Endoluminal calprotectin measurement in assessment of pouchitis and a new index of disease activity. A pilot study

Pouchitis is the most common complication following proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis (UC). To provide a standardized definition of pouchitis clinical, endoscopic and histological markers were grouped and weighted in the pouch disease activity index (PDAI). However, the delay in the assessment of the final score due to the time requested for histological analysis remains the main obstacle to the index implementation in clinical practice so that the use of modified-PDAI (mPDAI) with exclusion of histologic subscore has been proposed. We tested the ability of calprotectin measurement in the pouch endoluminal content to mimic the histologic score as defined in the PDAI, the index that we adopted as gold standard for pouchitis diagnosis. Calprotectin was measured by ELISA in the pouch endoluminal content collected during endoscopy in 40 consecutive patients with J-pouch. In each patient PDAI and mPDAI were calculated and 15% of patients were erroneously classified by mPDAI. ROC analysis of calprotectin values vs. acute histological subscore 3 identified different calprotectin cut-off values with corresponding sensitivity and specificity allowing the definition and scoring of different range of calprotectin subscores. We incorporated the calprotectin score in the mPDAI obtaining a new score that shows the same specificity as PDAI for diagnosis of pouchitis and higher sensitivity when compared with mPDAI. The use of the proposed new score, once validated in a larger series of patients, might be useful in the early management of patients with symptoms of pouchitis

Recurrence of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms in celiac patients affected by nickel allergic contact mucositis: when proper gluten-free diet is not enough

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nickel (Ni) is a metal widely present in nature and the prevalence of Ni allergy is increasing. Allergic contact mucositis (MAC) induced by Ni-rich foods is often responsible for IBS-like disorders and it can be diagnosed by means of a Ni oral mucosa patch test (omPT). It has been observed that, after several months of correct gluten-free diet (GFD), many celiac disease (CD) patients show a recrudescence of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms, although serological and histological remission has been achieved. This can be due to a Ni load induced by GFD: a greater consumption of Ni-rich foods (e.g. corn) would lead to a consequent intestinal sensitization to Ni in predisposed subjects. Our study aimed to assess the role played by Ni in the recurrence of symptoms in CD subjects after strict GFD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty celiac patients (all female, age 23-65 yrs) in serological and histological remission after at least 12 months of GFD have been consecutively included: they all were complaining recurrence gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Subjects with organic gastrointestinal pathologies were excluded. A symptom questionnaire (GSRS modified according to the Salerno Experts' Criteria) has been administered to all patients in 4 stages: T0 (during free diet - active CD); T1 (after 12 months of GFD - CD remission); T2 (during GFD - recurrence of symptoms); T3 (during GFD and after 3 months of low-Ni diet). Ni omPT was performed at T2. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: All 20 patients showed positive Ni omPT, with local and/or systemic alterations confirming Ni ACM diagnosis. The analysis obtained by comparing T2-T3 showed p-value <0.01 for: abdominal pain, bloating, swelling, increased number of evacuations, dermatitis, asthenia; p-value values <0.05 for: heartburn, acid regurgitation, borborygmus, flatulence, loose stools, urgent need for defecation, headache. The other variables were statistically not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms observed in CD subjects after prolonged and correct GFD may be due to the necessary dietary change and an increased Ni intake. Specifically, these patients developed Ni MAC, diagnosed by specific Ni omPT. We also observed that regression of symptoms may occur after a proper low-Ni diet. We can conclude that GFD may lead to an increased consumption of Ni-rich foods and this could explain the recurrence of apparently gluten-dependent symptoms

Relationship between low Ankle-Brachial Index and rapid renal function decline in patients with atrial fibrillation: A prospective multicentre cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and renal function progression in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). DESIGN: Observational prospective multicentre cohort study. SETTING:Atherothrombosis Center of I Clinica Medica of 'Sapienza' University of Rome; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro; Atrial Fibrillation Registry for Ankle-Brachial Index Prevalence Assessment-Collaborative Italian Study. PARTICIPANTS: 897 AF patients on treatment with vitamin K antagonists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship between basal ABI and renal function progression, assessed by the estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) calculated with the CKD-EPI formula at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up. The rapid decline in eGFR, defined as a decline in eGFR >5 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year, and incident eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) were primary and secondary end points, respectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 71.8±9.0 years and 41.8% were women. Low ABI (ie, ≤0.90) was present in 194 (21.6%) patients. Baseline median eGFR was 72.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and 28.7% patients had an eGFR60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), 153 (23.9%) had a reduction of the eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). ABI ≤0.90 was also an independent predictor for incident eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (HR 1.851, 95% CI 1.205 to 2.845, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF, an ABI ≤0.90 is independently associated with a rapid decline in renal function and incident eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). ABI measurement may help identify patients with AF at risk of renal function deterioration

Correlation among periodontal health status, maternal age and pre-term low birth weight

Purpose: To assess correlations between periodontal status, maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as pre-term and low birth weight in a sample of pregnant women. Methods: Study population was represented by outpatient pregnant women, gestational age &gt; 26 weeks. Medical history questionnaires were administered to all participants who underwent clinical evaluation; clinical obstetric outcome records were collected after delivery. A questionnaire was administered regarding personal information, socio-economic status, oral hygiene habits, and oral health conditions. A clinical oral examination was performed to collect Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Pregnancy outcome records included: delivery week, kind and causes of delivery, any relevant complications, and birth weight. Descriptive statistics were used to depict the data from the questionnaire while the relationship between delivery week, birth weight, maternal age and periodontal status was evaluated through multivariate tests of significance. Results: 88 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The results showed a statistically significant correlation (P&lt;0.001) among participants older than 40 years of age, between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. No statistical correlation was found among pre-term and low birth weight, smoking, ethnicity and educational level of mothers. The results highlight the importance of including a routine oral and periodontal health examination in pregnant women older than 40 years of age