Advanced technology for assessment of endoscopic and histological activity in ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Advanced endoscopic technologies led to significant progress in the definition of endoscopic remission of ulcerative colitis (UC) and correlate better with histological changes, compared with standard endoscopy. However, while studies have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of endoscope technologies individually, there are currently limited data comparing between technologies. As such, the aim of this systematic review was to pool data from the existing literature and compare the correlations between endoscopy and histologic disease activity scores across endoscope technologies. Methods We searched PubMed and Embase until February 2021 for eligible studies reporting the correlation between endoscopy and histology activity scores in UC. Studies were grouped by endoscope technology as standard-definition white light (SD-WLE), high-definition white light (HD-WLE) or electronic virtual chromoendoscopy (VCE) and comparisons made between these groups. Results A total of  = 27 studies were identified, of which  = 12 were included in a meta-analysis of correlations between endoscopic and histological activity scores. Combining these studies identified considerable heterogeneity ( : 89-93%) and returned a pooled correlation coefficient () for the SD-WLE group of 0.74, which did not differ significantly from HD-WLE (: 0.65,  = 0.521) or VCE (: 0.70,  = 0.801). In addition,  = 4 studies reported the accuracy of endoscopic activity scores on WLE and VCE to diagnose histological remission. Pooling these found significantly higher accuracy for VCE, compared with WLE [risk ratio: 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.19,  < 0.001]. Conclusion Activity scores assessed using endoscopy are strongly correlated with activity on histology regardless of endoscopic technology. VCE seems to be more accurate in predicting histological remission than WLE. However, given the heterogeneity between the included studies, head-to-head trials are warranted to confirm these findings

Autoimmune pancreatitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease - a real-world multicentre collaborative ECCO CONFER study

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is rarely associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Long-term outcomes of AIP and IBD in patients with AIP-IBD coexistence and predictors of complicated AIP course are scarcely known. An ECCO COllaborative Network For Exceptionally Rare case reports project (ECCO-CONFER) collected cases of AIP diagnosed in patients with IBD. Complicated AIP was defined as a composite of endocrine and/or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and/or pancreatic cancer. We explored factors associated with complicated AIP in IBD. We included 96 patients (53% males, 79% ulcerative colitis, 72% type 2 AIP, age at AIP diagnosis 35±16 years). The majority of Crohn's disease (CD) cases (78%) had colonic/ileocolonic involvement. In 59%, IBD preceded AIP diagnosis, whereas 18% were diagnosed simultaneously. Advanced therapy to control IBD was used in 61% and 17% underwent IBD-related surgery. 82% of patients were treated with steroids for AIP, the majority of which (91%) responded to a single course of treatment. During a mean follow-up of 7 years, AIP complications occurred in 25/96 (26%) individuals. In a multivariate model, younger age at AIP diagnosis (OR=1.05, P=0.008), family history of IBD (OR=0.1, P=0.03) and CD diagnosis (OR=0.2, P=0.04) were associated with uncomplicated AIP course. No IBD or AIP-related deaths occurred. In this large international cohort of patients with concomitant AIP-IBD, most patients have type 2 AIP and colonic IBD. AIP course is relatively benign and long-term outcomes are favourable, however, one-quarter develop pancreatic complications. Age, familial history of IBD and CD may predict uncomplicated AIP course

Anti-TNFα Treatment Impairs Long-Term Immune Responses to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) exhibited lower serologic responses one-month following the second dose of the COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine compared to those not treated with anti-TNFα (non-anti-TNFα) or to healthy controls (HCs). We comprehensively analyzed long-term humoral responses, including anti-spike (S) antibodies, serum inhibition, neutralization, cross-reactivity and circulating B cell six months post BNT162b2, in patients with IBD stratified by therapy compared to HCs. Subjects enrolled in a prospective, controlled, multi-center Israeli study received two BNT162b2 doses. Anti-S levels, functional activity, specific B cells, antigen cross-reactivity, anti-nucleocapsid levels, adverse events and IBD disease score were detected longitudinally. In total, 240 subjects, 151 with IBD (94 not treated with anti-TNFα and 57 treated with anti-TNFα) and 89 HCs participated. Six months after vaccination, patients with IBD treated with anti-TNFα had significantly impaired BNT162b2 responses, specifically, more seronegativity, decreased specific circulating B cells and cross-reactivity compared to patients untreated with anti-TNFα. Importantly, all seronegative subjects were patients with IBD; of those, &gt;90% were treated with anti-TNFα. Finally, IBD activity was unaffected by BNT162b2. Altogether these data support the earlier booster dose administration in these patients

Attitudes towards vaccines and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: a cross-sectional analysis - implications for public health communications in Australia

Objective To examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccine confidence, attitudes and intentions in Australian adults as part of the iCARE Study. Design and setting Cross-sectional online survey conducted when free COVID-19 vaccinations first became available in Australia in February 2021. Participants Total of 1166 Australians from general population aged 18-90 years (mean 52, SD of 19). Main outcome measures Primary outcome: responses to question € If a vaccine for COVID-19 were available today, what is the likelihood that you would get vaccinated?'. Secondary outcome: analyses of putative drivers of uptake, including vaccine confidence, socioeconomic status and sources of trust, derived from multiple survey questions. Results Seventy-eight per cent reported being likely to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccine intentions were associated with: increasing age (OR: 2.01 (95% CI 1.77 to 2.77)), being male (1.37 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.72)), residing in least disadvantaged area quintile (2.27 (95% CI 1.53 to 3.37)) and a self-perceived high risk of getting COVID-19 (1.52 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.14)). However, 72% did not believe they were at a high risk of getting COVID-19. Findings regarding vaccines in general were similar except there were no sex differences. For both the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and vaccines in general, there were no differences in intentions to vaccinate as a function of education level, perceived income level and rurality. Knowing that the vaccine is safe and effective and that getting vaccinated will protect others, trusting the company that made it and vaccination recommended by a doctor were reported to influence a large proportion of the study cohort to uptake the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Seventy-eight per cent reported the intent to continue engaging in virus-protecting behaviours (mask wearing, social distancing, etc) postvaccine. Conclusions Most Australians are likely to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Key influencing factors identified (eg, knowing vaccine is safe and effective, and doctor's recommendation to get vaccinated) can inform public health messaging to enhance vaccination rates

Endoscopic Postoperative Recurrence In Crohn's Disease After Curative Ileocecal Resection With Early Prophylaxis By Anti-Tnf, Vedolizumab Or Ustekinumab: A Real-World Multicenter European Study

Background: Endoscopic-post-operative-recurrence [ePOR] in Crohn's disease [CD] after ileocecal resection [ICR] is a major concern. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early prophylaxis with biologics and to compare anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy to vedolizumab [VDZ] and ustekinumab [UST] in a real-world setting.Methods: A retrospective multicentre study of CD-adults after curative ICR on early prophylaxis was undertaken. ePOR was defined as a Rutgeerts score [RS] &gt;= i2 or colonic-segmental-SES-CD &gt;= 6. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors, and inverse probability treatment weighting [IPTW] was applied to compare the effectiveness between agents.Results: The study included 297 patients (53.9% males, age at diagnosis 24 years [19-32], age at ICR 34 years 126-431, 18.5% smokers, 276% biologic-naive, 65.7% anti-TNF experienced, 28.6% two or more biologics and 17.2% previous surgery). Overall, 224, 39 and 34 patients received anti-TNF, VDZ or UST, respectively. Patients treated with VDZ and UST were more biologic experienced with higher rates of previous surgery. ePOR rates within 1 year were 41.8%. ePOR rates by treatment groups were: anti-TNF 40.2%, VDZ 33% and UST 61.8%. Risk factors for ePOR at 1 year were: past-infliximab (adjusted odds ratio [adj.OR] = 1.73 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.01-2.97]), past-adalimumab [adj.OR = 2.32 [95% CI: 1.35-4.01] and surgical aspects. After IPTW, the risk of ePOR within 1 year of VDZ vs anti-TNF or UST vs anti-TNF was comparable (OR = 0.55 [95% CI: 0.25-1.19], OR = 1.86 [95% CI: 0.79-4.381), respectively.Conclusion. Prevention of ePOR within 1 year after surgery was successful in -60% of patients. Patients treated with VDZ or UST consisted of a more refractory group. After controlling for confounders, no differences in ePOR risk were seen between anti-TNF prophylaxis and other groups