PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T M Bayless

Publications and source records attributed to T M Bayless.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA 6-thioguanine metabolite levels correlate with decreased interferon-gamma production in patients with Crohn's disease on AZA therapy.

6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its prodrug azathioprine (AZA) are well known for their lymphocytotoxic and bone marrow suppressive effects in the management of patients with leukemia. Although their immunosuppressive properties are mediated by the active AZA antimetabolite 6-thioguanine (6-TG), its mechanism of action is largely unknown. In IBD, a significant inverse correlation has been shown between erythrocyte 6-TG metabolite levels and disease activity, further supporting the proposed immunosuppressive role for 6-TG. Since leukocytes possess quantitatively different purine metabolic pathways compared to erythrocytes, this study aims to measure lymphocyte DNA 6-TG metabolites and correlate levels with the INF-gamma and IL-10 cytokine profile in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Forty-six adult patients with CD, either naive (17) or on long-term (>4-month) AZA therapy (29), had erythrocyte and lymphocyte DNA 6-TG levels measured by reverse-phase HPLC under UV detection (6-TG, 340 nm). Lymphocyte DNA 6-TG was expressed as picomoles per milligram of DNA. Lymphocyte DNA 6-TG metabolite levels were correlated with INF-gamma and IL-10 cytokine profiles using the OptEIA kit (Pharmigen). Lymphocyte DNA 6-TG metabolite levels correlate with erythrocyte 6-TG levels (P < 0.03) but not total patient leukocyte levels. Erythrocyte 6-TG metabolite levels correlated (P < 0.01) inversely with INF-gamma but not IL-10 cytokine levels. This study suggests a preferential dampening of the TH1 response on exposure to 6-TG and a possible immunosuppressive mechanism of action for AZA. Future studies are needed to determine if cytokine profiles can be used to predict recalcitrant CD to AZA therapy.

Azathioprine↗

Acute and late radiotherapy toxicity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receiving radiotherapy (RT) and to identify possibly avoidable factors associated with these complications. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-four patients were identified and their records reviewed; all had a history of IBD before receiving RT to fields encompassing some portion of the gastrointestinal tract (Crohn's disease) or to the abdomen or pelvis (ulcerative colitis or IBD not otherwise specified). RESULTS: Five of 24 patients (21%) experienced Grade > or =3 acute gastrointestinal toxicity; all 5 received concurrent chemotherapy. Two of 24 patients (8%) experienced Grade > or =3 late gastrointestinal toxicity. There were no significant correlations between complications and IBD type, prior IBD-related surgery, use of medications for IBD, or status of IBD. CONCLUSION: Patients with IBD may have an increased risk for severe acute RT-related gastrointestinal complications that is more modest than generally perceived, because all patients who had Grade > or =3 acute complications in this study had received concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.04). Further study is needed to assess this risk, as well as the impact of RT on these patients' future gastrointestinal morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Methodologic pitfalls in the determination of genetic anticipation: the case of Crohn disease.

BACKGROUND: The term genetic anticipation is used when genetically transmitted disease manifests at increasingly younger ages with each succeeding generation: that is, if the offspring of patients develop the disease, they will tend to do so at an earlier age than their parents. In some monogenetic disorders, genetic anticipation has a biological basis in expanded genetic triplet repeats; however, some have claimed that it occurs in polygenic disorders, such as Crohn disease, in which its mechanism cannot be explained. OBJECTIVE: To show how apparent changes in age at diagnosis of Crohn disease between generations, which could suggest genetic anticipation, can be an artifact of inadequate analysis based on age at diagnosis in cohorts that have not been followed for a sufficiently long time. DESIGN: Comparison of ages at diagnosis of Crohn disease among different birth cohorts, before and after adjustment for observation time. SETTING: Meyerhoff Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. PATIENTS: 928 consecutive outpatients with Crohn disease. MEASUREMENTS: Trends in age at diagnosis of Crohn disease among birth cohorts were determined by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients and performing Kaplan-Meyer analysis before and after adjustment for observation time. Adjustment for observation time was performed by ensuring that the time during which all included patients were at risk for Crohn disease was equal and that all patients had developed disease by the end of the risk period. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis decreased by approximately 5 years with each subsequent 10-year birth cohort on the basis of crude cross-sectional data that could suggest genetic anticipation between generations. However, after adjustment for observation time, the age at diagnosis decreased minimally, if at all, with each successive generation. CONCLUSIONS: Apparent genetic anticipation can be explained by observational biases without invoking any additional genetic influences. Claims for genetic anticipation must be based on methods that properly account for the duration of observation in all persons being studied.

Age of Onset↗

A frameshift mutation in NOD2 associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which is thought to result from the effect of environmental factors in a genetically predisposed host. A gene location in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16, IBD1, that contributes to susceptibility to Crohn's disease has been established through multiple linkage studies, but the specific gene(s) has not been identified. NOD2, a gene that encodes a protein with homology to plant disease resistance gene products is located in the peak region of linkage on chromosome 16 (ref. 7). Here we show, by using the transmission disequilibium test and case-control analysis, that a frameshift mutation caused by a cytosine insertion, 3020insC, which is expected to encode a truncated NOD2 protein, is associated with Crohn's disease. Wild-type NOD2 activates nuclear factor NF-kappaB, making it responsive to bacterial lipopolysaccharides; however, this induction was deficient in mutant NOD2. These results implicate NOD2 in susceptibility to Crohn's disease, and suggest a link between an innate immune response to bacterial components and development of disease.

Adult↗

Enhanced bioavailability of azathioprine compared to 6-mercaptopurine therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: correlation with treatment efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine have proven efficacy in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Immunosuppression is mediated by their intracellular metabolism into active 6-thioguanine metabolites, and clinical responsiveness to therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease has been correlated with the measure of erythrocyte 6-thioguanine levels. AIMS AND METHODS: To perform a dosing equivalency analysis and comparison of clinical efficacy in 82 patients with inflammatory bowel disease on long-term (> 2 months) therapy with either branded azathioprine (Imuran) (n=26), generic azathioprine (n=38), or 6-mercaptopurine (n=18), based on the measurement of erythrocyte 6-thioguanine metabolite levels. RESULTS: Disease remission was achieved in 51% (42 out of 82) of patients treated with either azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine therapy, and correlated well with high erythrocyte 6-thioguanine levels (> 250 pmoles/8 x 108 RBCs). Patients treated with either branded azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine achieved significantly higher erythrocyte 6-thioguanine levels than patients treated with generic azathioprine, thereby suggesting that branded azathioprine has improved oral bioavailability compared to generic azathioprine. These data are consistent with the putative immunosuppressive role of 6-thioguanine metabolites in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, and provides a basis for developing a therapeutic index of clinical efficacy based on the measurement of erythrocyte 6-thioguanine metabolite levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that differences in bioavailability may have clinical relevance when considering the need to optimize erythrocyte 6-thioguanine metabolite levels in patients deemed unresponsive to treatment on conventional drug dosages.

Administration, Oral↗

Linkage heterogeneity for the IBD1 locus in Crohn's disease pedigrees by disease onset and severity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There is evidence for the IBD1 Crohn's disease (CD) susceptibility locus on chromosome 16 in several but not all populations studied. Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity may underlie ability to replicate IBD1. We determined if age and severity stratification could identify a clinical subgroup at risk for IBD1. METHODS: Linkage analysis at microsatellites spanning chromosome 16 was performed in 2 groups of CD pedigrees: group 1, 57 pedigrees with at least one affected relative classified as having "severe" disease, by history of surgical resection or immunomodulator therapy, and with disease diagnosed before age 22; and group 2, 33 pedigrees with no history of early-onset, severe CD. RESULTS: Group 1 pedigrees demonstrated genomewide significant linkage evidence for the IBD1 locus (nonparametric multipoint logarithm of the odds [Mlod], 3.84; P = 1.3 x 10(-5)) with linkage evidence greater than all 90 pedigrees (Mlod, 2.12; P = 9.0 x 10(-4)). Group 2 pedigrees had near zero nonparametric 2-point and Mlod scores for the IBD1 region. Heterogeneity between groups 1 and 2 was significant (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of early-onset, more severe CD identifies pedigrees at high risk for IBD1. These pedigrees will have more power to refine the IBD1 locus and identify the causative gene.

Adult↗

Atypical forms of inflammatory bowel disease: microscopic colitis and pouchitis.

Three atypical colitides (and enterides) are collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis, and ileal pouchitis. Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are similar inflammatory bowel disorders of unknown cause with symptoms including chronic watery diarrhea, occurring in middle age. Pouchitis is the most significant long-term complication in patients with ileoanal pouch anastomosis. The clinical and histologic features and management of these entities are discussed.

Journal Article↗

Musculoskeletal complications of Crohn's disease: the role of computed tomography in diagnosis and patient management.

The delayed diagnosis of musculoskeletal complications of Crohn's disease may produce major morbidity in patients. This study compared abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) with conventional radiography in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal complications in 23 of 552 patients with Crohn's disease examined by CT over a 7-year period. Surgical confirmation was available in 15 of 21 patients. The clinical features of psoas/gluteal abscesses, abdominal wall fistulae, and sacral osteomyelitis are described. Because the clinical manifestations of these musculoskeletal complications are often nonspecific, CT is often useful in diagnosing and directing therapeutic interventions.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Cancer risk in collagenous colitis.

Collagenous colitis is a recently described form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Other inflammatory bowel disorders are associated with increased risk of colorectal and extracolonic malignancies, but this has not been evaluated in collagenous colitis. Colorectal and extracolonic malignancies were identified in 117 patients with collagenous colitis from the Johns Hopkins Registry. The incidence rates of identified tumors, overall incidence rate of tumors, and overall mortality were then compared with general population through person year analysis with adjustment for population. No cases of colorectal cancer were found in collagenous colitis patients during a mean follow-up period of 7.0 years (range 2-12 years) after the diagnosis of colitis. Two patients developed colorectal cancer prior to the diagnosis of colitis, but no increase in life-time relative risk of colorectal cancer was found (relative risk 0.52; 95% confidence limits 0.05-1.5). An increased relative risk of lung cancer in women (relative risk 3.7; 95% confidence limits 1.0-9.6; p = 0.048) was noted. The relative risk of overall malignancy and overall mortality was not different than the general population. In collagenous colitis patients the life-time relative risk of colorectal cancer and the relative risk after the diagnosis of colitis with a mean observation period of 7 years was not increased. An increase in relative risk of lung cancer in women with collagenous colitis argues for further investigation of the role of smoking and other factors in this disorder.

Age Distribution↗

Identification of novel susceptibility loci for inflammatory bowel disease on chromosomes 1p, 3q, and 4q: evidence for epistasis between 1p and IBD1.

The idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic, frequently disabling diseases of the intestines. Segregation analyses, twin concordance, and ethnic differences in familial risks have established that CD and UC are complex, non-Mendelian, related genetic disorders. We performed a genome-wide screen using 377 autosomal markers, on 297 CD, UC, or mixed relative pairs from 174 families, 37% Ashkenazim. We observed evidence for linkage at 3q for all families (multipoint logarithm of the odds score (MLod) = 2.29, P = 5.7 x 10(-4)), with greatest significance for non-Ashkenazim Caucasians (MLod = 3.39, P = 3.92 x 10(-5)), and at chromosome 1p (MLod = 2.65, P = 2.4 x 10(-4)) for all families. In a limited subset of mixed families (containing one member with CD and another with UC), evidence for linkage was observed on chromosome 4q (MLod = 2.76, P = 1.9 x 10(-4)), especially among Ashkenazim. There was confirmatory evidence for a CD locus, overlapping IBD1, in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16 (MLod = 1.69, P = 2.6 x 10(-3)), particularly among Ashkenazim (MLod = 1.51, P = 7.8 x 10(-3)); however, positive MLod scores were observed over a very broad region of chromosome 16. Furthermore, evidence for epistasis between IBD1 and chromosome 1p was observed. Thirteen additional loci demonstrated nominal (MLod > 1.0, P < 0.016) evidence for linkage. This screen provides strong evidence that there are several major susceptibility loci contributing to the genetic risk for CD and UC.

Chromosome Mapping↗

American families with Crohn's disease have strong evidence for linkage to chromosome 16 but not chromosome 12.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Two European genome-wide screens for inflammatory bowel disease have identified two significant regions of linkage on chromosomes 16 (IBD1) and 12 (IBD2) and two regions with suggestive levels of significance (chromosomes 3p and 7q). The aim of this study was to determine if there was evidence for linkage to these regions in non-Jewish and Ashkenazi Jewish families multiplex for Crohn's disease from the United States. METHODS: One hundred forty-eight affected relative pairs, 34% Ashkenazim, were genotyped with 10-14 highly polymorphic markers overlying each candidate region. Nonparametric multipoint and two-point linkage analyses were performed. RESULTS: Significant evidence for replication of linkage was found only for the chromosome 16 locus, IBD1, maximal at D16S769 (nonparametric linkage score [NPL], 2.49; P = 0.007). Analysis by ethnicity showed stronger evidence for Ashkenazim (D16S769; NPL = 2. 52; P = 0.007) than for non-Jewish white populations (D16S401; NPL = 1.40; P = 0.082). There was no significant evidence for replication on chromosome 12 (IBD2). Minimal evidence for extension of linkage evidence was observed for the chromosomes 3p and 7q regions. CONCLUSIONS: American families, particularly Ashkenazim, have significant evidence for the Crohn's disease susceptibility locus, IBD1, on chromosome 16, but not for IBD2 on chromosome 12.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Preliminary evidence for genetic anticipation in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The term genetic anticipation is used to describe earlier onset of disease, increased severity, or both, in succeeding generations of families affected by a particular disease. This process has been linked with expanded genomic trinucleotide repeat regions in some neurological disorders. Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, has genetic influences, which remain undefined. We studied pairs of two-generation first-degree relatives with Crohn's disease to seek evidence for genetic anticipation in this disorder. METHODS: Through retrospective review of the records of 552 patients treated for Crohn's disease at Johns Hopkins Hospital, we identified 27 pairs of two-generation first-degree relatives. We also studied 32 such pairs identified through a multicentre survey. After exploratory analyses by t tests, a generalised estimating equations approach was used to fit a marginal regression model. FINDINGS: The age at diagnosis was earlier in the younger member of the pair both in the Johns Hopkins Hospital dataset (18.9 [SE 6.9] vs 31.4 [12.0] years) and in the multicentre survey dataset (16.9 [7.4] vs 33.1 [11.9] years). The regression model confirmed the findings: the best-fitting model for the Johns Hopkins Hospital data showed an average 10.8 (SE 4.2) year difference in age at diagnosis between parent and child; that for the multicentre data showed an average difference of 15.1 (1.5) years. There was evidence of a further difference between the second and third generations. Disease was more extensive in the offspring than in the parent for 15 of the 27 pairs at Johns Hopkins Hospital; in 13 of these pairs the affected parent was the father. INTERPRETATION: The evidence of a lower age at diagnosis and a greater extent of disease in the younger member of two-generation pairs affected by Crohn's disease, as well as the association with paternal transmission, suggest that genetic anticipation does occur in Crohn's disease. A search for triplet repeat regions is warranted.

Adolescent↗

Crohn's disease: concordance for site and clinical type in affected family members--potential hereditary influences.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The association of genetic influences between bowel location and clinical type of Crohn's disease may provide more information on the genetic heterogeneity of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to analyze familial occurrences of Crohn's disease for concordance for site and type. METHODS: Of 554 consecutive patients, 95 (17%) had a family history of Crohn's disease. Sixty families were analyzed for concordance for site and clinical type and by a series of conditional logistic regression models to test the significance of concordance within families. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of families were concordant in at least 2 members for the site of Crohn's disease, and 82% were concordant for clinical type. Pairing family members together, concordance greater than expected in an unrelated population was observed. Using a conditional logistic regression model, a statistically significant role for concordance in predicting site and type of Crohn's disease in other affected family members was found. CONCLUSIONS: Greater-than-expected concordance for site and clinical type of Crohn's disease within individual families is compatible with a concept of multiple, distinct forms of Crohn's disease, which, although possibly influenced by environment, seem more likely to be separate inheritable forms or phenotypes.

Adult↗

Crohn's disease: influence of age at diagnosis on site and clinical type of disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Crohn's disease has a bimodal age distribution of disease onset diagnosis. The peaks (20 and 50 years) may represent different phenotypes or different genetic and/or environmental influences between younger- and older-onset individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the influences of age at diagnosis of Crohn's disease on disease site, type, and course. METHODS: Records of 552 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Younger age at diagnosis (younger than 20 years), compared with an older age (40 years or older), was associated with a greater prevalence of a family history of Crohn's disease (29.9% vs. 13.6%), greater small bowel involvement (88.7% vs. 57.5%), more stricturing disease (45.8% vs. 28.8%), and a higher frequency of surgery (70.6% vs. 55.3%). Older age at diagnosis was associated with a greater prevalence of colonic disease (84.8% vs. 71.2%) and the inflammatory subtype (54.5% vs. 34.4%). A conditional logistic regression analysis confirmed an independent effect of age at diagnosis on ileal disease and surgery for intractable disease. CONCLUSIONS: In Crohn's disease, early age at diagnosis is associated with more complicated disease and a greater likelihood of having affected relatives. Stratification of Crohn's disease by age at diagnosis provides support for the concept of genetic heterogeneity.

Adult↗