Biomedical subjects

N Evgenikos

Publications and source records attributed to N Evgenikos.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Assessment of ileoanal pouch inflammation by interleukin 1beta and interleukin 8 concentrations in the gut lumen.

PURPOSE: The cytokines interleukin 1beta and interleukin 8 have previously been shown to be present in mucosal biopsy specimens from inflamed ileoanal pouches. Our aim was to use the method of whole gut lavage fluid to measure cytokine concentrations and relate these to disease activity. METHODS: Forty-two patients with ulcerative colitis were recruited (23 males). Their ages ranged from 20 to 73 years (median 39). A questionnaire was completed and whole gut lavage, pouchoscopy, and biopsy were performed. RESULTS: Both interleukin 1beta and interleukin 8 were present in the whole gut lavage fluid of ileoanal pouches, with concentrations ranging from 4 to 143 pg/ml (median 6.3 pg/ml) for whole gut lavage fluid interleukin 1beta and from 18 to 1000 pg/ml (median 53.7 pg/ml) for whole gut lavage fluid interleukin 8. Whole gut lavage fluid interleukin 1beta and interleukin 8 were simultaneously detectable in 24 patients. These included the five patients with pouchitis, who had higher levels of interleukin 1beta (75 pg/ml vs. 8 pg/ml, P < 0.005) and interleukin 8 (668 pg/ml vs. 106 pg/ml, P < 0.005) compared with the rest of the patients with detectable cytokines (n = 19). The sensitivity of whole gut lavage fluid interleukin 8 (>200 pg/ml) in the diagnosis of pouchitis was 1, and the specificity was 0.86. There was a significant positive correlation of both whole gut lavage fluid interleukin 1beta and interleukin 8 with all the gut protein loss markers (immunoglobulin G, albumin, alpha1-antitrypsin). CONCLUSION: Cytokine interleukin 1beta and interleukin 8 concentrations, along with other parameters of inflammation, are raised in pouchitis in the whole gut lavage. The results also suggest a spectrum of severity of "pouchitis," with clinical pouchitis fulfilling Moskowitz criteria at the severe end of the spectrum.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Comparison of the Moskowitz criteria and the pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI) for diagnosis of ileoanal pouch inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare two indices for diagnosis of pouchitis: Moskowitz criteria and pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive patients with an ileoanal pouch for ulcerative colitis were recruited. A clinical questionnaire was composed and the Oresland functional score calculated. Pouchoscopy and biopsy were performed after cleansing of the pouch. RESULTS: Seven patients had pouchitis according to both Moskowitz and PDAI ('positive' group). Five patients had PDAI > or = 7, but did not fulfil the Moskowitz criteria ('negative' group). The pouchoscopy and Oresland functional scores were similar between the two groups. The biopsy neutrophilia and ulceration were more prominent in the 'positive' group (chi2=5.18, P < 0.05), whereas urgency (chi2=8.4, P < 0.001), evacuation difficulties (chi2=5.18, P < 0.05) and history of bleeding per pouch (chi2=4.18, P < 0.05) were more pronounced in the 'negative' group. CONCLUSION: Moskowitz criteria may be broadly in agreement with the PDAI; these, however, cannot be regarded as interchangeable.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Immunoglobulin G and albumin levels in whole gut lavage fluid provide an objective measure of pouch ileitis.

BACKGROUND: Gut protein loss is a characteristic of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and immunoglobulin (Ig) G, albumin and alpha1-antitrypsin concentrations in whole gut lavage fluid (WGLF) correlate with clinical disease activity. If inflammation in ileoanal pouches is similar to IBD, then measurement of protein-losing enteropathy by analysis of WGLF may provide an objective assessment of disease activity in pouches. METHODS: Forty-two patients who had restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis underwent whole gut lavage with a polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution. The first clear effluent was filtered, processed by the addition of protease inhibitors and stored at - 70 degrees C. IgG, albumin and alpha1-antitrypsin were assayed in WGLF. The Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) was calculated after pouchoscopy and biopsy; the Moskowitz criteria for pouchitis were also applied. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation of the pouchoscopy score and the PDAI with the concentration of WGLF IgG. All patients with 'pouchitis' according to the Moskowitz criteria had a WGLF IgG concentration greater than 10 microg/ml. The WGLF albumin level also showed a significant correlation with the PDAI, but alpha1-antitrypsin concentration did not. CONCLUSION: Analysis of WGLF for IgG and albumin may be useful in the assessment of disease activity in pouch inflammation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Menstruation, the oral contraceptive pill, and acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if there was any association between histologically confirmed acute appendicitis, menstruation, and the use of the oral contraceptive pill. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: District general hospital, Scotland. SUBJECTS: 366 consecutive patients (median age 21, range 10-51) with histologically confirmed acute appendicitis during the period 1981-1990 were studied, 314 of whom were having menstrual cycles. 208 patients with physiological menstrual cycle were included in the study, and 82 patients were taking the oral contraceptive pill. INTERVENTIONS: Prospectively collected standardised data using computer assisted diagnosis of acute abdominal pain was used to review patients with histologically confirmed acute appendicitis. RESULTS: Acute appendicitis was confirmed in 17/208 of patients (8%) who were menstruating, which is significantly less than might be expected (p < 0.003). 5/82 (6%) of those taking oral contraception had withdrawal bleeding and acute appendicitis (p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Acute appendicitis is less common among women during physiological menstruation, but no differences are noted during the withdrawal bleeding phase when taking oral contraception.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with ulcerative colitis.

A case is reported of papillary thyroid adenocarcinoma with cervical lymph node metastases in a young man who had presented earlier with severe total ulcerative colitis. The aetiological factors in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma are briefly reviewed and an association between this neoplasm and ulcerative colitis is suggested.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗