Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients present a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of chronic inflammation, which plays an essential role in atherogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk between patients with IBD and healthy control individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 consecutive IBD outpatients from a tertiary hospital and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. Data collected included age, sex, smoking status, presence of comorbidities, disease activity, ongoing medical treatment, body mass index, arterial blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk. The cardiovascular risk was based on the Framingham risk score and ultrasonography variables, such as the carotid intima-media thickness and the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid. Multivariate logistic regression or multiple linear regression analysis was performed at a significance level of 5%. Results: No differences were observed between groups with regard to age, sex, smoking status, comorbidities, blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profile, and Framingham risk score. In the IBD group, fasting glucose [95 (86.2-107.3) mg/dL vs 86 (79-100) mg/dL, p=0.041], carotid intima-media thickness (0.69±0.12 mm vs 0.63±0.12 mm, p=0.031), and atherosclerotic carotid plaque (25% vs 5.4%, p=0.032) were higher compared with those in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with IBD presented a 6.45-fold higher risk of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (odds ratio: 6.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.035-40.216; p<0.046). Conclusion: Patients with IBD are at an increased risk of atherosclerosis and, consequently, an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Three patients at Stage II of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were treated with semipurified alpha-interferon (IFN) using different combinations of intrathecal and intravenous routes: 1 x 10(6) IU of alpha-IFN were given every other day up to a total of 15 x 10(6) IU. Transient improvement of neurological symptoms and electroencephalogram were noted in all 3, while cognitive function slightly improved in 2 of them. Clinical benefits gradually disappeared 2 to 6 months after cessation of IFN. Intrathecal antibody production did not change substantially, but CSF Leu 3a/Leu 2a ratio appeared to increase. No significant side effects were observed, except for a mild meningeal inflammatory reaction after each intrathecal administration of IFN.

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Abstracts of the 12 th Congress of ECCO -European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation S501ments to our unit were registered. 95.91% of the contacts were solved via phone call and or mail. Main contact topics were problems with medical treatment (24.3%), doubts solution (32.0%), change or new appointment date (11.4%), change or appointment for complementary studies (4%), clinical reports or results (24%). Only 4.08% needed face-to-face consultation, 3.44% in IBD-unit and 0.65% in emergency service. Conclusions:The register of non-programmed clinical assistance by means of an specific document allows to improve the regitry of activity in our IBD unit, improves communication between members of the unit, leaves a documentary report of a non-scheduled activity and focus assistance on patients needs in order to perform a better distribution of resources. Furthemore, IBD nursery can attend >95% of non-programmed appointments without being present the patient, strengthing the efficiency of the role of IBD nursery.

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