Gastroenterology

A randomised, multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a targeted release oral cyclosporine formulation in the treatment of mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis: Efficacy results (2019)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Bloom S.; Iqbal T.; Nwokolo C.; *Smith M.; O'Donoghue D.; Hall J.; Dzyngel B.

Citation:
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis; Mar 2019; vol. 13

Abstract:
Background: Cyclosporine (CsA) is an effective treatment for patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (UC), and studies have shown that it has an impact on disease activity comparable to the anti-TNF agent,
infliximab.1,2 Concerns regarding systemic toxicities have limited its role to short-term induction therapy and as a bridge to other therapies. ST-0529 is a novel low dose, controlled release formulation of CsA. A Phase 1 dose-ranging study demonstrated that tissue concentrations improved when it is given twice daily (BID).3
Methods: A total of 118 subjects with mild (baseline DAI < 6) or moderate (baseline DAI >= 6) UC were
randomised 1:1 to receive 75 mg ST-0529 once daily or placebo (53 and 65 patients, respectively) for 4 weeks in a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase IIa study. Patients using UC medications (eg low-dose steroids, 5-aminosalicylates, and immunomodulatory agents) on screening could continue them if agreed to maintain a stable dosing regimen during the study. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of ST-0529 in inducing clinical remission (DAI score <=2, with no individual score >1 and rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1). The secondary objectives included clinical response, mucosal and histological healing, safety, and tolerability.
Result(s): A numerical although not statistically significant advantage of ST-0529 over placebo was found for rates of clinical remission (ST-0529: 13.2%; placebo: 6.3%, p = 0.2211) and clinical response (ST-0529: 30.2%; placebo: 18.8%, p = 0.1923). There were no differences between the treatment groups for mucosal and histological healing. ST-0529 was safe and well-tolerated. A post hoc subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate effects by disease severity. Clinical remission and clinical response rates in subjects with moderate (baseline DAI >=6) and mild (baseline DAI <6) disease (ITT, N = 118)
Conclusion(s): In this pilot study, ST-0529 given once daily, was safe, well tolerated, and showed a numerically higher, but not statistically significant difference in remission rate in patients with mild-to-moderate UC compared with placebo after 4 weeks of treatment. In the post hoc analysis, differences in the clinical response between treatment subgroups achieved statistical significance in some subgroups, the largest clinical response rate in moderate UC patients taking 5-aminosalicylates and/or steroids. These preliminary data, added to the data from a Phase 1 study, support further development of ST-0529 as a treatment for the induction and maintenance of remission in UC patients with moderate to severe disease. (Table Presented).

Link to full-text [NHS OpenAthens account required]

Coeliac disease (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Butterworth J.; *Los L.

Citation:
Medicine (United Kingdom); 2019; vol. 47, no. 5, p. 314-319

Abstract:
Coeliac disease (CD) is a common, chronic, immune-mediated small bowel enteropathy resulting from gluten exposure in genetically susceptible individuals. Considerable clinical and immunopathological heterogeneity is seen in newly diagnosed patients, and the diagnosis is not always straightforward even for experienced physicians. Population screening using tissue transglutaminase 2 has revealed a higher prevalence of seropositivity than previously appreciated. There is a wide differential diagnosis for mucosal villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia and increased intraepithelial lymphocyte concentrations. Life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet is currently the only recommended treatment for CD, although many newer approaches are being explored. CD is rightly described as a multisystem disorder and is associated with other gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal related disorders, numerous complications and possibly reduced survival. The landscape has recently expanded with the identification that some patients with symptoms suggestive of CD but without the mucosal changes seem to respond to a gluten-free diet. This group of patients are currently labelled as having non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Controversy exists over whether this is a separate disease entity. This review briefly discusses the important clinical, immunological and therapeutic aspects of CD.

Screening for colorectal cancer in defunctioned colons (2018)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Akbar, Fayyaz; Quyn, Aaron; Steele, Robert

Citation:
Journal of medical screening; Dec 2018; vol. 25 (no. 4); p. 178-182

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES Population-based colorectal (bowel) cancer screening using faecal occult blood tests leads to a reduction in cause-specific mortality. However, in people where the colon is defunctioned, the use of standard faecal occult blood test is not appropriate. The aim of this study was to examine the current trends of clinical practice for colorectal cancer screening in people with defunctioned colons.METHODS An online survey was performed using SurveyMonkey. All members of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland were invited by email to participate. Reminders were sent to non-responders and partial responders till six weeks. All responses were included in our analysis. RESULTS Of the 206 (34.59%) questionnaires completed, all questions were answered in 110 (55.8%). Among responders, 94 (85.4%) were colorectal consultant surgeons, 72% had worked in their current capacity for more than five years, and 105 (50.9%) had encountered colorectal cancer in defunctioned colons during their career. Some 72.2% of responders stated that a screening test for colorectal cancer in patients with defunctioned colons was currently not offered, or that they did not know whether or not it was offered in their area.CONCLUSIONS Bowel screening in the United Kingdom is currently not offered to 72.2% of the age appropriate population with defunctioned colons. Among responding colorectal surgeons, 50% had encountered colorectal cancer in such patients. There is considerable variability in clinical practice regarding the optimal age for onset of screening, time interval, and the optimal modality to offer for screening in such cases.

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Perplexing presentations in paediatric gastroenterology (2018)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Pigott, Anna Jane; Saran, Shashwat; *Monaghan, Sean

Citation:
Paediatrics & Child Health; Nov 2018; vol. 28 (no. 11); p. 515-519

Abstract:
Abstract The nature of gastroenterological conditions often lead the clinician to rely on the history offered by the parents or carers to make a diagnosis and create a management plan. It is no coincidence that some of the most frequent presentations of fabricated or induced illness (FII) are with apparent gastroenterological complaints. This review details elements in the presenting history of vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, blood in stool, faltering growth and abdominal pain that potentially make FII a more likely diagnosis, and proposes a management approach to a suspected presentation of FII.

Diagnostic yield of biliary brushing cytology: A single centre study (2016)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Wasimi M., Azam A.S., Abdullah P., Muzaffar S.

Citation:
Journal of Pathology, March 2016, vol. 238, Supplement 1, p.S19

Abstract:
Introduction: Biliary brushing cytology is a commonly used technique for the diagnosis of extra hepatic biliary and pancreatic malignancy. Despite a high specificity, the sensitivity remains low and variable. British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines recommend cytological analysis of brushing taken from the biliary structure to support diagnosis of malignancy in suspected individuals. We report here a single center experience of diagnostic yield of cytological specimens of biliary brushings. Objectives: (a) To determine the percentage of biliary brushing cytology cases with positive, negative, false positive and false negative results. (b) To determine the positive and negative predictive value of this test in our centre. (c) To see the correlation between cytological, radiological and clinical findings. Methodology: This is a retrospective data analysis of all biliary brushing cytology cases reported over three years from Jan 2012 to Jan 2014. The data was obtained from cytology reports and findings were correlated with the radiological diagnosis, outcome from the MDT meetings and subsequent follow up from the clinic letters. Results: A total of 34 biliary brushing cytology cases were reported between 2012 to 2014. Among them 22 were men and 12 were women. Average age was 69 years (Range 24-92 years). Out of 34, 15 cases (44%) showed presence of malignant cells and all these were true positives with underlying pancreatic and biliary malignancy. Among the remaining 19 cases, 10 cases were true negatives and 9 cases were false negatives. In our cohort, the specificity of biliary brushing cytology was 100% and sensitivity was 63%. The positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 53%. Conclusion: Biliary brushing cytology in conjunction with radiological investigation and serology is a useful technique in patients with suspected pancreato-biliary malignancy. Our results are comparable to studies done in other centres. To be re-audited.

Link to more details or full-text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/path.4705/epdf

Validation of the English translation of the low anterior resection syndrome score (2015)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Juul T., Christensen P., Janjua A.Z., Laurberg S., Emmertsen K.J., Moran B., Khan R.B., Kurasz C., Waldron E., Battersby N.J., Janjau Z., Moran B.J., Shahir T., Chan K., Glynne-Jones R., Kelly S., Evans K., Hughes R., Smith F., Heath B., Leinhardt D., Norton A., Jayne D., Moriarty C., Laing E., Mawdsley S., Bourner L., Narula N., Ward J., *Lacy-Colson J., *Moore H., *Potts S., Branagan G., Bell L., Chave H., Carter V., Mirza N., Pereira G., Williams J.G., Last K., Todd J., Woodcock N.

Citation:
Colorectal Disease, October 2015, vol./is. 17/10(908-916)

Abstract:
Aim: Many patients having anterior resection for rectal cancer suffer from severe long-term bowel dysfunction, known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The LARS score was developed in Denmark, and Swedish, Spanish and German versions have been validated. The aim of this study was to validate the English translation of the LARS score in British rectal cancer patients. Method: Rectal cancer patients who underwent an anterior resection in 12 UK centres received the LARS score questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and a single ad hoc quality of life question. A subgroup of patients received the LARS score questionnaire twice. Results: The response rate was 80% and 451 patients were included in the analyses. A strong association between LARS score and quality of life (convergent validity) was found (P < 0.01), discriminative validity was good (P < 0.02) and the test-retest reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.83). Conclusion: The English translation of the LARS score has shown good psychometric properties comparable with recently published results from an international multicentre study. Thus, the English translation of the LARS score can be considered a valid and reliable tool for measuring LARS.

Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS): Determine the hiatal defect repair using the intra-operatively calculated surface area (SA) cm2 (2014)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Sukha A., *Adjepong S., *Pattar J., *Sigurdsson A.

Citation:
International Journal of Surgery, November 2014, vol./is. 12/(S100)

Abstract:
Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) techniques when repairing hiatal defects using the intra operatively calculated surface area (SA) at single-centre Upper Gastrointestinal Laparoscopic Unit. Methods: 100 patients (mean age = 59, average BMI 31) with symptoms of GORD underwent LARS. The SA (cm2) was calculated using an endoscopic ruler and the formula;(1/2 x base x height) x2. The method of closure; Surgisis +/-simple tension free sutures, was recorded for each hiatal closure. Results: The mean calculated SA repaired was 9.0cm2 and there was a 2%(2) recurrence rate. There were 3 modalities of repair; 1) Surgisis, posterior and anterior sutures (mean SA=10.0cm2, average BMI = 28); 2) Surgisis and posterior sutures (mean SA=9.5cm2, average BMI=29); 3) posterior sutures only (mean SA =6.1cm2, average BMI=32, mean number of sutures 3). Conclusions: It was found that the greater the average SA cm2 of the hiatus hernia the greater the number of modalities of repair used. There was no correlation found between BMI and the surface area of the hiatus hernia. Currently there are no set standard for method of repair based on the SA of the defect; however guidelines have been derived from this study.

Link to more details or full-text:
http://www.journal-surgery.net/article/S1743-9191(14)00735-3/pdf

Abdominal cocoon (2014)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Christian B S Katz, *Robert T Diggory, Abdus Samee

Citation:
BMJ Case Reports 2014; doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-203102

Abstract:
Intestinal obstruction secondary to cocoon formation is not common. We report a case of a patient who had presented with abdominal pain and distension accompanied by vomiting. Investigations, laparotomy and histology together revealed primary peritoneal carcinoma as the cause of the patient’s symptoms.

Link to more details or full-text: http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2014/bcr-2013-203102.full.pdf+html

A novel sampling device for collecting mucocellular material from the unprepared rectum (2014)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Booth J., *Lacy-Colson J., Norwood M., Murray C.

Citation:
Gut, June 2014, vol./is. 63/(A124-A125), 0017-5749 (June 2014) (also published in European Journal of Cancer, July 2014, vol./is. 50/(S240), 0959-8049 (July 2014))

Abstract:
Background: In vitro diagnostic tests are being developed to evaluate informative protein or DNA biomarkers in stool or blood samples. Stool samples are inconvenient to collect and handle, and may suffer from contamination that interferes with molecular assays. Blood samples may not be as informative early in the disease process. Studies have shown that significant numbers of exfoliated cells and their products are retained in a muco-cellular layer overlaying the colonic mucosa, but distinct from the stool, and that this material flows toward the rectum, where it can be captured for analysis. Materials and Methods: Origin Sciences (OS) has developed a novel sampling device that incorporates an inflatable nitrile membrane. Following insertion into the unprepared rectum via a standard proctoscope, the membrane is inflated to make contact with the rectal mucosa for 10 seconds. The membrane is then deflated and retracted into the device prior to removal from the patient. Upon retraction the sampled material is retained on the inverted membrane, which acts as a receptacle for the addition of buffer preserving the material for subsequent analysis. Results: The sampler has now been tested in over 2000 patients and healthy volunteers, and has shown excellent acceptability. Tests and in vitro experiments with monolayers of cultured human cells indicate that the membrane captures intact cells, which are easily washed off the membrane for further investigation. Detailed evaluation of the mucous-associated material captured by the device, in both normal and diseased states, shows it to be rich in protein and nucleic acids. Levels of soluble protein present in standard 3 mL capture buffer varied between 90 and 3000 mug/mL, with a mean of 710 mg/muL. OS has detected informative auto-antibodies of isotypes IgA, IgG, and IgM by ELISA in the protein component of these preparations. These preparations are also rich in nucleic acids; DNA was found at levels ranging from 0.5 to 21.9 mg/muL. This DNA appears to retain a high degree of integrity, since a number of informative genes have been detected by quantitative PCR. Conclusions: The sampling device represents a novel and minimally invasive tool for capturing biomarker-rich material from the unprepared rectum. With minimal contamination by stool, the material collected is readily analysable. In principle this device lends itself to point-of-care testing for a range of indications, including infectious and inflammatory diseases of the GI tract, in addition to malignancy.

Link to more details or full-text:
http://gut.bmj.com/content/63/Suppl_1/A124.2

Laparoscopic ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease: Initial experience in Shrewsbury (2014)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Vidyasankar V., *Cheetham M. , *McCloud J

Citation:
Colorectal Disease, July 2014, vol./is. 16/(189), 1462-8910 (July 2014)

Abstract:
Aim: Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated short-term advantages to laparoscopic surgery for ileocaecal Crohn’s disease. Following the introduction of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, we extended our repertoire to include laparoscopic Crohn’s resections. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and outcome following the introduction of laparoscopic resection for ileocaecal Crohn’s. Method: Between January 2008 and November 2012, 30 patients (12 men and 18 women, Median age 30 years), underwent laparoscopic ileocaecal resection for Crohn’s disease. 27 patients had stricturing disease, 2 patients presented with a mass and 1 presented with perforation. Patients were given an intraoperative spinal anaesthetic followed by PCA for 48 hours. All patients were commenced on an enhanced recovery programme. Results: Mean operative time was 90 min. Mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 3-7 days). Two patients (6%) required conversion to open surgery because of a fixed mass (n = 1) and dense adhesions (n = 1). One patient (3%) required reoperation due to haemorrhage. One patient (3%) had prolonged hospital stay due to ileus. One patient (3%) had an anastomotic leak. There were no deaths in this series. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that laparoscopic resection of ileocaecal Crohn’s disease can be safely performed at a district general hospital with a short length of stay and minimal morbidity.

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