“
“Background and aims: Therapeutic drug monitoring

of active metabolites of thiopurines, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, is relatively new. The proposed therapeutic threshold level of the active 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) is >= 235 pmol/8 x 10(8) erythrocytes. The aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to compare 6-TGN levels in adult thiopurine tolerant IBD patients with an exacerbation with those in remission, and to determine the therapeutic 6-TGN cut-off level.

Methods: Hundred IBD patients were included. Outcome measures were thiopurine metabolite levels, calculated therapeutic 6-TGN cut-off level, CDAI/CAI scores, thiopurine dose and TPMT enzyme activity.

Results: Forty-one patients had an exacerbation, 59 patients were in remission. In 17% HDAC inhibitor of all patients 6-TGN levels were compatible

with non-compliance. The median 6-TGN levels were not significantly different between the exacerbation and remission group (227 versus 263 pmol/8 x 10(8) erythrocytes, p = 0.29). The previous reported therapeutic 6-TGN cut-off level of 235 pmol/8 x 10(8) erythrocytes was confirmed in this study. Twenty-six of the 41 patients (63%) with active disease had 6-TGN levels Apoptosis Compound Library screening below this threshold and 24 of 59 IBD patients (41%) in clinical remission (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: Thiopurine non-compliance occurs frequently both in active and quiescent disease. 6-TGN levels below or above the therapeutic threshold are associated with a significant higher chance of IBD exacerbation and remission, respectively. These data support the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in thiopurine maintenance therapy in IBD check details to reveal non-compliance or under-dosing, and can be used as a practical tool to optimize thiopurine therapy, especially in case of thiopurine non-response (C)

2011 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background: The development of a deep wound infection in the presence of hardware after open reduction and internal fixation presents a clinical dilemma, and there is scant literature to aid in decision-making. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osseous union with maintenance of hardware after the development of postoperative infection within six weeks after internal fixation of a fracture.

Methods: The present study included 121 patients from three level-I trauma centers, retrospectively identified from billing and trauma registries, in whom 123 postoperative wound infections with positive intraoperative cultures had developed within six weeks after internal fixation of acute fractures. The incidence of fracture union without hardware removal was calculated, and the parameters that predicted success or failure were evaluated.