Subclinical bowel inflammation increases healthcare resources utilization and steroid use before diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Previous data support that the inflammatory process underlying ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) can start years before the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine if patients with an incidental diagnosis of UC or CD demonstrate an increase in healthcare utilization in the years preceding the symptomatic onset of the disease.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective, hospital-based, case-control study.

Ustekinumab treatment for toxic megacolon in severe colonic Crohn's disease.

Toxic megacolon is most commonly considered as a complication of inflammatory bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis and colonic Crohn's disease to a lesser extent. It appears in the context of moderate-to-severe disease and often requires colectomy. Currently, after an inadequate response to conventional therapy with systemic corticosteroids, the use of cyclosporine or infliximab is considered as an alternative option, prior to surgical intervention.

Early microscopic findings in preclinical inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: The immune response involved in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may be present years before the diagnosis, but the characteristics of the disease during the preclinical period have been scarcely investigated.

Aim: To describe the microscopic findings of preclinical IBD and its relationship with the natural history of the disease.

Methods: Medical records from all patients with an incidental diagnosis of IBD during a screening colonoscopy were included in this multicentric and retrospective study.

Adalimumab treatment of anti-TNF-naïve patients with ulcerative colitis: Deep remission and response factors.

Background: Adalimumab is the second tumour necrosis factor antagonist (anti-TNF) adopted for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Clinical data from naïve patients are scarce.

Aim: Examine the response to adalimumab in TNF-antagonist-naïve patients.

Characteristics and Progression of Preclinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background & Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease usually diagnosed after the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms. Little is known about IBD progression during its early and even preclinical phases. We aimed to determine the number of new incidental diagnoses of IBD in an older population, and evaluate disease progression from its early stages.