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Background Approximately half of Crohn’s disease (CD) patients experience recurrence and need for repeat resections, highlighting need for prognostic biomarkers. Presence of epithelioid granuloma on surgical tissue and high Rutgeerts endoscopic score are associated with postoperative CD clinical recurrence. We sought to evaluate presence of epithelioid granuloma at first surgery and Rutgeerts score as a combined risk assessment for CD surgical recurrence. Methods Our study included consented CD patients who underwent initial ileocecal resection and were prospectively followed postoperatively. From 2009 to 2019, 418 CD patients underwent initial ileocecal resection with >4 years of follow-up, including postoperative endoscopic assessment (Rutgeerts score). Results Postoperative CD patients were grouped based on granuloma presence (30.6%; n = 128) or absence (69.4%; n = 290). Endoscopic recurrence (defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2) was similar between the granuloma (26%) and no granuloma (25%) groups, respectively (P = .82). Patients with granuloma and CD endoscopic recurrence at first postoperative endoscopy had higher number of bowel surgeries compared with all other groups (no granuloma or CD endoscopic recurrence, P = .007; no granuloma but CD endoscopic recurrence present, P = .04; granuloma present and no CD endoscopic recurrence, P = .04). Epithelioid granuloma presence was associated with 1.65 times higher risk of subsequent surgery independently from first postoperative endoscopic recurrence Rutgeerts score. Conclusions Granuloma presence on initial surgical histology is immediately available and identifies high-risk CD patients who may benefit from early postoperative treatment, and these precision intervention trials are warranted.

Poor translatability of animal disease models has hampered the development of new inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) therapeutics. We describe a preclinical, ex vivo system using freshly obtained and well-characterized human colorectal tissue from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and healthy control (HC) participants to test potential therapeutics for efficacy and target engagement, using the JAK/STAT inhibitor tofacitinib (TOFA) as a model therapeutic. Colorectal biopsies from HC participants and patients with UC were cultured and stimulated with multiple mitogens ± TOFA. Soluble biomarkers were detected using a 29-analyte multiplex ELISA. Target engagement in CD3(+)CD4(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+) T-cells was determined by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and isolated mucosal mononuclear cells (MMCs) following the activation of STAT1/3 phosphorylation. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling, t test, and analysis of variance. Biomarker selection was performed using penalized and Bayesian logistic regression modeling, with results visualized using uniform manifold approximation and projection. Under baseline conditions, 27 of 29 biomarkers from patients with UC were increased versus HC participants. Explant stimulation increased biomarker release magnitude, expanding the dynamic range for efficacy and target engagement studies. Logistic regression analyses identified the most representative UC baseline and stimulated biomarkers. TOFA inhibited biomarkers dependent on JAK/STAT signaling. STAT1/3 phosphorylation in T-cells revealed compartmental differences between PBMCs and MMCs. Immunogen stimulation increases biomarker release in similar patterns for HC participants and patients with UC, while enhancing the dynamic range for pharmacological effects. This work demonstrates the power of ex vivo human colorectal tissue as preclinical tools for evaluating target engagement and downstream effects of new IBD therapeutic agents. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using colorectal biopsy material from healthy volunteers and patients with clinically defined IBD supports translational research by informing the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and target engagement for the development of new therapeutic entities. Combining experimental readouts from intact and dissociated tissue enhances our understanding of the tissue-resident immune system that contribute to disease pathology. Bayesian logistic regression modeling is an effective tool for predicting ex vivo explant biomarker release patterns.

Background Immunoglobulin G subclass 4 (IgG4) is hypothesized to play an immunomodulatory role, downregulating humoral immune responses. The role of this anti-inflammatory molecule in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been fully characterized. We sought to define alterations in serum IgG4 in patients with IBD and their association with multiyear disease severity. Methods We analyzed metadata derived from curated electronic health records from consented patients with IBD prospectively followed at a tertiary center over a 10-year time period. Patients with IBD with IgG4 serum levels available formed the study population. Demographics and multiyear clinical data were collected and analyzed. We stratified patients with IBD with low, normal, or high serum IgG4 levels. Results We found IgG4 characterized in 1193 patients with IBD and low IgG4 levels in 233 patients (20%) and elevated IgG4 levels in 61 patients (5%). An IgG4 deficiency did not significantly correlate with other antibody deficiencies. In a multiple Poisson regression analysis, low IgG4 was associated with more years on biologic agents (P = 0.002) and steroids (P = 0.049) and more hospital admissions (P < 0.001), clinic visits (P = 0.010), outpatient antibiotic prescriptions (P < 0.001), and CD-related surgeries (P = 0.011) during the study period after controlling for certain confounders. Elevated IgG4 was only associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (P = 0.011). A cohort of patients with IgG4-deficient severe IBD received intravenous Ig replacement therapy, which benefited and was continued in 10 out of 11 individuals. Conclusions An IgG4 subclass deficiency, distinct from other antibody deficiencies, occurred commonly in a referral IBD population and was associated with multiple markers of disease severity. This is the first association of IgG4 subclass deficiency with an inflammatory disease process. Further work is needed to define the mechanistic role of IgG4 deficiency in this severe IBD subgroup.

Serum protein reflects albumin and globulin levels, both of which can be altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The implications of a high globulin fraction in IBD are unknown. We hypothesized that a high globulin fraction may function independently of albumin as a biomarker of disease severity in IBD patients over a multiyear period.This was an observational study from a prospective IBD registry of a tertiary care center. High globulin fraction was defined as an elevated globulin level4 g/dL. Data collected included patient demographics, medication exposures, quality-of-life scores, disease activity, emergency department visits, telephone calls, hospitalizations, and IBD-related surgeries over a 4-year period. Comparisons between patients with a high globulin fraction and those without were performed using Pearson's chi-squared, Student's and Mann-Whitney tests. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between high globulin fraction and healthcare utilization.A total of 1767 IBD patients with a 4-year follow up were included: 53.5% female, mean age 48.4±15.1 years, and 65.4% with Crohn's disease. Of these patients, 446 (25.2%) presented with elevated globulin fraction. Patients with a high globulin fraction were more likely to be hospitalized during the study period. This result remained significant after multivariate analysis for both Crohn's disease patients and those with ulcerative colitis.A high globulin fraction is independently associated with greater disease severity and healthcare utilization in IBD patients, and may function as a routinely available biomarker of a more severe future disease trajectory.

Background Women with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, face several disease-specific concerns related to their reproductive health decisions. This study explored the reproductive health decision-making experiences and preferences of women with IBD to discover ways to improve this aspect of comprehensive care. Methods We recruited women ages 18–44 years with IBD to participate in individual, semistructured interviews exploring their experiences and attitudes toward parenthood, pregnancy, contraception, and family planning care. Two independent coders performed analysis using an inductive and deductive coding approach and identified key themes. Results Twenty-one women with IBD participated in interviews (average age 24.7 ± 5.9 years, range 18–43 years; average age of diagnosis 14.1 ± 2.0 years). We identified 4 key themes: (1) Nulliparous women who do not currently desire pregnancy appear to lack reproductive health knowledge; (2) Women with IBD lack clarity regarding the role IBD plays in contraceptive choice; (3) Related to pregnancy, women are concerned about the heredity of IBD, antepartum disease activity, and the safety of their current medications; (4) Women with IBD typically default to their reproductive health provider for reproductive health care and counseling, but they expect their gastroenterologist to initiate relevant reproductive health discussions with them and to provide information in the context of their disease. Conclusions Women have concerns about the effects of IBD on pregnancy, parenthood, and contraceptive choice; however, many have had limited or no discussion with their gastroenterologist about the topic.

Background Peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE) is a biomarker of an aggressive multiyear natural history in adults with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Additionally, PBE at diagnosis is associated with higher disease activity in pediatric-onset IBD. We sought to determine if PBE can function as a biomarker of long-term disease severity in pediatric-onset IBD patients who are followed into adulthood. Methods We analyzed a consented, prospective, natural history IBD registry at an adult tertiary center from 2009 to 2018. Prevalence of PBE was evaluated in both pediatric- and adult-onset IBD patients. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and health care utilization data were compared in patients with and without PBE. Results Among 2800 adult IBD patients, 23.4% had pediatric-onset disease. PBE was found in 34% of the pediatric-onset patients compared with 26.8% of the adult-onset IBD patients (P < 0.001). In the pediatric-onset IBD cohort, PBE was associated with higher rates of allergies (P < 0.0001), but not of asthma, allergic rhinitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis. In the adult IBD patients with pediatric-onset disease, PBE was associated with higher rates of C-reactive protein elevation (P < 0.0001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate elevation (P < 0.0001), higher health care utilization, and higher average health care charges per year (P < 0.00001). Conclusions Peripheral blood eosinophilia was more prevalent in adult IBD patients with pediatric-onset compared with adult-onset disease. Among all IBD patients with long-term follow-up, PBE defined a subgroup with more severe illness. These data suggest that PBE may be a biomarker for a high-risk subgroup with high cost trajectory and long-term severity in pediatric-onset IBD that persists into adulthood.

Background Given the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the limited data on its effect on the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we characterized multiyear patterns of disease severity in a cohort of IBD patients with coexistent DM. Methods Data of consented IBD patients followed prospectively in a natural history registry at a tertiary center between 2009 and 2017 were analyzed. Patients with ≥3 years of clinical follow-up were included. Patients identified with a diagnosis of DM were compared with 400 consecutive IBD controls without a diagnosis of DM, no laboratory evidence of hyperglycemia, and no history of antihyperglycemic treatment. Results Out of 2810 IBD patients, 141 (5%) had DM (IBD DM; 44% ulcerative colitis, 56% Crohn’s disease, 48.2% female). IBD DM had higher use of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5ASA) agents (P = 0.04), narcotics (P < 0.001), and antibiotics (P = 0.007) but not immunomodulators and/or biologics compared with IBD controls. When analyzing biomarkers of severity, IBD DM demonstrated higher frequencies of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP; P = 0.006), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; P = 0.001), eosinophilia (P = 0.004), monocytosis (P = 0.02), and hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.001). IBD DM had worse quality of life (mean Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire; P < 0.001). IBD DM had increased health care utilization compared with controls (emergency room usage P = 0.008, hospitalizations P < 0.001, gastroenterology clinic visits P < 0.001, and median annual charges P < 0.001). Among IBD DM patients, the use of immunomodulators and/or biologics was not associated with further complications as measured by antibiotic use or hospitalizations. Conclusions This study of a large IBD cohort suggests that DM in IBD may be associated with increased disease severity and that there may be room for increasing use of highly effective immunomodulator and/or biologic agents in this group.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with alterations of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Monocytes respond to inflammation and infection, yet the relationship between monocytosis and IBD severity is not fully understood. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of monocytosis in IBD and the association between monocytosis and disease severity and IBD-related health care utilization. Methods We used a multiyear, prospectively collected natural history registry to compare patients with IBD with monocytosis to those without monocytosis, among all patients and by disease type. Results A total of 1290 patients with IBD (64.1% with Crohn disease; 35.9% with ulcerative colitis) were included (mean age 46.4 years; 52.6% female). Monocytosis was found in 399 (30.9%) of patients with IBD (29.3% with Crohn disease; 33.9% with ulcerative colitis). Monocytosis was significantly associated with abnormal C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, worse quality of life, active disease, and increased exposure to biologics (all P < 0.001). Compared with patients without monocytosis, patients with monocytosis had a 3-fold increase in annual financial health care charges (median: $127,013 vs. $32,925, P < 0.001) and an increased likelihood of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.5; P < 0.001), IBD-related surgery (AOR, 1.9; P = 0.002), and emergency department (ED) use (AOR, 2.8; P < 0.001). Patients with monocytosis had a shorter time to surgery, hospitalization, and ED visit after stratifying by disease activity (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Patients with IBD with monocytosis, regardless of disease type, are at increased risk for worse clinical outcomes, hospitalization, surgery, and ED use. Peripheral monocytosis may represent a routinely available biomarker of a distinct subgroup with severe disease.

Dermatologic manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common, and certain IBD medications increase the risk of skin cancer. To define the rates of care and factors associated with dermatologic utilization with a focus on skin cancer screening. We utilized a prospective, natural history IBD research registry to evaluate all outpatient healthcare encounters from 2010 to 2016. Gastrointestinal, dermatologic and primary care visits per individual were identified. We calculated the proportion of patients obtaining care, categorized primary indications for dermatologic visits, determined the incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, and used logistic regression to determine factors associated with dermatology utilization. Of the 2127 IBD patients included, 452 (21.3%) utilized dermatology over the study period, and 55 (2.6%) had a total body skin examination at least once. The 452 patients incurred 1633 dermatology clinic visits, 278 dermatologic procedures, and 1108 dermatology telephone encounters. The most frequent indication was contact dermatitis or dermatitis. Factors associated with dermatology use were family history of skin cancer, employment, systemic steroids, longer disease duration, emergency room use, and the number of IBD-related clinic visits. Between 8.3 and 11% of IBD patients recommended for skin cancer screening visited dermatology each year, and the resulting incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer was 35.4/10,000 [95% CI 23.3–51.5] and melanoma was 6.56/10,000 [95% CI 2.1–15.3]. Less than one in ten IBD patients obtain dermatologic care. Given the increased risk of skin cancers among IBD patients, an emphasis on education, prevention, and screening merits attention.

BACKGROUND Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), but the impact of CDI on disease severity is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CDI on long-term disease outcome in a matched cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS Patients who tested positive for infection formed the CDI-positive group. We generated a 1:2 propensity matched case to control cohort based on risk factors for CDI in the year before infection. Health care utilization data (emergency department use, hospitalizations, and telephone encounters), medications, laboratories, disease activity, and quality-of-life metrics were compared by CDI status. RESULTS A total of 198 patients (66 CDI and 132 matched controls) were included (56.6% women; 60.1% Crohn's disease, and 39.9% ulcerative colitis). In the year of infection, having CDI was significantly associated with more steroid and antibiotic exposure, elevated C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, low vitamin D, increased disease activity, worse quality of life, and increased health care utilization (all P < 0.01). During the next year after infection, patients with CDI continued to have increased exposure to CDI-targeted antibiotics (P < 0.001) and other antibiotics (P = 0.02). They also continued to have more clinic visits (P = 0.02), telephone encounters (P = 0.001), and increased health care financial charges (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS CDI in inflammatory bowel disease is significantly associated with markers of disease severity, increased health care utilization and poor quality of life during the year of infection, and a 5-fold increase in health care charges in the year after infection (see Video Abstract, Supplemental Digital Content, http://links.lww.com/IBD/B658).

Background Cholecystectomy (CCY) is one of the most frequently performed abdominal surgeries. However, the impact of CCY in clinical settings with altered gastrointestinal physiology and anatomy, such as Crohn’s disease (CD), has not been fully characterized. We sought to investigate clinical outcomes, disease severity, and quality of life of CD patients after CCY. Methods We utilized a prospective, longitudinal registry of consented CD patients followed at a tertiary center. Crohn’s disease patients that had or had not undergone CCY formed the 2 study groups. The absence or presence of gallbladder was confirmed with abdominal CT scans obtained during routine care. Multiyear clinical, biochemical, and histologic data were collected and analyzed. Results Among 834 CD patients, 151 (18%) had undergone CCY. History of CCY was associated with higher disease activity (median Harvey-Bradshaw index; P Conclusions CCY in CD patients was associated with multiple markers of disease activity and worse quality of life during multiyear follow up. This data suggests that CCY in CD patients may adversely impact the long-term clinical course.

We investigated correlations between histologic features of the colonic mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and clinical outcomes during a 3-year follow-up period.We obtained baseline biopsies from all colorectal segments (n = 889) from 281 patients with UC enrolled in a prospective study at a single center from 2009 through 2013. Biopsies were assessed in a blinded manner using validated histologic scoring systems (the Geboes score, Nancy histopathologic index, and Robarts histopathologic index). Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic data were collected and tested for correlations with systemic corticosteroid use, hospitalization, and colectomy within 3 years of the index colonoscopy.We found histologic evidence of UC activity (Geboes score ≥ 2B.1) in biopsies from 182 patients (65%) and endoscopic evidence of UC activity in 149 patients (53%) (substantial agreement, κ = 0.60). Histologic features of UC activity were associated with increased rates of systemic corticosteroid use, colectomy, and hospitalization in the entire cohort (P.05 for all) and associated with increased rates of systemic corticosteroid use in an analysis limited to patients in endoscopic remission (P.001). In patients in endoscopic remission, only histologic activity was independently associated with use of systemic corticosteroids (multivariate odds ratio, 6.34; 95% CI, 2.20-18.28; P = .001). Similar results were seen when the entire cohort was analyzed. Compared with patients without histologic evidence of UC activity, patients with only a small number of mucosal neutrophils still had higher rates of systemic corticosteroid use (P.001).Histologic evidence of UC activity, including small numbers of neutrophils in the colonic mucosa, is the only factor independently associated with use of systemic corticosteroids. Complete resolution of neutrophil-associated inflammation should be a target for treatment of UC.

BACKGROUND Anemia is a common manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its prevalence in the United States is not well defined. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of anemia in IBD patients who were followed in a US referral center. MATERIALS AND METHODS Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data from a prospective, consented longitudinal IBD registry between the years 2009 and 2013 were analyzed. Disease activity was evaluated using Harvey-Bradshaw index in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) activity index in UC as well as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Anemia was defined based on the World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS A total of 1821 IBD patients (1077 with CD, 744 with UC, median age 43.8 y, 51.9% female) were included. The 5-year period prevalence of anemia in IBD patients was 50.1%, (CD: 53.3% vs. UC: 44.7%, P=0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, anemia was associated with surgery for IBD [odds ratio (OR)=2.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.21-3.48; P

There is evidence that anemia in Crohn's disease (CD) is a predictor of disease severity.To evaluate if patterns of anemia over time showed correlation with aggressive disease trajectory, as characterized by change in Lémann Index (LI), which is a metric that quantifies bowel damage.CD patients with 5 year (y) follow-up from a prospective registry were included. LI was calculated from the first (LI1) and last (LI2) clinical encounters. The change in score (LI2-LI1) or the Delta LI (DLI) was recorded. Patterns of anemia, healthcare utilization and disease activity scores were analyzed.A total of 389 CD patients with 5y follow-up formed the study population [median age 40y (IQR: 31-53); 57.3% female; median disease duration 12y (IQR: 6-20.5), overall surgical exposure 69%]. Patients with anemia had significantly higher LI1, LI2, DLI and also significantly higher healthcare utilization and indices of disease activity, than patients without anemia (p0.001). CD patients with anemia for any duration during the study had OR of 2.15 (95% CI 1.29-3.57, p=0.003) for worsening bowel damage over the 5y.Based on a longitudinal analysis of CD patients, anemia status over time shows significant correlation with increasing Lémann index and aggressive disease trajectory.

Association of Vitamin D Level With Clinical Status in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study

Background Women with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, have normal fertility and can have healthy pregnancies and children. However, many have fewer children than the general population, with up to a third of women choosing “voluntary childlessness.” Given that IBD diagnoses can elicit reproductive concerns related to contraception choice, pregnancy, and parenthood, this study explored the reproductive health decision-making experiences and preferences of women with pediatric-onset IBD. Methods In this qualitative study, we recruited women ages 18–44 years old with a childhood diagnosis of IBD who are followed by gastroenterology at one pediatric and one adult academic medical center in Western Pennsylvania to participate in individual, semi-structured interviews. We conducted interviews between July 2019 and July 2020, exploring experiences and attitudes toward parenthood, pregnancy, contraception, and family planning care provision. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two independent coders performed analyses using a deductive and inductive coding approach and identified dominant themes and representative quotations. We conducted interviews until thematic saturation was reached. Results Twenty-one women with IBD participated in interviews (average age 24.7 +/-5.9 years, range 18–43 years; average age of diagnosis 14.1 +/- 2.0 years). Five women had been pregnant, and 16 wanted to have children in the future. We identified 4 key themes: (1) Nulliparous women who do not currently desire pregnancy appear to lack reproductive health knowledge; (2) Women with IBD lack clarity regarding the role IBD plays in contraceptive choice; (3) Related to pregnancy, women are concerned about the heredity of IBD, antepartum disease activity, and the safety of their current medications; (4) Women with IBD typically default to their women’s health provider for reproductive healthcare and counseling, but they expect their gastroenterologist to initiate relevant reproductive health discussions with them and to provide information in the context of their disease. Conclusions Women have concerns about the effects of IBD on pregnancy, parenthood, and contraceptive choice; however, many have had limited or no discussion with their gastroenterologist about these topics. They have gaps in their reproductive health knowledge and report receiving conflicting advice from different providers. Obtaining the perspectives of a larger sample of women with IBD and both women’s health and gastroenterology providers may further guide the development of interventions to improve this aspect of comprehensive care.

Objective The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Medical Home is a care delivery model that provides a comprehensive, patient-centered, coordinated care environment, previously shown to lead to an approximate 50% reduction in unplanned care. However, the frequency and nature of IBD medical home patient phone calls to gastroenterology (GI) fellows after-hours, and the contribution to unplanned care from these encounters, is unknown. Methods We included all patients that were seen in the IBD medical home between 7/1/2015 to 6/30/2016 (n = 293) and examined all phone call activity in the subsequent year: 7/1/2016 to 6/30/2017. After-hours phone calls were defined as documented calls that were routed to on-call GI fellows when the clinic is closed. The details of each after-hours encounter were reviewed, and were categorized by the reason for call, training year of the GI fellow, advice given to patient, and unplanned care outcomes. For comparison, we also tracked frequency of patient calls for symptoms during clinic hours. Demographic information, disease type, disease activity index, quality of life (QoL), and depression/anxiety scores documented most recently to the start of the observation period were included in the analysis. Comparisons were made using Chi-square, T-tests and non-parametric median tests. Results 259 of 293 patients (86.7%) had any documented phone interaction. Only 36 patients (12.3%) placed a total of 63 after-hours phone calls to GI fellows, with calls for symptoms representing the majority (71.4%). Among calls for symptoms (n = 45), patients were advised by GI fellows to present to the emergency department (ED) 44.4% of the time. There was no significant difference in ED recommendations by fellow training level (p = 0.17). Of the 20 ED encounters advised by fellows, 9 (45%) did not result in admission; and 2 patients had new cross-sectional imaging. Of the 11 admissions, 10 also had new cross-sectional imaging, with generation of 10 inpatient IBD consults, as well as 1 surgery for seton placement. After-hours callers were more likely to have Crohn’s disease and higher GAD-7 scores, with trends towards lower SIBDQ scores and higher PHQ-9 scores, but similar disease activity index scores, number of clinic visits, and demographics, compared to patients who called with symptoms during clinic hours (Table 1). Conclusions Among patients established within an IBD medical home model, a small population of patients called after hours resulting in frequent recommendation to present to the ED from GI fellows, however it is unknown if these encounters meaningfully changed their IBD care. Higher psychosocial complexity may influence this care behavior. Further studies of triage processes and educational initiatives aimed at GI fellows may help minimize unplanned ED and inpatient care in this patient population.

BACKGROUND Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at increased risk of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) presumably because of chronic inflammation. Data on the relationship between long-term serum inflammatory biomarkers and the development of CRN in UC are limited. METHODS We performed a 5-year study (2009-2013) of demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data of patients with UC from an inflammatory bowel disease registry in relation to the development of CRN. Disease activity was evaluated by UC activity index and by serum biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hemoglobin, platelets, and albumin levels. A score based on the combination of median CRP and median albumin levels (0: both normal, 1: one of them abnormal, 2: both abnormal) was also evaluated. RESULTS A total of 773 patients with UC (median age 46 yr, 46.4% women) were included. Fifty-five patients (7.1%) developed CRN. Patients with UC and CRN had significantly higher median CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelets and lower hemoglobin and albumin levels compared with those without CRN. The prevalence of a CRP-albumin score (1 or 2) was significantly higher in the CRN group (40.0% or 30.9% versus 14.2% or 6.0%, respectively, P < 0.0001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, CRN was associated with male gender (P = 0.01), disease duration (P = 0.04), extensive colitis (P = 0.03), concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis (P = 0.0003), median albumin levels (P = 0.03), and an increased CRP-albumin score (score 1 or 2) (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS Long-term serum inflammatory markers including the CRP-albumin score are associated with increased risk of CRN in patients with UC.

BACKGROUND Obesity has been linked with a proinflammatory state and the development of inflammatory diseases. Data on the clinical course and treatment of obese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited. We used an institutional IBD registry to investigate the impact of obesity on IBD severity and treatment. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for 3 years (2009-2011). Patients with IBD were categorized by body mass index (BMI). IBD-related quality of life, biochemical markers of inflammation, comorbidities, health care utilization, and treatment were characterized. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥30 (type I: 30-34.9, type II: 35-39.9, and type III ≥40). RESULTS Among 1494 patients with IBD, 71.9% were above their ideal BMI and 31.5% were obese. Obesity was more common in ulcerative colitis compared with patients with Crohn's disease (P = 0.04). Obese class II and class III patients were predominantly female. Obesity in IBD was associated with female gender (P < 0.0001), diabetes mellitus (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (P < 0.001), poor quality of life (P < 0.0001), and increased rates of C-reactive protein elevation (P = 0.008). In logistic regression analysis, quality of life and C-reactive protein elevation were not independently correlated with obesity. There was no association between increasing BMI and annual prednisone use, emergency department visits, hospitalization, and surgery. Obesity was associated with lower milligrams per kilogram doses of purine analogs and biologics. CONCLUSIONS Obesity in IBD is not associated with increased health care utilization and IBD-related surgeries. Optimal regimens for drug dosing in obese patients with IBD have yet to be defined.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with poor quality of life and disability. The short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ) is validated to determine patients quality of life at single time points, or improvement over time. Few studies have evaluated if sustained poor quality of life is associated with future healthcare utilization patterns. Methods We analyzed patients from a prospective IBD natural history registry with 4 consecutive years of follow-up. SIBDQ was measured at outpatient visits. Healthcare utilization data were temporally organized into a 2-year observation period, and 2-year follow-up period. Mean SIBDQ score

Background As management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) advances, the outpatient (OP) population is shifting its fears from risks of malnutrition to those associated with over-nutrition and under-nutrition, lack of diet education, access to resources, mental health implications, and socioeconomic status. Failure to identify a patient at nutrition risk could lead to increased costs of care which can be avoided by proper nutrition screening and counseling with a Registered Dietitian (RD). The integration of nutrition counseling into the interdisciplinary care model for patients with IBD needs to be optimized to identify a broader range of risks to nutrition status in an efficient and objective format that can be applied universally in the OP IBD setting. Aims This study 1) explores a novel approach to nutrition risk screening within the OP IBD setting using an interdisciplinary team approach; and 2) evaluates correlations between an objective scoring method for biological and psychosocial risk with nutrition risk scores reported by an RD. Methods Two objective nutrition risk scoring methods were developed to capture biological (NUTR-OBJ) and lifestyle (NUTR-WELL) nutrition factors on a 0–6 scale (low-severe risk). Scores were determined using review of the electronic health record and a screening tool provided to patients. These scores were compared to the previously established IBD Biopsychosocial Complexity Grid, a tool which organizes this health information into biological and psychological domains and serves as the basis for algorithm-driven treatment plans within an IBD Medical Home. Results Data from 44 patients (mean age:35.2 years;47.7% female;56.8% Crohn’s Disease) were included in this study. BMI ranged from 18.08 to 37.92 kg/m2. BIO-C-PRO (mean=1.95,SD 1.86) and BIO-C-OBJ (mean 1.59, SD 1.76) indicate mild overall disease risk within our sample. NUTR-OBJ scores (mean=2.39, SD 1.28) showed no significant correlations with biological (BIO-C-PRO/OBJ) or psychosocial (PSY-C/H;SOC-SES;MI-C) scores. NUTR-WELL (mean=1.98,SD 1.36) showed strong positive correlations with PSY-C (r=.326, p Discussion This study indicates a significant correlation between NUTR-WELL scores and psychosocial scores, suggesting validity for this nutrition screening tool to determine behaviors that may increase nutrition risk. Poor correlations between NUTR-OBJ and biological scores suggests that the need for nutrition intervention may not always be indicated by disease severity. This scoring system can potentially serve as a guide to maximize efficiency of follow-up appointments with an RD and avoid complications of care related to poor nutrition status that may be unidentified by disease risk alone. Further research is needed to confirm findings and extend to a larger sample.