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C J J Mulder

Publications and source records attributed to C J J Mulder.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Azathioprine and prednisone combination therapy in refractory coeliac disease.

INTRODUCTION: Refractory coeliac disease (RCD) is a rare syndrome with a poor prognosis, defined by malabsorption due to gluten-related enteropathy after initial or subsequent failure of a strict gluten-free diet and after exclusion of any disorder mimicking coeliac disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients were included and treated. Based on intraepithelial T-lymphocyte(IEL) phenotyping, patients were recorded as having RCD type I with normal IELs, or RCD type II with phenotypically immature IELs defined by a lack of characteristic T-cell markers. Treatment consisted of azathioprine combined with prednisone for 1 year, which was tapered and, if possible, stopped. RESULTS: Clinical improvement was seen in nearly all patients in both groups. Eight of 10 RCD type I patients responded histologically, and complete normalization of villi was seen in four patients. In RCD type II, 6/8 patients developed enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) and 7/8 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time we report a promising therapeutic treatment option for RCD type I. In RCD type II, azathioprine and prednisone therapy (APT) is not effective, therefore we suggest that other (chemo)therapeutic agents are considered. Not all RCD type II patients presented with a monoclonal TCRgamma-gene rearrangement and immunohistological changes as is currently reported in the literature. Therefore, immunophenotyping seems mandatory in the work-up of RCD.

Adult↗

Safety of thiopurines in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Thiopurines have proven efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease. However, concerns regarding toxicity have limited the use of these agents as first line of medical therapy. METHODS: Review of the literature regarding metabolism, efficacy and side effects. RESULTS: In clinical trials, up to 15% of patients discontinued 6-mercaptopurine or its pro-drug azathioprine prematurely due to adverse events. These events may be divided into dose-independent idiosyncratic reactions and dose-related, pharmacologically explainable toxicity. Dose-independent reactions include skin rash, fever, diarrhoea and pancreatitis. Most frequently observed dose-dependent adverse events are nausea, malaise and myelotoxicity. Furthermore, dose-dependent and dose-independent hepatotoxicity may occur. Recent insights obtained by therapeutic drug monitoring in patients on azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine have led to strategies to reduce toxicity. One strategy is to detect poor metabolisers of thiopurines by establishing the activity of the key enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase. However, the clinical relevance of this strategy is still a point of debate. Another strategy is to administer 6-thioguanine, which is an agent close to the effective 6-thioguanine nucleotides. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic drug monitoring of thiopurines resulted in strategies to reduce toxicity. The value of these strategies has yet to be proven in prospective randomized trials.

Azathioprine↗

IL12B and IRF1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is a common gastro-intestinal disorder resulting from permanent intolerance to wheat gliadins and related proteins in rye and barley. In addition to the strong genetic association with HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, a genetic region on chromosomes 5 (CELIAC2) has been identified that harbours a susceptibility gene for CD. The gene(s) responsible for this association, however, remains to be identified. In the present study we evaluated polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukin-12 p40 (IL12B) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1). Both genes are located in the celiac2 region, and have key roles in inducing interferon (IFN)-gamma secreting T helper 1 (Th1) cells, one of the immunological hallmarks of CD. The frequencies of a TaqI gene polymorphism in the 3' UTR of IL12B and a HinfI gene polymorphism in the 3' UTR of IRF1 were studied in 258 Dutch CD patients and 237 ethnically matched healthy controls. The transmission of the polymorphic variants from parents to affected child was determined in 123 families with at least one affected child. The frequencies of the IL12B TaqI gene polymorphism and the IRF1 HinfI gene polymorphism did not differ significantly between patients and controls. In addition, in the family study, no deviation from the expected transmission from parents to affected child of any of the polymorphic variants was found. The IL12B TaqI and the IRF1 HinfI gene polymorphisms do not appear to be involved in susceptibility to CD. Further studies on the factors that drive the Th1 immunopathology in CD are required.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Coeliac disease: changing views on gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

BACKGROUND: The continuing flow of scientific development in coeliac disease in the past decade points to the need for the formulation of a new concept of pathophysiology and clinical approach to the coeliac condition. Immunogenetic studies have shown a correlation of the disease to the HLA region on the short arm of chromosome 6; immunological research has led to the concept of a T-cell-driven immunologic response of the small intestine, with the identification of highly sensitive and specific antibodies; and our understanding of the histopathology of coeliac disease has changed dramatically, initiated by the proposition of a spectrum of gluten-sensitive enteropathy by Marsh in 1992. Clinical studies report a significant change in patient characteristics and epidemiology. The incidence of the disease has shifted to a majority of adult coeliacs, and it may present with less severe symptoms of malabsorption. Screening studies suggest an overall prevalence of up to 1 in 200-300. METHODS: Update on histopathology concentrating on the work of our research group. RESULTS: We specifically describe the work of our group in Arnhem concerning the identification and validation of the spectrum of intestinal histopathology in gluten-sensitive enteropathy, i.e. lymphocytic enteritis (Marsh I lesion), lymphocytic enteritis with crypt hyperplasia (Marsh II lesion), and villous atrophy, subdivided into partial villous atrophy (Marsh IIIA), subtotal villous atrophy (Marsh IIIB) and total villous atrophy (Marsh IIIC). Special attention is given to a subgroup of 'refractory coeliacs', including the identification of (pre-)malignant aberrant T cells in the intestinal mucosa of these patients. CONCLUSION: New data on immunogenetics, epidemiology, histopathology and patient characteristics point to a significant change of view on coeliac disease.

Celiac Disease↗

A double-blind, randomized comparison of omeprazole Multiple Unit Pellet System (MUPS) 20 mg, lansoprazole 30 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg in symptomatic reflux oesophagitis followed by 3 months of omeprazole MUPS maintenance treatment: a Dutch multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have proved to be effective in treating reflux oesophagitis. Until now, no study had compared the PPIs omeprazole Multiple Unit Pellet System (MUPS), lansoprazole and pantoprazole in patients with reflux oesophagitis. AIM: To compare omeprazole MUPS 20 mg, lansoprazole 30 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg for treatment effect in symptomatic reflux oesophagitis. METHOD: Patients with grade I-IV symptomatic reflux oesophagitis were randomized to double-blind omeprazole 20 mg once morning, lansoprazole 30 mg o.m. or pantoprazole 40 mg o.m. Patient satisfaction and symptoms were evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks. Patients not satisfied after 8 weeks were treated for another 4 weeks with omeprazole 40 mg MUPS (open). Successful treatment was followed by 3 months' maintenance treatment with omeprazole MUPS 20 mg (patients satisfied after 4 or 8 weeks) or omeprazole MUPS 40 mg (patients satisfied after 12 weeks). RESULTS: On intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (n = 461) at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, 84% and 87% (omeprazole MUPS), 78% and 81% (lansoprazole), and 84% and 89% (pantoprazole) were free of heartburn. Equivalence was found between omeprazole MUPS and pantoprazole (heartburn relief), but not with lansoprazole. Patient satisfaction after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, was 79% and 89% (omeprazole MUPS), 76% and 86% (lansoprazole), and 79% and 91% (pantoprazole). Patient satisfaction was similar in all treatment groups. During maintenance, 87% in the omeprazole MUPS 20 mg group and 81% in the omeprazole MUPS 40 mg group were satisfied after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Omeprazole MUPS 20 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg have equivalent efficacy in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis. Based on patient satisfaction, omeprazole MUPS 20 mg, lansoprazole 30 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg are equally effective.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Natural history of primary sclerosing cholangitis and prognostic value of cholangiography in a Dutch population.

BACKGROUND: Median survival of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has been estimated to be 12 years. Cholangiography is the gold standard for diagnosis but is rarely used in estimating prognosis. AIMS: To assess the natural history of Dutch PSC patients and to evaluate the prognostic value of a cholangiographic classification system. PATIENTS: A total of 174 patients with established PSC attending a university hospital and three teaching hospitals from 1970 to 1999. METHODS: Charts were reviewed for validity and time of diagnosis, concurrent inflammatory bowel disease, interventions, liver transplantation, occurrence of cholangiocarcinoma, and death. Follow up data were obtained from the charts and from the attending clinician or family physician. Median follow up was 76 months (range 1-300). The earliest available cholangiography was scored using a radiological classification system for the severity of sclerosis, developed in our institution. Survival curves were computed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cholangiographic staging was used to construct a prognostic model, applying Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: The estimated median survival from time of diagnosis to death from liver disease or liver transplantation was 18 years. Cholangiocarcinoma was found in 18 (10%) patients. Fourteen patients (8%) underwent liver transplantation. Cholangiographic scoring was inversely correlated with survival. A combination of intrahepatic and extrahepatic scoring, together with age at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, proved strongly predictive of survival. CONCLUSIONS: The observed survival was considerably better than reported in earlier series from Sweden, the UK, and the USA. Classification and staging of cholangiographic abnormalities has prognostic value.

Adult↗