Silvio Danese  ©  ECCO

Dear ECCO friends,

Summer has passed and I truly hope you had a great vacation.

We are approaching fall with great enthusiasm and looking forward to the new Educational Activities that are scheduled for the upcoming 14^th Congress of ECCO, which will be held in Copenhagen in March 2019. In order to enhance competence and knowledge in IBD and patients’ care, education is one of our top priorities.

The Scientific Programme of the 14^th Congress of ECCO provides attendees the unique opportunity to learn from the world’s leading specialists in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Held from Thursday to Saturday, March 7-9, 2019, the Scientific Programme is structured around basic science, translational medicine and clinical sessions. Additionally, it includes oral presentations of the 38 best abstracts of the Congress. All sessions focus on clinical practice founded on science with practical take home messages, and as every year, the congress registration fee includes access to all scientific sessions.

Register now and seize the opportunity to hear current and relevant studies from international experts in IBD!

The educational programme of the 14^th Congress of ECCO starts prior to the official start of the ECCO Congress and courses take place from March 6-8, 2019. These activities are targeted towards ECCO’s different interest groups including young gastroenterologists, surgeons, paediatricians, IBD nurses, dietitians and allied health professionals and scientists.

An overview of these activities can be found below. Some courses/workshops run parallel and have a limited capacity, so please register at your earliest convenience.

We look forward to seeing you in Copenhagen!

Investigation of the role of Par4-associated cell polarity and associated barrier defects in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases  

Federica Branchi © Federica Branchi

Aim of the research

In Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), epithelial barrier defects occur as a consequence of chronic inflammation. Recent research has suggested that cell polarity alterations may be upstream of barrier defects and additionally play a role in IBD-associated carcinogenesis (colitis-associated and small intestinal carcinoma). Par4 is a gene encoding a protein crucial in the development of cell polarity. LKB1, its human homologue, is mutated in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a genetic condition characterised by a higher risk of epithelial cancers. Considering the pivotal role of Par4/LKB1 in the development of epithelial cell polarity, this project aims to assess its involvement in IBD-associated barrier defects and carcinogenesis.

Deciphering the gut-specific B cell response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)  

Mathieu Uzzan © Mathieu Uzzan

Aim of the research

Given that there is a large complement of mucosal B cells that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the microbiome and in mucosal homeostasis, it is likely that they play an important but yet understudied role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Therefore, we hypothesize that mucosal inflammation as seen in IBD will induce a B cell response with homeostatic and perhaps pathogenic properties.

Monocyte-derived macrophages as crucial players in the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease  

Sales Ibiza © Sales Ibiza

Background

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract leading to debilitating symptoms. No curative therapies are currently available for IBD, with the consequence that the disease has a significant impact on the emotional, financial and social status of patients and their families. Although most studies conducted on IBD over the past few decades have investigated abnormal adaptive immunity, the focus has recently shifted towards alterations in innate immune response. Recent data suggest a causal link between defects in the resolution of inflammation associated with impaired bacterial clearance, excessive cytokine secretion and altered monocyte-macrophage (Mφ) transition in patients with IBD.

TSG-6, a potential new therapeutic target in fistulising Crohn’s Disease  

Sudharshan Elangovan © Sudharshan Elangovan

Background

Fistulising Crohn’s Disease (CD) represents a demanding, complex, and as yet unresolved issue, characterised by lesions with active pus drainage through the external fistula openings. Despite advances in understanding of the pathophysiology, to date there are no specific and efficient therapies or molecular markers for its treatment or prevention. TNF-α stimulated gene/protein-6 (TSG-6), an anti-inflammatory protein produced in response to signals from injured tissue, has been shown to exert remarkable therapeutic effects on colitis and on wound healing in various disease models.

The role of Nlrp9b in regulating intestinal inflammation  

Danping Zheng © Danping Zheng

Aim of the research

Innate immune signalling pathways, including inflammasome-forming Noll-like receptors (NLR), are thought to mediate the risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) since this system acts as the first line of defence in the recognition of enteric pathogens. In our preliminary study, we identified a new NLR member, Nlrp9b, whose role in the pathogenesis of IBD remains to be clarified. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of Nlrp9b in regulating intestinal inflammation and the underlying mechanisms.

Francesca Maria Onidi © Francesca Maria Onidi

The award of an N-ECCO Travel Grant, organised by ECCO, enabled me to spend time as an intern in the prestigious Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Centre at Humanitas Research Hospital, the largest IBD centre in Italy. The Centre provides the most innovative treatments and therapeutic strategies for IBD patients in accordance with current scientific evidence and offers a multidisciplinary approach to IBD with the help of industry experts and novel technologies. At the Humanitas outpatient clinic dedicated to IBD, patients are followed by IBD nurse Simona Radice. In addition to the provision of medical assistance to patients, the Centre is strongly engaged in research activities aimed at developing new treatments and diagnostic and/or therapeutic strategies. Participation in clinical trials is subject to a preliminary clinical evaluation during a specialist visit to the Centre.

An interview with María Chaparro

Javier P. Gisbert: Investigator-initiated studies (IIS) are clinical studies initiated and managed by non-pharmaceutical company researchers, including individual investigators, institutions, collaborative study groups and cooperative groups. The researcher is responsible for the legal and regulatory responsibilities of the trial sponsor for the conduct and management of the study as defined by all applicable laws and regulations. Your group at La Princesa Hospital (Madrid, Spain) has remarkable experience in this type of study. What attracts you most to such studies?

Marieke Pierik © ECCO

The Epidemiological Committee of ECCO (EpiCom) works for the optimisation of epidemiological research in the field of IBD across Europe. Epidemiology focusses on the factors that influence health, the control and long-term outcome of diseases and the measurement of health outcomes. Epidemiology is data driven and to avoid bias and guarantee validity, systematic data collection, meticulous study design and careful selection of the population and method of analysis are crucial.

Giovanni Maconi  © ECCO

Marietta Iacucci  © ECCO

In 2019 the Educational Programme at the ECCO Congress will again include two workshops devoted to IBD imaging. The first will be centered on basic endoscopy, ultrasound and MRI while the second will focus on advancements in intestinal ultrasound. Both workshops will be possible thanks to the extensive cooperation of gastroenterologists with experience in intestinal imaging from ECCO and our partner societies.

The 1^st ECCO-ESGAR Basic Imaging Workshop will educate attendees in how to make a precise diagnosis and how to better direct the therapeutic management of IBD patients using the latest imaging technologies. It is designed for gastroenterologists, endoscopists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists and other interdisciplinary medical experts interested in diagnostic imaging and endoscopy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease(s) (IBD).

Giovanni Maconi © ECCO

Modern diagnostic imaging is no longer being employed purely in a diagnostic role in IBD, in order to confirm or exclude the disease and its complications; rather, it is now becoming a crucial aid in the management of patients, in particular for the tailoring and monitoring of therapy. Thus, alongside diagnostic indications ranging from early diagnosis to the detection of abdominal complications, imaging techniques are increasingly being used for the assessment and prediction of many other factors, including evaluation of response to treatment both early after its introduction (as part of the step-up approach to treatment) and in the long term (to assist in decision making with respect to exit strategies, e.g. by helping to determine the right time to suspend a biological therapy in patients successfully treated over a long period).

Tim Raine © ECCO

The upcoming ECCO Congress will see a new addition to the line-up of workshops offered. Under the supervision of the Guidelines Committee (GuiCom), we are running a workshop specifically designed to offer ECCO Members the opportunity to increase their awareness and knowledge of the GRADE clinical guideline development methodology.

Petra Hartmann © ECCO

Once again, N-ECCO is offering an outstanding range of clinical and educational opportunities for nurses attending the ECCO’19 Copenhagen Congress.

The programmes for each activity continue to be developed on the basis of the evaluation forms from the previous year in order to meet your needs.

Catherine Wall  © ECCO

Nutrition screening tools are commonly used in clinical practice to identify patients who may be at nutrition risk. Patients identified as being at nutrition risk should be referred for nutritional assessment prior to implementation of a food and nutrition intervention as required. The use of nutrition screening tools can identify those patients most likely to benefit from a dietitian's input and can assist with the allocation of scarce dietetic resources. 

Michel Adamina © ECCO

The 12th European Colorectal Congress takes place from Monday, December 3 to Thursday, December 6, 2018 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and will be preceded by the Colorectal Masterclass on Sunday, December 2. About 1,400 participants from 80 countries are expected to attend the St. Gallen Colorectal Week (www.colorectalsurgery.eu). 

Paula Borralho Nunes © ECCO

A significant number of patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) will require a colectomy [1], with the most frequent indications including medical refractory disease and the occurrence of dysplasia or cancer in cases of longstanding disease. A total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgery of choice for the “definitive” management of UC since it avoids a permanent stoma while removing all diseased colonic mucosa [2], but it is also used for familial adenomatous polyposis and sometimes (advertently or inadvertently) for Crohn’s Disease (CD). However, although this surgery has significantly improved the quality of life of patients with UC, complications such as fistulas, abscesses, strictures of the anastomosis and pouchitis can occur after restorative proctocolectomies. Pouchitis refers to a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition with active inflammation of IPAA mucosa and is considered to be a primary “non-specific, idiopathic inflammation of the neorectal ileal mucosa”. 

Nuha Yassin © ECCO

Dear Y-ECCO Friends,

I hope you are well and enjoying your summer break. As we catch the last rays of sunshine, or hide away from the sweltering heat, we think about the next ECCO Congress in the beautiful city of Copenhagen. Abstract submission is now open, and Y-ECCO Members can prepare for writing the best abstracts and sharing their research with the ECCO Community. There will be an opportunity to win one of the five best Y-ECCO Abstract Awards, but you’re only eligible if you indicate that your abstract qualifies for the Y-ECCO Abstract Award. If you’re a Y-ECCO basic scientist, please prepare your abstracts with a general focus on two areas, genetics/epigenetics and metabolomics, and do tick the box if you’d like your abstract to be considered for presentation at the Y-ECCO Basic Science Workshop.

Nuha Yassin © ECCO

“The patient's perspective”

With the Y-ECCO Interview corner, I have had the honour to talk to inspirational people who have been kind enough to share with the ECCO Family and the IBD Community their professional and personal IBD journeys. Taking an IBD MDT approach, I have had the pleasure to speak to surgeons, gastroenterologists, nurses and dietitians from Europe and beyond. 

Today, I have the pleasure to speak to a representative of the most important group within the MDT, the patient. As clinicians, our clinical and research work is patient centred. Therefore, it is natural that the Interview corner should take us to a place we have never been before, the patient’s home. 

Dominik Bettenworth © ECCO

Dear Y-ECCO Friends,

A warm welcome to the Y-ECCO Literature Review section, where you will find a summary and discussion of cutting-edge clinical trials as well as basic science studies in the field of IBD. 

If you are a Y-ECCO Member and you are looking for an opportunity to get actively involved in ECCO and gain some visibility, contribute your article to the Y-ECCO Literature Review corner, together with a short self-description and your picture.

Christina Kapizioni  © Christina Kapizioni

Increased risk of acute arterial events in young patients and severely active IBD: A nationwide French cohort study

Kirchgesner J, Beaugerie L, Carrat F, Andersen NN, Jess T, Schwarzinger M; BERENICE study group
Gut. 2018;67:1261–1268.

At ECCO, we process your data in line with the principles of transparency and fairness. When becoming a member of ECCO, you are asked to provide your contact information, which enables us to correctly identify you in our database. We do not pass on any of your data to external parties, unless this is necessary to ensure the correct processing and safe-keeping of your information. You can find more detailed information in the ECCO Data Privacy Statement.

Austria

Name of group: Working Party on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Working Party IBD, Arbeitsgruppe CED) of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ÖGGH)
Number of active members: 
        ECCO: 83
        ÖGGH: 1271
Number of meetings per year: Three annual regular meetings; several regional meetings.
President and Secretary: 
        Leader of the Working Party IBD: Christoph Högenauer
        President of ÖGGH: Herbert Tilg
        Secretary of ÖGGH: Harald Hofer
National Representatives: 
        First Austrian National Representative: Christoph Högenauer
        Second Austrian National Representative: Alexander Moschen
Joined ECCO in:  2001
Incidence of IBD in the country (if available): 
Annual incidence of IBD: Crohn’s Disease: 6.7/100,000; Ulcerative Colitis: 4.8/100,000 (Petritsch W et al. J Crohns Colitis 2013;7:58–69)

Serbia

Name of group: Serbian IBD Association - SIBDA
Number of active members: 230
Number of meetings per year: 
        Steering Committee meetings: 6 per year, 1 General Assembly per year
        Educational meetings: 2 meetings/workshops annually
        Patient relations meetings: 1 per year and on demand
President and Secretary: 
        Aleksandra Sokic Milutinovic, President
        Zoran Milenkovic, Secretary
National Representatives: Srdjan Djuranovic and Mirjana Cvetkovic
Joined ECCO in:  As an association from 2012; we have had National Representatives since the beginning of ECCO.
Incidence of IBD in the country (if available): 
Not available in this moment.

Sweden

Name of group: Swedish Organisation for the Study of IBD
Number of active members: 45
Number of meetings per year: Two main meetings plus numerous project meetings
President and Secretary: 
        Pär Myrelid, President
        Franscesca Bresso, Secretary
National Representatives: 
        Ann-Sofie Backman
        Michael Eberhardson
Joined ECCO in:  2004
Incidence of IBD in the country (if available): 
0.64% prevalence

Anastasia N. Nicolaou © Anastasia N. Nicolaou

Cyprus

N-ECCO National Representative: Anastasia N. Nicolaou
Job Title: GI - IBD Nurse

What influenced your decision to apply for the role of N-ECCO National Representative for your country?
I work in a centre which sees a large number of IBD patients and therefore I felt the need to have a more active role. I have also applied for a PhD in a local university which has a research programme on IBD.