Balancing and communicating the risks and benefits of biologics in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Meta-analysis: efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition as induction therapy on disease activity index, inflammation and growth factors in paediatric Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

There is evidence of inconsistency in sequelae of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) as induction therapy in paediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

AIM

To investigate the potential effects of EEN on paediatric Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI), inflammation and biochemical parameters in paediatric patients with CD.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase until 8 January 2022 regardless of the time of publication or language. Random-effects model was applied to combine the datasets. The main outcomes were analysed through mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Forty six studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled findings indicated that PCDAI score (MD of -27.24; 95% CI -31.84 to -22.64), calprotectin (MD of -842.83 mg/kg; CI -1018.24 to -667.42), CRP (pooled MD of -2.36 mg/dl; CI -2.68 to -2.03), and ESR (MD of -21.09 mm/h; CI -23.79 to -18.38), albumin (MD of 0.65 g/dl; CI 0.58 to 0.72), haemoglobin (MD of 1.12 g/dl; CI 0.87 to 1.37), weight (MD of 4.30 kg; CI 3.39 to 5.22), and height (MD of 0.98 cm; CI 0.35 to 1.62) improved significantly with EEN.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to EEN can have significant, beneficial effects as induction therapy in paediatric patients with CD.

Clinical Outcome Assessments in Pediatric Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Receiving Biologics: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

To assess disease activity, steroid-free remission, and other clinical outcome assessments among pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in the ImproveCareNow (ICN) registry.

Methods

Patients aged 2-17 years diagnosed with UC or CD between June 1, 2013 and December 31, 2019 were enrolled if they initiated a biologic after enrollment in the ICN registry and completed at least 12 months follow-up after first maintenance dose. Baseline (at biologic initiation) demographics were summarized using descriptive statistics. Pediatric UC Activity Index (PUCAI), partial Mayo score, and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) were assessed for UC; and the Short Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (sPCDAI) and PGA were assessed for CD at first maintenance dose, 1- and 3-year time points. Kappa coefficients were used to assess the level of agreement between the outcome measures.

Results

A total of 1887 patients (UC = 350; CD = 1537) were included. Baseline demographics were similar across groups. For UC patients, mean PUCAI scores decreased and the proportion of patients in steroid-free remission, quiescent state based on PGA, and remission based on partial Mayo score increased from first maintenance dose to 1 and 3 years. For CD patients, mean sPCDAI score of CD patients decreased and the proportion of patients in steroid-free remission by sPCDAI and in quiescent state based on PGA increased from first maintenance dose to 1 and 3 years. Kappa coefficients showed only modest correlation between disease activity assessments.

Conclusions

Disease activity scores improved over time, with more pediatric patients with UC and CD achieving steroid-free remission at 1 and 3 years after first biologic maintenance dose.

Shared decision making in pediatric dermatology: context, opportunities, and practical examples

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Shared decision making (SDM) is an important part of patient-centered care. However, it is neither widely practiced nor researched in pediatric dermatology. In this article, we provide practical examples of how to engage in SDM in pediatric dermatology, and identify future areas of research.

RECENT FINDINGS

Children and parents/guardians desire SDM in clinical encounters. The process is applicable to discussions of medical as well as surgical care. Additionally, SDM can help prepare children for the transition from pediatric to adult/general providers. Clinicians often want more guidance on its implementation, and there is a dearth of research on SDM or decision tools specific to pediatric dermatology.

SUMMARY

SDM is underused and understudied in pediatric dermatology. This article highlights how to engage in SDM and presents opportunities for research and implementation in pediatric dermatology.

Management of inflammatory bowel disease in children: It is time for an individualised approach

Paediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (PO-IBD) is associated with greater morbidity compared to adult-onset IBD. However, as not all children with PO-IBD will have poor outcome and the best management decisions involve weighing risks versus benefit and wishes of patient's and family, we review risk factors of IBD progression in children and summarise rapidly expanding treatment choices, potential drug-related adverse events and risk minimisation strategies, ending with new treatment paradigms focusing on long-term goal of intestinal healing. For the purpose of this article, we have outlined the conventional approach, including medications currently licenced and available for use in Australia for paediatric IBD through the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme and briefly discuss other promising therapies that are shown to be effective in adults but are undergoing paediatric clinical trials.

Biological therapy in pediatric age

Biological therapies, especially blocking tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) agents have radically changed the therapeutic approach and disease course of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In particular, drugs such as infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) have been demonstrated to be effective in inducing and maintaining corticosteroid-free remission in both adult and pediatric patients with Crohns Disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). Biosimilar biological (BioS) therapy is increasingly being used in pediatric age even though most knowledge on the safety and efficacy of these agents is based on IFX in adult IBD data. Studies show high rates of clinical response and remission in both IFX naïve patients and in patients switched from originator to BioS with similar risks of adverse events (AEs) as those reported with IFX originator. In the present review indications, efficacy and AEs of biological therapy in pediatric IBD will be discussed, as well as the role of other biological agents such as Golimumab, Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab, the role of BioS biological therapy and utility of therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical practice.

Effectiveness and safety of biologics in pediatric inflammatory boweldisease: Real-life data from the Sicilian Network

BACKGROUND

Biological therapies have modified the disease course of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and are routinely used in clinical practice. Our observational study aims to evaluate effectiveness and safety of biologics in IBD.

METHOD

Clinical benefit and safety data of 93 children with IBD, receiving biologics (Infliximab - IFX, Adalimumab - ADA, Golimumab - GOL) from January 2013 to December 2017, were extracted from the cohort of the Sicilian Network of IBD.

RESULTS

Among 87 children aged 7-17 years (63 Crohn's disease [CD], 24 Ulcerative colitis [UC]), 101 out of 108 biologic treatments were considered. Evaluation of 74 biologic treatments in CD patients at 26, 52, 104 weeks showed clinical benefit rates of 84.2%, 93.3%, 66.7% with IFX (n= 38) and 88.9%, 84.4%, 65.2% with ADA (n= 36). Biologic treatments (n=27) evaluated in the UC group at 26, 52, 104 weeks, led to clinical benefit rates of 85.7%, 83.3%, 50% in IFX subgroup (n=21) and 40%, 50%, 33% in the ADA subgroup (n=5), respectively. One patient treated with GOL showed 100% clinical benefit at 26 and 52 weeks. Overall adverse events (AEs) rate was 9.25%. Six younger children, <6 years, receiving 8 treatments (4 ADA, 4 IFX) presented a clinical remission rate of 75% at 12 weeks and 25% at 52 weeks. AEs rate was 25% in this group.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that biologic therapy in children, even at a younger age, is effective in allowing long-term remission with a good safety profile.

A New Video Aid for Communicating Risk in the Treatment of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Balancing risks of immune suppressive medications against risk of chronic disease is challenging for clinicians and families. Available aids commonly lack comparative information needed to inform treatment decisions. We developed a simple video aid to illustrate competing risks associated with medications and underlying disease in context of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Those who viewed the video aid had more realistic risk perceptions than those who did not view it. The video aid is adaptable for other conditions. It required only commonly accessible software and little cost, thereby making an aid of this style an attractive option for health care professionals interested in communicating comparative risk data to patients.

Infections and malignancies risks related to TNF-α-blocking agents in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-blocking agents are drugs approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Infliximab and adalimumab are approved for the treatment of IBD in the pediatric setting with the improvement of therapeutic management. Biological agents, also in the pediatric population, can be administered either alone or in combination with immunomodulators. Their use has raised safety concerns regarding the risk of infections and malignancies.Areas covered: A broad review of the safety concerns for the use of anti-TNF-α drugs in children with IBD was performed, and information regarding the risk of infections and malignancies were updated, also in comparison with the safety of traditional drugs such as steroids and/or immunosuppressants.Expert commentary: Anti-TNF-α drugs have shown favorable safety profiles, and adalimumab treatment is associated with lower immunogenicity compared with infliximab. Heightened awareness and vigilant surveillance leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment are important for optimal management.

Balancing Benefit vs Risk of Immunosuppressive Therapy for Individual Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and their treatments, particularly immunosuppressive drugs, increase risk of infections and cancers. However, by promoting mucosal healing, these agents should reduce risks of infections related to intestinal lesions, malnutrition, intravenous devices, and IBD surgeries and reduce risk of cancers associated with chronic mucosal inflammation-although there are few data to support this concept. Corticosteroids increase the risk of vascular thromboembolic events, yet other immunosuppressive drugs that induce deep remission from IBD could decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events attributable to systemic inflammation and IBD-related hospitalizations and/or surgeries. The nature and magnitude of the risks of infections and cancers vary with immunosuppressive drug class and patient sex and age. For example, thiopurines increase risk of viral infections that might be fatal in young patients, whereas tumor necrosis factor antagonists increase risk of bacterial and intracellular infections that can be fatal in patients of any age, but particularly in older patients. The ability of drugs to prevent IBD-associated colorectal cancer varies with IBD location and duration. Models to assess the benefit:risk ratio of long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs for patients with IBD should be adapted based on patients' age, sex, and IBD phenotype, to properly guide patient management. The decision-making process should begin with a clear explanation of treatment risks and then integrate the patient's emotional perception of risks.

Pediatric Crohn's Disease in Bahrain

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to report the epidemiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and outcomes of Crohn's disease (CD) in pediatric patients in Bahrain.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with CD diagnosed in the pediatric department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between 1984 and 2017. We used the data to calculate the annual incidence and cumulative prevalence. Data about gender, nationality, clinical presentation, age at presentation and diagnosis, duration of illness, consanguinity, family history, contact with smokers, and comorbidities were gathered. Results of hematological, biochemical, and serological tests were also collected. All radiological, endoscopic, and histopathological findings were reviewed. Data about medical therapy, relapse episodes, hospital admissions, complications, and outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

Of 108 pediatric patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 51 (47.2%) patients had CD. The annual incidence was 1 in 100 000 per year (range = 0-5 patients/year) with significant rise on comparing the three decades (p = 0.0001). Prevalence was 9.32 patients per 100 000 pediatric populations. Thirty-four patients (66.7%) were males, and the median age was 18.5 years (range = 6.4-35.0). Common clinical presentations were recurrent abdominal pain and weight loss. Family history of IBD was found in 10 patients. One patient had positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. The terminal ileum was involved in 68.1%, colon in 63.8%, and perianal area in 17.0% patients. Biological therapy was used in five patients. Surgical intervention was required in six patients. The mean follow-up period was 9.2±5.6 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical characteristics of our population are comparable to that reported in neighboring countries and worldwide.

Parents' information needs and influential factors when making decisions about TNF-α inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Parents struggle when making treatment decisions for children with arthritis or other chronic conditions. Understanding their decision-making process is an essential step towards improving the decision-making experience. The objective of this study was to describe parents' information needs and the influences on their decision making about treatment with TNF-α inhibitors.

METHODS

Survey domains were developed based on qualitative data and cognitive interviewing. We mailed the survey to parents of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease who had initiated treatment with TNF-α inhibitors in the prior 2 years. Data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS

Survey response rate was 54.9 %. Each item had <2 % missing responses. Parents used an array of information sources when deciding about treatment with TNF-α inhibitors. Resources other than their child's specialist were most often used to increase confidence in parents' decisions or because they wanted to know more about other people's experiences being treated with TNF-α inhibitors, rather than due to a lack of understanding. All but two (cost and route of administration) of the influential decision factors were very or extremely important to the majority of participants with factors related to long-term side effects, treatment efficacy, and disease impact being most important.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes parents' information needs and influential factors in treatment decision making. Results suggest that future work should be aimed at helping families weigh risks and benefits, such as through decision support interventions, as well as developing opportunities to include people beyond the family and physician in the decision-making process.

How Will Evolving Future Therapies and Strategies Change How We Position the Use of Biologics in Moderate to Severely Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Several biological agents have been added to our armamentarium of treatment options for moderate to severely active inflammatory bowel diseases, and this number is expected to only increase in the near future. With our growing understanding of disease mechanisms and pharmacokinetics, we are now able to target several mechanisms of action to achieve key endpoints (steroid-free remission and mucosal healing) associated with improved long-term disease-related outcomes. In this context, concerns arise regarding the optimal positioning of currently available biologics and key biologics in development. In this review, we will discuss the currently available evidence for comparative effectiveness of biological agents approved for the use in moderate to severely active inflammatory bowel diseases, with a focus on practical considerations to be made when using these agents in practice. We will further review novel biological agents and small molecule inhibitors in development and discuss future opportunities through which providers may personalize treatment decisions to achieve optimal treatment outcomes.

Understanding Health Literacy and its Impact on Delivering Care to Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Health literacy (HL) is the extent to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information that is needed to make appropriate health decisions. As adults with inflammatory bowel disease engage in complex health decisions throughout their lives, attention is needed regarding the influence of HL on the lives of people with inflammatory bowel disease. About one-third of adults in the United States have limited HL. Limited HL is a potentially modifiable risk factor that has been associated with barriers to patient-provider communication and worse health outcomes for people with a range of chronic diseases. Gastroenterologists must recognize the role of HL in their practice. Limited HL can affect a patient's ability to understand the purpose of a screening test for colorectal cancer, understand the concept of an asymptomatic yet chronic disease, ask questions in an office visit and engage in shared decision making. Gastroenterologists must approach each patient as potentially having limited HL and use clear communication strategies in all encounters. Currently, there is a lack of training, education, and support for health care providers to meet the needs of patients with limited HL. More research is needed in inflammatory bowel disease to understand the impact of limited health literacy on health outcomes in this population and develop effective systems-based interventions to reduce the health literacy burden on patients.

Concomitant Use of Immunomodulators Affects the Durability of Infliximab Therapy in Children With Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It is important to determine the effects of immunomodulators on the ability of children to remain on infliximab therapy for Crohn's disease (durability of therapy), given the potential benefits and risks of concomitant therapy-especially with thiopurines in male patients. We investigated how immunomodulatory treatment affects the durability of infliximab therapy.

METHODS

We collected data from the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative Research Group Registry, from January 2002 through August 2014, on 502 children with Crohn's disease who participated in a prospective multicenter study. Data were collected from patients who received at least a 3-dose induction regimen of infliximab, and their concomitant use of immunomodulators: no thiopurine or methotrexate treatment, treatment for 6 months or less during infliximab therapy, or treatment for more than 6 months during infliximab therapy.

RESULTS

The probabilities (± standard error) that children remained on infliximab therapy for 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after the treatment began were 0.84 ± 0.02, 0.69 ± 0.03, and 0.60 ± 0.03, respectively. Age, sex, and disease extent or location did not affect the durability of infliximab therapy. Greater length of concomitant use of immunomodulators was associated with increased time of infliximab therapy. The probability that patients with more than 6 months of immunomodulator use remained on infliximab therapy for 5 years was 0.70 ± 0.04, compared with 0.48 ± 0.08 for patients who did not receive immunomodulators and 0.55 ± 0.06 for patients who received immunomodulators for 6 months or less (P < .001). In boys who received immunomodulators for 6 months or more after starting infliximab, the overall durability of infliximab therapy was greater among patients receiving methotrexate than thiopurine (P < .01); the probabilities that they remained on infliximab therapy for 5 years were 0.97 ± 0.03 vs 0.58 ± 0.08, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with Crohn's disease, concomitant treatment with an immunomodulator for more than 6 months after starting infliximab therapy increases the chances that patients will remain on infliximab. In boys, methotrexate appears to increase the durability of infliximab therapy compared with thiopurine.

The Role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Agents in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) therapy is effective in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but associated with a risk of developing anti-drug antibodies (ADA) which lower the efficacy. Incorporating measurement of trough levels and ADA (therapeutic drug monitoring) may prevent the development of neutralizing ADA or could contribute to more optimal treatment strategies if ADA are already formed. The aim of this review was to investigate the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in children and adolescents with IBD exposed to anti-TNFα agents.

METHODS

A literature search identified publications that measured anti-TNFα drug trough levels and/or ADA in children or adolescents with IBD. Studies were eligible when (1) article was written in English, (2) original data were available, (3) full text article or abstract was available, (4) measurement of antibodies against anti-TNFα drugs or trough level of anti-TNFα drugs were reported, and (5) levels were measured in pediatric patients with IBD.

RESULTS

The search yielded 811 articles, of which 795 articles were excluded based on title or abstract. A total of 14 studies were included in the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic drug monitoring within the pediatric IBD population certainly has a potential benefit. As occurrence of immune reactions to anti-TNFα agents varies widely, incorporating measurement of IFX trough levels at week 8 or week 14 predicts therapy response and allows for dose adjustments to reach therapeutic drug concentrations. However, a clinically relevant cutoff level for ADA has not been defined yet, and the optimal intervention strategy still has to be determined.

The risk of malignancy associated with the use of biological agents in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

In this review, the available data regarding the risk of lymphoma, skin cancers, and other malignancies associated with biological agents that are approved and those under investigation for use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are highlighted. How providers may approach the use of these agents in various clinical scenarios is discussed. This review may help providers better understand the true risk of malignancy associated with these agents, thereby leading to an enhanced communication process with patients with IBD when therapeutic decisions are being made.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α monotherapy versus combination therapy with an immunomodulator in IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment has progressed significantly over the past decade with the advent of biologics. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents are the most widely available biologics, but the optimal approach when using them remains unclear. In this review, we highlight the currently available evidence regarding the use of anti-TNF monotherapy versus combination therapy with an immunomodulator. We focus on those patients at greatest risk for adverse events and outline the clinical approach when considering the use of combination therapy. We review the available tools through which providers may efficiently communicate these data to patients in the clinical setting.

Real life clinic visits do not match the ideals of shared decision making

OBJECTIVE

To use observation to understand how decisions about higher-risk treatments, such as biologics, are made in pediatric chronic conditions.

METHODS

Gastroenterology and rheumatology providers who prescribe biologics were recruited. Families were recruited when they had an outpatient appointment in which treatment with biologics was likely to be discussed. Consent/assent was obtained to video the visit. Audio of the visits in which a discussion of biologics took place were transcribed and analyzed. Our coding structure was based on prior research, shared decision making (SDM) concepts, and the initial recorded visits. Coded data were analyzed using content analysis and comparison with an existing model of SDM.

RESULTS

We recorded 21 visits that included discussions of biologics. In most visits, providers initiated the decision-making discussion. Detailed information was typically given about the provider's preferred option with less information about other options. There was minimal elicitation of preferences, treatment goals, or prior knowledge. Few parents or patients spontaneously stated their preferences or concerns. An implicit or explicit treatment recommendation was given in nearly all visits, although rarely requested. In approximately one-third of the visits, the treatment decision was never made explicit, yet steps were taken to implement the provider's preferred treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed limited use of SDM, despite previous research indicating that parents wish to collaborate in decision making. To better achieve SDM in chronic conditions, providers and families need to strive for bidirectional sharing of information and an explicit family role in decision making.

Systematic review: The safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) provides 100% oxygen under pressure, which increases tissue oxygen levels, relieves hypoxia and alters inflammatory pathways. Although there is experience using HBOT in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the safety and overall efficacy of HBOT in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown.

AIM

To quantify the safety and efficacy of HBOT for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The rate of adverse events with HBOT for IBD was compared to the expected rate of adverse events with HBOT.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Collaboration and Web of Knowledge were systematically searched using the PRISMA standards for systematic reviews. Seventeen studies involving 613 patients (286 CD, 327 UC) were included.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 86% (85% CD, 88% UC). The overall response rate for perineal CD was 88% (18/40 complete healing, 17/40 partial healing). Of the 40 UC patients with endoscopic follow-up reported, the overall response rate to HBOT was 100%. During the 8924 treatments, there were a total of nine adverse events, six of which were serious. The rate of adverse events with HBOT in IBD is lower than that seen when utilising HBOT for other indications (P < 0.01). The risk of bias across studies was high.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a relatively safe and potentially efficacious treatment option for IBD patients. To understand the true benefit of HBOT in IBD, well-controlled, blinded, randomised trials are needed for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Implementable strategies and exploratory considerations to reduce costs associated with anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease

A health care system is needed where care is based on the best available evidence and is delivered reliably, efficiently, and less expensively (best care at lower cost). In gastroenterology, anti-tumor necrosis factor agents represent the most effective medical therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but are very expensive and account for nearly a quarter of the cost of IBD care, representing a major area of present and future impact in direct health care costs. The ImproveCareNow Network, consisting of over 55 pediatric IBD centers, seeks ways to improve the value of care in IBD, curtailing unnecessary costs and promoting better health outcomes through systematic and incremental quality improvement initiatives. This report summarizes the key evidence to facilitate the cost-effective use of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents for patients with IBD. Our review outlines the scientific rationale for initiating cost-reducing measures in anti-tumor necrosis factor use and focuses on 3 implementable strategies and 4 exploratory considerations through practical clinical guidelines, as supported by existing evidence. Implementable strategies can be readily integrated into today's daily practice, whereas exploratory considerations can guide research to support future implementation.