Position statement of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis on sexuality and inflammatory bowel disease. / Documento de posicionamiento. Recomendaciones del Grupo Español de Trabajo en Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa sobre sexualidad y enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

It is widely acknowledged that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD). However, there is a notable paucity of specific literature in this field. This lack of information impacts various aspects, including the understanding and comprehensive care of SD in the context of IBD. Furthermore, patients themselves express a lack of necessary attention in this area within the treatment of their disease, thus creating an unmet need in terms of their well-being. The aim of this position statement by the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) is to provide a review on the most relevant aspects and potential areas of improvement in the detection, assessment, and management of SD in patients with IBD and to integrate the approach to sexual health into our clinical practice. Recommendations are established based on available scientific evidence and expert opinion. The development of these recommendations by GETECCU has been carried out through a collaborative multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, gynecologists, urologists, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, sexologists, and, of course, patients with IBD.

General review of pregnancy in inflammatory bowel disease.

Given the age of maximum incidence of inflammatory bowel disease, aspects such as fertility and pregnancy are especially relevant in the management of these patients. This review article aims to provide a summarized description of the basic concepts that the gastroenterologist should know when assessing an IBD patient with procreative desires and/or who is pregnant. The review has been carried out selecting the most recent and relevant articles on these topics in order to offer updated information on the latest treatments available.

Usefulness of Thiopurine Monotherapy for Crohn's Disease in the Era of Biologics: A Long-Term Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Thiopurines are classically used in Crohn's disease (CD). Treatment fails in a proportion of patients either due to adverse events (AE) or lack of efficacy. Increasing use of anti-TNFα biologic drugs may have had impact on thiopurines usage. AIM: To evaluate the evolving use of azathioprine (AZA) monotherapy in the era of biologics. METHODS: The study retrospectively analyzed clinical records of all CD patients who started treatment with AZA monotherapy at our center since 1990. Dates of starting AZA and treatment failure (TF) were collected. We defined AZA TF if it was withdrawn due to lack of efficacy or AE, or biologics were added. RESULTS: A total of 383 patients were included: 46.5% were males and mean age was 31 (range 17-84) years. Median follow-up was 43 (range 0.2-289) months. Overall, 147 patients (38%) experienced TF. Median cumulative survival time of AZA was 126 (95% CI 105-147) months. Proportion of patients with AZA TF increased along time: 7 patients in 1990-1995 (4.7% of all TF); 8 in 1996-2000 (5.4%); 22 in 2001-2005(15%); 41 in 2006-2010 (28%); 69 in 2011-2014 (47%) (p = 0.04). 7%, 21%, 4%, 45%, and 33.3% of patients moved to biologics in each period, respectively (χ2 = 13.07; p < 0.05). Seventy-four patients (18.4%) stopped AZA due to AE, and 73(19%) due to lack of efficacy. Regarding AZA indication, prevention of postoperative recurrence obtained better results than steroid dependency (p = 0.001); perianal fistulizing CD predicted poorer outcomes (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: An important proportion of CD patients under AZA monotherapy experienced TF in our experience. Although AZA monotherapy remains useful for CD in the era of biologics, current clinical practice is shifting to anti-TNFα biologic drugs in an increasing proportion of patients.

Idiopathic portal hypertension regarding thiopurine treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: The possibility of developing idiopathic portal hypertension has been described with thiopurine treatment despite compromises the prognosis of these patients, the fact its true prevalence is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients followed at our unit, to determine the prevalence of diagnosis of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and its relationship with thiopurine treatment. RESULTS: At the time of the analysis, 927/1,419 patients were under treatment with thiopurine drugs (65%). A total of 4 patients with IBD type Crohn's disease with idiopathic portal hypertension probably related to the thiopurine treatment were identified (incidence of 4.3 cases per 1,000). Seventy-five percent of patients started with signs or symptoms of portal hypertension. Only one patient was asymptomatic but the diagnosis of IPH because of isolated thrombocytopenia is suspected. However, note that all patients had thrombocytopenia previously. Abdominal ultrasound with fibroscan, hepatic vein catheterization and liver biopsy were performed on all of them as part of the etiology of portal hypertension. In the abdominal ultrasound, indirect portal hypertension data were observed in all patients (as splenomegaly) cirrhosis was also ruled out. The fibroscan data showed significant liver fibrosis (F2-F3). CONCLUSION: Idiopathic portal hypertension following thiopurine treatment in IBD patients is a rare occurrence, but it must be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis for early diagnosis, especially in patients undergoing thiopurine treatment over a long period. The presence of thrombocytopenia is often the only predictor of its development in the preclinical stage.

Treatment With Adalimumab 80 mg Every Other Week in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results of Treatment Intensification in Clinical Practice.

Background: Loss of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequent and, in case of low drug levels, treatment intensification is recommended. In addition, in cases in which clinical response without attainment of remission (clinical, endoscopic, or radiological), intensification could be justified since higher drug levels are associated with better outcomes. For adalimumab (ADA), the standard intensification regimen is 40 mg every week (ew). Availability of ADA 80 mg prefilled pens has enabled every other week (eow) intensification. We assessed the clinical efficacy of intensification with ADA 80 mg eow. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Spain. Patients with IBD receiving maintenance ADA 80 mg eow with clinical, biomarker, and drug-level assessments were included. Demographics and clinical, biological, and endoscopic evaluation of the disease before and after ADA intensification, and pharmacokinetic assessments, were collected. Results: Eighty-seven patients (72 Crohn's disease, 15 ulcerative colitis; average age 50 years) were included. Reasons for ADA intensification were: low ADA levels-<5 µg mL-1-(17%), low ADA levels-<5 µg mL-1-without clinical response (63%), clinical response without clinical remission (15%) and active disease on objective evaluation (including colonoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, capsule endoscopy, and/or intestinal ultrasound; 5%). Following treatment intensification to ADA 80 mg eow, 75 patients (86%) were in clinical remission and 69 (79.3%) were in biologic remission (clinical remission and normalization of biomarkers). After a median follow-up of 19 months (interquartile range 13-25), 63 patients (72%) remained on treatment and in clinical remission. There were no serious infections, hospitalizations, or deaths. Drug costs did not increase with the 80 mg eow regimen versus a standard intensification regimen. Conclusions: ADA intensification to 80 mg eow was safe, effective, and did not increase drug costs versus standard intensification to 40 mg ew in our experience.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Elderly Patients with Crohn's Disease: Real World Evidence From the ENEIDA Registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Clinical trials and real-life studies with ustekinumab in Crohn's disease [CD] have revealed a good efficacy and safety profile. However, these data are scarcely available in elderly patients. Therefore, we aim to assess the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in elderly patients with CD. METHODS: Elderly patients [>60 years old] from the prospectively maintained ENEIDA registry treated with ustekinumab due to CD were included. Every patient was matched with two controls under 60 years of age, according to anti-tumour necrosis factor use and smoking habit. Values for the Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI], endoscopic activity, C-reactive protein [CRP] and faecal calprotectin [FC] were recorded at baseline and at weeks 16, 32 and 54. RESULTS: In total, 648 patients were included, 212 of whom were elderly. Effectiveness was similar between young and elderly patients during the follow-up. Steroid-free remission was similar at week 16 [54.6 vs 51.4%, p = 0.20], 32 [53.0% vs 54.5%, p = 0.26] and 54 [57.8% vs 51.1%, p = 0.21]. Persistence of ustekinumab as maintenance therapy was similar in both age groups [log-rank test; p = 0.91]. There was no difference in the rate of adverse effects [14.2% vs 11.2%, p = 0.350], including severe infections [7.1% vs 7.3%, p = 1.00], except for the occurrence of de novo neoplasms, which was higher in older patients [0.7% vs 4.3%, p = 0.003]. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab is as effective in elderly patients with CD as it is in non-elderly patients. The safety profile also seems to be similar except for a higher rate of de novo neoplasms, probably related to the age of the elderly patients.

Benefits of Paediatric to Adult Transition Programme in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The BUTTERFLY Study of GETECCU and SEGHNP.

(1) Background: Transition is a planned movement of paediatric patients to adult healthcare systems, and its implementation is not yet established in all inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) units. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of transition on IBD outcomes. (2) Methods: Multicentre, retrospective and observational study of IBD paediatric patients transferred to an adult IBD unit between 2017-2020. Two groups were compared: transition (≥1 joint visit involving the gastroenterologist, the paediatrician, a programme coordinator, the parents and the patient) and no-transition. Outcomes within one year after transfer were analysed. The main variable was poor clinical outcome (IBD flare, hospitalisation, surgery or any change in the treatment because of a flare). Predictive factors of poor clinical outcome were identified with multivariable analysis. (3) Results: A total of 278 patients from 34 Spanish hospitals were included. One hundred eighty-five patients (67%) from twenty-two hospitals (65%) performed a structured transition. Eighty-nine patients had poor clinical outcome at one year after transfer: 27% in the transition and 43% in the no-transition group (p = 0.005). One year after transfer, no-transition patients were more likely to have a flare (36% vs. 22%; p = 0.018) and reported more hospitalisations (10% vs. 3%; p = 0.025). The lack of transition, as well as parameters at transfer, including IBD activity, body mass index < 18.5 and corticosteroid treatment, were associated with poor clinical outcome. One patient in the transition group (0.4%) was lost to follow-up. (4) Conclusion: Transition care programmes improve patients' outcomes after the transfer from paediatric to adult IBD units. Active IBD at transfer impairs outcomes.

[Risk of thromboembolic phenomena in patients with inflammatory bowel disease]. / Riesgo de fenómenos tromboembólicos en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an independent risk factor for thromboembolic phenomena (TEP). We evaluated the prevalence and the possible risk factors associated with developing TEP in patients with IBD in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from January 1995 to December 2011 from 23 patients. A total of 61% were diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) and 39% with ulcerative colitis (UC) according to routine criteria. RESULTS: When the Montreal classification was used, 58% of the patients with CD had an inflammatory pattern (B1), 25% a stenosing pattern (B2) and 17% a fistulizing pattern (B3). Half the patients had ileocolic involvement (L3), one-third had colonic involvement (L2) and the remainder had ileal involvement (L1). Among patients with UC according to the Montreal classification, 78% had extensive colitis (E3), 11% had left colonic involvement (E2) and 11% had proctocolitis (E1). During the event, almost half the patients with UC had severe inflammatory activity (S3; 44%), 33% had mild-moderate activity (S1: 22%, S2: 11%) and only 22% were in remission (S0). Overall, at the time of the TEP, 48% of the patients had mild-moderate activity and 22% had severe activity. Likewise, 44% were hospitalized at the time of the event. In UC, an increase in the prevalence of TEP was found in admitted patients (66%). None of the patients had a family history of TEP, two patients (9%) had associated thrombophilia and 26% were active smokers. There were no TEP during pregnancy. Only one patient was taking contraceptive pills when the event occurred. The most frequent forms of TEP were deep vein thrombosis of the legs (55%) followed by pulmonary thromboembolism (25%). CONCLUSIONS: TEP are relatively frequent in patients with IBD, with a strong impact on morbidity and mortality. In our series, risk factors for these events were more extensive involvement (any of the groups) and severe inflammatory activity. No significant association between classical risk factors such as the use of contraceptives, pregnancy, coagulation disorders or smoking and the risk of TEP were found.