O objetivo do presente trabalho foi diagnosticar a doença inflamatória intestinal crônica em cães acometidos por sinais gastrointestinais bem como avaliar a contribuição de diferentes parâmetros utilizados no diagnóstico desta afecção. Para tanto, 20 cães apresentando sinais compatíveis com a doença foram incluídos no estudo (grupo afetado) e comparados com 20 animais saudáveis (grupo controle). Foram atribuídos escores clínicos e realizadas avaliações endoscópicas e histopatológicas dos animais do grupo afetado. Amostras de sangue e fezes de ambos os grupos foram coletadas, armazenadas a -80°C e, posteriormente, utilizadas para a mensuração de TNF-alpha, proteína C-reativa, calprotectina, proteína S100A12, Folato e Cobalamina. A mediana dos valores de albumina sérica foi 3,17 e apenas um animal apresentou hipoalbuminemia. Todas as avaliações endoscópicas mostraram algum grau de alteração nos parâmetros avaliados, sendo que o edema e a hiperemia foram os mais observados. Quanto à avaliação histopatológica, processos do tipo linfocítico plasmocítico foram os mais diagnosticados, presentes em 12 dos 17 acometimentos gástricos, nove dos 15 acometimentos duodenais e nove de 11 acometimentos colônicos. Quando se analisam os escores atribuídos aos parâmetros gástricos, 67,3% das avaliações foram consideradas normais, enquanto que 27,4% foram considerados com alterações leves. Para os fragmentos duodenais, 55,3% das avaliações demonstraram tecidos normais enquanto que 36,0% foram considerados com alterações leves. No que se refere ao cólon, apenas 38,6% dos parâmetros avaliados foram normais enquanto que 45,4% receberam avaliações de alterações leves. As medianas dos escores atribuídos para estômago, duodeno e cólon foram, respectivamente, 3; 3 e 6. A comparação entre valores de proteína C-reativa entre grupo afetado e controle apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante. Esta diferença também foi significante quando se comparou o grupo controle aos subgrupos afetado I e afetado II. Embora valores séricos de calprotectina não foram estatisticamente significantes, a mensuração fecal desta proteína foi mostrou diferença significante entre os grupos. Em relação mensuração sanguínea da proteína S100A12, os valores de medianas de ambos os grupos foram próximos (195,90 µg/L e 195,55 µg/L para grupos afetado e controle, respectivamente) e a comparação entre estes valores não foi estatisticamente significante. Esta diferença também não foi significante na comparação dos valores fecais. Mensurações de folato e cobalamina não se mostraram estatisticamente significante na comparação entre animais afetados e sadios. Observaram-se correlações entre valores de proteína C-reativa e escore clínico, proteína C reativa e escore histopatológico do cólon, albumina e calprotectina fecal, albumina e S100A12 fecal, valores séricos de S100A12 e calprotectina, valores fecais de S100A12 e calprotectina. / The purpose of this study was to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease in dogs with gastrointestinal signs as well as to evaluate the contribution of different parameters used in the diagnosis of this disease. Twenty dogs with compatible signs of the disease were included in the study (affected group) and compared with 20 healthy animals (control group). Clinical scores were assigned and endoscopic and histopathological analysis were performed in affected animals. Samples of blood and feces were collected from both groups, stored at -80°C and then used to measure TNF-alpha, C-reactive protein, calprotectin, S100A12 protein, folate and cobalamin. Seric albumin median level was 3.17g/dL and only one animal had hypoalbuminemia. All endoscopic evaluations showed some degree of change in the assessed parameters, and hyperemia and edema were the most frequently ones observed. In the histopathological evaluation, lymphocytic plasmocytic process was the most frequently diagnosed (12 out 17 gastric conditions, nine out 15 duodenal conditions and nine out 11 colonic conditions). When analyzing the scores assigned to the gastric parameters, 67.3% of the evaluations were considered normal, while 27.4% presented slight alterations. For duodenal fragments, 55.3% of the evaluations showed normal tissue, while 36.0% were considered slightly altered. Regarding the colon, only 38.6% of these parameters were normal, whereas 45.4% of the evaluations presented slight changes. The median of the scores assigned to the stomach, duodenum and colon were 3, 3 and 6, respectively. The comparison of the Creactive protein values between affected and control groups showed statistical difference. This difference was also significant when comparing the control group to affected I and affected II subgroups. Although seric values of calprotectin werent statistically significant, fecal data statistically differed between the groups. Regarding seric protein S100A12 measurement, the median values of both groups were similar (195.90 mg/L and 195.55 mg/L for the affected and control groups, respectively) and the difference between these values was not statistically significant. The comparison between fecal S100A12 protein values didnt showed a significant difference. Folate and cobalamin measurements showed no statistical difference when comparing healthy and affected animals. A direct positive correlation was found between C-reactive protein and clinical score. C-reactive protein and histopathological score of colon, albumin and fecal calprotectin, albumin and fecal protein S100A12, seric protein S100A12 and seric calprotetin and fecal protein S100A12 and fecal calprotectin were correlated.

As doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII) - doença de Crohn e retocolite ulcerativa, são condições crônicas que, na maioria dos casos, exigem controle com terapia medicamentosa. A atenção farmacêutica (AF), definida como a provisão responsável do tratamento farmacológico, com o propósito de alcançar resultados concretos que melhorem a qualidade de vida do paciente, constitui nova forma de cuidado ao paciente, que necessita ser mais extensivamente avaliada. Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar a contribuição da atenção farmacêutica ao tratamento clínico de pacientes com DII em acompanhamento ambulatorial em hospital terciário. Ao longo de um ano, foi avaliado um grupo que recebeu a atenção farmacêutica (GAF; N=18) e um grupo controle (GC; N=17) não submetido aos procedimentos da AF. Os resultados da contribuição da AF foram avaliados pela comparação de diferentes variáveis entre os grupos, que foram obtidas na primeira entrevista - T(0), aos seis - T(6) e 12 - T(12) meses do estudo. Quanto aos aspectos clínicos, houve redução significativa dos índices de atividade clínica de T(6) para T(12) no GAF (mediana; variação: 2,20; 0,99 3,77 versus 1,90; 0,99 3,77; p=0,02), o que não ocorreu no GC (1,69; 0,99 3,77 versus 1,69; 0,99 3,48). No GAF, houve aumento significativo do percentual de pacientes mais aderentes ao tratamento medicamentoso (27,8% versus 72,2%; p<0,05), quando da avaliação por meio do teste de Morisky, mas não foram observadas diferenças (72,2% versus 88,9%) na adesão avaliada pelo cotejo entre medicamentos utilizados e prescrições registradas. Em ambas as formas de avaliação da adesão, tanto pelo teste de Morisky (41,2% versus 41,2%), quanto pelo confronto das medicações utilizadas e prescrições registradas (88,2% versus 82,4%), não foram observadas alterações no GC. Houve aumento significativo dos índices de conhecimento do paciente sobre o tratamento no GAF entre T(0) e T(12) (mediana; variação: 80%; 40% 100% versus 100%; 100% 100%; p0,0001), o que não ocorreu no GC (80%; 0 100% versus 80%; 60% 100%). No que se refere à qualidade de vida, avaliada pelo instrumento SF36, houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos dois grupos apenas no domínio de saúde mental. No GAF, houve elevação dos escores deste domínio entre T(0) e T(12) (54,0 versus 66,0; p=0,04), o que, também ocorreu no GC (60,0 versus 68,0; p=0,01). Porém, no GAF, esta mudança ocorreu mais precocemente, de T(0) para T(6) (54,0 versus 66,0; p<0,01). A AF possibilitou a identificação, em média, de 3,8 problemas relacionados ao medicamento por paciente, que em sua maioria foram resolvidos, com intervenções predominantemente focadas em orientações aos pacientes. Os pacientes do GAF, ao término do estudo, apresentaram alto grau de satisfação com a AF. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que a introdução de um programa de atenção farmacêutica a pacientes ambulatoriais com DII seguidos em hospital terciário trouxe contribuição positiva, proporcionando benefícios mensuráveis aos pacientes. / Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions which are usually controlled with drug therapy. Pharmaceutical care (PC), defined as the responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve patients quality of life, is a new patient care modality, which needs to be more extensively evaluated. This study aimed at assessing the contribution of pharmaceutical care to the clinical treatment of outpatients with IBD assisted at a reference hospital. During one year, a group receiving pharmaceutical care (PCG; N=18) and a control group (CG; N=17), which did not undergo PC procedures, were evaluated. Results of PC contribution were assessed by comparing the two groups regarding different variables obtained in the first interview at - T(0), at six - T(6) and 12 - T(12) months of study. Regarding the clinical aspects, there was a significant decrease of clinical activity indexes from T(6) to T(12) in the PCG (median; range: 2.20; 0.99 3.77 versus 1.90; 0.99 3.77; p=0.22), but not in the CG (1.69; 0.99 3.77 versus 1.69; 0.99 3.48). In the PCG, there was a significant increase in the percentage of patients who were more compliant to drug treatment (27.8 % versus 72.2 %; p<0.05) as assessed using the Morisky scale; however, no differences in compliance rates were observed (72.2 % versus 88.9 %) by comparing drugs taken with registered prescriptions. In the CG, no differences were observed in none of the compliance assessment methods, neither by the Morisky scale (41.2% versus 41.2%), nor by comparing drugs taken with registered prescriptions (88.2% versus 81.2%). There was a significant increase in the values of an index for patients knowledge about the treatment in the PCG between T(0) and T(12) (median; range: 80%; 40 100 versus 100%; 100 100; p0,0001), but not in the CG (80%; 0 100 versus 80%; 60 100). With respect to quality of life, assessed by the SF36 scale, there were statistically significant differences in both groups only in the mental health domain. There was an increase in scores for this domain between T(0) and T(12) in both PCG (54.0 versus 66.0; p=0,04), and CG (60.0 versus 68.0; p=0,01). However, PCG had this increasing scores earlier, between T(0) and T(12) (54.0 versus 74.0; p<0,01). PC enabled the identification of a number of drug-related problems per patient (mean = 3.8), which were mostly solved by interventions predominantly focused on patient orientation. At the end of the study, patients in the PC group showed a high degree of satisfaction with the intervention. The achieved results allow concluding that the implementation of a pharmaceutical care program to outpatients with IBD followed at a tertiary hospital gave a positive contribution, providing measurable benefits to patients.

L’interface hôte/microbiote intestinal est un système d’interactions complexes dont le déséquilibre est associé au développement des maladies inflammatoires chroniques. Les traitements anti-TNFα sont très efficaces dans ces maladies, mais seulement chez certains patients. L’objectif de ce travail était de rechercher un lien entre composition du microbiote intestinal et réponse aux traitements anti-TNFα dans deux types de maladies inflammatoires chroniques, les spondyloarthrites et les maladies inflammatoires chroniques de l’intestin. Nous avons retrouvé des variations de la composition du microbiote intestinal après traitement par anti-TNFα chez des patients atteints de spondyloarthrite et avons identifié un nœud taxonomique prédictif de la réponse thérapeutique à trois mois. Ce nœud taxonomique, l’ordre des Burkholderiales, étant ainsi un biomarqueur potentiellement utilisable en pratique clinique, nous avons déposé une demande de brevet européen, qui est en cours d’instruction. Ce travail a été poursuivi par un nouveau protocole de recherche clinique incluant des patients atteints de spondyloarthrites mais aussi de maladies inflammatoires chroniques intestinales. Ce protocole est financé par le CHU de Bordeaux dans le cadre de l’Appel d’Offre Interne. Il permettra de valider les hypothèses de notre premier travail, en réalisant notamment des PCR quantitatives utilisant des amorces spécifiques de l’ordre des Burkholderiales. Nous avons de plus retrouvé in vitro pour la première fois à notre connaissance une modulation de la croissance bactérienne chez Bacteroides fragilis en réponse au TNFα humain. / The host/gut microbiota interface is a system of complex interactions whose imbalance is associated with the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. Anti-TNFα treatments are very effective in these diseases, but only in some patients. The purpose of this work was to find a link between the composition of the intestinal microbiota and clinical response to anti-TNFα treatments in two types of chronic inflammatory diseases, spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. We found variations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota after treatment with anti-TNFα in patients with spondyloarthritis and identified a taxonomic node predictive of the therapeutic response at 3 months. This taxonomic node, the Burkholderiales order, being a biomarker potentially usable in clinical practice, we have filed a European patent application, which is currently under investigation. This work was continued by a new clinical research protocol including patients with spondyloarthritis but also with inflammatory bowel diseases. This protocol is funded by the Bordeaux University Hospital as part of the internal call for tenders. It will validate the hypotheses of our first work, notably by performing quantitative PCRs using specific primers targeting the order of Burkholderiales. In vitro, we have also found for the first time, to our knowledge, a modulation of bacterial growth in Bacteroides fragilis in response to human TNFα.

A adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso é um importante fator determinante no sucesso terapêutico. A adesão do paciente pode ser influenciada por fatores diversos, ligados à doença, ao tratamento, ao paciente, às condições sociais e econômicas, como também, relacionada ao sistema de saúde que o atende. Ainda que existam inúmeros estudos sobre a adesão ao tratamento em portadores com doenças crônicas, são escassas as investigações sobre este tema nas doenças inflamatórias intestinais. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso e os possíveis fatores que a influenciam, em pacientes portadores de doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII): doença de Crohn (DC) e retocolite ulcerativa (RCU), do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (HCFMRP), da Universidade de São Paulo. Como controles, foram investigados pacientes portadores de pancreatite crônica e insuficiência pancreática (PC), com medicação fornecida pelo hospital, tal como os pacientes portadores de DII. Foram também investigados pacientes portadores de afecções digestivas variadas (ADV), grupo no qual a medicação prescrita não era fornecida pelo hospital. Por meio de estudo transversal e indireto, foi realizada entrevista estruturada para avaliar a adesão de 110 pacientes, que foram caracterizados como apresentando maior ou menor grau de adesão. Esta classificação foi baseada no cotejo entre os dados do prontuário e os informados pelo paciente em entrevista, considerando a afirmação do paciente que usava a medicação e que conhecia o nome da droga em uso. Utilizou-se, também, o teste de Morisky, que permite avaliar o padrão de comportamento do paciente em relação ao uso diário do medicamento. Este teste consiste de quatro perguntas padronizadas relacionadas ao esquecimento, descuido com o horário de tomada do medicamento, percepção de efeitos colaterais e ausência de sintomas. Na análise dos medicamentos utilizados pelo paciente, foram observadas as seguintes proporções de pacientes classificados como menos aderentes: 15,4% em pacientes portadores de DC, 13,3% na RCU, 8,4% na PC e 16,6% nos pacientes do grupo ADV. Porém, o teste de Morisky mostrou as seguintes proporções de menos aderentes: 50% de pacientes portadores de DC, 63,3% na RCU, 54,2% na PC e 63,4% na ADV. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas, entre os grupos de pacientes, tanto na análise dos medicamentos utilizados pelo paciente como pelos resultados do teste de Morisky. Em análise univariada, nenhum dos fatores demográficos, sociais, clínicos ou referentes ao tratamento medicamentoso apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa, comum a todos os grupos, que indicasse influência sobre a adesão ao tratamento. Apesar do alto grau de adesão, de acordo com a análise dos medicamentos utilizados, detectou-se alto percentual de não-adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso ligado ao comportamento habitual e independente do diagnóstico, ou do acesso gratuito aos medicamentos. Isto pode indicar a existência de um padrão específico de comportamento dos usuários do serviço, o que sugere a necessidade de maior atenção dos profissionais de saúde para o problema, bem como medidas de educação do paciente quanto ao uso dos medicamentos. / Compliance to drug therapy is an important factor determining a successful treatment. Patient compliance may be influenced by various factors related to the disease, to treatment, to the patient himself, to his socioeconomic condition, as well as to the health system. Although many studies have assessed compliance to treatment in patients with chronic diseases, few investigations are available in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The objective of the present study was to assess compliance to drug therapy in patients with IBD - Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), seen at the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (HCFMRP), University of São Paulo, Brazil. Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic insufficiency who received free medication supplied by the hospital, like the IBD patients, were used as controls. Patients with various digestive affections (VDA) whose prescribed medication was not supplied by the hospital were also investigated. In a transverse and indirect study, a structured interview was applied to assess the compliance of 110 patients, who were characterized as presenting a higher or lower degree of compliance. This classification was based on a comparison of data in the medical records to the information provided by the patient in the interview, considering the patient’s statements that he/she actually used the medication and was capable of produce correctly its name. The Morisky test was also used to assess the behavioral pattern of the patient regarding the daily use of the medication. This test consists of four standardized questions that evaluate forgetfulness, carelessness regarding the time when the medication should be taken, the perception of side effects, and the absence of symptoms. In the analysis of patient statements on medication in use, the proportions of patients regarded as less compliant were as follows: 15.4% of patients with CD, 13.3% of those with UC, 8.4% of those with CP, and 16.6% of those with VDA. However, the Morisky test revealed the following proportions of less compliant patients: 50% of patients with CD, 63.3% of those with UC, 54.2% of those with CP, and 63.4% of those with VDA. No statistically significant differences were observed between the four groups regarding evaluation according to either the analysis of patient statements or the results of the Morisky test. Univariate analysis revealed that none of the demographic, social, or clinical factors or the variables related to drug therapy showed statistically significant relationships, common to all groups, that would indicate their influence on compliance to treatment. Despite the high degree of compliance evaluated by patient statements on medication in use, a high degree of noncompliance to treatment linked to habitual behavior was detected. Those findings were independent on either disease type or free access to medication. This may indicate the existence of a specific behavioral pattern common to the local health system users, which suggests the need for better consideration of the problem on the part of the health professionals, as well as the need for measures of patient education regarding medication use.

The inflammasome complex is a multiprotein complex that may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by secreting the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and inducing pyroptosis, as a response to signals through several inflammasome sensors. This study looked at the expression of several inflammasome components in the ileum and colon of patients suffering from IBD. The inflammasome sensors NLRP1, NLRP3, AIM2 and pyrin were upregulated in whole intestinal tissue of IBD patients, particularly in the colon. NLRP6 expression was increased in the colon of Crohn's disease patients, but not ulcerative colitis patients relative to colon of controls, and was reduced in the ileum of Crohn's disease patients compared to control ileum. Expression of caspase-1 and IL-1β, but not IL-18, were also increased in ileum and colon tissue from Crohn's patients. To identify the cell type where inflammasome expression was altered in Crohn’s disease, transcription of inflammasome subunits in intestinal tissue enriched for epithelial cells or lamina propria (LP) cells was analysed. These analyses indicated that LP cells have greater expression of the inflammasome sensors NLRP1, NLRP3, AIM2 and pyrin relative to epithelial cells, both during disease and in control tissue. Moreover, LP cells from Crohn’s patients have higher expression level of NLRP1, AIM2 and pyrin than LP cells from controls. In contrast the inflammasome sensor NLRP6 was more highly expressed by epithelial cells relative to LP cells in general, and NLRP6 expression in LP cells from IBD patients was lower than that observed in LP cells from controls. The observed differential expression of inflammasome components in controls versus IBD intestine and in different cellular fractions of intestinal tissue highlight the importance of understanding the role of the inflammasome in IBD and hints at the possibility of targeting the inflammasome pathway as a future treatment strategy.

This thesis describes studies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and collagenous colitis (CC). We investigated mucosal eosinophil and neutrophil granulocytes and T-cells involved in the inflammatory processes and aimed at determining whether these processes are reflected in the faecal (F) contents of specific proteins secreted by cells in the intestinal mucosa. Thus, we measured eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) and the neutrophil derived myeloperoxidase (MPO) and calprotectin (C); and in addition, chromogranin A (CgA), Chromogranin B (CgB) and secretoneurin (SN), derived from EEC cells and cells in the enteric nervous system. We found that a normalised FC level can serve as a surrogate marker for successful treatment in patients with IBD, but persistently high FC levels need further evaluation (study I). Furthermore, FC and F-MPO appear to relate better than F-EPX to treatment outcome in IBD. We evaluated F-ECP, F-EPX, F-MPO and FC as markers of disease activity and treatment outcome in patients with CC (study III) and concluded that F-ECP was the best discriminator of detecting active CC. Normalised F-ECP and F-EPX could serve as markers of successful treatment. We showed that the inflammation in CC is characterised by activated eosinophils, but that there is no neutrophil activity (study II). T-cells have a lower grade of activity in active CC than in control subjects. During budesonide treatment the normal activation of eosinophils and T-cells is restored, with concomitant clinical remission. The findings in studies II and III indicate that the eosinophils have an essential role in the pathophysiology of CC. Markedly higher values of F-CgA, F-CgB and F-SN were found in patients with CC than in those with IBD and controls (study IV) indicating a crucial role for the intestinal neuro-endocrine system in the pathogenesis of collagenous colitis.

Hintergrund: Angaben zu Inzidenz und Prävalenz von chronisch entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen (CED) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland fehlen bisher, die Daten des im Jahr 2000 gegründeten Sächsischen CED-Registers für Kinder und Jugendliche wurden bisher nicht veröffentlicht. Bei internen Diskussionen der Registerdaten zeigte sich stets eine nicht erklärbare abfallende altersspezifische Inzidenz der CED ab dem 15. Lebensjahr. Es wurde vermutet, dass einige ältere Jugendliche ausschließlich von Erwachsenengastroenterologen betreut wurden und bei einigen Adoleszenten eine längere diagnostische Latenz zur Diagnosestellung nach dem 18. Lebensjahr führte. Patienten und Methoden: Zur Prüfung der Thesen wurden alle gastroenterologisch tätigen Internisten in Leipzig aufgesucht und Patienten eingeschlossen, bei denen bis zum 26. Lebensjahr in den Jahren 2005-2009 eine CED endoskopisch neu diagnostiziert wurde. Die Auswertung des Sächsischen CED-Registers erfolgte hinsichtlich Inzidenz, Prävalenz, Geschlechterverteilung und diagnostischer Latenz im Zehnjahreszeitraum 2000-2009. Ergebnisse: Es wurden tatsächlich einige Jugendliche vor dem 18. Lebensjahr ausschließlich von Internisten betreut und nicht an das Register gemeldet. Die korrigierte Inzidenz von CED bei Patienten bis zum 18. Lebensjahr in Leipzig lag um 37 % höher als im Register angegeben. Nach dem 15. Lebensjahr wurde – ebenfalls in Abweichung zu den Registerdaten – ein kontinuierlicher Anstieg der altersspezifischen Inzidenz bis zum 18. Lebensjahr registriert. Es zeigte sich eine Tendenz zur längeren diagnostischen Latenz bei Adoleszenten, die sich jedoch nicht statistisch sichern ließ. Bis zum 15. Lebensjahr wurden nahezu alle Patienten im CED-Register erfasst.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, represents a significant childhood chronic disease. In this thesis, a case ascertainment definition of paediatric-onset IBD was validated using administrative data and developed the Ontario Crohn’s and Colitis Cohort (OCCC). The epidemiology of paediatric IBD in Ontario was described, demonstrating that Ontario has one of the highest worldwide incidence rates. Statistically significant increases in incidence were noted in 0-4 year olds (5.0%/year, p=0.03) and 5-9 year olds (7.6%/year, p<0.0001), but not in other age groups. Lower income children were more likely to be hospitalized at least once (hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.05-1.30) or visit the ED (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09-1.35) and had more IBD-related physician visits (odds ratio (OR) 3.73, 95% CI 1.05-13.27). Lower income children with Crohn's disease (CD) (not ulcerative colitis [UC]) were more likely to undergo intra-abdominal surgery within 3 years of diagnosis (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.49), especially if diagnosed after 2000 (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.27-2.53). Finally, changes in health services utilization and surgical rates were described, as were changes in specialist care provision and immunomodulator use in children with IBD between 1994-2007. The changes to care included increased outpatient care provided by paediatric gastroenterologists, and increased immunomodulator use. Children diagnosed with CD, but not UC, in recent years had lower surgical rates. In CD patients, intra-abdominal surgical rates within three years of diagnosis decreased from 18.8% in children diagnosed in 1994-1997 to 13.6% in those diagnosed in 2001-2004 (P = 0.035). When stratified by age at diagnosis, this decrease was significant in children diagnosed ≥10 years old (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48-0.93). The OCCC will continue to be used to investigate the epidemiology and burden of paediatric IBD and to improve the care received by children with IBD in Ontario.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, represents a significant childhood chronic disease. In this thesis, a case ascertainment definition of paediatric-onset IBD was validated using administrative data and developed the Ontario Crohn’s and Colitis Cohort (OCCC). The epidemiology of paediatric IBD in Ontario was described, demonstrating that Ontario has one of the highest worldwide incidence rates. Statistically significant increases in incidence were noted in 0-4 year olds (5.0%/year, p=0.03) and 5-9 year olds (7.6%/year, p<0.0001), but not in other age groups. Lower income children were more likely to be hospitalized at least once (hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.05-1.30) or visit the ED (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09-1.35) and had more IBD-related physician visits (odds ratio (OR) 3.73, 95% CI 1.05-13.27). Lower income children with Crohn's disease (CD) (not ulcerative colitis [UC]) were more likely to undergo intra-abdominal surgery within 3 years of diagnosis (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.49), especially if diagnosed after 2000 (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.27-2.53). Finally, changes in health services utilization and surgical rates were described, as were changes in specialist care provision and immunomodulator use in children with IBD between 1994-2007. The changes to care included increased outpatient care provided by paediatric gastroenterologists, and increased immunomodulator use. Children diagnosed with CD, but not UC, in recent years had lower surgical rates. In CD patients, intra-abdominal surgical rates within three years of diagnosis decreased from 18.8% in children diagnosed in 1994-1997 to 13.6% in those diagnosed in 2001-2004 (P = 0.035). When stratified by age at diagnosis, this decrease was significant in children diagnosed ≥10 years old (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48-0.93). The OCCC will continue to be used to investigate the epidemiology and burden of paediatric IBD and to improve the care received by children with IBD in Ontario.

Bakgrund: En kronisk oförutsägbar sjukdom som Crohns sjukdom framkallar fysisk, psykologisk och social stress. Sjukdomen påverkar vardagen, försämrar livskvalitet och skapar oro. För att bedriva personcentrerad vård krävs insikt i hur denna oro upplevs. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att belysa sjukdomsrelaterad oro hos personer med Crohns sjukdom. Metod: Åtta kvinnor och fyra män mellan 30 och 64 år som skattat sin sjukdomsrelaterade oro som hög eller mycket hög identifierades. Intervjuer genomfördes och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Analysen genererade tre kategorier: (1) Oro för sjukdomen i sig, (2) känslor runt oron, (3) samt hantering av oron. Sjukdomens oförutsägbarhet samt nedsatt funktion till följd av trötthet och bristande kontroll över tarmfunktionen var de mest framträdande orsakerna till oro. Oron skapade känslor av stress, skuld och besvikelse. Deltagarna uttryckte önskemål att få prata om och synliggöra oron men hade också funnit egna sätt att hantera denna. Slutsats: Det finns ett kvarstående behov av att ventilera och få förståelse för sjukdomsrelaterad oro, även efter många års sjukdom. Personer med Crohns sjukdom måste få prata om sin oro, vara en aktiv partner i vården och tillsammans med vårdgivaren finna sätt att hantera oron så att denna kan lindras. / Background: A chronic, unpredictable disease as Crohn's disease provides physical, psychological and social stress. The disease affects everyday life, impairs quality of life and create worries. To conduct person-centered care requires insight into how this worry is experienced. Objective: To explore disease-related worries in persons with Crohn´s disease. Method: Eight women and four men between 30 and 64 who estimated their disease-related worries high or very high were identified. Interviews were conducted and analyzed with content analysis. Results: The analysis generated three categories: (1) Worries about the disease itself, (2) feelings around the worries, (3) management of the worries. The unpredictable course of the disease and the impaired function due to fatigue and lack of control of bowel function were the most prominent causes of worries. The worries created feelings of stress, guilt and disappointment. The participants expressed the wish to talk about and make the worries visible but had also found their own ways to handle it. Conclusion: There is a persistent need to vent and get an understanding of disease-related worries, even after many years of disease. Persons with Crohn's disease need to talk about their worries, be an active partner in healthcare and together with the health-care providers find ways to handle the worries so it can be relieved.