Interleukin-22 (IL-22), recently identified as a crucial parameter of pathology in experimental liver damage, may determine survival in clinical end-stage liver disease. Systematic analysis of serum IL-22 in relation to morbidity and mortality of patients with advanced liver cirrhosis has not been performed so far. This is a prospective cohort study including 120 liver cirrhosis patients and 40 healthy donors to analyze systemic levels of IL-22 in relation to survival and hepatic complications. A total of 71% of patients displayed liver cirrhosis-related complications at study inclusion. A total of 23% of the patients died during a mean follow-up of 196 ± 165 days. Systemic IL-22 was detectable in 74% of patients but only in 10% of healthy donors (P < 0.001). Elevated levels of IL-22 were associated with ascites (P = 0.006), hepatorenal syndrome (P < 0.0001), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (P = 0.001). Patients with elevated IL-22 (>18 pg/ml, n = 57) showed significantly reduced survival compared to patients with regular (≤18 pg/ml) levels of IL-22 (321 days versus 526 days, P = 0.003). Other factors associated with reduced overall survival were high CRP (≥2.9 mg/dl, P = 0.005, hazard ratio (HR) 0.314, confidence interval (CI) (0.141 to 0.702)), elevated serum creatinine (P = 0.05, HR 0.453, CI (0.203 to 1.012)), presence of liver-related complications (P = 0.028, HR 0.258, CI (0.077 to 0.862)), model of end stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥20 (P = 0.017, HR 0.364, CI (0.159 to 0.835)) and age (P = 0.011, HR 0.955, CI (0.922 to 0.989)). Adjusted multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analysis identified elevated systemic IL-22 levels as independent predictors of reduced survival (P = 0.007, HR 0.218, CI (0.072 to 0.662)). In patients with liver cirrhosis, elevated systemic IL-22 levels are predictive for reduced survival independently from age, liver-related complications, CRP, creatinine and the MELD score. Thus, processes that lead to a rise in systemic interleukin-22 may be relevant for prognosis of advanced liver cirrhosis.

The introduction of immunosuppressants and biologic agents has led to active debate and research about optimal therapeutic strategies considering risk factors and predictors of clinical outcome in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data about gender-specific treatment differences and risk factors is lacking for IBD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gender-related differences in the treatment of a distinct IBD patient population treated in the Rhein-Main region, Germany. Data about past medical history, disease status and medical treatment of 986 outpatients treated in ten gastroenterological practices and three hospitals were collected from November 1st 2005-July 31st 2007 and analyzed with regard to gender-related differences in therapy and disease management. With the exception of an extended disease duration in women, no significant gender-related differences in demographic and clinical characteristics were observed. Men showed a significantly higher remission rate than women (p=0.025), while women received significantly less immunosuppressive medication compared to men (p=0.011). In addition, treatment with immunosuppressants was not different in women with child-bearing potential compared to menopausal women. Our investigation demonstrates for the first time gender-specific differences in the therapeutic management in a large cohort of IBD patients.

Background and Aims: Vitamin D has an inhibitory role in the inflammatory signaling pathways and supports the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Due to its immunomodulatory effect, vitamin D plays a role in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a deficiency is associated with an increased risk for a flare. We aimed to investigate to what extent the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D₃) level correlates with disease activity and whether a cut-off value can be defined that discriminates between active disease and remission. Methods: Patients with IBD, treated at the University Hospital Frankfurt were analyzed retrospectively. The 25(OH)D3 levels were correlated with clinical activity indices and laboratory chemical activity parameters. A deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D3 levels <30 ng/mL. Results: A total of 470 (257 female) patients with IBD were included, 272 (57.9%) with Crohn’s disease (CD), 198 (42.1%) with ulcerative colitis (UC). The median age of the patients was 41 (18–84). In 283 patients (60.2%), a vitamin D deficiency was detected. 245 (53.6%) patients received oral vitamin D supplementation, and supplemented patients had significantly higher vitamin D levels (p < 0.0001). Remission, vitamin D substitution, and male gender were independently associated with the 25(OH)D3 serum concentration in our cohort in regression analysis. A 25(OH)D3 serum concentration of 27.5 ng/mL was the optimal cut-off value. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common in IBD patients and appears to be associated with increased disease activity. In our study, vitamin D levels were inversely associated with disease activity. Thus, close monitoring should be established, and optimized supplementation should take place.