Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND AND AIMS/OBJECTIVE:Guidelines cite extensive gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) as a bigger risk factor for gastric cancer (GC) than limited GIM and an indication for endoscopic surveillance. Data on progression of extensive GIM to GC in the USA are limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and progression rates of extensive GIM in a US cohort. METHODS:This retrospective study assessed the prevalence of extensive GIM between 1/1/1990 and 8/1/2019 at a large academic medical center. Multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of extensive GIM. Incidence of GC on follow-up was calculated as number of new diagnoses divided by person-years of follow-up. Presence of GIM on subsequent follow-up endoscopy was assessed. RESULTS:Of 1256 individuals with GIM, 352 (28%) had extensive GIM and 904 (72%) had limited GIM. On multivariable analysis, older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) and Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16) were predictive of extensive GIM. The annual incidence of GC for GIM overall was 0.09%. There was no difference in progression to GC between extensive or limited GIM (IRR 0, 95% CI 0-2.6), or to advanced lesions overall (IRR 0.37, 95% CI 0.04-1.62). 70% of individuals had persistent GIM on follow-up biopsy, and 22% with limited GIM had extensive GIM on follow-up biopsy. CONCLUSIONS:28% of individuals with GIM have the extensive subtype, and are more likely to be older and of Hispanic ethnicity. There was no difference in progression to GC between extensive and limited GIM. Further research is needed to better assess risk of GIM in the US context.

Evidence from recent epidemiological data suggests that the patient population with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronologically aging. As these individuals become older, cellular senescence leads to a state of chronic inflammation. This process, known as inflammaging, is thought to be closely linked with biological aging and may be upregulated within IBD. As a consequence, we see an increased risk of aging-related disorders within IBD. In addition, we see that frailty, which results from physiologic decline, is increasing in prevalence and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in IBD. As such, in this review we explore the potential overlapping biology of IBD and aging, discuss the risk of aging-related disorders in IBD, and describe frailty and its relation to clinical outcomes within IBD. Finally, we discuss current considerations for clinical care and potential research avenues for further investigation.

BACKGROUND:Although patients with IBD are at higher risk for flares during the postpartum period, little is known about the risk factors, timeline, and healthcare-associated costs of a readmission flare. AIMS/OBJECTIVE:To ascertain the timeline in which patients are hospitalized for postpartum inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flares, and the associated risk factors. METHODS:This is a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 7054 patients with IBD who delivered between 2010-2014 obtained from the National Readmissions Database. The presence of IBD was defined using previously validated International Classification of Diseases codes, and univariable and multivariable regression models were performed to assess risk factors associated with a postpartum flare hospitalization over the nine-month observation period. RESULTS:A total of 353 (5.0%) patients were hospitalized for a postpartum IBD flare, with approximately one-third (30.0%) readmitted after 6 months. On multivariable analysis, having Crohn's disease (aRR 1.47, 95%CI 1.16-1.88), Medicare insurance (aRR 3.30, 95%CI 2.16-5.02), and ≥ 2 comorbidities (aRR 1.34, 95%CI 1.03-1.74) were independently associated with a higher risk of an IBD flare hospitalization. Compared to patients aged 25-29, those 20-24 were at higher risk for an IBD flare readmission (aRR 1.58, 95%CI 1.17-2.13), whereas patients aged 35-39 years were at lower risk (aRR 0.63, 95%CI 0.43-0.92). CONCLUSIONS:Among patients with IBD, Crohn's disease, Medicare insurance, multiple comorbidities, and younger age were independent risk factors for a postpartum IBD flare hospitalization. As approximately one-third of these readmissions occurred after 6 months, it is imperative to ensure adequate follow-up and treatment for postpartum IBD patients, particularly in the extended postpartum period.

BACKGROUND & AIMS/OBJECTIVE:Disability in patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) after total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare disability in patients with IPAA vs medically managed UC, and identify predictors of disability. METHODS:This was a multicenter cross-sectional study performed at 5 academic institutions in New York City. Patients with medically or surgically treated UC were recruited. Clinical and socioeconomic data were collected, and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD-DI) was administered to eligible patients. Predictors of moderate-severe disability (IBD-DI ≥35) were assessed in univariable and multivariable models. RESULTS:A total of 94 patients with IPAA and 128 patients with medically managed UC completed the IBD-DI. Among patients with IPAA and UC, 35 (37.2%) and 30 (23.4%) had moderate-severe disability, respectively. Patients with IPAA had significantly greater IBD-DI scores compared with patients with medically managed UC (29.8 vs 17.9; P < .001). When stratified by disease activity, patients with active IPAA disease had significantly greater median IBD-DI scores compared with patients with active UC (44.2 vs 30.4; P = .01), and patients with inactive IPAA disease had significantly greater median IBD-DI scores compared with patients with inactive UC (23.1 vs 12.5; P < .001). Moderate-severe disability in patients with IPAA was associated with female sex, active disease, and public insurance. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with IPAA have higher disability scores than patients with UC, even after adjustment for disease activity. Female sex and public insurance are predictive of significant disability in patients with IPAA.

BACKGROUND:Colorectal strictures have been considered independent risk factors for neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We examined the association between colorectal stricture and subsequent risk of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) in patients with IBD colitis undergoing colonoscopic surveillance. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with IBD colitis enrolled in colonoscopic surveillance for CRN at an academic medical center between 2005 and 2017. Inclusion criteria were IBD involving the colon for ≥8 years (or any duration with primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC]) undergoing surveillance. Exclusion criteria were advanced CRN (ACRN; colorectal cancer [CRC] or high-grade dysplasia [HGD]) prior to or at enrollment, prior colectomy, or limited (<30%) disease extent or proctitis. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analysis estimated the association between colorectal stricture on the index colonoscopy and ACRN, CRN (indefinite dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia, HGD, CRC), or colectomy. RESULTS:Among 789 patients with IBD undergoing CRC surveillance, 72 (9%; 70 with Crohn's colitis) had a colorectal stricture on index colonoscopy. There was no significant difference in the frequency of ACRN or requirement for colectomy between patients with vs without a colorectal stricture (P > .05). Colorectal stricture was not associated with subsequent ACRN (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.41; 95% CI, 0.49-4.07), CRN (aOR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.51-2.58), or colectomy (aOR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.65-1.84). CONCLUSIONS:In this analysis of patients with IBD colitis undergoing CRN surveillance, the presence of a colorectal stricture was not independently associated with risk of ACRN or colectomy. Multicenter, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings, particularly in patients with ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal stricture.

Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) carries a major healthcare burden, costing over $10 billion a year in the United States. Strictures are a common complication of CD, emerging in over half of patients after 20 years from diagnosis, and requiring invasive interventions such as surgery which further increases healthcare costs. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) has emerged as an alternative intervention in managing CD strictures. We determined the cost-effectiveness of EBD versus resection surgery for patients with short (<4-5cm) anastomotic or primary small or large bowel strictures.
Method(s): A microsimulation state-transition model simulated the benefits and risks of EBD and bowel resection surgery for patients with primary or anastomotic strictures due to CD. Our base case was a 40-year-old patient with CD who developed a stricture. Strategies included EBD or surgery as a patient's first procedure, after which they were allowed to receive either procedure based on probabilities of subsequent intervention derived from the literature. Our primary outcome was qualityadjusted life years (QALYs) over ten years, and strategies were compared using a willingness to pay of $100,000/QALY from a societal perspective. Costs (in 2021 $US) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated. Deterministic 1-way and probabilistic analyses assessed model uncertainty.
Result(s): The EBD strategy cost $19,822 and resulted in 6.18 QALYs while the surgery strategy cost $41,358 and resulted in 6.37 QALYs. Surgery had an ICER of $113,332 per QALY, making EBD a cost-effective strategy. The median number of EBDs was 6 in the EBD strategy and 0 in the surgery strategy. The median number of surgeries was 2 in the surgery strategy and 1 in the EBD strategy. Of individuals who initially received EBD, 50.4% underwent subsequent surgery. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that the probabilities of requiring repeated interventions, surgery mortality (, 0.6%), and quality of life after interventions were the most influential parameters in our model. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses favored EBD in 50.9% of iterations.
Conclusion(s): EBD, when feasible, is a cost-effective strategy for managing CD primary or anastomotic strictures. Sensitivity analyses show that differences in patient risk and quality of life after intervention can impact cost-effectiveness. The decision between EBD or surgery should be made considering cost-effectiveness, patient risks, and quality of life preferences

Introduction: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a 2-to 3-fold greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than the general population, with increased risk during hospitalization. However, recent evidence suggests that this increased risk persists post-discharge. As such, we aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of post-discharge VTE prophylaxis among hospitalized patients with IBD.
Method(s): A decision tree was used to compare inpatient prophylaxis alone versus 4 weeks of postdischarge VTE prophylaxis with rivaroxaban 10 mg/day. Our primary outcome was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over one year, and strategies were compared using a willingness to pay of $100,000/QALY from a societal perspective. Costs (in 2020 $US), incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), and number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one VTE and VTE death were calculated. Deterministic 1-way and probabilistic analyses were performed to assess uncertainty within the model.
Result(s): Four-week post-discharge prophylaxis with rivaroxaban resulted in 1.68 higher QALYs per 1000 persons and an incremental cost of $185,778 per QALY as compared to no postdischarge prophylaxis (see Table). The NNT to prevent a single VTE was 78 individuals, while the NNT to prevent a single VTE-related death was 3190 individuals. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that higher baseline VTE risk>4.5% or decreased cost of rivaroxaban <=$280 can reduce the ICER to<$100,000/QALY (see Figure, Tornado Diagram showing main drivers of the ICER). Probabilistic sensitivity analyses favored post-discharge prophylaxis in 30.5% of iterations
Conclusion(s): Four weeks of post-discharge VTE prophylaxis results in higher QALYs as compared to inpatient prophylaxis alone, and can prevent one post-discharge VTE among 78 patients with IBD. As such, post-discharge VTE prophylaxis in patients with IBD should be considered in a case-by-case scenario considering VTE risk profile, costs, and patient preference

OBJECTIVES:The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted medical student education, particularly in New York City (NYC). We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students' residency choices. METHODS:The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of medical students in all years of study at four NYC medical schools (Columbia, Cornell, NYU, and SUNY Downstate). The survey was fielded from 19 Aug 2020 to 21 Sep 2020. Survey questions included items assessing COVID-19 impact on residency choices, personal impact of COVID-19, residency/specialty choices, and factors influencing these choices. RESULTS:A total of 2310 students received the survey, with 547 (23.7%) providing partial responses and 212 (9.2%) providing valid responses for our primary analysis. 59.0% of participants thought that COVID-19 influenced their choice of residency/specialty, with 0.9% saying the influence was to a great extent, 22.2% to some extent, and 35.8% very little. On multivariable analysis, factors that were independently associated with COVID-19 impacting residency choice included low debt ($1 to $99,999: adjOR 2.23, 95%CI 1.02-5.03) compared with no debt and Other race/ethnicity (adjOR 0.26, 95%CI 0.10-0.63) compared with White race/ethnicity. On secondary analysis of all participants answering survey items for logistic regression regardless of survey completion, direct personal impact of COVID-19 was significantly associated with COVID-19 impacting specialty choice (adjOR 1.90, 95%CI 1.04-3.52). Moreover, 24 students (11.6%) reported a change in their top residency choice from before to during/after COVID-19, citing concerns about frontline work, work-life balance, and risk of harm. CONCLUSIONS:Our study found that 3 in 5 (59.0%) participants felt that COVID-19 impacted their residency choice, with 11.6% of respondents explicitly changing their top specialty choice. Investigating the impact of the pandemic on medical student residency considerations is crucial to understand how medical career outlooks may change in the future.