Background. Studies assessing the efficacy of azathioprine (AZA) in steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis (SD-UC) are scarce. The purpose of this trial w

Anemia is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, epidemiological studies of nonwestern IBD populations are limited and may be confounded by demographic, socioeconomic, and disease-related influences. This study evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and etiology of anemia in Brazilian outpatients with IBD.Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 100 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and 100 ulcerative colitis (UC) subjects were assessed. Anemia workup included complete blood count, ferritin, transferrin saturation, serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration.Results. The overall prevalence of anemia in IBD was 21%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anemia between CD subjects (24%) and UC (18%). Moderate disease activity (OR: 3.48, 95% CI, 1.95–9.64,P=0.002) and elevated CRP levels (OR: 1.8, 95% CI, 1.04–3.11,P=0.02) were independently associated with anemia. The most common etiologies of anemia found in both groups were iron deficiency anemia (IDA; 10% on CD and 6% on UC) followed by the anemia of chronic disease (ACD; 6% for both groups).Conclusions. In Brazilian IBD outpatients, anemia is highly concurrent condition. Disease moderate activity as well as increased CRP was strongly associated with comorbid anemia. IDA and/or ACD were the most common etiologies.

Goals: We studied the prevalence and predictors of small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in Crohn’s disease (CD) outpatients and the relationship between SIBO and intestinal and/or systemic inflammation. Background: The relationship of SIBO with systemic and intestinal inflammation in CD patients is unclear. Study: In this cross-sectional study, conducted between June, 2013 and January, 2015, 92 CD patients and 97 controls with nonchronic gastrointestinal complaints were assessed for the presence of SIBO using the H₂/CH₄ glucose breath test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the potential association between SIBO and demographic, disease-related data, systemic markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and biomarker of intestinal inflammation [fecal calprotectin concentration (FCC)]. Results: The SIBO rate was significantly higher in CD patients than in controls (32.6% vs. 12.4%, respectively, P=0.0008). Patients with and without SIBO were comparable with regard to demographics, systemic inflammatory biomarkers, and disease characteristics, except for the stricturing phenotype being more common in SIBO-positive CD patients (43.3% vs. 19.3%, P=0.015). Notably, FCC was significantly higher in SIBO-positive patients (median of 485.8 vs.132.7 μg/g; P=0.004). Patients presenting increased FCC and stricturing disease had an odds of 9.43 (95% confidence interval, 3.04-11.31; P<0.0001) and 3.83 (95% confidence interval, 1.54-6.75; P=0.025) respectively, for SIBO diagnosis. Conclusions: In CD patients, SIBO is a highly prevalent condition. Stricturing phenotype and increased FCC were strongly and independently associated with the presence of SIBO. SIBO diagnostic work-up followed by directed treatment is recommended in CD patients who present stricturing disease, especially in those with concurrent intestinal inflammation.

Current therapy of moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often involves the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) agents. Although very effective, theses biologics place the patient at increased risk for developing i...