Prevalence and drug treatment practices of inflammatory bowel diseases in Poland in the years 2012-2014: an analysis of nationwide databases

Therapy in elderly IBD patients

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate treatment is critical in elderly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) subjects since they are at higher risk of complications such as infections, malignancies and mortality.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We conducted an extensive PubMed search for guidelines, systematic reviews and primary studies to perform a critical analysis of the existing literature on the efficacy and safety of conventional and biological therapies for elderly IBD patients.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Due to the exclusion of elderly population from clinical trials, most evidences comes from real-life studies. While aminosalicylates remain a cornerstone treatment of elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), for their effectiveness and safety, their use in Crohn's disease (CD) should not be further supported. Corticosteroid use should be limited for the induction of remission, while as maintenance treatment it should be avoided, due to the low safety profile. Although as efficacious as in the younger population, immunosuppressant use has been associated with higher risk of infective/malignant issues and further use should be carefully evaluated. Biologics have demonstrated high effectiveness in the elderly. However, due to increased morbidity and mortality described in elderly subjects treated with anti-TNF alpha agents, vedolizumab and ustekinumab should be favoured over anti-TNF alpha agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of elderly IBD patients remains challenging, since comorbidities and the risk of adverse events can complicate the effectiveness and safety of therapy. Close monitoring of such patients in a multidisciplinary team is advocated to reduce the risk of infections and optimize the treatment, choosing a suitable agent.

A Systematic Review of Crohn's Disease Case Definitions in Administrative or Claims Databases

BACKGROUND

We sought to review Crohn's disease (CD) case definitions that use diagnosis, procedure, and medication claims.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Embase from inception through January 31, 2022, using terms related to CD, inflammatory bowel disease, administrative claims, or validity. Each article was scrutinized by 2 authors independently screening and abstracting data. Collected data included participant characteristics, case definition characteristics, and case definition validity. When diagnostic accuracy was provided for multiple case definitions, we extracted the case definition selected by the authors. All diagnostic accuracy characteristics were captured.

RESULTS

We identified 30 studies that evaluated a case definition using claims data to identify CD patients. The most common case definition included counts of diagnosis codes (57%) followed by a combination of diagnosis codes and medications (20%). All but 1 study validated the case definition with a medical chart review. In 2 studies, the patient's primary care provider completed a survey to confirm disease status. The positive predictive value of the case definitions ranged from 18% (≥1 code at a single U.S. health plan) to 100% (≥1 code plus a relevant prescription at a U.S. hospital). More complex case definitions (eg, ≥1 code + prescription or ≥2 codes) had lower variability in positive predictive value (≥80%) and specificity (≥85%) than the ≥1 code requirement.

CONCLUSIONS

Health services researchers should validate case definitions in their research cohorts. When such validation cannot be performed, we recommend using a more complex case definition. Studies without a validated CD case definition should use sensitivity analyses to confirm the robustness of their results.

Prevalence, phenotype and medication for the pediatric inflammatory bowel disease population of a state in Southeastern Brazil

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to social and economic impacts worldwide. In Brazil, where its adult prevalence is increasing, the epidemiology of the pediatric population is not well known, although there is a documented increase in pediatric IBD incidence worldwide. Brazil has continental dimensions, and Espírito Santo is a state of southeastern Brazil, the region with the highest demographic densities and is the economically most important in the country.

AIM

To assess the prevalence, incidence, phenotype and medications in a Southeastern Brazilian pediatric population.

METHODS

Data were retrieved from the Public Medication-Dispensing System of the Department of Health in Espírito Santo state from documentation required to have access to highly expensive medication from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2014. There were 1048 registered patients with IBD of all ages, and of these patients, the cases ≤ 17 years were selected. The data were obtained through the analysis of administrative requests for these medications and included medical reports, endoscopy exams, histopathology and imaging tests, which followed the Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines of the Brazilian Government. Only confirmed cases of IBD were included in the study.

RESULTS

There were 55 pediatric patients/1048 registered patients (5.34%), with Crohn's disease (CD) representing 30/55 (55%), ulcerative colitis (UC) 24/55 (43.6%) and 1 unclassified IBD, a significant difference from adult patients (P = 0.004). The prevalence of IBD in pediatric patients was 5.02 cases/100.000 inhabitants; the incidence in 2014 was 1.36 cases/100.000 inhabitants. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.2 years (± 4.2). There were 7 children diagnosed up to 6 years old, 7 between 7 to 10 years old and 41 between 11 and ≤ 17 years old. There was no difference in the distribution of UC and CD between these age categories (P = 0.743). There was no difference in gender distribution in relation to adults. Children and adolescents with UC had a predominance of pancolitis, unlike adults (P = 0.001), and used aminosalicylates and immunomodulators for their treatment. Pediatric patients with CD did not present a difference in disease location but had a higher frequency of fistulizing behavior (P = 0.03) and perianal disease phenotype (P = 0.007) than adult patients. Patients with CD used more immunomodulators and biological therapy. Treatment with biological therapy was more frequently used in pediatric patients than in adults (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although the data from this study demonstrate that incidence and prevalence rates are low in southeastern Brazil, these data demonstrate the severity of IBD in pediatric patients, with the need for early diagnosis and therapy, avoiding serious damage.

Crohn's Disease of the Elderly: Unique Biology and Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in the elderly population. Compared with patients with onset during younger years, patients with elderly-onset IBD have a distinct clinical presentation, disease phenotype, and natural history. Genetics contribute less to pathogenesis of disease, whereas aging-related biological changes, such as immunosenescence and dysbiosis, are associated with elderly-onset IBD. Frailty is an increasingly recognized predictor of adverse outcomes. As an increasingly wider array of biologic and small molecule therapeutic options becomes available, data regarding efficacy and safety of these agents in patients are paramount given the unique characteristics of this population.

The elderly IBD patient in the modern era: changing paradigms in risk stratification and therapeutic management

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising in the elderly population. Compared with patients with onset during their younger years, patients with elderly onset IBD have a distinct clinical presentation, disease phenotype, and natural history. Genetics contribute less to pathogenesis of disease, whereas biological changes associated with aging including immunosenescence, dysbiosis, and frailty have a greater impact on disease outcomes. With the advent of an increasingly wider array of biologic and small-molecule therapeutic options, data regarding efficacy and safety of these agents in elderly IBD patients specifically are paramount, given the unique characteristics of this population.

Impact of Cigarette Smoking on the Risk of Osteoporosis in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Cigarette smoking constitutes one of the most important modifiable factors of osteoporosis, as well as contributes to an early death, tumors, and numerous chronic diseases. The group with an increased risk of a lower bone mineral density are patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. In fact, tobacco smoke, which contains more than 7000 chemical compounds, affects bone mineral density (BMD) both directly and indirectly, as it has an impact on the RANK-RANKL-OPG pathway, intestinal microbiota composition, and calcium-phosphate balance. Constant cigarette use interferes with the production of protective mucus and inhibits the repair processes in the intestinal mucus. Nicotine as well as the other compounds of the cigarette smoke are important risk factors of the inflammatory bowel disease and osteoporosis. Additionally, cigarette smoking may decrease BMD in the IBD patients. Interestingly, it affects patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in different ways-on the one hand it protects against ulcerative colitis, whereas on the other it increases the risk of Crohn's disease development. Nevertheless, all patients should be encouraged to cease smoking in order to decrease the risk of developing other disorders.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Incidence and Prevalence Across Europe

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is often one of the most devastating and debilitating chronic gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents. The main objectives here were to systematically review the incidence and prevalence of paediatric IBD across all 51 European states.

METHODS

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis based on PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, searches of reference lists, grey literature and websites, covering the period from 1970 to 2018.

RESULTS

Incidence rates for both paediatric Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] were higher in northern Europe than in other European regions. There have been large increases in the incidence of both paediatric CD and UC over the last 50 years, which appear widespread across Europe. The largest increases for CD have been reported from Sweden, Wales, England, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Hungary, and for UC from the Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden and Hungary. Incidence rates for paediatric CD have increased up to 9 or 10 per 100 000 population in parts of Europe, including Scandinavia, while rates for paediatric UC are often slightly lower than for CD. Prevalence reported for CD ranged from 8.2 per 100 000 to approximately 60 and, for UC, from 8.3 to approximately 30.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of paediatric IBD continues to increase throughout Europe. There is stronger evidence of a north-south than an east-west gradient in incidence across Europe. Further prospective studies are needed, preferably multinational and based on IBD registries, using standardized definitions, methodology and timescales.

Elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Updated review of the therapeutic landscape

High-quality data remains scarce in terms of optimal management strategies in the elderly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population. Indeed, available trials have been mostly retrospective, of small sample size, likely owing to under-representation of such a population in the major randomized controlled trials. However, in the last five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of published trials, helping clarify the estimated benefits and toxicity of the existing IBD armamentarium. In the Everhov trial, prescription strategies were recorded over an average follow-up of 4.2 years. A minority of elderly IBD patients (1%-3%) were treated with biologics within the five years following diagnosis, whilst almost a quarter of these patients were receiving corticosteroid therapy at year five of follow-up, despite its multiple toxicities. The low use of biologic agents in real-life settings likely stems from limited data suggesting lower efficacy and higher toxicity. This minireview will aim to highlight current outcome measurements as it portends the elderly IBD patient, as well as summarize the available therapeutic strategies in view of a growing body of evidence.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Crohn's Disease Treatment with Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab After Failure of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antagonist

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Crohn's disease (CD) treatment with vedolizumab and ustekinumab after failure of therapy with tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists (anti-TNFs).

METHODS

The Markov model incorporated the lifetime horizon, synthesis-based estimates of biologics' efficacy in relation to anti-TNF exposure, and administration of biologics reflecting clinical practice (e.g., sequence of biologics, retreatment, 12-month treatment). The utilities, non-medical costs and indirect costs were derived from a study of 200 adult patients with CD, while the healthcare costs were from a study of 1393 adults with CD who used biologics in Poland. The quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs (the societal perspective) were discounted with the annual rates of 3.5 and 5%, respectively.

RESULTS

The addition of vedolizumab (ustekinumab) to the sequence of available anti-TNFs (after first-line infliximab or after second-line adalimumab) led to a gain of 0.364 (0.349) QALYs at an additional cost of €5600.24 (€6593.82). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were €15,369 [95% confidence interval (CI) 7496-61,354] and €18,878 (95% CI 9213-85,045) per QALY gained with vedolizumab and ustekinumab, respectively. Sensitivity analyses revealed a high impact on the ICERs of the relapse rate after discontinuation of biologic treatment. The highest value of vedolizumab/ustekinumab was estimated after the failure of therapies with both anti-TNFs.

CONCLUSIONS

CD treatment with ustekinumab or vedolizumab after failure of anti-TNF therapy appears to be cost-effective at a threshold of €31,500. The replacement of the second-line anti-TNF with ustekinumab/vedolizumab and the course of the disease after discontinuation of biologics are influential drivers of the cost-effectiveness.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: prevalence, risk factors and costs of aminosalicylate use in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Aminosalicylates are the most frequently prescribed drugs for patients with Crohn's disease (CD), yet evidence to support their efficacy as induction or maintenance therapy is controversial.

AIMS

To quantify aminosalicylate use in CD clinical trials, identify factors associated with use and estimate direct annual treatment costs of therapy.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL were searched to April 2017 for placebo-controlled trials in adults with CD treated with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or biologics. The proportion of patients co-prescribed aminosalicylates in placebo arms was pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-regression was used to identify factors associated with aminosalicylate use. Annual treatment costs were estimated using the 2016 Ontario Drug Benefit Program.

RESULTS

Forty-two induction and 10 maintenance trials were included. The pooled proportion of patients co-prescribed aminosalicylates was 44% [95% CI: 39%-49%] in induction trials and 49% [95% CI: 35%-64%] in maintenance trials. There was substantial to considerable heterogeneity (I²  = 86.0%, 91.8% for induction and maintenance trials, respectively). In multivariable meta-regression, aminosalicylate use has decreased over time in induction trials (OR 0.50 [95% CI: 0.34-0.74] per 10-year increment). While a decline has been seen over time, 35% of CD patients were still using aminosalicylates in contemporary trials from the last 5 years. The estimated annual cost for the lowest price mesalazine (mesalamine) formulation is approximately $32 million for the Canadian CD population.

CONCLUSIONS

Over one-third of CD patients entering clinical trials are still co-prescribed aminosalicylates. A definitive trial is needed to inform the conventional practice of using aminosalicylates as CD maintenance therapy.

Impact of Biologic Treatment of Crohn's Disease on the Rate of Surgeries and Other Healthcare Resources: An Analysis of a Nationwide Database From Poland

Background: There is conflicting evidence on the impact of biologic treatment on the rate of complications and surgeries in Crohn’s disease (CD). We aimed to assess real-world consequences of biologic treatment of CD.

Methods: All adult patients with CD treated with infliximab and adalimumab in the years 2012–2014 were identified from the database of the National Health Fund in Poland. Mixed models were used to assess the impact of biologics on medical resource utilization by comparing the periods before and after the first use of biologics (pre-index vs. post-index). The additional analyses including quintile of total exposure to biologic treatment were performed.

Results: Data on 1393 patients (age, 31.9 years; males, 52.6%) were analyzed over a median of 1064 days (range: 71, 1148). During the post-index period, patients received from one to four treatments with biologic agents (maximum allowed period of 12 months per treatment). We observed a reduction in the rates of surgeries (by 27%, p = 0.001), hospitalizations for CD excluding surgical procedures (by 45%, p < 0.001), as well as consumption of antibiotics (by 31%, p < 0.001) and steroids (by 35%, p < 0.001) in the post-index compared with the pre-index period. The reduction in the rate of surgeries, hospitalizations for CD, and steroid intake increased with the increase of exposure to biologic agents.

Conclusion: Biologic treatment changed the management patterns by lowering the rate of surgeries and other healthcare resources related to complications or worsening of CD. The reduction in the resource utilization was dependent on the level of exposure to treatment, suggesting that limitation of the treatment period itself may be inadequate.