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Background and Aim Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is progressively being used as a therapeutic option for adults with Crohn's Disease (CD); however, there is no standardized approach to delivering this therapy. The aim of this study is to develop an optimal care pathway for using EEN in adults with CD. This will create a standard of care that can be used as a benchmark practice and will provide direction for future research. Methods A working group of 12 multidisciplinary inflammatory bowel disease specialists across Australia and New Zealand was convened to develop a practical, clinically focused care pathway for using EEN in adults with active CD. Six key areas were identified as part of the care pathway: clinical indications, nutrition assessment, EEN protocol, monitoring, accessing formula, and food reintroduction. Current literature was identified via systematic review, and quality of evidence was graded. Consensus expert opinion was used where literature gaps were identified. Results An optimal care pathway for using EEN in adults with CD was developed with six key consensus statements on how to use EEN in adults with active CD. These key statements identify clinical indications for use, nutrition assessment, enteral prescription and duration of therapy, monitoring criteria, food reintroduction, and the role of partial EEN. An accompanying patient resource was also developed. Conclusion EEN is recommended as a treatment option to induce remission in adults with active CD. The consensus statements developed are practical and are based on best available evidence and expert opinion to assist in developing a standardized approach to delivering EEN therapy.

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical outcomes, patterns of use, tolerance and nutritional outcomes of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in adults with Crohn’s disease and to compare initiation in the inpatient compared with ambulatory care setting.Design/methodAdults with Crohn’s disease who received EEN at a single centre over 2.5 years were identified and outcomes assessed via examination of patient records.ResultsEEN was initiated in 60 patients (23 as an outpatient) who had objective evidence of active disease. Of 49 in whom the goal was induction of remission, 28 completed EEN and 24 achieved clinical remission/response. Twenty-one withdrew prematurely, due to intolerance in 15 and disease factors in 6. Of 11 with a planned intervention, 6 fulfilled the goal of downstaging disease while two were intolerant. Completion of the prescribed therapy was associated with self-reported adherence to EEN and with improvements in disease activity scores and biochemical markers. Malnutrition halved (40% to 20%) and intentional weight loss (median 5.1 kg) was achieved in six obese patients. The major reason for intolerance was the inability to accept total avoidance of non-formula food. There were no differences in any outcomes according to the location of initiation of therapy.ConclusionPositive outcomes occur in 70% of adult patients with Crohn’s disease tolerating EEN and 81% in those who are able to completely adhere to EEN, without compromise of nutritional status. Similar success occurs when initiated as an inpatient or outpatient. Failure to tolerate EEN is the major hurdle to its use.

Background: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) induces remission and mucosal healing in patients with Crohn's disease, but the mechanism of action remains unknown. Aim: To outline current understanding of the mechanisms of action of EEN. Methods: From a comprehensive literature search, published data were critically examined in a narrative review. Results: Multiple potential mechanisms of action have been identified. EEN optimises nutritional status. Differences in gut microbiota in terms of overall diversity and taxonomic community structure are observed between responders and non-responders to EEN. Therapy with EEN alters microbial metabolites (including faecal short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, branched-chain amino acids and sulphide) and faecal pH. Epithelial effects and restoration of barrier function, as well as changes in mucosal cytokine profiles and T-cell subsets are observed in responders to EEN. The impact of inclusion or exclusion of specific dietary components may be of importance, but putative detrimental components are found in many formulas. A major challenge in interpreting these findings is that they often contradict or change in opposite directions to what is considered 'beneficial'. It is difficult to differentiate between the observations following EEN being driven by EEN per se and those associated with resolving inflammation. Conclusions:The mechanisms of action of EEN are likely to involve a complex interplay between host mucosal immune response and luminal environment, but the identity of key factors remains poorly understood. A better definition of pathogenic factors may aid in developing more targeted dietary treatment and provide insights into the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.

BackgroundNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major healthcare burden. Real‐world outcomes in dedicated tertiary care settings in Australia remain unknown.AimTo evaluate the initial outcomes of patients referred to a dedicated multidisciplinary tertiary care NAFLD clinic.MethodsRetrospective review of all adult patients with NAFLD who attended a dedicated tertiary care NAFLD clinic between January 2018 and February 2020 and who had two clinic visits and FibroScans at least 12 months apart. Demographic and health‐related clinical and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records. Key outcome measures were serum liver chemistries, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and weight control at 12 months.ResultsA total of 137 patients with NAFLD were included. Median (interquartile range (IQR)) follow‐up time was 392 days (343–497 days). One hundred and eleven patients (81%) achieved weight control (i.e. weight loss or stability). Markers of liver disease activity were significantly improved, including median (IQR) serum alanine aminotransferase (48 (33–76) vs 41 (26–60) U/L, P = 0.009) and aspartate aminotransferase (35 (26–54) vs 32 (25–53) U/L, P = 0.020). Median (IQR) LSM across the whole cohort was significantly improved (8.4 (5.3–11.8) vs 7.0 (4.9–10.1) kPa, P = 0.001). No significant reduction was observed in mean body weight or the frequency of metabolic risk factors.ConclusionsThis study highlights a new model of care for patients with NAFLD and demonstrates promising initial outcomes in relation to significant reductions in markers of liver disease severity. Although most patients achieved weight control, further refinements are needed to achieve significant weight reduction including more frequent and structured dietetic and/or pharmacotherapeutic interventions.

LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Wilson et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17609

Background Phlegmonous Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complication of penetrating disease where traditional management was surgical. There are a paucity of studies evaluating its medical management. The aim of our single-centre, retrospective case series was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF therapy in managing phlegmonous CD. Methods Cases were identified through searching patient records for CT, MRI and intestinal ultrasound reports containing the words “Crohn’s” and “phlegmon”. Patients were included if found to have CD-related phlegmon subsequently started on anti-TNF. Patients were excluded if they were already on an anti-TNF at diagnosis, or underwent surgery prior to starting anti-TNF. Electronic review of patient records was undertaken to determine demographics, current medication, length of disease and surgery. Results Of the 66 cases identified, 11 fulfilled inclusion criteria. 2 cases required surgery at 38 and 197 days post-phlegmon diagnosis, both of which had earlier ceased anti-TNF due to failed trial and severe depression respectively. 4 patients discontinued anti-TNF during follow up: 1 experienced severe anaphylaxis, 1 failed anti-TNF trial, and 2 ceased due to personal preference (severe depression, concern about adverse effects). 8 of 10 had complete resolution of the phlegmon with 1 patient awaiting imaging 6 months post-phlegmon diagnosis. Conclusion 9 of 11 of our patient cohort avoided surgery after starting anti-TNF therapy for phlegmonous CD, out to a median follow up of 20 months. Our findings suggest anti-TNFs are generally well tolerated, and early commencement may be effective in preventing surgical intervention.