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Introduction. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), constitute a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive system. The etiology of these conditions is complex, resulting from the interaction of genetic factors with environmental factors, lifestyle, and intestinal dysbiosis. The diagnosis is established based on clinical examination and general and specific paraclinical examinations (fecal calprotectin, digestive endoscopy). The most frequent intestinal complications are strictures for both IBDs, and in CD, fistulas and abscesses, especially perianal ones, may occur. There is no curative treatment for IBD; pharmacological therapy includes immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Quality of life. To quantify patients’ quality of life more objectively, various questionnaires have been developed and implemented. Patients with IBD have significantly lower quality of life than healthy individuals. Multidisciplinary team. As IBD are chronic pathologies with a long and unpredictable course, they require high-quality management as early as possible from the time of diagnosis. The key to achieving the best outcomes is the multidisciplinary patient-oriented care. Conclusions. Evaluating the quality of life of patients with IBD is essential for several reasons. A multidisciplinary team, involving the family physician, gastroenterologist, psychologist, or other specialists, is essential for providing quality care to these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron deficiency anemia is a pathology caused by hemoglobinosynthesis disorder, with a significant decrease in iron deposits in the body. Iron deficiency has several important causes, among which we mention: inadequate intake of iron, early childhood growth and development, pregnancy – by increased need, small but repeated bleeding, abundant menstruation, metrorrhages, fibroids, gastric or duodenal ulcer, hemorrhoidal disease, oncological pathology, malabsorption syndromes, inflammatory bowel diseases, parasitosis etc. Iron deficiency anemia can be isolated or may be in the context of chronic diseases (chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel syndromes, cancer) etc. Anemia can be asymptomatic for a long time. The symptoms that may appear are not specific: pallor, fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sweating, palpitations, insomnia. Clinical signs can highlight angular cheilitis, atrophic glossitis, dry skin, diffuse alopecia and soft nails. Decreased intelligence, depression and decreased immunity can also be due to iron deficiency. In the human body there are about 3-4 grams of iron. Ferritin is the main storehouse of iron in the body. To diagnose iron deficiency anemia, there are necessary laboratory tests for the value of hemoglobin, perform serum ferritin – the most important test, along with transferrin saturation and serum iron, since iron deficiency can exist independently of the presence of anemia. Serum ferritin loses its strength in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in case there is concomitant inflammation, being an acute phase protein. Iron deficiency anemia always has a cause, being very important to diagnose the underlying disease and treat it. The treatment of iron deficiency anemia is carried out depending on the severity of the anemia and depending on the patient’s condition, with oral, parenteral preparations or even blood transfusions. The treatment follows a serum ferritin value above 50 ng/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a higher interest to grow knowledge regarding gastrointestinal microbiota in canine and feline patients. Microbiota gathers more than 500 species of bacteria, viruses, fungus and archaea. This article intends to review and highlight recent research and discoveries regarding the digestive microbiota and its roles in several body functions, such as: metabolism homeostasis, defense against pathogens, education of immunity answer, synthesis or facilitation of a wide range of key nutrients essential for health from food, mental health maintenance, obesity, and dermatology. Through these essential roles, microbiota can directly or indirectly influence the majority of host’s physiological functions. Most studies highlight dysbiosis as a starting point or cofactor in leading to several pathologies, such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic enteritis, atopy, deficient immunity answer, metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression in humans, or aggressivity in dogs. The preservation of a healthy microbiome proves to be an essential element for health maintenance and disease prevention, or for disease treatment in either humans or pets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing. It is currently the third most common cancer, after lung and breast cancer. Despite the increased incidence, recent advances in early detection, performing the screening according to the recommendations and treatment options have reduced colorectal cancer mortality. The role of the family doctor is to advise and to identify non-modifiable risk factors (age, male sex, race, family history, inflammatory bowel disease) as well as modifiable ones (tobacco consumption, low-fiber, high-fat and highcarbohydrate diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity), in order to avoid these risk factors by developing a personalized plan for the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer depending on the individual risk. Genetic testing and a more comprehensive family history documentation by the family doctor can enable those with a hereditary predisposition for the colorectal cancer to take preventive measures. Applying evidence-based prevention strategies reduces the prognosis of colorectal cancer and reduces mortality. Colorectal cancer has an increased survival rate if diagnosed early and treated properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the pediatric population constantly increases. In Crohn’s disease, the most common symptoms in the pediatric population are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss; extraintestinal manifestations may include arthralgia, foot-and-mouth disease, and erythema nodosum, which are generally associated with increased disease severity. Here, we proposed to review the most important aspects of IBD to facilitate early detection and management in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract segments. These diseases are multifactorial conditions with an increased prevalence in modern society, a consequence of genetic and environmental factors. The main IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which have many similarities but differ by localization in the digestive tract and by the degree of histopathological damage. The groups of drugs used in the treatment of IBD are: aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunomodulators and biological agents. Although there has been a lot of progress in the treatment of these diseases, currently there is no curative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron deficiency is a major public health problem. It is the most common nutritional deficiency and, through its complex role in the body, iron has an important impact on the quality of life, cognition and activity of the individual. It is a common comorbidity, with a significant impact on the evolution of the disease in patients with heart failure, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. Early diagnosis must be a closely monitored goal. The groups at high risk for iron deficiency are represented by: infants, young children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant, menopausal women, patients with certain chronic diseases. The therapeutic intervention aims at prophylaxis as well as curative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflamatory bowel diseases are chronic and disabling for patients with many complications and so they need special attention in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. There is scientific proof that treating patients in dedicated centers, by inflammatory bowel disease experts, is more successfull than treating them in a regular one by community gastroenterologists. Furthermore, there is also a great difference between some of these centers regarding the treatment and the screening of dysplasia and colorectal cancer, as the example of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston stands. In these last years, the most important gastroenterology associations have released a bunch of guides that stand for the same quality measures such as recommending steroid-sparing therapy after 60 days, influenza and penumococcal vaccine, assesing for HBV and TB, before anti-TNF treatment and also dysplasia surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases represented by ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are severe digestive tract diseases with clinical, pathological or epidemilogical features with partially clarified and complex causes. Etiopathogenic factors most frequently described in the literature are immunological abnormalities, associated with genetic susceptibility and the interraction between environmental factors, microbial agents with the immune intestinal system. Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect the intestine, but both are associated with multiple extradigestive events, among which cardiovascular damage is not unfrequently seen, but not easily recognised. Endocarditis and subendocardial abscesses may arise due to sepsis or progonged use of paranteral catheters and/or immunosuppressive agents. Myocarditis or perimyocarditis occur due to autoimmune mechanisms during the exacerbations of the digestive disease or as side effect of 5-aminosalicylic acid, ulcerative colitis having a higher risk for this complication comparing to Crohn's disease. Pericardial involvement seems to be the most common type of cardiovascular complication in digestive inflamatory diseases, caused by drugs (5-ASA, azathioprine, ciclosporine), pericardio-colonic fistulae or idiopathic. Pericarditis may sometimes be the main sign of the disease. Thromboembolic complications and coronary disease may also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Study the articular involvement present in inflammatory bowel disease, mainly in Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerohaemorrhagic rectocolitis (UHRC), the genetic and immune mechanism underlying the occurrence of these disorders and their complications, response to therapy, as well as the value of the immunoserology tests. Material and methods. The group of 204 patients that were monitored, consisted of two subgroups: 50 patients with CD, and 154 patients with UHRC and have been enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study. The patients were included in the study group according to strictly established criteria, taking into account the underlying inflammatory bowel disease that triggered the respective articular disorders, have been assessed according to a protocol including both individual parameters (clinical, biological), endoscopic, histopathologic, radiographs, RMN, CT evaluation. Results. 93 patients had joint manifestations. 65 of them had developed due articular lesions in ulcerative colitis and 28 Crohn's disease. In ulcerative colitis Joint damage occurred as follows: 58.5% sacroiliitis (38 cases), ankylosing spondylitis 7.7% (5) 10.7% acute arthritis (7). In Crohn's disease were detected: sacroiliac 35.8% (10 patients), 42.9% peripheral arthritis (12), acute arthritis 7.1% (2 cases), reactive arthritis 14.2% (4) with germs Salmonella (3) and Shigella (1). In 71 patients from those with articular manifestations of detecting the presence of HLAB27. Conclusions. Joint damage was correlated with the severity, type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reflecting the state of activity. Joint manifestations were detected mainly in ulcerative colitis increased, unlike the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bolile inflamatorii intestinale (boala Crohn şi rectocolita ulcero-hemoragică) rămân un capitol deschis cercetării din cauza frecvenţei (în creştere în ultimele decade), particularităţilor clinico-evolutive a suferinţei digestive şi extradigestive, a enigmelor patogenetice, sursă a dificultăţilor terapeutice. Tipare genetice specifice, mutaţii genice favorizează răspuns imun aberant la antigeni din mediu sau la autoantigeni provocând o inflamaţie intestinală cu potenţial înalt de cronicizare; citokinele eliberate şi alte mecanisme încă necunoscute pot firesponsabile de manifestările extradigestive. Autorii sistematizează date recente privind patogeneza formelor clinico-evolutive, posibilităţi moderne de diagnostic, posibilităţile şi limitele măsurilor terapeutice moderne în artropatiile care însoţesc boala inflamatorie intestinală. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic viral hepatitis (VCH) is one of the most common chronic diseases. Main transmission ways are represented by blood and blood products. The standard therapy is based on the combination of alpha-pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV). The efficiency of this therapy was proved by several trials. Unfortunately, the PEG-IFN plus RBV therapy implies several side effects requiring a rigorous follow-up of the patients. Most common side effects are: pseudoflu, hematological, psychical, neurological, autoimmune thyroiditis etc. Other encountered side effects are alopecia, insomnia, sight and hearing troubles, anorexia, interstitial pneumonia, pancreatitis, inflammatory intestinal diseases, psoriasis. The management of side effects supposes periodical evaluation of the patients; when side effects occur, an efficient strategy is necessary to fight these side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis remaine a disease of unkown etiology, although much new information continues to be gleaned from basic research and clinical trials. In most instances, ulcerative colitis respond to medical therapy. Selecting appropriate drug therapy for a specific child dependends on the extent and severity of colitis. This article summarized the clinical information, diagnostic studies and approaches to management that should be considered when evaluating a child for ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that mainly affects low birth weight preterm infants. Because the etiology and pathogenesis of NEC are still incompletely understood, therapeutic options, morbidity and mortality were not significantly improved in the last decade of time. Taking into account the catastrophic development of this disease, it is necessary to focus research on prevention strategies and identify predictive risk factors for its occurrence. Many preventive measures have been tried and accepted in clinical practice, one of these is represented by probiotics supplementation. This article is a review of the literature regarding the efficacy of probiotics as a preventive strategy for NEC in premature infants with low birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting mostly young people. It comprises two entities: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The current study attempted to establish the endoscopic features of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis on 37 patients, aged between 0-18 years, hospitalized in Fundeni Hospital between 1995-2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, with multifactorial etiology, mainly determined by immunological and environmental factors. The purpose of this article is to describe an acute episode of ulcerative colitis, its management, and also the negative effects upon the fetus. Case. A 28-yearold secundiparous, at 34 weeks of gestation, presented to our clinic with acute mucous and bloody diarheea, cramping abdominal pain, being admitted with a diagnosis of preterm labour. Following sigmoidoscopy with biopsy and histopathological examination, a diagnosis of acute episode of ulcerative colitis was established, and a treatment with hydrocortisone, double antibiotic therapy and hydroelectrolytic repletion was administered, with initial favourable evolution. At 36 hours after admission, the patient's general status suddenly altered, and a magnetic resonance examination revealed toxic megacolon and acute fetal decompensation. The patient delivered through emergency caesarean section a live, hemodynamically and respiratory stable newborn. Conclusions. A multidisciplinary intervention is required in order to proper manage similar cases. The mother's and newborn's evolution was favourable under specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]