Clinical effectiveness of golimumab in Crohn's disease: an observational study based on the Swedish National Quality Registry for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (SWIBREG)

Comparative Risk of Serious Infection With Vedolizumab vs Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results From Nationwide Swedish Registers

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to assess the risk of serious infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with vedolizumab compared with those treated with anti-tumor necrosis factors (TNF) and the general population.

METHODS

In this Swedish cohort study, treatment episodes were identified from nationwide health registers. We used Cox regression with propensity score-matched cohorts to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for incident serious infections, defined as infections requiring hospital admission.

RESULTS

During 1,376 treatment episodes in Crohn's disease, the rate of serious infections per 100 person-years (PY) was 5.18 (95% CI = 3.98-6.63) with vedolizumab vs 3.54 (95% CI = 2.50-4.85) with anti-TNF; HR = 1.72 (95% CI = 1.12-2.65), partly explained by more gastrointestinal infections. Compared with the rate of 0.75/100 PY (95% CI = 0.59-0.92) in a matched general population cohort, vedolizumab demonstrated higher risk (HR = 7.00; 95% CI = 5.04-9.72). During 1,294 treatment episodes in ulcerative colitis, the corresponding rates were 3.74/100 PY (95% CI = 2.66-5.11) with vedolizumab vs 3.42/100 PY (95% CI = 2.31-4.89) with anti-TNF; HR = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.47-1.36) during the initial 1.1 years and HR = 2.03 (95% CI = 0.65-6.32) after 1.1 years (truncated due to nonproportional hazards). Pneumonia accounted for 40% of all infections among anti-TNF, whereas no case was observed among vedolizumab episodes. Compared with the rate of 0.69/100 PYs (95% CI = 0.53-0.87) in a matched general population cohort, vedolizumab showed an HR of 5.45 (95% CI = 3.67-8.11).

DISCUSSION

Vedolizumab was associated with increased risks of serious infections compared with anti-TNF in Crohn's disease but not in ulcerative colitis. Nonetheless, the panorama of serious infections seemed to differ between the drugs. Our findings underscore the importance of clinical awareness of infections and the safety profile of the 2 therapies.

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.

Ustekinumab treatment in ulcerative colitis: Real-world data from the Swedish inflammatory bowel disease quality register

BACKGROUND

Real-world data on clinical outcomes of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To assess short- and long-term clinical outcomes of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Adult ulcerative colitis patients without previous colectomy starting ustekinumab treatment up until 11 December 2020 were identified through the Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Register (SWIBREG). Prospectively recorded data were extracted from the SWIBREG. The primary outcome was persistence to ustekinumab 16 weeks after treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes included drug persistence beyond week 16, clinical remission (defined as a patient-reported Mayo rectal bleeding subscore = 0 and stool frequency subscore ≤1), biochemical remission (defined as faecal-calprotectin <250 μg/g) and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), as measured by the Short Health Scale (SHS). Logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of ustekinumab persistence at 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Of the 133 patients with ulcerative colitis, only three were naïve to biologics and tofacitinib. The persistence rates of ustekinumab were 115/133 (86%) at 16 weeks and 89/133 (67%) at last follow-up, that is, after a median follow-up of 32 (interquartile range 19-56) weeks. The clinical remission rates were 17% at 16 weeks and 32% at the last follow-up. The corresponding rates for biochemical remission were 14% and 23%. The median faecal-calprotectin concentration decreased from 740 μg/g at baseline to 98 μg/g at the last follow-up (p < 0.01, n = 37). Improvement was seen in each dimension of the SHS between baseline and last follow-up (p < 0.01 for each dimension, n = 46). Male sex was associated with ustekinumab persistence at 16 weeks (adjusted odds ratio = 4.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-11.83).

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide real-world cohort of ulcerative colitis patients with prior drug failures, including other biologics and tofacitinib, ustekinumab was associated with high drug persistence rates and improvements in clinical, biochemical and HRQoL measures.

ECCO Topical Review: Refractory Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic disease with variable degrees of extent, severity, and activity. A proportion of patients will have disease that is refractory to licensed therapies, resulting in significant impairment in quality of life. The treatment of these patients involves a systematic approach by the entire multidisciplinary team, with particular consideration given to medical options including unlicensed therapies, surgical interventions, and dietetic and psychological support. The purpose of this review is to guide clinicians through this process and provide an accurate summary of the available evidence for different strategies.

Two years follow-up of golimumab treatment in refractory enteropathic spondyloarthritis patients with Crohn disease: A STROBE-compliant study

Golimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and not for Crohn disease (CD). Many CD patients experience primary, secondary failure, or intolerance to other TNF inhibitors (TNFi) approved in Italy for CD (adalimumab and infliximab). Spondyloarthritis (SpA) may be associated with CD (enteropathic, ESpA) in up to 50% of patients requiring a multidisciplinary and tailored approach. However, only few data from literature and no formal trials determined the efficacy and safety of golimumab in ESpA patients. We performed a case series on 12 patients affected by active CD and active ESpA were failure or intolerant to previous TNFi approved in Italy for both SpA and CD, infliximab and adalimumab. Golimumab was administered following rheumatologic dosage (subcutaneous 50 mg monthly; 100 mg monthly for patients ≥100 kg). Gastrointestinal and rheumatologic disease activity was evaluated with a follow-up of 2 years. A total of 9 patients were followed for 2 years of golimumab treatment. CD clinical activity ameliorated as shown by the reduction of Harvey-Bradshaw index and Crohn disease activity index (CDAI) at 12 and 24 months of treatment (P = .03 and P = .04, respectively) associated with reduction of C-reactive protein at 12 and 24 months (P = .04 for both comparisons) of treatment. SpA assessment revealed a significant reduction in tender joint count at 6 (P = .03), 12 (P = .03), and 24 months (P = .007) of treatment. Swollen joint count, pain, SpA disease activity, and disability reduced in several patients during the follow-up. No adverse events were registered in the follow-up. We demonstrate good clinical efficacy and safety profile of both gastrointestinal and rheumatologic involvement. This may indicate promising therapeutic option for ESpA patients affected by CD, and non-responsive to other TNFi.

Evolution of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research From a Bird's-Eye Perspective: A Text-Mining Analysis of Publication Trends and Topics

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research is extensive and increasing, with topics varying and shifting foci over time. A comprehensive analysis of the trends in IBD publications may help us grasp knowledge gaps and map future areas of interest. The aim of our study was to create a map of IBD research for the last 25 years using computational text-mining techniques.

METHODS

We retrieved all available MEDLINE/PubMed annual datasets between 1992 and 2016. We categorized article characteristics by using word combination and title match techniques. We also assigned country of origin for each article from the first author's affiliation.

RESULTS

During the study period, 18,653 publications that appeared on PubMed were classified as IBD-related. The annual number of publications increased almost 4-fold (354 to 1361) during the study period. The United States had the highest total number of publications (n = 3179/16,358, 19.4%) and Denmark, Sweden, and Israel had the highest rate of publications per capita. There were 7986 articles successfully assigned with a main subject. Therapeutics, surgical treatment, and endoscopy were the 3 leading topics, with n = 2432/7986 (30%), 1707/7986 (21%), and 981/7986 (12%), respectively. When analyzing trends in topics over time, we found an increase in the proportion of articles on imaging (2.2% in 1992-1996 to 8% in 2012-2016) and a decrease in the proportion of articles on surgical treatment (30% in 1992-1996 to 19% in 2012-2016).

CONCLUSIONS

There is steady increase in the number of IBD-related publications. Although the United States is a world leader in the number of IBD publications, Denmark, Sweden, and Israel publish the most per population size. Medical therapeutics is the most popular topic, yet there is a steady increase in publications devoted to imaging and monitoring.

TNF-alpha inhibitors for the six treatment targets of psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by psoriasis, synovitis, enthesitis, spondylitis, and association with extra-articular manifestations and comorbidities. Treatment of PsA dramatically changed since the introduction of anti-TNF drugs which have shown to reduce the symptoms and signs of the disease and slow the radiographic progression. Despite the introduction of new molecules with different mechanisms of action, the role of anti-TNF in the treatment of all disease manifestations of this intriguing disease is still central.Areas covered: The aim of this paper is to review the role of anti-TNF drugs in the treatment of different disease domains in PsA (peripheral and axial joints, skin, enthesis, patient's reported outcomes, extra-articular manifestations), reporting data from randomized clinical trials and observational studies. An extensive literature search was performed on PubMed, with no limits or filters. The following search terms were used: 'anti-TNF', 'Psoriatic Arthritis'.Expert opinion: Despite the emergence of different new treatments, anti-TNF therapy remains central in the management of all disease domains in PsA patients.

Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Register (SWIBREG) - a nationwide quality register

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, inflammatory relapsing disease with increasing incidence. IBD research and long-term follow-up of patients have, however, been hampered by lack of detailed data on disease phenotype, patient-reported outcome measures, Physician Global Assessment, disease activity, and hospital-administered drugs. Aim: To review the Swedish IBD quality register (SWIBREG). Methods: Review of SWIBREG including questionnaire data from users and patients. Results: SWIBREG was launched in 2005, and as of April 2019, contains 46,400 patients with IBD (Crohn's disease: n = 15,705, ulcerative colitis: n = 21,540, IBD unclassified and other colitis (including e.g., microscopic colitis): n = 9155). Of these IBD patients, 7778 had been diagnosed in childhood (16.8%). Earlier research has shown that combining SWIBREG and the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) yields a positive predictive value of 100% (95%CI = 95-100%) for having a diagnosis of IBD. Moreover, out of all patients in the NPR with a diagnosis of IBD plus either IBD-related surgery or immunomodulatory/biological treatment during the past 18 months, SWIBREG covers 59.0%. SWIBREG records not only information on conventional therapies but also on biological treatment, surgery, smoking, disease activity, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and patient-experienced measures (PREMs). Data are presented through a graphical decision support system. Conclusion: SWIBREG benefits patients with IBD, and offers an ideal opportunity for healthcare personnel and researchers to examine disease phenotype and activity, PROMs/PREMs, and hospital-administered drugs in patients with IBD.