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Background Fatigue is highly prevalent among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may have an unfavorable impact on quality of life (QoL). The IBD-Fatigue scale (with components SCORE1 and SCORE2) is a recently developed disease-specific questionnaire. We sought to validate a Greek version of IBD-F and use it to assess the severity and characteristics of fatigue and its effect on QoL in our study population. Methods The IBD-F scale was validated and used to obtain fatigue-related data from patients with IBD attending a tertiary care hospital. Correlations with other fatigue and QoL instruments were performed. Results The Greek IBD-F showed high internal consistency and test-retest reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.901/0.966 and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.876/0.895 for SCORE1/SCORE2, respectively). A SCORE1 >7.5 suggested “significant” fatigue. In a cohort of 157 patients (mean age = 35.8 y; male patients = 52.2%; patients with Crohn disease = 65.6%), both SCORE1 and SCORE2 were significantly associated with Crohn disease (odds ratio [OR] = 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05-8.47; b = 8.5; 95% CI, 2.8-14.1, respectively), female sex (OR = 7.27; 95% CI, 3.19-16.6; b = 15.3; 95% CI, 9-21.6), and Harvey-Bradshaw Index/Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index score (OR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.39; b = 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9-2.8). A SCORE1 >7.5 was present in 46% of patients in remission, and 82% of patients with a baseline SCORE1 >7.5 remained fatigued at serial measurements. The SCORE1 was significantly associated with impaired QoL (P < 0.001). Conclusions The validated IBD-F scale is a useful and applicable instrument for use in the IBD population. A large proportion of patients have significant fatigue, which is maintained longitudinally, independent of inflammatory activity. Fatigue impairs QoL, thus necessitating interventions that may lead to its amelioration in the IBD population.

Background Vedolizumab is a monoclonal antibody against the gut-homing integrin α4β7 that is being used for the treatment of moderate to severe Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). An increasing number of studies have reported new onset or reactivation of extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs), among which arthralgia is the most prominent. Methods We aimed to study the incidence, characteristics and possible predictors of arthralgia development in patients under treatment with Vedolizumab, in a retrospective cohort study in 3 IBD centers in Athens, Greece. UC and CD patients treated with Vedolizumab (n=115, men=50.4%, UC=70.4%, median duration of follow-up=9 months) or Infliximab (n=93, men=69.9%, UC=29%, median duration of follow-up=29.1 months) were recruited. For each participant the entry point for the study was the first day of drug administration while the endpoint was either the day of arthralgia occurrence, the day of drug discontinuation or the day of the last interview if the patient was still receiving the drug. The SPSS-23 statistical program was used for analysis. Results Patients under Vedolizumab were at higher risk for new-onset (HR=4.76, P=0.001) and recurrent (HR=5.41, P=0.003) arthralgia compared to patients under Infliximab. New-onset arthralgia occurred in 20.9% while recurrent in 37.8% of 45 patients with a history of articular EIM. New-onset and recurrent arthralgias differed in certain characteristics. New-onset arthralgia involved peripheral joints in 91.7%, was milder, occurred shortly after Vedolizumab initiation (median drug exposure= 3 months, IQR=5 months) in patients in remission and remitted in 50% of cases. In multivariate Cox’s proportional-hazards model new-onset arthralgia was significantly associated with extensive colitis (HR=2.91, 95%CI=1.04-8.12). Of 15 patients with concomitant treatment of azathioprine no one manifested new-onset arthralgia (X2 P= 0.03, Fisher’s exact test P=0.038). Similarly, no patient with a history of appendectomy manifested new-onset arthralgia (n=12, X2 P= 0.067, Fisher’s exact test P=0.12). No predictors were identified for recurrent arthralgia. No patients discontinued vedolizumab due to arthralgia. Conclusion Vedolizumab treatment may be associated with the temporal manifestation of arthralgias. Patients under Vedolizumab with extensive ulcerative colitis have a higher risk of developing new-onset arthralgia, whereas, concomitant treatment with azathioprine and a history of appendectomy appears to have a prophylactic effect. This effect could be indicative of a distinct pathophysiological lymphocyte-mediated mechanism.

BACKGROUND/AIM Two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) is a new elastographic technique that is increasingly being used across several indications. We assessed the reliability and applicability of 2D-SWE in patients with various chronic liver diseases and attempted to identify parameters potentially affecting liver stiffness. METHODS We included all patients with chronic liver disease who underwent 2D-SWE examination over a 15-month period. Patients with acute hepatitis, active cholestatic disease, or severe heart failure were excluded. The procedures were performed by three adequately trained operators. Standard operating procedures for liver ultrasonography and elastography were followed. RESULTS 2D-SWE was reliable in 98% of 605 patients. SD to mean liver stiffness value ratio greater than 9.14%, which was considered an indicator of reliability, was associated independently with age more than 50 years, obesity, or overweight, and use of statins for hyperlipidemia. 2D-SWE was applicable, requiring a median time of 7 min per examination and exceeding 15 min in only 5.5% of patients. Worse applicability expressed as duration more than 0.7 min per reliable measurement was associated independently with age more than 50 years and obesity. The mean and median liver stiffness values were 11.6 and 7.7 kPa, respectively. Liver stiffness more than 7.7 kPa was associated independently with age more than 50 years and increased waist circumference. CONCLUSION 2D-SWE represents an applicable method of assessment of liver fibrosis that can provide reliable results in the vast majority of patients with chronic liver diseases. Older age and obesity may affect the reliability and applicability of the method as well as the severity of liver fibrosis.

Background Fatigue is common in IBD patients, even in clinical remission and adversely affects the quality of life. For this reason, it has been suggested to use fatigue questionnaires as PROS (patient reported outcomes). We aimed to study the degree of fatigue in IBD patients and identify factors that are positively or negatively related to its presence. Methods Patients with IBD (men: 51.6%, Crohn’s Disease: 65.2%, age: 36.7 years median, 18.1–72 yrs range), with a regular f-up in our Department completed the Fatigue Severity Scale, IBD Fatigue self assessment 1 & 2, short IBDQ and Short Health Scale upon consensus. Two groups of patients were studied: Group A, patients attended the IBD outpatient clinic (121 patients / 144 questionnaires) and Group B, patients attended the infusion centre for biological therapy (55 patients / 414 questionnaires). The SPSS-23 statistical programme was used to identify correlations between fatigue and various clinical-laboratory parameters of patients. Results Problematic fatigue (FSS> 36) was reported by 46.5% of patients. No difference was observed between Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis or between the two groups of patients. There were statistically significant correlations between fatigue and disease activity (R = 0.428, P Conclusion In the group of IBD patients we studied, a significant correlation with various clinical characteristics was observed. The presence of fatigue is a factor associated with poor quality of life for patients.

Background. Decoy-receptor 3 (DcR3) exerts antiapoptotic and immunomodulatory function and is overexpressed in neoplastic and inflammatory conditions. Serum DcR3 (sDcR3) levels during the chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sequence have not been explored.Objective. To assess the levels and significance of sDcR3 protein in various stages of chronic liver disease.Methods. We compared sDcR3 levels between healthy controls and patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH), decompensated cirrhosis (DC), and HCC. Correlations between sDcR3 levels and various patient- and disease-related factors were analyzed.Results. sDcR3 levels were significantly higher in patients with CVH than in controls (P<0.01). sDcR3 levels were elevated in DC and HCC, being significantly higher compared not only to controls (P<0.001for both) but to CVH patients as well (P<0.001for both). In addition, DcR3 protein was detected in large quantities in the ascitic fluid of cirrhotics. In patients with CVH, sDcR3 significantly correlated to fibrosis severity, as estimated by Ishak score (P=0.019) or by liver stiffness measured with elastography (Spearmanr=0.698,P<0.001). In cirrhotic patients, significant positive correlations were observed between sDcR3 levels and markers of severity of hepatic impairment, including MELD score (r=0.653,P<0.001).Conclusions. Circulating levels of DcR3 are elevated during chronic liver disease and correlate with severity of liver damage. sDcR3 may serve as marker for liver fibrosis severity and progression to end-stage liver disease.

Background: Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is a rare entity mainly concerning the 6th decade of life and which is characterized by the presence of multiple large hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated adenomas, and adenomas within the colon. Case Report: We describe the case of a SPS patient with 3 synchronous adenocarcinomas. The morphologic features of serrated colorectal lesions, their characteristic molecular alterations, and their role in colorectal cancer development are discussed herein. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SPS is a rare condition with an increased risk for colon cancer. Patients suffering from SPS should have regular colonoscopic surveillance, and perhaps those with numerous dysplastic hyperplastic polyps should be treated with colectomy.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are diseases that occur primarily in adolescence and early adult life. A second peak of IBD incidence occurs at the age of 50–80 years, while reports of first diagnosis after the age of 80 years are extremely rare. It is difficult to establish the true incidence of IBD in older patients due to problems of case definition, population, and particularly because it may be confused with other clinical conditions. A 91-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with progressively worsening abdominal pain and 2–4 episodes of bloody diarrhea daily for the last month. Similar symptoms were not reported by the patient or his family during the past. Complete blood count and biochemical tests were normal, while stool examination showed erythrocytes and white blood cells. Pelvic CT showed inflammatory changes and loss of homogeneity in the perirectal fat together with considerable bowel wall thickening of both the rectum and sigmoid. Colonoscopy revealed edema, hyperemia and spontaneous friability, as well as microulcerations of the rectosigmoid mucosa. Tissue biopsies revealed histopathological lesions compatible with IBD. Finally the patient was treated with metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and mesalazine, with clear clinical improvement during the 5th day of treatment, and was finally discharged with almost normal stools. In conclusion, we report the case of first diagnosis of IBD in a 91-year-old man. The prevalence of IBD in patients aged >80 years is difficult to determine. Diagnostic tools are the same as for other age groups, but diagnosis may be difficult because there are a number of clinical conditions that may mimic IBD at this age. The treatment options are those used in younger patients, but special precautions should be taken.

Background Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been associated with malignant tumor development and progression in humans. HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs) are currently being explored as anti-cancer agents in clinical trials. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of HDAC-1, −2, −4 and −6 protein expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods HDAC-1, −2, −4 and −6 protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically on 70 pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue specimens and was statistically analyzed with clinicopathological characteristics and patients’ survival. Results Enhanced HDAC-1 expression was significantly associated with increased tumor proliferative capacity (p = 0.0238) and borderline with the absence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.0632). Elevated HDAC-4 expression was significantly associated with the absence of organ metastases (p = 0.0453) and borderline with the absence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.0571) and tumor proliferative capacity (p = 0.0576). Enhanced HDAC-6 expression was significantly associated with earlier histopathological stage (p = 0.0115) and borderline with smaller tumor size (p = 0.0864). Pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with enhanced HDAC-1 and −6 expression showed significantly longer survival times compared to those with low expression (p = 0.0022 and p = 0.0113, respectively), while a borderline association concerning HDAC-2 expression was noted (p = 0.0634). Conclusions The present study suggested that HDACs may be implicated in pancreatic malignant disease progression, being considered of clinical utility with potential use as therapeutic targets.