Primary Hypogammaglobulinaemia with Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Like Features: An ECCO CONFER Multicentre Case Series

Ahmad Albshesh, Piotr Eder, Davide Giuseppe Ribaldone, Bas Oldenburg, Nanne K de Boer, Gerassimos J Mantzaris, Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino, Gabriele Dragoni, Roni Weisshof, Marie Truyens, Stefano Festa, Michel H Maillard, Lena Capirchio, Rafal Filip, Eirini Theodoraki, Uri Kopylov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypogammaglobulinaemia is a disorder characterized by low serum immunoglobulin levels and a high prevalence of gastrointestinal manifestations. In some cases, clinical and endoscopic features are indistinguishable from those of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

METHODS: This was a multicentre case series performed as a part of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Collaborative Network of Exceptionally Rare case reports [CONFER] project.

RESULTS: This report includes 27 patients with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and IBD-like features: 20 males and seven females, median age 45.6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 35.2-59). Crohn's disease-like features were noted in 23 patients, and four patients had ulcerative colitis-like features. The diagnosis of hypogammaglobulinaemia preceded a diagnosis of IBD-like features in 20 patients [median of 7 years prior, IQR 2.6-20.6 years], and followed the appearance of IBD-like features in seven cases [median of 1 year after, IQR 0.45-5.6 years]. Hypogammaglobulinaemia aetiologies were common variable immunodeficiency [66.6%], agammaglobulinaemia [7.4%], selective IgA-deficiency [11.1%], Good's syndrome [7.4%], IgG subclass deficiency with IgA deficiency [3.7%] and hyper-IgM [3.7%]. In addition to antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG] for hypogammaglobulinaemia, 12 patients received IBD-related treatment including 5-aminosalicylate agents [two patients], corticosteroids [one patient], thiopurines [three patients], anti-tumour necrosis factor [four patients] and vedolizumab [two patients]. By the end of the follow-up (44.5 months [IQR 18-81]), 21/27 [77%] patients were in clinical remission.

CONCLUSION: This case series describes IBD-like features in patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia. The diagnosis of IBD-like features mainly occurred after that of hypogammaglobulinaemia, with successful recovery in the majority of cases after appropriate treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-97
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Crohn's & Colitis
Volume16
Issue number1
Early online date18 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jan 2022

Keywords

  • IBD-like features
  • Primary hypogammaglobulinaemia
  • immunodeficiency
  • inflammatory bowel disease

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