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The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. Dietary factors such as the spread of the \"Western\" diet, high in fat and protein but low in fruits and vegetables, may be associated with the increase. Although many studies have evaluated the association between diet and IBD risk, there has been no systematic review. We performed a systematic review using guideline-recommended methodology to evaluate the association between pre-illness intake of nutrients (fats, carbohydrates, protein) and food groups (fruits, vegetables, meats) and the risk of subsequent IBD diagnosis. Eligible studies were identified via structured keyword searches in PubMed and Google Scholar and manual searches. Nineteen studies were included, encompassing 2,609 IBD patients (1,269 Crohn's disease (CD) and 1,340 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients) and over 4,000 controls. Studies reported a positive association between high intake of saturated fats, monounsaturated fatty acids, total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), total omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, mono- and disaccharides, and meat and increased subsequent CD risk. Studies reported a negative association between dietary fiber and fruits and subsequent CD risk. High intakes of total fats, total PUFAs, omega-6 fatty acids, and meat were associated with an increased risk of UC. High vegetable intake was associated with a decreased risk of UC. High dietary intakes of total fats, PUFAs, omega-6 fatty acids, and meat were associated with an increased risk of CD and UC. High fiber and fruit intakes were associated with decreased CD risk, and high vegetable intake was associated with decreased UC risk.

Precise neurostimulation can revolutionize therapies for neurological disorders. Electrode-based stimulation devices face challenges in achieving precise and consistent targeting due to the immune response and the limited penetration of electrical fields. Ultrasound can aid in energy propagation, but transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the deep brain has limited spatial resolution caused by bone and tissue scattering. Here, we report an implantable piezoelectric ultrasound stimulator (ImPULS) that generates an ultrasonic focal pressure of 100 kPa to modulate the activity of neurons. ImPULS is a fully-encapsulated, flexible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer that incorporates a biocompatible piezoceramic, potassium sodium niobate [(K,Na)NbO 3 ]. The absence of electrochemically active elements poses a new strategy for achieving long-term stability. We demonstrated that ImPULS can i) excite neurons in a mouse hippocampal slice ex vivo, ii) activate cells in the hippocampus of an anesthetized mouse to induce expression of activity-dependent gene c-Fos, and iii) stimulate dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta to elicit time-locked modulation of nigrostriatal dopamine release. This work introduces a non-genetic ultrasound platform for spatially-localized neural stimulation and exploration of basic functions in the deep brain. Ultrasound neuromodulation overcomes limitations of electrode-based stimulation through improved targeting and long-term stability for treating neurological disorders. Here, authors present a hair-thin, implantable piezoelectric stimulator that selectively modulates neurons in the deep brain.

Although inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported worldwide, most studies have focused on Caucasian populations. Our aim was to summarize the existing epidemiological literature, identify temporal trends, and highlight areas for future research. We carried out a systematic review following standard guidelines to evaluate the incidence, prevalence, temporal trends, disease characteristics, and extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) of IBD in African American, Hispanic, and Asian adult patients. Two investigators independently identified eligible studies through 2008 using structured keyword searches in PubMed, applied several inclusion and exclusion criteria, and abstracted the data. Twenty-eight publications were included, encompassing 1,272 Hispanic, 547 African American, and 35,844 Asian patients with IBD. Greater proportions of Hispanic (36.7-84.3%) and Asian (30.6-74.7%) patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) than with Crohn's disease (CD) compared with African Americans (27.6-40.6%). The prevalence rates of IBD in Hispanics in Puerto Rico varied between 5 (rural) and 62 (urban) per 100,000. Crude prevalence rates in Asia varied between 6 (Singapore) and 136 (South Asians in UK) per 100,000 for UC, and between 3 (Singapore) and 33 (South Asians in UK) per 100,000 for CD. Three studies reported a rising annual incidence rate among Hispanics (from 2.6 to 7.5 per 100,000) and Asians (from 0.22 to 3.62 per 100,000). Fistulizing CD was reported in nearly one-third of Hispanic patients, up to one-quarter of African-American patients, and up to one-half of Asian patients. Ileocolonic disease was the most common site of CD among the three racial/ethnic groups, with skin and joint manifestations noted as the most common EIMs. Prevalence and incidence rates in Hispanics and Asians have recently increased. There are many similarities and differences in disease location and behavior among racial/ethnic groups. There is a paucity of literature on all aspects of the disease in Hispanics, in the incidence and prevalence of IBD in African Americans, and in Asians with IBD outside Asia.

Background Biosimilars are highly similar, but not identical, versions of originator biologic medications. Switching patients to biosimilars presents an opportunity to mitigate rising drug costs and expand patient access to important biologic therapies. However, decreased patient acceptance and adherence to biosimilar medications have been reported, which can lead to loss of treatment response, adverse reactions, and inefficient resource utilization. Understanding patient perceptions of biosimilars and biosimilar switching is needed to inform patient-centered care strategies that promote efficient resource utilization. Methods We used democratic deliberation methods to solicit the informed and considered opinions of patients regarding biosimilar switching. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n  = 29) from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) participated in 5-hour deliberation sessions over two days. Following educational presentations with experts, participants engaged in facilitated small group discussions. Transcripts and facilitators’ notes were used to identify key themes. Participants completed surveys pre- and post-deliberation to collect sociodemographic and clinical features as well as to assess IBD treatment knowledge and attitudes toward care and approaches to biosimilar switching. Results Five major themes emerged from the small group discussions in the context of biosimilar switching: 1) concerns about adverse consequences and unclear risk-benefit balance; (2) importance of communication and transparency; (3) desire for shared decision making and patient involvement in treatment decisions; (4) balancing cost-saving with competing priorities; and (5) advocating for individualized care and prioritization based on risk levels. These views led participants to favor approaches that prioritize switching the sickest patients last (i.e., those with poorly controlled disease) and that offer patients control and choices around biosimilar switching. Participants also expressed preferences for combining elements of different approaches to maximize fairness. Conclusions Approaches to biosimilar switching should consider patients’ desires for transparency and effective communication about biosimilar switching and engagement in their medical decision-making as part of patient-centered care. Incorporating patient preferences around biosimilar switching is critical when navigating the quality and affordability of care in resource constrained settings, both within the VHA and in other healthcare systems.

Corticosteroids are effective for the short-term treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Long-term use, however, is associated with significant adverse effects. To define the: (1) frequency and duration of corticosteroid use, (2) frequency of escalation to corticosteroid-sparing therapy, (3) rate of complications related to corticosteroid use, (4) rate of appropriate bone density measurements (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA] scans), and (5) factors associated with escalation and DEXA scans. Retrospective review of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data from 2002-2010. Of the 30,456 Veterans with IBD, 32% required at least one course of corticosteroids during the study time period, and 17% of the steroid users had a prolonged course. Among these patients, only 26.2% underwent escalation of therapy. Patients visiting a gastroenterology (GI) physician were significantly more likely to receive corticosteroid-sparing medications. Factors associated with corticosteroid-sparing medications included younger age (OR = 0.96 per year,95%CI:0.95, 0.97), male gender (OR = 2.00,95%CI:1.16,3.46), GI visit during the corticosteroid evaluation period (OR = 8.01,95%CI:5.85,10.95) and the use of continuous corticosteroids vs. intermittent corticosteroids (OR = 2.28,95%CI:1.33,3.90). Rates of complications per 1000 person-years after IBD diagnosis were higher among corticosteroid users (venous thromboembolism [VTE] 9.0%; fragility fracture 2.6%; Infections 54.3) than non-corticosteroid users (VTE 4.9%; fragility fracture 1.9%; Infections 26.9). DEXA scan utilization rates among corticosteroid users were only 7.8%. Prolonged corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of IBD is common and is associated with significant harm to patients. Patients with prolonged use of corticosteroids for IBD should be referred to gastroenterology early and universal efforts to improve the delivery of high quality care should be undertaken.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) development is a complex, multifactorial process that involves extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as host genetics, the immune system, the gut microbiome, and environmental risks. To help understand the genetic contribution of clinical, behavioral, psychiatric, and diet-related traits, we aim to provide a deep and comprehensive characterization of the shared genetic architecture between IBD and hundreds of potentially related traits. Methods Utilizing publicly available summary statistics from a previously published IBD genome-wide association study and hundreds of traits from the United Kingdom BioBank (UKBB), we performed linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR) analysis to estimate cross-trait genetic correlations between Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and IBD summary statistics with the UKBB traits of interest. Results Nominally significant (P < .05) genetic correlations were observed for 181 traits in overall IBD, 239 traits in CD, and 94 traits in UC. We replicate the known association between smoking behavior and CD/UC, namely that current tobacco smoking has a positive genetic correlation with CD (rg = 0.12, P = 4.2 × 10-4), while “ever smoking” has a negative genetic correlation with UC (rg = −0.07, P = .042). Globally, all 3 strata (IBD, CD, and UC) demonstrated increased genetic correlations for psychiatric-related traits related to anxiety and depression. Conclusion The present analysis reveals the shared genetic architecture between multiple traits and IBD, CD, and UC. Understanding the relevance of joint occurrences of IBD with psychiatric diseases may moderate management of these diseases for individuals jointly affected by them. Lay Summary This study provides an atlas of the genetic correlation between hundreds of United Kingdom Biobank (UKBB) traits with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC). Notable strong correlations are seen between IBD and various psychiatric traits.

Abstract Introduction Treat-to-target (TTT) for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves treating to clinical and endoscopic remission. Despite control of clinical symptoms, many patients may not achieve endoscopic remission. Real-world prevalence and patient acceptance of staying on current advanced therapy vs switching in this scenario is not well defined. The aim of this study are to report real-world prevalence of symptomatic and endoscopic/radiologic discordance and patient and provider preferences regarding stay or switch advanced therapy in this setting. Methods In the QUOTIENT trial, we performed screening exercises to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic and endoscopic/radiologic discordance using detailed screening logs for eligible patients. Sites completed screening exercises to identify what proportion of patients are eligible to participate in the QUOTIENT trial and willingness to participate. Results A total of 761 patients were screened for QUOTIENT with complete data. Of patients in corticosteroid-free symptomatic remission on an advanced therapy, 12% had moderate-to-severe endoscopic inflammation. The most common reason for declining to participate was patients’ preference to stay on current advanced therapy (39%). Only 11% preferred switching to advanced therapy as a reason to decline participation. Conclusions Among patients with IBD who have achieved corticosteroid-free symptomatic remission on advanced therapies, real-world rates of achieving endoscopic remission or mild endoscopic activity are significantly higher than suggested by clinical trials. We observed a strong patient preference to stay on their current advanced therapy, rather than switching to an alternative agent, which contrasts with the providers’ framework for treat-to-target. Lay Summary In a study of IBD patients on advanced therapies, more patients achieve steroid-free symptomatic remission than trials suggest. Findings determined many patients prefer to stay on their current advanced therapy despite provider recommendations to switch to an alternative treatment option.