Serrated Polyps in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Indicate a Similar Risk of Metachronous Colorectal Neoplasia as in the General Population.

BACKGROUND: The risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia after diagnosing serrated polyps in patients with IBD is poorly understood. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between 2010 and 2019 at three tertiary centers in Montreal, Canada. From pathology databases, we identified 1587 consecutive patients with serrated polyps (sessile serrated lesion, traditional serrated adenoma, or serrated epithelial change). We included patients aged 45-74 and excluded patients with polyposis, colorectal cancer, or no follow-up. The primary outcome was the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia (advanced adenoma, advanced serrated lesion, or colorectal cancer) after index serrated polyp, comparing patients with and without IBD. RESULTS: 477 patients with serrated polyps were eligible (mean age 61 years): 37 with IBD, totaling 45 serrated polyps and 440 without IBD, totaling 586 serrated polyps. The median follow-up was 3.4 years. There was no difference in metachronous advanced neoplasia (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.32-1.84), metachronous advanced adenoma (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.11-2.67), and metachronous advanced serrated lesion (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.26-2.18) risk. When comparing serrated polyps in mucosa involved or uninvolved with IBD, both groups had similar intervals from IBD to serrated polyp diagnosis (p > 0.05), maximal therapies (p > 0.05), mucosal inflammation, inflammatory markers, and fecal calprotectin (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia after serrated polyp detection was similar in patients with and without IBD. Serrated polyps in IBD occurred independently of inflammation. This helps inform surveillance intervals for patients with IBD diagnosed with serrated polyps.

Higher Adalimumab Trough Levels Are Associated with Histologic Remission and Mucosal Healing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

(1) Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in endoscopic remission have persistent histologic activity, which is associated with worse outcomes. There are limited data on the association between adalimumab drug concentrations and histologic outcomes using validated histologic indices. We aimed to assess the relationship between adalimumab concentrations and the Robarts Histopathology Index (RHI). (2) Patients from a tertiary IBD center from 2013 to 2020 with serum adalimumab (ADA) trough concentrations measured during maintenance therapy (≥14 weeks) and a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies performed within 90 days of drug level were included. Blinded histologic scoring using the RHI was performed. Primary analysis assessed the relationship between adalimumab drug concentrations and histologic remission using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. (3) In 36 patients (26 Crohn's Disease, 9 ulcerative colitis, 1 indeterminate), median adalimumab concentrations were higher (17.3 ug/mL, 12.2-24.0) in patients with histologic remission compared to those without (10.3 ug/mL, 6.8-13.9, p = 0.008). The optimal ADA concentration identified using the Youden threshold was ≥16.3 ug/mL (sensitivity 70%, specificity 90%). Patients with ADA ≥ 16.3 ug/mL had higher histologic remission rates (78%) compared to lower ADA concentrations (14%, p= 0.002), as well as higher mucosal healing rates (86%) compared to lower levels (12%, p = 0.001). Symptoms correlated weakly and non-significantly with both histologic (RHI) scores (r = 0.25, p = 0.2) and adalimumab concentrations (r = 0.05, p = 0.8). (4) The current study demonstrated that higher serum adalimumab concentrations (≥16.3 ug/mL) are needed for histologic remission and mucosal healing assessed using the RHI.

Real-world impact of infliximab precision-guided dosing on management of patients with IBD.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the clinical utility of a precision-guided dosing test for infliximab (IFX) and its impact on treatment decision-making for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multisite, clinical experience program. METHODS: Health care providers were given access to PredictrPK IFX, a precision-guided dosing test, for their patients with IBD on maintenance IFX therapy. Blood samples were drawn 20 to 56 days post infusion. A Bayesian data assimilation tool used clinical and serologic data to generate individual pharmacokinetic profiles and forecast trough IFX. Results were reported to providers to aid in-therapy management decisions and the decision-making process was assessed through questionnaires. Relationships between forecasted IFX concentration, disease activity, and therapy management decisions were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: PredictrPK IFX was used for 275 patients with IBD by 37 providers. In 58% of cases, providers modified treatment plans based on the results, including dose modifications (41%; of these, one-third decreased dose) and discontinuation (8%) of IFX. Of the 42% where treatment was not modified, 97.5% had IFX levels of 5 µg/mL or greater. Patients with IFX concentrations less than 5 µg/mL were 3 and 7.3 times more likely to have active disease or discontinue IFX, respectively. There was unanimous agreement among providers who completed a postprogram survey that PredictrPK IFX was beneficial in guiding treatment decisions and added more value to their practice than routine therapeutic drug monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: PredictrPK IFX enables earlier and more precise dose optimization of IFX in patients with IBD, exerting a substantial impact on treatment decisions that may result in improved health outcomes and overall cost savings.

The Relationship Between the Endoscopic Healing Index, Fecal Calprotectin, and Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Crohn's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: The serum-based endoscopic healing index (EHI) test identifies endoscopic Crohn's disease (CD) activity. Data are lacking on the relationship between EHI with other endpoints. We assessed the relationship between EHI and the simplified Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on patients with CD with either an EHI or fecal calprotectin (FCAL) within 90 days of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using area under the receiver operator characteristics. Proportions with any, severe, and terminal ileum MR inflammation were compared above/below identified thresholds for both EHI and FCAL. RESULTS: A total of 241 MREs paired to either EHI or FCAL from 155 patients were included. Both EHI and FCAL had similar accuracy to diagnose inflammation (area under the receiver operator characteristics: EHI: 0.635 to 0.651, FCAL: 0.680 to 0.708). Optimal EHI values were 42 and 26 for inflammation on MRE and endoscopy, respectively. Patients with EHI ≥42 (100% vs. 63%, P=0.002), FCAL >50 µg/g (87% vs. 64%, P<0.001) and FCAL >250 µg/g (90% vs. 75%, P=0.02) had higher rates of simplified Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity ≥1 compared with lower values. EHI differentiated ileitis numerically more than FCAL (delta: 24% to 25% vs. 11% to 21%). Patients with FCAL ≥50 µg/g had higher rates of severe inflammation compared with FCAL <50 µg/g (75% vs. 47%, P<0.001), whereas smaller differentiation existed for EHI threshold of 42 (63% vs. 49%, P=0.35). CONCLUSION: Both EHI and FCAL were specific in their confirmation of inflammation and disease activity on MRE in patients with CD. However, MRE-detected inflammation was frequently present in the presence of low EHI and FCAL in similar proportions.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Infliximab in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a useful strategy in ulcerative colitis (UC). Nearly a quarter of UC patients will experience acute severe UC (ASUC) in their lifetime, including 30% who will fail first-line corticosteroid therapy. Steroid-refractory ASUC patients require salvage therapy with infliximab, cyclosporine, or colectomy. Fewer data are available for the use of TDM of infliximab in ASUC. The pharmacokinetics of ASUC make TDM in this population more complex. High inflammatory burden is associated with increased infliximab clearance, which is associated with lower infliximab drug concentrations. Observational data support the association between increased serum infliximab concentrations, lower clearance, and favorable clinical and endoscopic outcomes, as well as decreased rates of colectomy. Data regarding the benefit of accelerated or intensified dosing strategies of infliximab-as well as target drug concentration thresholds-in ASUC patients remain more equivocal, though limited by their observational nature. Studies are underway to further evaluate optimal dosing and TDM targets in this population. This review examines the evidence for TDM in patients with ASUC, with a focus on infliximab.

The Impact of Confounders on Symptom-Endoscopic Discordances in Crohn's Disease.

Background: Discordances between clinical and endoscopic Crohn's disease (CD) activity indices negatively impact the utility of clinic visits and efficacy assessments in clinical trials. Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) mimic CD symptoms. This study quantified the impact of BAD and SIBO on the relationship between clinical and endoscopic disease activity indices. Methods: CD patients with 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7C4) serum measurements and/or SIBO breath tests and matched clinical and endoscopic scores were included. Clinical remission (stool frequency [SF] ≤ 1 and abdominal pain score ≤ 1) rates were compared between those with and without (1) endoscopic remission, (2) BAD (7C4 > 55 ng/mL), and (3) SIBO. Results: Of 295 CD patients, 219 had SIBO testing and 87 had 7C4 testing. Patients with elevated 7C4 had lower proportions with clinical remission (14% vs 40%, P = .007) and SF ≤ 1 (14% vs 42%, P = .004) compared to those with normal 7C4. In patients with normal 7C4, higher rates of clinical remission (65% vs 27%, P = .01) and SF ≤ 1 (71% vs 27%, P = .003) existed in patients with endoscopic remission compared to those without endoscopic remission. Conversely, among the entire 295 patient cohorts, nearly identical clinical remission rates existed between those with and without endoscopic remission (25% vs 24%, P = .8), and the Crohn's Disease Patient-Reported Outcome-2 score was not accurate for predicting endoscopic remission (Area Under the Curve (AUC): 0.48; 95% CI, 0.42-0.55). SIBO status did not impact clinical remission rates (P = 1.0). Conclusions: BAD, but not SIBO, contributed to symptom scores. A relationship between endoscopic inflammation and clinical remission rates only existed in patients without 7C4 elevations.

Serum Ustekinumab Concentrations Are Associated With Improved Outcomes With the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity for Crohn's Disease.

Higher ustekinumab concentrations were associated with improved radiologic (Simplified Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity for Crohn's Disease) and stringent biomarker (calprotectin) outcomes. The high concentration needed for these novel endpoints validates previous studies using the same assay.

Increased Primary Bile Acids with Ileocolonic Resection Impact Ileal Inflammation and Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Most Crohn's disease [CD] patients require surgery. Ileitis recurs after most ileocolectomies and is a critical determinant for outcomes. The impacts of ileocolectomy-induced bile acid [BA] perturbations on intestinal microbiota and inflammation are unknown. We characterized the relationships between ileocolectomy, stool BAs, microbiota and intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. METHODS: Validated IBD clinical and endoscopic assessments were prospectively collected. Stool primary and secondary BA concentrations were compared based on ileocolectomy and ileitis status. Primary BA thresholds for ileitis were evaluated. Metagenomic sequencing was use to profile microbial composition and function. Relationships between ileocolectomy, BAs and microbiota were assessed. RESULTS: In 166 patients, elevated primary and secondary BAs existed with ileocolectomy. With ileitis, only primary BAs [795 vs 398 nmol/g, p = 0.009] were higher compared to without ileitis. The optimal primary BA threshold [≥228 nmol/g] identified ileitis on multivariable analysis [odds ratio = 2.3, p = 0.04]. Microbial diversity, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and O-acetylhomoserine aminocarboxypropyltransferase [MetY] were decreased with elevated primary BAs. Amongst ileocolectomy patients, only those with elevated primary BAs had diversity, F. prausnitzii and MetY reductions. Those with both ileocolectomy and intermediate [p = 0.002] or high [≥228 nmol/g, p = 9.1e-11]] primary BA concentrations had reduced F. prausnitzii compared to without ileocolectomy. Those with ileocolectomy and low [<29.2 nmol/g] primary BA concentrations had similar F. prausnitzii to those without ileocolectomy [p = 0.13]. MetY was reduced with ileitis [p = 0.02]. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated primary BAs were associated with ileitis, and reduced microbial diversity, F. prausnitzii abundance and enzymatic abundance of MetY [acetate and l-methionine-producing enzyme expressed by F. prausnitzii], and were the only factors associated with these findings after ileocolectomy.

Predicting inpatient mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A machine learning approach.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Data are lacking on predicting inpatient mortality (IM) in patients admitted for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IM is a critical outcome; however, difficulty in its prediction exists due to infrequent occurrence. We assessed IM predictors and developed a predictive model for IM using machine-learning (ML). METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2005-2017), we extracted adults admitted for IBD. After ML-guided predictor selection, we trained and internally validated multiple algorithms, targeting minimum sensitivity and positive likelihood ratio (+LR) ≥ 80% and ≥ 3, respectively. Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) compared algorithm performance. The best performing algorithm was additionally trained and validated for an IBD-related surgery sub-cohort. External validation was done using NIS 2018. RESULTS: In 398 426 adult IBD admissions, IM was 0.32% overall, and 0.87% among the surgical cohort (n = 40 784). Increasing age, ulcerative colitis, IBD-related surgery, pneumonia, chronic lung disease, acute kidney injury, malnutrition, frailty, heart failure, blood transfusion, sepsis/septic shock and thromboembolism were associated with increased IM. The QLattice algorithm, provided the highest performance model (+LR: 3.2, 95% CI 3.0-3.3; area-under-curve [AUC]:0.87, 85% sensitivity, 73% specificity), distinguishing IM patients by 15.6-fold when comparing high to low-risk patients. The surgical cohort model (+LR: 8.5, AUC: 0.94, 85% sensitivity, 90% specificity), distinguished IM patients by 49-fold. Both models performed excellently in external validation. An online calculator (https://clinicalc.ai/im-ibd/) was developed allowing bedside model predictions. CONCLUSIONS: An online prediction-model calculator captured > 80% IM cases during IBD-related admissions, with high discriminatory effectiveness. This allows for risk stratification and provides a basis for assessing interventions to reduce mortality in high-risk patients.

Article Topic: Positioning Ulcerative Colitis Therapies in 2022 and Beyond.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease with an increasing incidence. Recent guidelines emphasize treating toward objective targets, requiring the use of effective, steroid-sparing therapies. This review summarizes the safety and efficacy data of available therapies as well comparative effectiveness studies in order to help the reader make rational treatment decisions. RECENT FINDINGS: Following the approval of tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists, we have seen recent regulatory approval of several additional biologic and small molecule agents from several therapeutic classes (integrin antagonists, interleukin 12/23 antagonists, Janus kinase inhibitors, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor antagonists) for UC. Randomized, controlled trials, real-world analyses, and network meta-analyses have investigated the comparative safety and efficacy of these therapies in order to help clinicians better position these therapies in clinical practice. Numerous agents are now approved for the treatment of UC. This evidence-based review will help the reader understand the important factors weighing into treatment decisions for patients with UC and enable patient education and discussion with a focus on a shared decision-making approach.

Prevalence and factors associated with vitamin C deficiency in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are prone to several nutritional deficiencies. However, data are lacking on vitamin C deficiency in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, as well as the impact of clinical, biomarker and endoscopic disease severity on the development of vitamin C deficiency. AIM: To determine proportions and factors associated with vitamin C deficiency in CD and UC patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we obtained clinical, laboratory and endoscopic data from CD and UC patients presenting to the IBD clinic at a single tertiary care center from 2014 to 2019. All patients had an available plasma vitamin C level. Of 353 subjects who met initial search criteria using a cohort discovery tool, 301 ultimately met criteria for inclusion in the study. The primary aim described vitamin C deficiency (≤ 11.4 µmol/L) rates in IBD. Secondary analyses compared proportions with deficiency between active and inactive IBD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated factors associated with deficiency. RESULTS: Of 301 IBD patients, 21.6% had deficiency, including 24.4% of CD patients and 16.0% of UC patients. Patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (39.1% vs 16.9%, P < 0.001) and fecal calprotectin (50.0% vs 20.0%, P = 0.009) had significantly higher proportions of deficiency compared to those without. Penetrating disease (P = 0.03), obesity (P = 0.02) and current biologic use (P = 0.006) were also associated with deficiency on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, the objective inflammatory marker utilized for analysis (elevated CRP) was the only factor associated with deficiency (odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.5-6.6, P = 0.003). There was no difference in the presence of clinical symptoms of scurvy in those with vitamin C deficiency and those without. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C deficiency was common in IBD. Patients with elevated inflammatory markers and penetrating disease had higher rates of vitamin C deficiency.

Machine learning models and over-fitting considerations.

Machine learning models may outperform traditional statistical regression algorithms for predicting clinical outcomes. Proper validation of building such models and tuning their underlying algorithms is necessary to avoid over-fitting and poor generalizability, which smaller datasets can be more prone to. In an effort to educate readers interested in artificial intelligence and model-building based on machine-learning algorithms, we outline important details on cross-validation techniques that can enhance the performance and generalizability of such models.

Utility of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring for Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists and Ustekinumab in Postoperative Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: In postoperative Crohn's disease (POCD), data are lacking on relationships between serum biologic concentrations and treatment outcomes. We assessed if established threshold concentrations of infliximab (IFX), adalimumab (ADA), and ustekinumab (UST) impact outcomes in POCD. METHODS: Data were extracted from POCD patients with serum biologic concentration measurements using Weill Cornell Medicine biobanks. The primary outcome compared rates of deep remission (achieving both objective [endoscopic or biomarker] and clinical [Harvey-Bradshaw index or Crohn's Disease Patient Reported Outcome-2] remission), using established serum drug level cutoffs of IFX ≥3 µg/mL, ADA ≥7.5 µg/mL, and UST ≥4.5 µg/mL. RESULTS: In 130 patients, median IFX, ADA, and UST concentrations were 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.9-26.9) µg/mL, 10.5 (IQR, 4.9-14.9) µg/mL, and 6.9 (IQR, 5.1-10.2) µg/mL, respectively. In patients with IFX ≥3 µg/mL, higher rates of deep remission (39% vs 0%; P = .02) existed compared with those with IFX <3 µg/mL. Similar differences existed for clinical (44% vs 9%; P = .04) and objective (83% vs 62%; P = .1) remission. In patients with ADA ≥7.5 µg/mL, rates of deep (42% vs 0%; P = .02), clinical (42% vs 0%; P = .02), and objective (88% vs 40%; P = .007) remission were higher than patients with lower concentrations. For UST, rates of deep (28% vs 17%; P = 1.0), clinical (33% vs 33%; P = 1.0), and objective (70% vs 67%; P = 1.0) remission were similar between patients regardless of drug concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In POCD, established anti-tumor necrosis factor concentrations were associated with improved outcomes. No relationship between UST concentrations and postoperative outcomes existed.

Data are lacking on therapeutic drug monitoring in postoperative Crohn's disease. The current study found that tumor necrosis factor antagonist concentrations above established drug thresholds were associated with improved outcomes. In contrast, for ustekinumab, no relationship between drug thresholds and outcomes existed.

A Quality Improvement Initiative Is Associated With Reduced Time to Administer Biologics and Small Molecules and Emergency Room Visits in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Delays in biologic or small molecule medication administration are associated with increased adverse events, hospitalization, and surgery in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We evaluated the impact of a quality improvement (QI) intervention on the time to administration of biologics or small molecules (TABS) in IBD. METHODS: Data were retrospectively extracted for IBD patients prescribed biologics or small molecules from a convenience sample of providers participating in an accredited QI educational intervention (baseline cohort). Subsequent to the intervention, data were prospectively collected from patients prescribed these medications (postintervention cohort). Dates related to steps between a treatment decision to medication administration were collected. The primary outcome compared TABS in baseline and postintervention cohorts. RESULTS: Eighteen physicians provided survey and patient data for 200 patients in each cohort (n=400). The median time to medication administration (TABS) decreased from baseline to postintervention cohorts (30 vs. 26 d, P=0.04). Emergency room visits before medication administration also decreased (25.5% vs. 12.5%, P=0.001). Similar numerical TABS reductions were observed in subgroups limited to physicians providing patients to both cohorts and for individual medications prescribed. Primary contributors to delays included filling prescriptions subsequent to insurance approval and dispensation subsequent to this. CONCLUSIONS: A QI intervention successfully reduced medication administration times (TABS) by accelerating provider-dependent steps. This intervention was associated with reduced emergency room visits. We propose TABS as a quality metric to assess the effective delivery of therapies in IBD. Further evaluation of QI interventions, patient education on prescription drug insurance, and quality metrics are warranted.

Fucosyltransferase 2 Mutations Are Associated With a Favorable Clinical Course in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) participates in intestinal antigen secretion and bacterial adherence. FUT2 homozygous nonsense mutations (FUT2M) and subsequent nonsecretor status is associated with Crohn's disease (CD). The common null allele is rs601338. We assessed the relationship between FUT2M and disease course. METHODS: In consecutive adult CD outpatients, clinical, biochemical, and genetic data were collected at baseline visits. Patients were longitudinally followed over 5 years. The primary outcome analyzed the relationship between FUT2M and rates of CD patients in persistent steroid-free clinical remission requiring neither surgery, biologics, nor immunomodulators. RESULTS: Sixty-two CD patients were recruited. FUT2M homozygotes (rs601338 or any mutation in linkage disequilibrium) were detected in 27% of CD (17/62). Patients with rs601338 mutations had higher rates of the primary outcome (homozygous: 46.6%, heterozygous: 28.0%, wild-type: 5.3%, P=0.02). Similar findings existed for CD patients with homozygous mutations in any single-nucleotide polymorphism for FUT2 (homozygous: 41.2%, heterozygous: 25.9%, wild-type: 5.6%, P=0.04). On multivariable analysis, rs601338 mutation was associated with the primary outcome (odds ratio=3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-8.7, P=0.01), while other parameters were not. Mutation of rs601338 was associated with lower rates of penetrating disease (homozygous: 13.3%, heterozygous: 28.0%, wild-type: 52.6%, P=0.05) and particularly in high-risk patients (homozygous: 0%, heterozygous: 37.5%, wild-type: 83.3%, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: FUT2 mutation status is associated with a favorable clinical course in CD. Further confirmatory studies are needed.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Clinical, Endoscopic, Histological and Safety Placebo Rates in Induction and Maintenance Trials of Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Quantifying placebo rates and the factors influencing them are essential to inform trial design. We provide a contemporary summary of clinical, endoscopic, histological and safety placebo rates in induction and maintenance clinical trials of ulcerative colitis, and identify factors influencing them. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched from April 2014 to April 2020, updating a prior meta-analysis that searched from inception to April 2014. We included placebo-controlled trials of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, small-molecules and biologics in adults with ulcerative colitis. Placebo rates were pooled using random-effects and mixed-effects meta-regression models to assess the associated study-level. RESULTS: In 119 trials [92 induction, 27 maintenance] clinical, endoscopic and histological remission placebo rates for induction trials were 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9-13%), 19% [95% CI 15-23%] and 15% [95% CI 11-19%], respectively; for maintenance trials, clinical and endoscopic placebo remission rates were 18% [95% CI 12-25%] and 20% [95% CI 15-25%], respectively. Higher endoscopic subscore and a higher rate of exposure to prior biologic therapy at enrolment were associated with lower clinical and endoscopic placebo remission rates. Absence of central reading was associated with an increase in placebo endoscopic response and remission rates. More follow-up visits and increasing trial duration were associated with higher clinical placebo rates. CONCLUSIONS: Placebo rates in ulcerative colitis trials vary according to the endpoint assessed, whether it is for assessment of response or remission, and whether the trial is designed for induction or maintenance. These contemporary rates across different endpoints and drug classes will help to inform trial design.

Advances in the Comprehensive Management of Postoperative Crohn's Disease.

Patients with postoperative Crohn's disease are difficult to manage because of their risk of experiencing a more severe course, multiple symptom confounders, and poor sensitivity of symptomatic remission to rule out intestinal inflammation. In this group, data are lacking on biologic therapeutic efficacy, and recommendations are lacking for those with multiple medication failures. Novel noninvasive testing can simultaneously exclude alternate causes of symptoms (serum C4, fecal fat, small intestinal bowel overgrowth breath testing) and assess intestinal inflammation (fecal calprotectin, endoscopic healing index). In addition, endoscopy-based disease activity assessment and management are required. Endoscopy should be performed within 6 months of surgery, and aggressive disease activity monitoring can be considered with colonoscopy every 1-2 years subsequently to ensure late recurrence is detected. Patients with multiple resections should be screened for short bowel syndrome. Predictive biomarkers are needed to guide medication selection in this high-risk population. Postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy is prudent for patients with preoperative biologic failure. However, there are no high-quality data to guide which agent should be selected. Selecting biologics with an alternative mechanism of action in those who had failed a biologic with adequate drug concentrations and selection of different agents in those with previous intolerance are reasonable. Significantly more study is required to assess the efficacy of therapies in this setting.

Dual Biologic or Small Molecule Therapy for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize emerging data on the safety and effectiveness of dual biologic therapy in combination or with tofacitinib in patients with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Through a systematic search of multiple electronic databases through November 9, 2020, we identified cohort studies or case series (>10 patients) reporting the safety and effectiveness of simultaneous use of biologic agents in combination or with tofacitinib in patients with IBD. Rates of adverse events, clinical remission, and endoscopic remission were synthesized using pooled data, and we identified factors associated with successful dual therapy. RESULTS: We identified 30 studies reporting 288 trials of dual biologic or small molecule therapy in 279 patients (76% Crohn's disease; median duration of treatment 24 weeks (IQR25-IQR75 1332)). The main indications for dual therapy included medically refractory IBD (81%) and concurrent extra-intestinal manifestations or rheumatologic disease (12%). The most common combinations of dual therapy included tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists & anti-integrins (48%), ustekinumab & anti-integrins (19%); 61% of patients had previously failed at least one of the two therapies used in combination. Over a median follow-up of 32 weeks (IQR25-IQR75 24-52), pooled rates of adverse and serious adverse events were 31% (95% CI, 13%-54%) and 6.5% (95% CI, 2.1%-13.1%); pooled rates of clinical and endoscopic remission were 59% (95% CI, 42%-74%), and 34% (95% CI, 23%-46%), respectively. 12% (95% CI, 4%-24%) of patients required surgery. Rates of success were higher in patients on dual therapy due to EIM. Heterogeneity was not significant for endoscopic response (P = .88, I2 = 0%), endoscopic remission (P = .44, I2 = 0%), and malignancy (P = .87, I2 = 0%). However, significant heterogeneity existed for other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Dual biologic or small molecule therapy may be a possible option in highly selected, refractory IBD patients at specialized centers. Higher quality combination of therapies with a significant improvement in the quality of data is required prior to more widespread use.