Objectives: This study examined the relationship between knowledge of, and adherence to, the gluten-free diet (GFD) in a local population of adolescents with celiac disease (CD). The secondary objectives were to identify information sources used to learn about the GFD and to compare adolescents' and parents' knowledge of the GFD.
Methods: Adolescents (12-17 years) with CD and their parents from pediatric gastroenterology clinics in Calgary, Alberta, completed an online survey containing a knowledge assessment (Gluten-Free Diet Quiz [GFD-Q]), an adherence scale, questions about GFD information sources, and demographic/clinical information. GFD-Q scores were deemed "sufficient knowledge" with correct identification of 3/3 gluten-containing foods, ≥4/7 gluten-free foods, and ≥ 4/7 foods that may contain gluten; otherwise, scores were termed "insufficient knowledge".
Results: Of the 40 adolescent-parent pairs, 15 of 40 adolescents (37%) had sufficient knowledge, and 25 of 40 adolescents (63%) had insufficient knowledge. Within the insufficient knowledge group, 14 of 25 (56%) did not correctly identify enough allowed gluten-free foods. Parents scored higher on the GFD-Q (67% had sufficient knowledge). Adolescents reported overall adherence to the GFD (88%), with adherence being similar between the sufficient and insufficient knowledge groups (80% versus 92%). The most helpful information sources included physicians, another person with CD, parent(s), and Google; apps were infrequently used.
Conclusion: Adolescents report good adherence; however, they struggle with GFD knowledge, particularly in identifying gluten-free foods. Further research is required to explore GFD educational tools, including mobile apps and dietician-led teaching sessions.
Objective: To evaluate the coagulation status of children with decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD) and infection and factors affecting it using thromboelastography (TEG).
Methods: Coagulation status of children admitted with DCLD and infection was assessed by international normalized ratio (INR), platelet count, and TEG [reaction time (R), kinetic time (K), α-angle (AA), maximum amplitude (MA), coagulation index (CI), and lysis index (LY30)] at admission and at 7-14 days after treatment. CI < -3 represents hypocoagulable state. Clinical profile including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), infection severity, bleeding, treatment response, and outcome were noted.
Results: Thirty children (21 boys, median (IQR) age 78 [15.7-180] months) were studied prospectively. At admission, 29 (96.7%) had prolonged INR, 24 (80%) had thrombocytopenia, and 17 (56.6%) were hypocoagulable by TEG. Nine of 30 (30%) had normal TEG but deranged INR and platelets. Nineteen (63.3%) cases had SIRS, 11 (36.6%) had severe sepsis, and 8 (26.6%) had bleeding. Hypocoagulable state was common in severe sepsis than sepsis/infection (81.1% versus 42.1%; P = 0.05) and persistent (n = 4) versus recovered SIRS (n = 15, 100% versus 33%; P = 0.03). Bleeders had prolonged R-time (7.8 versus 5.4 min; P = 0.03), smaller MA (30.2 versus 47 mm; P = 0.05), and α-angle (40.4 versus 62.9; P = 0.03) but similar INR and platelets than nonbleeders. Six patients (20%) had poor in-hospital outcomes; R-time ≥8.5 min predicted mortality with high sensitivity (83%) and specificity (100%).
Conclusions: Fifth-seven percent of children with DCLD and infection were hypocoagulable by TEG. Severe sepsis and persistent SIRS worsened the coagulation status. TEG identifies bleeders better than INR and platelet count. R-time ≥8.5 min predicts a poor hospital outcome.
Fibrosing colonopathy is a unique pathology characterized by long segment stricture, usually of the ileocecal region. Historically, it is most commonly described in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Fibrosing colonopathy is felt to be secondary to excessive doses of exogenous lipase medication. This condition is rarely seen in the last decade. In this case presentation, fibrosing colonopathy was identified in a patient with the lysosomal storage disorder of cystinosis. Fibrosing colonopathy has not previously been described in patients with cystinosis. The patient was found to have fibrosing colonopathy after perforation of the colon during a colonoscopy for bloody diarrhea. This case report aims to draw attention to a noteworthy case of fibrosing colonopathy in a patient who does not have cystic fibrosis, but rather cystinosis.
Background: Pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) is typically more extensive and severe at diagnosis compared with adult disease. Tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, has been used since 2018 to induce and maintain remission in UC. There are limited pediatric data regarding its use, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatments.
Objectives: To determine the real-world experience and outcomes of tofacitinib therapy in the Irish national cohort with pediatric UC.
Methods: A retrospective study of tofacitinib outcomes was undertaken at Ireland's single national center for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. All patients commenced on tofacitinib since its availability in 2019 were included. Baseline and follow-up clinical characteristics, phenotype, Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) scores, and treatments before and after tofacitinib commenced were recorded. The primary outcome was remission by 8 weeks, with other clinical outcomes being recorded to maximal available follow-up.
Results: Between November 1, 2019 and June 30, 2022, 15 children (M:F 1:2) were prescribed tofacitinib, 5 as monotherapy. Thirteen had baseline pancolitis at diagnosis and all patients had prior infliximab exposure. The mean time from diagnosis to starting tofacitinib was 381 days (±SD 265). Dual therapy included 5 with infliximab, 4 with vedolizumab, and 1 with adalimumab. The average length of treatment on tofacitinib was 232 days (±SD 170) with 2 patients transitioning to adult services while in remission on tofacitinib therapy. The mean PUCAI score was 48.7 (±SD 14.1) pre-tofacitinib, 16.7 (±SD 15.6) at week 8, and 22.5 (±SD 29.6) by week 16, with a significant reduction in PUCAI by week 16 (P = 0.0004). Eight patients (3 monotherapy) achieved clinical remission, with 4 of the 5 dual therapy patients on infliximab. There were no significant outcome differences between those on mono- or dual therapy. Three patients with combined vedolizumab therapy did not achieve remission, 2 of whom required colectomy by week 24. There were no malignancies, 1 patient developed shingles and another developed herpangina post-tofacitinib. Failure to achieve clinical remission by week 16 was seen in all children who progressed to colectomy (n = 4).
Conclusion: Combining tofacitinib with other biologics is effective in select children with refractory UC. Early responders were more likely to achieve a sustained response at week 16. Failure to achieve remission by week 16 of tofacitinib therapy was strongly associated with progression to colectomy.