Duration of disease may predict response to infliximab in pediatric ulcerative colitis

Early Biologic Treatment Decreases Risk of Surgery in Crohn's Disease but not in Ulcerative Colitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to long-term complications that significantly impact patients' quality of life and healthcare resource utilization. Prior studies have demonstrated improved short-term outcomes to early exposure of biologics in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) but not in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, there are conflicting data on impact of early intervention on longer-term adverse events. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of early biologic treatment on rates of IBD-related surgery.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in April 2022. Studies were included if biologic initiation was compared between patients starting early (<3 years of diagnosis or top-down treatment) vs later (>3 years of diagnosis or step-up treatment). Studies with <1 year of follow-up were excluded. The outcomes were colectomy and CD-related surgery for patients with UC and CD, respectively. Random-effects analyses were conducted to compare rates of IBD surgery between early and late biologic treatment.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies included patients with UC and 15 studies included patients with CD. In patients with CD, early biologic therapy was associated with lower odds of surgery (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.84) compared with late treatment. Conversely, in patients with UC, the odds of colectomy were increased (odds ratio, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-6.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Early biologic treatment is associated with lower rates of surgery in patients with CD. In contrast, early biologic therapy appears to be associated with higher rates of colectomy in patients with UC, which may be confounded by disease severity.

Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review from the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. Roughly 20% of all patients with UC are diagnosed in childhood, and children typically present with more severe disease. Approximately 40% will undergo total colectomy within ten years of diagnosis. The objective of this study is to assess the available evidence regarding the surgical management of pediatric UC as determined by the consensus agreement of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee (APSA OEBP).

METHODS

Through an iterative process, the membership of the APSA OEBP developed five a priori questions focused on surgical decision-making for children with UC. Questions focused on surgical timing, reconstruction, use of minimally invasive techniques, need for diversion, and risks to fertility and sexual function. A systematic review was conducted, and articles were selected for review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of Bias was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. The Oxford Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendation were utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 69 studies were included for analysis. Most manuscripts contain level 3 or 4 evidence from single-center retrospective reports, leading to a grade D recommendation. MINORS assessment revealed a high risk of bias in most studies. J-pouch reconstruction may result in fewer daily stools than straight ileoanal anastomosis. There are no differences in complications based on the type of reconstruction. The timing of surgery should be individualized to patients and does not affect complications. Immunosuppressants do not appear to increase surgical site infection rates. Laparoscopic approaches result in longer operative times but shorter lengths of stay and fewer small bowel obstructions. Overall, complications are not different using an open or minimally invasive approach.

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently low-level evidence related to certain aspects of surgical management for UC, including timing, reconstruction type, use of minimally invasive techniques, need for diversion, and risks to fertility and sexual function. Multicenter, prospective studies are recommended to better answer these questions and ensure the best evidence-based care for our patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level of evidence III.

STUDY TYPE

Systematic review.

An Update on Current Pharmacotherapeutic Options for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

The main goals of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) treatment are to both induce and maintain the clinical and endoscopic remission of disease, reduce the incidence of complications such as dysplasia and colorectal carcinoma and improve quality of life. Although a curative medical treatment for UC has not yet been found, new therapeutic strategies addressing specific pathogenetic mechanisms of disease are emerging. Notwithstanding these novel therapies, non-biological conventional drugs remain a mainstay of treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize current therapeutic strategies used as treatment for ulcerative colitis and to briefly focus on emerging therapeutic strategies, including novel biologic therapies and small molecules. To date, multiple therapeutic approaches can be adopted in UC and the range of available compounds is constantly increasing. In this era, the realization of well-designed comparative clinical trials, as well as the definition of specific therapeutic models, would be strongly suggested in order to achieve personalized management for UC patients.

Progression to colectomy in the era of biologics: A single center experience with pediatric ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Clinical outcomes in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) in the era of biologic agents are poorly defined. We aimed to describe risk factors for colectomy in pediatric UC in the era of infliximab therapy.

METHODS

We reviewed 217 pediatric patients at Texas Children's Hospital with newly diagnosed UC between 2003 and 2015; 117 had a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. Extent of disease at diagnosis, medication exposure, the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), and need for surgery were noted.

RESULTS

Average length of follow up was 5.02 ± 2.27 years. Forty-two percent presented with pancolitis. Infliximab was used in 39%, immunomodulators in 65%, and steroids in 89% of patients. EIMs occurred in 24.9% of patients. The cumulative rate of colectomy was 12.9% at 5 years. Children presenting as E2 (Paris Classification) and children prescribed oral steroid monotherapy at diagnosis progressed to surgery faster than any other group. Of the children who received infliximab, females and children less than 5 years old were less likely to respond to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The natural course of pediatric UC remains aggressive despite the addition of infliximab to the standard of care and suggests a need for early aggressive clinical intervention.

LEVEL-OF-EVIDENCE RATING

Level IV.

Short Disease Duration Is Associated With Increased Risk of Treatment Failure in Biologic-Treated Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Longer disease duration is associated with inferior response to biologic therapy in Crohn's disease. However, the effect of disease duration on response to biologic therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been well studied.

METHODS

In a single-center retrospective cohort study of outpatients with UC starting a biologic agent, we evaluated treatment response by disease duration. The primary outcome was treatment failure (composite outcome of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]-related surgery/hospitalization or treatment modification including dose escalation, treatment discontinuation, or addition of corticosteroids); secondary outcomes were risk of IBD-related surgery/hospitalization and endoscopic remission. We conducted multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses to evaluate the independent impact of disease duration on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 160 biologic-treated UC patients (73% biologic-naïve) with a median age (interquartile range) of 36 (26-52) years and disease duration (range) of 4.5 (1-9) years. After adjusting for immunosuppressive medications, albumin, and body mass index, each 1-year increase in disease duration was associated with a 5% lower risk of treatment failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.99) and a 9% higher risk of achieving endoscopic remission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.18). This association of short disease duration with treatment failure was observed only in biologic-naïve patients, but not biologic-experienced patients. No significant association was seen between disease duration and risk of surgery or hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Shorter disease duration is independently associated with increased risk of treatment failure in biologic-treated patients with UC. Requirement of biologic therapy early in the course of disease may be a negative prognostic marker in patients with UC.

The Role of Early Biologic Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The goals for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are changing from elimination of symptoms toward complete disease control-a process that demands both clinical and endoscopic remission. This new IBD treatment paradigm has been shifting from a conventional "step-up" approach toward a more "top-down" early intervention treatment strategy. Recent studies suggest that the use of biologic agents, specifically those targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha, earlier in the treatment course improves patient outcomes and can prevent progression to irreversible bowel damage. Although the strategy of early intervention has accumulating evidence in Crohn's disease, there is less evidence supporting its impact in ulcerative colitis.

Clinical presentation of Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis: Symptoms, extraintestinal manifestations, and disease phenotypes

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising with 25% of IBD diagnosed in children under 18 years of age. The clinical presentation of IBD in children is often vague leading to initial misdiagnosis as infectious colitis or irritable bowel syndrome. When IBD is identified, overlap in histologic and endoscopic features may lead to difficulty distinguishing Crohn's disease from ulcerative colitis, resulting in a higher frequency of the diagnosis indeterminate colitis or IBD unspecified. Recognizing the common and the atypical presentation of pediatric IBD and extraintestinal manifestations will aid in expeditious referral and early diagnosis. Activity severity scoring tools and more specific classification systems for pediatric IBD direct therapeutic algorithms and allow for improved longitudinal assessment since disease severity and location have been shown to be associated with outcome.

Use of Anti-TNFα Agents and Time to First-time Surgery in Paediatric Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

It is debated whether the need for surgery has changed following introduction of anti-TNFα agents in the treatment of paediatric ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD]. We aimed to describe the implementation of anti-TNFα agents in paediatric patients, and the need of first-time surgery before and after introduction of anti-TNFα agents.

METHODS

In the Danish National Patient Registry, we identified incident paediatric patients diagnosed from 1998. We calculated the proportion of patients receiving anti-TNFα agents within 5 years from diagnosis, and the cumulative 5 year proportion of surgery, according to calendar periods of diagnosis.

RESULTS

At the end of our study period [2007 and 2008], 29-41% of CD children were treated with anti-TNFα agents within 5 years, and for UC children 17-19%. In 1278 CD patients, the 5 year cumulative proportions of surgery were 14.6-15.6% for children diagnosed in 1998-2008 and 9.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7-13.7) for those diagnosed in 2009-2013. In 1468 UC patients, the cumulative proportion of surgery suggested a decline in patients diagnosed after mid 2005, and the hazard ratio of surgery was 0.64 [95% CI: 0.47-0.86] after the introduction of anti-TNFα agents compared with before. For UC patients diagnosed in 2009-2013, the 5 year cumulative proportion of surgery was 7.6% [95% CI: 5.2-11.2].

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide study showed an extensive use of anti-TNFα agents at the end of our study period. For UC children, our data suggest a decline in the proportion of surgery in the period of increasing use of anti-TNFα agents.

Similar Clinical and Surgical Outcomes Achieved with Early Compared to Late Anti-TNF Induction in Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background. Biologic agents targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha are effective in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC), but their use is often postponed until after failure of other treatment modalities. Objectives. We aim to determine if earlier treatment with infliximab or adalimumab alters clinical and surgical outcomes in UC patients. Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted evaluating UC outpatients treated with infliximab or adalimumab from 2003 to 2014. Patients were stratified by time to first anti-TNF exposure; early initiation was defined as starting treatment within three years of diagnosis. Primary outcomes were colectomy, UC-related hospitalization, and clinical secondary loss of response. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess time to the primary outcomes. Results. 115 patients were included (78 infliximab, 37 adalimumab). Median follow-up was 175.6 weeks (IQR 72.4-228.4 weeks). Fifty-seven (49.6%) patients received early anti-TNF therapy; median time to treatment in this group was 38.1 (23.3-91.0) weeks compared to 414.0 (254.0-561.3) weeks in the late initiator cohort (p < 0.0001). Patients treated with early anti-TNF therapy had more severe endoscopic disease at induction (mean Mayo endoscopy subscore 2.46 (SD ± 0.66) versus 1.86 (±0.67), p < 0.001) and trended towards increased risk of colectomy (17.5% versus 8.6%, p = 0.16) and UC-related hospitalization (43.9% versus 27.6%, p = 0.07). In multivariate regression analysis, early anti-TNF induction was not associated with colectomy (HR 2.02 [95% CI: 0.57-7.20]), hospitalization (HR 1.66 [0.84-3.30]), or secondary loss of response (HR 0.86 [0.52-1.42]). Conclusions. Anti-TNF therapy is initiated earlier in patients with severe UC but earlier treatment does not prevent hospitalization, colectomy, or secondary loss of response.

Extent of Early Clinical Response to Infliximab Predicts Long-term Treatment Success in Active Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

The long-term effectiveness of infliximab (IFX) in ulcerative colitis (UC) and predictors of treatment response remain poorly characterized.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 213 consecutive patients with active steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent UC treated with induction and scheduled maintenance IFX at an inflammatory bowel disease referral center. Outcomes included annual steroid-free remission (SFR), IFX failure with discontinuation, colectomy, and serious adverse events.

RESULTS

The 1- and 5-year cumulative probabilities for SFR were 39% and 14%, for IFX failure were 31.7% and 55.6%, and for colectomy were 19.2% and 37.4%, respectively. A sensitivity analysis considering the last clinical observation in patients with incomplete follow-up demonstrated a long-term SFR rate of 36%. Among responders to IFX induction therapy, achieving clinical remission before maintenance IFX therapy predicted SFR at 1 year (adjusted odds ratio = 4.50; 95% CI, 1.75-11.53), whereas the need for IFX dose intensification during the first year of therapy predicted a lower odds of SFR at 1 year (adjusted odds ratio = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.11-0.67) and a greater hazard of IFX failure beyond 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.14-5.81). Older age and shorter UC duration at IFX initiation predicted poorer long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with moderate-to-severe UC treated with scheduled IFX at an inflammatory bowel disease center, close to half of the patients are still on IFX at 5 years, although a smaller proportion of patients achieve long-term SFR. The magnitude and stability of early response to IFX is associated with long-term therapeutic benefit to this agent.

Early endoscopic, laboratory and clinical predictors of poor disease course in paediatric ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE

Data to support treatment algorithms in ambulatory paediatric UC are scarce. We aimed to explore the 1 year outcome in an inception cohort of paediatric UC patients and to identify early predictors of good outcome that might serve as short term treatment targets.

DESIGN

A chart review of 115 children with new onset UC was performed (age 11 ± 4.1 years; 58 (50%) males; 86 (75%) extensive colitis; 70 (61%) moderate-severe disease; 63 (55%) received steroids at baseline). We assessed the Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) and laboratory variables at the time of diagnosis and at 3 months, and endoscopy at diagnosis.

RESULTS

The 3 month PUCAI was the strongest predictor of 1 year sustained steroid free remission (SSFR) (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC)=0.7 (95% CI 0.6 to 0.8) and colectomy by 2 years (AUROC=0.75 (0.6 to 0.89)). SSFR was achieved in 9/54 (17%) children who had active disease (PUCAI ≥ 10) at 3 months (negative predictive value (NPV)=83%) and by 4/46 (8.6%) of those with a PUCAI score >10; (NPV=91%, positive predictive value=52%; p<0.001), implying that PUCAI >10 at 3 months has a probability of 9% for achieving SSFR versus 48% with a PUCAI value of ≤10. None of the variables at baseline was predictive of SSFR or colectomy (endoscopic severity, disease extent, age, PUCAI or C reactive protein/erythrocyte sedimentation rate/albumin/haemoglobin; all AUROC<0.6, p>0.05) but baseline PUCAI predicted subsequent acute severe colitis and the need for salvage medical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Completeness of the early response appears more important than baseline UC severity for predicting outcome in children, and supports using PUCAI<10 as a feasible treatment goal. Our data suggest that treatment escalation should be considered with a PUCAI value of ≥ 10 at 3 months.

A panel to predict long-term outcome of infliximab therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Infliximab is effective for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC), but few factors have been identified that predict long-term outcome of therapy. We aimed to identify a panel of markers associated with outcome of infliximab therapy to help physicians make personalized treatment decisions.

METHODS

We collected data from the first 285 patients with refractory UC (41% female; median age, 39 y) treated with infliximab before July 2012 at University Hospitals Leuven, in Belgium. We performed a Cox regression analysis to identify independent factors that predicted relapse-free and colectomy-free survival, and used these factors to create a panel of markers (risk panel).

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 5 years, 61% of patients relapsed and 20% required colectomy. Independent predictors of relapse-free survival included short-term complete clinical response (odds ratio [OR], 3.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.35-5.97; P < .001), mucosal healing (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.17-2.98; P = .009), and absence of atypical perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.23-3.12; P = .005). Independent predictors of colectomy-free survival included short-term clinical response (OR, 7.74; 95% CI, 2.76-21.68; P < .001), mucosal healing (OR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.16-13.97; P = .028), baseline level of C-reactive protein (CRP) of 5 mg/L or less (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.26-6.89; P = .012), and baseline level of albumin of 35 g/L or greater (OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.12-8.22; P = .029). Based on serologic analysis of a subgroup of 112 patients, levels of infliximab greater than 2.5 μg/mL at week 14 of treatment predicted relapse-free survival (P < .001) and colectomy-free survival (P = .034). A risk panel that included levels of pANCA, CRP, albumin, clinical response, and mucosal healing identified patients at risk for UC relapse or colectomy (both P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical response and mucosal healing were confirmed as independent predictors of long-term outcome from infliximab therapy in patients with UC. We identified additional factors (levels of pANCA, CRP, and albumin) to create a risk panel that predicts long-term outcomes of therapy. Serum levels of infliximab at week 14 of treatment also were associated with patient outcomes. Our risk panel and short-term serum levels of infliximab therefore might be used to guide therapy.

Effect of preoperative biologic drugs on complications and function after restorative proctocolectomy with primary ileal pouch formation: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Debate exists concerning the presumed risk of postoperative complications in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) receiving preoperative infliximab (IFX). Meta-analyses are contrasting because of many confounders included into analysis. Our aim was to determine the impact of IFX on pouch-related postoperative complications in patients with UC undergoing surgery with primary ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review to identify studies comparing the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for UC with or without previous IFX exposure. The primary end points were (1) early ileal pouch-anal anastomosis-related complications after surgery with primary pouch formation and (2) those occurring after ileostomy closure. Secondary end points were the effects of IFX on total, infectious, and noninfectious complications in patients with UC undergoing any type of surgery. Results are reported as pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Seven papers, including 162 patients receiving biologics and 468 controls all undergoing primary pouch formation, were included for the primary aim. Patients receiving IFX were more likely developing early (OR = 4.12; 95% CI, 2.37-7.15; P < 0.001) and post-ileostomy closure (OR = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.27-4.05; P = 0.005) ileal pouch-anal anastomosis-related complications. Number needed to harm was calculated to be 5 and 4, respectively. Having received at least 3 IFX effusions increased the risk of early complications (OR = 9.59; 95% CI, 2.92-31.44; P = 0.0002), whereas an interval of <12 weeks since last effusion did not (OR = 2.35; 95% CI, 0.98-5.64; P = 0.06). Meta-analyses of 14 studies reporting on any type of surgery found that IFX showed a trend toward higher total and infectious complications, but no significant differences were observed. Biologics were associated with lower surgical site infection (OR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-0.99; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

IFX exposure increases early pouch-specific complications and complications after ileostomy closure in UC. Avoiding primary pouch formation could be a prudent approach.