An overview of the role of exclusive enteral nutrition for complicated Crohn’s disease

Abstract

The role and efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in the treatment of luminal Crohn’s disease (CD) has been well established over the last 2 decades. Consequently, in many centers nutritional therapy is now considered first line therapy in the induction of remission of active CD. However, the use of nutritional therapy in complicated CD has yet to be fully determined. This article aimed to review case reports and clinical trials published in the last decade that have considered and evaluated nutritional therapy in the setting of complicated CD in children and adults. Published literature focusing upon the use of nutritional therapy as part of medical therapy in the management of complicated CD were identified and reviewed. Although there continue to be various interventions utilized for complicated CD, the currently available literature demonstrates that nutritional therapies, especially EEN, have important roles in the management of these complex scenarios. Further assessments, involving large numbers of patients managed with consistent approaches, are required to further substantiate these roles.

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term that describes disorders of unknown etiology that involve chronic inflammation affecting the gut [1]. Although the peak incidence of IBD is between 15 and 30 years of age, IBD can develop at any age. Up to a quarter of diagnosis are made in the first 2 decades of life. CD is one of the main types of IBD.

CD can affect any part of the gut, from the oral cavity to the anus [1,2]. CD typically involves transmural inflammation and can present with features such as abdominal pain, anorexia, tenesmus, and bloody or non-bloody diarrhea. Children most commonly have weight loss, diarrhea and abdominal pain at diagnosis, but can also have unique complications such as growth failure or delayed puberty. CD may also present with extraintestinal symptoms such as arthralgia, skin rashes, oral ulcers, and eye inflammation. Although CD typically commences with luminal inflammation, it can progress to complicated disease featuring strictures or penetration resulting in fistulae and abscesses. Penetrating disease is uncommon at diagnosis in children: 1 large case series showed that 9% of 276 children had penetrating or structuring disease at diagnosis and 24% developed 1 or more of these complications within 4 years of diagnosis [2].

The management of CD in children involves medications, surgery, nutritional interventions and psychological support, ideally provided within a multi-disciplinary setting [1]. Medications may be used to induce remission (e.g., corticosteroids or biologics) or to maintain remission (e.g., aminosalicylates and thiopurines). Surgery may be required for disease complications, such as for the management of strictures or for fistulizing disease. Nutritional interventions include exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) to induce remission, ongoing supplementary nutrition to maintain remission (maintenance enteral nutrition, MEN) and general nutritional support to enhance growth [3].

The benefits of EEN for the induction of remission of active luminal CD have been well described over the last decades with many reports of successful use in children and adults [4,5]. Consequently, EEN is now recommended in international guidelines as the first line of therapy for children or adolescents with active CD [3,6,7]. However, EEN may also have roles beyond those described solely for inflammatory luminal CD. This article aims to review recent reports illustrating the use of EEN in complicated CD.

EXCLUSIVE ENTERAL NUTRITION

EEN involves the use of a nutritionally complete liquid diet given exclusively instead of usual solids and fluids (other than water as required) typically for up to 8 weeks [3]. Close dietetic support is critical to provide guidance as to the required daily volumes needed to meet the child’s individual caloric requirements and to support the child during the period of EEN.

EEN is the initial therapy for induction of remission in almost every child or adolescent with a new diagnosis of CD in New Zealand and many other countries. The local protocol involves the use of EEN for 8 weeks, initially building up to the full required volume of formula over the first 3 to 4 days, depending on tolerance and side effects (as detailed in New Zealand national guidelines available online) [8]. Polymeric formulae (e.g., Ensure; Abbott New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand or Fortisip; Nutricia New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand) are preferred over elemental or semi-elemental formulae, due to superior taste characteristics and better tolerance. During EEN, patients would typically be reviewed every 2 weeks or as required. After the completion of the period of EEN, foods are then reintroduced slowly. Supplementary enteral nutrition is typically encouraged when back on normal diet as this may be sufficient to maintain remission. Many children will commence maintenance medical therapy prior to or at the completion of EEN.

Many published reports over the last 2 decades have demonstrated that EEN is very efficacious for active CD in children [3,5]. Generally, EEN induces clinical and biochemical remission in approximately 85% of patients. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of pediatric studies indicated that EEN had equivalent response to corticosteroids in children with active CD [9]. Although involving relatively small cohorts, some recent studies confirm and build upon previous data. For instance, a prospective Australian study involving 34 children treated with EEN for 8 weeks demonstrated clinical remission in 84% and biochemical remission in 76%, while 58% had early endoscopic response [10]. A subset of this group also had small bowel imaging (magnetic resonance enterography) before and after EEN: 3 of these 14 children had complete transmural healing.

Similarly, 80% of 40 Spanish children entered remission after 6 to 8 weeks of EEN when evaluated on an intention to treat basis [11]. When the investigators evaluated the outcomes in the 34 children who had completed the full period of EEN, 32 (92.1%) were noted to have entered remission.

A retrospective study conducted in the Netherlands assessed the outcomes of EEN in 77 children [12]. Of the children who completed a course of EEN, 71% had complete remission whilst a further 26% had partial remission. The investigators noted that ileal or ileo-colonic disease location at baseline was an important determinant of outcome in this series: 88% those with ileal or ileocolonic disease entered remission compared to approximately 50% of those with isolated colonic involvement.

Interestingly, previous pediatric studies have provided conflicting data on the effect of disease location on outcome of EEN. One study conducted in the United Kingdom showed a marked disparity between those children with isolated colonic disease (50% response rate) and ileal or ileo-colonic disease (remission rate between 92% and 83% respectively) [13]. In contrast, a subsequent report from Scotland that included 114 children, showed that those with isolated terminal ileal disease had a lower remission rate, but that location did not otherwise influence outcome [14]. When evaluated in a Cochrane analysis, there was felt to be insufficient evidence to clearly elucidate the impact of location upon outcome with EEN [15].

Despite the increasing data on the positive effects of EEN in pediatric CD, there are still limited data on the way in which EEN reduces intestinal inflammation. Traditionally, reduction of antigenic pressure (bowel rest) was considered an important mechanism of EEN [16]. However, this is unlikely to be the primary factor, as formulae with different protein sources achieve similar remission rates. Recent data suggest that EEN modulates bacterial flora within the gut lumen, thereby likely reducing intestinal inflammation [17,18]. In addition, active components within formulae used for EEN have direct anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal epithelial cells consequent to downregulation of mucosal pro-inflammatory cytokines [19,20]. These products also up-regulate various epithelial proteins leading to enhanced tight junction function [21]. Finally, improvement of nutritional status with repletion of nutritional deficiencies is likely to contribute to the some of the benefits seen with EEN [22]. It is likely that these mechanisms are also relevant for complicated CD.

EEN FOR COMPLICATED CD

Most reports of the impact and benefits of EEN have focused upon uncomplicated (inflammatory) luminal CD. In recent years an increasing number of publications have demonstrated that EEN is also useful in the setting of complicated CD and extraintestinal CD [23-25].

1. EEN in Penetrating CD

A number of reports have shown that EEN is safe and appears to have beneficial effects in patients with penetrating CD [23-27]. These cases include isolated fistulizing disease and instances of fistulizing disease complicated by phlegmon development (Table 1).

Table 1.

Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Penetrating CD

Reference	Study type	No. of patients	Indication	Outcome
23	Case report	1	Enterovesical	EEN 8 weeks: fistula closure, maintenance of remission 18 months
24	Case report	1	Perianal	EEN 8 weeks: fistula resolved, no recurrence over 32 months
25	Case report	33	Enteroenteric+abscess, EC	EEN for 12 weeks: 76% of enteroenteric and abscess healed, 3 of 4 with EC healed
26	Case report	48	EC	EEN for 12 weeks: fistula closure in 62.5%
27	Case report	2	Enteroenteric+phlegmon	EEN (8 weeks) with antibiotics: phlegmon resolution

These reports involved the use of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in patients with penetrating (fistulizing) CD.

EC, enterocutaneous.

One of the first reports of the use of EEN in fistulizing disease described a 16-year-old boy with known luminal CD who subsequently developed an enterovesical fistula [23]. He was initially treated with intravenous antibiotics, bowel rest and total parenteral nutrition for 2 weeks, and then commenced EEN. As he continued to progress well, he was discharged home to continue a further month of EEN, before progressing to normal diet with ongoing supplemental feeds. Eighteen months following diagnosis with the enterovesical fistula, he was in clinical and biochemical remission. Another case report entailed a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with ileocolonic CD and a perianal fistula [24]. After the first 4 weeks of EEN (used as sole treatment), he symptomatically improved. After completion of a full 8 weeks of EEN, he was managed with MEN in combination with maintenance drug therapy: he was reported to have no recurrence of perianal disease at 32 months after diagnosis.

Two recent Chinese studies, which included 81 adult patients in total, demonstrated substantial benefits of EEN in the management of fistulizing CD [25,26]. The first of these reports involved 33 individuals with CD complicated by enterocutaneous or entero-enteric fistula complicated by abscess development [25]. Evaluations before and after EEN included colonoscopy, biochemical inflammatory markers, and disease activity scores. Twenty-seven of the 31 individuals who completed 12 weeks of EEN entered full remission: only 3 patients required surgery after immediate care. This group of 33 patients included 4 with enterocutaneous fistula: 3 of this group had fistula closure. Furthermore, 76% of those with enteroenteric fistula with associated abscess had resolution of the abscess. A number of these patients (43%) also had perianal disease at the time of commencing EEN: the response of perianal disease to EEN was not described.

The second report included 48 subjects with enterocutaneous fistula: all were treated with 12 weeks of EEN [26]. Successful fistula closure was seen in 62.5% of these patients. Those with successful response to EEN were more likely to have improved inflammatory and nutritional markers.

These 2 studies included a number of patients with EEN continuing for 12 weeks in duration. Both demonstrated anti-inflammatory and nutritional benefits. The outcomes of the first study may be confounded by the use of antibiotics (although the length of antibiotic treatment was not defined). EEN, utilizing a semi-elemental formula, was the sole intervention in the second report.

Finally, a recent case report outlined the role of EEN in the management of 2 children with CD complicated by intra-abdominal abscess or phlegmon with or without associated fistula [27]. In these 2 cases, EEN was successfully utilized after an initial period of gut rest, antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition. Serial imaging demonstrated successful resolution of the collection and improved inflammatory markers in both instances. Longer term outcomes were also reported in this case series.

2. EEN in the Management of Stricturing CD

A number of reports have noted the roles of EEN may play in the management of CD complicated by stricture development [28-32]. Although these reports include variable protocols for EEN, different treatment durations and different outcomes, the overall conclusion is that EEN does have a number of benefits in this setting.

Firstly, a prospective observational study described the outcomes of 12 weeks of EEN in 59 patients with stricturing CD [28]. Fifty of the 59 subjects completed a full course of EEN. Overall, the period of EEN resulted in improved inflammatory markers and clinical symptoms. In addition, nutritional markers improved. While 35 of the subjects were shown to have radiologic remission, more (n=48) were in symptomatic remission after EEN.

In a retrospective case-control study, 13 of 51 adult patients with stricturing CD managed with preoperative EEN for a mean of 6.3 weeks had stricture resolution and did not require surgery [29]. Interestingly, the patients managed with EEN who still required surgery had shorter operations, reduced period of time to recommence oral intake postoperatively and fewer surgical complications, suggesting a number of additional benefits of EEN in this context.

A Korean study has also demonstrated improvements in stricturing disease with EEN [30]. Although most of this group of 66 patients were treated with EEN for uncomplicated luminal CD, 10.6% of the group (n =7) had strictures. Four of these 7 patients were reported to enter remission with EEN alone and without needing any further escalation of treatment. This subset of patients also remained in remission for the following 2 years while managed with MEN.

A further Chinese study reported the outcomes of EEN in patients with CD complicated by incomplete intestinal obstruction due to stenosis or stricture at various locations (duodenal, jejunal, ileal, ileocolonic or colonic) [31]. The patients received EEN via a nasogastric tube or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube for a period of 12 weeks. Seventy-five percent of the cohort underwent remission with clinical and biochemical parameters improving from baseline. Seven of the subjects required surgical intervention during the course of therapy. The longer-term outcomes of this cohort were not described.

Finally, a recent case report described the use of EEN in 1 patient presenting with stricturing duodenal CD on a background of ileal CD [32]. This patient was initially treated unsuccessfully with an aminosalicylate for 2 weeks. Subsequently, she was treated with 2 weeks of EEN delivered continuously via a nasogastric tube. Symptomatic improvements were seen after this short period of therapy. Repeat endoscopic assessment also documented improvement in the stricture. The report does not, however, quantify the improvement in the stricture. Furthermore, this report does not describe the full duration of EEN or delineate the longer-term outcomes of this patient.

3. EEN in the Management of Extraintestinal CD

EEN has also been reported to have roles in patients with CD with orofacial involvement. A single case report noted resolution of oral-facial granulomatosis (OFG) within 2 days of commencing an elemental diet [33]. More recently, the outcomes of EEN in a group of children with OFG were outlined retrospectively [34]. Most of the children had luminal CD in addition to their orofacial involvement. Twenty-two children completed 6 weeks of EEN, and 19 showed clinical improvement of the features of OFG. This study indicated there may be a role for EEN as a therapy for both isolated OFG and OFG in conjunction with luminal disease.

The role of EEN in the management of other extraintestinal manifestations of CD has not been formally assessed. Anecdotal reports suggest benefits for the management of erythema nodosum and IBD-associated joint symptoms (unpublished observations, Andrew S Day). Further consideration of the role of EEN of these aspects of CD is required.

CONCLUSIONS

Numerous studies over the last 2 decades have shown that EEN is efficacious and safe as an induction therapy in children with luminal CD. Consequently, this therapy is used in many centers and countries as the initial therapy following diagnosis or subsequently.

However, more recently a number of reports have illustrated that EEN may have roles beyond luminal CD both in children and adults. EEN has been shown to be beneficial in penetrating and stricturing CD, either as an adjunctive therapy or as a bridging therapy delaying or even preventing the need for surgery. However, most of these reports are comprised of small case series or retrospective assessments. More data from prospective trials, and the inclusion of larger numbers of patients managed with consistent protocols, are needed to further elucidate the role of EEN in complicated CD and extraintestinal manifestations of CD.