| 1. |
- Almer, Sven, et al.
(author)
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6-Thioguanine therapy in Crohns disease-Observational data in Swedish patients
- 2009
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In: Digestive and Liver Disease. - : Elsevier BV. - 1590-8658 .- 1878-3562. ; 41:3, s. 194-200
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: Adverse events (AE) leading to discontinuation or dose-reduction of thiopurine therapy (TP) occur in 9-28% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. 6-Thioguanine (6-TG) has been proposed as an alternative treatment in patients intolerant for azathioprine (AZA), but some concerns have been raised about drug safety. Methods: We evaluated in a prospective manner the tolerance and efficacy of 6-TG in 23 Crohns disease (CD) patients (13 men, median age 41 (19-65) years) with prior intolerance (n = 18) or resistance (It = 5) to AZA and/or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). In addition, eight patients had tried mycophenolate mofetil. Seventeen patients (74%) had undergone intestinal resection, often several times. Results: Patients were treated with a median daily dose of 40 mg 6-TG (range 20-60) for 259 (15-2272) days. Seven of 13 patients (54%) with active disease went into remission after 8 (4-26) weeks. Sixteen patients (70%) experienced AE that lead to discontinuation (n=10) after 85 (15-451) days or dose reduction (n=6) after 78 (10-853) days. Ten of 18 patients (56%) with prior TP-intolerance discontinued 6-TG treatment due to AE compared to none of five patients with TP-resistance (p=0.046). Of 13 patients that tolerated 6-TG, eight discontinued the drug due to therapeutic failure (n=5) or safety concerns (n=3). Eight patients (35%) continued treatment beyond 12 months. There was no significant difference in maximum thioguanine nucleotide levels between patients with AE leading to discontinuation/dose reduction and patients without AE, 652 (99-2488) vs. 551 (392-1574) pmol/8 x 10(8) RBC; p=0.80. Conclusions: In this cohort of CD patients with severe disease failing traditional thiopurine treatment, a small fraction (22%) had long-term benefit of 6-TG-treatment. 6-TG therapy seems to offer a limited therapeutic gain for patients intolerant to both AZA and 6-MP and other treatment options should be considered.
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| 2. |
- Bergquist, Annika, et al.
(author)
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Increased risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis in first-degree relatives of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
- 2008
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In: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. - New York : Elsevier. - 1542-3565 .- 1542-7714. ; 6:8, s. 939-943
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background & Aims: The importance of genetic factors for the development of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is incompletely understood. This study assessed the risk of PSC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among first-degree relatives of patients with PSC, compared with the first-degree relatives of a cohort without PSC. Methods: Subjects from the national Swedish cohort of PSC patients (n = 678) were matched for date of birth, sex, and region to up to 10 subjects without a diagnosis of PSC (n = 6347). Linkage through general population registers identified first-degree relatives of subjects in both the PSC and comparison cohorts (n = 34,092). Diagnoses among first-degree relatives were identified by using the Inpatient Register. Results: The risk of cholangitis was statistically significantly increased in offspring, siblings, and parents of the PSC patient cohort, compared with relatives of the comparison cohort, with the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals, 11.5 (1.6–84.4), 11.1 (3.3–37.8), and 2.3 (0.9–6.1), respectively. The hazard ratios for ulcerative colitis (UC) among first-degree relatives of all PSC patients was 3.3 (2.3–4.9) and for Crohn's disease 1.4 (0.8–2.5). The risk of UC for relatives of PSC patients without IBD was also increased, 7.4 (2.9–18.9). Conclusions: First-degree relatives of patients with PSC run an increased risk of PSC, indicating the importance of genetic factors in the etiology of PSC. First-degree relatives of PSC patients without IBD are also at an increased risk of UC, which might indicate shared genetic susceptibility factors for PSC and UC.
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| 3. |
- Elmberg, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Increased Mortality Risk in Patients With Phenotypic Hereditary Hemochromatosis But Not in Their First-Degree Relatives
- 2009
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In: Gastroenterology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-5085 .- 1528-0012. ; 137:4, s. 1301-1309
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by iron overload. Relatives of HH patients were screened and those with HH-associated mutations and an increased iron load were identified. However, little is known about their mortality or strategies for their management. We assessed mortality among Swedish patients with HH and their first-degree relatives using health and census registers. METHODS: We performed a matched population-based cohort study of 3832 patients with HH and their 14,496 first-degree relatives using data collected from 1990 through 2007. Mortality data from these groups were compared with that of 38,969 population controls and their 143,349 first-degree relatives using Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Patients identified on the basis of hospitalization with HH had an increased risk (relative risk [RR]) for death (RR, 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.27-2.64; 857 deaths). Patients identified through other means had a mortality risk that was lower than those identified in the hospital but higher than controls (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.33; 216 deaths). Their first-degree relatives had only a marginally increased mortality risk (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10); this RR was similar to that of patients' spouses (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.86-1.38; 82 deaths). Patients with HH who also had a family history of HH did not have an increased mortality risk compared with other groups (RR, 1.05; 95% CI 0.67-1.62; 21 deaths). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HH have a modestly increased mortality risk compared with controls. The mortality of relatives is increased marginally compared with controls, and is similar among biological and nonbiological relatives.
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| 4. |
- Hindorf, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Adverse events leading to modification of therapy in a large cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease
- 2006
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In: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. - : Wiley. - 0269-2813 .- 1365-2036. ; 24:2, s. 331-342
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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.
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| 5. |
- Hindorf, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Mercaptopurine treatment should be considered in azathioprine intolerant patients with inflammatory bowel disease
- 2009
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In: Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. - : Wiley. - 1365-2036 .- 0269-2813. ; 29:6, s. 654-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions are a significant reason for therapeutic failure during thiopurine treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Some smaller series in this patient population have shown that a switch to mercaptopurine may be successful in many cases of azathioprine intolerance. AIM: To assess the long-term outcome of mercaptopurine treatment in a large patient population with azathioprine intolerance. METHODS: We identified 135 patients (74 women; median age 40 years) with Crohn's disease (n = 88) or ulcerative colitis (n = 47) and reviewed their medical records. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients (52%) tolerated mercaptopurine and were followed up for 736 (362-1080) days; 65 patients discontinued mercaptopurine due to adverse events after 25 (8-92) days. Mercaptopurine was tolerated in 71% (12/17) with hepatotoxicity and in 68% (13/19) with arthralgia/myalgia during azathioprine treatment. Previous abdominal surgery was more common in mercaptopurine intolerant patients [39/65 (60%) vs. 27/70 (39%); P = 0.02] and thiopurine methyltransferase activity was higher in mercaptopurine tolerant patients than in mercaptopurine intolerant patients [13.2 (11.4-15.3) vs. 11.8 (9.6-14.2) U/mL red blood cells; P = 0.04; n = 81]. CONCLUSIONS: A trial of mercaptopurine should be considered in azathioprine intolerance, as half of the patients tolerate a switch to mercaptopurine. Patients with hepatotoxicity or arthralgia/myalgia during azathioprine treatment might benefit more often than those with other types of adverse events.
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| 6. |
- Lindgren, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Transitions between variant forms of primary biliary cirrhosis during long-term follow-up
- 2009
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In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. - : Elsevier BV. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 20:4, s. 398-402
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Conditions exhibiting features of two different autoimmune liver diseases are designated overlap syndromes. Variant forms display some, but not all, characteristics of a distinct autoimmune liver disease. We describe transitions over time between variant forms of PBC, i.e. AMA-negative PBC, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)-PBC overlap and autoimmune cholangitis (AIC) in a large cohort of PBC patients in Sweden. Methods: We retrieved all patients with variant forms of PBC in six university hospitals in Sweden, covering 60% of the Swedish population. The diagnosis of PBC and its variants was based on laboratory findings and compatible histological features. The revised autoimmune hepatitis scoring system proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group was used to establish the diagnosis of AIH. Results: In a population of 800 patients with PBC, we identified 35 (5%) variant forms; 25 patients with AIH-PBC overlap, 8 with AIC and 2 with AMA-negative PBC at the time of our study. The initial diagnoses were PBC (3 patients), AIH (3), AIH-PBC overlap (16), AIC (8) and AMA-negative PBC with (1) or without (4) concomitant AIH. The median follow-up was 125 (41-360) months. Immunosuppression and ursodeoxycholic acid induced a complete or good regression of increased aminotransferases in about half of the patients who were given one or both of these treatments. Conclusions: Variant forms of PBC are seen in approximately 5% of PBC patients in Sweden. Transition between different forms may occur, emphasizing the value of repeat biopsies, but established overlapping AIH-PBC seems to be stable over time.
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| 7. |
- Lindqvist Appell, Malin, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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No induction of thiopurine methyltransferase during thiopurine treatment in inflammatory bowel disease
- 2006
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In: Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1525-7770 .- 1532-2335. ; 25:9-11, s. 1033-1037
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to follow, during standardized initiation of thiopurine treatment, thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) gene expression and enzyme activity and thiopurine metabolite concentrations, and to study the role of TPMT and ITPA 94C > A polymorphisms for the development of adverse drug reactions. Sixty patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease were included in this open and prospective multi-center study. Thiopurine naive patients were prescribed azathioprine (AZA), patients previously intolerant to AZA received 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). The patients followed a predetermined dose escalation schedule, reaching target dose at Week 3; 2.5 and 1.25 mg/kg body weight for AZA and 6-MP, respectively. The patients were followed every week during Weeks 1-8 from baseline and then every 4 weeks until 20 weeks. TPMT activity and thiopurine metabolites were determined in erythrocytes, TPMT and ITPA genotypes, and TPMT gene expression were determined in whole blood. One homozygous TPMT-deficient patient was excluded. Five non compliant patients were withdrawn during the first weeks. Twenty-seven patients completed the study per protocol; 27 patients were withdrawn because of adverse events. Sixty-seven percent of the withdrawn patients tolerated thiopurines at a lower dose at Week 20. There was no difference in baseline TPMT enzyme activity between individuals completing the study and those withdrawn for adverse events (p = 0.45). A significant decrease in TPMT gene expression (TPMT/huCYC ratio, p = 0.02) was found, however TPMT enzyme activity did not change. TPMT heterozygous individuals had a lower probability of remaining in the study on the predetermined dose (p = 0.039). The ITPA 94C > A polymorphism was not predictive of adverse events (p = 0.35).
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| 8. |
- Mesterton, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Resource Use and Societal Costs for Crohn's Disease in Sweden
- 2009
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In: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1536-4844 .- 1078-0998. ; 15:12, s. 1882-1890
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The usual onset of Crohn's disease (CD) is between 15 and 30 years of age, thus affecting people during their most economically productive period in life. Methods: This study intended to estimate societal costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Swedish patients in different stages of CD. Cross-sectional data on disease activity (measured with the Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]), direct medical resource use, work productivity, and HRQoL (assessed using the 15D instrument) were collected for 420 patients by questionnaires to patients, to the treating physician, and from medical records. Based on HBI, current treatment, and response to treatment, patients were classified into the following disease states: Remission, Response, Active, Refractory, and Surgery. Results: The average 4-week cost per patient in 2007 was estimated at (sic)721 (USD 988), of which 64% was due to lost productivity. The total 4-week cost of care was (sic)255 (USD 349) in Remission, (sic)831 (USD 1138) in Response, (sic)891 (USD 1220) in Active, (sic)1360 (USD 1864) in Refractory, and (sic)16984 (USD 23269) in Surgery. HBI was the most important predictor of costs of care-a 1-point increase in HBI increased total costs by 25% (P < 0.001). HRQoL differed between the disease states: 0.92 in Remission, 0.90 in Response, 0.82 in Active, 0.81 in Refractory, and 0.77 in Surgery. Conclusions: Patients in remission have the lowest costs and the highest HRQoL. Patients responding to treatment have lower costs of care than patients with high disease activity who are not treated or do not respond to treatment:. Thus, total costs of care might be reduced by efficient treatment.
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| 9. |
- Olsson, Rolf, et al.
(author)
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High prevalence of small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis among patients with overlapping autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis
- 2009
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In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. - : Elsevier BV. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 20:2, s. 190-196
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Overlap syndrome is a term used for overlapping features of autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis and for autoimmune cholangitis. We describe a high prevalence of small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis among patients with overlapping autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Methods: We sought to retrieve all patients with overlap syndrome between primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis in six university hospitals in Sweden. The revised autoimmune hepatitis scoring system proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group was used to establish the diagnosis autoimmune hepatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and/or magnetic resonance cholangiography were used to separate the primary sclerosing cholangitis cases diagnosed through liver biopsy into small and large primary sclerosing cholangitis. A histologocial diagnosis compatible with both autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis was required for inclusion. Results: 26 patients fulfilled our criteria for histological overlap of autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, 7 (27%) of which had small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis. The reliability of the diagnosis small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis was supported by a very close similarity between small and large duct primary sclerosing cholangitis patients in clinical and laboratory data, and by a poor response to immunosuppressive therapy in the small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis patients. Patients with large duct overlap syndrome had a good response to immunosuppressive therapy. In both groups, our limited experience from ursodeoxycholic acid was largely poor. Conclusions: Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis is prevalent in the overlap syndrome between autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
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| 10. |
- Prytz, Hanne, et al.
(author)
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Dynamic FDG-PET is useful for detection of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with PSC listed for liver transplantation
- 2006
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In: Hepatology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0270-9139 .- 1527-3350. ; 44:6, s. 1572-1580
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Five to 15% of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) develop cholangiocarcinoma (CC) with a median survival of 5 to 7 months, an outcome not significantly improved by liver transplantation. However, if CC is found incidentally during the procedure or in the explanted liver, 5-year survival rates of 35% are reported. A noninvasive method to detect CC small enough to allow for intended curative surgery is needed. Unfortunately, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) have poor sensitivity for detection of CC in PSC, however, positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-[ 18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) differentiates well between CC and nonmalignant tissue. We examined whether PET findings are valid using a blinded study design comparing pretransplantation FDG-PET results with histology of explanted livers. Dynamic FDG-PET was performed in 24 consecutive patients with PSC within 2 weeks after listing for liver transplantation and with no evidence of malignancy on CT, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasonography. The PET Center staff was blinded to clinical findings, and surgeons and pathologists were blinded to the PET results. Three patients had CC that was correctly identified by PET. PET was negative in 1 patient with high-grade hilar duct dysplasia. In 20 patients without malignancies, PET was false positive in 1 patient with epitheloid granulomas in the liver. In conclusion, dynamic FDG-PET appears superior to conventional imaging techniques for both detection and exclusion of CC in advanced PSC. FDG-PET may be useful for screening for CC in the pretransplant evaluation of patients with PSC. Copyright © 2006 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
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