Real-world short-term effectiveness of ustekinumab in 305 patients with Crohn's disease: results from the ENEIDA registry

BACKGROUND

There are limited data of ustekinumab administered according to the doses recommended in the UNITI studies.

AIM

To assess the real-world, short-term effectiveness of ustekinumab in refractory Crohn's disease (CD) METHODS: Multicentre study of CD patients starting ustekinumab after June 2017 at the recommend dose (260, 390 or 520 mg based on weight ~6 mg/kg IV week 0 and 90 mg subcutaneously week 8). Values for Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC) were recorded at baseline and at weeks 8 and 14. Demographic and clinical data, previous treatments, AEs and hospitalisations were documented. Possible predictors of clinical remission were examined.

RESULTS

Three hundred and five patients were analysed (≥2 previous anti-TNFα therapies 64% and vedolizumab 29%). At baseline, 217 (72%) had an HBI >4 points. Of these, 101 (47%) and 126 (58%) achieved clinical remission at weeks 8 and 14, respectively. FC levels returned to normal (<250 µg/g) in 46% and 54% of the patients at weeks 8 and 14 respectively. CRP returned to normal (<3 mg/L) in the 35% and 41% of the patients at week 8 and 14 respectively. AEs were recorded in 38, and 40 patients were hospitalised. Intolerance to the most recent anti-TNF agent and fewer previous anti-TNF agents were associated with clinical remission at week 14. Endoscopic severity was associated with poor response.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to show the real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab administered according to the recommended induction regimen in a cohort of highly refractory CD patients.

Phenotype and natural history of elderly onset inflammatory bowel disease: a multicentre, case-control study

BACKGROUND

Onset during old age has been reported in upto 10% of total cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

AIM

To evaluate phenotypic characteristics and the use of therapeutic resources in patients with elderly onset IBD.

METHODS

Case-control study including all those patients diagnosed with IBD over the age of 60 years since 2000 who were followed-up for >12 months, identified from the IBD databases. Elderly onset cases were compared with IBD patients aged 18 to 40 years at diagnosis, matched by year of diagnosis, gender and type of IBD (adult-onset).

RESULTS

One thousand three hundred and seventy-four elderly onset and 1374 adult-onset cases were included (62% ulcerative colitis (UC), 38% Crohn's disease (CD)). Among UC patients, elderly onset cases had a lower proportion of extensive disease (33% vs 39%; P < 0.0001). In CD, elderly onset cases showed an increased rate of stenosing pattern (24% vs 13%; P < 0.0001) and exclusive colonic location (28% vs 16%; P < 0.0001), whereas penetrating pattern (12% vs 19%; P < 0.0001) was significantly less frequent. Regarding the use of therapeutic resources, there was a significantly lower use of corticosteroids (P < 0.0001), immunosuppressants (P < 0.0001) and anti-TNFs agents (P < 0.0001) in elderly onset cases. Regarding surgery, we found a significantly higher surgery rate among elderly onset UC cases (8.3% vs 5.1%; P < 0.009). Finally, elderly onset cases were characterised by a higher rate of hospitalisations (66% vs 49%; P < 0.0001) and neoplasms (14% vs 0.5%; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly onset IBD shows specific characteristics and they are managed differently, with a lower use of immunosuppressants and a higher rate of surgery in UC.

A Case of Vulvar Pyoderma Gangrenosum Associated with Collagenous Colitis

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a reactive inflammatory dermatosis which belongs to the spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses. Due to a lack of diagnostic criteria, pyoderma gangrenosum is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion. It is rarely observed on the perineum, and vulvar involvement is even less frequent. Collagenous colitis is an idiopathic inflammatory colonic disease that is included in the microscopic colitides. The colonic mucosa and the crypt architecture are preserved but histologic alterations are found. We describe a case of collagenous colitis associated with vulvar pyoderma gangrenosum that improved spectacularly with cyclosporine 3 mg/kg/day and the twice-daily application of topical tacrolimus 0.1%.