Interobserver agreement of current and new proposed endoscopic scores for postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The modified Rutgeerts' score (mRS) is widely used for the assessment of endoscopic postoperative recurrence (ePOR) in Crohn's disease (CD) after ileocolic resection to guide therapeutic decisions. To improve the validity and prognostic value of this endoscopic assessment, two new scores have been proposed. This study assessed the interobserver agreement of the current (mRS) and new endoscopic scores for ePOR in CD. METHODS: Sixteen Dutch academic and non-academic IBD specialists assessed endoscopic videos (n=71) of postoperative CD patients (n=66) retrieved from nine Dutch centers. Each video was assessed for the degree of inflammation by four gastroenterologists using the mRS and the new proposed endoscopic score: REMIND score (separate score of anastomosis and neoterminal ileum) and updated Rutgeerts score (assessment of lesions at the anastomotic line, ileal inlet, ileal body and neoterminal ileum). In addition, lesions at the ileal body, ileal inlet, neoterminal ileum, colonic and/or ileal blind loop were separately assessed. Interobserver agreement was assessed using Fleiss' weighted kappa. RESULTS: Fleiss' weighted kappa for the mRS was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.74). The weighted kappa for the REMIND score was 0.73 (95% CI 0.65-0.80) for lesions in the neoterminal ileum and 0.46 (95% CI 0.35-0.58) for anastomotic lesions. The weighted kappa for the updated Rutgeerts' score was 0.69 (95% CI 0.62-0.77). The weighted kappa for lesions in the ileal body, ileal inlet, neoterminal ileum, colonic and ileal blind loop was 0.61 (95% CI 0.49-0.73), 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.72), 0.61 (95% CI 0.49-0.74), 0.83 (95% CI 0.62-1.00) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.46-0.89). CONCLUSION: The interobserver agreement of the mRS is substantial. Similarly, the interobserver agreement is substantial for the updated Rutgeerts' score. According to the REMIND score, the interobserver agreement was substantial for lesions in the neoterminal ileum, whereas only moderate for anastomotic lesions. Since therapeutic decisions in clinical practice are based on these assessments and these scores are used as outcome measure in clinical studies, further improvement of the interobserver agreement is essential.

Longitudinal Fecal Calprotectin Profiles Characterize Disease Course Heterogeneity in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The progressive nature of Crohn's disease is highly variable and hard to predict. In addition, symptoms correlate poorly with mucosal inflammation. There is therefore an urgent need to better characterize the heterogeneity of disease trajectories in Crohn's disease by utilizing objective markers of inflammation. We aimed to better understand this heterogeneity by clustering Crohn's disease patients with similar longitudinal fecal calprotectin profiles. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study at the Edinburgh IBD Unit, a tertiary referral center, and used latent class mixed models to cluster Crohn's disease subjects using fecal calprotectin observed within 5 years of diagnosis. Information criteria, alluvial plots, and cluster trajectories were used to decide the optimal number of clusters. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and analysis of variance were used to test for associations with variables commonly assessed at diagnosis. RESULTS: Our study cohort comprised 356 patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease and 2856 fecal calprotectin measurements taken within 5 years of diagnosis (median 7 per subject). Four distinct clusters were identified by characteristic calprotectin profiles: a cluster with consistently high fecal calprotectin and 3 clusters characterized by different downward longitudinal trends. Cluster membership was significantly associated with smoking (P = .015), upper gastrointestinal involvement (P < .001), and early biologic therapy (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis demonstrates a novel approach to characterizing the heterogeneity of Crohn's disease by using fecal calprotectin. The group profiles do not simply reflect different treatment regimens and do not mirror classical disease progression endpoints.

Significant Differences in IBD Care and Education across Europe: Results of the Pan-European VIPER Survey.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care and education might differ around Europe. Therefore, we conducted this European Variation In IBD PracticE suRvey (VIPER) to investigate potential differences between countries. METHODS: This trainee-initiated survey, run through SurveyMonkey®, consisted of 47 questions inquiring basic demographics, IBD training, and clinical care. Results were compared according to gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, for which countries were divided into 2 groups (low/high income, according to the World Bank). RESULTS: The online survey was completed by 1,285 participants from 40 European countries, with a majority of specialists (65.3%) working in academic institutions (50.4%). Significant differences in IBD-specific training (55.9% vs. 38.4%), as well as availability of IBD units (58.4% vs. 39.7%) and multidisciplinary meetings (73.2% vs. 40.1%), were observed between respondees from high and low GDP countries (p < 0.0001). In high GDP countries, IBD nurses are more common (85.9% vs. 36.0%), also mirrored by more nurse-led IBD clinics (40.6% vs. 13.7%; p < 0.0001). IBD dieticians (33.4% vs. 16.5%) and psychologists (16.8% vs. 7.5%) are mainly present in high GDP countries (p < 0.0001). In the current COVID era, telemedicine is available in 73.2% versus 54.1% of the high/low GDP countries, respectively (p < 0.0001). Treat-to-target approaches are implemented everywhere (85.0%), though access to biologicals and small molecules differs significantly. CONCLUSION: Much variability in IBD practice exists across Europe, with marked differences between high and low GDP countries. Further work is required to help address some of these inequalities, aiming to improve and standardize IBD care and training across Europe.

Quality of Surveillance Impacts the Colitis-Associated Advanced Neoplasia Risk: A Multicenter Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance is embedded in clinical inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) practice, a subset of patients still develops advanced neoplasia (AN) (high-grade dysplasia [HGD] and/or CRC). We aimed to assess the impact of surveillance quality on AN risk in IBD. METHODS: In this multicenter case-control study, we searched the Dutch nationwide pathology databank to identify IBD cases with AN and controls with indefinite or low-grade dysplasia. The surveillance colonoscopy preceding the index lesion (first indefinite for dysplasia [IND]/low-grade dysplasia [LGD] or AN) was used to assess the impact of surveillance quality. We assessed intervals, bowel preparation, cecal intubation, and absence of inflammation as primary quality indicators. In addition, we assessed chromoendoscopy, endoscopist expertise, hospital setting, and biopsy strategy. Associations of quality indicators with AN risk were determined with multivariable logistic regression analyses with Firth's correction. RESULTS: We included 137 cases and 138 controls. Delayed intervals (58.2% vs 39.6%) and active inflammation (65.3% vs 41.8%) were frequently present in cases and controls and were associated with AN (delayed interval: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-3.81; P = .03; active inflammation: aOR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.33-4.61; P < .01). Surveillance compliant with primary quality indicators was associated with a reduced AN risk (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.91; P = .03), similar to chromoendoscopy (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.89; P = .01). Other indicators were not significantly associated with AN. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance compliant with primary quality indicators is associated with a reduced colitis-associated AN risk. Delayed surveillance intervals and active inflammation were associated with an increased AN risk. This underlines the importance of procedural quality, including endoscopic remission to optimize the effectiveness of endoscopic surveillance.

Increased Colorectal Neoplasia Risk in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Serrated Polyps with Dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: The impact of serrated polyps on the advanced colorectal neoplasia (CRN) risk in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is unknown. Serrated polyps are histologically categorized as hyperplastic polyps (HPs), sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), and traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs). AIMS: We aimed (1) to characterize the serrated polyps in IBD patients, (2) to identify factors associated with the presence of serrated polyps in IBD, and (3) to assess the CRN risk in IBD patients with serrated polyps. METHODS: We established a retrospective cohort of IBD patients with and without colonic serrated polyps. Cox-regression analysis with time-dependent variables was used to compare advanced CRN risk in IBD patients with and without serrated polyps. RESULTS: Of the 621 enrolled IBD patients, 198 had a serrated polyp (92 HPs, 88 SSLs without dysplasia, 13 SSLs with dysplasia, and 5 TSAs). Independent factors associated with serrated polyps were ulcerative colitis (UC) (odds ratio (OR) 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-2.62, p = 0.005), male gender (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.11-2.40, p = 0.013), and older age (per year increase, OR 1.06, 95%CI 1.05-1.08, p < 0.001). TSAs and SSLs with dysplasia were risk factors for subsequent advanced CRN (HR 13.51, 95% CI 3.11-58.68, p < 0.001), while HPs (HR 1.98, 95% CI 0.46-8.60, p = 0.36) and SSLs without dysplasia (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.11-6.88, p-0.89) did not impact the subsequent advanced CRN risk. CONCLUSIONS: UC, male gender and older age were associated with the presence of serrated polyps. The majority of serrated polyps (91%) were HPs and SSL without dysplasia and did not affect the CRC risk. However TSAs and SSLs with dysplasia, representing a small subgroup of serrated polyps (9%), were associated with subsequent advanced CRN.

Increased risk of high-grade dysplasia and colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease patients with recurrent low-grade dysplasia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The impact of recurrent low-grade dysplasia (LGD) on the risk of advanced neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia and colorectal cancer) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is unknown. In addition, it is unclear how a neoplasia-free period after index LGD impacts this risk. We aimed to determine whether recurrent LGD is a risk factor for advanced neoplasia development and to evaluate the impact of a neoplasia-free time period after initial LGD diagnosis on the advanced neoplasia risk. METHODS: This is a nationwide cohort study using data from the Dutch National Pathology Registry to identify all IBD patients with LGD and ≥1 follow-up colonoscopy between 1991 and 2010 in the Netherlands. Follow-up data were collected until January 2016. We compared the cumulative advanced neoplasia incidence between patients with and without recurrent LGD at first follow-up colonoscopy using log-rank analysis. We subsequently studied the impact of a neoplasia-free period after initial LGD on the advanced neoplasia incidence. RESULTS: We identified 4284 IBD patients with colonic LGD with a median follow-up of 6.4 years. Recurrent LGD was a risk factor for advanced neoplasia (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.25; P = .001). A neoplasia-free period of at least 3 years after LGD protected against advanced neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent LGD at follow-up colonoscopy after initial LGD was a risk factor for advanced neoplasia. A neoplasia-free period of at least 3 years after initial LGD was associated with a reduced subsequent risk of advanced neoplasia.

Colorectal Cancer Risk in Patients With Lynch Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Lynch syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is not clear whether the risk of CRC is even higher for patients with a combination of Lynch syndrome and IBD. We investigated the risk for CRC in this subgroup by establishing a Lynch syndrome cohort from the Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and the Academic Medical Center (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Patients with heterozygous germline mutations in MLH1, MSH2 (and EPCAM deletion-mediated MSH2 methylation), MSH6, or PMS2 who were tested and/or treated from 1998 through 2014 were included. Patients who developed IBD were identified by linkage of this cohort to the Dutch nationwide Pathology Registry (PALGA). Subsequently, we compared the risk of CRC between Lynch syndrome patients with IBD and without IBD. Of 1046 patients with Lynch syndrome, 15 developed IBD (1.4%). Patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD were significantly younger (median age, 38.0 y) than patients with Lynch syndrome without IBD (median age, 52.0 y; P = .001). Nevertheless, a similar proportion of patients in each group developed CRC: 4 of the 15 patients (26.7%) with Lynch syndrome and IBD compared with 311 of the 1031 patients (30.2%) with Lynch syndrome without IBD. Patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD developed CRC at a younger age (median age, 36.0 y) than patients with Lynch syndrome without IBD (median age, 46.0 y; P = .045). However, the cumulative incidence of CRC was similar between groups (P = .121). All patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD who developed CRC had ulcerative colitis, producing a higher cumulative incidence of CRC for this IBD subgroup (P < .001). In conclusion, patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD develop CRC risk at a younger age than patients without IBD; patients with ulcerative colitis are at especially high risk.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes After Switching from Remicade® to Biosimilar CT-P13 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on long-term clinical outcomes regarding the switch from Remicade® to the infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. AIMS: To investigate long-term efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetic profile, and immunogenicity. METHODS: We performed a single-center prospective observational cohort study following an elective switch from Remicade® to CT-P13 in IBD patients. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included (57 Crohn's disease, 24 ulcerative colitis, and 2 IBD unclassified), and 68 patients completed one-year follow-up. Disease activity (Harvey-Bradshaw Index and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index) as well as inflammatory markers (CRP, fecal calprotectin) did not change significantly during the 1-year follow-up. In total, 7 out of 83 patients (8%) demonstrated detectable antidrug antibodies during follow-up, and 5 out of 7 antidrug antibody titers were already detectable at baseline prior to switching. Six patients (7%) discontinued CT-P13 due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Following a switch from Remicade® to CT-P13, 82% of IBD patients continued treatment through 1 year. Disease activity scores and inflammatory markers remained unchanged during follow-up, and no CT-P13-related serious adverse events occurred. These 1-year data suggest that switching to CT-P13 in Remicade®-treated IBD patients is safe and feasible.

Is the prevalence of colonic neuroendocrine tumors increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients may bear an increased neuroendocrine tumor (NET) risk. These tumors are mostly reported as coincidental findings during surgery. We aimed to determine the prevalence of colonic NET in a Dutch nationwide IBD cohort and calculate the prevalence rate ratios (PRR) compared with the general Dutch population. Our second aim was to investigate whether a high bowel surgery rate in IBD could result in a high PRR for NET. The Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA) was searched to identify all IBD patients with colonic NET in The Netherlands between 1991 and 2011. We determined the prevalence and PRR of colonic NET in a 20-year period. For our second aim, we compared NET prevalence in colonic resection specimens between IBD cases and non-IBD controls (diverticulitis and ischemia). We identified 51 IBD patients who developed colonic NET resulting in a prevalence of 60.4-89.3 per 100,000 patients in a 20-year period with a PRR of 2.8-4.1. However, adjusted for resection type, sex and age, a higher NET prevalence was shown in diverticulitis (OR 5.52, 95% CI 3.47-8.78) and ischemia (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.09-3.58) compared with IBD. Our key finding is that NET are more prevalent in IBD patients compared with the general population (PRR 2.8-4.1). This might be attributed to a high rate of incidental NET as IBD patients frequently undergo intestinal surgery. A lower adjusted NET prevalence in colonic resection specimens for IBD compared to ischemia and diverticulitis supports this hypothesis.

Risk of Neoplasia After Colectomy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Colorectal neoplasia can still develop after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease. However, data on this risk are scare, and there have been few conclusive findings, so no evidence-based recommendations have been made for postoperative surveillance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and incidence of and risk factors for neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who have undergone colectomy, including the permanent-end ileostomy and rectal stump, ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedures. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library through May 2014 to identify studies that reported prevalence or incidence of colorectal neoplasia after colectomy or specifically assessed risk factors for neoplasia development. Studies were selected, quality was assessed, and data were extracted by 2 independent researchers. RESULTS: We calculated colorectal cancer (CRC) prevalence values from 13 studies of patients who underwent rectal stump surgery, 35 studies of IRA, and 33 studies of IPAA. Significantly higher proportions of patients in the rectal stump group (2.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3%-3.0%) and in the IRA group (2.4%; 95% CI, 1.7%-3.0%) developed CRC than in the IPAA group (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3%-0.6%); the odds ratio (OR) for CRC in the rectal stump or IRA groups compared with the IPAA group was 6.4 (95% CI, 4.3-9.5). A history of CRC was the most important risk factor for development of CRC after colectomy (OR for patients receiving IRA, 12.8; 95% CI, 3.31-49.2 and OR for patients receiving IPAA, 15.0; 95% CI, 6.6-34.5). CONCLUSIONS: In a meta-analysis of published studies, we found the prevalence and incidence of CRC after colectomy to be less than 3%; in patients receiving IPAA it was less than 1%. Factors that increased risk of cancer development after colectomy included the presence of a residual rectum and a history of CRC. These findings could aid in development of individualized strategies for post-surgery surveillance.

Endoscopy in patients with diarrhea during treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Is the cause in the mucosa?

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a frequently occurring adverse event during treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR TKIs) and is mostly accompanied by abdominal cramps, flatulence and pyrosis. These complaints impair quality of life and lead to dose reductions and treatment interruptions. It is hypothesized that the diarrhea might be due to ischemia in bowel mucosa or inflammation, but the exact underlying pathophysiological mechanism of the diarrhea is still unknown. We aimed at exploring the mechanism for diarrhea in these patients by thorough endoscopic and histological assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopies of the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract in 10 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who developed diarrhea during treatment with VEGFR TKIs were performed. RESULTS: Ten patients were included. The results showed endoscopically normal mucosa in the lower GI tract in seven patients without signs of ischemic colitis or inflammation. Gastroduodenoscopy revealed gastro-esophageal reflux disease, bulbitis and/or duodenitis with ulcers in eight patients. In three selected patients with bulbitis/duodenitis additional video capsule endoscopy was performed but revealed no additional intestinal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: We observed frequent mucosal abnormalities in the upper GI tract in VEGFR TKI-treated mRCC patients with diarrhea. Although these abnormalities provide insufficient explanation for the occurrence of diarrhea, we suggest to perform routine upper GI endoscopy in VEGFR TKI-treated patients with GI complaints.

Prior colorectal neoplasia is associated with increased risk of ileoanal pouch neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) substantially reduces the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), subsequent pouch neoplasia can develop. There are few data on the incidence of and risk factors for neoplasia, so there is no consensus on the need for pouch surveillance. We aimed to determine the cumulative incidence of pouch neoplasia in patients with IBD and identify risk factors for developing pouch neoplasia. METHODS: We searched the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA) to identify all patients with IBD and IPAA in The Netherlands from January 1991 to May 2012. We calculated the cumulative incidence of pouch neoplasia and performed a case-control study to identify risk factors. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed with univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: We identified 1200 patients with IBD and IPAA; 25 (1.83%) developed pouch neoplasia, including 16 adenocarcinomas. Respective cumulative incidences at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.7%, and 6.9% for pouch neoplasia and 0.6%, 1.4%, 2.1%, and 3.3% for pouch carcinoma. A history of colorectal neoplasia was the only risk factor associated with pouch neoplasia. Hazard ratios were 3.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.39-10.19) for prior dysplasia and 24.69 (95% confidence interval, 9.61-63.42) for prior carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pouch neoplasia in patients with IBD without a history of colorectal neoplasia is relatively low. Prior dysplasia or colon cancer is associated with an approximate 4- and 25-fold increase in risk, respectively, of developing pouch neoplasia.

Management of colorectal neoplasia in IBD patients: current practice and future perspectives.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia (CRN). In this review, we aim to provide an up-to-date overview and future perspectives on CRN management in IBD. Advances in endoscopic surveillance and resection techniques have resulted in a shift towards endoscopic management of neoplastic lesions in place of surgery. Endoscopic treatment is recommended for all CRN if complete resection is feasible. Standard (cold snare) polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection should be performed depending on lesion complexity (size, delineation, morphology, surface architecture, submucosal fibrosis/invasion) to maximize the likelihood of complete resection. If complete resection is not feasible, surgical treatment options should be discussed by a multidisciplinary team. While (sub)total and proctocolectomy play an important role in management of endoscopically unresectable CRN, partial colectomy may be considered in a subgroup of patients in endoscopic remission with limited disease extent without other CRN risk factors. High synchronous and metachronous CRN rates warrant careful mucosal visualization with shortened intervals for at least 5 years after treatment of CRN.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Loss of Response and Need for Dose Escalation of Infliximab and Adalimumab in Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Loss of response to infliximab or adalimumab in ulcerative colitis occurs frequently, and dose escalation may aid in regaining clinical benefit. This study aimed to systematically assess the annual loss of response and dose escalation rates for infliximab and adalimumab in ulcerative colitis. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted from August 1999 to July 2021 for studies reporting loss of response and dose escalation during infliximab and/or adalimumab use in ulcerative colitis patients with primary response. Annual loss of response, dose escalation rates, and clinical benefit after dose escalation were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed for studies with 1-year follow-up or less. RESULTS: We included 50 unique studies assessing loss of response (infliximab, n = 24; adalimumab, n = 21) or dose escalation (infliximab, n = 21; adalimumab, n = 16). The pooled annual loss of response for infliximab was 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1-14.3) and 13.6% (95% CI, 9.3-19.9) for studies with 1-year follow-up. The pooled annual loss of response for adalimumab was 13.4% (95% CI, 8.2-21.8) and 23.3% (95% CI, 15.4-35.1) for studies with 1-year follow-up. Annual pooled dose escalation rates were 13.8% (95% CI, 8.7-21.7) for infliximab and 21.3% (95% CI, 14.4-31.3) for adalimumab, regaining clinical benefit in 72.4% and 52.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Annual loss of response was 10% for infliximab and 13% for adalimumab, with higher rates during the first year. Annual dose escalation rates were 14% (infliximab) and 21% (adalimumab), with clinical benefit in 72% and 52%, respectively. Uniform definitions are needed to facilitate more robust evaluations.

Annual loss of response in ulcerative colitis was 10% for infliximab and 13% for adalimumab, with higher rates during the first year. Annual dose escalation was higher than loss of response, with clinical benefit for 72% (infliximab) and 52% (adalimumab).

SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an attenuated serologic response to COVID-19 vaccination. It is unclear whether an impaired immune response in vaccinated IBD patients impacts the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and occurrence of severe COVID-19. Objectives: To evaluate SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection rates and the disease course of COVID-19 in vaccinated IBD patients. Design: A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was performed. Data sources and methods: The search was performed in Embase, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHIL. The articles were independently screened and selected by two reviewers. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled relative risk for breakthrough infections in vaccinated IBD patients and controls. Results: A total of 16 studies were included, with study periods ranging from January 2020 to October 2021 and follow-up time from 3 weeks to 6 months. The breakthrough infection rates range from 0 to 37.4% in vaccinated IBD patients. The disease course of COVID-19 was generally mild, with low hospitalization and mortality rates (0-8.7% and 0-4.3%, respectively). Vaccinated IBD patients had a significantly lower relative risk of breakthrough infection rate compared to unvaccinated controls (risk ratio: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.03-0.18). No difference was observed between IBD patients and non-IBD controls, and between partially and fully vaccinated IBD patients. The impact of immunosuppressive therapy on breakthrough infection rates differs between studies. Most studies showed no impact from immunosuppressive treatment, anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha or corticosteroids and other biologics; one study reported higher rates for patients treated with infliximab versus vedolizumab. Conclusion: Vaccination is effective to prevent COVID-19 infections in patients with IBD. Breakthrough infections do occur, but the disease course is generally mild. Available data seem to suggest a declining trend of breakthrough infections during calendar time. Registration: The protocol was published in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021292853).

Multiple infliximab biosimilar switches appear to be safe and effective in a real-world inflammatory bowel disease cohort.

BACKGROUND: Switching from originator infliximab (IFX) to biosimilar IFX is effective and safe. However, data on multiple switching are scarce. The Edinburgh inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unit has undertaken three switch programmes: (1) Remicade to CT-P13 (2016), (2) CT-P13 to SB2 (2020), and (3) SB2 to CT-P13 (2021). OBJECTIVE: The primary endpoint of this study was to assess CT-P13 persistence following switch from SB2. Secondary endpoints included persistence stratified by the number of biosimilar switches (single, double and triple), effectiveness and safety. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational, cohort study. All adult IBD patients on IFX biosimilar SB2 underwent an elective switch to CT-P13. Patients were reviewed in a virtual biologic clinic with protocol driven collection of clinical disease activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), faecal calprotectin (FC), IFX trough/antibody levels, and drug survival. RESULTS: 297 patients (CD n = 196 [66%], ulcerative colitis/inflammatory bowel disease unclassified n = 101, [34%]) were switched (followed-up: 7.5 months [6.8-8.1]). This was the third, second and first IFX switch for 67/297 (22.5%), 138/297 (46.5%) and 92/297 (31%) of the cohort respectively. 90.6% of patients remained on IFX during follow-up. The number of switches was not independently associated with IFX persistence after adjusting for confounders. Clinical (p = 0.77), biochemical (CRP ≤5 mg/ml; p = 0.75) and faecal biomarker (FC<250 µg/g; p = 0.63) remission were comparable at baseline, week 12 and week 24. CONCLUSION: Multiple successive switches from IFX originator to biosimilars are effective and safe in patients with IBD, irrespective of the number of IFX switches.

Rates, predictive factors and effectiveness of ustekinumab intensification to 4- or 6-weekly intervals in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The UNITI trial reports efficacy of ustekinumab (UST) dose intensification in Crohn's disease (CD) from 12- to 8-weekly, but not 4-weekly. We aimed 1) to assess the cumulative incidence of UST dose intensification to 4- or 6-weekly, 2) to identify factors associated with dose intensification, and 3) to assess the effectiveness of this strategy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study in NHS Lothian including all UST treated CD patients (2015-2020). RESULTS: 163 CD patients were treated with UST (median follow-up: 20.3 months [13.4-38.4]), of whom 55 (33.7%) underwent dose intensification to 4-weekly (n = 50, 30.7%) or 6-weekly (n = 5, 3.1%). After 1 year 29.9% were dose intensified. Prior exposure to both anti-TNF and vedolizumab (HR 9.5; 1.3-70.9), and concomitant steroid use at UST start (HR 1.8; 1.0-3.1) were associated with dose intensification. Following dose intensification, 62.6% patients (29/55) remained on UST beyond 1 year. Corticosteroid-free clinical remission was achieved in 27% at week 16 and 29.6% at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: One third of CD patients treated with UST underwent dose intensification to a 4- or 6-weekly interval within the first year. Patients who failed both anti-TNF and vedolizumab, or required steroids at initiation were more likely to dose intensify.

Endoscopic and surgical treatment outcomes of colitis-associated advanced colorectal neoplasia: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk of advanced neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer). The authors aimed to (1) assess synchronous and metachronous neoplasia following (sub)total or proctocolectomy, partial colectomy or endoscopic resection for advanced neoplasia in IBD, and (2) identify factors associated with treatment choice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter cohort study, the authors used the Dutch nationwide pathology databank (PALGA) to identify patients diagnosed with IBD and colonic advanced neoplasia (AN) between 1991 and 2020 in seven hospitals in the Netherlands. Logistic and Fine & Gray's subdistribution hazard models were used to assess adjusted subdistribution hazard ratios for metachronous neoplasia and associations with treatment choice. RESULTS: The authors included 189 patients (high-grade dysplasia n =81; colorectal cancer n =108). Patients were treated with proctocolectomy ( n =33), (sub)total colectomy ( n =45), partial colectomy ( n =56) and endoscopic resection ( n =38). Partial colectomy was more frequently performed in patients with limited disease and older age, with similar patient characteristics between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Synchronous neoplasia was found in 43 patients (25.0%; (sub)total or proctocolectomy n =22, partial colectomy n =8, endoscopic resection n =13). The authors found a metachronous neoplasia rate of 6.1, 11.5 and 13.7 per 100 patient-years after (sub)total colectomy, partial colectomy and endoscopic resection, respectively. Endoscopic resection, but not partial colectomy, was associated with an increased metachronous neoplasia risk (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratios 4.16, 95% CI 1.64-10.54, P <0.01) compared with (sub)total colectomy. CONCLUSION: After confounder adjustment, partial colectomy yielded a similar metachronous neoplasia risk compared to (sub)total colectomy. High metachronous neoplasia rates after endoscopic resection underline the importance of strict subsequent endoscopic surveillance.

Patterns of emergency admission for IBD patients over the last 10 years in Lothian, Scotland: a retrospective prevalent cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: It is unclear how the compounding prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has translated into the causes and rates of hospitalisation, particularly in an era of increased biologic prescribing. We aimed to analyse these trends in a population-based IBD cohort over the last 10 years. DESIGN: The Lothian IBD registry is a complete, validated, prevalent database of IBD patients in NHS Lothian, Scotland. ICD-10 coding of hospital discharge letters from all IBD patient admissions to secondary care between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019 was interrogated for admission cause, with linkage to local/national data sets on death and prescribed drugs. RESULTS: Fifty-seven per cent (4673/8211) of all IBD patients were admitted to secondary care for >24 h between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. In patients <40 years, IBD was the commonest reason for admission (38% of admissions), whereas infection was the most common cause in those >60 years (19% of admissions). Three per cent (243/8211) of IBD patients accounted for 50% of the total IBD bed-days over the study period. Age-standardised IBD admission rates fell from 39.4 to 25.5 admissions per 100,000 population between 2010 and 2019, an average annual percentage reduction of 3% (95% CI -4.5% to -2.1%, p < 0.0001). Non-IBD admission rates were unchanged overall (145-137 per 100,000 population) and specifically for serious (hospitalisation) and severe (ITU admission or death) infection over the same period. CONCLUSION: Despite compounding prevalence and increased biologic use, IBD admission rates are falling. The cause of admission varies with age, with infection the predominant cause in older patients.

Adalimumab and Infliximab Impair SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses: Results from a Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Study in 11 422 Biologic-Treated Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Infliximab attenuates serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Whether this is a class effect, or if anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] level influences serological responses, remains unknown. METHODS: Seroprevalence and the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody responses were measured in surplus serum from 11 422 (53.3% [6084] male; median age 36.8 years) patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, stored at six therapeutic drug monitoring laboratories between January 29 and September 30, 2020. Data were linked to nationally held SARS-CoV-2 PCR results to July 11, 2021. RESULTS: Rates of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were similar across treatment groups. Seroprevalence rates were lower in infliximab- and adalimumab- than vedolizumab-treated patients (infliximab: 3.0% [178/5893], adalimumab: 3.0% [152/5074], vedolizumab: 6.7% [25/375], p = 0.003). The magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 reactivity was similar in infliximab- vs adalimumab-treated patients (median 4.30 cut-off index [COI] [1.94-9.96] vs 5.02 [2.18-18.70], p = 0.164), but higher in vedolizumab-treated patients (median 21.60 COI [4.39-68.10, p < 0.004). Compared to patients with detectable infliximab and adalimumab drug levels, patients with undetectable drug levels [<0.8 mg/L] were more likely to be seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. One-third of patients who had PCR testing prior to antibody testing failed to seroconvert, all were treated with anti-TNF. Subsequent positive PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was seen in 7.9% [12/152] of patients after a median time of 183.5 days [129.8-235.3], without differences between drugs. CONCLUSION: Anti-TNF treatment is associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid seroprevalence and antibody reactivity when compared to vedolizumab-treated patients. Higher seropositivity rates in patients with undetectable anti-TNF levels support a causal relationship, although confounding factors, such as combination therapy with a immunomodulator, may have influenced the results.