Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index Research Articles

Progress of ulcerative colitis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have previously demonstrated that the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused exacerbations in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, probably through psychological and physical stress. However, successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic continuously followed the first. The effects of this chronic stress on the disease condition in UC patients are of interest. To clarify the effect of chronic stress from COVID-19 on disease condition in patients aggravated after the first wave. Our previous study investigated 289 consecutive UC outpatients treated in one center during March and April 2020, the period of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, an identical group of 289 UC patients was evaluated using UC-disease activity index (UC-DAI), endoscopic mucosal appearance score, and Matts pathological grade scoring. Of the 289 UC patients included in the study in 2020, 10 patients dropped out as of 2021 and another 11 patients dropped out as of 2022, making three groups for 2020, 2021 and 2022. No significant differences in characteristics were found among the three groups. UC-DAI scores had aggravated during the period of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, but significantly recovered in 2021 and remained stable in 2022. Matts grade scores significantly recovered in 2021 from those in 2020 and remained stable in 2022. Disease activity of UC patients recovered in 2021 and remained stable in 2022, aggravated by the stress of the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020 despite persistence of the pandemic.

Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 combined with vasoactive intestinal peptide alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6 mice via NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which is related to an immunological imbalance of the intestinal mucosa. Many clinical evidences indicate probiotics supplementation appears to be effective and safe in patients with UC. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an endogenous neuropeptide with multiple physiological and pathological effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of the combination of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 (L. casei ATCC 393) with VIP on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mice and the potential mechanism. The results showed that, compared with the control group, DSS treatment significantly shortened the colon length, caused inflammation and oxidative stress, and further resulted in the intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis. In addition, intervention with L. casei ATCC 393, VIP or L. casei ATCC 393 combined with VIP significantly reduced UC disease activity index. However, compared with L. casei ATCC 393 or VIP, L. casei ATCC 393 combined with VIP effectively relieved symptoms of UC by regulating immune response, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and regulating nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid-derived-2-like 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways. In conclusion, this study suggests that L. casei ATCC 393 combined with VIP can effectively relieve DSS-induced UC, which is a promising treatment strategy for UC.

Therapeutic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid-berberine supramolecular nanoparticles on ulcerative colitis based on supramolecular system induced by weak bond

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a recurrent, intractable inflammatory bowel disease. Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, serving as heat-clearing and toxin-removing drugs, have long been used in the treatment of UC. Berberine(BBR) and ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA), the main active components of Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, respectively, were employed to obtain UDCA-BBR supramolecular nanoparticles by stimulated co-decocting process for enhancing the therapeutic effect on UC. As revealed by the characterization of supramolecular nanoparticles by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering(DLS), the supramolecular nanoparticles were tetrahedral nanoparticles with an average particle size of 180 nm. The molecular structure was described by ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance(H-NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the formation of the supramolecular nano-particle was attributed to the mutual electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction between BBR and UDCA. Additionally, supramolecular nanoparticles were also characterized by sustained release and pH sensitivity. The acute UC model was induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in mice. It was found that supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve body mass reduction and colon shortening in mice with UC(P<0.001) and decrease disease activity index(DAI)(P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between the supramolecular nanoparticles group and the mechanical mixture group(P<0.001, P<0.05). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6), and the results showed that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels(P<0.001) and exhibited an obvious difference with the mechanical mixture group(P<0.01, P<0.05). Flow cytometry indicated that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce the recruitment of neutrophils in the lamina propria of the colon(P<0.05), which was significantly different from the mechanical mixture group(P<0.05). These findings suggested that as compared with the mechanical mixture, the supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve the symptoms of acute UC in mice. The study provides a new research idea for the poor absorption of small molecules and the unsatisfactory therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine and lays a foundation for the research on the nano-drug delivery system of traditional Chinese medicine.

P879 Clinical significance of plasma interleukin-22 as a biomarker of inflammation in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background IL-22 is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While evidence underpinning its central role as a biomarker of pathway activation, diagnosis, severity and activity for IBD has been accumulating, little is known about its application as a biomarker in IBD in real-world practice. Here, we characterize for the first time the relationship between IL-22 plasma concentrations and the clinical characteristics of a large, real-world population of patients with IBD. Methods This is a descriptive analysis of patients in the Study of a Prospective Adult Research Cohort with IBD (SPARC IBD) obtained from the IBD Plexus registry of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in the United States. The SPARC registry includes patients with a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). This study evaluated baseline data collected within ± 30 days from consent date. Assessments included demographics, clinical characteristics and IL-22 plasma concentrations. Disease severity was assessed using short CD Activity Index (sCDAI; scores <150 define remission, 150–219 mild activity, ≥220 moderate-severe activity) or 6-point UC Disease Activity Index (UCDAI; scores ≤1 define remission, 2–3 mild activity, ≥4 moderate-severe activity) disease severity categories. Results A total of 2667 patients with CD and 1326 patients with UC were eligible for inclusion in the study. For patients with CD, median age was 39 years, 57% were female and median disease duration was 13 years (Table 1). For patients with UC, median age was 40 years, 51% were female and median disease duration was 9 years (Table 1). In total, 1604 patients with CD and 836 patients with UC had valid IL-22 samples at baseline, of which 33% and 25%, respectively, were above the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ; 7.8 pg/mL). There was a trend toward fewer patients with IL-22 levels below the LLOQ among patients with high disease severity compared with those with lower disease severity both in patients with CD and those with UC (Figure 1). Additionally, there was an increase in the percentage of patients with IL-22 levels greater than the third quartile (overall Q3 = 10.8 pg/mL in CD, and = 7.9 pg/mL in UC) with increased disease severity (Figure 2). Comparison of subgroups of patients with low and medium/high IL-22 levels showed a consistent pattern with fewer patients in remission and more moderate-severe patients in the medium/high IL-22 group than in the low IL-22 group (Table 2). Conclusion Higher IL-22 levels tended to be associated with higher disease activity in this real-world population of IBD patients.

Definition of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in clinical trials: A systematic literature review.

We performed a systematic review to investigate the definition of mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (UC), and to describe predictors of good response to treatment in clinical trials assessing 5‐ASA and/or budesonide. Thirty‐nine randomized controlled trials were included. The UC Disease Activity Index (UCDAI) was the most frequent score used for defining mild to moderate active UC (16 studies, 41%), followed by Clinical Activity Index in 11 studies (28.2%). Four different cut‐offs were used to define mild to moderate active UC using the UCDAI. The most frequently reported predictors of good response to treatment was a mild and moderate disease activity. There is heterogeneity in the definition of mild to moderate active UC in randomized clinical trials. A standardized definition of mild to moderate active UC used for inclusion of patients in clinical trials is needed.

The use of vitamin D for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

As vitamin D (VD) plays an essential role in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), this systematic review aimed to update the participation of this vitamin in the prevention or remission of these diseases. This review has included studies in MEDLINE-PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. The authors have followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis) guidelines. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, twenty-two randomized clinical trials were selected. In total, 1,209 patients were included in this systematic review: 1034 received only VD and 175 received VD in combination with calcium. The average doses of VD supplementation were from oral 400IU daily to 10,000IU per kilogram of body weight. Single injection of 300,000IU of VD was also used. Several studies have shown the crucial role that VD plays in the therapeutic approach of IBD due to its effects on the immune system. It effectively decreased inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IFN-γ (p<0.05) and provided a reduction in disease activity assessed through different scores such as Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) (p<0.05) and Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index (UCDAI) (p<0.05). Unfortunately, the available clinical trials are not standardized for of doses and routes of administration. Existing meta-analyses are biased because they compare studies using different doses or treatments in combination with different drugs or supplements such as calcium. Even though VD has crucial effects on inflammatory processes, there is still a need for standardized studies to establish how the supplementation should be performed and the doses to be administered.

P177 Validation of UC Intestinal Ultrasound (UC-IUS) Index for children with Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract Background Transabdominal bowel ultrasound (TABUS) is an ideal tool to assess transmural inflammation in children with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). The UC intestinal US (UC-IUS) Index was developed and validated using endoscopy with strong correlation between UC-IUS Index and Mayo subscore (ρ 0.830; p&amp;lt;0.001). Our aim was to determine how bowel wall thickness (BWT) and UC-IUS Index performed in children at diagnosis in comparison to endoscopy using the Mayo score. Methods Subjects (0–18 years old) with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were prospectively enrolled. Baseline TABUS (excluding rectum due to poorly seen) done prior to endoscopy. Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis disease Activity Index (PUCAI) and Mayo were calculated, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FCP) collected. The UC-IUS Index was calculated for each segment – sigmoid (SC), descending (DC), transverse (TC) and ascending (AC) [bowel wall thickness (BWT) (mm): &amp;gt; 2 =1, &amp;gt;3 =2 and &amp;gt;4 =3; doppler: spots=1 and stretches =2, abnormal haustrations = 1 and fat wrapping =1]. Spearman’s rank (rho) and Pearson’s correlation (r) assess for a correlation. Receiver operating characteristic [ROC] analysis performed for BWT to determine sensitivity and specificity of BWT cut-offs in the UC-IUS. Results Of the 75 subjects recruited for suspected IBD, 26 had UC with mean age 15 years (SD 3.33) and 5 had normal US. Twenty three have extensive pancolitis. Mean PUCAI score: 60 (SD 23.28), CRP 22.62 (SD 39.5) mg/l, albumin 35.6 (SD 6.96) g/l and fecal calprotectin of 2223 (SD 1757) mg/kg. ROC curves generated using a total of 122 colonic segments. BWT of 2 mm discriminates between active and inactive:Mayo 0 and Mayo1-3 [sensitivity 84.9%; specificity 86.2%; an area under the curve [AUC] 0.900]; a cut-off of 3mm discriminates between Mayo 1 from Mayo 2–3 [sensitivity of 61.3%; specificity 90.5%; AUC 0.858]; a cut of 4mm discriminates Mayo 3 (sensitivity 64.7%; specificity 85.7 %; AUC 0.876). BWT and UC-IUS scores of all colonic segments correlated highly positively with the Mayo score of corresponding segments (rho=0.684, r=0.660, p&amp;lt;0.001) and (rho=0.750, r=0.722, P&amp;lt;0.001) respectively. The UC-IUS Index correlates poorly with CRP, ESR, and Fecal Calprotectin - r = 0.262, 0.346 and 0.100 respectively; p&amp;gt;0.05. Conclusion BWT and UC-IUS Index correlated highly positively with the Mayo subscore in children with UC. UC-IUS has a better correlation than BWT. BWT cut-off of 2mm discriminate between normal and mild Mayo is optimal. Cut-offs of 3 mm and 4 mm for moderate and severe Mayo may be too high in children with lower sensitivity. A larger cohort of children with UC will need to be studied to determine optimal BWT cut-off for moderate and severe disease.

COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbation of ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUNDIn 2020, the world faced the unprecedented crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Besides the infection and its consequences, COVID-19 also resulted in anxiety and stress resulting from severe restrictions on economic and social activities, including for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Fresh acute stress exerts stronger influences than continuous stress on UC patients. We therefore hypothesized that the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would have serious effects on UC patients and performed this retrospective control study.AIMTo determine whether the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would have serious effects on UC patients included in a retrospective controlled study.METHODSA total of 289 consecutive UC outpatients seen in March and April 2020 were included in this study. Modified UC disease activity index (UC-DAI) scores on the day of entry and at the previous visit were compared. An increase of ≥ 2 was considered to indicate exacerbation. The exacerbation rate was also compared with that in 256 consecutive control patients independently included in the study from the same period of the previous year in the same manner.RESULTSNo significant differences in patient characteristics or pharmacotherapies before entry were seen between the groups. Mean UC-DAI score was significantly higher in subjects during the first wave of COVID-19 (0.67 + 0.07) compared to the previous visit (0.26 + 0.04; P = 0.0000). The exacerbation rate was significantly increased during the first wave of COVID-19, as compared with the previous year (15.9% [46/289] vs 8.9% [23/256]; P = 0.0151).CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic caused exacerbations in UC patients, probably through psychological and physical stress.

Therapeutic efficacy of a combination of mesalazine and Bifid Triple Viable Capsules (BTVCs) on ulcerative colitis patients, and its effect on inflammation and oxidative stress

Purpose: To determine the curative impact of mesalazine (MSZ)-BTVCs combination on ulcerative colitis (UC), and its influence on inflammation and oxidative stress in the patients.Methods: 100 UC patients were randomely assigned to a control group given MSZ capsule treatment only, and a combination group treated with BTVCs and MSZ. Treatment effectiveness, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results: The combination group had higher total effectiveness than the control group. The serum levels of MDA, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were lower, while serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were markedly increased in patients given combination treatment, when compared with controls. Pre-drug exposure UC disease activity index (UC-DAI) and clinical symptom scores were similar in both cohorts of patients, but the post-treatment scores were statistically decreased, especially in the combination group.Conclusion: The combined use of MSZ and BTVCs was more effective against UC than monotherapy, as it effectively relieved inflammation and oxidative stress in patients, resulting in better clinical efficacy.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentration as a marker of disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), determining the appropriate treatment and follow-up of patients rely mainly on endoscopy and biopsy. Finding a sensitive, specific, cost-effective and less-invasive biomarker is the focus of much of the current research in this field. The aim was to investigate the relation between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels and disease activity in patients with IBD, correlating with clinical and endoscopic indices of disease activity and with treatment received. Sixty patients (30 with ulcerative colitis, 30 with Crohn's disease) and 20 controls were included. Serum MMP-9 levels were measured for all patients and controls by ELISA. Clinical activity was determined by partial Mayo score for patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease Activity Index for patients with Crohn's disease, and endoscopic activity was assessed using Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity for patients with ulcerative colitis and Simple Endoscopic Score of Crohn's disease for patients with Crohn's disease. Serum MMP-9 was higher in patients with active ulcerative colitis than in patients with inactive disease and the control group. Serum MMP-9 was also higher in patients with active Crohn's disease than in patients with inactive disease and the control group. In both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease groups, there was a significant difference between serum MMP-9 levels in patients receiving conventional treatment and those on biological treatment, with lower levels of the marker detected in the sera of patients subgroups receiving biologics. Serum MMP-9 can be used to differentiate between active and inactive IBD (including both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease).

Computed tomography enterocolongraphy in assessment of degree of ulcerative colitis activity.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are gaining more interest in the past few years. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease that requires accurate follow-up for a good treatment plan. Colonoscopy alone cannot be efficient to detect disease extent and has a high risk of perforation in acute severe UC and toxic megacolon. Computed tomographic enterocolonography (CTE) is widely used now to detect intramural, extra-intestinal involvement and intestinal complications. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate CTE in the assessment of the degree of activity of UC. This cross-sectional study was carried on 50 UC patients, divided into 36 males and 14 females presented at the Gastroenterology Unit, Alexandria Main University, Faculty of Medicine. Assessment of UC activity was done to all patients on three levels; the ulcerative colitis disease activity index for the clinical level, ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity by endoscopy and pathologically by degree of neutrophilic invasion, crypt abscess or cryptitis, presence of oedema and mucosal surface ulceration, then CTE was done and the findings were compared with the histopathological findings. Bowel wall thickening in CTE was divided into: normal (<3 mm, score 0), mild (3-6 mm, score 1), moderate (6-9 mm, score 2) and severe (>9 mm, score 3). Mesenteric hyperaemia, mucosal hyper enhancement and enlarged pericolic lymph nodes were recorded. CTE findings in the form of bowel wall thickening and hyper enhancement were found in 74% of active cases and were correlated with all histopathological findings investigated in this study with high statistical significance except in chronic stages, whereas lymph node enlargement and mesenteric hyperaemia did not show statistical significance with disease activity. CTE is a good tool for diagnosing disease activity in UC.

Association of Vitamin D Level With Disease Severity and Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Ulcerative Colitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

IntroductionUlcerative colitis is an immunologically mediated disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin D3 has been shown to modulate many immunological diseases, but its role in ulcerative colitis is not well documented. This study was done to find out if levels of vitamin D are associated with the severity of disease and quality of life in ulcerative colitis patients.MethodsThis cross-sectional study consists of two parts. The first part consists of having a comparative assessment of baseline parameters of newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis patients and healthy controls. The 2nd part consists of an evaluation of the association of levels of vitamin D3 with disease severity and quality of life in ulcerative colitis. Independent predictors of disease severity and quality of life were assessed using multiple linear regression.ResultsVitamin D levels were significantly lower in healthy controls compared to newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis patients. Median ulcerative colitis disease activity index score was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficient group compared with those who had normal vitamin D levels (p-0.001). Quality of life was also poor in the vitamin D deficient group compared to those with normal vitamin D levels (p-0.000). Vitamin D levels were found to be independent predictors of ulcerative colitis disease activity scores and health-related quality of life scores.ConclusionVitamin D may have some immunomodulating properties, which might be associated with decreased ulcerative colitis disease activity index and better quality of life.

Pequi Oil, a MUFA/Carotenoid‐Rich Oil, Exhibited Protective Effects against DSS‐Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

AbstractInflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) affect the gastrointestinal tract, and the imbalance of intestinal immune homeostasis can trigger them. Pequi oil (PO), a monounsaturated (MUFA) and carotenoid‐rich food with nutraceutical potential, could help reshape the intestinal immune response, ameliorating IBD outcomes. This study investigates the effects of a 28 days intake of PO on elements of the intestinal immune response of mice with DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis (disease activity index, colonic damage, inflammatory cells and markers). PO reduces body weight, colonic crypt and goblet cell losses and ameliorates diarrhea. In the colon, it increases γδT cells and secretory‐IgA and decreases CD8+T cells. In lymphoid organs, it reduces CD8+T cells. Moreover, it also reduces the IL‐17 and CRP in plasma. PO oil promotes a less cytotoxic response that may protect mice from immunological injuries caused by an IBD in the intestinal mucosa, improving the disease prognosis.Practical applications: This study demonstrates that the intake of pequi oil contributes to the regulation of immune response and improves clinical and histological signs of DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Its effects in cytotoxic cell reduction and other inflammatory markers and stimulation of regulatory cells, and preservation of mucus‐producing cells, provide news insights about the importance of the regular intake of this food to better prognosis of ulcerative colitis acute episodes. In addition, these findings encourage further studies with foods with a protective potential for the intestinal mucosa.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on blood markers in ulcerative colitis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Observational studies have shown that vitamin D levels are inversely related to ulcerative colitis activity, yet evidence from population interventions remains inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials to clarify the effect of vitamin D on blood markers in patients with ulcerative colitis. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched for studies published before June 2020. Information was collected regarding serum vitamin D levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), and Ca (calcium), and parathyroid hormone (PTH), and ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI) research data. Seven studies (n = 539) were included in the meta-analysis. Vitamin D supplementation resulted in significant improvements in the serum vitamin D levels (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.69, 95% CI (0.36, 1.03), P < 0.001), ESR (weighted mean difference (WMD) = - 1.10, 95% CI (- 1.97, - 0.24), P = 0.01), CRP (SMD = - 0.43, 95% CI (- 0.67, - 0.20), P = 0.0003), and Ca (SMD = 0.92, 95% CI (0.09, 1.74), P = 0.03) but not in other outcomes. According to subgroup analysis, supplementation with vitamin D at a dose of ≥ 300,000IU/day can improve serum vitamin D levels. Supplementation with a sufficient dose of vitamin D in a short period of time can also improve serum vitamin D levels. According to GRADE method evaluation, the evidence quality was classified as low for the Serum Vitamin D Level and ESR, and very low for the CRP, PTH, Ca, and UCDAI. Compared with placebo control interventions, vitamin D supplementation seemed to be an effective intervention for patients with ulcerative colitis. Different doses of vitamin D and durations of intervention produce different effects. However, due to the limitation of the quality of the included studies, the above conclusions still need to be verified by more high-quality studies and weak clinical recommendations.

Use of the ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity and Mayo endoscopic score for predicting the therapeutic effect of mesalazine in patients with ulcerative colitis

ObjectiveThe ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS) and the Mayo endoscopic score (MES) are developed as objective methods of evaluating endoscopic severity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the UCEIS and MES in predicting the patient's response to mesalazine. MethodsConsecutive patients with UC who had undergone colonoscopy within 1 month before starting mesalazine between October 2011 and July 2016 were retrospectively collected at the Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The median follow-up was 81 months, and all the data were analyzed in January 2021. The primary outcome was the need for step-up treatment, which included the use of corticosteroids, immunomodulatory, or surgery during admission and follow-up. Data were analyzed using the χ2 or Fisher exact test, Spearman test, t-test, and Mann–Whitney U test. ResultsTotally, 65 patients were enrolled, of whom 12 (18.5%) needed step-up treatment due to nonresponse to mesalazine. The UCEIS score, MES, and the ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI) score were significantly higher in patients who had nonresponse to mesalazine (UCEIS score: 6.92 ± 0.69 vs. 4.45 ± 1.17, p < 0.001; MES: 2.67 ± 0.49 vs. 2.15 ± 0.69, p = 0.024; UCDAI score: 9.33 ± 1.87 vs. 6.70 ± 2.38, p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, the UCEIS score (OR = 25.65, 95% CI: 3.048–45.985, p = 0.003), UCDAI score (OR = 1.605, 95% CI: 1.144–2.254, p = 0.006), and C-reactive protein level (OR = 1.056, 95% CI: 1.006–1.108, p = 0.026) were independent risk factors of nonresponse. The area under the ROC curve of UCEIS was 0.95, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 84.6%, a cut-off value of 6, which outperformed the MES with an area under the ROC curve of 0.70. When the UCEIS score ≥6, 60% of patients eventually needed step-up treatment. ConclusionsThe UCEIS is a useful instrument for predicting the therapeutic effect in patients with UC treated with mesalazine. The high probability of mesalazine treatment failure and benefits of other therapies should be discussed in patients with baseline UCEIS score ≥6.

A127 ASSOCIATION OF TRANSABDOMINAL BOWEL ULTRASOUND FINDINGS AND SEVERITY OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Abstract Background Previous research has shown that transabdominal bowel ultrasound (TABUS) can detect disease in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Aims Our aim is to determine the parameters of bowel ultrasound findings that are associated with disease severity at time of diagnosis. Methods This prospective study was conducted at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Patients with suspect IBD were enrolled. Each patient underwent a baseline ultrasound, Physicians performed TABUS to visualize the small and large intestine (except rectum). Other investigations including blood work, MRI, and endoscopy. Disease severity in was categorised into mild, moderate and severe using the weighted pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index (wPCDAI), simple endoscopic score for CD (SES-CD), pediatric ulcerative colitis disease activity index (PUCAI), and Mayo score in UC. The severity of disease was compared to 7 ultrasound parameters (fat proliferation, hyperemia, bowel wall thickness (BWT), free intra- abdominal fluid, &amp;gt; 4 lymph nodes (LN) in an area, presence of stricture, and BW stratification. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Anova and Chi square were used to determine parameters for TABUS that were associated with disease severity, with p &amp;lt;0.05 considered significant. Results This prospective study was conducted at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Patients with suspect IBD were enrolled. Each patient underwent a baseline ultrasound, Physicians performed TABUS to visualize the small and large intestine (except rectum). Other investigations including blood work, MRI, and endoscopy. Disease severity in was categorised into mild, moderate and severe using the weighted pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index (wPCDAI), simple endoscopic score for CD (SES-CD), pediatric ulcerative colitis disease activity index (PUCAI), and Mayo score in UC. The severity of disease was compared to 7 ultrasound parameters (fat proliferation, hyperemia, bowel wall thickness (BWT), free intra- abdominal fluid, &amp;gt; 4 lymph nodes (LN) in an area, presence of stricture, and BW stratification. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Anova and Chi square were used to determine parameters for TABUS that were associated with disease severity, with p &amp;lt;0.05 considered significance. Conclusions Fat proliferation was found to be associated with severity of Crohn’s disease based on disease activity score while BWT was associated with endoscopic severity. Lack of association in UC is likely due to the low number of patients recruited. Funding Agencies WCHRI Capacity Grant

The impact of clinical symptoms and endoscopic and histologic disease activity on health-related quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis following treatment with multimatrix mesalazine

PurposeStudies of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) report that reduced clinical symptoms and endoscopic activity predict better health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, no study has examined the joint and unique associations of clinical and endoscopic activity with HRQoL, nor of histologic inflammation and HRQoL. These post hoc analyses evaluated whether reduced clinical, endoscopic, and histologic disease activity were uniquely associated with improved HRQoL for adults with active mild-to-moderate UC receiving once-daily 4.8 g/day multimatrix mesalazine for 8 weeks.MethodsAssessments at baseline and week 8 (i.e., treatment completion) included clinical and endoscopic activity (modified UC-Disease Activity Index), histology (Geboes scoring), and HRQoL (Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [SIBDQ]; SF-12v2® Health Survey [SF-12v2]). Associations among each type of disease activity and HRQoL were examined by correlations and by mean changes in SIBDQ and SF-12v2 scores between disease activity subgroups (e.g., achievement of clinical remission; mucosal healing). Regression models estimated unique variance in HRQoL accounted by each type of disease activity.ResultsWithin the analysis sample (n = 717), patients with reduced clinical and endoscopic activity had significantly larger improvements in all HRQoL domains (p < 0.001), as did patients in both endoscopic and clinical remission compared to patients in endoscopic remission only (p < 0.05). Patients with histologic activity post-treatment scored significantly worse on all HRQoL domains than patients with no activity (p < 0.05). Correlations and regression models found that decreases in clinical and endoscopic activity were associated with improvements in HRQoL domain scores.ConclusionsClinical symptoms and mucosal health have separable, distinct impacts on UC patients’ HRQoL.

Anti-inflammatory activity of ortho-trifluoromethoxy-substituted 4-piperidione-containing mono-carbonyl curcumin derivatives in vitro and in vivo

Curcumin was reported as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, curcumin's poor bioavailability limited its clinical utility. Here, thirty ortho-substituted mono-carbonyl curcumin derivatives, containing acetone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone or 4-piperidione (NH, N-methyl or N-acrylyl) moieties replacing β-diketone moiety of curcumin, were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity. Two active ortho-trifluoromethoxy-substituted 4-piperidione-containing derivatives 22 and 24 owned good cell uptake ability, and displayed excellent anti-inflammatory activity in both lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw264.7 macrophages and a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of colitis. They inhibited the production of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, malonic dialdehyde and cyclooxygenase-2; and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and myeloperoxidase; the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases; and the nucleus translocation of p65. What's more, 22 or 24 oral administered reduced the severity of clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis (body weight and disease activity index), and reduced obviously DSS-induced colonic pathological damage (the colon length and histopathology analysis). These results suggested that ortho-trifluoromethoxy-substituted 4-piperidione-containing mono-carbonyl curcumin derivatives 22 and 24 were potential anti-inflammatory agents; and offered the important information for design and discovery of more potent anti-inflammatory drug candidates.

Clinical effects and gut microbiota changes of using probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Probiotics have been reported to be beneficial for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the types, number of strains, dosage, and intervention time of probiotics used remain controversial. Furthermore, the changes of gut microbiota in IBD's patients are also intriguing. Thus, this meta-analysis was to explore the clinical effects and gut microbiota changes of using probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in IBD. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane library from inception to April 2020. Qualified randomized controlled trials were included. IBD's remission rate, disease activity index and recurrence rate were extracted and analyzed. Changes in the gut microbiota of patients with IBD are comprehensively described. Thirty-eight articles were included. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics can induce/maintain IBD's remission and reduce ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity index (RR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02, 1.26, P < 0.05; SMD = 1.00, 95% CI 0.27, 1.73, P < 0.05). In subgroup analyses of IBD remission rate and UC disease activity index, we obtained some statistically significant results in some subgroup (P < 0.05). To some extent, probiotic supplements can increase the number of beneficial bacteria (especially Bifidobacteria) in the intestinal tract of patients with IBD. Our results support the treatment of IBD (especially UC) with pro/pre/synbiotics, and synbiotics are more effective. Probiotic supplements that are based on Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium or more than one strain are more likely to be beneficial for IBD remission. The dose of 1010-1012CFU/day may be a reference range for using probiotics to relieve IBD.

Abdominal pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: association with single-nucleotide polymorphisms prevalent in irritable bowel syndrome and clinical management

BackgroundAbdominal pain is a frequent symptom in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Pain can result from ongoing inflammation or functional disorders imitating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with IBS. However, the impact of IBS genetics on the clinical course of IBD, especially pain levels of patients remains unclear.MethodsData of 857 UC and 1206 CD patients from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study were analysed. We tested the association of the maximum of the abdominal pain item of disease activity indices in UC and CD over the study period with 16 IBS-associated SNPs, using multivariate ANOVA models.ResultsIn UC patients, the SNPs rs1042713 (located on the ADRB2 gene) and rs4663866 (close to the HES6 gene) were associated with higher abdominal pain levels (P = 0.044; P = 0.037, respectively). Abdominal pain was not associated with any markers of patient management in a model adjusted for confounders. In CD patients, higher levels of abdominal pain correlated with the number of physician contacts (P < 10–15), examinations (P < 10–12), medical therapies (P = 0.023) and weeks of hospitalisation (P = 0.0013) in a multivariate model.ConclusionsWe detected an association between maximal abdominal pain in UC patients and two IBS-associated SNPs. Abdominal pain levels had a pronounced impact on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in CD but not in UC patients.