Postoperative Endoscopic Recurrence Research Articles

Isolated ileal blind loop inflammation after intestinal resection with ileocolonic anastomosis in Crohn's disease: an often neglected endoscopic finding with an unfavorable outcome.

Postoperative endoscopic recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) is commonly classified using the Rutgeerts score. Ulcerations in the ileal blind loop are not taken into account in the Rutgeerts score, and the clinical relevance of these lesions is unknown. This study aimed to assess the outcome of isolated ileal blind loop inflammation (IBLI) in postoperative CD patients. Adult CD patients who underwent intestinal surgery with ileocolonic anastomosis between 1997 and 2017 were included and postoperative endoscopy reports were retrospectively reviewed. IBLI was defined as isolated inflammation of the ileal blind loop with or without ulcera confined to the anastomosis. Outcome was assessed using endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts >i2) and surgical recurrence (re-resection). A total of 341 CD patients were included. In 125 out of 341 (37%) patients, the ileal blind loop was described in the endoscopy reports. IBLI was reported in 43 of 341 (13%) patients. Start or step-up drug therapy was initiated in 10 of 32 (31%) IBLI patients with abdominal symptoms within a median of 0.9 months [interquartile range (IQR) 0.7-1.4] after ileocolonoscopy. Endoscopic recurrence occurred in 4 out of 38 (11%) IBLI patients without re-resection, within a median of 12.4 months (IQR 6.8-13.3). Intestinal re-resection was performed in 5 out of 43 (16%) IBLI patients within a median of 3.7 months (IQR 3.5-10.8). IBLI is associated with symptoms and an unfavorable outcome, with a high risk of endoscopic recurrence in the neoterminal ileum and intestinal re-resection during short-term follow-up. Therefore, the blind ileal loop needs to be assessed during endoscopy in postoperative CD patients.

Penetrating Crohn Disease Is Not Associated With a Higher Risk of Recurrence After Surgery: A Prospective Nationwide Cohort Conducted by the Getaid Chirurgie Group.

The aim of this study was to assess recurrence risk factors following ileocolonic resection (ICR) for Crohn disease (CD) in a nationwide cohort study SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:: Recurrence rate after ICR for CD can be up to 60%, but its predictive factors have never been evaluated in large prospective cohort studies. From 2013 to 2015, 346 consecutive patients undergoing ICR for CD and a postoperative ileocoloscopy within 6 to 12 months after surgery at 19 academic French centers were included prospectively. Twelve-month postoperative endoscopic (Rutgeerts score ≥i2) and clinical recurrence rates were 57.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 54.2-61.0] and 11.3% (95% CI, 9-13.6), respectively. A total of 185 patients (54%) had a postoperative CD prophylaxis, comprising thiopurine in 69 (20%), or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in 93 (27%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, absence of postoperative smoking {odds ratio [OR] = 0.60 (95% CI, 0.40-0.91); P = 0.016}, postoperative prophylaxis [OR = 0.60 (95% CI, 0.41-0.88); P = 0.009], and penetrating disease behavior [OR = 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39-0.86); P = 0.007] were the only independent predictors of reduced endoscopic recurrence risk. Postoperative prophylaxis [OR 0.31 (95% CI, 0.15-0.66); P = 0.002), and penetrating behavior [OR = 00.36 (95% CI, 0.16-0.81); P = 0.013), were the only independent predictors of reduced clinical recurrence risk. Postoperative anti-TNF therapy was associated with a significant reduction of both 12-month risks of endoscopic (P < 0.001) and clinical (P = 0.019) recurrences. Absence of postoperative smoking, CD prophylaxis, and penetrating disease behavior could be independent predictors of reduced postoperative recurrence after ICR for CD. Prophylactic anti-TNF therapy reduces both endoscopic and clinical recurrence rates. It suggests that upfront surgery followed by postoperative anti-TNF therapy is probably the best therapeutic approach for complex CD (penetrating disease behavior).

Risk factors for recurrence after bowel resection for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUNDComplications of Crohn’s disease such as intestinal obstruction, fistula or perforation often need surgical treatment. Nearly 70%-80% patients with Crohn’s disease would receive surgical treatment during the lifetime. However, surgical treatment is incurable for Crohn’s disease. The challenge of recurrence postoperatively troubles both doctors and patients. Over 50% patients would suffer recurrence postoperatively. Some certain risk factors are associated with recurrence of Crohn’s disease.AIMTo evaluate the risk factors for endoscopic recurrence and clinical recurrence after bowel resection in Crohn’s disease.METHODSPatients diagnosed Crohn’s disease and received intestinal resection between April 2007 and December 2013 were included in this study. Data on the general demographic information, preoperative clinical characteristics, surgical information, postoperative clinical characteristics were collected. Continuous data are expressed as median (inter quartile range), and categorical data as frequencies and percentages. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to estimate the impact of the clinical variables above on the cumulative rate of postoperative endoscopic recurrence and clinical recurrence, then log-rank test was applied to test the homogeneity of those clinical variables. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of postoperative endoscopic recurrence and clinical recurrence.RESULTSA total of 64 patients were included in this study. The median follow-up time for the patients was 17 (9.25-25.75) mo. In this period, 41 patients (64.1%) had endoscopic recurrence or clinical recurrence. Endoscopic recurrence occurred in 34 (59.6%) patients while clinical recurrence occurred in 28 (43.8%) patients, with the interval between the operation and recurrence of 13.0 (8.0-24.5) months and 17.0 (8.0-27.8) mo, respectively. In univariate analysis, diagnosis at younger age (P < 0.001), disease behavior of penetrating (P = 0.044) and preoperative use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (P = 0.020) were significantly correlated with endoscopic recurrence, while complication with perianal lesions (P = 0.032) and preoperative use of immunomodulatory (P = 0.031) were significantly correlated with clinical recurrence. As to multivariate analysis, diagnostic age (P = 0.004), disease behavior (P = 0.041) and preoperative use of anti-TNF (P = 0.010) were independent prognostic factors for endoscopic recurrence, while complication with perianal lesions (P = 0.023) was an independent prognostic factor for clinical recurrence.CONCLUSIONDiagnostic age, disease behavior, preoperative use of anti-TNF and complication with perianal lesions were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in Crohn’s disease.

655 Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists Are Superior to Ustekinumab and Vedolizumab for the Prevention of Postoperative Recurrence in Adult Crohn's Disease

INTRODUCTION: Relapse of Crohn's disease (CD) is common after surgical resection. Prior data have demonstrated that postoperative tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNF) may reduce recurrence, although little is known about the efficacy of other biologic therapies. The aim of this study was to compare biologics for preventing postoperative objective recurrence in adult CD patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of CD patients who underwent intestinal resection from 2012 to 2018. Demographics, IBD history, pre- and postoperative course were obtained from the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was postoperative recurrence during follow up, defined as a composite of endoscopic (Rutgeerts grade &gt; i2), biochemical (increase in CRP &gt;5 mg/dL), or radiographic (presence of active inflammation) disease recurrence stratified by postoperative biologic exposure, including anti-TNF, vedolizumab (VDZ), ustekinumab (UST), and no therapy. Student's t-test, Pearson's chi-squared, logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to detect differences in the composite and components of the outcome among these groups. RESULTS: 123 patients were included. CD recurrence occurred in 36.6% of patients (13.0% biochemically, 24.4% endoscopically, 16.3% radiographically) at a median of 6.9 months (IQR 3.3-14.1) from surgery (Table 1). The number of patients in the anti-TNF, VDZ, UST, and no therapy groups were 57 (46.7%), 6 (4.9%), 13 (10.7%), and 46 (37.7%), respectively. Biologic therapy was initiated after ileostomy reversal within 3 months for 55 patients (72.4%), between 3-6 months for 11 patients (14.5%), and between 6-12 months for 10 patients (13.2%). Adjusting for prior resection and anti-TNF exposure, any biologic initiation within 6 months of surgery was superior to initiation after 6 months for preventing postoperative endoscopic recurrence (OR 0.24, 0.06-0.92), but not for the composite outcome. There were statistically significant differences among biologics for recurrence (Figure 1). Adjusting for prior resection and anti-TNF exposure, less patients relapsed under anti-TNF exposure compared to UST (HR 3.46, 1.45-8.23) for the composite outcome, and compared to UST (HR 3.95, 1.43-10.9) and VDZ (HR 4.42, 1.02-19.1) for endoscopic recurrence (Figure 2). CONCLUSION: Among CD patients, initiation of biologics within 6 months and anti-TNF agents were superior in preventing postoperative recurrence compared to other management strategies.

The Influence of Microscopic Inflammation at Resection Margins on Early Postoperative Endoscopic Recurrence After Ileocaecal Resection for Crohn's Disease.

The pathogenesis and risk factors for early postoperative endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease [CD] remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to identify whether histological inflammation at the resection margins after an ileocaecal resection influences endoscopic recurrence. We have prospectively followed up patients with CD who underwent ileocaecal resection at our hospital between January 2012 and January 2018. The specimens were histologically analysed for inflammation at both of the resection margins [ileal and colonic]. We evaluated whether histological results of the resection margins are correlated with endoscopic recurrence of CD based on colonoscopy 6 months after ileocaecal resection. Second, we assessed the influence of known risk factors and preoperative therapy on endoscopic recurrence of CD. A total of 107 patients were included in our study. Six months after ileocaecal resection, 23 patients [21.5%] had an endoscopic recurrence of CD. The histological signs of CD at the resection margins were associated with a higher endoscopic recurrence [56.5% versus 4.8%, p < 0.001]. Disease duration from diagnosis to surgery [p = 0.006] and the length of the resected bowel [p = 0.019] were significantly longer in patients with endoscopic recurrence. Smoking was also proved to be a risk factor for endoscopic recurrence [p = 0.028]. Histological inflammation at the resection margins was significantly associated with a higher risk of early postoperative endoscopic recurrence after an ileocaecal resection for CD.

Reliability of Endoscopic Evaluation of Postoperative Recurrent Crohn’s Disease

Endoscopic evaluation for postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) is routinely integrated into clinical practice. The Rutgeerts score (RS) was developed to grade the severity of endoscopic postoperative CD recurrence and has been integrated into clinical practice guidelines and utilized as an endpoint in interventional trials.1,2 However, the operating properties of the RS have not been fully assessed. Furthermore, the RS i2 grade groups purely anastomotic ulcerations with those in the neoterminal ileum, whereas the modified Endoscopic Postoperative Recurrence Score (mEPRS) distinguishes lesions limited to the ileocolic anastomosis (i2a) from those in the neoterminal ileum (i2b). Accurate characterization of endoscopic recurrence is an important determinant for initiating postoperative medical therapy. Therefore, variability in endoscopic scoring may result in inappropriate therapeutic decisions.3 We evaluated the reliability of endoscopic assessment of postoperative CD recurrence among independent blinded central readers.

Crohn's Disease Mucosal Transcriptomes Highlight JAK/STAT Pathway Involvement in Postoperative Recurrence

Background: Crohn's disease displays heterogeneity in terms of disease location, progression and response to treatment. Most patients require an intestinal resection due to complicated disease, and a majority of them will experience disease recurrence. We aimed to characterize biological pathways driving postoperative recurrence and to identify predictors which could guide therapeutic management. Methods: In this multicentre prospective study, we conducted transcriptome analysis on ileal mucosa of CD patients undergoing ileocolonic resection. Samples were collected from the most inflamed part of the ileum (n=200), from the ileal resection margin (n=149) and in the neo-terminal ileum 6 months after surgery (n=122). The primary endpoint was postoperative endoscopic recurrence at month 6. We applied a regression model to identify gene signatures predicting for endoscopic recurrence. Findings: Molecular patterns of early endoscopic recurrence significantly differed from those observed in chronic inflammation. Gene expression analysis of the inflamed area of the surgical specimens identified clusters of CD patients. However, pathway gene signatures at the ileal margin were superior to those of the inflamed area to predict postoperative outcome. Several pathways, including JAK/STAT signalling, cell adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix protein were associated with a higher risk of endoscopic recurrence. JAK/STAT pathway activation at the ileal margin predicted early postoperative endoscopic recurrence (AUC of 0*74) and was associated with a higher of clinical relapse on the long term. A significant increase of p-STAT3 levels at the ileal margin was associated with severe endoscopic recurrence (i3, i4) compared to no recurrence (i0) (p=0*02) and moderate recurrence (i1, i2) (p=0*04). Interpretation: Gene expression analysis at the ileal margin of the surgical specimen may strongly predict postoperative outcome. The inflammatory processes associated with postoperative recurrence differ from those engaged in chronic inflammation. Activation of JAK/STAT signalling at the ileal margin of the surgical specimen is predictive of postoperative recurrence and should be specifically targeted. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03458195). Funding Statement: This work was supported by Helmsley Charitable Trust and the Institut national de sante et de la recherche biomedical (INSERM). Declaration of Interests: SN received honoraria from MSD, Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, HAC Pharma, Tillots, Ferring, and Novartis. BP received honoraria from AbbVie, MSD, Takeda, Janssen, Bioagaran, and Ferring. AB received honoraria from MSD, Abbvie, Ferring, Takeda, Vifor Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, Hospira, and Janssen. XT received honoraria from Abbvie, MSD, Takeda, Ferring, Norgine, and Janssen. MF received honoraria from AbbVie, MSD, Takeda, Janssen, Pfizer, Ferring, and Boehringer. PS received honoraria from Takeda, MSD, Biocodex, Ferring and Abbvie and financial support from Takeda. MA received honoraria from Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, MSD, Abbvie, Ferring, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, and Genentech/Roche. All other authors have no conflict of interest regarding this study. Ethics Approval Statement: All patients provided an informed written consent. The study was approved by AFFSAPS (IDRCB: 2009-A00205-52) and the French Ethic Committee (CPP 2009/17).

P073 Male gender, smoking and stenosis are risk factors for postoperative endoscopic recurrence after ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an important exam for diagnosis and follow-up of Crohn’s disease (CD). It has a relevant role in the management of patients after ileocaecal resection (IR), evaluating ileocolonic endoscopic recurrence (ER), performing biopsies and endoscopic dilations. This study describes the colonoscopies performed in patients previously submitted to IR for CD complications, evaluating its impact in the management and evolution of the disease. METHODS: Between January 2014 and May 2018, a total of 116 colonoscopies were performed in 62 patients with previous IR for CD. This study describes demographic data, personal and family history, use of medications, Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI), endoscopic findings, post-colonoscopy alterations of medical treatment and need of new surgery. For endoscopic classification, Rutgeerts index for severity of post-operative CD was used, and ER was defined as scores 3i2. For statistical analysis, software SPSS 20.0 was used. It was considered statiscally significant values of p£0.05. RESULTS: Among all patients, 38.7% were male gender, which was a risk factor for ER (P &lt; 0.05). Mean time of CD was 156 months (12–385). Prevalence of smoking was 17.7%, which also was a risk factor for ER (P &lt; 0.05). Family history for CD was positive in 9 cases (14.5%). HBI showed low sensibility for predicting ER. Forty-five patients refered regular use of medication prescribed, while eight patients were in irregular use. Nine patients were without medication. Although there was no statistical significance (P = 0.15), the use of combotherapy was less associated with ER, when compared to other therapies. Regarding ER, 36 cases were i0; 18 cases i1, 38 cases i2; 5 cases i3; and finally, 16 cases i4. On follow-up, patients with ER more frequently had drug optimization or change of medication (P &lt; 0.05). None of the patients classified as i0, i1, i2 e i3 needed new surgery on follow-up. Two cases classified as i4 had indication of new surgery. Ileocolonic stenosis was a risk factor for ER (P &lt; 0.05): in a total of 23 cases, 16 were active disease with ulcerated stenosis. One balloon dilation was done in a patient with non-ulcerated ileocolonic stenosis. There were no cases of bleeding and perforation. CONCLUSION(S): Postoperative endoscopic follow-up after ileocaecal resection should be routinely performed. In our study, approximately 46% of the patients were in endoscopic remission. In contrast with previous reports, the majority of our i3 and i4 cases were managed clinically, with a low rate of new surgery (around 5%) Male sex, smoking and stenosis were risk factors for ER.

144 – Postoperative Endoscopic and Clinical Recurrence After Ileocolonic Resection in Patients with Crohn's Disease Cannot Be Prevented with High Dose Vitamin D

144 – Postoperative Endoscopic and Clinical Recurrence After Ileocolonic Resection in Patients with Crohn's Disease Cannot Be Prevented with High Dose Vitamin D

Tu1748 – Oral Curcumin is Not More Effective Than Placebo to Prevent Endoscopic Postoperative Recurrence in Patients with Crohn's Disease Treated with Concomitant Thiopurines: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Tu1748 – Oral Curcumin is Not More Effective Than Placebo to Prevent Endoscopic Postoperative Recurrence in Patients with Crohn's Disease Treated with Concomitant Thiopurines: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Adalimumab or Infliximab for the Prevention of Early Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn Disease: Results From the ENEIDA Registry.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents (anti-TNFs) are efficacious at preventing the postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn disease, as demonstrated in 2 randomized controlled trials. However, real-life data for infliximab or adalimumab in this setting are scarce. Our aim was to assess both the efficiency of anti-TNFs at preventing early POR of Crohn disease in clinical practice and the associated risk factors for POR. Patients in whom anti-TNFs were prescribed for the prevention of POR within 3 months after ileocolonic resection and who had an endoscopic assessment within 18 months were identified from the ENEIDA registry. Clinical and endoscopic features were collected within 18 months after surgery. In total, 152 patients were included (55 treated with infliximab, 97 with adalimumab, and 39% with concomitant immunosuppressants). Anti-TNF treatment was started after a median time of 29 days (IQR 13-44) after surgery. Eighty-two percent of patients had at least one risk factor for POR, and 82% had been exposed to anti-TNFs before the index surgery. Overall, 34% had endoscopic POR (as defined using a Rutgeerts endoscopic score > i1); 14% had advanced endoscopic POR (>i2); and 20% had clinical POR, with no differences between infliximab and adalimumab. In the multivariate analysis, only perianal disease (odds ratio 2.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-5.91) and rectal involvement (odds ratio 2.79, 95% CI 1.09-7.14) were independent predictors of endoscopic POR. In clinical practice, anti-TNFs for the prevention of POR of Crohn disease are frequently used in patients experienced with anti-TNFs and with concomitant immunosuppressants. The efficacy of infliximab and adalimumab for POR prevention is similar and in accordance with the results obtained in randomized controlled trials.

The role of exclusive enteral nutrition in the preoperative optimization of laparoscopic surgery for patients with Crohn's disease: A cohort study

BackgroundGrowing evidence has shown that there are significant advantages associated with the use of laparoscopic surgery for Crohn's disease (CD). However, the impact of preoperative exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) on postoperative complications and CD recurrence following laparoscopic surgery have not been investigated. MethodsA total of 120 CD patients undergoing bowel resection with laparoscopic surgery were eligible for this study. Patient data were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Before laparoscopic surgery, 45 CD patients received EEN for at least 4 weeks, and 75 CD patients had no EEN. Postoperative complications, and endoscopic and clinical recurrence were subsequently measured and compared after laparoscopic surgery and during follow-up assessments. ResultsPatients who received EEN had significant improvements in their nutritional (albumin, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and hemoglobin) and inflammatory (C-reactive protein) status after the EEN treatment prior to surgery (P < 0.05). Patients who received EEN also experienced fewer postoperative complications, decreased surgical site infections, and a lower comprehensive complication index (P < 0.05). The endoscopic recurrence rates 6 months after surgery were also decreased significantly in patients who received EEN (P < 0.05). However, the incidence of clinical recurrence was similar in the 2 groups at 1-year follow-up. Endoscopic recurrence was correlated with ileocolonic disease, EEN before surgery, and PNI (P < 0.05). PNI remained independently associated with endoscopic recurrence after surgery. ConclusionsPreoperative EEN for at least 4 weeks improved CD patients’ nutritional and inflammatory status, which in turn reduced postoperative complications following laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic recurrence on follow-up.

Profile of Consecutive Fecal Calprotectin Levels in the Perioperative Period and Its Predictive Capacity for Early Endoscopic Recurrence in Crohn's Disease.

The perioperative behavior of fecal calprotectin and whether it predicts early postoperative endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease are unknown. We aimed to compare the perioperative profiles of fecal calprotectin between patients with Crohn's disease and patients without Crohn's disease undergoing intestinal resection and to identify the association between consecutive fecal calprotectin levels and endoscopic recurrence 3 months after surgery in patients with Crohn's disease. This was a prospective observational study. This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. One hundred fourteen consecutive patients (90 Crohn's disease, 24 non-Crohn's disease) who underwent resection were recruited. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variations and risk factors. The predictive accuracy of the possible predictors was assessed by using receiver operating characteristic curves. The fecal calprotectin levels on preoperative day 14 and postoperative days 14, 21, 28, 60, and 90 were higher in the Crohn's disease group than they were in non-Crohn's disease group (p < 0.05). Twenty patients (22.2%) developed endoscopic recurrence 3 months after resection. The trend for fecal calprotectin change (Δfecal calprotectin) from preoperative day 14 to postoperative day 14 was opposite in the recurrence and nonrecurrence groups. Multivariate analysis showed that this change was a predictive factor of early endoscopic recurrence (p < 0.05). ΔFecal calprotectin was more accurate at predicting early endoscopic recurrence than was fecal calprotectin at single time points with a cutoff value of 240 μg/g. This is a single-center trial with a limited cohort of patients. The perioperative fecal calprotectin levels were higher in patients with Crohn's disease than they were in the control group. The change in fecal calprotectin levels from preoperative day 14 to postoperative day 14 could serve as a practical predictive index for early postoperative endoscopic recurrence. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A796.

Low-Dose Metronidazole is Associated With a Decreased Rate of Endoscopic Recurrence of Crohn's Disease After Ileal Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Recurrence of Crohn's disease after surgical resection and primary anastomosis is an important clinical challenge. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefit of imidazole antibiotics, but have been limited by adverse events and medication intolerance. We evaluated whether administration of low-dose metronidazole [250 mg three times per day] for 3 months reduces endoscopic postoperative recurrence rates. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with Crohn's disease who underwent ileal resection with a primary anastomosis and subsequently received care at our center. We compared the cases who received low-dose metronidazole for 3 months with control patients who did not receive this therapy. Data collected included demographics, risk factors for recurrence, and medications before and after surgery. The primary end point was the number of patients with ≥i2 [Rutgeerts] endoscopic recurrence by 12 months. Variables found to be predictive in univariate analysis at p < 0.10 were introduced in the Cox model for multivariate analysis. In all, 70 patients with Crohn's disease [35 cases and 35 controls] met inclusion criteria. Risk factors for Crohn's recurrence were similar between groups. The number of patients with ≥i2 endoscopic recurrence within 12 months following ileal resection was significantly lower in the metronidazole group [7 of 35 patients; 20%] compared with the number in the control group [19 of 35 patients; 54.3%] [p = 0.0058]. Eight participants [22.9%] in the metronidazole group experienced adverse events, and 3 of these patients [8.6%] discontinued the therapy. Low-dose metronidazole reduces endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease postoperatively and is well tolerated. This intervention should be considered as a therapy option following ileocolonic resection.

T cell clonal expansions in ileal Crohn’s disease are associated with smoking behaviour and postoperative recurrence

T cell clonal expansions are present in the inflamed mucosa of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and may be implicated in postoperative recurrence after ileocolonic resection.MethodsT cell receptor (TCR) analysis...

P119 Surgical recurrence in Crohn’s disease patients with severe post-operative endoscopic recurrence: risk difference between purely anastomotic lesions and lesions limited to the neoterminal ileum

Seventy per cent of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) require surgery. Post-operative endoscopic recurrence (POR) is up to 100% at 5 years with severe POR at 6-month around 50% as reported in an Italian study. Surgical recurrence is strongly related to the severity of POR with higher rate in those with ‘very severe’ POR (i3 and i4) lesions. It is quite unclear if lesions limited to the neoterminal ileum modify the risk of surgical recurrence compared with purely anastomotic lesions. The STRIDE study tried to stress the difference between 2a (purely anastomotic lesions) and 2b (>5 aphthous ulcers in the neoterminal ileum) lesions to better identify POR with worst prognosis. We performed a pilot study to compare 2a and 2b lesions in terms of surgical recurrence. We reviewed all colonoscopies performed in CD patients who have undergone ileocolonic resection regardless of the year of surgery. We analysed data from endoscopies performed in 2016, to reach an adequate follow-up until the end of 2018. POR was evaluated according to the Rutgeerts’ score classifying severe POR in those with a score ≥ i2. The main outcome was surgical recurrence. After reviewing the electronic medical records, 64 CD patients were identified: 6 with a Rutgeerts’ score ≤ i1 and 58 (91%) with a score ≥ i2 . Considering only those with severe POR, 43/58 (74%) presented a score of i3 or i4 (very severe POR): 33 male (57%) with overall mean age of 46.8 ± 14.9 year, 42 (72%) and 16 (28%) were treated, respectively, with biological therapies or immunosuppressants. Thirty-nine patients (67%) presented both neoterminal ileum and anastomotic lesions, 14 (24%) presented purely anastomotic lesions (2a), and 5(9%) presented only lesions in the neoterminal ileum (2b). At the end of the follow-up (2 years), 5 patients of 58(9%) underwent new surgery and those with 2b lesions presented a significantly increased risk compared with those with 2a lesions (p < 0.0001). This pilot retrospective study seems to confirm that in CD patients, with severe POR, only 2b lesions should be considered the worst prognostic factor for surgical recurrence. POR that involves neoterminal ileum probably increases the risk of surgery during the follow-up. Lesions limited to the anastomosis cannot be considered severe POR deserving of an aggressive medical treatment.

P115 Monitoring faecal calprotectin at 3 months post-surgery is useful to predict further postoperative endoscopic recurrence in Crohn's disease

P115 Monitoring faecal calprotectin at 3 months post-surgery is useful to predict further postoperative endoscopic recurrence in Crohn's disease

DOP80 Oral curcumin is not more effective than placebo to prevent endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease treated with concomitant thiopurines: the POPCUR trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) after surgery is a major concern. Curcumin has antiinflammatory properties and induces endoscopic remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. We investigated the efficacy of curcumin vs placebo in preventing post-operative recurrence of CD, based on endoscopic and clinical indices, in patients receiving concomitant thiopurine therapy. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial at 8 referral centers in France, from October 2014 through January 2018, of 62 consecutive patients with CD undergoing bowel resection. Patients received azathioprine (2.5 mg/kg) and were randomly assigned to groups given oral curcumin (3 g/day; n = 31) or an identical placebo (n = 31) for 6 months, and were then evaluated by colonoscopy. We also collected data on CD activity index, results from laboratory tests, and answers to quality of life questionnaires during this 6-month period. The primary endpoint was postoperative recurrence of CD in each group (Rutgeerts' index score >= i2) at month 6 (determined by central reading). An interim analysis (intent to treat) was scheduled after 50% of the patients were enrolled. RESULTS: At month 6, postoperative recurrence (Rutgeerts' index score >= i2) occurred in 18 patients (58%) receiving curcumin and 21 patients (68%) receiving placebo (P =.60). A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving curcumin (55%) had a severe recurrence of CD (Rutgeerts' index score >= i3) than patients receiving placebo (26%) (P =.034). We observed a clinical recurrence of CD (CD activity index score > 150) at month 6 in 45% of patients receiving placebo and 30% of patients receiving curcumin (P =.80). Quality of life scores at month 6 did not differ significantly between groups (P =.80). Severe adverse events developed in 6% of patients receiving placebo and 16% of patients receiving curcumin (P =.42). CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized controlled trial of patients who underwent surgery for CD and received thiopurine treatment, we found that curcumin was no more effective than placebo in preventing CD recurrence. There were no significant differences between groups in quality of life or severe adverse events. The study was discontinued after interim analysis due to futility.

P167 The variation of faecal calprotectin level within the first months after bowel resection is predictive of endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn’s disease

P167 The variation of faecal calprotectin level within the first months after bowel resection is predictive of endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn’s disease

Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Medical Therapies to Prevent Recurrence of Post-Operative Crohn's Disease.

Surgery is an important treatment for Crohn's disease [CD], but recurrence occurs in up to 80% of individuals post-operatively. The efficacy of several drugs to prevent post-operative recurrence has been studied in previous meta-analyses, but a number of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] have recently been published. We therefore performed an updated systematic review and network meta-analysis to investigate this issue. We performed a comprehensive literature search through to July 2018 to identify RCTs investigating the endoscopic and clinical recurrence of CD at 12 months post-operatively. We performed a random-effects network meta-analysis to produce a pooled relative risk [RR] with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. We ranked the treatments according to their P-score. We included 10 RCTs, containing 751 patients, in our primary analysis of endoscopic recurrence of CD at 12 months. Anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-α therapies were significantly better than placebo, either alone [P-score 0.98, RR 0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.39] or in combination with 5-aminosalicylates [5-ASAs] [P-score 0.81, RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12-0.75], or 5-nitroimidazoles [P-score 0.75, RR 0.40; 95% CI 0.23-0.69]. Combination therapy with a thiopurine and 5-nitroimidazole was also more effective than placebo [P-score 0.59, RR 0.56; 95% CI 0.40-0.80], as was thiopurine monotherapy [P-score 0.31, RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.94]. However, neither 5-nitroimidazoles nor 5-ASAs alone were superior to placebo. In network meta-analysis, anti-TNF-α therapies alone, or in combination, appear to be the best medications for preventing endoscopic post-operative recurrence of CD.