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- Myrelid, Pär, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Azathioprine as a postoperative prophylaxis reduces symptoms in aggressive Crohn's disease
- 2006
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5521 .- 1502-7708. ; 41:10, s. 1190-1195
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. Recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) after surgery is common. Azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (Aza/6-MP) is effective in controlling medically induced remission but, so far, has only been sparsely investigated after surgically induced remission. This study comprises a subset of CD patients considered to have an aggressive disease course and chosen for treatment with Aza postoperatively. Material and methods. In 1989-2000, a total of 100 patients with CD were given Aza/6-MP as a postoperative prophylaxis. Fourteen Aza/6-MP-intolerant patients were compared with 28 Aza-tolerant patients, matched for gender, age, and duration of disease. Patients were prospectively registered for symptoms using a modified Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and perceived health was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The primary outcome variable was the modified CDAI postoperatively integrated over time, other variables were time to first relapse (modified CDAI ≥ 150), time to first repeated surgery, number of courses of steroids, and repeated surgery per year of follow-up. Patients were followed for a median of 84.7months (23.2-140). Results. The modified CDAI integrated over time was 93 for Aza-treated patients compared with 184 for controls (p = 0.01) and time to first relapse was 53 and 24 months, respectively (p < 0.05). Aza-treated patients needed fewer courses of corticosteroids (p = 0.05) compared with controls. Perceived health did not differ between the groups, nor did need of repeated surgery. Time to first repeat operation was 53 and 37 months, respectively. Conclusions. In CD patients considered to have an aggressive disease course, Aza reduced symptoms after surgery and prolonged the time to symptomatic relapse. The findings support a role for Aza as a postoperative maintenance treatment in CD. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.
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| 2. |
- Rubér, Marie, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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Different cytokine profiles in patients with a history of gangrenous or phlegmonous appendicitis
- 2006
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In: Clinical and Experimental Immunology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0009-9104 .- 1365-2249. ; 143:1, s. 117-124
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Appendicitis is one of the most common and costly acute abdominal states of illnesses. Previous studies suggest two types of appendicitis which may be different entities, one which may resolve spontaneously and another that progresses to gangrene and perforation. Gangrenous appendicitis has a positive association to states of Th1 mediated immunity whereas Th2 associated immune states are associated with lower risk of appendicitis. This study investigated the inflammatory response pattern in patients previously appendicectomized for gangrenous (n = 7), or phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 8) and those with a non-inflamed appendix (n = 5). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed with ELISPOT analysis for number of spontaneous or antigen/mitogen stimulated IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 secreting cells or with ELISA for concentration of spontaneous or antigen/mitogen stimulated IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-10. Spontaneously IL-10 secreting cells/100 000 lymphocytes were increased in the gangrenous group compared to the phlegmonous group (P = 0.015). The median concentration of IL-10 secreted after Tetanus toxoid (TT)-stimulation were higher in the gangrenous group and the control group, than the phlegmonous group (P = 0.048 and P = 0.027, respectively). The median concentration of TT induced IFN-γ secretion was higher for the gangrenous group compared to both the phlegmonous group and the control group (P = 0.037 and P = 0.003). Individuals with a history of gangrenous appendicitis demonstrated ability to increased IL-10 and IFN-γ production. The increased IFN-γ may support the notion of gangrenous appendicitis as an uncontrolled Th1 mediated inflammatory response and increased IL-10 may speculatively indicate the involvement of cytotoxic cells in the progression to perforation. © 2005 British Society for Immunology.
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