Is aberrant expression of maspin in idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease associated with disease activity and neoplastic transformation?
Maspin is significantly overexpressed in both active IBD and colitis-associated dysplasia compared to either inactive IBD or normal colonic mucosa, suggesting a potential role in disease "flare" as well as neoplastic progression. Targeting maspin for control of disease activity and cancer prophylaxis may be a promising novel therapeutic strategy for IBD.
Patients with obvious clinical indicators of acute deterioration can be overlooked or poorly managed on the ward. This may lead to potentially avoidable unexpected deaths or to a poorer eventual outcome following ICU admission. Early recognition and correction of abnormalities may result in outcome benefit, but this requires further investigation.