Background Patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis (UC) are at an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Risk stratification is important to identify patients who require more frequent endoscopic surveillance. Serrated epithelial change (SEC) found in patients with long-standing colitis may be associated with neoplasia and serve as a marker to stratify patients at higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods A case-control study was performed to compare the rates of neoplasia between UC patients with SEC and UC patients without SEC who were matched for age, disease duration, and disease extent. Paired tests, conditional logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to compare groups. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed, combining our local data with previously published data. Results This study included 196 UC patients without prior neoplasia, 98 with SEC and 98 without SEC. Ulcerative colitis patients with SEC had a significantly higher rate of synchronous or metachronous neoplasia than UC patients without SEC (26.5% vs 3.1%; P < 0.001). Synchronous or metachronous high-grade dysplasia and CRC were found more frequently in UC patients with SEC than UC patients without SEC (11.2% vs 2.0%; P = 0.02). A meta-analysis was consistent with these findings, showing a higher rate of neoplasia in patients with SEC compared with those without SEC (16.4% vs 3.9%; P < 0.001). Conclusion Serrated epithelial change is associated with a significantly increased risk of synchronous and metachronous neoplasia including high-grade dysplasia and CRC in patients with UC. Histopathological findings of SEC should warrant closer endoscopic surveillance for CRC.

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Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic mycosis in the United States. Symptomatic gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is a rare entity. We report a case of isolated intestinal histoplasmosis that manifested as severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding in a renal transplant patient. The patient developed hematochezia, and colonoscopy showed diffuse, extensive areas of cratered, ulcerated mucosa in the entire colon. Biopsy showed prominent mucosal and submucosal infiltrate of plump histiocytes containing intracytoplasmic yeast forms morphologically compatible with florid histoplasmosis.

BackgroundPerianal Crohn’s disease (pCD) is a debilitating complication affecting up to 30% of Crohn’s disease (CD) population, leading to increased morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life. Despite the growing armamentarium of medications for luminal CD, their efficacy in pCD remains poorly studied.AimTo determine the efficacy of ustekinumab, a biologic approved for luminal CD, in pCD through a retrospective cohort study and systematic review.MethodsA retrospective cohort study on patients with CD with active perianal fistulae treated with ustekinumab from September 2013 to August 2019 was performed to determine perianal fistula response and remission at 6 and 12 months after ustekinumab induction. A systematic review was performed to further establish rates of fistula response and remission with ustekinumab.ResultsAt 6 months, 48.1% (13/27) patients achieved fistula response with none achieving fistula remission on provider exam, and 59.3% (16/27) achieved patient-reported symptomatic improvement with 3.7% (1/27) achieving symptomatic remission. At 1 year, on provider exam, 55.6% (5/9) had fistula response with none achieving fistula remission, and 100% (9/9) had symptomatic improvement with 22.2% (2/9) achieving symptomatic remission. There were no major safety signals during 1-year follow-up. The systematic review of 25 studies found 44% (92/209) of patients with active perianal fistulas had a clinical response within 6 months of follow-up, and 53.9% (85/152) of patients with 12 months of follow-up achieved clinical response.ConclusionUstekinumab presents a safe and effective therapy for treatment of pCD. Prospective, randomised trials are needed to further elucidate long-term efficacy of ustekinumab for pCD.

Dissecting cellulitis is an inflammatory disease of the skin. We report a case of recurrent dissecting cellulitis in a patient with Crohn’s disease. A 31-year-old man with a history of purulent scalp lesions presented with night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain, and hematochezia. Colonoscopy revealed a diffuse friable mucosa with extensive pseudopolyps. Scalp biopsy demonstrated epidermoid inclusion cysts with granulation tissue and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration, indicative of dissecting cellulitis. The incidence of dissecting cellulitis with Crohn’s disease is underreported. This dermatologic condition has a tendency to recur, and considering an underlying disease is key for its appropriate treatment.

IntroductionLung cancer accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States each year. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various steps involved in tumorigenesis. Several pro-inflammatory gene products have been identified that mediate a critical role in suppression of apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Among these gene products are Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), Interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18. The expression of all these genes is mainly regulated by the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), which is constitutively active in most tumors. Apnea-induced hypoxia and reoxygenation generates reactive oxygen species, which activate NF-kB and increase the systemic inflammation. Significant higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, as well as a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 has been found in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previous studies showed that overnight oxygen desaturation seen in patients with OSA is associated with increased cancer incidence and cancer related mortality; The purpose of this study was to determine if OSA is an independent risk for the development and dissemination of malignancy, including lung cancer.MethodsThis is a retrospective case control chart review study conducted at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). All adult patients who had a sleep study done between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2007 were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups, based on whether they have OSA or not. The primary outcome was the rate of lung cancer occurring between 1998 and 2012. The secondary outcome was the rate of all cancers occurring during the same period. Fisher exact test was used to compare these rates.ResultsNine hundred two patients with a sleep study done between 2000 and 2007 were reviewed. Fifty seven patients were excluded since complete sleep study data were not available. Seven hundred and seventy five patients had sleep apnea (91.7%). Lung cancer occurred in 26/775 (3.4%) patients with OSA, vs. 3/70 (4.3%) patients without OSA (p=0.7). The rate of all malignancies was 19% (148/775) in patients with OSA compared to 15.7% (11/70) in patients without OSA (p=0.6).ConclusionSleep apnea does not appear to increase the risk of malignancy in general, and that of lung cancer in particular. Further studies to account for confounding risk factors are needed to definitively answer this question.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex, relapsing and remitting, disease characterized by an exaggerated immune response in a susceptible host. The symptoms and complications of the disease can be debilitating. Advances in medical treatment in the last decade changed the course of the disease in many

Several published studies have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of oral and intravenous tacrolimus for the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, little is known about the effectiveness of topical tacrolimus in this patient population. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current state of literature to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of rectal administration of topical tacrolimus, in the form of suppository, ointment, and/or enema in patients with ulcerative proctitis, perianal Crohn’s disease (CD), and chronic refractory pouchitis. Electronic database searches were conducted in international databases since their inception until February 2020. Study subjects were categorized into three groups: topical tacrolimus for patients with proctitis, perianal CD, and chronic refractory pouchitis. The primary end point of this study was the remission rate. Secondary end points were response rate and the incidence of AEs. Eleven studies were included in the final assessment in this systematic review. This provided information from 188 patients. Tacrolimus was administered topically as suppositories, ointment, or enema. Clinical remission was achieved in 57.1%, 57.14%, and 70.0% in patients with proctitis, fistulizing perianal CD, and chronic pouchitis. The most commonly reported side effect was perianal itching and burning. Reversible nephrotoxicity occurred in a single patient. No clear correlation was found between blood levels and clinical outcomes. Topical tacrolimus is effective for a subset of patients with IBD. The adverse effects were minimal and tolerable. Well-designed randomized clinical trials are warranted to establish the appropriate dose and administration method.