When Perfect Is the Enemy of Good: Results of a RAND Appropriateness Panel on Treat to Target in Asymptomatic Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: A treat-to-target strategy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) recommends iterative treatment adjustments to achieve clinical and endoscopic remission. In asymptomatic patients with ongoing endoscopic activity, the risk/benefit balance of this approach is unclear, particularly with prior exposure to advanced therapies. METHODS: Using the RAND/University of California Los Angeles Appropriateness Method, 9 IBD specialists rated appropriateness of changing therapy in 126 scenarios of asymptomatic patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and active endoscopic disease. Disease extent and behavior, prior treatment, prior complications, and recent disease progression were considered, as were factors that might influence decision-making, including age and pregnancy. Ratings were collected through anonymous survey, discussed at an in-person meeting, and finalized in a second anonymous survey. RESULTS: Panelists rated change in therapy as appropriate (i.e., expected benefit sufficiently outweighs potential harms from continuing therapy) in 96/126 scenarios, generally in patients with progressive, complicated, and/or extensive disease, while changing therapy was rated uncertain in 27 scenarios of mild and/or stable disease. Changing therapy was rated inappropriate in ulcerative colitis patients with mild and stable disease previously exposed to ≥3 therapies or with improved endoscopic activity, and in Crohn's disease patients with only scattered aphthous ulcers. The validated threshold for disagreement was not crossed for any scenario. Patient age older than 65 years and a plan for pregnancy in the next year might influence decision-making in some settings. DISCUSSION: Appropriateness ratings can help guide clinical decision-making about changing therapy to achieve endoscopic remission in asymptomatic patients with IBD until data from ongoing randomized studies are available.

Risankizumab for Ulcerative Colitis: Two Randomized Clinical Trials.

Importance: The clinical effects of risankizumab (a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets the p19 subunit of IL-23) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis are unknown. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of risankizumab when administered as an induction and a maintenance therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis. Design, Setting, and Participants: Two phase 3 randomized clinical trials were conducted. The induction trial was conducted at 261 clinical centers (in 41 countries) and enrolled 977 patients from November 5, 2020, to August 4, 2022 (final follow-up on May 16, 2023). The maintenance trial was conducted at 238 clinical centers (in 37 countries) and enrolled 754 patients from August 28, 2018, to March 30, 2022 (final follow-up on April 11, 2023). Eligible patients had moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis; a history of intolerance or inadequate response to 1 or more conventional therapies, advanced therapies, or both types of therapies; and no prior exposure to risankizumab. Interventions: For the induction trial, patients were randomized 2:1 to receive 1200 mg of risankizumab or placebo administered intravenously at weeks 0, 4, and 8. For the maintenance trial, patients with a clinical response (determined using the adapted Mayo score) after intravenous treatment with risankizumab were randomized 1:1:1 to receive subcutaneous treatment with 180 mg or 360 mg of risankizumab or placebo (no longer receiving risankizumab) every 8 weeks for 52 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was clinical remission (stool frequency score ≤1 and not greater than baseline, rectal bleeding score of 0, and endoscopic subscore ≤1 without friability) at week 12 for the induction trial and at week 52 for the maintenance trial. Results: Among the 975 patients analyzed in the induction trial (aged 42.1 [SD, 13.8] years; 586/973 [60.1%] were male; and 677 [69.6%] were White), the clinical remission rates at week 12 were 132/650 (20.3%) for 1200 mg of risankizumab and 20/325 (6.2%) for placebo (adjusted between-group difference, 14.0% [95% CI, 10.0%-18.0%], P < .001). Among the 548 patients analyzed in the maintenance trial (aged 40.9 [SD, 14.0] years; 313 [57.1%] were male; and 407 [74.3%] were White), the clinical remission rates at week 52 were 72/179 (40.2%) for 180 mg of risankizumab, 70/186 (37.6%) for 360 mg of risankizumab, and 46/183 (25.1%) for placebo (adjusted between-group difference for 180 mg of risankizumab vs placebo, 16.3% [97.5% CI, 6.1%-26.6%], P < .001; adjusted between-group difference for 360 mg of risankizumab vs placebo, 14.2% [97.5% CI, 4.0%-24.5%], P = .002). No adverse event signals were detected in the treatment groups. Conclusion and Relevance: Compared with placebo, risankizumab improved clinical remission rates in an induction trial and in a maintenance trial for patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Further study is needed to identify benefits beyond the 52-week follow-up. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT03398148 and NCT03398135.

Prevalence, incidence, and treatment patterns of fistulizing Crohn disease: A US population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Population-based studies for patients with fistulizing Crohn disease (CD), a severe complication of CD, are limited. OBJECTIVE: To report estimates of the prevalence and incidence rates of fistulizing CD in the United States and examine associated treatment patterns among incident cases. METHODS: This retrospective, observational cohort study used a US administrative claims database from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, with at least 365 days' continuous insurance enrollment. The prevalent patient population comprised patients with incident or existing cases of fistulizing CD. Crude, age, and sex-adjusted prevalence and incidence rates of fistulizing CD were estimated. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and CD-related medications and medical procedures were examined for patients with fistulizing CD. RESULTS: The overall crude prevalence (prevalent cases: n = 5,082) and incidence rates (incident cases: n = 2,399) between 2017 and 2019 were 25.2 (95% CI = 24.5-25.9) per 100,000 persons and 6.9 (95% CI = 6.6-7.1) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence and incidence rates were 24.9 (95% CI = 24.2-25.6) per 100,000 persons and 7.0 (95% CI = 6.7-7.3) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Approximately half of all patients with incident fistulizing CD were prescribed biologic therapies within 1 year of an incident fistula diagnosis, with anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies the most widely prescribed biologic class; antibiotic and corticosteroid use was also common. Among the incident cases, approximately one-third of patients required surgery during the follow-up period, most of which occurred within 3 months of the index date. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports age- and sex-adjusted prevalence and incidence rates for fistulizing CD of 24.9 per 100,000 persons and 7.0 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. As a concerning complication of CD, first-year treatment of fistulas in the United States commonly includes anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, and there is a considerable surgical burden.

Extracellular and intracellular antiviral effects of ultraviolet A against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 are variant-independent.

Under controlled settings, narrow-band ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure exerts antiviral effects both in vivo and in vitro. The effect is thought to be mediated via direct effect on viral particles and indirectly, by modulation of metabolic pathways of host cells. We aimed to explore the extracellular and intracellular antiviral effects of UVA exposure against Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: Vero E6 kidney normal epithelial cells and human tracheal epithelial cells were infected with Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants in a BSL-3 laboratory. To assess extracellular effects, SARS-CoV-2 variants were directly exposed to a single dose of UVA prior to infection of the host cells (Vero E6 kidney normal epithelial cells and human tracheal epithelial cells) The intracellular effects of UVA were assessed by first infecting the cells with SARS-CoV-2 variants followed by UVA treatment of infected cell monolayers. Efficacy was quantified by both plaque reduction assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis was performed on exposed Vero E6 cells to assess differentially expressed genes and canonical pathways as compared to controls. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta and Delta variants are susceptible to UVA exposure prior to infection of Vero E6 cells. Importantly, the UVA-driven reduction in Delta variant load could be reproduced in human primary tracheal cells. Beta and Delta variants load also significantly decreased during Vero E6 cells intracellular experiments. UVA-driven reductions in viral loads ameliorate several host metabolic pathways, including canonical pathways related to viral infection and interferon signaling. CONCLUSION: Narrow-band UVA exhibits both extracellular effects on SARS-CoV-2 viral particles and intracellular effects on infected cells with SARS-CoV-2. Efficacy appears to be variant independent.

Inter- and Intraobserver Variability on Endoscopic Scoring Systems in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy scoring is a key component in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Variability in endoscopic scoring can impact patient trial eligibility and treatment effect measurement. In this study, we examine inter- and intraobserver variability of inflammatory bowel disease endoscopic scoring systems in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We included observational studies that evaluated the inter- and intraobserver variability using UC (endoscopic Mayo Score [eMS], Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity [UCEIS]) or CD (Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity [CDEIS], Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease [SES-CD]) systems among adults (≥18 years of age) and were published in English. The strength of agreement was categorized as fair, moderate, good, and very good. RESULTS: A total of 6003 records were identified. After screening, 13 studies were included in our analysis. The overall interobserver agreement rates were 0.58 for eMS, 0.66 for UCEIS, 0.80 for CDEIS, and 0.78 for SES-CD. The overall heterogeneity (I2) for these systems ranged from 93.2% to 99.2%. A few studies assessed the intraobserver agreement rate. The overall effect sizes were 0.75 for eMS, 0.87 for UCEIS, 0.89 for CDEIS, and 0.91 for SES-CD. CONCLUSIONS: The interobserver agreement rates for eMS, UCEIS, CDEIS, and SES-CD ranged from moderate to good. The intraobserver agreement rates for eMS, UCEIS, CDEIS, and SES-CD ranged from good to very good. Solutions to improve interobserver agreement could allow for more accurate patient assessment, leading to richer, more accurate clinical management and clinical trial data.

This study examined the inter- and intraobserver variability of inflammatory bowel disease endoscopic scoring systems (endoscopic Mayo Score, Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity, Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity, Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease) in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Excess non-COVID-19-related mortality among inflammatory bowel disease decedents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted healthcare in the United States. AIM: To investigate COVID-19-related and non-COVID-19-related death and characteristics associated with excess death among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) decedents. METHODS: We performed a register-based study using data from the National Vital Statistics System, which reports death data from over 99% of the United States population, from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2021. IBD-related deaths among adults 25 years and older were stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, place of death, and primary cause of death. Predicted and actual age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100000 persons were compared. RESULTS: 49782 IBD-related deaths occurred during the study period. Non-COVID-19-related deaths increased by 13.14% in 2020 and 18.12% in 2021 [2020 ASMR: 1.55 actual vs 1.37 predicted, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-1.49; 2021 ASMR: 1.63 actual vs 1.38 predicted, 95%CI: 1.26-1.49]. In 2020, non-COVID-19-related mortality increased by 17.65% in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients between the ages of 25 and 65 and 36.36% in non-Hispanic black (NHB) Crohn's disease (CD) patients. During the pandemic, deaths at home or on arrival and at medical facilities as well as deaths due to neoplasms also increased. CONCLUSION: IBD patients suffered excess non-COVID-19-related death during the pandemic. Excess death was associated with younger age among UC patients, and with NHB race among CD patients. Increased death at home or on arrival and due to neoplasms suggests that delayed presentation and difficulty accessing healthcare may have led to increased IBD mortality.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib vs. Vedolizumab, Ustekinumab, and Tofacitinib After Induction and Maintenance for Ulcerative Colitis: Three Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on the comparative efficacy and safety of approved therapies for ulcerative colitis (UC) during induction and maintenance, including upadacitinib (UPA), vedolizumab (VEDO), ustekinumab (UST), and tofacitinib (TOFA), is limited. METHODS: Using data from phase 3 trials, three placebo (PBO)-anchored matching-adjusted indirect comparisons of the efficacy and safety of UPA versus VEDO, UST, and TOFA (U-ACHIEVE and U-ACCOMPLISH, GEMINI-1, UNIFI, and OCTAVE induction and maintenance trials) have been conducted. Baseline characteristics from UPA trials were weighted separately to match each comparator trial. Induction responders were re-randomized to oral UPA 15 or 30 mg, VEDO 300 mg intravenously every 8 weeks (Q8W), UST 90 mg SC Q8W, or oral TOFA 5 mg, or PBO in maintenance. Treat-through efficacy outcomes at weeks 44(UST)/46(VEDO)/52(UPA/TOFA) were adjusted by the likelihood of induction response and included clinical response, clinical remission, and endoscopic improvement. Safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), and AEs leading to discontinuation (except UPA vs. VEDO). Benefit-risk was assessed by numbers needed to treat (NNT)/harm, calculated as the inverse of the difference in proportions of patients achieving each efficacy/safety outcome for UPA versus comparator. RESULTS: The proportions of patients who demonstrated clinical response or endoscopic improvement was greater with UPA 15 mg versus VEDO and TOFA (p < 0.05). The proportions of patients demonstrating all treat-through efficacy outcomes were significantly greater with UPA 30 mg versus VEDO, UST, or TOFA with NNTs 3.2-8.7. No significant differences in proportions of AEs, SAEs, and AEs leading to discontinuation were observed between the two doses of UPA and comparators. CONCLUSION: In patients with active UC, greater clinical efficacy, and similar safety after 1 year of maintenance were observed with UPA versus VEDO, UST, and TOFA, suggesting a favorable benefit-risk profile for UPA. Despite matched baseline characteristics, differences in trial design and endpoints may persist.

Pre-operative visceral adipose tissue radiodensity is a potentially novel prognostic biomarker for early endoscopic post-operative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests inflammatory mesenteric fat is involved in post-operative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD). However, its prognostic value is uncertain, in part, due to difficulties studying it non-invasively. AIM: To evaluate the prognostic value of pre-operative radiographic mesenteric parameters for early endoscopic POR (ePOR). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of CD subjects ≥ 12 years who underwent ileocecal or small bowel resection between 1/1/2007 to 12/31/2021 with computerized tomography abdomen/pelvis ≤ 6 months pre-operatively and underwent ileocolonoscopy ≤ 15 months post-operatively. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume (cm3), ratio of VAT:subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume, VAT radiodensity, and ratio of VAT:SAT radiodensity were generated semiautomatically. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy (LAD, largest lymph node > 10 mm) and severe vasa recta (VR) engorgement (diameter of the VR supplying diseased bowel ≥ 2 × VR supplying healthy bowel) were derived manually. The primary outcome was early ePOR (Rutgeert's score ≥ i2 on first endoscopy ≤ 15 months post-operatively) and the secondary outcome was ePOR severity (Rutgeert's score i0-4). Regression analyses were performed adjusting for demographic and disease-related characteristics to calculate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Of the 139 subjects included, 45% of subjects developed early ePOR (n = 63). VAT radiodensity (aOR 0.59, 95%CI: 0.38-0.90) and VAT:SAT radiodensity (aOR 8.54, 95%CI: 1.48-49.28) were associated with early ePOR, whereas, VAT volume (aOR 1.23, 95%CI: 0.78-1.95), VAT:SAT volume (aOR 0.80, 95%CI: 0.53-1.20), severe VR engorgement (aOR 1.53, 95%CI: 0.64-3.66), and mesenteric LAD (aOR 1.59, 95%CI: 0.67-3.79) were not. Similar results were observed for severity of ePOR. CONCLUSION: VAT radiodensity is potentially a novel non-invasive prognostic imaging marker to help risk stratify CD patients for POR.

A randomized controlled trial of a proactive analgesic protocol demonstrates reduced opioid use among hospitalized adults with inflammatory bowel disease.

Most hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience pain. Despite the known risks associated with opioids in IBD including risk for misuse, overdose, infection, readmission, and even death, opioid use is more prevalent in IBD than any other chronic gastrointestinal condition. Most hospitalized IBD patients receive opioids; however, opioids have not been shown to improve pain during hospitalization. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in hospitalized patients with IBD to evaluate the impact of a proactive opioid-sparing analgesic protocol. Wearable devices measured activity and sleep throughout their hospitalization. Chronic opioid users, post-operative, and pregnant patients were excluded. The primary endpoint was a change in pain scores from admission to discharge. Secondary endpoints included opioid use, functional activity, sleep duration and quality, and length of stay. Of 329 adults with IBD evaluated for eligibility, 33 were enrolled and randomized to the intervention or usual care. Both the intervention and control group demonstrated significant decreases in pain scores from admission to discharge (- 2.6 ± 2.6 vs. - 3.0 ± 3.2). Those randomized to the intervention tended to have lower pain scores than the control group regardless of hospital day (3.02 ± 0.90 vs. 4.29 ± 0.81, p = 0.059), used significantly fewer opioids (daily MME 11.8 ± 15.3 vs. 30.9 ± 42.2, p = 0.027), and had a significantly higher step count by Day 4 (2330 ± 1709 vs. 1050 ± 1214; p = 0.014). There were no differences in sleep duration, sleep quality, readmission, or length-of-stay between the two groups. A proactive analgesic protocol does not result in worsening pain but does significantly reduce opioid-use in hospitalized IBD patients.Clinical trial registration number: NCT03798405 (Registered 10/01/2019).

Predictive Factors of Inactive Patient Participation in an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Learning Health System: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Patient participation is crucial to learning health systems that leverage patient data to improve care practices. Age, history of anxiety or depression, and frequency of clinic visits were associated with inactive participation in an inflammatory bowel disease learning health system.