/6) in the bionaïve, 54.5% (n = 6/11) biologic, 75% (n = 6/8) multiple biologics cohorts, respectively], 36% (n = 9/25) achieved endoscopic remission [50% (n = 3/6) in the bionaïve, 27.3% (n = 3/11) biologic, 37.5% (n = 3/8) multiple biologics cohorts, respectively], 48% (n = 12/25) achieved mucosal healing [50% (n = 3/6) in the bionaïve, 36.4% (n = 4/11) biologic, 62.5% (n = 5/8) multiple biologics cohorts, respectively]. All achieved a fistula response and 33.3% (n = 1/3) in the multiple biologics group fistula remission at week 52. EIM decreased (week 0 28.2% vs. week 52 8%). CRP, FCP, PRO-2, EQ-5D-5L improved throughout. 36 patients (69.2%) experienced ≥ 1 treatment emergent adverse event, in 8 (15.4%) cases rated as severe and in 5 (9.6%) leading to UST discontinuation, but no very severe events or deaths. The effectiveness of UST was better than in the registration trials.

Suboptimal disease control and contributing factors in Italian IBD patients: The IBD-PODCAST Study

Background and AimSuboptimal disease control (SDC) and its contributing factors in IBD according to STRIDE-II criteria is unclear. IBD-PODCAST was a non-interventional, international, multicenter real-world study to assess this. MethodsData from the Italian IBD cohort (N=220) are presented here. Participants aged ≥19 with confirmed IBD diagnosis of ≥1 year were consecutively enrolled. A retrospective chart review and cross-sectional assessment by physicians and patients within the past 12 months were performed. SDC or optimal disease control was assessed using adapted STRIDE-II criteria. ResultsAt the index date, 53.4 % of 116 CD patients and 49.0 % of 104 UC patients had SDC, mainly attributed to a Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire score <50, failure to achieve endoscopic remission, and the presence of active extra-intestinal manifestations in both diseases. Disease monitoring with imaging and/or endoscopy during the previous year was conducted in ∼50 % of patients, with endoscopy performed in ∼40 %. Potential therapeutic adjustments were reported for half of the patients. ConclusionsThis study highlights SDC in a significant portion of IBD Italian patients. These results emphasize the need for more proactive management strategies in both CD and UC patients.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children

Background: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease in the digestive system with chronic onset, which often presents with unique and atypical phenotypes. This study aimed to dissect the important features of inflammatory bowel disease in children Discussion: The two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). In children, IBD may exhibit classic symptoms such as weight loss, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea. However, many patient present with atypical symptoms such as isolated poor growth, anemia, or other extraintestinal manifestations. Early diagnosis of IBD in children is crucial as delayed diagnosis may lead to serious complications like bowel narrowing or abnormal connections, and stunted growth. The recommended initial evaluations in a pediatric patient with suspected IBD are complete blood test, stool examination, endoscopy and imaging. Furthermore, the aims of IBD treatment in children are to improve quality of life, relieve symptoms, promote normal growth, and prevent complications, all while minimizing medication side effects. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in managing pediatric IBD. Additionally, addressing the disease's impact on bone health, growth, development, and psychosocial well-being is also crucial to achieve comprehensive management.

Identification and multimodal characterization of a specialized epithelial cell type associated with Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex chronic inflammatory disorder with both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal manifestations associated immune dysregulation. Analyzing 202,359 cells from 170 specimens across 83 patients, we identify a distinct epithelial cell type in both terminal ileum and ascending colon (hereon as ‘LND’) with high expression of LCN2, NOS2, and DUOX2 and genes related to antimicrobial response and immunoregulation. LND cells, confirmed by in-situ RNA and protein imaging, are rare in non-IBD controls but expand in active CD, and actively interact with immune cells and specifically express IBD/CD susceptibility genes, suggesting a possible function in CD immunopathogenesis. Furthermore, we discover early and late LND subpopulations with different origins and developmental potential. A higher ratio of late-to-early LND cells correlates with better response to anti-TNF treatment. Our findings thus suggest a potential pathogenic role for LND cells in both Crohn’s ileitis and colitis.

Bronchiectasis combined with chronic sinusitis following Celiac disease: a case report

IntroductionCeliac disease is a disease triggered by a protein called gluten. Celiac disease has intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. Bronchiectasis is a permanent dilation of the bronchi that causes symptoms, such as cough producing a large amount of sputum, recurrent respiratory infections, and breathlessness. In addition, bronchiectasis can present in 60% of cases with chronic rhinosinusitis.Case presentationA 40-year-old Arab woman presented with a worsening old cough with an increased amount of sputum; the patient was diagnosed with Celiac disease 7 months prior. Investigations started with laboratory tests followed by a computed tomography scan for the head and chest, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and spirometry; the final diagnosis was bronchiectasis with chronic rhinosinusitis. She was advised to commit to the gluten-free diet, in addition to the medications prescribed for her bronchiectasis and chronic rhinosinusitis.ConclusionCeliac disease and bronchiectasis might share an immunologic disturbance that caused both entities, so Celiac disease should be kept in mind as an etiology for pulmonary diseases.

Common Mistakes in Managing Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction: Errors are very common in medical practice and in particular, in the healthcare of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, most of these can be prevented. Aim: To address common errors in the management of IBD. Methods: Our approach to this problem consists in identifying mistakes frequently observed in clinical practice (according to our experience) in the management of patients with IBD, then reviewing the scientific evidence available on the subject, and finally proposing the most appropriate recommendation for each case. Results: The most common mistakes in the management of IBD include those related to diagnosis and differential diagnosis, prevention, nutrition and diet, treatment with different drugs (mainly 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, thiopurines, and anti-TNF agents), extraintestinal manifestations, anemia, elderly patients, pregnancy, and surgery. Conclusions: Despite the availability of guidelines for both disease management and preventive aspects of IBD care, a considerable variation in clinical practice still remains. In this review, we have identified common mistakes in the management of patients with IBD in clinical practice. There is a clear need for a greater dissemination of clinical practice guidelines among gastroenterologists and for the implementation of ongoing training activities supported by scientific societies. Finally, it is desirable to follow IBD patients in specialized units, which would undoubtedly be associated with higher-quality healthcare and a lower likelihood of errors in managing these patients.

Causal association between inflammatory bowel disease and acute pancreatitis: a two-sample bidirectional mendelian randomization study.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Numerous observational studies have reported an increased risk of AP in patients diagnosed with IBD. However, the causal association and directionality between IBD or its subtypes and the development of AP remains unclear due to the limitations of observational research. This study aims to explore the relationship between IBD or its subtypes and AP risk using Mendelian Randomization (MR) method. A two-sample bidirectional MR study was conducted, selecting genetic variants associated with IBD and AP as instrumental variables from the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IIBDGC) and FinnGen databases, respectively. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method used as the primary approach for causal inference. The Cochran Q test was employed for heterogeneity assessment. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the MR Egger intercept test, MR-Presso, and Leave-one-out method. The results revealed that IBD (OR = 1.049, 95% CI = 1.010-1.090, p = 0.013) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (OR = 1.057, 95% CI = 1.013-1.102, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with an increased risk of AP. However, Crohn's disease (CD) (OR = 1.023, 95% CI = 0.993-1.055, p = 0.134) did not show a causal association with the risk of AP. Interestingly, AP was suggestively associated with a decreased risk of CD (OR = 0.797, 95% CI = 0.637-0.997, p = 0.047). Furthermore, there was no causal association between AP and the risk of IBD (OR = 0.886, 95% CI = 0.753-1.042, p = 0.144) or UC (OR = 0.947, 95% CI = 0.773-1.159, p = 0.595). In conclusion, this study provides genetic evidence supporting the causal influence of IBD (specifically UC) on AP, while CD does not appear to have a causal impact on AP.

Extraintestinal Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Pathophysiology to Treatment.

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are systemic conditions that affect not only the gastrointestinal tract but also other parts of the body. The presence of extraintestinal manifestations can significantly impact the quality of life in IBD patients. Peripheral arthritis, episcleritis, and erythema nodosum are frequently associated with active intestinal inflammation and often improve with standard treatment targeting intestinal inflammation. In contrast, anterior uveitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis typically occur independently of disease flares. The incidence of these conditions in individuals with IBD can reach up to 50% of patients over the course of their lifetime. In addition, some advanced therapies utilized for the treatment of IBD potentially result in side effects that may resemble extraintestinal manifestations. This review provides a thorough analysis of the pathophysiology and treatment of extraintestinal manifestations associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Efficacy of Vaccination and Revaccination Against Hepatitis B Virus Using 2 Different Strategies in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit an increased risk for acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV), thus they should be vaccinated preferably, if not already infected or immunized. We assessed the efficacy of HBV vaccination in IBD patients and impact of different factors on the immune response. We also evaluated the success rate of 2 different revaccination strategies in the nonresponders. This was a retrospective observational cohort study carried out in 5 tertiary centers. All patients were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), and antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen. Patients tested negative and underwent the standard schedule with 20 µg at 0, 1, and 6 months. Nonresponders (anti-HBs <10 IU/L) were offered a revaccination scheme with either 3 doses of 40 µg at 0, 1, and 6 months or an accelerated scheme with 20 µg at 0, 1, and 2 months. A total of 409 patients were included, and 273 (66.7%) of those (females: 49.5%; Crohn's disease [CD]: 56.7%) responded to baseline vaccination. A total of 189 (69.2%) of 273 (females: 48.1%; CD: 60.3%) developed anti-HBs >100 IU/L. Body mass index <30kg/m2 (P = .017) was positively associated, while diagnosis of CD (P = .013), extensive UC (P <.0001), extraintestinal manifestations (P = .001), and treatment with immunomodulators/anti-tumor necrosis factor (P < .00) negatively affected the response. Revaccination was offered to 103 patients, and 58.3% of them achieved anti-HBs >10 IU/L. Both revaccination strategies were equally effective. IBD patients demonstrate lower response to HBV vaccination compared with the general population. Age, body mass index, type, disease activity, and immunosuppression negatively affect the response. Half of nonresponders may benefit from an enhanced revaccination attempt.

Prevalencia de manifestaciones extraintestinales y otras condiciones asociadas en una cohorte de pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal de un centro avanzado en Bogotá, Colombia

Introduction and aimsThe prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased significantly in Latin America. Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) have elevated morbidity and are poorly characterized in the region. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of EIMs in patients with IBD at the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, utilizing the EIM classification proposed by the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO). Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted based on an institutional database of patients with IBD and the EIM definition used by the ECCO. Prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) of the EIMs were calculated. ResultsThe study included 168 patients, 66 of whom were diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) and 102 with ulcerative colitis (UC). A total of 30.4% patients had at least one EIM, and the most frequent were oral ulcers (13.7%), arthritis (10.1%), and uveitis/episcleritis (6.5%). There was a greater prevalence of EIMs in CD (31.8% vs 29.40% in UC) and women (32.47% vs 28.57% in men). There was a significant PR between uveitis/episcleritis and arthritis, erythema nodosum and arthritis, and erythema nodosum and other eye diseases. ConclusionsOur study shows a high prevalence of EIMs, surpassing that of previous Colombian studies, with a predominance of CD. Oral manifestations stand out as the most common. Prevalence studies on EIMs in Colombia are needed to establish multidisciplinary specialized centers, improving the quality of life of patients with IBD.

Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Acute Pericarditis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 10-Year Nationwide Analysis

BackgroundInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized primarily by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Pericarditis is a rare but important extraintestinal manifestation of IBD that is poorly understood, yet is associated with significant morbidity. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors associated with pericarditis in IBD, and associated complications. MethodsHospitalized adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with a diagnosis of acute pericarditis in the IBD cohort, 2011-2020, were identified from the National Inpatient Sample using codes from the International Classification of Diseases (revision 9 or 10). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify clinical factors associated with pericarditis among IBD patients, and in-hospital mortality. ResultsDuring the period 2011-2020, among 3,236,747 IBD patients, 9113 (0.28%) had pericarditis, with a mean patient age of 54.08 ± 0.48 years, with 53.1% being female. Patients with IBD and coexisting diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.15, P = 0.033), rheumatoid arthritis and/or collagen vascular disorders (OR 1.75, 95% CI [1.41-2.17], P < 0.001), or postcardiotomy syndrome (OR 67.13, 95% CI [30.08-149.80], P < 0.001), were each associated with a higher risk of pericarditis. Compared to IBD patients without pericarditis, patients with IBD and pericarditis had an increased associated incidence of inpatient mortality (OR 1.65, 95% CI [1.25-2.18], P < 0.001). ConclusionsPericarditis is an uncommon but important manifestation of IBD. The presence of a concomitant autoimmune condition leads to a higher likelihood of developing pericarditis among IBD patients, and IBD patients who develop pericarditis have a higher incidence of inpatient mortality, compared to that among IBD patients without pericarditis. Special attention should be given to this specific subgroup, to prevent adverse complications.

Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy at a Tertiary Center of Nepal.

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of thegastrointestinal tract that includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The incidence and prevalence ofdisease are on a rising trend. Increasedcase detection is related tobetterhealth awareness andimprovedavailability of diagnostic services in the community. This articleaims to calculate the incidence of IBD per 1,000 colonoscopies per yearandto study the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with IBD. Methodology It was a prospective observational study done at the National Academy of Medical Sciences, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, from March 2023 to February 2024.All the patients who underwent colonoscopy during the study period were assessed for possible diagnosis of IBD. TheIncidence rate was calculated as new IBD cases per 1,000 colonoscopies per year. Demographic and clinical profiles of the patients were collected. Results Among 1,248 patients who underwent colonoscopy during the study period, IBD was detected in 52 patients (4.16%). UC was diagnosed in 43 patients and the incidence rate of it was calculated to be 34.4 casesper 1,000 colonoscopies per year. Similarly, CD was diagnosed in nine patients with its incidence rate being 7.2 cases per 1,000 colonoscopies per year. Disease was predominantly seen in females (F:M ratio - 1.36:1). The mean age at diagnosis of IBD was 39.67 ± 14.53 years, with patients with CD being slightly younger than those with UC. The majority of patients with UC had pancolitis. The median time todiagnosis from symptom onset was three years (range: 6 months to 7 years) for CD and 10 months for patients with UC (range: 2 months to 5 years). The most common extra-intestinal manifestations were arthralgia (11, 21.15%) and arthritis (7, 13.46%). Traditional drugs like mesalamine, prednisolone, and azathioprine were commonly prescribed. Biologics were used only in two (3.84%) patients, including infliximab and adalimumab. Janus kinase inhibitor (tofacitinib) was used in three(5.76%) patients in cases of acute severe UC. Conclusions Due to the rising trend of awareness in health and availability of colonoscopyservices in our country like Nepal, the incidence of IBD is seen to be quite high. UC was seen more commonly than CD, and females were predominantly involved. The majority of patients belonged to the young and middle-aged population.The majority of patients with UC had extensive colitis, while patients with CD had ileo-colonic disease with non-stricturing, non-penetrating phenotypes. Arthralgia and arthritis were the most common extra-intestinal manifestations. Conventional drugs like mesalamine, prednisolone, and immunomodulators such as azathioprine were mostly used. The use of biologics was fairly low. This study certainly contributes to the existing literature from Nepal regarding IBD.