Real-World Experience with AGA Guidelines in the Management of Crohn's Disease following Ileocolonic Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Crohn's disease and clinical management today: How it does?

Crohn's Disease (CD) is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease and is characterized by an immune-mediated nature. Its etiology results from the interaction between genetic, enviromental and microbial factors. Regarding pathophysiology, it involves high levels of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-17, and Th1 profile, along with loss of tolerance mechanisms, an increase in pro-inflammatory interleukins, beyond the possibility to affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its symptoms include abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia, and fatigue, as well as blood in the stool or rectum. Additionally, conditions comprising musculoskeletal, cutaneous, ocular, hepatic, and hematological alterations may be associated with this scenario and extra-intestinal presentation, such as erythema nodosum, anterior uveitis, osteoporosis, and arthritis can also occur. Today, clinical history, exams as fecal calprotectin, ileocolonocopy, and capsule endoscopy can be performed in the diagnosis investigation, along with treatments to induce and maintain remission. In this sense, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biological agents, as well as surgery and non-pharmacological interventions plays a role in its therapy. The aim of this review is to bring more current evidence to clinical management of CD, as well as to briefly discuss aspects of its pathophysiology, surveillance, and associated disorders.

Anti-TNF Agents and New Biological Agents (Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab) in the Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Recurrence After Surgery in Crohn's Disease

Surgery for Crohn's disease (CD) is not curative, as postoperative recurrence (POR) after ileocolonic resection is the rule in the absence of prophylactic treatment. In the present article, we critically review available data on the role of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents and new biologics (including vedolizumab and ustekinumab) in the prevention and treatment of POR after surgery in CD. Several studies (summarised in various meta-analyses) have confirmed the efficacy of anti-TNFs in the prevention of POR. We identified 37 studies, including 1863 CD patients, with mean endoscopic POR at 6-12 months of 29%. Only few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have directly compared thiopurines and anti-TNFs, with controversial results, although the superiority of the latter is supported by several meta-analyses. Infliximab and adalimumab seem equally effective. The combination of anti-TNFs and immunosuppressives should be considered in patients previously exposed to anti-TNFs. Several studies have shown that anti-TNFs remain an effective option to prevent POR also in patients with anti-TNF failure before surgery. In fact, the use of the same anti-TNF before and after surgery might be effective for the prevention of POR. Prophylactic anti-TNF treatment, once started, should be continued long term. Anti-TNFs are also effective for the treatment of established POR. Retreatment with anti-TNFs for POR is a valid strategy even after their preoperative failure. In six studies (including 156 patients) evaluating vedolizumab, mean endoscopic POR at 6-12 months was 41%. The non-randomised comparison of anti-TNFs and vedolizumab has provided controversial results. One placebo-controlled RCT confirmed that vedolizumab is quite effective in preventing POR in CD patients with increased risk of recurrence. Seven studies (including 162 patients) evaluated ustekinumab, with a mean endoscopic POR at 6-12 months of 41%. The comparative efficacy of ustekinumab and anti-TNFs is still unclear. Ustekinumab and vedolizumab seem to be equally effective, although the experience is very limited. In conclusion, to date, anti-TNFs are the most effective agents in preventing and treating POR in CD. Anti-TNFs remain an effective option to prevent POR also in patients with anti-TNF failure before surgery. Vedolizumab seems to be quite effective in the prevention of POR in patients with increased risk of recurrence. Ustekinumab is probably also effective in the postoperative setting, although the comparative efficacy with anti-TNFs or vedolizumab is still unclear.

Post-operative prevention and monitoring of Crohn's disease recurrence

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are relapsing and remitting chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Although surgery for UC can provide a cure, surgery for CD is rarely curative. In the past few decades, research has identified risk factors for postsurgical CD recurrence, enabling patient risk stratification to guide monitoring and prophylactic treatment to prevent CD recurrence. A MEDLINE literature review identified articles regarding post-operative monitoring of CD recurrence after resection surgery. In this review, we discuss the evidence on risk factors for post-operative CD recurrence as well as suggestions on post-operative management.

Anti -TNFα agents in preventing the postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease: Do they still play a role in the biological era?

BACKGROUND

Approximately half of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) may inevitably receive surgical intervention as the disease progress. However, about 75% of CD patients will experience postoperative recurrence (POR). Biologics are appealing alternatives for the prevention of POR; however, it is still unclear which biological agents are more efficient. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of biologics for POR prevention and to compare the superiority of different biologics.

METHODS

We conducted a thorough search of online databases and screened for studies on the efficacy of biologics in preventing POR (clinical, endoscopic, or histological) that were published until January 2021. The results were presented as forest plots and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

We included 26 studies with 2,136 participants. Overall, biologics were more efficient over non-biological treatments in preventing endoscopic, severe endoscopic, and clinical POR without increasing the frequency of adverse events. Among the various types of biologics, anti-TNFα agents were better than vedolizumab in preventing endoscopic POR. Moreover, infliximab had a similar curative effect to adalimumab in preventing endoscopic, severe endoscopic, and clinical recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Biologics, especially anti-TNFα agents, still play a vital role in preventing POR in the biological era.

Survey of barriers to adherence to international inflammatory bowel disease guidelines: Does gastroenterologists' confidence translate to high adherence?

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Despite the availability of evidence-based inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) guidelines, suboptimal care persists. There is little published research assessing barriers to IBD guideline adherence. This study aimed to identify barriers to IBD guideline adherence including gastroenterologists' knowledge and attitudes towards guidelines.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey of 824 Australian gastroenterologists was conducted from April to August 2018, with 198 (24%) responses. A novel survey was developed which was informed by the theoretical domain's framework.

RESULTS

Confidence in guideline recommendations was high, however referral to them was low. The European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) guidelines were the most commonly referred to (43.6%). In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of frequent versus infrequent guideline referral were: high confidence in the guideline (OR 7.70, 95% CI: 2.43-24.39, p = 0.001), and low (≤10 years) clinical experience (OR 3.62, 95% CI: 1.11-11.79, p = 0.03). The most common barriers to guideline adherence were not having time (62%) followed by guideline specifics being difficult to remember (61%). Low confidence was reported in managing pregnancy and IBD (34%) and loss of response to therapy (29%). High confidence was reported in managing immunomodulators, however only 43% answered the associated knowledge question correctly.

CONCLUSION

Although gastroenterologists' have high confidence in guidelines, they use them infrequently, primarily due to specifics being difficult to remember and lack of time. Self-reported confidence in an area of IBD management does not always reflect knowledge. An intervention targeting these barriers, for example computer-based clinical decision support tools, may improve adherence and standardise care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.