Epidemiological profile of 175 patients with Crohn's disease submitted to biological therapy

INTRODUCTION: There is currently an increasing use of biological agents in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). There is lack of data regarding the epidemiological profile of patients on infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) for CD in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To identify the epidemiological characteristics of patients with CD who underwent biological therapy. METHOD: Retrospective multicenter study, with CD patients on biological therapy. Analyzed variables: gender, age at treatment initiation, Montreal classification, concomitant perianal disease and smoking status. RESULTS: 175 patients without previous exposure to biological agents were included, 93 (53%) were male. The mean age at treatment initiation was 35.5 (2-79) years old an the mean disease duration was 46.9 (0-480) months. Overall, 117 (66.9%) patients used IFX and 58 (33.1%), ADA. Montreal classification: age at diagnosis ― A1 (n=21; 12%), A2 (n=102; 58.3%), and A3 (n=52; 29.7%). CD location ― L1 (n=42; 24%), L2 (n=51; 29.1%), L3 (n=81; 46.3%), and L4 (n=1, 0.6%). Phenotype ―B1 (n=59; 33.7%), B2 (n=46; 26.3%), and B3 (n=70; 40%). Perianal disease was found in 89 (50.9%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological profile of patients was similar to the literature. There was a high prevalence of patients with fistulizing CD.INTRODUÇÃO: Atualmente há uso crescente dos agentes biológicos no manejo da doença de Crohn (DC). Há escassez de dados referentes ao perfil epidemiológico dos usuários de infliximabe (IFX) e adalimumabe (ADA) para DC no Brasil. OBJETIVO: Identificar as características epidemiológicas dos pacientes com DC submetidos à terapia biológica. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo, multicêntrico, com portadores de DC que utilizaram terapia biológica. Variáveis analisadas: gênero, idade ao início do tratamento, classificação de Montreal, doença perianal concomitante e tabagismo. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 175 pacientes, sem exposição prévia a biológicos, sendo 93 (53%) homens. A média de idade no início do tratamento biológico foi de 35,5 (2-79) anos. O tempo médio de doença ao início do tratamento foi de 46,9 (0-480) meses. Do total da amostra, 117 (66,9%) utilizaram IFX e 58 (33,1%) ADA. Classificação de Montreal: idade ao diagnóstico ― A1 (n=21; 12%), A2 (n=102; 58,3%) e A3 (n=52; 29,7%). Localização da DC ― L1 (n=42; 24%), L2 (n=51; 29,1%), L3 (n=81; 46,3%) e L4 (n=1; 0,6%). Forma de apresentação ― B1 (n=59; 33,7%), B2 (n=46; 26,3%) e B3 (n=70; 40%). Doença perianal foi encontrada em 89 (50,9%) dos pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados epidemiológicos dos pacientes foram compatíveis com os da literatura internacional. Houve uma alta prevalência de pacientes com a forma fistulizante da DC.39540

ADALIMUMAB FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS: RESULTS OF A BRAZILIAN MULTICENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inhibitor that has efficacy for inducing and maintaining remission in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. Real world studies with adalimumab in Latin American ulcerative colitis patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical remission rates in induction and maintenance with adalimumab therapy in ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Observational, multicenter and retrospective study on a case series of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis under adalimumab therapy. The variables analyzed were: demographic data, previous infliximab status, concomitant drugs, the Montreal Classification, disease activity (Mayo score) at weeks 0, 8, 26 and 52, or until the last follow-up. Clinical remission was defined as a partial Mayo score ≤2 and Last observation carried forward (LOCF) and Non responder imputation (NRI) analysis were used. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in the study. With LOCF analysis, remission rates at weeks 8, 26 e 52 were of 41.7%, 47.2% and 47.2%, respectively. With NRI analysis, remission rates at weeks 8, 26 and 52 were of 41.7%, 41.7% and 27.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adalimumab was effective in the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. Clinical remission was observed in approximately 40% of the patients at weeks 8 and 26, and in almost a quarter of the patients after 1 year of follow up

Results of the 5th scientific workshop of the ECCO (II): Pathophysiology of perianal fistulising disease

The fifth scientific workshop of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) focused on the relevance of fistulas to the disease course of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The objectives were: a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the formation of CD fistulas; identification of future topics in fistula research that could provide insights into pathogenesis; the development of novel therapeutic approaches; and a review of current therapeutic strategies (with clarification of existing approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment).The results of the workshop are presented in two separate manuscripts. This manuscript describes current state-of-the-art knowledge about fistula pathogenesis, including the roles of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition and cytokine matrix remodelling enzymes, and it highlights the common association between fistulas and stenosis in CD. Further, the review considers the possible roles that genetic predisposition and intestinal microbiota play in fistula development. Finally, it proposes future directions and needs for fistula research that might substantially increase our understanding of this complex condition and help unravel novel therapeutic strategies and specific targets for treatment. Overall, it aims to highlight unanswered questions in fistula research and to provide a framework for future research work