Category Archives: Pediatric Gastroenterology Intestinal Disorder

Watch Vitamin Levels in Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome

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According to a recent small retrospective study in Pancreas (May 2015 – Volume 44 – Issue 4 – p 590–595) with 21 children, there were high rates of vitamin deficiencies (particularly vitamin A) and selenium deficiency.

Nutritional Status in Children with Schwachman-Diamond Syndrome

From abstract:

Results: Twenty patients (95%) had pancreatic insufficiency receiving PERT, 10 (47%) had a combined vitamin and trace element deficiency, 6 (29%) had an isolated vitamin deficiency, and 4 (19%) had an isolated trace element deficiency. Vitamins A and E deficiency occurred in 16 (76%) and 4 (19%) of 21, respectively. Low serum selenium was found in 10 (47%), zinc deficiency in 7 (33%), and copper deficiency in 5 (24%). Eleven patients (52%) were on multivitamin supplementation, and 2 (10%) on zinc and selenium supplements. No statistical differences were found between repeated measurements for all micronutrients.

Conclusions: More than 50% of the children had vitamin A and selenium deficiencies despite adequate supplementation of PERT and supplements. Micronutrients should be routinely measured in SDS patients to prevent significant complications.

Related blog post:

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Sandy Springs

 

10 Years of Anxiety and Upper Endoscopy Correlation

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A recent 10-year Swedish study (Aro P, et al. Gastroenterol 2015; 148: 928-37) provided further evidence of a link between anxiety, but not depression, and functional dyspepsia (FD).

This study took a group of 1000 individuals who had been randomly selected to undergo upper endoscopy, the Abdominal Symptom Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Questionnaire (1998-2001).  Among the 887, who completed the initial portion of the study, 703 subjects were available for followup study in 2010.

FD was defined in this study based on the Rome III definition: weekly bothersome postprandial fullness or early satiety; epigastric pain or burning without organic findings on endoscopy.  FD was further divided into postprandial distress syndrome which consisted of postprandial fullness or early satiety or epigastric pain syndrome.

Key findings:

  • At baseline, 15.6% of subjects had FD.  At followup, 13.3% had FD including 48 new cases.
  • Anxiety at baseline was associated with new-onset FD at the followup evaluation with an odds ratio of 7.6.
  • Anxiety was also associated with postprandial distress syndrome at baseline with an odds ratio of 4.83.

Take-home point: Anxiety often precedes functional dyspepsia.  This association was not evident with depression.

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Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician. This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

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Zoo Atlanta

Cancers Complicating Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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In several prior posts, the issue of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been discussed.  In my view, even the word “cancer” is so scary that it can make people make bad choices (related: Facts, “Misfearing” and Women’s Health | gutsandgrowth).  An up-to-date succinct summary (Laurent Beaugerie, M.D., Ph.D., and Steven H. Itzkowitz, M.D. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:1441-1452) provides a fairly good overview of “Cancers Complicating Inflammatory Bowel Disease.”

Key points:

  • “Smokers are overrepresented among the patients with Crohn’s disease…results in an excess rate of smoking related cancers.” (Smoking also is associated with more aggressive Crohn’s)
  • Colorectal cancers risk factors (Table 1), specific to IBD, include coexisting primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and increasing duration & extent of colonic IBD.
  • A “progressive decrease in the excess risk of colorectal cancer in patients with IBD has been noted over time.”  This may be due to better control of inflammation, surveillance, and colectomy.  Still, the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with IBD is 1.5 to 2 times greater than the general population risk.
  • Small-bowel adenocarcinoma –risk is 20-30 times that of the general population, typically arises more than 8 years after diagnosis.  Absolute risk in those with disease more than 8 years is estimated at “0.5 per 1000 patient-years.”
  • Intestinal lymphomas –absolute risk is about 0.1 per 1000 patient-years.
  • Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA)–absolute risk is approximately “0.08 per 1000 patient-years.” CCA is mainly evident in patients with PSC who have a risk ~160 times the general population and lifelong risk of 5-10%.
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma –“whether TNF-alpha antagonists promote lymphomas by themselves in patients with IBD is difficult to assess…” A recent study found no excess risk in patients receiving TNF-alpha antagonists after adjustments for cotreatments.
  • Skin Cancers –nonmelanoma skin cancer, though not life-threatening, occur more often in those with current thiopurine usage.
  • HPV-Related Cervical Cancer –“it is still unclear whether the risk of HPV-related cervical cancer is intrinsically increased in woman with IBD or independently worsened by exposure to an immunosuppressant.”
  • Thiopurines: “after adjustment for confounders, current use of thiopurines for IBD has been shown to be associated with an overall relative risk of cancer of 1.3 to 1.7.”
  • TNF-alpha antagonists: “There is no overall excess risk of cancer in patients treated with TNF-alpha antagonists for IBD.”  However, more long-term data are needed.

Recommendations:

  • Figure 2 provides recommendations for colorectal cancer surveillance based on the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) recommendations. Typically, 8-10 years after diagnosis of colitis, starting surveillance (with chromoendoscopy if available) is recommended.  In patients with Crohn’s disease, “the excess risk appears when more than 30 to 50% of the colonic surface is ever involved.” However, with PSC, the excess risk of colorectal cancer is significant at the time of diagnosis.
  • For cholangiocarcinoma screening in those with PSC, “most experts recommend noninvasive annual imaging of the biliary tract (MRCP or ultrasound) and serum CA 19-9.”
  • For HPV, vaccination is recommended and regular Papanicolaou tests

Take-home message: Some cancers are increased in association with IBD.  However, the medications, particularly immunosuppressants, may reduce the incidence of inflammation-related cancers…or promote immunosuppression-related cancers.

Related blog posts:

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Sandy Springs

Complex Family of CFTR-Associated Disorders

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While most clinicians are familiar with cystic fibrosis (CF), much fewer are familiar with a group of disorders related to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) that do not meet the criteria for cystic fibrosis.  A summary of these disorders is provided in a recent editorial (Levy H, Farrell PM. J Pediatrics 2015; 166: 1337-40).  In addition, the editorial provides insight into a related study: Groves T et al.. J Pediatrics 2015; 166: 1469-74.

The editorialists note that new disorders have been created due to newborn screening and due to the use of CF mutation analysis.  New disorders:

  • CRMS -CFTR-related metabolic syndrome.  CRMS describes infants with elevated immunoreactive trypsinogen and inconclusive sweat testing and DNA results.  Inconclusive sweat testing includes sweat tests 30-59 mmol/L if age <6 months or 40-59 mmol/L if >6 months on at least 2 occasions.  DNA testing is inconclusive if there are fewer than 2 CF disease-related mutations identified.  DNA testing is also considered inconclusive if there are 2 CFTR mutations but sweat testing is normal.
  • CFTR-RD -CFTR related disease.  CFTR-RD describes symptomatic individuals beyond infancy who have sweat testing <60 mmol/L and up to 2 CFTR mutations, at least one of which is not clearly categorized as a CF-causing mutation.  Thus, these individuals do not fulfill criteria for CF but could have congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens, acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis, or disseminated bronchiectasis.
  • Delayed CF -Delayed CF describes patients eventually diagnosed with CF who had initially intermediate sweat chloride values.  Over time, their condition evolves to fulfill the criteria for CF.  In the retrospective study by Groves et al, 14 of 29 (48%) evolved to a diagnosis of CF.  These patients with delayed CF had less pancreatic insufficiency (OR 0.06), milder obstructive lung disease, less colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 0.04), and overall disease severity as measured by Shwachman scores at 2 years.
  • Nutritional outcomes were improved at 2 years in this Delayed CF cohort in comparison to 28 matched patients diagnosed with CF in the newborn period, but did not persist to later ages.

The editorial notes that nearly 20% of patients with CF are being enrolled in the CF foundation patient registry without sweat chloride testing results.  They do not favor this approach because the diagnosis of CF requires proof of CFTR dysfunction, not simply CF DNA mutations.

Take-home message: Patients who do not meet the criteria for CF  but who have intermediate sweat testing or abnormal CF DNA mutations need to be followed.  Some will fulfill the criteria with time and others may develop other clinical problems even without having CF.

Understanding the Reasons for Abnormal Liver Enzymes in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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A recent large single center study (Pusateri AJ et al. JPGN 2015; 60: 592-97) provides some very practical information regarding elevated liver enzymes in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  Because there are some serious liver diseases associated with IBD and due to the potential for liver toxicity from many of the medications, bumps in liver enzymes need to be carefully considered.

This retrospective study with 514 patients indicates that 77% of these elevations are transient. Table 1 lists the definitions (chronicity, severity) and patterns that were analyzed.  Transient elevations were broken down into brief (<30 days), prolonged <180 days, chronic >180 days and either intermittent or continuously abnormal. The three types were the following:

  • Hepatic: elevated ALT and/or AST; normal alkaline phosphatase (AP), GGT, and direct bilirubin (DB)
  • Cholestatic: elevated AP, GGT, and/or DB; normal ALT and AST
  • Mixed

Severity or degree was classified as follows:

  • 1 –peak liver enzyme 0-1 x ULN
  • 2 –peak liver enzyme >1-2 x ULN
  • 3 –peak liver enzyme >2-4 x ULN
  • 4 –peak liver enzyme >4 x ULN

Key findings:

  • 219 of 514 patients had 1 or more episode of abnormal liver enzymes; five patients with preexisting liver disease were excluded from the analysis.
  • Of 214 patients (152 with Crohn’s disease [CD], 62 with Ulcerative colitis [UC]) with abnormalities, 69% had a hepatitic pattern, 8% had a cholestatic pattern, and 23% had a mixed pattern. There was no association between the pattern and the final diagnosis (eg. idiopathic vs defined etiology)
  • Only 128 had adequate data to assess chronicity.  In this group, 77% had transient elevations (CD 75%, UC 80%)
  • 87% of elevations were considered idiopathic.  65% of patients with idiopathic elevation had levels < 2 times ULN.
  • Among patients with levels <2 times ULN, 95.3% had an idiopathic etiology.
  • Among patients with levels >4 times ULN, 63% had a benign idiopathic etiology
  • Figure 1 provides a pie chart of diagnoses.  Among the 12.6% with a specific etiology for elevated liver tests, drug toxicity was the most common reason: 51.9% were considered due to 6-MP therapy, 3.7% due to methotrexate, 3.7% due to acetaminophen.
  • Other identified causes among the 12.6% with a defined etiology included NAFLD in 11.1%, infections (CMV,EBV, Histoplasmosis) in 14.8%, cholelithiasis in 3.7%, autoimmune hepatitis in 3.7%, primary sclerosing cholangitis/overlap in 3.7%, and vascular malformation in 3.7%.

As with any retrospective study, there are a number of limitations, especially underdiagnosis given a lack of uniform approach to evaluation.  That being said, all patients had a minimum follow-up of at least nine months and most patients with prolonged liver enzyme elevation would have been examined closely.

Bottomline: This study provides reassurance that liver enzyme elevations are common in children with IBD, occurring in >40% of patients over 3 years at this center; most often these elevations are benign and transient.

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Trending on Twitter: Good Advice Regarding Dr. Oz

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Since many followers of this blog are not using twitter, I am retweeting (via this blog) Eric Benchimol’s retweet regarding Dr. Oz:

Screen Shot 2015-06-14 at 8.19.29 AM

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Venous Thromboembolism: A Good Question for Pediatric Collaboration

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Two recent clinical review articles (see below) indicate that most adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) admitted to the hospital would benefit from venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis.  Since children with IBD have a lower risk of VTE, it is unclear whether more efforts at VTE prophylaxis are needed in the pediatric population.  Previous studies have shown that in those IBD patients less than 20 years, the incidence rate was 8.9 per 10,000 person years.  In contrast, in those IBD patients older than 60, the incidence rate was 54.6 per 10,000 person years (VTE with IBD | gutsandgrowth).

  • Inflammatory Bowel Dis 2015; 21: 1195-1203.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Dis 2015; 21: 1204-1213.

In the first article, the authors review common risk factors and disease-specific risk factors.  They state the following:

Because hospitalization puts the patient at greater risk for TE compared with an outpatient setting, all hospitalized patients should receive anticoagulant therapy in the absence of severe bleeding, even if the patients are in remission.

The second review describes epidemiological data, pathophysiology, and VTE prevention. They also state the following:

Currently, the most effective strategy for preventing VTE in hospitalized patients with IBD with active disease is prophylactic anticoagulation.  In fact, all of the current guidelines for the management of patients with IBD suggest the use of anticoagulants to prevent VTE.

The authors note that the rates of thromboprophylaxis are “still unacceptably low.”

Bottomline: In adults with active IBD, VTE prophylaxis is recommended. In the pediatric population due to the lower incidence of VTE, more study is needed –perhaps another project for ImproveCareNow.

Briefly noted:

Cochrane Review of Vedolizumab for Ulcerative Colitis.  Inflammatory Bowel Dis 2015; 21: 1151-59.  Based on four studies (n=606 patients) with low risk of bias, pooled analysis showed that vedolizumab was superior to placebo for induction of remission (RR=0.86), clinical response (RR=0.82), endoscopic remission (RR=0.82) and for achieving remission at 52 weeks in week 6 responders (RR=2.73).  No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events between vedolizumab and placebo.

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta

Lumacaftor-Ivacaftor for Cystic Fibrosis

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“Lumacaftor–Ivacaftor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Homozygous for Phe508del CFTR”  DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1409547

Abstract (from NEJM twitter feed):

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting disease that is caused by defective or deficient cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein activity. Phe508del is the most common CFTRmutation.

Full Text of Background…

METHODS

We conducted two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that were designed to assess the effects of lumacaftor (VX-809), a CFTR corrector, in combination with ivacaftor (VX-770), a CFTR potentiator, in patients 12 years of age or older who had cystic fibrosis and were homozygous for the Phe508delCFTR mutation. In both studies, patients were randomly assigned to receive either lumacaftor (600 mg once daily or 400 mg every 12 hours) in combination with ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 hours) or matched placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was the absolute change from baseline in the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 24.

Full Text of Methods…

RESULTS

A total of 1108 patients underwent randomization and received study drug. The mean baseline FEV1 was 61% of the predicted value. In both studies, there were significant improvements in the primary end point in both lumacaftor–ivacaftor dose groups; the difference between active treatment and placebo with respect to the mean absolute improvement in the percentage of predicted FEV1 ranged from 2.6 to 4.0 percentage points (P<0.001), which corresponded to a mean relative treatment difference of 4.3 to 6.7% (P<0.001). Pooled analyses showed that the rate of pulmonary exacerbations was 30 to 39% lower in the lumacaftor–ivacaftor groups than in the placebo group; the rate of events leading to hospitalization or the use of intravenous antibiotics was lower in the lumacaftor–ivacaftor groups as well. The incidence of adverse events was generally similar in the lumacaftor–ivacaftor and placebo groups. The rate of discontinuation due to an adverse event was 4.2% among patients who received lumacaftor–ivacaftor versus 1.6% among those who received placebo.

Full Text of Results…

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that lumacaftor in combination with ivacaftor provided a benefit for patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation. (Funded by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and others; TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT ClinicalTrials.gov numbers,NCT01807923 and NCT01807949.)

Take-home point: The combination of a CFTR corrector and potentiator may “benefit patients who are homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation and represents a treatment milestone for the 45% of patients with cystic fibrosis who are homozygous for this mutation.”

Related blog post: Ivacaftor for Cystic Fibrosis | gutsandgrowth

PPIs and Associated Heart Risk

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A NY Times review PPIs and Heart Attacks of PLos One study showing an association between PPI usage (eg. prilosec, prevacid, and nexium) and heart attacks -this study does not prove any causality, but is likely to spark some questions. Excerpt:

The widely used drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, or P.P.I.’s — gastric reflux preventives like Prilosec and Prevacid — may increase the risk for heart attack, according to analysis of data involving almost three million people.

A significant limitation of the study, in PLOS One, is that P.P.I. usage may be a marker of a sicker patient population, more subject to heart disease in any case.

Here’s NPR’s take on the same study: Data Dive -Possible Link Between PPIs and Heart Attacks

“The increase in risk is about 16 to 20 percent, depending on the particular drug involved”…

Someone with a low risk of heart attack doesn’t have much to worry about. “If your risk of a cardiovascular event or a heart attack is one in a million, now it is 1.2 in a million,” [Nigham] Shah [one of the authors] says.

“The problem is, it’s very easy to do studies of this sort that lead to conclusions that can be misleading,” says Dr. David Juurlink, a drug-safety researcher at the University of Toronto…

“Having a bad diet, drinking too much alcohol, smoking and all sorts of other things … might lead people to be on a PPI,” Juurlink says. One would expect those people to be at higher risk of heart attack, which leads Juurlink to think the medicine is likely not to blame.”

 

Also noted:

Working on Transition Readiness

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A recent study (Gray WN, et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2015; 21: 1125-31) examines preparedness of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the verge of transitioning to adult gastroenterologists from pediatric gastroenterologists.

Using a population of 195 patients (16-25 years), the authors used the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ).  Scoring system:

  • 5= Yes, I always do this when I need to
  • 4= Yes, I have started doing this
  • 3= No, but I am learning to do this
  • 2= No, but I want to learn
  • 1= No, I do not know how

Specific Readiness Skills & Mean Scores (more complete data listed in Table 3):

  • Taking medicines correctly and on own 4.66
  • Arranging for ride to medical appointment 4.39
  • Managing money and budgeting 3.69
  • Calling doctor about unusual change in health 3.64
  • Reordering and getting refills on time 3.60
  • Calling doctor’s office to schedule an appointment 3.09
  • Getting financial help with school or work 2.92
  • Knowing what health insurance covers 2.60
  • Applying for health insurance if coverage lost 2.44

Key finding: “Only 5.6% older adolescents/young adults …met our institutional benchmark.”

To help with transition readiness the authors recommend the CDHNF/NASPGHAN Transition Checklist for parents and starting on transition issues between 12-15 years of age.  Transition checklist available here: Transitioning a Patient With IBD From Pediatric to Adult Care –this is a simple 2-page handout!

Conclusion: Most patients need more work on transition readiness.  If patients are not prepared, it is more likely that this will lead to medical setbacks.

Briefly noted:

“Exercise Decreases Risk of Future Active Disease in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Remission” Inflammatory Bowel Dis 2015; 21: 1063-71. This prospective study used the CCFA’s Partners’ internet-based cohort. 227 of 1308 (17.4%) Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and 135 of 549 (24.6%) Ulcerative colitis/indeterminate colitis (UC/IC) patients developed active disease after 6 months.  Key finding: Higher exercise level was associated with decreased risk of active disease for CD (adjusted relative risk 0.72) and UC/IC (adjusted relative risk 0.78).  Take-home point: While there are several limitations to this study, it does seem likely that regular physical exercise is a good idea (not just in patients with IBD).  In this population, subjective markers of disease activity (sCDAI and SCCAI) improved in those who exercised more.

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta