Ulcerative Colitis: Tillinger W

Gasche C, Dejaco C, Reinisch W, Tillinger W, Waldhoer T, Fueger GF, Lochs H, Gangl A. · University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, Calif., USA. · Digestion. · Pubmed #10343140 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intravenous iron and erythropoietin have been shown to be effective in Crohn's disease-associated anemia. The aim of this study was to test the sequential treatment of anemia in ulcerative colitis with intravenous iron in the first phase and erythropoietin in the second. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with ulcerative colitis-associated anemia (hemoglobin < or = 10.5 g/dl) entered this open-label trial. In the first phase all patients received intravenous iron saccharate for 8 weeks. A response was defined as an increase in hemoglobin > or = 2.0 g/dl; a final hemoglobin >10.5 g/dl was regarded as full response, < or = 10.5 g/dl as partial response. A hemoglobin increase < 2.0 g/dl was regarded as nonresponse. In the second phase (n = 4) erythropoietin was initiated in patients without response. Patients with partial response were continued on iron saccharate for another 8 weeks. RESULTS: During the first phase the hemoglobin increased from 8.3 to 11.9 g/dl (mean hemoglobin difference 3.6+/-2.3 g/dl, p < 0.001). Fifteen patients (75%) showed a full response (mean hemoglobin difference 4.5+/-1.5 g/dl), 1 (5%) a partial response (hemoglobin difference 2.1 g/dl) and 4 no response (mean hemoglobin difference 0.4+/-1.8 g/dl) with a need for blood transfusions in a single patient. In the second study phase erythropoietin was highly effective in previous nonresponders (mean hemoglobin difference 3.3+/-1.9 g/dl). The single patient with partial response had a minor hemoglobin increase (hemoglobin difference 1.0 g/dl). CONCLUSION: Most patients with ulcerative colitis-associated anemia improve on intravenous iron alone. Erythropoietin is effective in those who do not respond.

Valentini L, Schaper L, Buning C, Hengstermann S, Koernicke T, Tillinger W, Guglielmi FW, Norman K, Buhner S, Ockenga J, Pirlich M, Lochs H. · Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. · Nutrition. · Pubmed #18499398 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This prospective, controlled, and multicentric study evaluated nutritional status, body composition, muscle strength, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in clinical remission. In addition, possible effects of gender, malnutrition, inflammation, and previous prednisolone therapy were investigated. METHODS: Nutritional status (subjective global assessment [SGA], body mass index, albumin, trace elements), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, anthropometry), handgrip strength, and quality of life were assessed in 94 patients with Crohn's disease (CD; 61 female and 33 male, Crohn's Disease Activity Index 71 +/- 47), 50 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC; 33 female and 17 male, Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index 3.1 +/- 1.5), and 61 healthy control subjects (41 female and 20 male) from centers in Berlin, Vienna, and Bari. For further analysis of body composition, 47 well-nourished patients with inflammatory bowel disease were pair-matched by body mass index, sex, and age to healthy controls. Data are presented as median (25th-75th percentile). RESULTS: Most patients with inflammatory bowel disease (74%) were well nourished according to the SGA, body mass index, and serum albumin. However, body composition analysis demonstrated a decrease in body cell mass (BCM) in patients with CD (23.1 kg, 20.8-28.7, P = 0.021) and UC (22.6 kg, 21.0-28.0, P = 0.041) compared with controls (25.0 kg, 22.0-32.5). Handgrip strength correlated with BCM (r = 0.703, P = 0.001) and was decreased in patients with CD (32.8 kg, 26.0-41.1, P = 0.005) and UC (31.0 kg, 27.3-37.8, P = 0.001) compared with controls (36.0 kg, 31.0-52.0). The alterations were seen even in patients classified as well nourished. BCM was lower in patients with moderately increased serum C-reactive protein levels compared with patients with normal levels. CONCLUSION: In CD and UC, selected micronutrient deficits and loss of BCM and muscle strength are frequent in remission and cannot be detected by standard malnutrition screening.

Petritsch W, Tillinger W, Vogelsang H, Reinisch W, Knoflach P, Tilg H. · Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Klinische Abteilung für Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Medizinische Universität Graz. · Z Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #17115362 No free full text.

Abstract: Ileocolonoscopy including biopsies is the first line investigation in suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In up to 90 % of the cases ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are differentiated on endoscopic presentation. Standardised reporting of endoscopic results increases the validity and comparability of IBD findings. When there is a firm diagnosis of IBD, colonoscopy should only be performed for specific questions. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is only indicated in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Push and capsule endoscopy should also be limited to specific questions and situations. IBD with extended colitis is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer. Endoscopic surveillance with accurate biopsy sampling is a valuable tool for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Miehsler W, Reinisch W, Valic E, Osterode W, Tillinger W, Feichtenschlager T, Grisar J, Machold K, Scholz S, Vogelsang H, Novacek G. · Department of Internal Medicine IV, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. · Gut. · Pubmed #15016749 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are thought to be at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (TE). However, the extent of this risk is not known. Furthermore, it is not known if this risk is specific for IBD or if it is shared by other chronic inflammatory diseases or other chronic bowel diseases. AIMS: To compare the risk of TE in patients with IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, and coeliac disease with matched control subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study subjects answered a questionnaire assessing the history of TE, any cases of which had to be confirmed radiologically. A total of 618 patients with IBD, 243 with rheumatoid arthritis, 207 with coeliac disease, and 707 control subjects were consecutively included. All three patient groups were compared with control subjects matched to the respective group by age and sex. RESULTS: Thirty eight IBD patients (6.2%) had suffered TE. This was significantly higher compared with the matched control population with only 10 cases reported (1.6%) (p<0.001; odds ratio (OR) 3.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-7.8)). Five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (2.1%) had suffered TE compared with six subjects (2.5%) in the control population matched to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (NS; OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.2-2.9)). TE had occurred in two patients with coeliac disease (1%) compared with four subjects (1.9%) in the control population matched to the coeliac disease group (NS; OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.1-2.5)). In 60% of TE cases in the IBD group, at least one IBD specific factor (active disease, stenosis, fistula, abscess) was present at the time TE occurred. CONCLUSIONS: IBD is a risk factor for TE. It seems that TE is a specific feature of IBD as neither rheumatoid arthritis, another chronic inflammatory disease, nor coeliac disease, another chronic bowel disease, had an increased risk of TE.

Mittermaier C, Dejaco C, Waldhoer T, Oefferlbauer-Ernst A, Miehsler W, Beier M, Tillinger W, Gangl A, Moser G. · Department of Medicine IV, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. · Psychosom Med. · Pubmed #14747641 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: There is evidence of an interaction between psychological factors and activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We examined the influence of depressive mood and associated anxiety on the course of IBD over a period of 18 months in a cohort of patients after an episode of active disease. METHODS: In this prospective, longitudinal, observational study, 60 patients (37 women and 23 men) with clinically inactive IBD (Crohn disease, n = 47, 78%; ulcerative colitis, n = 13, 22%) were enrolled after a flare of disease. Psychological status, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and disease activity were evaluated at baseline and then every 3 months for a period of 18 months by means of clinical and biological parameters, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and the Rating Form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Concerns. RESULTS: At baseline, depression (BDI > or = 13 points) was found in 17 of 60 (28%) patients. Thirty-two patients (59%) experienced at least one relapse during the 18 months of follow-up. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between BDI scores at baseline and the total number of relapses after 12 (p <.01) and 18 months (p <.01) of follow-up. Furthermore, depression scores at baseline correlated with the time until the first recurrence of the disease (p <.05). Anxiety and low HRQOL were also related with more frequent relapses during follow-up (p <.05 and p <.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological factors such as a depressive mood associated with anxiety and impaired HRQOL may exert a negative influence on the course of IBD. Therefore, assessment and management of psychological distress should be included in clinical treatment of patients with IBD.

Gasche C, Bakos S, Dejaco C, Tillinger W, Zakeri S, Reinisch W. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Vienna, Austria. · J Clin Immunol. · Pubmed #11051278 No free full text.

Abstract: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) deficiency in gene knockout mice causes chronic enterocolitis. We hypothesized that inflammation in human inflammatory bowel disease might result from innate alterations in the IL-10 pathway. Serum, supernatants, and mRNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) derived from inflamed (LPMC-i) and noninflamed colonic mucosa (LPMC-ni) were collected from patients with Crohn's colitis, ulcerative colitis, and controls. IL-10 protein concentrations and IL-10 mRNA were examined in response to PMA/CD3 or PHA stimulation. The response to rhIL-10 was assessed by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production. Serum IL-10 levels of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients were within the normal range. IL-10 concentrations in supernatants from LPMC-i were significantly lower than from LPMC-ni or PBMC. No difference was seen between samples from ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IL-10 mRNA was detected in 0/4 LPMC-i samples compared to 1/6 LPMC-ni and 6/6 PBMC. RhIL-10 inhibited TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IFN-gamma synthesis in PBMC. This effect was strongly diminished in LPMC. Disease-specific alterations were not detected. Our data suggest that LPMC derived from inflamed colonic mucosa have a reduced ability to produce and to respond to rhIL-10. A disease-specific alteration in the IL-10 pathway, however, was not found.