Steroid dependency and trends in prescribing for inflammatory bowel disease - a 20-year national population-based study

Standardizing steroid protocols for newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease patients: A quality improvement initiative

OBJECTIVES

Systemic steroids can be used for induction of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but are not recommended as long-term therapy. Steroid weaning requires rigorous monitoring of symptoms, which may be cumbersome and lead to missed opportunities. We aim to describe our local quality improvement (QI) initiative to improve and standardize the steroid weaning process.

METHODS

After identifying drivers of steroid weaning, a protocol was developed and implemented for newly diagnosed IBD patients started on steroids and subsequently initiated on anti-TNF-α therapy. Interventions included development of a tapering schedule, and standardizing communication with patients and evaluation of symptoms. The primary aim was to increase the percent of patients called on a weekly basis by 20%; secondary aims were to decrease the median steroid days by 25% and to increase the number of our patients weaned off steroids at 8 weeks from 35% to 75% by 1 year after the initiative.

RESULTS

The median percent of patients called on a weekly basis to assess clinical symptoms and to wean steroids increased to 80% after 1 year. The median number of systemic corticosteroid days decreased from 67.5 to 50.5 days post-protocol implementation with 61.1% patients weaned off by 8 weeks from discharge. Zero patients were admitted for flares with the protocol implementation.

CONCLUSION

Our experience illustrates that QI methodology can be used successfully to improve and standardize the steroid weaning process, leading to shortened steroid duration and without increased flares and hospitalizations.

The development of probiotics and prebiotics therapy to ulcerative colitis: a therapy that has gained considerable momentum

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasingly common, and it is gradually become a kind of global epidemic. UC is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and it is a lifetime recurrent disease. UC as a common disease has become a financial burden for many people and has the potential to develop into cancer if not prevented or treated. There are multiple factors such as genetic factors, host immune system disorders, and environmental factors to cause UC. A growing body of research have suggested that intestinal microbiota as an environmental factor play an important role in the occurrence and development of UC. Meanwhile, evidence to date suggests that manipulating the gut microbiome may represent effective treatment for the prevention or management of UC. In addition, the main clinical drugs to treat UC are amino salicylate and corticosteroid. These clinical drugs always have some side effects and low success rate when treating patients with UC. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safe and efficient methods to treat UC. Based on this, probiotics and prebiotics may be a valuable treatment for UC. In order to promote the wide clinical application of probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of UC. This review aims to summarize the recent literature as an aid to better understanding how the probiotics and prebiotics contributes to UC while evaluating and prospecting the therapeutic effect of the probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of UC based on previous publications.

Trends in Systemic Glucocorticoid Utilization in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2019: A Population-Based, Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis

Purpose

Associations between systemic glucocorticoid (SGC) exposure and risk for adverse outcomes have spurred a move toward steroid-sparing treatment strategies. Real-world changes in SGC exposure over time, after the introduction of steroid-sparing treatment strategies, reveal areas of successful risk mitigation as well as unmet needs.

Patients and Methods

A population-based ecological study was performed from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database to describe SGC prescribing trends of steroid-sparing treatment strategies in primary care practices before and after licensure of biologics in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2019. Each analysis year included patients aged ≥5 years who were registered for ≥1 year with a participating primary care practice. The primary analysis was SGC exposure, defined as total cumulative SGC dose per patient per year, for asthma, severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), nasal polyps, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Secondary outcomes were percentages of patients prescribed SGCs and number of SGC prescriptions per patient per year.

Results

The number of patients who met study inclusion criteria ranged from 219,862 (1990) to 1,261,550 (2019). At the population level, patients with asthma or COPD accounted for 67.7% to 73.2% of patients per year with an SGC prescription. Over three decades, decreases in SGC total yearly dose ≥1000 mg have been achieved in multiple conditions. Patients with COPD prescribed SGCs increased from 5.8% (1990) to 34.8% (2017). SGC prescribing trends for severe asthma, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis show decreased prescribing trends after the introduction of biologics.

Conclusion

Decreases in total yearly SGC doses have been shown in multiple conditions; however, for conditions such as severe asthma and COPD, an unmet need remains for increased awareness of SGC burden and the adoption or development of SGC-sparing alternatives to reduce overuse.

Economic and clinical burden of chronic corticosteroid use in patients with Crohn[apos]s disease initiated on biologic or conventional therapies in the US: A retrospective claims study

BACKGROUND

Chronic corticosteroid (CS) use is associated with complications, but estimates of the economic and clinical burden in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the burden of chronic CS use in CD in the United States in terms of health care resource utilization (HRU), health care costs, and CS-related complications.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of adults with CD initiated on biologics or conventional therapies (index date). Patients from a deidentified insurance claims database (2004-2021) were classified as chronic CS users (>90 days of CS use) or nonchronic CS users based on a 12-month landmark period starting on the index date. Patient baseline characteristics were balanced, and outcomes (HRU, costs [2021 US dollars], and CS-related complications) 12 months after the landmark period were compared between CS groups using regressions with nonparametric bootstrap resampling to estimate confidence intervals and P values.

RESULTS

Biologic initiators (mean age: 44 years, 55% female) included 3366 chronic and 3401 nonchronic CS users; conventional therapy initiators (mean age: 51 years, 59% female) included 3657 chronic and 3727 nonchronic CS users. Compared with nonchronic users, chronic users had significantly more inpatient days and outpatient visits (biologic initiators: 37% and 24% more, respectively; conventional therapy initiators: 36% and 17%, respectively; all P<0.05). Chronic users also had significantly higher mean all-cause total costs per-patient-per year (biologic: $72,967 vs. $63,100, mean cost difference [MCD] = $9867; conventional therapy: $40,144 vs. $26,426, MCD = $13,718; all P<0.001), as well as higher odds of infection (biologic: 14% higher; conventional therapy: 20% higher) and bone loss (63% and 41%, respectively) (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Chronic CS use in patients with CD is associated with a significant economic and clinical burden including higher HRU, health care costs, and prevalence of complications, suggesting unmet needs in the clinical management of this population.

Corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel disease: Are they still a therapeutic option?

Despite the development and incorporation of new therapeutic strategies, such as biologic therapy and small molecules, corticosteroids still play an important role in inducting inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remission. Variables like indicating the right doses at the right time, in adequate intervals, the security of these drugs and the pharmacological alternatives available must be considered by the providers when they are indicated to patients with IBD. Although the use of corticosteroids is considered as a marker of quality of care in patients with IBD, the use of these drugs in the clinical practice of IBD is far from being the correct one. This review article is not intended to be just a classic review of the indications for corticosteroids. Here we explain the scenarios in which, in our opinion, steroids would not be an appropriate option for our patients, as well as the most frequent mistakes we make in our daily practice when using them.

Declining Corticosteroid Use for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Across Alberta: A Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Corticosteroid-free remission is a primary treatment goal in IBD which may be achieved with greater use of anti-TNF therapy. We defined temporal trends of corticosteroid use, anti-TNF use, hospitalization and surgery in a prevalent IBD cohort within the province of Alberta, Canada.

METHODS

Health administrative data were used to identify medication dispensing, hospitalizations and surgery in individuals with IBD from 2010 to 2015. Temporal trends were calculated using log-binomial regression for medications and log-linear models for hospitalizations and surgery rates. Analyses were stratified based on geographic location.

RESULTS

Of 28890 individuals with IBD, 50.3% had Crohn's disease. One in six individuals (15.45%) were dispensed a corticosteroid. Corticosteroid use decreased in both metropolitan areas (AAPC -20.08%, 95% CI: -21.78 to -18.04) and non-metropolitan areas (AAPC -18.14%, 95% CI: -20.78 to -18.04) with a similar pattern for corticosteroid dependence. Corticosteroid dependence was more prevalent in UC vs. CD (P < 0.05), and in the pediatric IBD cohort (13.45) compared to the adult (8.89) and elderly (7.54) cohorts (per 100 prevalent population, P < 0.001). The proportion of individuals dispensed an anti-TNF increased over the study period (AAPC 12.58%, 95% CI: 11.56 to 13.61). Significantly more non-metropolitan versus metropolitan residing individuals were hospitalized for any reason, for an IBD-related, or IBD-specific indication (all P < 0.001) though the proportion requiring IBD surgery was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in anti-TNF use corresponded to a decline in corticosteroid use and dependence in those with IBD. Inequities in IBD care still exist based on location and age.

Sources of excess steroid prescriptions and clinical adverse outcomes associated with steroid excess in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: The Leeds IBD Steroids study

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroids remain important for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flares. Steroid excess, however, may be a marker of poor care. Patients access steroid prescriptions from primary (General Practitioners [GP]) or secondary care (hospital-based). Sources of prescriptions and associated outcomes are not well described.

METHODS

Patients attending IBD clinics with linked primary care information were included. We examined appropriateness and timeliness of treatment escalation and avoidability of steroid excess in relation to prescription sources.

RESULTS

Of 2246 patients, 33% were exposed to steroids over 2 years. Primary care issued 28% of prescriptions. Secondary care prescriptions were more often of appropriate dose and duration (85% vs 41%, p < 0.001). Further flares occurred in 50% of patients prescribed steroids from primary care (vs 39%; p = 0.003). Steroid excess was observed in 15%. Patients with steroid excess who received prescriptions from primary care that were not communicated to secondary care less often received timely treatment escalation (49% vs 66%, p = 0.042) and steroid excess was more often avoidable (73% vs 56%, p = 0.022). Patients with steroid excess had higher risks of hospitalisation for IBD (OR = 12.33, 95% CI [8.89-17.11]), hospitalisation for infections (OR = 2.89, 95% CI [1.82-4.61]) and GP prescribed antibiotics (OR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.07-1.86]).

CONCLUSION

Patients commonly access steroids through primary care, but doses and durations are frequently inappropriate with patients more likely to flare. Steroid excess was associated with IBD admissions, admissions for infections and antibiotic prescriptions. Improved liaison between primary and secondary care is required to reduce steroid excess.

Oxocrebanine from Stephania pierrei exerts macrophage anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating the NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways

Plant-derived medicinal compounds are increasingly being used to treat acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, which are generally caused by aberrant inflammatory responses. Stephania pierrei Diels, also known as Sabu-lueat in Thai, is a traditional medicinal plant that is used as a remedy for several inflammatory disorders. Since aporphine alkaloids isolated from S. pierrei tubers exhibit diverse pharmacological characteristics, we aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of crude extracts and alkaloids isolated from S. pierrei tubers against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. Notably, the n-hexane extract strongly suppressed nitric oxide (NO) while exhibiting reduced cytotoxicity. Among the five alkaloids isolated from the n-hexane extract, the aporphine alkaloid oxocrebanine exerted considerable anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NO secretion. Oxocrebanine also significantly suppressed prostaglandin E₂, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression by inactivating the nuclear factor κB, c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt inflammatory signalling pathways. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that oxocrebanine has a higher affinity for toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 signalling targets and the COX-2 protein than native ligands. Thus, our findings highlight the potential anti-inflammatory effects of oxocrebanine and suggest that certain alkaloids of S. pierrei could be used to treat inflammatory diseases.

Corticosteroid-free efficacy and safety outcomes in patients receiving tofacitinib in the OCTAVE Sustain maintenance study

Background

Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we report steroid-free efficacy and safety with tofacitinib among patients with UC who received corticosteroids at baseline of the maintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain).

Methods

This analysis included patients with clinical response following OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 who were re-randomized to receive placebo, or tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (b.d.), in OCTAVE Sustain for 52 weeks and were receiving corticosteroids at OCTAVE Sustain baseline. Corticosteroid tapering was mandatory during OCTAVE Sustain. Rates of steroid-free remission, endoscopic improvement, and clinical response were assessed, stratified by baseline characteristics. Adverse events (AEs) were stratified by treatment and steroid-free remission status.

Results

Overall, 289/593 patients had corticosteroid use at OCTAVE Sustain baseline. At week 52, steroid-free remission, endoscopic improvement, and clinical response rates were 10.9%, 11.9%, and 17.8% among patients receiving placebo, 27.7%, 29.7%, and 40.6% among patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg b.d., and 27.6%, 29.9%, and 43.7% among patients receiving tofacitinib 10 mg b.d., respectively (non-responder imputation; all p < 0.05 tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg b.d. versus placebo). Discontinuations due to AEs were lower among patients with steroid-free remission versus without. AEs of special interest were infrequent.

Conclusion

For patients with baseline corticosteroid use in OCTAVE Sustain, the odds of achieving steroid-free efficacy endpoints were significantly higher for tofacitinib versus placebo, irrespective of tofacitinib dose. There were no apparent differences in AEs of special interest by steroid-free remission status.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01458574.

Surgical Planning in Penetrating Abdominal Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is increasing globally, and the disease location and behavior are changing toward more colonic as well as inflammatory behavior. Surgery was previously mainly performed due to ileal/ileocaecal location and stricturing behavior, why many anticipate the surgical load to decrease. There are, however, the same time data showing an increasing complexity among patients at the time of surgery with an increasing number of patients with the abdominal perforating disease, induced by the disease itself, at the time of surgery and thus a more complex surgery as well as the post-operative outcome. The other major cause of abdominal penetrating CD is secondary to surgical complications, e.g., anastomotic dehiscence or inadvertent enterotomies. To improve the care for patients with penetrating abdominal CD in general, and in the peri-operative phase in particular, the use of multidisciplinary team discussions is essential. In this study, we will try to give an overview of penetrating abdominal CD today and how this situation may be handled. Proper surgical planning will decrease the risk of surgically induced penetrating disease and improve the outcome when penetrating disease is already established. It is important to evaluate patients prior to surgery and optimize them with enteral nutrition (or parenteral if enteral nutrition is ineffective) and treat abdominal sepsis with drainage and antibiotics.

An Update on Current Pharmacotherapeutic Options for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

The main goals of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) treatment are to both induce and maintain the clinical and endoscopic remission of disease, reduce the incidence of complications such as dysplasia and colorectal carcinoma and improve quality of life. Although a curative medical treatment for UC has not yet been found, new therapeutic strategies addressing specific pathogenetic mechanisms of disease are emerging. Notwithstanding these novel therapies, non-biological conventional drugs remain a mainstay of treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize current therapeutic strategies used as treatment for ulcerative colitis and to briefly focus on emerging therapeutic strategies, including novel biologic therapies and small molecules. To date, multiple therapeutic approaches can be adopted in UC and the range of available compounds is constantly increasing. In this era, the realization of well-designed comparative clinical trials, as well as the definition of specific therapeutic models, would be strongly suggested in order to achieve personalized management for UC patients.

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.

Evaluation of a U.S. National Cohort to Determine Utilization in Colectomy Rates for Ulcerative Colitis Among Ethnicities

BACKGROUND

Colectomy is the curative management for ulcerative colitis (UC). Multiple studies have reported racial disparities for colectomy before the advent of anti-TNF alpha agents. The aim of this study was to describe racial and geographic differences in colectomy rates among hospitalized patients with UC after anti-TNF therapy was introduced.

METHODS

We examined all patients discharged from the hospital between 2010 and 2014 with a primary diagnosis of UC or of complications of UC. The data were evaluated for race and colectomy rates among the hospitalized patients with UC.

RESULTS

The unadjusted national colectomy rate among hospitalized patients with UC between 2010 and 2014 was 3.90 per 1000 hospitalization days (95% confidence interval, 3.72-4.08). The undajusted colectomy rates in African American (2.33 vs 4.35; P < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (3.99 vs 4.35; P ≤ 0.009) were considerably lower than those for White patients. After adjustment for confounders, the incidence rate ratio for African American as compared to White patients was 0.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.58; P < 0.001). Geographic region of the United States also showed significant variation in colectomy rates, with western regions having the highest rate (4.76 vs 3.20; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Racial and geographical disparities persist for the rate of colectomy among hospitalized patients with UC. The national database analysis reveals that colectomy rates for hospitalized African American and Hispanic patients were lower than those for White patients. Further studies are important to determine the social and biologic foundations of these disparities.

Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as a global disease, has attracted much research interest. Constant research has led to a better understanding of the disease condition and further promoted its management. We here reviewed the conventional and the novel drugs and therapies, as well as the potential ones, which have shown promise in preclinical studies and are likely to be effective future therapies. The conventional treatments aim at controlling symptoms through pharmacotherapy, including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics, with other general measures and/or surgical resection if necessary. However, a considerable fraction of patients do not respond to available treatments or lose response, which calls for new therapeutic strategies. Diverse therapeutic options are emerging, involving small molecules, apheresis therapy, improved intestinal microecology, cell therapy, and exosome therapy. In addition, patient education partly upgrades the efficacy of IBD treatment. Recent advances in the management of IBD have led to a paradigm shift in the treatment goals, from targeting symptom-free daily life to shooting for mucosal healing. In this review, the latest progress in IBD treatment is summarized to understand the advantages, pitfalls, and research prospects of different drugs and therapies and to provide a basis for the clinical decision and further research of IBD.

Current Use of EEN in Pre-Operative Optimisation in Crohn's Disease

Despite the increasing array of medications available for the treatment of Crohn's disease and a focus on mucosal healing, approximately 35% of patients with Crohn's disease undergo bowel surgery at some stage. The importance of nutritional optimisation before Crohn's surgery is well-highlighted by surgical, nutritional, and gastroenterological societies with the aim of reducing complications and enhancing recovery. Surgical procedures are frequently undertaken when other treatment options have been unsuccessful, and, thus, patients may have lost weight and/or required steroids, and are therefore at higher risk of post-operative complications. EEN is used extensively in the paediatric population to induce remission, but is not routinely used in the induction of remission of adult Crohn's disease or in pre-operative optimisation. Large prospective studies regarding the role of pre-operative EEN are lacking. In this review, we evaluate the current literature on the use of EEN in pre-operative settings and its impact on patient outcomes.

Guidelines for the management of patients with Crohn's disease. Recommendations of the Polish Society of Gastroenterology and the Polish National Consultant in Gastroenterology

This paper is an update of the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the National Consultant for Gastroenterology and the Polish Society of Gastroenterology from 2012. It contains 46 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment, both pharmacological and surgical, of Crohn's disease in adults. The guidelines were developed by a group of experts appointed by the Polish Society of Gastroenterology and the National Consultant in the field of Gastroenterology. The methodology related to the GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality and strength of the available recommendations. The degree of expert support for the proposed statement, assessment of the quality of evidence and the strength of the recommendation was assessed on a 6-point Likert scale. Voting results, quality and strength ratings with comments are included with each statement.

Increased Self-medication with Steroids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Time to Optimize Specialized Telemonitoring Services

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious condition characterized by a complex interaction of genetic, environmental, and inflammatory variables that affect the gut and other extragastrointestinal systems. Self-medication with steroids has become a major issue in light of the current pandemic situation in IBD patients. We observed a higher frequency of steroid self-medication (17.9%) and steroid overprescription (28.2%) by non-gastroenterologists during the pandemic. The use of telemonitoring tools can improve patient-IBD care provider communications in terms of drug compliance and better disease outcomes.

How to cite this article: Vinay G. Increased Self-medication with Steroids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Time to Optimize Specialized Telemonitoring Services. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2021;11(2):103–104.

Variation in Provider Connectedness Associates With Outcomes of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in an Analysis of Data From a National Health System

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) often require multidisciplinary care with tight coordination among providers. Provider connectedness, a measure of the relationship among providers, is an important aspect of care coordination that has been linked to higher quality care. We aimed to assess variation in provider connectedness among medical centers, and to understand the association between this established measure of care coordination and outcomes of patients with IBD.

METHODS

We conducted a national cohort study of 32,949 IBD patients with IBD from 2005 to 2014. We used network analysis to examine provider connectedness, defined using network properties that measure the strength of the collaborative relationship, team cohesiveness, and between-facility collaborations. We used multilevel modeling to examine variations in provider connectedness and association with patient outcomes.

RESULTS

There was wide variation in provider connectedness among facilities in complexity, rural designation, and volume of patients with IBD. In a multivariable model, patients followed in a facility with team cohesiveness (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.88) and where providers often collaborated with providers outside their facility (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.31-0.75) were less likely to have clinically active disease, defined by a composite of outpatient flare, inpatient flare, and IBD-related surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

A national study found evidence for heterogeneity in patient-sharing among IBD care teams. Patients with IBD seen at health centers with higher provider connectedness appear to have better outcomes. Understanding provider connectedness is a step toward designing network-based interventions to improve coordination and quality of care.

Progress in Corticosteroid Use in the Era of Biologics With Room for Improvement

With the early success of their trials for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, corticosteroids gained popularity as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, when used chronically, corticosteroids are not effective in maintaining remission and associated with toxic effects. Steroid-free remission has become a major treatment goal. Prolonged corticosteroid use is currently a sign of suboptimal quality of care. Trends over the past 2 decades, spanning the emergence of biologic therapies for IBD, are explored here in the University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiologic Database.

Association between antidepressant medication use and steroid dependency in patients with ulcerative colitis: a population-based study

Background

Animal studies indicate a potential protective role of antidepressant medication (ADM) in models of colitis but the effect of their use in humans with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear.

Objective

To study the relationship between ADM use and corticosteroid dependency in UC.

Design

Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink we identified patients diagnosed with UC between 2005 and 2016. We grouped patients according to serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) exposure in the 3 years following diagnosis: ‘continuous users’, ‘intermittent users’ and ‘non-users’. We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted risk of corticosteroid dependency between ADM exposure groups.

Results

We identified 6373 patients with UC. Five thousand two hundred and thirty (82%) use no ADMs, 627 (10%) were intermittent SSRI users and 282 (4%) were continuous SSRI users, 246 (4%) were intermittent TCA users and 63 (1%) were continuous TCA users.

Corticosteroid dependency was more frequent in continuous SSRI and TCA users compared with non-users (19% vs 24% vs 14%, respectively, χ² p=0.002). Intermittent SSRI and TCA users had similar risks of developing corticosteroid dependency to non-users (SSRI: OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.50, TCA: OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.66). Continuous users of both SSRIs and TCAs had significantly higher risks of corticosteroid dependency compared with non-users (SSRI: OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.27, TCA: OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.81).

Conclusions

Continuous ADM exposure has no protective effect in routine clinical practice in UC and identifies a population of patients requiring more intensive medical therapy. ADM use is a flag for potentially worse clinical outcomes in UC.

Risk of common infections in people with inflammatory bowel disease in primary care: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of common infections in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease] compared with matched controls in a contemporary UK primary care population.

DESIGN

Matched cohort analysis (2014-2019) using the Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre primary care database. Risk of common infections, viral infections and gastrointestinal infections (including a subset of culture-confirmed infections), and predictors of common infections, were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

18 829 people with IBD were matched to 73 316 controls. People with IBD were more likely to present to primary care with a common infection over the study period (46% vs 37% of controls). Risks of common infections, viral infections and gastrointestinal infections (including stool culture-confirmed infections) were increased for people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease compared with matched controls (HR range 1.12-1.83, all p<0.001). Treatment with oral glucocorticoid therapy, immunotherapies and biologic therapy, but not with aminosalicylates, was associated with increased infection risk in people with IBD. Despite mild lymphopenia and neutropenia being more common in people with IBD (18.4% and 1.9%, respectively) than in controls (6.5% and 1.5%, respectively), these factors were not associated with significantly increased infection risk in people with IBD.

CONCLUSION

People with IBD are more likely to present with a wide range of common infections. Health professionals and people with IBD should remain vigilant for infections, particularly when using systemic corticosteroids, immunotherapies or biologic agents.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03835780).

The Historical Role and Contemporary Use of Corticosteroids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The use of corticosteroids to treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] has been the bedrock of IBD therapeutics since the pioneering work of Truelove and Witts in the UK in the 1950s and subsequent large cohort studies in the USA and Europe. Nevertheless, although effective for induction of remission, these agents do not maintain remission and are associated with a long list of recognised side effects, including a risk of increased mortality. With the arrival of an increasing number of therapies for patients with IBD, the question arises as to whether we are using these agents appropriately in contemporary practice. This review discusses the historical background to steroid usage in IBD, and also provides a brief review of the literature on side effects of corticosteroid treatment as relevant to IBD patients. Data on licensed medications are presented with specific reference to the achievement of corticosteroid-free remission. We review available international data on the incidence of corticosteroid exposure and excess, and discuss some of the observations we and others have made concerning health care and patient-level factors associated with the risk of corticosteroid exposure, including identification of 'at-risk' populations.

The use of 5-aminosalicylates in Crohn's disease: a retrospective study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink

Background

There are few recent studies on the use of 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) as therapy for Crohn's disease (CD) in routine clinical practice. The aim of this database investigation was to provide real-world evidence on 5-ASA use in CD.

Methods

Patients with CD, aged ≥18 years when first prescribed 5-ASA (index date) and having received 5-ASA at any time between 01 January 2006 and 07 May 2018, were included for analysis. Outcomes included treatment patterns and resource use.

Results

Of 21,456 patients with CD, 9492 (44.2%) had been prescribed 5-ASA, with the majority (5606; 59.1%) starting on oral 5-ASA as monotherapy. 58.3% (5537) of patients on 5-ASA did not require dose change, 67.6% (6416) did not require supplementary treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, etc.), and 4.6% (436) required a switch to another treatment. Resource use was significantly decreased in the year after vs. year before 5-ASA initiation (including: specialist referrals, hospitalizations and hospital days; all P<0.001). Patients remained on 5-ASA for a median of 4.7 years (interquartile range 1.2-10.1). 25.3% (2406) of patients were still on 5-ASA at 10 years. There was a significant correlation between earlier use of 5-ASA following diagnosis and longer 5-ASA retention (P<0.001).

Conclusions

5-ASA is widely used as a long-term treatment for CD, as evidenced by continuation rates extending beyond 10 years in a quarter of patients. CD-related healthcare resource use decreased significantly in the year following 5-ASA initiation. Earlier use was associated with longer retention.

Trends in Corticosteroid Prescriptions for Ulcerative Colitis and Factors Associated with Long-Term Corticosteroid Use: Analysis Using Japanese Claims Data from 2006 to 2016

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recent treatment guidelines for ulcerative colitis [UC] do not recommend long-term corticosteroid [CS] use. The present study aimed to capture the changes in CS use from 2006 to 2016 and to identify factors associated with long-term CS use after 2014, when the first two anti-tumour necrosis factor antibodies [infliximab and adalimumab] became available.

METHODS

A retrospective study using the JMDC Claims Database included UC patients who initiated UC medications in any year from January 2006 to December 2016, or after January 2014, who were under continuous observation from 6 months before to 12 months after initiation. Patients with Crohn's disease before initiation and those prescribed <8 days of CSs were excluded.

RESULTS

Among 7907 UC patients who initiated UC medications within the study period, 1555 were prescribed CSs. The proportion of patients using CSs in each year decreased from 2011 as use of thiopurines and biologics increased. The proportion of patients with a starting dose ≥30 mg/day of CSs and patients continuing CSs for <90 days increased from 2011, reaching 49.1% and 41.0%, respectively, in 2016. However, even in 2016, 34.3% continued to use CSs for ≥180 days. Among 1230 patients with CS use after January 2014, low initial CS dose [<10 mg/day] was most strongly associated with long-term CS use [≥180 days].

CONCLUSIONS

CS use became more appropriate as use of thiopurine and biologics increased, although there were still many cases of inappropriate use. Long-term CS use was most strongly associated with low initial doses of CSs.

The use of 5-aminosalicylate for patients with Crohn's disease in a prospective European inception cohort with 5 years follow-up - an Epi-IBD study

BACKGROUND

The lack of scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of 5-aminosalicylate in patients with Crohn's disease is in sharp contrast to its widespread use in clinical practice.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to investigate the use of 5-aminosalicylate in patients with Crohn's disease as well as the disease course of a subgroup of patients who were treated with 5-aminosalicylate as maintenance monotherapy during the first year of disease.

METHODS

In a European community-based inception cohort, 488 patients with Crohn's disease were followed from the time of their diagnosis. Information on clinical data, demographics, disease activity, medical therapy and rates of surgery, cancers and deaths was collected prospectively. Patient management was left to the discretion of the treating gastroenterologists.

RESULTS

Overall, 292 (60%) patients with Crohn's disease received 5-aminosalicylate period during follow-up for a median duration of 28 months (interquartile range 6-60). Of these, 78 (16%) patients received 5-aminosalicylate monotherapy during the first year following diagnosis. Patients who received monotherapy with 5-aminosalicylate experienced a mild disease course with only nine (12%) who required hospitalization, surgery, or developed stricturing or penetrating disease, and most never needed more intensive therapy. The remaining 214 patients were treated with 5-aminosalicylate as the first maintenance drug although most eventually needed to step up to other treatments including immunomodulators (75 (35%)), biological therapy (49 (23%)) or surgery (38 (18%)).

CONCLUSION

In this European community-based inception cohort of unselected Crohn's disease patients, 5-aminosalicylate was commonly used. A substantial group of these patients experienced a quiescent disease course without need of additional treatment during follow-up. Therefore, despite the controversy regarding the efficacy of 5-aminosalicylate in Crohn's disease, its use seems to result in a satisfying disease course for both patients and physicians.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Non-biological treatment

Nowadays, non-biological treatments remain valuable approaches among the therapeutic armamentarium of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mesalamine is the core treatment of mild‑to‑moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) and corticosteroids are crucial for the induction of remission of moderate‑to‑severe flares in both UC and Crohn's disease (CD). Even approaches as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, azathioprine, methotrexate, and surgery still have a nuclear position as strategies to induce and/or maintain remission in IBD. Due to their particularities and to the accumulated evidence, each of these strategies conquered peculiar roles in the overall IBD strategy, all of them contributing to better outcomes. This review emphasizes the particular roles that non-biological treatments gained over time: recent mesalamine formulations to increase adhesion rates, higher doses of 5-ASA for high-risk patients, MMX technology to improve drug release and attain higher bowel concentrations, cyclosporine as a bridge to vedolizumab, tacrolimus as a potential alternative to thiopurines or infliximab, azathioprine in combination therapy with infliximab and dubious in monotherapy, and surgery as a mean to a "better end".

Steroid use and misuse: a key performance indicator in the management of IBD

Corticosteroids remain an important tool for inducing remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but they have no role in maintenance of remission. The significant adverse side effect profile of these drugs means their use should be avoided where possible or measures taken to reduce their risk. Despite an expanding array of alternative therapies, corticosteroid dependency and excess remain common. Appropriate steroid use is now regarded a key performance indicator in the management of IBD. This article aims to outline indications for corticosteroid use in IBD, their risks and strategies to reduce their use and misuse.

British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the principal forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Both represent chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which displays heterogeneity in inflammatory and symptomatic burden between patients and within individuals over time. Optimal management relies on understanding and tailoring evidence-based interventions by clinicians in partnership with patients. This guideline for management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults over 16 years of age was developed by Stakeholders representing UK physicians (British Society of Gastroenterology), surgeons (Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland), specialist nurses (Royal College of Nursing), paediatricians (British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition), dietitians (British Dietetic Association), radiologists (British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology), general practitioners (Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology) and patients (Crohn's and Colitis UK). A systematic review of 88 247 publications and a Delphi consensus process involving 81 multidisciplinary clinicians and patients was undertaken to develop 168 evidence- and expert opinion-based recommendations for pharmacological, non-pharmacological and surgical interventions, as well as optimal service delivery in the management of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Comprehensive up-to-date guidance is provided regarding indications for, initiation and monitoring of immunosuppressive therapies, nutrition interventions, pre-, peri- and postoperative management, as well as structure and function of the multidisciplinary team and integration between primary and secondary care. Twenty research priorities to inform future clinical management are presented, alongside objective measurement of priority importance, determined by 2379 electronic survey responses from individuals living with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, including patients, their families and friends.

British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the principal forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Both represent chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which displays heterogeneity in inflammatory and symptomatic burden between patients and within individuals over time. Optimal management relies on understanding and tailoring evidence-based interventions by clinicians in partnership with patients. This guideline for management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults over 16 years of age was developed by Stakeholders representing UK physicians (British Society of Gastroenterology), surgeons (Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland), specialist nurses (Royal College of Nursing), paediatricians (British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition), dietitians (British Dietetic Association), radiologists (British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology), general practitioners (Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology) and patients (Crohn's and Colitis UK). A systematic review of 88 247 publications and a Delphi consensus process involving 81 multidisciplinary clinicians and patients was undertaken to develop 168 evidence- and expert opinion-based recommendations for pharmacological, non-pharmacological and surgical interventions, as well as optimal service delivery in the management of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Comprehensive up-to-date guidance is provided regarding indications for, initiation and monitoring of immunosuppressive therapies, nutrition interventions, pre-, peri- and postoperative management, as well as structure and function of the multidisciplinary team and integration between primary and secondary care. Twenty research priorities to inform future clinical management are presented, alongside objective measurement of priority importance, determined by 2379 electronic survey responses from individuals living with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, including patients, their families and friends.

Assessment of steroid use as a key performance indicator in inflammatory bowel disease-analysis of data from 2385 UK patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with IBD are at risk of excess corticosteroids.

AIMS

To assess steroid excess in a large IBD cohort and test associations with quality improvement and prescribing.

METHODS

Steroid exposure was recorded for outpatients attending 19 centres and associated factors analysed. Measures taken to avoid excess were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 2385 patients, 28% received steroids in the preceding 12 months. 14.8% had steroid excess or dependency. Steroid use was significantly lower at 'intervention centres' which participated in a quality improvement programme (exposure: 23.8% vs 31.0%, P < .001; excess 11.5% vs 17.1%, P < .001). At intervention centres, steroid use fell from 2015 to 2017 (steroid exposure 30.0%-23.8%, P = .003; steroid excess 13.8%-11.5%, P = .17). Steroid excess was judged avoidable in 50.7%. Factors independently associated with reduced steroid excess in Crohn's disease included maintenance with anti-TNF agents (OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.24-0.95]), treatment in a centre with a multi-disciplinary team (OR 0.54 [95% CI 0.20-0.86]) and treatment at an intervention centre (OR 0.72 [95% CI 0.46-0.97]). Treatment with 5-ASA in CD was associated with higher rates of steroid excess (OR 1.72 [95% CI 1.24-2.09]). In ulcerative colitis (UC), thiopurine monotherapy was associated with steroid excess (OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.19-3.01]) and treatment at an intervention centre with less steroid excess (OR 0.72 [95% CI 0.45-0.95]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study validates steroid assessment as a meaningful quality measure and provides a benchmark for this performance indicator in a large cohort. A programme of quality improvement was associated with lower steroid use.

The impact of smoking and smoking cessation on disease outcomes in ulcerative colitis: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

Smokers are less likely to develop ulcerative colitis (UC) but the impact of smoking and subsequent cessation on clinical outcomes in UC is unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of smoking status and smoking cessation on disease outcomes.

METHODS

Using a nationally representative clinical research database, we identified incident cases of UC during 2005-2016. Patients were grouped as never-smokers, ex-smokers and smokers based on smoking status recorded in the 2 years preceding UC diagnosis. We defined subgroups of persistent smokers and smokers who quit within 2 years after diagnosis. We compared the rates of overall corticosteroid use, corticosteroid-requiring flares, corticosteroid dependency, thiopurine use, hospitalisation and colectomy between these groups.

RESULTS

We identified 6754 patients with a new diagnosis of UC over the study period with data on smoking status, of whom 878 were smokers at diagnosis. Smokers had a similar risk of corticosteroid-requiring flares (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.92-1.25), thiopurine use (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.62-1.14), corticosteroid dependency (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.60-1.11), hospitalisation (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.72-1.18) and colectomy (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.50-1.21) in comparison with never-smokers. Rates of flares, thiopurine use, corticosteroid dependency, hospitalisation and colectomy were not significantly different between persistent smokers and those who quit smoking after a diagnosis of UC.

CONCLUSIONS

Smokers and never-smokers with UC have similar outcomes with respect to flares, thiopurine use, corticosteroid dependency, hospitalisation and colectomy. Smoking cessation was not associated with worse disease course. The risks associated with smoking outweigh any benefits. UC patients should be counselled against smoking.

No increased risk of nephrotoxicity associated with 5-aminosalicylic acid in IBD: a population-based cohort and nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

There is conflicting evidence about nephrotoxicity risk associated with 5-aminosalicylates for treatment of IBD.

AIMS

To determine population-based temporal trends for 5-aminosalicylates and estimated risk of nephrotoxicity associated with 5-aminosalicylate use for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort and nested case-control study, using the Health Improvement Network primary care database linked to hospital discharge coding for patients in England, 1996-2017. Nephrotoxicity risk analysis was a first recorded renal impairment diagnosis adjusted for key variables and was assessed between 2008 and 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 35 601 patients with prevalent UC or CD were included. The proportion of patients prescribed 5-aminosalicylates fell from 83% in 1996-1999 to 71% in 2012-2015 for UC patients and 64% to 45% for CD patients. Thirty per cent of patients had prolonged 5-aminosalicylate use. Between 2008 and 2017, the incident rate of nephrotoxicity was similar and stable for UC (12.6/1000 person-years) and CD (10.9/1000 person-years) patients. Multivariate analysis showed no evidence for association between current prescription of 5-aminosalicylate and nephrotoxicity in UC or CD patients, comparing ≤ 30 days prescription prior to index vs 31-≤180 days. However, active disease, disease duration, concomitant cardiovascular disease or diabetes and nephrotoxic drug use were independently associated with development of nephrotoxicity in UC and CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the paucity of evidence for their benefit, 5-aminosalicylates were prescribed to approximately half of CD patients (30% prolonged therapy). Nephrotoxicity was rare in this patient cohort, and was not associated with 5-aminosalicylate use, but rather with disease status, comorbidity and use of nephrotoxic drugs.

Harmonization of quality of care in an IBD center impacts disease outcomes: Importance of structure, process indicators and rapid access clinic

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We aimed to evaluate the quality of care at a tertiary inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center using quality of care indicators (QIs) including patient assessment strategy, monitoring, treatment decisions and outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the quality of care pre- and post-referral and during follow-up at the at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) IBD center. Consecutive patients were included presenting with an outpatient visit ('index visit') between July and December 2016. Disease characteristics, biochemistry, imaging and endoscopy data, changes in medications, and vaccination profiles were captured.

RESULTS

1357 patients were included. At referral, a large proportion of patients were objectively re-evaluated (ileocolonoscopy: 79%, cross-sectional imaging: 39.3%, biomarkers: 89.9%, 81.9%). Therapeutic strategy was changed in 53.6% with 22.5% of patients starting biologics. Tight objective patient monitoring was applied during follow-up (colonoscopy: 79%, cross-sectional imaging: 61.8% were available at index visit; C-reactive protein: 78%, Faecal calprotectin: 37.6%, therapeutic drug monitoring: 16.3% were performed additionally). Maximum therapeutic step was biologicals in 48.8% of the patients, while only 6.6% of all patients were steroid dependent. Implementation of a rapid access clinic improved healthcare delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support that tight monitoring was applied at the MUHC IBD center with a high emphasis on objective patient (re)evaluation, timely access and accelerated treatment strategy at referral and during follow-up.

Smoking Status at Diagnosis and Subsequent Smoking Cessation: Associations With Corticosteroid Use and Intestinal Resection in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

The impact of smoking at diagnosis and subsequent smoking cessation on clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease (CD) has not been evaluated in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

Using a nationally representative clinical research database, we identified incident cases of CD between 2005 and 2014. We compared the following outcomes: overall corticosteroid (CS) use; flares requiring CS; CS dependency and intestinal surgery between smokers and non-smokers at time of CD diagnosis. Differences in these outcomes were also compared between persistent smokers and smokers who quit within 2 years of diagnosis.

RESULTS

We identified 3553 patients with a new CD diagnosis over the study period of whom 1121 (32%) were smokers. Smokers at CD diagnosis had significantly higher CS-use (56 versus 47%, p < 0.0001), proportionally more CS flares (>1 CS flare/year: 9 versus 6%, p < 0.0001), and higher CS dependency (27 versus 21%, p < 0.0001) than non-smokers. Regression analysis identified smoking at diagnosis to be associated with a higher risk of intestinal surgery (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.16-2.52). There was a significantly higher proportion of 'quitters' who remained steroid-free through follow-up in comparison to 'persistent smokers' (45.4 versus 37.5%, respectively, p = 0.02). 'Quitters' also had lower rates of CS dependency compared to 'persistent smokers' (24 versus 33%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Smokers at CD diagnosis have higher CS-use, CS dependency and higher risk of intestinal surgery. Quitting smoking appears to have beneficial effects on disease related outcomes, including reducing CS dependency highlighting the importance of offering early smoking cessation support.

A multi-centre audit of excess steroid use in 1176 patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroids are central to inducing remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but are ineffective maintenance agents.

AIM

To benchmark steroid usage in British outpatients and assess factors associated with excess exposure.

METHODS

We recorded steroid use in unselected IBD outpatients. Cases meeting criteria for steroid dependency or excess were blind peer reviewed to determine whether steroid prescriptions were avoidable. Associations between steroid use and patient/institutional factors were analysed.

RESULTS

Of 1176 patients, 30% received steroids in the prior 12 months. 14.9% had steroid dependency or excess, which was more common in moderate/severe ulcerative colitis (UC) than Crohn's disease (CD) (42.6% vs 28.1%; P = .027). Steroid dependency or excess was deemed avoidable in 49.1%. The annual incidence of inappropriate steroid excess was 7.1%. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis revealed independent predictors of inappropriate steroid excess. The odds ratio (OR, 95%CI) for moderate/severe compared to mild/quiescent disease activity was 4.59 (1.53-20.64) for UC and 4.60 (2.21-12.00) for CD. In CD, lower rates of inappropriate steroid excess were found in centres with an IBD multi-disciplinary team (OR 0.62 [0.46-0.91]), whilst dedicated IBD clinics protected against inappropriate steroid excess in UC (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.21-0.94). The total number of GI trainees was associated with rates of inappropriate steroid excess.

CONCLUSIONS

Steroid dependency or excess occurred in 14.9% of British IBD patients (in 7.1% potentially avoidable). We demonstrated positive effects of service configurations (IBD multi-disciplinary team, dedicated IBD clinics). Routine recording of steroid dependency or excess is feasible and should be considered a quality metric.

Incidence and Clinical Outcomes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in South Korea, 2011-2014: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in East Asia; however, population-based data from this region are lacking.

AIM

We conducted a nationwide, population-based study to examine the incidence and disease course of IBD in South Korea.

METHODS

Using the National Health Insurance claims data, we collected data on patients diagnosed with IBD [10,049 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 5595 with Crohn's disease (CD)] from 2011 to 2014.

RESULTS

During the study period, the average annual incidence of UC was 5.0 per 10⁵, while that of CD was 2.8 per 10⁵. Among patients with UC, the cumulative rates of surgery 1 and 4 years after diagnosis were 1.0 and 2.0%; those among patients with CD were 9.0 and 13.9%, respectively. The 1- and 4-year cumulative rates of moderate- to high-dose corticosteroid use were, respectively, 26.6 and 45.2% among patients with UC, and 29.9 and 50.8% among those with CD. Similarly, the 1- and 4-year cumulative rates of immunomodulator use were 14.1 and 26.4% among patients with UC, and 58.3 and 76.1% among those with CD, respectively. With regard to biologic use, the 1- and 4-year cumulative rates were 3.0 and 9.0% among patients with UC, and 11.1 and 31.7% among those with CD, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The recent incidence of IBD in South Korea has been the highest in East Asia. Patients who had been diagnosed recently with IBD showed lower rates of surgery and higher rates of immunomodulator and biologic use compared to those reported ever in South Korea.

Incidence and clinical outcomes of intestinal Behçet's disease in Korea, 2011-2014: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) is very rare, and epidemiologic data regarding BD are scarce. Moreover, there have been no population-based studies focusing on intestinal BD. We conducted a nationwide population-based study to examine the incidence and clinical course of Korean patients with intestinal BD.

METHODS

We collected data on 365 patients diagnosed with intestinal BD from 2011 to 2014 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services claims database. We analyzed the incidence and clinical outcomes, including cumulative rates of bowel resection, hospitalization, and medication use.

RESULTS

During the study period, the average annual incidence for intestinal BD was 0.18 per 10⁵ population, and the proportion of cases with intestinal involvement was 3.9%. At 1 and 4 years after diagnosis, the cumulative rates of surgery were 5.0 and 10.9%, respectively, whereas those of hospitalization were 27.8 and 32.4%, respectively. The 1- and 4-year cumulative rates of requirements for medications were 39.8 and 49.1% for moderate- to high-dose corticosteroids, 33.6 and 42.1% for immunomodulators, and 3.5 and 6.8% for biologics, respectively. The cumulative probability of corticosteroid and immunomodulator use was higher in male than in female patients and in younger (<40 years) than in older (≥40 years) patients. However, there were no significant differences in the cumulative probabilities of surgery, hospitalization, and biologics use according to sex and age group.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of intestinal BD in Korea is quite low and has been stable in recent years.

Trends in Narcotic and Corticosteroid Prescriptions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States Ambulatory Care Setting from 2003 to 2011

BACKGROUND/HYPOTHESIS

Before the availability of biological therapies, corticosteroids and narcotics were frequently used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of a paucity of disease-modifying therapies. The increased accessibility to effective biologicals for IBD over the last decade should be leading to less use of corticosteroids and narcotic medications. This study aims to examine trends in prescriptions of corticosteroids and narcotics to patients with IBD in the United States during the period 2003 to 2011.

METHODS

Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used to examine visits of patients with IBD. Trends in corticosteroid and narcotic prescriptions were explored, and predictors of use were assessed using survey-weighted chi-square tests.

RESULTS

From 2003 to 2011, a total of 1119 patients with IBD had visits recorded in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey databases. Although biological prescriptions significantly increased from 3.3% in 2003 to 2005 to 15.9% in 2009 to 2011 (P = 0.004), there was no significant decrease in corticosteroid or narcotic prescriptions during this same time frame. Patients with IBD were less likely to receive narcotics (odds ratio = 0.38) when seeing a medical specialist compared with primary care physicians or surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the availability of more effective biological therapies, prescriptions for corticosteroids and narcotics did not decline in patients with IBD visiting U.S. ambulatory clinics and emergency departments from 2003 to 2011.

Do Thiopurines Reduce the Risk of Surgery in Elderly Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease? A 20-Year National Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Evidence that thiopurines impact on the risk of surgery in elderly onset inflammatory bowel disease (EO-IBD) is lacking. We aimed to compare the rates of surgery in EO-IBD (>60 years at diagnosis) with adult-onset IBD (18-59 yrs), and examine the impact of thiopurines on surgical risk in EO-IBD.

METHODS

Using a U.K. database between 1990 and 2010, we compared rates of surgery between adult-onset IBD and EO-IBD using survival analysis. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) were analyzed separately. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to determine the adjusted relative risk of surgery. We further assessed the impact of duration of thiopurine treatment on risk of surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 2758 of 9515 patients with UC and 1349 of 6490 patients with CD, with EO-IBD. Cumulative 1, 5, and 10 years risk of colectomy was similar in EO-UC (2.2, 4.5, and 5.8%, respectively) and AO-UC (2.2, 5.0, and 7.3%, respectively; P = 0.15). Cumulative 1, 5, and 10 years risk of first intestinal surgery was lower in EO-CD (9.5, 14.6, and 17.9%, respectively) than AO-CD (12.2, 19.0, and 24.4%, respectively; P < 0.001). Early steroid use, steroid dependency, and thiopurine use was associated with higher risk of colectomy in EO-UC. Among EO-UC receiving thiopurines for >12 months, there was a 70% reduction in risk of colectomy (hazard ratio. 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.58). Thiopurines were not associated with a reduced risk of surgery in EO-CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of colectomy in EO-UC does not differ from AO-UC, but the risk of surgery in EO-CD is significantly lower than in AO-CD. Sustained thiopurine use of 12 months or more duration in EO-UC reduces the risk colectomy, but does not impact on the risk of surgery in EO-CD. These findings are important given the greater risk of thiopurine-associated lymphoma in the elderly.