Disease course and surgery rates in inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based, 7-year follow-up study in the era of immunomodulating therapy

Natural course of ulcerative colitis in China: Differences from the West?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Whether the natural course of ulcerative colitis (UC) in mainland China is similar or different from that in Western countries is unknown, and data on it is limited. We aimed to provide a comprehensive description of the natural course of UC in China and compare it with Western UC patients.

METHODS

Based on a prospective Chinese nationwide registry of consecutive patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, the medical treatments and natural history of UC were described in detail, including disease extension, surgery, and neoplasia. The Cox regression model was used to identify factors associated with poor outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1081 UC patients were included with a median follow-up duration of 5.3 years. The overall cumulative exposure was 99.1% to 5-aminosalicylic acids, 52.1% to corticosteroids, 25.6% to immunomodulators, and 15.4% to biologics. Disease extent at diagnosis was proctitis in 26.9%, left-sided colitis in 34.8%, and extensive colitis in 38.3%. Of 667 patients with proctitis and left-sided colitis, 380 (57.0%) experienced disease extent progression. A total of 58 (5.4%) UC patients underwent colectomy, demonstrating cumulative proportions of surgery at 1, 5, and 10 years after diagnosis of 0.6%, 3.4%, and 8.2%, respectively. In addition, 23 (2.1%) UC patients were diagnosed with neoplasia, demonstrating cumulative proportions of neoplasia at 1, 5, and 10 years after diagnosis of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 3.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese UC patients had similar cumulative proportions of exposure to IBD-specific treatments but a lower surgical rate than patients in Western countries, indicating a different natural course, and close monitoring needs for UC in China. However, these results must be confirmed in population-based studies because the hospital-based cohort in our study might lead to selection bias.

Impact of sex and socioeconomic status on the likelihood of surgery, hospitalization, and use of medications in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are associated with high healthcare utilization. This systematic review aimed to summarize what is known about the impact of sex, income, and education on the likelihood of bowel surgery, hospitalization, and use of corticosteroids and biologics among patients with IBD.

METHODS

We used EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science to perform a systematic literature search. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects meta-analysis for the impact of sex on the likelihood of surgery and hospitalization. In addition, we performed subgroup analyses of the effect of IBD type (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) and age. Finally, meta-regression was undertaken for the year of publication.

RESULTS

In total, 67 studies were included, of which 23 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. In the main meta-analysis, male sex was associated with an increased likelihood of bowel surgery (HR 1.42 (95% CI 1.13;1.78), which was consistent with the subgroup analysis for UC only (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.16; 2.72). Sex did not impact the likelihood of hospitalization (OR 1.05 (95% CI 0.86;1.30), although the subgroup analysis revealed an increased likelihood of hospitalization in CD patients (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.28;1.58). In 9 of 10 studies, no significant sex-based differences in the use of biologics were reported, although in 6 of 6 studies, female patients had lower adherence to biologics. In 11 of 13 studies, no significant sex-based difference in the use of corticosteroids was reported. The evidence of the impact of income and education on healthcare utilization was sparse and pointed in different directions. The substantial heterogeneity between studies was explained, in part, by differences in IBD type and age.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this systematic review indicate that male patients with IBD are significantly more likely to have surgery than female patients with IBD but are not, overall, more likely to be hospitalized, whereas female patients appear to have statistically significantly lower adherence to biologics compared to male patients. Thus, clinicians should not underestimate the impact of sex on healthcare utilization. Evidence for income- and education-based differences remains sparse.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022315788.

Is the writing on the wall? The relationship between the number of disease-modifying anti-inflammatory bowel disease drugs used and the risk of surgical resection

BACKGROUND

Disease-modifying anti-inflammatory bowel disease drugs (DMAIDs) revolutionized the management of ulcerative colitis (UC). This study assessed the relationship between the number and timing of drugs used to treat UC and the risk of colectomy and postoperative complications.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of adult patients with UC treated with disease-modifying drugs between 2005 and 2020 in the MarketScan database. Landmark and time-varying regression analyses were used to analyze risk of surgical resection. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine risk of postoperative complications, emergency room visits, and readmissions.

RESULTS

A total of 12,193 patients with UC and treated with disease-modifying drugs were identified. With a median follow-up time of 1.7 years, 23.8% used >1 drug, and 8.3% of patients required surgical resection. In landmark analyses, using 2 and ≥3 drugs before the landmark date was associated with higher incidence of surgery for each landmark than 1 drug. Multivariable Cox regression showed hazard ratio (95% CIs) of 4.22 (3.59-4.97), 11.7 (9.01-15.3), and 22.9 (15.0-34.9) for using 2, 3, and ≥4 drugs, respectively, compared with using 1 DMAID. That risk was constant overtime. The number of drugs used preoperatively was not associated with an increased postoperative risk of any complication, emergency room visits, or readmission.

CONCLUSION

The use of multiple disease-modifying drugs in UC is associated with an increased risk of surgical resection with each additional drug. This provides important prognostic data and highlights the importance of patient counseling with minimal concern regarding risk of postoperative morbidity for additional drugs.

Comparative maintenance performance of all biologic agents and small molecules in ulcerative colitis: a network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Βiologic agents and small molecules have expanded the therapeutic armamentarium of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). However, their comparative efficacy and safety performance as maintenance treatments have not been sufficiently explored. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NWM) to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of all approved and emerging treatments for maintenance in moderate to severe UC.

METHODS

We searched Pubmed/Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant RCTs through April 2023. The primary endpoint was clinical remission at the end of the maintenance therapy. Data were analyzed by means of a Bayesian NWM. The ranking probability concerning efficacy and safety was evaluated by means of surfaces under cumulative ranking (SUCRA) values.

RESULTS

There were 20 eligible RCTs with 7660 patients randomized to 20 treatments. RCTs were grouped into two study designs, that is, re-randomization of patients after an induction period and treat-through patients. Concerning efficacy, in re-randomized patients, upadacitinib 30 mg/day was ranked first (SUCRA 94.9%) whereas in treat-through patients etrasimod 2 mg/day was ranked first (SUCRA 91.1%). The integrated efficacy-safety hierarchical analysis, showed that tofacitinib 10 mg had the best efficacy-safety therapeutic profile in re-randomized patients, whereas in treat-through patients infliximab 3.5 mg/Kg Q8W showed the best efficacy-safety profile.

CONCLUSION

For maintenance treatment, in moderate to severe UC, this NWM showed that upadacitinib 30 mg/day and etrasimod 2 mg/day were ranked best for efficacy in re-randomized and treat-through patients respectively. Tofacitinib 10 mg/day and infliximab 3.5 mg/Kg Q8W showed the best efficacy-safety therapeutic profile in re-randomized and treat-through patients respectively.

Heterogeneous associations of gut microbiota with Crohn's disease activity

The multi-factorial involvement of gut microbiota with Crohn's disease (CD) necessitates robust analysis to uncover possible associations with particular microbes. CD has been linked to specific bacteria, but reported associations vary widely across studies. This inconsistency may result from heterogeneous associations across individual patients, resulting in no apparent or only weak relationships with the means of bacterial abundances. We investigated the relationship between bacterial relative abundances and disease activity in a longitudinal cohort of CD patients (n = 57) and healthy controls (n = 15). We applied quantile regression, a statistical technique that allows investigation of possible relationships outside the mean response. We found several significant and mostly negative associations with CD, especially in lower quantiles of relative abundance on family or genus level. Associations found by quantile regression deviated from the mean response in relative abundances of Coriobacteriaceae, Pasteurellaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. For the family Streptococcaceae we found a significant elevation in relative abundance for patients experiencing an exacerbation relative to those who remained without self-reported symptoms or measurable inflammation. Our analysis suggests that specific bacterial families are related to CD and exacerbation, but associations vary between patients due to heterogeneity in disease course, medication history, therapy response, gut microbiota composition and historical contingency. Our study underscores that microbial diversity is reduced in the gut of CD patients, but suggests that the process of diversity loss is rather irregular with respect to specific taxonomic groups. This novel insight may advance our ecological understanding of this complex disease.

Crossing barriers: the burden of inflammatory bowel disease across Western Europe

An estimated 2.5-3 million individuals (0.4%) in Europe are affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whilst incidence rates for IBD are stabilising across Europe, the prevalence is rising and subsequently resulting in a significant cost to the healthcare system of an estimated 4.6-5.6 billion euros per year. Hospitalisation and surgical resection rates are generally on a downward trend, which is contrary to the rising cost of novel medication. This signifies a large part of healthcare cost and burden. Despite publicly funded healthcare systems in most European countries, there is still wide variation in how patients receive and/or pay for biologic medication. This review will provide an overview and discuss the different healthcare systems within Western Europe and the barriers that affect overall management of a changing IBD landscape, including differences to hospitalisation and surgical rates, access to medication and clinical trial participation and recruitment. This review will also discuss the importance of standardising IBD management to attain high-quality care for all patients with IBD.

Long-term prognosis and clinical practice for new-onset ulcerative colitis in the era of biologics: A Japanese retrospective study

Background and Aim

There is a scarcity of data on long-term outcomes in patients with new-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) in the era of biologics. We aimed to clarify the long-term prognosis of UC and the clinical practice of prescriptions for UC.

Methods

We collected 6689 new-onset UC cases using a medical claim database provided by DeSC Healthcare, Inc. We investigated the surgery-free, systemic steroid-free, and molecular targeting drug-free rates and compared their differences based on UC-onset age. We used multivariate analysis to identify clinical factors affecting long-term prognosis and investigated the transition of prescriptions for UC.

Results

The surgery-free, systemic steroid-free, and molecular targeting drug-free rates at 5 years post-UC diagnosis were 98.5%, 61.0%, and 88.7%, respectively. Pediatric patients had higher surgery-free rates compared with elderly patients and non-pediatric/non-elderly patients (P = 0.022), whereas the systemic steroid-free and molecular targeting drug-free rates were significantly lower (P< 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). The retention rate of the first molecular targeting drug did not differ between drugs. The prescription rates of systemic steroid, immunomodulator, and molecular targeting drug increased from the second quarter in 2014 to the fourth quarter in 2021 (29.8%-39.1%, 6.8%-17.7%, and 7.6%-16.4%, respectively).

Conclusions

We clarified the long-term prognosis and clinical practice of new-onset UC cases. The long-term outcome after UC onset might improve because of increasing use of new therapeutic agents. Further investigations are warranted.

Evaluation of a downstaging, bidirectional version of the Montreal classification of Crohn's disease: Analysis of 5-year follow-up data from the prospective BioCrohn study

OBJECTIVE

Under the assumption of irreversibility, the Montreal classification provides a unidirectional assessment of the complications and behaviour of Crohn's disease (CD) that does not allow for downstaging. We examined the use of a bidirectional Montreal classification system that can capture disease regression.

DESIGN

From the BioCrohn Registry, an inception cohort of patients with CD for ≤12 months duration was defined and followed up for 5-years. Cumulative probabilities for developing complications were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Potential associations of explanatory variables with disease progression were estimated with Cox regression.

RESULTS

Among 393 incident CD patients (of whom 255 completed the entire follow-up), the 5-year cumulative probability of developing complications was 41.5% (15.6% and 25.9% for stricturing and penetrating complications respectively). Perianal disease (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 8.45 [4.74-15.07]) and surgical resection of the intestine (2.71 [1.50-4.92]) in the very early phase of the disease were associated with a higher risk of developing a penetrating complication within the 5-year follow-up. The use of a bidirectional Montreal classification system which can account for disease regression demonstrated that 90% of patients exhibited inflammatory disease behaviour at 5 years, in contrast to 58%, if the hierarchical, unidirectional Montreal classification system was used.

CONCLUSION

An additional bidirectional disease behaviour assessment capturing reversed or fully controlled complications may provide a more realistic appraisal of the complexity and unmet needs of patients treated with advanced therapies.

A Case Report and Literature Review of Rectosigmoid Crohn's Disease: A Diagnostic Pitfall Ultimately Leading to Spontaneous Colonic Perforation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract, with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) as the two major entities. While these conditions share some similarities in clinical presentation, they have distinct histopathological features. UC is a mucosal disease affecting the left colon and rectum, while CD can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and all layers of the bowel wall. Accurate diagnosis of UC and CD is important for effective management and prevention of complications. However, distinguishing between the two conditions based on limited biopsy specimens or atypical clinical presentations can be challenging. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with UC based on a single endoscopic biopsy from the sigmoid colon, who later presented with colonic perforation and was found to have CD on the colectomy specimen. This case emphasizes the importance of clinical guidelines when dealing with any patient of suspected IBD, considering alternative diagnoses in patients with atypical presentations and the need for careful clinical, endoscopic, and histological evaluation to make an accurate diagnosis. Delayed or missed diagnosis of CD can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR SURGERY TREATMENT OF CROHN'S DISEASE: A HOSPITAL COHORT

BACKGROUND

New therapies have revolutionized the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), but in some countries, the surgery rate has not changed, the frequency of emergency surgery is underestimated, and surgical risk is poorly studied.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and clinical indications for primary surgery in CD patients at the tertiary hospital.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort of a prospectively collected database of 107 patients with CD from 2015 to 2021. The main outcomes were the incidence of surgery treatment, types of procedures performed, surgical recurrence, surgery free time, and risk factors for surgery.

RESULTS

Surgical intervention was performed in 54.2% of the patients, and most of the procedures were emergency surgeries (68.9%). The elective procedures (31.1%) were performed over 11 years after diagnosis. The main indications for surgery were ileal stricture (34.5%) and anorectal fistulas (20.7%). The most frequent procedure was enterectomy (24.1%). Recurrence surgery was most common in emergency procedures (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.6-6.6). Montreal phenotype L1 stricture behavior (RR 1.3; 95%CI 1.0-1.8, p=0.04) and perianal disease (RR 1.43; 95%CI 1.2-1.7) increased the risk of emergency surgeries. The multiple linear regression showed age at diagnosis as a risk factor for surgery (p=0.004). The study of surgery free time showed no difference in the Kaplan-Meier curve for Montreal classification (p=0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for operative intervention were strictures in ileal and jejunal diseases, age at diagnosis, perianal disease, and emergency indications.

Can we change the natural course of inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are lifelong diseases characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract leading to its progressive and irreversible destruction. Whether early initiation of IBD-specific therapy impacts the long-term course of the disease remains unclear and has to be further explored in prospective disease-modification trials. Historically, surgery and hospitalization rates have been the surrogate markers to measure disease progression in IBD, providing an overview of the effectiveness of medical therapies. However, neither surgery nor hospitalization necessarily reflects a fail in therapeutic medical management, and many confounding factors make them biased outcomes. The Selecting Endpoints for Disease-Modification Trials consensus has defined the disease-modification endpoints required for these trials, including the impact of the disease on patient's life (health-related quality of life, disability, and fecal incontinence), the mid-term disease complications (bowel damage in CD, IBD-related surgery and hospitalizations, disease extension in UC, extra-intestinal manifestations, permanent stoma, short bowel syndrome), and the development of dysplasia/cancer and mortality in the long term. Most available data in the literature regarding the impact of current therapies on disease progression focused on anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and are based on retrospective or post-hoc studies. Thus, prospective disease-modification trials are pressingly required to explore the effectiveness of early intensified treatment in patients with severe disease or at risk for disease progression.

Long-term Colectomy rates of Ulcerative Colitis over 40-year of Different Therapeutic eras - Results from Western Hungarian Population-based Inception Cohort between 1977-2020

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Few population-based studies have investigated the long-term colectomy rates of ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to assess the colectomy rates over 40 years of different therapeutic eras in a prospective population-based inception cohort from Veszprem Province, Western Hungary.

METHODS

Patient inclusion lasted between January1,1977, and December31, 2018. Patient follow-up ended December 31,2020. Colectomy rates and disease course were examined in three different eras based on the time of UC diagnosis; cohort-A(1977-1995),cohort-B(1996-2008), and cohort C(2009-2018).

RESULTS

A total of 1,370 incident UC patients were included (male 51.2%,median age at diagnosis:37 years). Median follow-up was 17 years (IQR 9-24); 87 patients(6.4%) underwent colectomy. The cumulative probability of colectomy in the total population was 2.6%(95%CI 2.2-3.0), 4.2%(95%CI 3.6-4.8), 7.0%(95%CI 6.2-7.8), and 10.4%(95%CI 9.1-11.7) after 5, 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. The proportion of extensive colitis at diagnosis increased over time (24.2%/24.3%/34.9% in cohorts A/B/C,p=0.001). Overall exposure to immunomodulators (11.3%/20.9%/34.4% in cohorts A/B/C,p<0.001), as well as the probability for biological therapy initiation increased over time; 0%/ 3.3%(95%CI 2.6-4.0)/ 13.9%(95%CI 12.1-15.7), p<0.001. There were no statistically significant differences in the cumulative probability of colectomies between cohorts A/B/C; 1.7% (95%CI 1.0-2.4), 2.5%(95%CI 1.9-3.1), and 3.7%(95%CI 2.7-4.7) after 5 years; 3.5%(95%CI 2.5-4.5), 4.2%(95%CI 3.4-5.0), and 4.5%(95%CI 3.3-5.7) after 10 years; and 7.5% (95%CI 6.1-8.9) and 6.3% (95%CI 5.2-7.4) in cohorts A/B after 20 years (Log-rank=0.588). Extensive colitis (HR;2.24:95%CI 1.55-3.23) and continuous active disease activity (HR;6.36:95%CI 3.46-11.67) were independent predictors for colectomy.

CONCLUSION

No differences in colectomy rates have been observed in the incident UC patients over 40 years despite increasing use of immunomodulators and biological therapies.

Anastomotic Considerations in Crohn's Disease

A number of factors should be considered when performing an intestinal anastomosis in the setting of surgery for Crohn's disease. Preoperative risk factors, such as malnutrition, abdominal sepsis, and immunosuppressive medications, may increase the risk of postoperative anastomotic complications and alter surgical decision-making. The anatomical configuration and technique of constructing the anastomosis may have an impact on postoperative function and risk of recurrence, particularly in the setting of ileocolic resection, where the Kono-S anastomosis has gained popularity in recent years. There may be circumstances in which it may be more appropriate to perform an ostomy either without an anastomosis or to temporarily divert an anastomosis when the risk of anastomotic complications is felt to be high. In the setting of total abdominal colectomy or proctocolectomy for Crohn's colitis, restorative procedures may appropriate in lieu of a permanent stoma in certain scenarios.

A Mixed-methods Assessment of the Impact of Insurance Issues on the Emotional and Physical Health of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), failure to adhere to treatment regimens due to insurance issues can lead to disease complications. Our aim was to examine patients' perceptions of the impact of insurance issues on their health.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with IBD at a large US academic center and an insurance issue participated in a mixed-methods study. Retrospective chart review and an online questionnaire were completed to collect demographic information, IBD characteristics, and validated resilience scores. Semistructured interviews were completed for insurance experiences, which were coded independently by 2 coders for themes.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients completed the interview, and 24 completed the online survey. Sixteen had Crohn's disease, 13 had ulcerative colitis, and 66% were female. The most common insurance issue was lapsed insurance. Many experienced physical consequences, with 58% having flares, 14% undergoing surgery, and 14% developing antibodies. All emotional responses were negative, with the majority feeling stressed (38%). Providers were uninformed of insurance issues in 28% of cases. When asked about perceived resilience, 41% felt incapable of managing the situation, and 45% gave up trying to solve the problem. When asked how to improve going forward, 38% requested an easily accessible advocate to guide them.

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of our cohort chose not to inform their provider, felt incapable of managing on their own, and gave up on resolving their insurance issue. This highlights the need to consider restructuring the insurance system, to identify those at risk for insurance issues, and to make advocates available to avoid devastating consequences.

The Use and Efficacy of Biological Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Danish Tertiary Centre 2010-2020

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who receive biologicals frequently experience lack or loss of response. Our aim was to describe the use and efficacy of biological therapy in a tertiary IBD center.

Methods

We included all bio-naive IBD patients who initiated biological therapy between 2010 and 2020 at our centre. Their medical records were reviewed.

Results

The population consisted of 327 Crohn's disease (CD) patients, 291 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and 3 patients with IBD unclassified (IBDU). The median follow-up was 3 years (interquartile range = 2-5) after initiating therapy. The annual number of patients initiating biological therapy rose from 29 (2010) to 85 (2019). Most patients (457, 73.6%) received 1 biological drug; 164 (26.4%) patients received 2 or more biologicals. Primary lack of response was observed in 36.4% (106/291) and 17.4% (57/327) of UC and CD patients; loss of response was observed in 27.1% (79/291) and 31.5% (103/327) of UC and CD patients, respectively. The 5-year surgery rates were 26.6% and 20.4% in UC and CD patients, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed that treatment with thiopurine reduced the likelihood of needing to switch biological therapy, requiring surgery or corticosteroids in UC patients (HR: 0.745, 95% CI: 0.559-0.993), but not in CD patients (HR: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.736-1.349).

Conclusions

The annual number of IBD patients initiated on biological therapy increased considerably between 2010 and 2020. One-quarter of these patients required surgery after 5 years. Our findings suggest a beneficial effect of concurrent thiopurines for UC patients receiving biologicals, but this was not found for CD patients. This effect in UC patients was not observed when we included patients initiating thiopurines up to 6 months after the introduction of biological therapy.

Filgotinib for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis

INTRODUCTION

Filgotinib is an oral Janus kinase type 1 (JAK1) selective inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy and safety in ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence on pharmacological characteristics, efficacy, and safety of filgotinib in UC.

AREAS COVERED

Pubmed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched for all relevant studies reporting the efficacy and safety of filgotinib in patients with moderate to severe UC. We particularly focused on the risk of zoster infection and venous thromboembolism compared to other JAK inhibitors.

EXPERT OPINION

Filgotinib has remarkable efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles in the treatment of moderate-to-severe active UC. It can be used in both biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced patients. The rapid mechanism of action and its oral administration route make it a reliable therapeutic option.

Epidemiology, treatment strategy, natural disease course and surgical outcomes of patients with ulcerative colitis in Western Hungary - a population-based study between 2007 and 2018, data from the Veszprem County cohort

BACKGROUND

The number of population-based studies in ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited from Eastern Europe. Our aim was to analyze incidence, prevalence, disease phenotype, treatment strategy, disease course and colectomy rates in a prospective population-based inception cohort including UC patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2018. The present study is a continuation of the Veszprem IBD cohort since 1977.

METHODS

467 UC patients were included (male/female: 236/231; median age at diagnosis: 36 years(y) [IQR: 25-54]). Both in-hospital and outpatient records were collected and comprehensively reviewed. The mean length of follow-up was 8.34±3.6y. The source of demographic data was derived from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office.

RESULTS

Mean incidence rate was 11.02/10 5 person-years in this 12-year period. Prevalence was 317.79/10 5 persons in 2015. Disease extent at diagnosis was proctitis(E1) in 22.3%, left-sided colitis(E2) in 43.9%, and extensive colitis(E3) in 33.8%. The probability of disease extent progression was 11.6%(SE:1.8) after 5 years. Distribution of maximal therapeutic steps were 5-ASA in 46.9%, corticosteroids in 16.3%, immunosuppressives in 19.3%, and biologicals in 16.5%. The probability of receiving biological therapy after diagnosis was 9.9%(SE:1.4) at 3 years. Overall colectomy rate was 4.1% in the population. The probability of colectomy was 1.5%(SE:0.6) at 1 year, 3.6%(SE:0.9) at 5 years and 4.4%(SE:1.0) at 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of UC was high in Hungary, similar to high-incidence areas in Western Europe. Treatment strategies are in line with the biologic era. The probability of progressing into proximal disease, and the medium- and long-term colectomy rates were both lower compared data from Western European centers.

Therapeutic management and outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases, 2010 to 2017 in cohorts from Denmark, Sweden and Norway

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing use of biologics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), real-world data about outcomes in the era of biologics remain inconclusive.

AIMS

To investigate trends in surgeries, hospitalisations and medication use in patients with IBD in a multinational, population-based cohort METHODS: We included 42,894 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 24,864 with Crohn's disease (CD) who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. We extracted data about surgeries, hospitalisations and medications from national registries and compared across countries and diagnosis years.

RESULTS

Between 2010 and 2017, 2-year surgery rates were 4-7% in UC and 10-15% in CD and were stable over time. Two-year hospitalisation rates increased in Denmark (UC: 20% to 35%; CD: 27% to 32%) but were stable in Norway and Sweden (fluctuating between 33% and 37% in UC, and 46% and 52% in CD). Two-year rates of biologic use increased in both UC (7% to 16% in Denmark, 8% to 18% in Norway) and CD (22% to 26% in Denmark; 21% to 35% in Norway). Two-year rates of immunomodulator use increased in Norway (from 14% to 23% in UC; 37% to 45% in CD) and Sweden (from 41% to 52% in CD), but were stable in Denmark (between 17% and 21% in UC; 39% to 46% in CD).

CONCLUSION

Between 2010 and 2017, surgery rates among Scandinavian patients with IBD remained stable, with no clear changes in hospitalisation rates despite the increasing use of immunomodulators and biologics.

Identification of Gene Expression Profiles Associated with an Increased Risk of Post-Operative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ileocolonic resection is frequently needed in the course of Crohn's disease [CD] treatment and post-operative recurrence is extremely common. Our main objective was to analyse gene expression in the mucosa of CD patients at the time of surgery and at post-operative endoscopy, in order to identify predictors and mechanisms of early endoscopic recurrence.

METHODS

We conducted transcriptome analyses on ileal mucosa samples collected from inflamed sections of the surgical specimens [n = 200], from ileal resection margins [n = 149] and in the neo-terminal ileum 6 months after surgery [n = 122]; these were compared with non-inflammatory bowel disease controls [n = 25]. The primary endpoint was post-operative endoscopic recurrence at 6 months. We applied regression models to identify gene signatures predicting endoscopic recurrence.

RESULTS

Chronic inflammation was associated with strong expression of inflammatory genes [IL-6, IL-8, IL-1B] and decreased expression of genes involved in metabolic processes, but with a high inter-individual heterogeneity. Gene signatures associated with early endoscopic recurrence were mainly characterized by upregulation of TNFα, IFNγ, IL23A and IL17A. Pathway analyses showed that upregulation of mitochondrial dysfunction within the inflamed sections and JAK/STAT at the ileal margin were predictive of post-operative recurrence. A combined model integrating these top pathway signatures improved the prediction of endoscopic recurrence [area under the curve of 0.79]. STAT3 phosphorylation at the surgical ileal margin was associated with severe recurrence at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

We identified several biological pathways in surgical ileal mucosa specimens associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence. Integration of the JAK/STAT and mitochondrial dysfunction pathways in the clinical model improved the prediction of post-operative recurrence.

Clinico-Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Egypt: A Nationwide Multicenter Study

Background and Aims

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are the most common types of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with variable responses to traditional therapies and unpredicted prognosis. In Egypt and most developing countries, the lack of recent epidemiological and prognostic data adversely affects management strategies. We collected and analyzed data of patients with IBD from multiple centers across Egypt to evaluate patients' clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Methods

This retrospective multicenter study included patients diagnosed with IBD between May 2018 and August 2021, at 14 tertiary gastroenterology units across Egypt. Record analysis addressed a combination of clinico-epidemiological characteristics, biochemical tests, stool markers, endoscopic features, histological information, and different lines for IBD treatment.

Results

We identified 1104 patients with an established diagnosis of IBD; 81% of them had UC, and 19% showed CD. The mean age of onset was 35.1 ± 12.5 years ranging from 5 to 88 years, the mean duration of illness at inclusion was 13.6 ± 16.7 years, gender distribution was almost equal with a significant male dominance (60.4%, p = 0.003) among patients with CD, 57% were living in rural areas, and 70.5% were from Delta and Coastal areas. Two hundred nineteen patients (19.8%) displayed comorbid conditions, primarily associated with CD. The most frequent complaints were diarrhea (73.2%), rectal bleeding (54.6%) that was significantly higher among patients with UC (64%, p &lt; 0.001), and 46.8% with abdominal pain (more often with CD: 71%, p &lt; 0.001). Conventional therapy was effective in treating 94.7% of patients. The main lesion in patients with CD was ileal (47.8%); patients with UC mainly exhibited proctosigmoiditis (28.4%). Dysplasia was detected in 7.2% of patients, mainly subjects with UC.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, our effort is the first and largest cohort of Egyptian patients with IBD to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics, and diagnostic and management approaches. More extensive prospective studies are still needed to fully characterize disease distribution, environmental factors, and pathological features of the disease.

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in Crohn's disease and the effect on surgery rates

AIM

Surgery is an important therapeutic option for Crohn's disease. The need for first bowel surgery seems to have decreased with the introduction of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi; adalimumab or infliximab). However, the impact of TNFi on the need for intestinal surgery in Crohn's disease patients irrespective of prior bowel resection is not known. The aim of this work is to compare the incidence of bowel surgery in Crohn's disease patients who remain on TNFi treatment versus those who discontinue it.

METHOD

We performed a nationwide register-based observational cohort study in Sweden of all incident and prevalent cases of Crohn's disease who started first-line TNFi treatment between 2006 and 2017. Patients were categorized according to TNFi treatment retention less than or beyond 1 year. The study cohort was evaluated with regard to incidence of bowel surgery from 12 months after the first ever TNFi dispensation.

RESULTS

We identified 5003 Crohn's disease patients with TNFi exposure: 3748 surgery naïve and 1255 with bowel surgery prior to TNFi initiation. Of these patients, 7% (n = 353) were subjected to abdominal surgery during the first 12 months after the start of TNFi and were subsequently excluded from the main analysis. A majority (62%) continued TNFi for 12 months or more. Treatment with TNFi for less than 12 months was associated with a significantly higher surgery rate compared with patients who continued on TNFi for 12 months or more (hazard ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.09-1.46; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with TNFi for less than 12 months was associated with a higher risk of bowel surgery in Crohn's disease patients compared with those who continued TNFi for 12 months or more.

Trends in the use of biologicals and their treatment outcomes among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases - a Danish nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is rapidly evolving, with an expanding armoury of biological drugs at our disposal. However, real-world findings about treatment persistence and the impact of biologicals on surgery remain inconsistent.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate trends in biological use and surgery rates in a nationwide cohort of biological-naïve IBD patients.

METHODS

Patients with IBD who initiated biological treatment between 2011 and 2018 were identified in the Danish National Patient Registry. Data on use of biologicals, surgeries and healthcare costs were retrieved and analysed for time trends.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2018, a total of 6,036 IBD (51% ulcerative colitis (UC), 49% Crohn's disease (CD)) patients received biological treatment for the first time. Cumulative use of biologicals increased from 5.0% to 10.8% among UC and 8.9%-14.5% among CD patients. Infliximab remained the most-prescribed first-line biological for UC and CD. Treatment persistence was 44.3% and 16.9% after 1 and 3 years in UC, compared to 59.9% and 33.6% in CD patients. Overall, 32.8% of patients switched to a second biological. Surgery rates decreased in both UC (P = 0.015) and CD (P = 0.008) patients and remained significant for UC in the Cox regression model (P = 0.002). Outpatient and surgical costs also fell among both UC and CD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence rates for first-line biologicals among IBD patients were low and one-third switched treatment. Surgery rates and direct costs decreased over time, but whether this is related to the use of biologicals has yet to be determined.

Major ambulatory surgery among US adults with inflammatory bowel disease, 2017

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher health services use than those without IBD. We investigated patient and hospital characteristics of major ambulatory surgery encounters for Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) vs non-IBD patients.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using 2017 Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample.

Major ambulatory surgery encounters among patients aged ≥18 years with CD (n = 20,635) or UC (n = 9,894) were compared to 9.4 million encounters among non-IBD patients. Weighted percentages of patient characteristics (age, sex, median household income, primary payers, patient location, selected comorbidities, discharge destination, type of surgeries) and hospital-related characteristics (hospital size, ownership, location and teaching status, region) were compared by IBD status (CD, UC, and no IBD). Linear regression was used to estimate mean total charges, controlling for these characteristics.

Results

Compared with non-IBD patients, IBD patients were more likely to have private insurance, reside in urban areas and higher income zip codes, and undergo surgeries in hospitals that were private not-for-profit, urban teaching, and in the Northeast. Gastrointestinal surgeries were more common among IBD patients. Some comorbidities associated with increased risk of surgical complications were more prevalent among IBD patients. Total charges were 9% lower for CD patients aged <65 years (Median: $16,462 vs $18,106) and 6% higher for UC patients aged ≥65 years (Median: $16,909 vs $15,218) compared to their non-IBD patient counterparts.

Conclusions

Differences in characteristics of major ambulatory surgery encounters by IBD status may identify opportunities for efficient resource allocation and positive surgical outcomes among IBD patients.

Ileocolic Resection for Crohn Disease: The Influence of Different Surgical Techniques on Perioperative Outcomes, Recurrence Rates, and Endoscopic Surveillance

Ileocolic resection (ICR) is the most common surgical procedure in Crohn disease (CD). There are many surgical techniques for performing ICRs and subsequent anastomoses. Recurrence of CD after ICR is common, often clinically silent, and thus requires monitoring including periodic use of endoscopy to detect early active disease. There is emerging evidence that surgical approaches may influence CD recurrence. This review explores the various surgical considerations, the data behind each decision, and how these techniques influence subsequent endoscopic surveillance.

It is not NOD2 - genetic and clinical risk factors for postoperative complications following ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of the nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) mutation status and other risk factors for the incidence of postoperative complications after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

Data of 138 patients consecutively undergoing ileocolic resection for CD at a tertiary academic referral center were retrospectively analyzed including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of the NOD2 gene. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with increased risk of severe postoperative complications.

RESULTS

From 114 patients (83%), the NOD2 mutation status was available. Of these, 60 (53%) had a NOD2 wildtype, whereas eleven (10%) were homozygous for the high risk p.Leu1007fsX1008 (rs2066847) variant. Major postoperative complications occurred in 28 patients (20%). Twenty-seven of these (96%) were intraabdominal septic complications such as anastomotic leakage or abscess. Male gender (P = 0.029; OR 3.052, the duration of CD (time [months] from initial diagnosis of CD to surgery; P = 0.001; OR 1.009), previous abdominal surgery for CD (P = 0.017; OR 3.49), and the presence of enteric fistulas (P = 0.023; OR 3.21) were identified as independent risk factors for major postoperative complications. Homozygosity for the NOD2 high-risk variant p.Leu1007fsX1008 did not show increased postoperative morbidity in the short and long-term outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We could detect independent risk factors for major postoperative complications after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease. However, patients with the high-risk variant p.Leu1007fsX1008 of the NOD2 gene did not show increased postoperative morbidity.

The Burden of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Europe in 2020

New data suggest that incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] are still increasing worldwide, and approximately 0.2% of the European population suffer from IBD at the present time. Medical therapy and disease management have evolved significantly in recent decades, with an emphasis on tight objective monitoring of disease progression and a treat-to-target approach in Europe and also worldwide, aiming to prevent early bowel damage and disability. Surgery rate declined over time in Europe, with 10-30% of CD and 5-10% of UC patients requiring a surgery within 5 years. The health economic burden associated with IBD is high in Europe. Direct health care costs [approximately €3500 in CD and €2000 in UC per patient per year] have shifted from hospitalisation and surgery towards drug-related expenditures with the increasing use of biologic therapy and other novel agents, and substantial indirect costs arise from work productivity loss [approximately €1900 per patient yearly]. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review of the burden of IBD in Europe by discussing current data on epidemiology, disease course, risk for surgery, hospitalisation, and mortality and cancer risks, as well as the economic aspects, patient disability, and work impairment, by discussing the latest population-based studies from the region.

The Correlation between Vitamin D Levels and the Risk of Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with disease activity in Crohn's disease (CD). We assessed whether there is a correlation between vitamin D levels and the risk of postoperative recurrence in CD.

METHODS

CD patients who underwent surgery were identified from a prospectively maintained database at the University of Chicago. The primary endpoint was the correlation of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels measured at 6-12 months after surgery and the proportion of patients in endoscopic remission, defined as a simple endoscopic score for CD of 0. Clinical, biological (C-reactive protein), and histologic recurrences were also studied.

RESULTS

Among a total of 89 patients, 17, 46, and 26 patients had vitamin D levels of <15, 15-30, and >30 ng/mL, respectively. Patients with higher vitamin D levels were significantly more likely to be in endoscopic remission compared to those with lower levels (23, 42, and 67% in ascending tertile order; p = 0.028). On multivariate analysis, vitamin D >30 ng/mL (odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.66, p = 0.006) and anti-tumor necrosis factor agent treatment (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.83, p = 0.01) were associated with reduced risk of endoscopic recurrence. Rates of clinical, biological, and histologic remission trended to be higher in patients with higher vitamin D levels (p = 0.17, 0.55, 0.062, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, higher vitamin D level was associated with lower risk of postoperative endoscopic CD recurrence. Further, studies are warranted to assess the role of vitamin D in postoperative CD recurrence.

Inflammatory bowel disease in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia-Herzegovina: A prospective 10-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary between regions but have risen globally in recent decades. A lack of data from developing nations limits the understanding of IBD epidemiology.

AIM

To perform a follow-up review of IBD epidemiology in the Tuzla Canton of Bosnia-Herzegovina during a 10-year period (2009-2019).

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated the hospital records of both IBD inpatients and outpatients residing in Tuzla Canton for the specified period of time between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2019. Since all our patients had undergone proximal and distal endoscopic evaluations at the hospital endoscopy unit, we used the hospital’s database as a primary data source, alongside an additional cross-relational search of the database. Both adult and pediatric patients were included in the study. Patients were grouped by IBD type, phenotype, age, and gender. Incidence rates were calculated with age standardization using the European standard population. Trends in incidence and prevalence were evaluated as a 3-year moving average and average annual percentage change rates.

RESULTS

During the 10-year follow-up period, 651 patients diagnosed with IBD were monitored (of whom 334, or 51.3%, were males, and 317, or 48.7%, were females). Of all the patients, 346 (53.1%) had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), 292 (44.9%) with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 13 (2%) with indeterminate colitis (IC). We observed 440 newly diagnosed patients with IBD: 240 (54.5%) with UC, 190 (43.2%) with CD, and 10 (2.3%) with IC. The mean annual crude incidence rates were found to be 9.01/100000 population for IBD [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.17-9.85], with 4.91/100000 (95%CI: 4.29-5.54) for UC and 3.89/100000 (95%CI: 3.34-4.44) for CD. Calculated IBD prevalence in 2019 was 146.64/100000 (95%CI: 128.09-165.19), with 77.94/100000 (95%CI: 68.08-87.70) for UC and 65.77/100000 (95%CI: 54.45-74.1) for CD. The average annual IBD percentage change was 0.79% (95%CI: 0.60-0.88), with -2.82% (95%CI: -2.67 to -2.97) for UC and 6.92% (95%CI: 6.64-7.20) for CD. During the study period, 24,509 distal endoscopic procedures were performed. The incidence of IBD was 3.16/100 examinations (95%CI: 2.86-3.45) or 1.72/100 examinations (95%CI: 1.5-1.94) for UC and 1.36/100 examinations (95%CI: 1.17-1.56) for CD.

CONCLUSION

Trends in the incidence and prevalence of IBD in Tuzla Canton are similar to Eastern European averages, although there are significant epidemiological differences within geographically close and demographically similar areas.

Hospitalization and surgery rates in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil: a time-trend analysis

Background

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally, and the disease is frequently managed surgically. The aim of this study was to investigate the time trends and geographic distribution of IBD hospitalizations, surgeries and surgical-associated lethality.

Methods

Data from the Brazilian Health Public System were retrospectively collected regarding hospitalizations, in-hospital deaths, IBD-related surgical procedures and lethality from 2005 to 2015.

Results

This eleven-year period revealed decreases in the rates of hospitalization (24%), IBD-related surgeries (35%), and IBD-related surgical lethality (46%). Most surgeries were performed in Crohn’s disease patients, and the predominant procedure was small bowel resection, mostly in young adults. A higher prevalence of ulcerative was observed throughout the country. The highest hospitalization and surgical rates were observed in the more industrialized regions of the South and the Southeast and in the municipalities integrated with metropolitan regions (MRs). The highest surgical-related lethality rates were seen in the less-developed regions and in municipalities not integrated with MRs. The length of hospital stay showed a slight increase throughout the period.

Conclusions

Brazil follows the global trend of decreases in hospitalizations, lethality, surgeries, and surgical lethality associated with IBD. The unequal distribution of hospitalizations and surgeries, concentrated in the industrialized areas, but with a shift towards the Northeast and from urbanized to rural areas, indicates ongoing changes within the country. Reductions in the rates of IBD-related hospitalizations, surgeries and lethality suggest the effectiveness of decentralization and improvements in the quality of public health services and the advances in medical therapy during the study period.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01781-x.

A watchful waiting approach for newly diagnosed Crohn's disease patients with an inflammatory phenotype

BACKGROUND

An early treat-to-target approach in Crohn's disease (CD) patients is recommended to avoid complications. However, CD may not always progress despite lack of treatment, thus exposing some patients to unnecessary side effects. We aimed to examine whether newly diagnosed CD patients with an inflammatory phenotype can benefit from a watchful waiting approach.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study followed CD patients with an inflammatory phenotype who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 and followed for at least 1 year. A watchful waiting approach was defined as maintenance therapy with 5-ASA medication only or no treatment during the first year of diagnosis or longer. Disease complications were defined as need for surgery or change in disease phenotype.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients were included and followed-up for 57.0 ± 29.0 months. Thirty-seven patients were managed with a watchful waiting approach and 49 with an early therapeutic intervention. The majority of patients (83.8%) in the watchful waiting group did not develop disease complications. In this group, there was no difference in clinical disease severity (stools per day, 2.7 ± 1.7 vs 3.3 ± 1.0, P = 0.39; abdominal pain, 74.2 vs 50.0%, P = 0.24) between those who did not develop complications and those who did. Smoking was associated with a complicated course (multivariate analysis: OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.06-3.71, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A watchful waiting approach of newly diagnosed CD patients with an inflammatory phenotype may be a feasible option, with low long-term complication rate specifically in nonsmoking patients.

Selecting End Points for Disease-Modification Trials in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: the SPIRIT Consensus From the IOIBD

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic and disabling disorders. Prospective disease-modification trials to prevent disease progression are eagerly awaited. However, disease progression is not clearly defined. The objective of the Selecting End PoInts foR Disease-ModIfication Trials (SPIRIT) initiative was to achieve international expert consensus on the endpoints to be used in future IBD-disease modification trials.

METHODS

This initiative under the auspices of the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IOIBD) began with a systematic literature search to evaluate the current evidence on the definition of disease progression in IBD. On October 22, 2019, a consensus meeting took place during the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) Congress in Barcelona, during which predefined proposed statements were discussed in a plenary session and voted on anonymously. Agreement was defined as at least 75% of participants voting for any one statement.

RESULTS

The group agreed that the ultimate therapeutic goal in both CD and UC is to prevent disease impact on patient's life (health-related quality of life, disability, fecal incontinence), midterm complications (encompass bowel damage in CD, IBD-related surgery and hospitalizations, disease extension in UC, extraintestinal manifestations, permanent stoma, short bowel syndrome), and long-term complications (gastrointestinal and extraintestinal dysplasia or cancer, mortality).

CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations on which goals to achieve in disease-modification trials for preventing disease progression in patients with IBD are proposed by the SPIRIT consensus. However, these recommendations will require validation in actual clinical studies before implementation in disease-modification trials.

Real-world disease activity and sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Understanding the treatment landscape of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is essential for improving disease management and patient outcomes. Brazil is the largest Latin American country, and it presents socioeconomic and health care differences across its geographical regions. This country has the highest increase in IBD incidence and prevalence in Latin America, but information about the clinical and treatment characteristics of IBD is scarce.

AIM

To describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of IBD outpatients in Brazil overall and in the Southeast, South and Northeast/Midwest regions.

METHODS

Multicenter, cross-sectional study with a 3-year retrospective chart review component. Patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were consecutively enrolled between October 2016 and February 2017. Active CD at enrollment was defined as a Harvey Bradshaw Index ≥ 8 or a CD Activity Index ≥ 220 or a calprotectin level > 200 μg/g or an active result based on colonoscopy suggestive of inadequate control during the previous year; active UC was defined as a partial Mayo score ≥ 5. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze all variables.

RESULTS

In a total of 407 included patients, CD was more frequent than UC, both overall (264 CD/143 UC patients) and by region (CD:UC ratios of 2.1 in the Southeast, 1.6 in the South and 1.2 in the Northeast/Midwest). The majority of patients were female (54.2% of CD; 56.6% of UC), and the mean ages were 45.9 ± 13.8 years (CD) and 42.9 ± 13.0 years (UC). The median disease duration was 10.0 (range: 0.5-45) years for both IBD types. At enrollment, 44.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 38.7-50.7] of CD patients and 25.2% (95%CI: 18.1-32.3) of UC patients presented with active disease. More than 95% of IBD patients were receiving treatment at enrollment; CD patients were commonly treated with biologics (71.6%) and immunosuppressors (67.4%), and UC patients were commonly treated with mesalazine [5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)] derivates (69.9%) and immunosuppressors (44.1%). More than 50% of the CD patients had ileocolonic disease, and 41.7% presented with stricturing disease. One-quarter of CD patients had undergone CD-related surgery in the past 3 years, and this proportion was lower in the Northeast/Midwest region (2.9%).

CONCLUSION

In Brazil, there are regional variations in IBD management. CD outweighs UC in both frequency and disease activity. However, one-quarter of UC patients have active disease, and most are receiving 5-ASA treatment.

Clinical course of Crohn's disease in a population-based cohort in Uppsala County followed for 10 years

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is a shortage of studies describing the outcome of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) where both biological therapy and immunomodulators (IMMs) have been available. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical course of the disease, the use of drugs, the need for surgery and mortality in a prospectively recruited population-based cohort of patients followed for 10 years.

METHODS

All patients diagnosed with CD in the County of Uppsala in Sweden 2005-2009 were prospectively recruited and followed until the end of 2019. The medical notes were scrutinised and relevant information collected.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-four patients covering all age groups were diagnosed with CD and 145 (94.2%) could be followed for 10 years or until death. Nine patients were lost to follow up. The following drugs were used: 5-ASA 83%, steroids 84%, IMMs 69% and biologicals 23%. The proportion of penetrating disease increased from 9.7 to 14.5%. Primary bowel resections were performed in 22% of the patients, and none of these had any secondary surgery because of recurrent or progressive disease during the observation time. Twelve patients (7.8%) died during the follow up, and one of these because of a small bowel carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, the clinical course of CD was similar to previous reports during the first year after diagnosis, but the following years were considerably more stable with moderate increase of intestinal damage and totally a low frequency of surgery and no repeated surgery.

Use of Biological Medications Does Not Increase Postoperative Complications Among Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Undergoing Colectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Privately Insured Patients

BACKGROUND

Existing studies on the effects of biological medications on surgical complications among patients with ulcerative colitis have mixed results. Because biologicals may hinder response to infections and wound healing, preoperative exposure may increase postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between biological exposure within 6 months preceding colectomy or proctocolectomy and postoperative complications among patients with ulcerative colitis.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study with multivariate regression analysis after coarsened exact matching.

SETTINGS

A large commercial insurance claims database (2003-2016) was used.

PATIENTS

A total of 1794 patients with ulcerative colitis underwent total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy, total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy, or total proctocolectomy with IPAA. Twenty-two percent were exposed to biologicals in the 6 months preceding surgery.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Healthcare use (length of stay, unplanned reoperation/procedure, emergency department visit, or readmission) and complications (infectious, hernia or wound disruption, thromboembolic, or cardiopulmonary) within 30 postoperative days were measured.

RESULTS

Exposure to biological medications was associated with shorter surgical hospitalization (7 vs 8 d; p <0.001) but otherwise was not associated with differences in healthcare use or postoperative complications.

PATIENTS

who underwent total proctocolectomy with IPAA had higher odds of infectious complications compared with those who underwent total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy (adjusted OR = 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5-3.0); p < 0.001) but had lower odds of cardiopulmonary complications (adjusted OR = 0.4 (95% CI, 0.3-0.6); p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

Analysis of private insurance database claims data may not represent uninsured or government-insured patients and may be limited by coding accuracy. Matched cohorts differed in age and Charlson Comorbidity Index, which could be influential even after multivariate adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

Biological exposure among patients with ulcerative colitis is not associated with higher odds of postoperative complications or healthcare resource use. These data, in combination with clinical judgment and patient preferences, may aid in complex decision-making regarding operative timing, operation type, and perioperative medication management. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B370. EL USO DE MEDICAMENTOS BIOLÓGICOS NO AUMENTA LAS COMPLICACIONES POSTOPERATORIAS ENTRE PACIENTES CON COLITIS ULCERATIVA SOMETIDOS A UNA COLECTOMÍA: UN ANÁLISIS DE COHORTE RETROSPECTIVO DE PACIENTES CON SEGURO PRIVADO: Estudios existentes sobre los efectos de medicamentos biológicos, en complicaciones quirúrgicas, en pacientes con colitis ulcerativa, presentan resultados mixtos. Debido a que los productos biológicos pueden retrasar la respuesta a las infecciones y curación de heridas, su exposición preoperatoria pueden aumentar las complicaciones postoperatorias.Evaluar las asociaciones entre la exposición biológica dentro de los seis meses anteriores a la colectomía o proctocolectomía y las complicaciones postoperatorias entre los pacientes con colitis ulcerativa.Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con análisis de regresión multivariante después de una coincidencia exacta aproximada.Una gran base de datos de reclamaciones de seguros comerciales (2003-2016).Un total de 1.794 pacientes con colitis ulcerativa, se sometieron a colectomía abdominal total con ileostomía terminal, proctocolectomía total con ileostomía terminal o proctocolectomía total con anastomosis anal y bolsa ileal. 22% estuvieron expuestos a productos biológicos, seis meses antes de la cirugía.Utilización de la atención médica (duración de la estadía, reoperación o procedimiento no planificado, visita al servicio de urgencias o reingreso) y complicaciones (infecciosas, hernias o dehiscencias de heridas, tromboembólicas o cardiopulmonares) dentro de los 30 días postoperatorios.La exposición a medicamentos biológicos se asoció con una hospitalización quirúrgica más corta (7 frente a 8 días, p <0,001), pero por lo demás, no se asoció con diferencias en la utilización de la atención médica o complicaciones postoperatorias. Los pacientes que se sometieron a proctocolectomía total con anastomosis anal y bolsa ileal, tuvieron mayores probabilidades de complicaciones infecciosas, en comparación con aquellos que se sometieron a colectomía abdominal total con ileostomía final (aOR 2.2, IC 95% [1.5-3.0], p <0.001) pero tuvieron menores probabilidades de complicaciones cardiopulmonares (aOR 0.4, IC 95% [0.3-0.6], p <0.001).El análisis de los datos de reclamaciones, de la base de datos de los seguros privados, puede no representar a pacientes no asegurados o asegurados por el gobierno, y puede estar limitado por la precisión de la codificación. Las cohortes emparejadas diferían en la edad y el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson, lo que podría influir incluso después de ajustes multivariados.La exposición biológica entre los pacientes con colitis ulcerativa, no se asocia con mayores probabilidades de complicaciones postoperatorias, o a la utilización de recursos sanitarios. Estos datos, en combinación con el juicio clínico y las preferencias del paciente, pueden ayudar en la toma de decisiones complejas con respecto al momento quirúrgico, el tipo de operación y el manejo de la medicación perioperatoria. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B370. (Traducción-Dr Fidel Ruiz Healy).

Validation of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and their phenotypes in the Danish National Patient Registry using a population-based cohort

INTRODUCTION

The Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) has been the source of several epidemiological studies of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the validation dates back to 1996 and lacks outpatient records and disease classification. The aim of this study was to update the validation and assess the validity and reliability of using the registry in disease classification.

METHODS

Validation of the registry was done using a population-based inception cohort of IBD patients from 2003 to 2011 consisting of 513 patients. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated for the diagnoses of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), age at diagnosis and disease classification according to the Montreal Classification at both time of diagnosis and end of follow-up.

RESULTS

The registry showed high validity and reliability in identifying CD and UC patients concerning correct age classification and identifying perianal disease. The registry showed inconsistent, unreliable results in further disease classification.

CONCLUSIONS

The DNPR has good validity and reliability in identifying patients with CD and UC, and defining the age of patients at diagnosis. However, categorising IBD patients according to the Montreal Classification should not be carried out using DNPR data in their current form, except when identifying CD patients with perianal disease.

Time Trends of Crohn's Disease in Catalonia from 2011 to 2017. Increasing Use of Biologics Correlates with a Reduced Need for Surgery

Background and Aims: Data from clinical trials suggest that biological drugs may improve the outcomes in Crohn’s disease (CD) by reducing the need for surgery or hospitalization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the time-trends of the use of biological drugs and other treatments for CD, and its relationship with outcomes in Catalonia. Materials and Methods: All patients with CD included in the Catalan Health Surveillance System (containing data on a population of more than 7.5 million) from 2011 to 2017 were identified. The exposures to different treatments for inflammatory bowel disease were retrieved from electronic invoicing records. Results: Between 2011 and 2017, the use of salicylates, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive treatment fell from 28.8% to 17.1%, 15.8% to 13.7%, and 32.9% to 29.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Biological treatment use rose from 15.0% to 18.7% (p < 0.001). Ostomy rates per 1000 patients/year fell from 13.2 in 2011 to 9.8 in 2017 (p = 0.003), and surgical resection rates from 24.1 to 18.0 (p < 0.001). The rate of CD-related hospitalizations per 1000 patients/year also fell, from 92.7 to 72.2 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Biological drug use rose from 15.0% to 18.7% between 2011 and 2017. During this period, we observed an improvement in the outcomes of CD patients.

First- and Second-Line Pharmacotherapies for Patients With Moderate to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: An Updated Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We compared the efficacy and safety of different first-line (biologic-naïve) and second-line (prior exposure to tumor necrosis factor [TNF] antagonists) agents for treatment of moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis in a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched publication databases through September 30, 2019, for randomized trials of adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis treated with TNF antagonists, vedolizumab, tofacitinib, or ustekinumab, as first-line or second-line agents, compared with placebo or another active agent. Efficacy outcomes were induction and maintenance of remission and endoscopic improvement; safety outcomes were serious adverse events and infections. We performed a fixed-effects network meta-analysis using the frequentist approach, and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI values. Agents were ranked using surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities. Overall quality of evidence was rated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation).

RESULTS

In biologic-naïve patients, infliximab was ranked highest for induction of clinical remission (OR vs placebo, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.67-6.21; SUCRA, 0.95) and endoscopic improvement (SUCRA, 0.95) (moderate confidence in estimates [CE]). In patients with prior exposure to TNF antagonists, ustekinumab (SUCRA, 0.87) and tofacitinib (SUCRA, 0.87) were ranked highest for induction of clinical remission and were superior to vedolizumab (ustekinumab vs vedolizumab: OR, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.13-31.76 and tofacitinib vs vedolizumab: OR, 6.18; 95% CI, 1.003-8.00; moderate CE) and adalimumab (ustekinumab vs adalimumab: OR, 10.71; 95% CI, 2.01-57.20 and tofacitinib vs adalimumab: OR, 11.05; 95% CI, 1.79-68.41; moderate CE). Vedolizumab had the lowest risk of infections (SUCRA, 0.81), followed by ustekinumab (SUCRA, 0.63) in maintenance trials.

CONCLUSIONS

In a systematic review and network meta-analysis, we found infliximab to be ranked highest in biologic-naïve patients, and ustekinumab and tofacitinib were ranked highest in patients with prior exposure to TNF antagonists, for induction of remission and endoscopic improvement in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. More trials of direct comparisons are needed to inform clinical decision making with greater confidence.

Targeting the gut layers in Crohn's disease: mucosal or transmural healing?

INTRODUCTION

Although the landmark of Crohn's Disease (CD) is the transmural inflammation, mucosal healing (MH), which is assessed by colonoscopy, is currently the gold standard of CD management. Transmural healing (TH) is a new concept evaluated by cross-sectional imaging (CSI) techniques, such as bowel ultrasound (US), computed tomography enterography (CTE), and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). Little is known about the clinical significance of persisting mural disease and the predictive value of complete TH.

AREAS COVERED

The authors reviewed the available literature on TH and its meaning as predictor of long-term outcomes in CD, to explore if TH may be a better target compared to MH in CD patients, in terms of disease outcome, such as medication changes, hospitalization, or surgery.

EXPERT OPINION

Some evidence suggests that achieving TH has a predictive value in CD management and correlates with better disease outcome than MH, although existing studies are few and with limitations. A definitive definition of TH is not yet established and the frequency or the preferred modality of TH evaluation remains unclear. Implementing TH in treat-to-target approach may enable stricter disease monitoring with noninvasive methods and finally change the disease course, preventing irreversible bowel damage.

Temporal trend in the natural history of ulcerative colitis in a country with a low incidence of ulcerative colitis from 2000 through 2018

Background/Aims

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Thailand (crude incidence rate of 0.28 per 100,000 persons) is much lower than in the West. The burden of UC varies in different populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history of UC over the two decades in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who were diagnosed with UC between 2000 and 2018 in 2 university hospitals. To evaluate changes in the disease course, we stratified patients into 2000–2009 cohort and 2010–2018 cohort. The cumulative probability of endoscopic healing, UC-related hospitalization and colectomy was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

A total of 291 UC patients were followed for total of 2,228 person-years. Comparison between 2 cohorts, there were no differences in disease pattern and severity whereas an increase in the combination use of oral and topical mesalamine and the early use of thiopurine was observed. Only 1% of patients for each cohort required biologic agent at 5 years. The rate of achieving mucosal healing increased from 15% to 46% at 3 years (P<0.01). The rate of UC-related hospitalization decreased from 30% to 21% at 5 years (P<0.05). The rate of colectomy decreased from 6% to 2% at 5 years (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The natural history of UC in a low incidence country was less aggressive than the West. Over the past two decades, the rates of UC-related hospitalization and colectomy have been decreasing which were similar to the West.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Evaluation of Osteoporosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Danish Population-Based Inception Cohort With 10 Years of Follow-Up

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] including Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] are at risk of developing metabolic bone disease. The aims here were to investigate the screening strategy, incidence and risk factors of osteoporosis in a prospective population-based inception cohort.

METHOD

Between 2003 and 2004 all incident patients diagnosed with CD and UC in a well-defined Copenhagen area were included and followed until 2015. Data were compared with a control population [at a ratio of 1:20]. Regression models were performed with several covariates. The sensitivity of the Danish registries for osteoporosis was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 513 patients were included [213 CD, 300 UC]. Overall, 338 (66%, CD: 164 [77%], UC: 174 [58%], p < 0.001] patients received ≥ 500 mg corticosteroid within a year, resulting in 781 patient-years at risk of osteoporosis. Of those, only 83 [10.6%] patient-years were followed by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan within the same or the following 2 years.Overall, 73 [14.2%] IBD patients (CD: 31 [14.6%], UC: 42 [14%]) and 680 [6.6%, p < 0.001] controls were diagnosed with osteoporosis during follow-up. The risk of osteoporosis was increased compared to the control population (odds ratio: CD: 2.9 [95% confidence interval: 2.0-4.1], UC: 2.8 [2.1-3.9]).

CONCLUSION

In this population-based inception cohort, the incidence of osteoporosis was significantly higher compared to a control population. Measurement of bone mineral density is infrequent, especially in patients at high risk of developing osteoporosis. These results demonstrate the need of further awareness of the risk of osteoporosis among IBD patients, and prospective population-based studies are warranted.

Decreasing major surgical rates for Crohn's disease in an emerging economy over two decades: Is it due to biologic therapy?

BACKGROUND

Alteration in the natural history of Crohn's disease (CD) since the advent of biologic therapy remains to be proven. Our aim was to look at the intestinal surgical rates and the association with biologic therapy over the last two decades.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study in which all CD patients seen in two tertiary referral hospitals in Malaysia were recruited. Patients were stratified into two cohorts; cohort 1 was patients diagnosed from year 1991 to 2000 and cohort 2 was patients diagnosed from year 2001 to 2010. These time cohorts were selected based on initial availability of biologic agents in Malaysia in year 2000. Details of demography, disease location, medications and cumulative surgical rates over 7 years were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 207 patients were recruited: 70 from cohort 1 and 137 from cohort 2. Differences seen in terms of disease location, phenotype, and use of immunomodulatory therapy between the two cohorts were not significant. Patients who were ever exposed to biologics were significantly different between the two cohorts, approximately two times higher at 35.8% (n = 49) in cohort 2, and 18.6% (n = 13) in cohort 1, p = 0.011. There was a significant reduction in the 7-year cumulative intestinal surgical rates between cohort 1 and cohort 2, from 21.4% (n = 15) to 10.2% (n = 14), p = 0.028. However, there was no statistically significant difference in biologic exposure between those who underwent surgery and those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a significant reduction in intestinal surgical rates for Crohn's disease over the last two decades but does not appear to be associated with the increased use of biologics.

Decrease in primary but not in secondary abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease: nationwide cohort study, 1990–2014

Background

Treatment of patients with Crohn's disease has evolved in recent decades, with increasing use of immunomodulatory medication since 1990 and biologicals since 1998. In parallel, there has been increased use of active disease monitoring. To what extent these changes have influenced the incidence of primary and repeat surgical resection remains debated.

Methods

In this nationwide cohort study, incident patients of all ages with Crohn's disease, identified in Swedish National Patient Registry between 1990 and 2014, were divided into five calendar periods of diagnosis: 1990–1995 and 1996–2000 with use of inpatient registries, 2001, and 2002–2008 and 2009–2014 with use of inpatient and outpatient registries. The cumulative incidence of first and repeat abdominal surgery (except closure of stomas), by category of surgical procedure, was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Among 21 273 patients with Crohn's disease, the cumulative incidence of first abdominal surgery within 5 years of Crohn's disease diagnosis decreased continuously from 54·8 per cent in 1990–1995 to 40·4 per cent in 1996–2000 (P &lt; 0·001), and again from 19·8 per cent in 2002–2008 to 17·3 per cent in 2009–2014 (P &lt; 0·001). Repeat 5-year surgery rates decreased from 18·9 per cent in 1990–1995 to 16·0 per cent in 1996–2000 (P = 0·009). After 2000, no further significant decreases were observed.

Conclusion

The 5-year rate of surgical intervention for Crohn's disease has decreased significantly, but the rate of repeat surgery has remained stable despite the introduction of biological therapy.

High Abundance of Proteobacteria in Ileo-Anal Pouch Anastomosis and Increased Abundance of Fusobacteria Associated with Increased Pouch Inflammation

Low diversity intestinal dysbiosis has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, including patients with ulcerative colitis with an ileo-anal pouch anastomosis. Furthermore, specific Escherichia coli phylogroups have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease. Our aim was to characterize the differences among microbiota and E. coli phylogroups in active and inactive pouchitis. Disease activity was assessed using the modified pouch disease activity index and by fecal calprotectin. Microbiota diversity was assessed by 16S rDNA MiSeq sequencing. E. coli phylogroup was determined after triplex PCR. Twenty patients with ulcerative colitis with an ileo-anal pouch anastomosis were included, 10 of whom had active pouchitis. Ileo-anal pouch anastomosis patients had an increased abundance of Proteobacteria colonization compared to patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease and healthy controls, p = 1.4·10^-5. No differences in E. coli phylogroup colonization could be determined between cases of active and inactive disease. No significant link was found between α-diversity and pouch inflammation. However, higher levels of Fusobacteria colonization were found in patients with a pouch with a fecal calprotectin level above 500, p = 0.02. In conclusion, patients with a pouch had an increased Proteobacteria abundance, but only Fusobacteria abundance was linked to inflammation.

The epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease: East meets west

The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in East has risen over the past decade to become a global disease. The increasing number of studies on the incidence and course of IBD in East has enabled us to explore East versus West differences in the epidemiology of IBD which could enhance our understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease and eventually assist in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and design of preventive strategies. Comparison of population-based data in East and West reveals that the incidence of IBD has risen rapidly in East while plateauing in West. Furthermore, the clinical presentation and course of IBD differs between East and West with more patients in East presenting with complicated disease. Considering the scarcity of population-based data from East and the lack of studies with long durations of follow-up, it remains to be clarified whether these differences reflect true differences in disease presentation. The effects of genetic and environmental risk factors contributing to IBD also differ between Eastern and Western populations. Considering the differential effects of genetic and environmental risk factors in East and West, future studies should seek to discover novel genetic and environmental risk factors which might specifically apply to eastern populations. In this narrative review, we compare the epidemiology of IBD between eastern and western countries by summarizing evidence from population-based cohort studies in the last ten years. Furthermore, we look at differences in genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers of IBD between East and West.

Incident heart failure is a predictor of adverse outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

Heart failure (HF) exerts deleterious effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the gut microbiome, yet its impact on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of HF on disease course and outcomes in patients with IBD.

METHODS

Using a large institutional database, we identified patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with IBD and incident HF (IBD-HF), IBD without HF (IBD), and HF without IBD (HF). Patients were followed longitudinally, and IBD-related outcomes were compared between the IBD-HF and IBD cohorts using multivariable cox regression. General clinical outcomes were compared between all three cohorts using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 271, 2449, and 20,444 patients were included in the IBD-HF, IBD, and HF cohorts. Compared with IBD, IBD-HF had significantly higher risk of IBD-related hospitalization [hazard ratio (HR): 1.42; (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.2-1.69)], flare [HR 1.32 (1.09-1.58)], complication [HR 1.7 (1.33-2.17)], pancolitis [HR 1.55 (1.04-2.3)], and escalation to nonbiologic therapy. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of IBD-related surgery or Clostridium difficile infection. New biologic use was less frequent in IBD-HF [HR 0.52 (0.36-0.77)]. IBD-HF, compared with the other two groups, had reduced event-free survival for all-cause hospitalization (P < 0.001), emergency department visits (P = 001), and venous thromboembolism (P < 0.05). Mortality risk in IBD-HF was elevated compared to IBD but was similar to that within HF cohort.

CONCLUSION

Incident HF in patients with IBD is a predictor of adverse IBD-related and overall clinical outcomes.

5-Aminosalicylic acid intolerance is associated with a risk of adverse clinical outcomes and dysbiosis in patients with ulcerative colitis

Background/Aims

5-Aminosalicylic acid (ASA) causes intolerance reactions in some patients. This study was performed to examine the prognosis of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 5-ASA intolerance, and to evaluate the potential interaction between 5-ASA intolerance and the intestinal microbiota.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with UC who visited participating hospitals. The primary endpoint was to compare the incidence of hospitalization within 12 months between the 5-ASA intolerance group and the 5-ASA tolerance group. The secondary endpoint was to compare the risk of adverse clinical outcomes after the start of biologics between the 2 groups. We also assessed the correlation between 5-ASA intolerance and microbial change in an independently recruited cohort of patients with UC.

Results

Of 793 patients, 59 (7.4%) were assigned to the 5-ASA intolerance group and 734 (92.5%) were assigned to the 5-ASA tolerance group. The admission rate and incidence of corticosteroid use were significantly higher in the intolerance than tolerance group (P< 0.001). In 108 patients undergoing treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor biologics, 5-ASA intolerance increased the incidence of additional induction therapy after starting biologics (P< 0.001). The 5-ASA intolerance group had a greater abundance of bacteria in the genera Faecalibacterium, Streptococcus, and Clostridium than the 5-ASA tolerance group (P< 0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with UC, 5-ASA intolerance is associated with a risk of adverse clinical outcomes and dysbiosis. Bacterial therapeutic optimization of 5-ASA administration may be important for improving the prognosis of patients with UC.

Direct and Indirect Costs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Ten Years of Follow-up in a Danish Population-based Inception Cohort

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], encompassing Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC], places a high burden on health care resources. To date, no study has assessed the combined direct and indirect cost of IBD in a population-based setting. Our aim was to assess this in a population-based inception cohort with 10 years of follow-up.

METHODS

All incident patients diagnosed with CD or UC, 2003-2004, in a well-defined area of Copenhagen, were followed prospectively until 2015. Direct and indirect costs were retrieved from Danish national registries. Data were compared with a control population [1:20]. Associations between the costs and multiple variables were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 513 (CD: 213 [42%], UC: 300 [58%]) IBD patients were included. No significant differences were found in indirect costs between CD, UC, and the control population. Costs for CD patients were significantly higher than those for UC regarding all direct expenditures (except for5-aminosalicylates [5-ASA] and diagnostic expenses). Biologics accounted for €1.6 and €0.3 million for CD and UC, respectively. The total costs amounted to €42.6 million. Only patients with extensive colitis had significantly higher direct costs (proctitis: €2273 [1341-4092], left-sided: €3606 [2354-5311], extensive: €4093 [2313-6057], p <0.001). No variables were significantly associated with increased total costs in CD or in UC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective population-based cohort, direct costs for IBD remain high. However, indirect costs did not surpass the control population. Total costs were mainly driven by hospitalisation, but indirect costs accounted for a higher percentage overall, although these did decrease over time.

PODCAST

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Long-term follow-up of patients treated with aminosalicylates for ulcerative colitis: Predictive factors of response: An observational case-control study

Background

Knowing patients' ulcerative colitis history is essential to selecting the appropriate therapy according to risk stratification.

Objective

To evaluate and identify predictive factors of non-response to aminosalicylates judged as the need for a step-up approach over time.

Methods

A case-control study of ulcerative colitis patients treated with aminosalicylates after the diagnosis of disease flare included in the ENEIDA single-centre registry from 1997 to 2017. Long-term treatment maintenance with aminosalicylates and higher therapeutic requirements were recorded. The cumulative incidence of treatment escalation was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of treatment with immunomodulators, biological agents or surgery.

Results

A total of 457 patients were included, of whom 28% (n = 126) were non-responders to aminosalicylates. The cumulative probability for a step-up approach within 20 years of follow up was 35%, mainly due to steroid-dependent colitis. Risk factors for treatment escalation were age ≤27 years (hazard ratio 2.31, 95% confidence interval 1.36-3.92), extensive colitis (hazard ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.60), Mayo endoscopic subscore ≥2 (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.02-2.06) and extraintestinal manifestations (hazard ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.03-4.05).

Conclusions

Aminosalicylates represent an effective maintenance therapy. Younger age, extensive colitis, endoscopic disease severity and extraintestinal manifestations are risk factors for higher therapeutic requirements.