Background: Leukocyte scintigraphy is a noninvasive investigation to assess inflammation. We evaluated the utility of labeled leukocytes to detect small bowel inflammation and disease complications in Crohn's disease and compared it to whole small bowel enteroscopy and laparotomy findings. Methods: Scintigraphy with technetium-99m exametazime-labeled leukocytes was prospectively performed in 48 patients with Crohn's disease a few days before laparotomy, 41 also had an intraoperative small bowel enteroscopy. The same procedures were performed in 8 control patients. Independent grading of scans was compared with the results of enteroscopy and with surgical, histopathologic, and clinical data. Results: In the 8 control patients leukocyte scan, endoscopy, and histopathology were all negative for the small bowel. In patients with Crohn's disease and small bowel inflammation seen at enteroscopy and/or laparotomy (n = 39) the scan was positive in 33. In 8 patients without macroscopic small bowel inflammation, the scan was positive for the small bowel in 3 patients, at histology, 2 of 3 had inflammation. When combining results for patients and controls, the sensitivity of leukocyte scan for macroscopically evident small bowel inflammation was 0.85, specificity 0.81, accuracy 0.84, positive predictive value 0.92, and negative predictive value 0.68. Scintigraphy detected inflammatory lesions not known before laparotomy in 16 of 47 (34%) Crohn's disease patients and showed uptake in 25 of 35 (71 %) bowel strictures. It was diagnostic regarding 4 of 8 abscesses and 9 of 15 fistulas. In 6 patients (13%) lesions first demonstrated by leukocyte scintigraphy were treated during the surgery performed. Conclusions: Leukocyte scintigraphy reliably detects small bowel inflammation in Crohn's disease. It gives additional information on the presence of inflammatory lesions in a fraction of patients planned for surgery. Copyright © 2006 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.

Background: The treatment of Crohn's disease has changed owing to the recognition of its chronicity. Medical maintenance treatment and limited resections have evolved as major concepts of management, regarded as complementary, and both aim at reducing the symptoms.

Methods: We investigated the symptomatic load in Crohn's disease as reflected in a cross-sectional study of the symptom index, physicians' assessment, and the patients' perception of health. A cohort of 212 patients from the primary catchment area and 125 referred patients were studied.

Results: Of catchment area patients, 83% were receiving medication, and the annual rate of abdominal surgery was 5.7%. Corresponding figures for the referred patients were 82% and 10.3%. According to the symptom index, 87% of catchment area patients were in remission or had only mild symptoms; according to the physicians' assessment, 90% were. The patients' median perception of health was 90% of perfect health according to the visual analogue scale. The figures were similar for referred patients, except that referrals were considered more diseased by the physician.

Conclusion: The great majority of patients with Crohn's disease are able to live in remission or experience only mild symptoms.

Background: This study describes how surgery for Crohn colitis developed between 1970 and 1997, towards the end of which period limited resection and medical maintenance treatment was introduced.

Methods: A cohort of 211 patients with Crohn colitis (115 population-based), of which 84 had a primary colonic resection (42 population-based), was investigated regarding indication for surgery, the time from diagnosis to operation, type of primary colonic resection, risk for permanent stoma and medication over four 7-year periods.

Results: Comparison of the periods 1970-90 and 1991-97 revealed that active disease as an indication for surgery decreased from 64% to 25% ( P < 0.01) while stricture as an indication increased from 9% to 50% ( P < 0.001). Median time from diagnosis to operation increased from 3.5 to 11.5 years ( P < 0.01). Proctocolectomy or colectomy fell from 68.8% to 10% of the primary resections, whereas segmental resection increased from 31.2% to 90%. At the end of the first 7-year period, 26% had medical maintenance treatment, steroids or azathioprine taken by 7%. Corresponding figures for the last period were 70% and 49%. Patients diagnosed during the last two time-periods had less risk for surgery ( P = 0.017), permanent stoma ( P < 0.01) and total colectomy ( P < 0.01). Findings were similar in the population-based cohort.

Conclusions: Current management of Crohn colitis implies a longer period between diagnosis and surgery, a reduced risk for surgery and permanent stoma, and the replacement of total colectomy by segmental resection.

Background & Aims: Appendectomy is associated with a low risk of subsequent ulcerative colitis. This study analyzes the risk of Crohn's disease after appendectomy. Methods: We followed-up 212,218 patients with appendectomy before age 50 years and a cohort of matched controls, identified from the Swedish Inpatient Register and the nationwide Census, for any subsequent diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Results: An increased risk of Crohn's disease was found for more than 20 years after appendectomy, with incidence rate ratio 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-3.79) after perforated appendicitis, 1.85 (95% CI, 1.10-3.18) after nonspecific abdominal pain, 2.15 (95% CI, 1.25-3.80) after mesenteric lymphadenitis, 2.52 (95% CI, 1.43-4.63) after other diagnoses. After nonperforated appendicitis, there was an increased risk among women but not among men (incidence rate ratio 1.37, 95% CI, 1.03-1.85, respectively, 0.89, 95% CI, 0.64-1.24). Patients operated on before age 10 years had a low risk (incidence rate ratio 0.48, 95% CI, 0.23-0.97). Crohn's disease patients with a history of perforated appendicitis had a worse prognosis. Conclusions: Appendectomy is associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease that is dependent on the patient's sex, age, and the diagnosis at operation. The pattern of associations suggests a biologic cause.

Background: Functional studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) inhibits gastric acid secretion in a variety of species, including man. We have performed a morphological study with the intention of localizing the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in the human gastric mucosa.

Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects voluntarily participated in the study, and mucosal biopsies were obtained from the cardia, corpus and antrum. The presence and localization of eNOS were studied using immunohistochemical techniques.

Results: eNOS-immunoreactivity (eNOS-IR) is found in surface mucous cells of cardia, corpus and antrum. Unique to the oxyntic mucosa is the presence of eNOS-IR in 'endocrine-like' cells, found in close contact with parietal cells.

Conclusions: eNOS-IR cells in close apposition to parietal cells provide morphological support for paracrine inhibition of gastric acid secretion by NO.

Background/Aims: To assess the risk of hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies in a large cohort of Swedish primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients compared with that of the general Swedish population. Methods: The study cohort comprised 604 PSC patients identified between 1970 and 1998. Follow-up was provided through linkages to the Swedish Cancer and Death registries. Cumulative incidence of malignancies and standard incidence ratio were calculated with the incidence rates in the Swedish population, taking into account: sex, age and calendar year as comparison group. Results: Median time of follow-up was 5.7 years (range 0-27.8). Seventy-nine percent had concomitant inflammatory bowel disease. The cause of death was cancer in 44%. The frequency of hepatobiliary malignancies was 13.3% (81/604). Thirty-seven percent (30/81) of all hepatobiliary malignancies were diagnosed less than 1 year after the diagnosis of PSC. The risk for hepatobiliary malignancy was increased 161 times, for colorectal carcinoma 10 times and for pancreatic carcinoma 14 times, compared with that of the general population. Conclusions: In this national-based study including the largest cohort of PSC patients ever presented, the frequency of cholangiocarcinoma is 13 %. The risk of hepatobiliary carcinoma is constant after the first year after PSC diagnosis with an incidence rate of 1.5% per year. The risk of pancreatic carcinoma is increased 14 times compared with the general Swedish population. These results are suggestive of an increased risk of pancreatic carcinoma in patients with PSC.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated anaemia usually responds to intravenous iron. If not, additive treatment with erythropoietin has been proposed. The objective of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with iron sucrose alone. Methods: Sixty-one patients with IBD and anaemia (average haemoglobin 97 g/L) were treated with iron sucrose (iron dose 1.4 ± 0.5 g). The indications for iron sucrose were poor response and/or intolerance to oral iron. Treatment response was defined as an increase in haemoglobin of ≥20 g/L or to normal haemoglobin levels (>120 g/L). Two independent investigators retrospectively assessed laboratory variables, clinical findings, and concomitant medication. Results: Two patients were transferred to other hospitals after treatment and therefore could not be evaluated. Fifty-four of the remaining 59 patients (91%) responded within 12 weeks. Sixty percent of the patients had responded within 8 weeks. Five patients had no or only a partial response to iron sucrose of which three had prolonged gastrointestinal blood losses. Eight patients with normal or elevated levels of ferritin could be considered to have anaemia of chronic disease, and all of them responded to iron sucrose. During a follow-up period of 117 ± 85 (4-291) (mean ± s (standard deviation) (range)) weeks 19 patients (32%) needed at least one second course of iron sucrose because of recurrent disease. Conclusions: Anaemia associated with IBD can be successfully treated with intravenously administered iron sucrose, provided that bowel inflammation is treated adequately and enough iron is given. Treatment with iron sucrose is safe. Follow-up of haemoglobin and iron parameters to avoid further iron deficiency anaemia is recommended.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coeliac disease and its relation to duodenitis, H. pylori infection and gastritis in a sample of the adult general population. Methods: A Swedish population sample of 482 subjects (aged 35 to 85 years) were examined with gastro-duodenoscopy with multiple biopsies taken. Circulating antibodies to endomycium, gliadin, and H. pylori were also determined. Results: Based on histomorphological findings, coeliac disease was evident in 9 of 482 subjects giving a prevalence of 1.9 [1.0-4.0, 95% confidence interval] percent. The prevalence of gastritis with or without H. pylori infection did not differ between subjects with and without coeliac disease. Considering subjects without coeliac disease, there was no difference in the serum levels of gliadin antibodies between those with and without duodenitis. However, subjects with positive H. pylori status had significantly higher levels of gliadin antibodies than those with negative H. pylori status. Conclusions: This study confirms that there is a relatively high prevalence of undiagnosed coeliac disease in Swedish adults. There was no association between coeliac disease and H. pylori infection or gastritis, although serum gliadin antibody levels were slightly increased in subjects with positive H. pylori status.

Background/Aims: This study aims at describing the natural history and outcome of small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Methods: Thirty-two patients with small duct PSC were studied. The average time taken for diagnosis was 69 (1-168) months. The median follow-up time was 63 (1-194) months. Results: All patients including one who underwent liver transplantation because of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma were alive at follow-up. None developed cholangiocarcinoma. In 27 patients repeated cholangiographic examinations were done after a median time of 72 (12-192) months from first ERCP. Four developed features of large duct PSC. Conclusions: Small duct PSC rarely progresses to large bile duct PSC and it seems to have a benign course in most patients and no development of cholangiocarcinoma was found.

Human colon cancer cells were implanted s.c. in nude mice. After 6 days, the mice were divided into four groups, 10 in each. During the first 5 days, the first and second groups were injected i.p. with leucovorin (LV)/5-fluorouracil (FU), and the third and fourth groups with sterile saline solution. During the subsequent 14 days, groups 1 and 4 received continuous i.p. infusion with sterile saline solution, while groups 2 and 3 received octreotide, galanin and serotonin via an implanted osmotic pump. Tumour volumes diminished significantly in mice treated with both LV/FU and LV/FU-triple therapy, as compared with controls. Both volume and weight of the tumours in mice given LV/FU-triple therapy were less than in those received LV/FU. The volume and weight of the tumours in animals treated with triple therapy was reduced as compared with controls, though not statistically significantly. The proliferation index, and the number of tumour blood vessels were both reduced, while the apoptotic index was increased in the mice treated with both LV/FU-triple therapy, and with triple therapy only as compared with LV/FU-treated mice. The present study has shown that the anti-tumour efficacy and therapeutic efficacy of triple therapy with octreotide, galanin and serotonin is equivalent to LV/FU and that sequential treatment with both could be beneficial.

Human gastric cancer cell line was exposed in vitro to octreotide, galanin and serotonin alone, or in double or triple combination, and the number of viable cells and proliferation index were measured after 3, 6 and 12 h. The tumour cells were also implanted subcutaneously in nude mice. After 8 days, the animals were randomly allocated to either of two groups, with 8 in each. The first group received a bolus intraperitoneal injection, twice daily with 100 microl sterile saline solution for 10 days, while the second group was given sterile saline solution containing 100 microg/kg body weight of octreotide, galanin and serotonin. In vitro exposure to octreotide, galanin and serotonin alone or in double or triple combination reduced the number of viable cells and proliferation index. Both the volume and weight of tumours in mice given triple therapy were less than in controls. There was no statistical difference between treated and control tumours regarding proliferation and apoptotic indices or the labelling index of epidermal growth factor (EGF). It was concluded that the reduction in tumour volume and weight following triple treatment in vivo experiments could be not explained by inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis or decreased expression of EGF of the tumour cells, and that other mechanisms must be involved. The reduction of proliferation in vitro but not in vivo could not be explained by the difference in concentrations of octreotide, galanin and serotonin used in vitro and in vivo.

Human colon cancer cells were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. After 12 days, the animals were divided into two groups. The first group received 40 microg/kg body weight of octreotide, galanin and serotonin via an intraperitoneally implanted pump. The second group received sterile saline only. Treatment lasted for 14 days. The volume and weight of the tumours in treated mice tended to decrease, though not with statistical significance. The proliferation index and the number of tumour blood vessels was significantly reduced in the mice given triple therapy. The apoptotic index, as detected by TUNEL method and monoclonal anti-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, was significantly higher in the treated mice. Though the results of this investigation are promising, it is uncertain as to what use the present findings may imply for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.

A human colon cancer cell line was implanted subcutaneously in nude mice. After 7 days, the animals were divided into four groups. The first group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) continuous infusion by an osmotic pump, the second was given i.p. bolus injections, the third received continuous subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion by an osmotic pump and the fourth group was given bolus s.c. injections. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups. The first subgroup received triple treatment with octreotide, galanin, and serotonin, 40 μg/kg body weight/day of each. The second subgroup was given sterile saline solution. Treatment lasted for 14 days. The volume and wet weight of the tumours in all treated groups tended to decrease, but was statistically significant only in the group with continuous i.p. infusion. The number of viable cells tended to decrease in all the treated groups, but was not statistically significant. Proliferation index was significantly reduced in mice given triple therapy i.p. as bolus injection and as continuous infusion, as compared with their respective controls. The apoptotic index increased significantly in mice receiving triple therapy as continuous i.p. infusion as revealed by both the TUNEL method and by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression. The number of tumour blood vessels was significantly reduced in the mice given triple therapy as continuous i.p. infusion, as compared with controls. There was no statistical difference between animals treated by different routes, regarding proliferation or apoptosis of the cancer cells, or the number or mean luminal area of tumour blood vessels. The present investigation showed that regardless of the route of administration, triple therapy with octreotide, galanin and serotonin generally reduced the volumes, weights, viable cells, vascularization and proliferation of the tumours, as well as inducing apoptosis. Continuous i.p. infusion appears, however, to be the most effective route of administration.

The book describes the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of neuroendocrine-immune interactions in ageing. The lack of this maintenance leads to the appearance of age-related diseases (cancer, infections, dementia) and subsequent disability. The capacity of some hormones or nutritional factors in restoring and remodelling the neuroendocrine-immune response during ageing is reported presenting possible new anti-ageing strategies in order to reach healthy ageing and longevity.

In patients with colorectal cancer, low levels of colonic somatostatin, galanin and serotonin have been found. Based on these findings, the effects of triple treatment with octreotide (a somatostatin analogue), galanin and serotonin on colorectal cancer has been studied. Triple therapy was found to reduce the volume and weight of both rat and human colon carcinoma in xenografts, apparently by necrosis, but also by reducing proliferation and expression of epidermal growth factor of cancer cells, and also by inducing apoptosis. It has been suggested that tumour necrosis results from ischemia in the tumour caused by a reduction in the tumour blood flow, a consequence of reduced number of tumour-feeding blood vessels and by constricting of tumour feeding arterioles. The effects of treating rat colorectal cancer using single, double and triple therapy with octreotide, galanin and serotonin were studied. Of these substances, galanin alone achieved a significant reduction in tumour-feeding blood vessels. Single and double regimes had some effect, but were not nearly so successful as triple treatment. The optimum treatment dose of triple therapy lies between 40 and 80 μg/kg/day, smaller doses had no effect on the tumours at all, while larger doses had no additional effect. The optimal administration route is continuous i.p. infusion, for 14 days. Triple therapy gave no obvious side effects, and had equivalent anti-tumour and therapeutic efficacy as standard treatment with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin. Although this treatment appears to be a promising option, clinical trials need be conducted to establish whether it can be beneficial in clinical use. © 2005 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Human colon cancer cells (SW 620) were implanted under the capsule of the left liver lobe of female nude (C57BL/6JBom-nu) mice. After 7 days, relaparatomy was performed and an ALZET osmotic pump was implanted intraperitoneally and left in situ for 14 days. The mice were divided into 2 groups, 10 in each. The first group received 40 micro g/kg body weight of octreotide, galanin and serotonin, and the second group received sterile saline. The number of metastases in the liver, and to the intra-abdominal lymph nodes was significantly greater in the controls. The incidence of metastases to the peritoneal cavity was lower in the treated animals (though not statistically significantly). Tumour volume, wet weight, proliferation index and number of tumour blood vessels decreased significantly in the treated animals. The apoptotic index was significantly higher in the treated mice. The decrease in the volume and weight of tumours following the triple therapy seemed to be caused by low proliferation, and increased apoptosis, and reduced vascularization of the tumours. The low invasion of cancer cells observed following this treatment could have been due to the low tumour burden, and to the reduced number of the blood and lymph vessels.

Human colon cancer cells were injected sub-cutaneously into 30 nude mice. After 8 days, the animals were divided into 3 equal groups. The first and second groups received an i.p. injection with 5-fluorouracil/leukovorin (5-FU/LV) for 5 days (20 mg and 10 mg/kg body weight respectively). On the first day of 5-FU/LV treatment, the first group received an i.p. injection of irinotecan (2.5 mg/kg body weight), and the second group received an i.p. injection with oxaliplatin (1 mg/kg body weight). The third group were injected i.p. with 100 microl saline solution containing octreotide, galanin and serotonin. Injections were given 3 times daily for 5 days with a total dose of 150 microg/kg body weight/day. Three days after the treatment, the animals were sacrificed. Whereas the animals treated with triple therapy held a stable body weight, animals treated with 5-FU/LV-irinotecan and 5-FU/LV-oxaliplatin had gradual weight loss, which amounted to approximately 25% of their body weight at the end of the experiment. Moreover, 2 mice in the group treated with 5-FU/LV-irinotecan died, most probably due to side effects. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups regarding tumour proliferation, apoptosis, blood vessel density, EGF- and VEGF-expression. Treatment with triple therapy using octreotide, galanin and serotonin appear to be comparable to 5-FU/LV in combination with irinotecan and oxaliplatin. However, triple therapy seems to have a better safety profile.

Human pancreas cancer cells were implanted s.c. in nude mice. After 11 days, the mice were divided into two groups of 13. The first group received sterile saline solution and the second received triple therapy containing octreotide, galanin and serotonin, 40 μg/kg/day as a continuous i.p. infusion via an implanted osmotic pump for 14 days. Triple therapy prolonged the survival rate of the mice bearing human pancreatic carcinoma. Both the volume and weight of tumours in mice given triple therapy were less than in controls (not statistically significant). The proliferation index and the labelling index for epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased significantly in mice given triple therapy vis-á-vis controls. There was no statistically significant difference between control and treated tumours as regards, apoptotic index, necrosis, or number of tumour blood vessels. The increased survival rate was attributed to the reduced tumour load, since both weight and volume were reduced. It is most probable that octreotide was the responsible agent. Further investigation with single and double combinations of octreotide, galanin and serotonin are needed to identify the cause of increased cell proliferation in tumours subjected to these bioactive substances. Identifying the agent(s) inducing pancreatic cancer cell proliferation may be useful in combining a new treatment, as antagonists to these bioactive substances are available.

Objective and Design: P-selectin, a membrane glycoprotein which is expressed on activated platelets and endothelial cells, plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response. The main action is adhesion of leukocytes, facilitation of diapedesis and induction of cytokine production from monocytes (MCP-1 and IL-8), mediated via RANTES released from activated platelets. An abnormal platelet activity has been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis (uc) and Crohn's disease (CD), jointly referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which could have an aggravating influence on the inflammatory response. In addition, an up-regulation of platelet IL-8 receptors among patients with IBD has been reported. To reveal a presumptuous platelet dysfunction we analysed the expression of platelet surface P-selectin at resting state and after stimulation with thrombin, collagen, epinephrine and interleukin 8 (IL-8), and plasma levels of soluble P-selectin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and RANTES in patients with IBD. Subjects: Blood from twelve healthy subjects (control group) and twenty-one patients with IBD who had not taken any anti-platelet drugs or steroids were analysed. Methods: Patients were sub-grouped according to disease entity, disease activity and 5ASA medication. Surface P-selectin expression on isolated human platelets and plasma P-selectin, NPY and RANTES were analysed with ELISA. All values are presented as mean ▒ standard error of the mean (SEM). Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon matched rank test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Patients with IBD in remission (n = 9) had higher basal P-selectin expression, 0.38 ▒ 0.04, compared to the control group (n = 12), 0.22 ▒ 0.03, p < 0.01. UC patients (n = 16) showed down-regulation of P-selectin expression after stimulation with IL-8, 0.26 ▒ 0.03 to 0.22 ▒ 0.02, p < 0.05. No significant differences could be observed concerning soluble P-selectin and NPY in plasma. Patients with 5ASA (n = 12) had lower levels of plasma RANTES, 2.39 ▒ 0.06 ╡g/l, compared to the control group (n = 12), 3.29 ▒ 0.19 ╡g/l, p < 0.01, and patients without 5ASA (n = 9), 2.90 ▒ 0.17 ╡g/l, p < 0.05. Conclusions: Patients with IBD in remission have higher basal platelet surface P-selectin expression. An exaggerated platelet activity with increased expression of platelet P-selectin and release of inflammatory mediators such as RANTES, which is chemotactic and induce chemokine production, could have a reinforcing and aggravating influence on the inflammatory response and increase the susceptibility to IBD. In addition IL-8 has a down-regulating effect on platelet surface P-selectin expression and 5ASA medication seems to lower plasma RANTES. If 5ASA is responsible for lowering the concentration of RANTES this could be one of the beneficial outcomes of 5ASA medication.

Anemia is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases. An international working party has formed and developed guidelines for evaluation and treatment of anemia and iron deficiency that should serve practicing gastroenterologists. Within a total of 16 statements, recommendations are made regarding diagnostic measures to screen for iron- and other anemia-related deficiencies regarding the triggers for medical intervention, treatment goals, and appropriate therapies. Anemia is a common cause of hospitalization, prevents physicians from discharging hospitalized patients, and is one of me most frequent comorbid conditions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. It therefore needs appropriate attention and specific care. Copyright © 2007 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.

The aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown but considered to be caused by interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

The aims of this thesis were to study the influence of genetics and environmental factors in aetiology, disease phenotype and levels of Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), as well as to assess whether CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms explain the influence of genetics in these aspects.

Twin pairs, where at least one twin in each pair had been hospitalized for IBD, were identified using a combination of the Swedish twin registry and the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register. Twin pairs with confirmed IBD were invited to take part in a questionnaire-based study on environmental factors and studies on ASCA and CARD 15/NOD2 polymorphisms.

The follow-up of the old Swedish twin group showed fairly stable concordance rates. A high degree of concordance regarding age at diagnosis, disease location and behaviour was seen in concordant monozygotic twin pairs with Crohn's disease (CD).

The three "classical" CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms were infrequent in Swedish CD twins and healthy controls, but seemed to be more common among concordant than discordant monozygotic twins with CD.

No increased occurrence of ASCA was observed in healthy twin siblings in discordant monozygotic twin pairs, but a high degree of concordance in ASCA titres was seen in concordant monozygotic twin pairs with CD. ASCA were not associated with CARD15/NOD2.

Including both Swedish and Danish twins, associations between recurrent gastrointestinal infections up to age 20 years and both ulcerative colitis (UC) and CD were observed, whereas coffee and egg consumption was associated with UC only. Swimming in lakes in contrast with swimming pools, sea and rivers was also associated with UC.

These results confirm a stronger genetic influence in CD than in UC and suggest that genetic factors are important not only in acquiring the disease but also in determining disease characteristics of CD. The CARD15/NOD2 variants contribute, but do not fully explain concordance of CD and support the hypothesis that concordant monozygotic twins are under an increased load of susceptibility genes. Furthermore, the results question the concept of ASCA as a marker of genetic susceptibility for CD and we propose that ASCA are a marker of a response to an environmental antigen and that specific gene(s) other than CARD15/NOD2 determine the level of response and perhaps also specific phenotypic characteristics. The results also indicate, that markers of possible infectious events during childhood/adolescence and dietary factors may influence the risk of IBD. In addition, previous reported associations between smoking and IBD were confirmed.

Background: Patients with coeliac disease are advised to keep to a lifelong gluten-free diet to remain well. Uncertainty still exists as to whether this gives a nutritionally balanced diet. Aim: To assess the vitamin nutrition status of a series of coeliac patients living on a gluten-free diet for 10 years. Methods: Thirty adults with coeliac disease (mean age, 55 years, range, 45-64 years, 60% women), in biopsy-proven remission following 8-12 years of dietary treatment, were studied. We measured the total plasma homocysteine level, a metabolic marker of folate, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 deficiency, and related plasma vitamin levels. The daily vitamin intake level was assessed using a 4-day food record. Normative data were obtained from the general population of the same age. Results: Coeliac patients showed a higher total plasma homocysteine level than the general population, indicative of a poor vitamin status. In accordance, the plasma levels of folate and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (active form of vitamin B-6) were low in 37% and 20%, respectively, and accounted for 33% of the variation of the total plasma homocysteine level (P < 0.008). The mean daily intakes of folate and vitamin B-12, but not of vitamin B-6, were significantly lower in coeliac patients than in controls. Conclusions: Half of the adult coeliac patients carefully treated with a gluten-free diet for several years showed signs of a poor vitamin status. This may have clinical implications considering the linkage between vitamin deficiency, elevated total plasma homocysteine levels and cardiovascular disease. The results may suggest that, when following up adults with coeliac disease, the vitamin status should be reviewed.

Background: Adverse events leading to discontinuation or dose reduction of thiopurine therapy occur in 9-28% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Aims: To evaluate the influence of thiopurine methyltransferase status and thiopurine metabolites in a large patient population for the risk of developing adverse event. Methods: Three hundred and sixty-four patients with inflammatory bowel disease and present or previous thiopurine therapy were identified from a local database. Results: The adverse event observed in 124 patients (34%) were more common in adults than children (40% vs. 15%, P < 0.001) and in low to intermediate (≤9.0 U/mL red blood cell) than normal thiopurine methyltransferase activity (P = 0.02). Myelotoxicity developed later than other types of adverse event. An increased frequency of adverse event was observed in patients with tioguanine (thioguanine) nucleotide above 400 or methylated thioinosine monophosphate above 11 450 pmol/ 8 × 108 red blood cell. A shift to mercaptopurine was successful in 48% of azathioprine-intolerant patients and in all cases of azathioprine-induced myalgia or arthralgia. Conclusions: A pre-treatment determination of thiopurine methyltransferase status might be appropriate as patients with low to intermediate thiopurine methyltransferase activity are more prone to develop an adverse event, determination of metabolite levels can be useful in the case of an adverse event. Mercaptopurine therapy should be considered in azathioprine-intolerant patients. © 2006 The Authors.

Background: Firm recommendations about the way thiopurine drugs are introduced and the use of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and metabolite measurements during treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are lacking. Aim: To evaluate pharmacokinetics and tolerance after initiation of thiopurine treatment with a fixed dosing schedule in patients with IBD. Patients: 60 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease (n = 33) or ulcerative colitis (n = 27) were included in a 20 week open, prospective study. Methods: Thiopurine treatment was introduced using a predefined dose escalation schedule, reaching a daily target dose at week 3 of 2.5 mg azathioprine or 1.25 mg 6-mercaptopurine per kg body weight. TPMT and ITPA genotypes, TPMT activity, TPMT gene expression, and thiopurine metabolites were determined. Clinical outcome and occurrence of adverse events were monitored. Results: 27 patients completed the study per protocol, while 33 were withdrawn (early protocol violation (n = 5), TPMT deficiency (n = 1), thiopurine related adverse events (n = 27)), 67% of patients with adverse events tolerated long term treatment on a lower dose (median 1.32 mg azathioprine/kg body weight). TPMT activity did not change during the 20 week course of the study but a significant decrease in TPMT gene expression was found (TPMT/huCYC ratio, p = 0.02). Patients with meTIMP concentrations > 11 450 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells during steady state at week 5 had an increased risk of developing myelotoxicity (odds ratio = 45.0, p = 0.015). Conclusions: After initiation of thiopurine treatment using a fixed dosing schedule, no general induction of TPMT enzyme activity occurred, though TPMT gene expression decreased. The development of different types of toxicity was unpredictable, but we found that measurement of meTIMP early in the steady state phase helped to identify patients at risk of developing myelotoxicity.

The importance of a patient's experience of disease impact on daily life and well-being (health-related quality of life (HRQOL)) is broadly acknowledged. Scepticism still remains about how HRQOL should be measured and the usefulness of standardised HRQOL questionnaires in medical research and everyday clinical practice. The lack of definitions, and the unclear relationship between disease activity and HRQOL makes it difficult to interpret results.

The main purpose of this thesis was to determine a strategy for health assessment that is useful in daily practise and meaningful for clinicians and patients. The results are based on measurements of HRQOL and disease activity in a total of 511 patients with ulcerative colitis.

The first aim of this thesis was to identify the major health dimensions and study their relationship in order to determine a strategy for health assessment. Based on theoretical reasoning and the pattern of association between measures of different areas of health status, the health concept was arranged into two categories, disease activity and HRQOL. Disease activity was further divided into biological variables and symptoms, and HRQOL into fimction, disease-related worry, and general well being. There was a poor association between these health dimensions. Measurement of health status is therefore better understood if it is divided into and interpreted as separate dimensions. It is then possible to see which dimensions are impaired and changes that have occurred.

The second aim was to evaluate two disease-specific HRQOL questionnaires, the RFIPC and the IBDQ in Swedish patients with ulcerative colitis. The RFIPC was found to be a valid, reliable and responsive measure of disease-related worry and concern. The IBDQ had external validity and was shown to be a reliable and responsive measure of HRQOL. There are however some concerns regarding the internal validity of the IBDQ. The use of an overall sum score was not supported and the original four IBDQ dimensions showed considerable overlap.

The third aim was to study HRQOL in patients with ulcerative colitis and analyse the influence of disease-related and demographic factors. Patients in remission reported a health-related quality of life similar to that of a Swedish background population. Patients with an ongoing relapse showed a considerable impairment in all health dimensions except physical function compared to patients in remission. Besides the current disease activity, co-existing disease and female gender was found to weigh heavily on the HRQOL. These factors must therefore be taken into account when interpreting and comparing HRQOL results.

The fourth aim was to develop and evaluate a new abbreviated measure of subjective health status. The construction of this new measure was based on a previously developed strategy where the health concept is divided into five main dimensions. Each of the dimensions for symptoms, fimction, disease-related worry and general well-being were covered by one item. This new four-item questionnaire, the Short Health Scale (SHS) was shown to be a valid and sensitive measure of subjective health status in ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE:

Health is a complex and multi-dimensional entity and is neither easily determined nor easily conveyed to others. Publications have often combined various variables of disease activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), used the variables interchangeably or utilized summation indices to compare health assessment. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between measurements of disease activity and HRQoL.

STUDY:

design Cross-sectional evaluation of disease activity and HRQoL.

STUDY POPULATION:

Two hundred and eleven consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis.

SETTING:

The catchment area of Linköping University Hospital.

MEASUREMENTS:

HRQoL was measured using two questionnaires, the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns (RFIPC). Patients were also asked if they were 'feeling fit and well', as a measurement of general health perception. Disease activity was measured by means of symptom cards, laboratory tests and sigmoidoscopy.

RESULTS:

The correlations (Spearman's r (r5)) between variables of disease activity and HRQoL were low. 'Feeling fit and well' was best correlated to worries and concerns (the RFIPC, rs 0.32, P < 0.05), while there was a decreasing association with subjective functional status (the SIP, rs 0.31, P < 0.05), symptoms (stools per day, rs 0.15, not significant) and biological variables (endoscopy score, rs 0.04, not significant).

CONCLUSION:

The correlations between traditional measurements of disease activity and various measures of HRQoL are low. We therefore propose a system whereby the process is conceptualized using a 'network strategy', ordering the measurements of disease activity and HRQoL into five dimensions: biological variables, symptoms, functional status, worries and concerns, and health perceptions. We feel that this method of interpretation more accurately reflects the overall health of a group of patients with IBD than more traditional summation indices.

Background: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) is a disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire including four dimensions and a sum score. The aim of this study was to assess the internal and external validity, reliability, and sensitivity of a Swedish version of the IBDQ.

Methods: Three hundred consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis completed the IBDQ and three other health-related quality of life questionnaires (the Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns (RFIPC), the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) index). Disease activity was evaluated using a 1-week symptom diary, blood tests and rigid sigmoidoscopy. One hundred and fourteen patients filled in the questionnaire a second time, of whom 75 had been in stable remission for over 6 months and 39 had a significant clinical change in disease activity.

Results: Factor analysis of the 32 IBDQ items did not support the four dimensional scores. The dimensional scores had sufficient convergent validity, but low discriminative validity and homogeneity. The homogeneity was also low for the sum score. The inter-dimensional correlations were high. The concurrent validity was supported by correlations between the dimensional scores and other measures of disease activity and HRQOL. Patients in relapse scored significantly less on the sum score and the four dimensions compared to patients in remission. The test-retest correlations for the dimensional scores were 0.40-0.76. Patients with a change in disease activity during the 6-month follow-up period had a significant change in IBDQ scores not found in those who remained in remission.

Conclusions: The Swedish version of the IBDQ had external validity and was shown to be a reliable and sensitive measure of HRQOL in ulcerative colitis, though there are some concerns regarding the internal validity. The use of a sum score was not supported and the questionnaire may benefit from a redivision of items into dimensions with better homogeneity and discriminative validity.

Objective: The aims of this study were to analyse the health-related quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis and to assess in what way demographic and disease-related factors influence patients' experiences of this, in order to interpret the results of health-related quality of life assessment more correctly.

Patients and methods: We carried out a cross-sectional evaluation of 300 consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis from the catchment areas of Linköping University Hospital and Örebro University Hospital in Sweden. Health-related quality of life was measured using four questionnaires: the IBDQ, the RFIPC, the SF-36 and the PGWB. Disease activity was evaluated using a one-week symptom diary, blood tests and rigid sigmoidoscopy. Demographic factors (gender, age, civil status, educational level), disease-related factors (disease duration, disease extent, disease activity) and presence of co-morbidity were obtained.

Results: Health-related quality of life was mainly impaired in the psychological and social areas and to a much lesser degree in physical areas. Patients with relapse had significantly more disease-related worries and concerns (the RFIPC), more impaired social functioning (the IBDQ and SF-36), and a lower feeling of well being (the IBDQ, the SF-36 and the PGWB). However, their physical function (SF-36) was no worse than patients in remission. Besides the symptom burden of the current disease, co-morbidity and female gender were associated with a lower health-related quality of life.

Conclusion: To correctly interpret health-related quality of life assessments, it is necessary to consider co-morbidity and gender distribution in addition to the symptom burden of the disease studied.