Corticosteroid therapy in the age of infliximab: acute and 1-year outcomes in newly diagnosed children with Crohn's disease

Clinical Characteristics and Long-term Outcomes of Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis: A Single-Center Experience in Korea

Background/Aims

Although pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) has a different phenotype and clinical course than adult UC, its clinical features and outcomes are poorly defined, especially in Asian populations. This study investigated the clinical features and long-term outcomes of pediatric UC in a Korean population.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 208 patients aged <18 years diagnosed with UC between 1987 and 2013. The patient characteristics at diagnosis according to the Paris classification and the clinical course were analyzed.

Results

The male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1, and the median patient age was 15.5 years. At diagnosis, 28.8% of patients had proctitis (E1), 27.8%, left-sided colitis (E2); 5.2%, extensive colitis (E3); and 38.2%, pancolitis (E4). The cumulative probabilities of extension after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 32.7%, 40.4%, 52.5%, and 65.8%, respectively. Eighteen patients underwent colectomy, and three patients had colorectal cancer. The cumulative probabilities of colectomy after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 7.1%, 8.9%, 12.6%, and 15.6%, and those of colorectal cancer after 10, 15, and 20 years were 0%, 2.1%, and 12.0%, respectively. The disease extent, Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index severity, and systemic corticosteroid therapy were significant risk factors for colectomy. The development of primary sclerosing cholangitis was significantly associated with colorectal cancer.

Conclusions

This study provides detailed information on the disease phenotype and long-term clinical outcomes in a large cohort of Korean children with UC. They have extensive disease at diagnosis, a high rate of disease extension, and a low rate of cumulative colectomy.

Long-term outcome of pediatric-onset Crohn's disease: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pediatric-onset Crohn's disease (CD) may represent a more severe form of disease. The aim of this study was to describe long-term outcome and identify associated risk factors of complicated behavior in a large population-based pediatric-onset CD cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cases included all patients recorded in the EPIMAD registry diagnosed with definite or probable CD between January 1988 and December 2004, under the age of 17 years at the time of diagnosis, with at least two years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Five hundred and thirty-five patients were included. Median follow-up was 11.1 years [IQR, 7.3-15.0]. At the end of follow-up, 8% (n = 44) of patients had pure ileal disease (L1), 8% (n = 44) had pure colonic disease (L2), and 83% (n = 439) had ileocolonic disease (L3). L4 disease and perianal disease were observed in 42% (n = 227) and 16% (n = 85) of patients, respectively. At the end of follow-up, 58% (n = 308) of patients presented complicated disease behavior (B2, 39% and B3, 19%), and 42% (n = 163) of patients with inflammatory behavior at diagnosis had evolved to complicated behavior. During follow-up, 86% of patients (n = 466) received at least one course of corticosteroids, 67% (n = 357) of patients had been exposed to immunosuppressants and 35% (n = 187) of patients received at least one anti-TNF agent. Forty-three percent (n = 230) of patients underwent at least one intestinal resection. The overall mortality rate was 0.93% and the SMR was 1.6 [0.5-3.8] (p = 0.20). Five cancers were reported with a crude cancer incidence rate of 1.1% and an SIR of 3.3 [1.2-7.0] (p = 0.01). In a multivariate Cox model, ileal (HR, 1.87 [1.09-3.21], p = 0.022) or ileocolonic (HR, 1.54 [1.01-2.34], p = 0.042) and perianal lesions at diagnosis (HR, 1.81 [1.13- 2.89], p = 0.013) were significantly associated with complicated behavior.

CONCLUSION

About 80% of patients with pediatric-onset CD presented extensive ileocolonic disease during follow-up. The majority of patients evolved to complicated behavior. Surgery, cancer and mortality were observed in 43%, 0.9% and 0.9% of patients, respectively.

Efficacy of adalimumab as second-line therapy in a pediatric cohort of Crohn's disease patients who failed infliximab therapy: the Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition experience

Background

Adalimumab (Ada) treatment is an available option for pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) and the published experience as rescue therapy is limited.

Objectives

We investigated Ada efficacy in a retrospective, pediatric CD cohort who had failed previous infliximab treatment, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.

Methods

In this multicenter study, data on demographics, clinical activity, growth, laboratory values (CRP) and adverse events were collected from CD patients during follow-up. Clinical remission (CR) and response were defined with Pediatric CD Activity Index (PCDAI) score ≤10 and a decrease in PCDAI score of ≥12.5 from baseline, respectively.

Results

A total of 44 patients were consecutively recruited (mean age 14.8 years): 34 of 44 (77%) had active disease (mean PCDAI score 24.5) at the time of Ada administration, with a mean disease duration of 3.4 (range 0.3–11.2) years. At 6, 12, and 18 months, out of the total of the enrolled population, CR rates were 55%, 78%, and 52%, respectively, with a significant decrease in PCDAI scores (P<0.01) and mean CRP values (mean CRP 5.7 and 2.4 mL/dL, respectively; P<0.01) at the end of follow-up. Steroid-free remission rates, considered as the total number of patients in CR who were not using steroids at the end of this study, were 93%, 95%, and 96% in 44 patients at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. No significant differences in growth parameters were detected. In univariate analysis of variables related to Ada efficacy, we found that only a disease duration >2 years was negatively correlated with final PCDAI score (P<0.01). Two serious adverse events were recorded: 1 meningitis and 1 medulloblastoma.

Conclusion

Our data confirm Ada efficacy in pediatric patients as second-line biological therapy after infliximab failure. Longer-term prospective data are warranted to define general effectiveness and safety in pediatric CD patients.

Natural history and outcome of inflammatory bowel diseases in children in Saudi Arabia: A single-center experience

Background/Aim

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder which includes ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), and indeterminate colitis (IC). The natural history of pediatric IBDs is poorly understood and generally unpredictable. We aim to study the natural history of IBD in Saudi children including the extraintestinal manifestations, changes in diagnosis, disease behavior, medical management, and surgical outcome.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of all the charts of children less than 14 years of age who were diagnosed as IBD and followed up in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH and RC) from January 2001 to December 2011 was performed.

Results

Sixty-six children were diagnosed with IBD, 36 patients (54.5%) had CD, 27 patients (41%) had UC, and 3 patients (4.5%) had IC. Change in the diagnosis from UC to CD was made in 5 patients (7.6%). Extraintestinal manifestations were documented in 32% of all patients, and the most common was bone involvement (osteopenia/osteoporosis) in 16.7% of the patients. Arthritis (13.6%) was the second most common manifestation. Sclerosing cholangitis was reported in 2.8% in CD compared to 14.8% in UC. At the time of data collection, 8 patients (12%) were off therapy, 38 patients (57.6) were on 5-ASA, 31 patients (47%) were on azathioprine, and 12 patients (18.2%) were receiving anti-TNF. Of the children with CD, 10 patients (27.8%) underwent 1 or more major operations. Of the children with UC, 18.5% underwent 1 or more major intraabdominal procedures.

Conclusions

Many issues in pediatric IBD can predict the natural history of the disease including growth failure, complications, need for more aggressive medical treatment, and/or surgery. More studies are needed from the region focusing on factors that may affect the natural history and disease progression.

Top-down Infliximab Study in Kids with Crohn's disease (TISKids): an international multicentre randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease predominantly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. CD usually requires lifelong medication and is accompanied by severe complications, such as fistulae and strictures, resulting in surgery. Infliximab (IFX) is very effective for treating paediatric patients with CD, but is currently only registered for therapy refractory patients-the so-called step-up strategy. We hypothesise that using IFX first-line, that is, top-down, will give more mucosal healing, fewer relapses, less complications, need for surgery and hospitalisation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This international multicentre open-label randomised controlled trial includes children, aged 3-17 years, with new-onset, untreated CD with moderate-to-severe disease activity (weighted Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (wPCDAI)>40). Eligible patients will be randomised to top-down or step-up treatment. Top-down treatment consists of 5 IFX infusions combined with azathioprine (AZA). After these 5 infusions, patients will continue AZA. Patients randomised to step-up will receive standard induction treatment, either oral prednisolone or exclusive enteral nutrition, combined with AZA as maintenance treatment. The primary outcome is clinical remission (wPCDAI<12.5) at 52 weeks without need for additional CD-related therapy or surgery. Total follow-up is 5 years. Secondary outcomes include clinical disease activity, mucosal healing by endoscopy (at week 10 and optionally week 52), faecal calprotectin, growth, quality of life, medication use and adverse events.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice. Medical-ethical approval will be obtained for each site.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02517684; Pre-results.

Impact of NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms on response to monoclonal antibody therapy in Crohn's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α monoclonal antibodies, and NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms have been reported to predict treatment response. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to determine the effect of NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms on treatment response in patients with CD.

METHODS

Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until 19 December 2015 using the keywords: NOD2, CARD15, polymorphism, Crohn's disease. Randomized controlled trials, prospective, retrospective, and cohort studies of patients with CD who received NOD2/CARD15 genetic analysis and were treated with monoclonal antibodies were included. The primary outcome was treatment response.

RESULTS

Of 104 records identified, only four studies were relevant and included in the analysis. The four studies included 355 patients with CD, patient age ranged from 35 to 41 years, and the proportion of males ranged from 33% to 38%; however, only two studies reported age and sex data. Patients were treated with adalimumab and/or infliximab. Analysis revealed that NOD2/CARD15 mutations were not significantly associated with response to adalimumab or infliximab treatment (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78 to 2.32, p = .278).

CONCLUSIONS

NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms do not predict response to adalimumab and infliximab in patients with CD. However, the number of included studies was small and treatment protocols varied. Further studies are necessary to determine the role of NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms in patients with CD.

Progress in the treatment and outcome of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients

INTRODUCTION

The number of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), namely Crohn´s disease, ulcerative colitis and unclassified colitis, has rapidly increased in Western countries. Areas covered: This review discusses how the treatment of pediatric IBD patients has improved,with attention given to therapeutic quality and cost. The literature search covers Medline-PubMed and the Cochrane Library, with February 2016 as the last search dates. Similarly to what has been the trend in the management of adult IBD, pediatric IBD therapy has become more active than before. High use of immunosuppressants and the availability of biological therapeutic agents has helped to control the extensive and aggressive course of pediatric IBD. Full disease control at an early phase has advantages such as preserving normal child growth and development, maintaining overall good health and quality of life, as well as decreasing the psychosocial burden of the disease. Expert commentary: A key research direction is to tailor treatment modalities according to anticipated individual phenotype and disease course. Another is to reduce healthcare costs by decreasing the so-far high rate of surgery of pediatric IBD patients, and, instead, to develop a more active approach to treatment than before.

The emerging global epidemic of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease--causes and consequences

Two decades ago, paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) drew only modest interest from the international paediatric community. Since then, dramatically globally increasing incidence rates have made childhood-onset IBD a priority for most paediatric gastroenterologists. The emerging pandemia of paediatric IBD has fuelled a quest to identify the recent changes in early life exposures that could explain the increasing risk for IBD amongst today's children. Treatment of children with IBD should aim for symptom control but should also target restoration of growth and prevention of pubertal delay. The paediatric IBD phenotype seems to be characterized by more extensive disease location, and some comparative studies have suggested that childhood-onset IBD also represents a more severe phenotype than the adult-onset IBD form. In this review, we analyse recent global incidence trends of paediatric IBD. We present an update on the known and suggested risk factors that could explain the emerging global epidemia of paediatric IBD. We also draw attention to differences in treatment between children and adults with IBD. Finally, we highlight latest follow-up studies that question the proposed dynamic and aggressive nature of childhood-onset IBD.

Infliximab "Top-Down" Strategy is Superior to "Step-Up" in Maintaining Long-Term Remission in the Treatment of Pediatric Crohn Disease

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare the efficacy of remission maintenance between infliximab "top-down" and "step-up" strategies in moderate to severe pediatric Crohn disease during 3 years. We also aimed to determine prognostic factors that may influence the relapse-free rate in these patients.

METHODS

The present study was a retrospective review of a prospective cohort, based on an infliximab treatment protocol for pediatric Crohn disease used at Samsung Medical Center. A total of 31 patients (group A) were treated with early infliximab induction ("top-down" strategy) and 20 patients (group B) refractory to conventional therapy underwent infliximab treatment ("step-up" strategy). The efficacy of infliximab treatment was assessed by relapse-free rate and remission period rate for 3 years. A total of 11 prognostic factors that may influence the relapse-free rate were further analyzed.

RESULTS

The relapse-free rates at 3 years were 35.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.194-0.519) in group A and 15.0% (95% CI 0.037-0.335) in group B (P = 0.0094). Overall remission period rate for 3 years also showed a significant difference between the 2 groups (92.1%  ± 7.2% vs 78.3%  ± 16.6%; P = 0.005). Multivariable analysis revealed that the duration from the initial diagnosis to infliximab infusion was the only factor associated with relapse-free remission for 3 years (hazard ratio = 1.077; 95% CI 1.025-1.131).

CONCLUSIONS

"Top-down" strategy had a longer remission period compared with the "step-up" strategy in pediatric Crohn disease during a study period of 3 years, based on relapse-free rate and remission period rate. Earlier introduction of infliximab is recommended in pediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn disease.

Presentation and progression of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease in Northern Stockholm County

BACKGROUND

Some studies have suggested that childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by extensive intestinal involvement and rapid progression to complications. Here, we report the presentation and progression of patients diagnosed with IBD during childhood in a population-based cohort from northern Stockholm County.

METHODS

Medical records for all 280 patients diagnosed in the period 1990-2007 with childhood-onset IBD in northern Stockholm County were followed until 2011 (median follow-up time, 8.8 yr). Disease phenotypes were classified according to the Paris pediatric IBD classification.

RESULTS

Among the 74 patients with ulcerative colitis, 72% presented with pancolitis. Among the 200 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 75% presented with colitis. Complicated disease behavior was observed in 18% of patients with CD by end of follow-up. Extension of the disease territory was observed in 22% of patients with ulcerative colitis and 15% of patients with CD. The cumulative risk of intra-abdominal surgery after 10 years was 8% (95% confidence interval, 4%-20%) for ulcerative colitis and 22% (95% confidence interval, 15%-28%) for patients with CD. Nonmucosal healing at 1 year was associated with a complicated disease course in patients with CD (hazard ratio = 14.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-118.68; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with childhood-onset IBD were characterized by extensive colitis that was relatively stable over time and associated with a relatively low risk of complications and abdominal surgery. Our findings confirm the more extensive disease location in pediatric IBD but did not identify the proposed dynamic and aggressive nature of the childhood-onset phenotype. The association of nonmucosal healing with a complicated disease course suggests that endoscopy should guide treatment intensity in childhood-onset CD.

Consensus guidelines of ECCO/ESPGHAN on the medical management of pediatric Crohn's disease

Children and adolescents with Crohn's disease (CD) present often with a more complicated disease course compared to adult patients. In addition, the potential impact of CD on growth, pubertal and emotional development of patients underlines the need for a specific management strategy of pediatric-onset CD. To develop the first evidenced based and consensus driven guidelines for pediatric-onset CD an expert panel of 33 IBD specialists was formed after an open call within the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation and the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterolog, Hepatology and Nutrition. The aim was to base on a thorough review of existing evidence a state of the art guidance on the medical treatment and long term management of children and adolescents with CD, with individualized treatment algorithms based on a benefit-risk analysis according to different clinical scenarios. In children and adolescents who did not have finished their growth, exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is the induction therapy of first choice due to its excellent safety profile, preferable over corticosteroids, which are equipotential to induce remission. The majority of patients with pediatric-onset CD require immunomodulator based maintenance therapy. The experts discuss several factors potentially predictive for poor disease outcome (such as severe perianal fistulizing disease, severe stricturing/penetrating disease, severe growth retardation, panenteric disease, persistent severe disease despite adequate induction therapy), which may incite to an anti-TNF-based top down approach. These guidelines are intended to give practical (whenever possible evidence-based) answers to (pediatric) gastroenterologists who take care of children and adolescents with CD; they are not meant to be a rule or legal standard, since many different clinical scenario exist requiring treatment strategies not covered by or different from these guidelines.

Standardized recording of parameters related to the natural history of inflammatory bowel disease: from Montreal to Paris

Similar to adults, there is heterogeneous phenotypic expression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. Thus, a classification system for disease characteristics is obligatory if one seeks to understand and eventually change the natural history of IBD. Extrapolation of adult clinical trial results to children also depends upon comparable classifications of disease. Features that can differentiate IBD in children from adults include more extensive and severe disease at presentation, frequent corticosteroid dependency, change in location and behavior over time, and the implications of disease for growth and sexual maturation. In contrast to the Montreal classification where all patients <17 years were grouped together, the Paris classification recognizes the different expression of pediatric IBD between those patients aged <10 years and those 10-17 years of age. The recent identification of monogenic disorders in very young children (<2 years) with severe IBD-like disease has further clouded the issue of where appropriate pediatric age guidelines should be drawn, though it is clear these infantile-onset cases should not be grouped with older children. The Paris classification recognizes the importance of upper tract disease on natural history by dividing it into L4a and L4b (proximal and distal to the ligament of Treitz, respectively), while the Montreal system groups all upper-tract patients together. Complicated disease behavior in the Montreal system mandated a single category preventing the concomitant designation as stricturing and penetrating, whereas the Paris classification recognizes that both stricturing and penetrating behavior may occur at the same or different times. Growth delay is recognized only in the Paris classification as a serious manifestation of IBD in children affecting therapeutic decisions. As our understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis in IBD changes over time, it is likely that the IBD classification will change as well. A single classification system that reflects both pediatric and adult disease is needed.

Increased effectiveness of early therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α vs an immunomodulator in children with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Standard therapy for children newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) includes early administration of immunomodulators after initial treatment with corticosteroids. We compared the effectiveness of early (≤3 mo after diagnosis) treatment with an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α with that of an immunomodulator in attaining clinical remission and facilitating growth of pediatric patients.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the RISK study, an observational research program that enrolled patients younger than age 17 diagnosed with inflammatory (nonpenetrating, nonstricturing) CD from 2008 through 2012 at 28 pediatric gastroenterology centers in North America. Patients were managed by physician dictate. From 552 children (median age, 11.8 y; 61% male; 63% with pediatric CD activity index scores >30; and median C-reactive protein level 5.6-fold the upper limit of normal), we used propensity score methodology to identify 68 triads of patients matched for baseline characteristics who were treated with early anti-TNFα therapy, early immunomodulator, or no early immunotherapy. We evaluated relationships among therapies, corticosteroid and surgery-free remission (pediatric CD activity index scores, ≤10), and growth at 1 year for 204 children. Treatment after 3 months was a covariate.

RESULTS

Early treatment with anti-TNFα was superior to early treatment with an immunomodulator (85.3% vs 60.3% in remission; relative risk, 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.75; P = .0017), whereas early immunomodulator therapy was no different than no early immunotherapy (60.3% vs 54.4% in remission; relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.83-1.48; P = .49) in achieving remission at 1 year. Accounting for therapy after 3 months, early treatment with anti-TNFα remained superior to early treatment with an immunomodulator (relative risk, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.20-1.89; P = .0004), whereas early immunomodulator therapy was no different than no early immunotherapy (relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.75-1.34; P = .99). The mean height z-score increased compared with baseline only in the early anti-TNFα group.

CONCLUSIONS

In children newly diagnosed with comparably severe CD, early monotherapy with anti-TNFα produced better overall clinical and growth outcomes at 1 year than early monotherapy with an immunomodulator. Further data will be required to best identify children most likely to benefit from early treatment with anti-TNFα therapy.

Use of exclusive enteral nutrition is just as effective as corticosteroids in newly diagnosed pediatric Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in induction of remission in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) is reported to be equivalent to that of corticosteroids (CS).

AIMS

Our objective was to compare the efficacy of EEN and CS in inducing remission in pediatric onset CD and the effects of the treatment on nutritional status and bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS

Medical charts were retrospectively studied for patients diagnosed with CD between 2000 and 2010 at the Stollery children's hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Anthropometric and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data were collected to assess effects of therapy; clinical remission, relapse, and severity were defined on the basis of the pediatric Crohn's disease activity index.

RESULTS

To induce remission at first presentation, 36 patients (mean age 12.9 years) received EEN and 69 (mean age 11.2 years) received CS. Remission (88.9% in the EEN group versus 91.3% in the CS group (p=0.73) at 3 months) and relapse (40.6 vs. 28.6%, respectively (p=0.12) over 12 months) were similar in both treatment groups. Thirty-four patients had paired DXA scans at the time of diagnosis and one year later: 16 given EEN and 18 given CS. Change in BMD spine z-scores based on bone age adjusted for height and chronological age was greater for EEN patients but not statistically significant (Δz-score 0.30 vs. 0.03, p=0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

EEN has similar efficacy to corticosteroids; however, EEN may lead to better BMD accrual. EEN should be preferred to corticosteroids as first-line therapy for induction of remission in pediatric CD.

Presenting features and disease course of pediatric ulcerative colitis

Clinical variables and disease course of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) have been poorly reported. The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe the phenotype and disease course of pediatric onset UC diagnosed at a tertiary referral Center for Pediatric Gastroenterology.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

110 patients with a diagnosis of UC were identified at our Department database. Records were reviewed for disease location and behavior at the diagnosis, family history for inflammatory bowel disease, pattern changes at the follow-up, need of surgery and cumulative risk for colectomy.

RESULTS

Thirty-five % of patients had an early-onset disease (0-7 years). At the diagnosis, 29% had proctitis, 22% left-sided colitis, 15% extensive colitis and 34% pancolitis. Fifteen % presented with a rectal sparing, while a patchy colonic inflammation was reported in 18%. Rectal sparing was significantly related to the younger age (p: <0.05). Disease extension at the follow up was reported in 29% of pts. No clinical variables at the diagnosis were related to the subsequent extension of the disease. The cumulative rates of colectomy were 9% at 2 year and 14% at 5 years. An extensive disease as well as acute severe colitis and corticosteroid therapy at the diagnosis were significantly associated with an increased risk of colectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric UC is extensive and severe at the diagnosis, with an overall high rate of disease extension at the follow-up. Endoscopic atypical features are common in young children. The colectomy rate is related to the location and severity of the disease at the diagnosis.

Profile of pediatric Crohn's disease in Belgium

AIM

A Belgian registry for pediatric Crohn's disease, BELCRO, was created. This first report aims at describing disease presentation and phenotype and determining associations between variables at diagnosis and registration in the database.

METHODS

Through a collaborative network, children with previously established Crohn's disease and newly diagnosed children and adolescents (under 18 y of age) were recruited over a 2 year period. Data were collected by 23 centers and entered in a database. Statistical association tests analyzed relationships between variables of interest at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-five patients were included. Median age at diagnosis was 12.5 y (range: 1.6-18 y); median duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 3 m (range: 1-12 m). Neonatal history and previous medical history did not influence disease onset nor disease behavior. Fifty three % of these patients presented with a BMI z-score < -1. CRP was an independent predictor of disease severity. Steroids were widely used as initial treatment in moderate to severe and extensive disease. Over time, immunomodulators and biological were prescribed more frequently, reflecting a lower prescription rate for steroids and 5-ASA. A positive family history was the sole significant determinant for earlier use of immunosuppression.

CONCLUSION

In Belgium, the median age of children presenting with Crohn's disease is 12.5 y. Faltering growth, extensive disease and upper GI involvement are frequent. CRP is an independent predictive factor of disease activity. A positive family history appears to be the main determinant for initial treatment choice.

6-Thioguanine levels in pediatric IBD patients: adherence is more important than dose

BACKGROUND

Thiopurine immunosuppressants such as 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are widely used to maintain remission in children with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Therapeutic efficacy is associated with higher red blood cell levels of the thiopurine metabolite 6-thioguanine (6-TGN). Studies in both children and adults have inexplicably failed to demonstrate a significant correlation between prescribed dose and level of 6-TGN. We aimed to quantify the relationship between 6-TGN levels and adherence.

METHODS

We used electronic monitoring devices to assess adherence in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases who were prescribed 6-MP.

RESULTS

During 3230 days of monitoring in 19 subjects, adherence to 6-MP was 74.2%. Due to the generally low adherence to the prescribed dose of 6-MP, the 6-TGN level was not correlated with the prescribed dose. The 6-TGN level was significantly correlated with the adherence-adjusted dose (R(2) = 0.395). It was also significantly correlated to adherence alone (R(2) = 0.478). Adherence to 5-aminosalicylic acid and 6-MP were significantly positively correlated (r(s)(9) = 0.82, P = 0.00), and a significant relationship was found between 5-aminosalicylic acid adherence and 6-TGN levels independent of 6-MP adherence. Furthermore, low adherence to 6-MP was associated with increased likelihood of escalation of medical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Red blood cell 6-TGN levels are strongly correlated with the dose, when the dose is actually taken. Lack of efficacy of thiopurines may often be the result of poor adherence. Novel ways of assessing and improving adherence are necessary. Future trials should assess adherence in study participants. Intake of 5-aminosalicylic acid positively influences 6-TGN levels.

Adjunctive treatment to antitumor necrosis factor in pediatric patients with refractory Crohn's disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The use of antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents to treat Crohn's disease in children has become quite common over the past decade. There are incomplete data to guide the clinician in choosing whether adjunctive therapy should be added to optimize response to these drugs.

RECENT FINDINGS

Addition of immunomodulators such as thiopurines or possibly methotrexate can increase anti-TNF drug levels, reduce the risk of antidrug antibodies, and improve response. This is tempered by the reports of younger patients developing hepato-splenic T-cell lymphoma while taking thiopurines with and without concomitant anti-TNF medications. The available data are reviewed including recent pediatric reports.

SUMMARY

The addition of immunomodulators to anti-TNF therapies can optimize their performance. Careful discussion of the risks and side-effects must be undertaken when considering this approach. Additional knowledge is required to stratify which children with inflammatory bowel disease need this approach, and/or who are at risk for significant complications.

Incidence, clinical characteristics, and natural history of pediatric IBD in Wisconsin: a population-based epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are needed to generate etiological hypotheses and inform public policy; yet, rigorous population-based studies of the incidence and natural history of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in the United States are limited.

METHODS

We developed a field-tested prospective system for identifying all new cases of IBD among Wisconsin children over an 8-year period (2000-2007). Subsequently, at the end of the study period, we retrospectively reconfirmed each case and characterized the clinical course of this incident cohort.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of IBD among Wisconsin children was 9.5 per 100,000 (6.6 per 100,000 for CD and 2.4 per 100,000 for UC). Approximately 19% of incident cases occurred in the first decade of life. Over the 8-year study period, the incidence of both CD and UC remained relatively stable. Additionally, (1) childhood IBD affected all racial groups equally, (2) over a follow-up of 4 years, 17% of patients with CD and 13% of patients with patients with UC required surgery, and (3) 85% and 40% of children with CD were treated with immunosuppressives and biologics, respectively, compared with 62% and 30% of patients with UC.

CONCLUSIONS

As in other North American populations, these data confirm a high incidence of pediatric-onset IBD. Importantly, in this Midwestern U.S. population, the incidence of CD and UC seems to be relatively stable over the last decade. The proportions of children requiring surgery and undergoing treatment with immunosuppressive and biological medications underscore the burden of these conditions.

Acute cognitive and behavioral effects of systemic corticosteroids in children treated for inflammatory bowel disease

Systemic corticosteroids are a mainstay of treatment for many pediatric medical conditions. Although their impact on the central nervous system has been well-studied in animal models and adults, less is known about such effects in pediatric populations. The current study investigated acute effects of corticosteroids on memory, executive functions, emotion, and behavior in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients 8-17 years with IBD (Crohn's disease, CD; ulcerative colitis, UC) on high-dose prednisone (n = 33) and IBD patients in remission off steroids (n = 33) completed standardized neuropsychological tests and behavior rating scales. In the IBD sample as a whole, few steroid effects were found for laboratory cognitive measures, but steroid-treated patients were rated as exhibiting more problems with emotional, and to a lesser extent with cognitive function in daily life. Steroid effects, assessed by laboratory measures and questionnaires, were more prevalent in CD than UC patients; UC patients on steroids sometimes performed better than controls. Sleep disruption also predicted some outcomes, diminishing somewhat the magnitude of the steroid effects. Corticosteroid therapy can have acute effects on cognition, emotion, and behavior in chronically ill children; the clinical and long-term significance of these effects require further investigation.

Colorectal considerations in pediatric patients

Colorectal disease in pediatric patients includes a spectrum of diseases, many of which have a significant impact on quality of life and warrant long-term follow-up and treatment into adulthood. Although many diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, are managed similar to adults, other disease processes are more common to pediatric patients and are the focus of this article.

Trends in early outpatient drug therapy in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Finland: a nationwide register-based study in 1999-2009

Objective. There are limited data on the changes of treatment strategies of disease-modifying drugs used to treat pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods. We utilized data from two national registers: the Drug Reimbursement Register for drug costs (for identifying children with IBD) and the Drug Purchase Register (for exposure to drugs), both of which are maintained by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The frequencies and trends of drug therapy strategies during the first year of pediatric IBD were evaluated between 1999 and 2009. Results. A total of 481 children diagnosed with IBD were identified. During the first six months, 68% of the patients purchased systemic corticosteroids; these combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid in almost all cases. The use of corticosteroids was stable from the early years compared with the end of the study period. In Crohn's disease, there was a trend towards more active use of azathioprine: the therapy was introduced earlier and proportion of pediatric patients purchasing azathioprine increased by up to 51% (P < 0.05). Conclusions. In pediatric IBD, the majority of patients purchased corticosteroid within the first six months, reflecting moderate-to-severe disease. During recent years in pediatric Crohn's disease, the therapeutic strategies of oral medication have changed towards more active immunosuppression with azathioprine.

Safety and efficacy of adalimumab for moderate to severe Crohn's disease in children

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The IMAgINE 1 study (NCT00409682) evaluated the safety and efficacy of adalimumab double-blind maintenance dosing regimens following open-label induction for pediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

We studied 192 patients with Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) scores >30 for whom conventional treatment was unsuccessful. Patients received open-label induction therapy with subcutaneous adalimumab at weeks 0 and 2 (160 mg and 80 mg, or 80 mg and 40 mg, for body weight ≥40 kg or <40 kg). At week 4, 188 patients were assigned to groups based on achievement of clinical response (defined as decrease in PCDAI ≥15 points from baseline; 155/188 [82.4%]) and prior exposure to infliximab (82/188 [43.6%]). Groups were given double-blind maintenance therapy with adalimumab at high (40 mg or 20 mg for body weight ≥40 kg or <40 kg; n = 93) or low doses (20 mg or 10 mg for body weight ≥40 kg or <40 kg; n = 95) every other week for 48 weeks. Clinical remission (PCDAI ≤10) at week 26 (the primary end point) was compared between groups using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, adjusting for strata, with nonresponder imputation. Adverse events were monitored to evaluate safety.

RESULTS

A total of 152 of 188 patients (80.9%) completed all 26 weeks of the study. At week 26, 63 patients (33.5%) were in clinical remission, with no significant difference between high- and low-dose groups (36/93 [38.7%] vs 27/95 [28.4%]; P = .075). No new safety signals were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Adalimumab induced and maintained clinical remission of children with CD, with a safety profile comparable to that of adult patients with CD. More children who received high compared with low dose were in remission at week 26, but the difference between dose groups was not statistically significant.

Glucocorticoids in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Children with moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are treated with systemic glucocorticoids (GCs). The majority of the patients respond to the given treatment; however, steroid resistance and dependency are significant clinical problems. Also therapy-related side effects limit the use of GCs in the control of active inflammation. This review summarizes recent knowledge of GC treatment in pediatric patients with IBD.

Antitumor necrosis factor treatment for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab are monoclonal antibodies against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), a proinflammatory cytokine with an increased expression in the inflamed tissues of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Currently, infliximab is the only anti-TNF drug that has been approved for use in refractory pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Nevertheless, adalimumab and certolizumab have been used off-label to treat refractory pediatric IBD. Over the past 10 years, anti-TNF treatment has been of great benefit to many pediatric IBD patients, but their use is not without risks (infections, autoimmune diseases, malignancies). Despite the growing experience with these drugs in children with IBD, optimal treatment strategies still need to be determined. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the use of anti-TNF drugs in pediatric IBD and to discuss the yet-unsolved issues.

Associations between variants in the ABCB1 (MDR1) gene and corticosteroid dependence in children with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroids (CS) effectively induce remission in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD). However, CS dependence in children is a significant clinical problem associated with numerous side effects. Identification of molecular markers of CS dependence is of paramount importance. The ABCB1 gene codes for P-glycoprotein, a transporter involved in the metabolism of CS. We examined whether DNA variation in the ABCB1 gene was associated with CS dependency in children with CD.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out in two Canadian tertiary pediatric gastroenterology centers. Clinical information was abstracted from medical charts of CD patients (N = 260) diagnosed with CD prior to age 18 and administered a first course of CS during the 1 year since diagnosis. Patients were classified as CS-dependent if they relapsed during drug tapering or after the end of therapy. DNA was extracted from blood or saliva. Thirteen tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) and a synonymous variation (C3435T) in the ABCB1 gene were genotyped. Allelic, genotype, and haplotype associations were examined using logistic regression and Haploview.

RESULTS

Tag-SNP rs2032583 was statistically significantly associated with CS dependency. The rare C allele of this SNP (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.95, P = 0.029) and heterozygous genotype TC (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28-0.95, P = 0.035) conferred protection from CS dependency. A three-marker haplotype was significantly associated with CS dependence (multiple comparison corrected P-value = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the ABCB1 gene may be associated with CS dependence in pediatric CD patients.

Long-term outcome of treatment with infliximab in pediatric-onset Crohn's disease: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

We examined short- and long-term benefits and safety of infliximab (IFX) in a population-based cohort of Crohn's disease (CD) patients <17 years old at diagnosis.

METHODS

The following parameters were assessed: short- and long-term efficacy of IFX, impact of drug efficacy, and mode of administration on rate of resection surgery, growth and nutritional catch-up, and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

In all, 120 patients (69 female) required IFX with a median duration of 32 months (Q1 = 8-Q3 = 60). Median age at diagnosis was 14.5 years (12-16) and median interval between diagnosis and IFX initiation was 41 months (22-78). Median follow-up since CD diagnosis was 111 months (75-161). Fifty patients (42%) received episodic and 70 (58%) maintenance therapy. Sixty-five (54%) patients were in the "IFX efficacy" group: 38 (32%) still receiving IFX at the last visit and 27 (22%) stopping IFX while in remission. The "IFX failure" group included 55 (46%) patients: 17 (14%) who stopped IFX due to AEs and 38 (32%) nonresponders. The risk of surgery was reduced (P = 0.009) in the "IFX efficacy" group and lower (P = 0.03) in patients with scheduled versus episodic therapy. Patients in the "IFX efficacy" group had significant catch-up growth (P = 0.04), while those in the "IFX failure" group did not. Twenty-four patients presented AEs leading to cessation of IFX in 17 of them.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based cohort of pediatric-onset CD, IFX treatment was effective in more than half of patients during a median follow-up of 32 months. Long-term IFX responders had a lower rate of surgery and improved catch-up in growth, especially when receiving scheduled IFX therapy.

The clinical implication of drug dependency in children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease: a review

Drug dependency in adult and paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is described and the significance of this response pattern in clinical practice discussed in this review. Dependent patients maintain remission while on the treatment, but they relapse shortly after drug cessation or dose decrease. However, a quick restoration of remission and sustained response is achieved when the therapy is re-introduced or dose increased. Population-based studies have demonstrated that 22-36% of adults and 14-50% of children become corticosteroid dependent. Approximately 1/4-1/3 of treated patients undergo surgery ≤1 year after treatment start, although newer paediatric studies reported lower risk of surgery (5-11%), including dependent patients. The frequent use of immunosuppressants (68-80% of children) might explain this favourable outcome and thus reduce importance of the term corticosteroid dependency. Infliximab dependency was described in 42-66% of children and 29% of adults with Crohn's disease. The risk of surgery 50 and 40 months after treatment start was 10% and 23% in infliximab dependent children and adults, respectively. Maintenance of infliximab in dependent patients was suggested to postpone if not avoid the need of surgery. Lastly, mesalazine dependency was identified in 23% of adults with Crohn's disease. These patients were characterized by mild disease course and lower surgical risk compared to non-responders to mesalazine (32 vs. 61%). Identification of drug dependency is useful for prediction of a certain disease course and surgery. An adjustment of medical therapy may alter the prognosis and disease course.

Immediate and long-term outcomes of corticosteroid therapy in pediatric Crohn's disease patients

BACKGROUND

Although a mainstay of treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD), corticosteroids use presents significant challenges because of large interindividual variability in response. Corticosteroid-dependence is of particular concern in children, where high rates have been reported. We examined the burden of corticosteroid-resistance and dependence in a well-characterized cohort of pediatric CD patients and investigated potential predictors of response.

METHODS

Children diagnosed with CD (<18 years), were recruited from two Canadian pediatric gastroenterology clinics. Immediate and long-term responses to corticosteroid therapy were retrospectively ascertained. Response rates (resistance and dependence) were estimated and potential predictors assessed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 645 CD patients, 364 (56.2%) received corticosteroids. The frequency of corticosteroid-resistance was (8.0%) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.0%-11%) and 40.9% (95% CI: 39.0%-46.0%) became dependent. In univariate analysis female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.1-5.5, P = 0.025), disease severity (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.10-5.38, P = 0.029), and complicated disease (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.18-6.41, P = 0.019) were associated with resistance. In multivariate analysis lower age at diagnosis (OR = 1.34,95% CI: 1.03-3.01, P = 0.040), coexisting upper digestive tract involvement (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06-3.07, P = 0.031), and concomitant immunomodulator use (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.75, P = 0.007) were significantly associated with steroid dependency.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that steroid dependency is a frequent complication in children with CD. Children with an earlier age at diagnosis and coexisting upper digestive tract involvement could be potentially targeted for steroid-sparing therapy.

The London Position Statement of the World Congress of Gastroenterology on Biological Therapy for IBD with the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation: pregnancy and pediatrics

Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have similar rates of fertility to the general population, but have an increased rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with the general population, which may be worsened by disease activity. Infertility is increased in those undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in pregnancy is considered to be low risk and compatible with use during conception in men and women and during pregnancy in at least the first two trimesters. Infliximab (IFX) and certolizumab pegol are also compatible with breastfeeding, but safety data for adalimumab (ADA) are awaited. The safety of natalizumab during pregnancy is unknown. For children with Crohn's disease (CD), IFX is effective at inducing and maintaining remission. Episodic therapy is not as effective as scheduled infusions. Disease duration in children does not appear to affect the efficacy of IFX. IFX promotes growth in prepubertal and early pubertal Crohn's patients. It is also effective for the treatment of extraintestinal manifestations. ADA is effective for children with active CD and for maintaining remission, even if they have lost response to IFX, although there are fewer data. Vaccination of infants exposed to biological therapy in utero should be given at standard schedules during the first 6 months of life, except for live-virus vaccines such as rotavirus. Inactivated vaccines may be safely administered to children with IBD, even when immunocompromised.

Genetic predictors of glucocorticoid response in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used in moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) but their effect is often unpredictable.

AIM

To determine the influence of 4 polymorphisms in the GC receptor [nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 (NR3C1)], interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and NACHT leucine-rich-repeat protein 1 (NALP1) genes, on the clinical response to steroids in pediatric patients with IBD.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-four young IBD patients treated with GCs for at least 30 days and with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were genotyped. The polymorphisms considered are the BclI in the NR3C1 gene, C-511T in IL-1β gene, and Leu155His and rs2670660/C in NALP1 gene. Patients were grouped as responder, dependant, and resistant to GCs. The relation between GC response and the genetic polymorphisms considered was examined using univariate, multivariate, and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that BclI polymorphism was more frequent in responders compared with dependant patients (P=0.03) and with the combined dependant and resistant groups (P=0.02). Moreover, the NALP1 Leu155His polymorphism was less frequent in the GC responsive group compared with resistant (P=0.0059) and nonresponder (P=0.02) groups. Multivariate analysis comparing responders and nonresponders confirmed an association between BclI mutated genotype and steroid response (P=0.030), and between NALP1 Leu155His mutant variant and nonresponders (P=0.033). An association between steroid response and male sex was also observed (P=0.034). In addition, Leu155His mutated genotype was associated with steroid resistance (P=0.034). Two CART analyses supported these findings by showing that BclI and Leu155His polymorphisms had the greatest effect on steroid response (permutation P value=0.046). The second CART analysis also identified age of disease onset and male sex as important variables affecting response.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm that genetic and demographic factors may affect the response to GCs in young patients with IBD and strengthen the importance of studying high-order interactions for predicting response.

Change in the treatment strategy for pediatric Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is characterized by chronic inflammation involving any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. Treating Crohn's disease is a major challenge for clinicians, as no curative therapy currently exists. Pediatric Crohn's disease is characterized by frequent relapses, a wide extent of disease, a high prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations, and a severe clinical course. The classic therapeutic approach is known as the 'step-up' strategy, and follows a progressive course of treatment intensification as disease severity increases. Although this approach is usually effective for symptom control, many patients become either resistant to or dependent on corticosteroids. The efficacy of infliximab suggests that, rather than a progressive course of treatment, early intense induction may reduce complications associated with conventional treatment and improve quality of life. Intensive early therapy with infliximab is known as the 'top-down' strategy. Such therapy offers the potential for altering the natural history of Crohn's disease, and is changing treatment paradigms. However, the relatively new concept of an early aggressive or 'top-down' treatment approach is not yet widely accepted, especially in pediatric patients. The results of our current study demonstrate that early and intensive treatment of pediatric Crohn's disease patients with infliximab, at initial diagnosis, was more effective for maintaining remission and reducing flares.

Clinical practice in Crohn's disease in bordering regions of two countries: different medical options, distinct surgical events

Contemplating the multifactorial nature of Crohn's disease (CD), the purpose of this study was to compare two neighbouring CD populations from different nations and examine how clinical characteristics of patients can influence therapeutic strategies and consequently different surgical events in routine clinical practice. Cross-sectional study based on data of an on-line registry of patients with CD in northern Portugal and Galicia. Of the 1238 patients, all with five or more years of disease, 568 (46%) were male and 670 (54%) female. The Portuguese and Galician populations were similar regarding Montreal categories, age at diagnosis, and years of follow-up. Galician B2 patients were associated with immunosuppression (OR 3.6; CI 2.2-6.1) and biologic treatment (OR 1.8; CI 1.0-3.1). In both populations ileocolonic disease was associated with immunosuppression and biologic treatment and the penetrating group was linked to immunosuppression. In the north of Portugal 47% and 16% of patients, and in Galicia 63% and 33%, were treated with immunosuppressants and biologic treatment, respectively. In the north of Portugal 44% of patients classified as stricturing behavior were operated without immunomodulation, in contrast to 12% in Galicia. In the latter it was possible to maintain 16% of B2 patients and 40% of B3 patients without surgery with adequate immunosuppression and/or biologic treatment. The delta of surgeries in B2 patients was 8% and in B3 26%.

CONCLUSIONS

Stratifying patients according to the Montreal classification identified similar clinical patterns in disparate geographic populations, and revealed that differing medical therapeutic practices may influence the occurrence of surgical events.

Systematic review: steroid withdrawal in anti-TNF-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The increasing awareness of increased risk for opportunistic infections when combining several immunosuppressant drugs led to new treatment goals for inflammatory bowel disease including limited use of steroids.

AIM

To conduct a systematic review to establish figures for steroid withdrawal in anti-TNF treated inflammatory bowel disease-patients.

METHODS

Medline was searched using the search-terms Ulcerative Colitis (UC) [Mesh], Crohn Disease (CD) [Mesh], IBD [Mesh], crohn, colitis, IBD and steroid sparing, all combined with infliximab and adalimumab. We selected English-language publications that addressed the effect of anti-TNF on steroid withdrawal. Studies had to assess patients with luminal CD or UC. Numbers of patients who were able to withdraw steroids were calculated.

RESULTS

Six studies could be included; five reporting on infliximab and one on adalimumab. Studies were heterogeneously designed. Overall, in the adult population, up to 38% of the patients were able to withdraw corticosteroids during infliximab therapy. In the paediatric population, up to 75% of the patients were able to withdraw corticosteroids during infliximab therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a consensus on the definition of steroid-sparing is lacking, approximately two-thirds of the inflammatory bowel disease-patients are unable to withdraw corticosteroid treatment during anti-TNF therapy.

Neuro-endocrine-immune network and inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases of unknown etiology, including mainly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Numerous studies have indicated that there is considerable relationship between the pathogenesis of IBD and the neuro-endocrine-immune network. This article will describe the essential role of the neuro-immune-endocrine network in the development of IBD in terms of the hypothalamus-autonomic nervous system (HANS) axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and immunity.

Nutritional considerations in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Nutrition is a critical part of the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adults. Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are common at the time of diagnosis and may persist throughout the course of the disease. There are a number of similarities with regards to the nutritional complications and the approach to nutritional management in IBD in both children and adults, but there are also important differences. Growth failure, pubertal delay and the need for corticosteroid-sparing regimens are of higher importance in pediatrics. In the pediatric population, exclusive enteral nutrition may be equivalent to corticosteroids in inducing remission in acute Crohn's disease, and may have benefits over corticosteroids in children. Adherence with exclusive enteral nutrition is better in children than in adults. Iron deficiency anemia is an important problem for adults and children with IBD. Intravenous iron administration may be superior to oral iron supplementation. Ensuring adequate bone health is another critical component of nutritional management in IBD, but guidelines for screening and therapeutic interventions for low bone mineral density are lacking in children.

Response to medical treatment in patients with Crohn's disease: the role of NOD2/CRAD15, disease phenotype, and age of diagnosis

PURPOSE

Factors influencing response to medications in Crohn's disease (CD) patients are not fully understood. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between NOD2/CARD15 mutations, disease phenotype and age of CD diagnosis and response to medical treatment with systemic steroids, azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and infliximab.

METHODS

A retrospective medical records analysis was made of patients previously tested for the CD-associated NOD2/CARD15 mutations. Harvey- Bradshaw score was used to assess remission or response to therapy.

RESULTS

CD-associated NOD2/CARD15 mutations were not related to the rate of steroids dependency or clinical response to AZA/6-MP and infliximab. Steroid dependency was associated with colonic involvement. Thirty-three of 127 (26%) patients with colonic disease were steroid dependent, compared with 7/72 (9.7%) patients with isolated small bowel disease (ISBD), (p = 0.009). ISBD was mildly associated with a better remission/response to AZA/6-MP treatment. Disease behavior and age of diagnosis were not related to response to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Response to treatment with systemic steroids, AZA/6-MP and infliximab are not related to NOD2/CARD15 mutations, age of diagnosis and disease behavior. Patients with colonic disease have higher rates of steroid dependency.

Efficacy of early treatment with infliximab in pediatric Crohn’s disease

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of early infliximab use for induction and maintenance therapy in pediatric Crohn’s disease.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 36 patients with Crohn’s disease. Ten patients (group A) were treated with mesalamine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone, and 13 patients (group B) were treated with azathioprine after induction therapy with oral prednisolone. Thirteen patients (group C) received infliximab and azathioprine for induction and maintenance therapy for the first year, and were treated with azathioprine after 1 year. All patients were followed for at least 24 mo. Efficacy was determined by the relapse rate using the pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index score in each group at 12 and 24 mo.

RESULTS: At the 1 year follow-up, the relapse rate (23.1%, 3 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (61.5%, 8 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). At the 2 years follow-up, the relapse rate (38.5%, 5 of 13 patients) in group C was lower than that (76.9%, 10 of 13 patients) in group B (P = 0.047). Adverse events in group C were fewer than in groups A and B.

CONCLUSION: Early induction with infliximab at diagnosis, known as “top-down” therapy, was effective for reducing the relapse rate compared to conventional therapies for at least 2 years.

[Chronically ill children become grown-up. What does the internist learn from the pediatrician?]

Transition from the protective, child and family centered pediatric care to the adult health care system with the expectation of patient self care and self management, is challenging the adolescent as well as his adult specialist. The young patients often show a delayed somatic and psychosocial development and oppose not only against their parents but also against their medical team. Adult specialists feel not well trained and experienced in dealing with adolescents. They are worried about the difficulties in the guidance of the patients and the non adherence to therapeutic recommendations. Due to medical progress, many children with severe or/and fatal chronic disorders are now surviving into adulthood. Profound knowledge of diseases that were known until now almost exclusively in the pediatric population as well as an awareness of normal physical, mental and psychosocial development of childhood and adolescence is not training content of German internists. The intention of this article is to discuss some of the experiences of pediatricians that might be helpful to internists to take better care for these special young patients.

Systematic review of the evidence base for the medical treatment of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the evidence base for the medical (pharmaceutical and nutritional) treatment of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

Key clinical questions were formulated regarding different treatment modalities used in the treatment of paediatric (not adult-onset) IBD, in particular the induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Electronic searches were performed from January 1966 to December 2006, using the electronic search strategy of the Cochrane IBD group. Details of papers were entered on a dedicated database, reviewed in abstract form, and disseminated in full for appraisal. Clinical guidelines were appraised using the AGREE instrument and all other relevant papers were appraised using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology, with evidence levels given to all papers.

RESULTS

A total of 6285 papers were identified, of which 1255 involved children; these were entered on the database. After critical appraisal, only 103 publications met our criteria as evidence on medical treatment of paediatric IBD. We identified 3 clinical guidelines, 1 systematic review, and 16 randomised controlled trials; all were of variable quality, with none getting the highest methodological scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first comprehensive review of the evidence base for the treatment of paediatric IBD, highlighting the paucity of trials of high methodological quality. As a result, the development of clinical guidelines for managing children and young people with IBD must be consensus based, informed by the best-available evidence from the paediatric literature and high-quality data from the adult IBD literature, together with the clinical expertise and multidisciplinary experience of paediatric IBD experts.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Safety and Effect of Adalimumab Therapy (RESEAT) in pediatric Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVES

Adalimumab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor immunoglobulin-1 antibody, is increasingly being reported as a potential treatment option for children with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to characterize common indications, safety, tolerability, and clinical response to adalimumab in pediatric CD in a large, multicenter, patient cohort.

METHODS

Data were obtained using a retrospective, uncontrolled chart review at 12 sites of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative Research Group. Clinical, laboratory, and demographic data were obtained for CD patients who received at least one dose of adalimumab. Indication for adalimumab, concomitant medications, and clinical outcome at 3, 6, and 12 months for each patient were recorded using physician global assessment (PGA) and Pediatric CD Activity Index scores. Serious adverse events were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 115 patients (54% female) received at least one dose of adalimumab. The mean age at the diagnosis of CD was 11.1+/-3.1 years, with the first adalimumab dose administered at 4.7+/-2.8 years after diagnosis. The most common dosing frequency was every other week with induction doses of 160/80 mg in 19%, 80/40 mg in 44%, and 40/40 mg in 15% of patients. Maintenance dosing was 40 mg every other week in 88% of patients. Mean follow-up after initial adalimumab dose was 10+/-8.6 months. Infliximab treatment preceded adalimumab in 95% of patients, with a mean of 12 infliximab infusions (range: 1-44). Infliximab discontinuation was due to loss of response (47%), infusion reaction or infliximab intolerance (45%), or preference for a subcutaneous medication (9%). Concomitant medications at the commencement of adalimumab were corticosteroids (38%), azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (41%), and methotrexate (23%). Clinical response measured by PGA at 3, 6, and 12 months was 65, 71, and 70%, respectively, with steroid-free remission at 3, 6, and 12 months of 22, 33, and 42%, respectively. There were no malignancies, serious infections, or deaths in the study subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Adalimumab was a well-tolerated and effective rescue therapy for moderate-to-severe pediatric CD patients previously treated with infliximab. Adalimumab demonstrated a steroid-sparing effect, and >70% of patients achieved rapid response that was sustained through 12 months.

Overview of biologic therapy for Crohn's disease

Therapy for Crohn's disease (CD) is evolving at breakneck speed. Biologic therapies are assuming ever more important roles in treating this unrelenting, life-long disorder. New evidence suggests that earlier, more aggressive use of biological therapies for CD may improve overall efficacy rates, as well as reduce long-term complications. In addition to optimizing the use of older biologic therapies (antibodies against TNF-alpha), recent and ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the clinical efficacy of a large number of other biologic therapies, honing in on a wide array of immunological targets. The promise of biologic therapies stems from their ability to induce complete and long-lasting remission of symptoms in a way that 'standard' therapies have not been able to accomplish. In this review of biologic therapies for CD, we examine the latest clinical trial data and evidence for mechanism of action of a variety of current and future therapies.

Infliximab therapy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease: 10 years on

The advent of infliximab a decade ago has drastically changed the treatment paradigm for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Controlled evidence supports the use of this anti-TNF antibody to treat luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pediatric Crohn's disease and extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. For all IBD indications induction with infliximab 5 mg/kg IV at weeks 0-2-6, followed by q8 week scheduled maintenance is advocated. Novel treatment goals such as mucosal healing and the reduction of hospitalizations and surgeries, have been achieved by infliximab and open the perspective of disease modification. The benefit to risk ratio of infliximab is comparable to that of other immunosuppressive treatments such as azathioprine, provided patients are correctly selected and followed. Despite this progress, optimal treatment strategies are still debated. Recent evidence supports the 'top down' use of infliximab in patients naive to azathioprine or methotrexate, but the lack of clinically useful predictors of a debilitating disease course hinders the selection of patients eligible for early biological intervention. Secondary loss of response or intolerance due to immunogenicity is intrinsic to the use of therapeutic antibodies, and fuels the controversy over the combination of anti-TNF agents with traditional immunosuppressives.

Efficacy of adalimumab in moderate-to-severe pediatric Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVES

The use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists has changed the therapeutic strategy for Crohn's disease (CD). Adalimumab (ADA), a fully human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, is an effective therapy for patients with CD, both naive patients and those intolerant or refractory to Infliximab (IFX), a chimeric anti-TNF-alpha agent. However, the use of ADA is rarely reported in pediatric CD. We performed an open prospective evaluation of short- and long-term efficacy and safety of ADA in children with moderate-to-severe CD.

METHODS

A total of 23 pediatric CD patients (9 naive and 14 intolerant or unresponsive to IFX) received ADA subcutaneously as a loading schedule at weeks 0 and 2, and at every other week (eow) during a 48-week maintenance phase. Loading and maintenance doses were 160/80 and 80 mg eow in 13 cases, 120/80 and 80 mg eow in 2, and 80/40 and 40 mg eow in 8 cases. The primary efficacy outcomes were clinical remission and response at different scheduled visits along the maintenance phase. At baseline, 13 patients also received immunomodulators (IMs).

RESULTS

At weeks 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48, remission rates were 36.3, 60.8, 30.5, 50, and 65.2%, respectively, whereas response rates were 87, 88, 70, 86, and 91%, respectively. Four patients at week 24 and 2 at week 48 received IMs; the mean daily corticosteroid dose, disease activity index, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased significantly throughout the trial. No serious adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

ADA can be an effective and safe biological agent for inducing and maintaining remission in children with moderate-to-severe CD, even in those with previous IFX therapy.

Positioning biologic agents in the treatment of Crohn's disease

One decade after the emergence of biologic therapy for Crohn's disease (CD), our treatment algorithms are beginning to change. Once reserved for patients with refractory disease, disease unresponsive to conventional therapies, or those requiring multiple courses of corticosteroids, there is increasing evidence that early, aggressive interventions with immunosuppressants or biologic therapies targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha or alpha-4 integrins can alter the natural history of CD by reducing the transmural complications of structuring and fistulization and the nearly inevitable requisite for surgical resections. More recent trials are beginning to suggest that intervention with combination therapy for selected patients with a poor prognosis may modify the long-term course of CD. Selection of patients with features predicting a complex or progressive course and early, combined intervention is now possible. Future studies are still needed to best identify predictors of response to individual agents with differing mechanisms of action, as well as to optimize the risk-benefit of long-term maintenance therapy.