Use of capsule endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice in Spain. Results from a national survey. / Uso de la cápsula endoscópica en enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en práctica clínica en España. Resultados de una encuesta nacional.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique whose use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has spread. A panenteric capsule, PillCam Crohn's (PCC), has recently been developed. We lack information on the availability and use of the CEID and PCC in our environment. METHODS: We conducted an electronic and anonymous survey among the members of the Grupo Español de Trabajo en Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa (GETECCU) [Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis] and the Asociación Española de Gastroenterología (AEG) [Spanish Association of Gastroenterology], consisting of 37 multiple-choice questions. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty members participated, the majority dedicated to IBD (69.3%). 72.8% worked at centres with an IBD unit. 79% had SBCE available at their hospital, 14% referred patients to another centre; 22% had a PCC available, 9% referred patients to another centre. 79.3% of respondents with available SBCE used it in a small percentage of patients with IBD and 15.6% in the majority. The most frequent scenarios were suspicion of Crohn's disease (76.3%), assessment of inflammatory activity (54.7%) and assessment of the extent of the disease (54.7%). More than half (59.7%) preferentially used the Patency capsule to assess intestinal patency. Almost all respondents (99.3%) considered that training resources should be implemented in this technique. CONCLUSIONS: SBCE is widely available in Spanish hospitals for the management of IBD, although its use is still limited. There is an opportunity to increase training in this technique, and consequently its use.

Real-life experience with 4 years of golimumab persistence in ulcerative colitis patients.

Golimumab has demonstrated its long-term efficacy and safety in ulcerative colitis in clinical trials, but no data of long-term persistence has been published from real world. To estimate long-term persistence of golimumab, as well as factors associated with longer persistence, in patients with ulcerative colitis in real life. Observational multicentre study including adult patients with ulcerative colitis treated with golimumab and with at least twelve months of follow-up. We included 190 patients, 105 (55.26%) naive to anti-TNF, with mean disease duration of 9.32 ± 8.09 years. Probability of persistence was 63%, 46%, 39% and 27% at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Persistence was lower in patients with primary failure to previous anti-TNF. Eighty-two (43.16%) patients needed dose intensification during follow-up, with a mean time until intensification of 8.03 ± 8.64 months. Dose intensification and lower disease duration predicted higher persistence with golimumab (p = 0.037 and p = 0.008, respectively). During a follow-up of 17.25 ± 15.83 months, 32 (16.5%) patients needed hospitalisation and 11 (6%) underwent colectomy. No unexpected adverse events were reported. Golimumab has demonstrated good persistence and safety profile for long treatment in ulcerative colitis patients.

Ustekinumab in Crohn's disease: effectiveness and safety in clinical practice. / Ustekinumab en enfermedad de Crohn: efectividad y seguridad en práctica clínica.

INTRODUCTION: Ustekinumab (UST) is a monoclonal antibody against IL-12/23 approved in Spain (2017) to treat moderate / severe Crohn's disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety in real clinical practice in patients treated with UST in our center. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study including patients who started UST from 08/01/2017 to 02/28/2019 with follow-up up to that date. We analyze response and remission in weeks 16, 24 and 52, using "Crohn's Disease Activity Index" (response if 100 point decrease and remission if <150) and Physician's Global Assessment. RESULTS: We included 61 patients with a median duration of Crohn's disease of 14,6 years (0-36). The 83,6% of patients without steroids and 73,8% without associated immunosuppressors. Previously all patients had received anti-TNF and 14,8%, in addition, vedolizumab. We observed a good correlation between Crohn's Disease Activity Index and Physician's Global Assessment (r = 0,89, p <.001). In week 16 (n = 45) 75,6% response (57,8% remission), in week 24 (n = 35) 69,9% response (45,7% remission) and in week 52 (n = 12) 75% response (58.3% remission). There were no statistically significant differences in the response/remission rates at week 16 or 24 depending on the reason for the onset of UST or the number of previous biologics. In 2 patients it was withdrawn due to toxicity (arthralgia / myalgia). CONCLUSION: UST is an effective and safe treatment in real clinical practice with high rates of clinical remission at week 16, 24 and 52 regardless of the order of biological used and the reason for starting UST.