Postvaccination Symptoms After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective, Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy is prevalent among people with IBD, in part due to insufficient evidence regarding comparative safety of vaccines in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide comparative study of postvaccination symptoms among those with IBD and health care workers (HCWs) without IBD. Symptom frequency, severity, and duration were measured. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher's exact test. Regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding variables.

RESULTS

We had 2910 and 2746 subjects who completed a survey after dose 1 (D1) and dose 2 (D2) respectively (D1: HCW = 933, IBD = 1977; D2: HCW = 884, IBD = 1862). Mean age was 43 years, 67% were female, and 23% were nonwhite; 73% received BNT162b2 (Pfizer) including almost all HCWs and 60% of IBD patients. Most postvaccine symptoms were mild and lasted ≤2 days after both doses in both groups. Health care workers experienced more postvaccination symptoms overall than IBD patients after each dose (D1: 57% vs 35%, P < .001; D2: 73% vs 50%, P < .001). Gastrointestinal symptoms were noted in IBD more frequently after D1 (5.5% vs 3%, P = .003) but not after D2 (10% vs 13%, P = .07). Inflammatory bowel disease subjects who received mRNA-1273 (Moderna) reported more overall symptoms compared with BNT162b2 (57% vs 46%, P < .001) including gastrointestinal symptoms (12% vs 8%, P = .002) after D2.

CONCLUSIONS

People with IBD had fewer postvaccination symptoms following the first 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines than HCWs. Among those with symptoms, most symptoms were mild and of short duration.

Pre-operative visceral adipose tissue radiodensity is a potentially novel prognostic biomarker for early endoscopic post-operative recurrence in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests inflammatory mesenteric fat is involved in post-operative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD). However, its prognostic value is uncertain, in part, due to difficulties studying it non-invasively.

AIM

To evaluate the prognostic value of pre-operative radiographic mesenteric parameters for early endoscopic POR (ePOR).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of CD subjects ≥ 12 years who underwent ileocecal or small bowel resection between 1/1/2007 to 12/31/2021 with computerized tomography abdomen/pelvis ≤ 6 months pre-operatively and underwent ileocolonoscopy ≤ 15 months post-operatively. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume (cm3), ratio of VAT:subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume, VAT radiodensity, and ratio of VAT:SAT radiodensity were generated semiautomatically. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy (LAD, largest lymph node > 10 mm) and severe vasa recta (VR) engorgement (diameter of the VR supplying diseased bowel ≥ 2 × VR supplying healthy bowel) were derived manually. The primary outcome was early ePOR (Rutgeert's score ≥ i2 on first endoscopy ≤ 15 months post-operatively) and the secondary outcome was ePOR severity (Rutgeert's score i0-4). Regression analyses were performed adjusting for demographic and disease-related characteristics to calculate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Of the 139 subjects included, 45% of subjects developed early ePOR (n = 63). VAT radiodensity (aOR 0.59, 95%CI: 0.38-0.90) and VAT:SAT radiodensity (aOR 8.54, 95%CI: 1.48-49.28) were associated with early ePOR, whereas, VAT volume (aOR 1.23, 95%CI: 0.78-1.95), VAT:SAT volume (aOR 0.80, 95%CI: 0.53-1.20), severe VR engorgement (aOR 1.53, 95%CI: 0.64-3.66), and mesenteric LAD (aOR 1.59, 95%CI: 0.67-3.79) were not. Similar results were observed for severity of ePOR.

CONCLUSION

VAT radiodensity is potentially a novel non-invasive prognostic imaging marker to help risk stratify CD patients for POR.

Comparative Persistence of Non-tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) vs. TNF Antagonists for Post-operative Prophylaxis in Crohn's Disease (CD)

BACKGROUND

The comparative safety and effectiveness of available biologics for post-operative prophylaxis in Crohn's disease (CD) is uncertain. Drug persistence may serve as a real-world proxy for tolerability and effectiveness. We evaluated the comparative persistence of non-TNF and TNF antagonists for post-operative prophylaxis and their comparative effectiveness for preventing early endoscopic post-operative recurrence (POR).

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of surgically naïve CD subjects undergoing ileocecal or small bowel resection between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2021 and prescribed a biologic for post-operative prophylaxis. We compared the risk of prophylaxis failure (requiring recurrent surgery or discontinuation of therapy due to persistent POR despite optimized drug level or dose escalation, immunogenicity, and/or adverse event) and early endoscopic POR (Rutgeert's score ≥ i2 within 15 months postoperatively) between non-TNF and TNF antagonist prophylaxis using Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression, respectively, adjusting for demographic and disease characteristics.

RESULTS

The study included 291 subjects (81% TNF antagonists). After multivariable adjustment, non-TNF antagonist prophylaxis was associated with a significantly lower risk of prophylaxis failure than TNF antagonists (hazard ratio 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.13-0.53]). Prophylaxis with non-TNF and TNF antagonists had similar risk of early endoscopic POR (odds ratio 0.66; 95% CI [0.32-1.36]). Stratifying the non-TNF antagonists by anti-integrin and anti-IL12/23 yielded similar results.

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of surgically naïve CD subjects prescribed a biologic for post-operative prophylaxis, non-TNF antagonists had greater persistence than TNF antagonists with similar risk for early endoscopic POR. If confirmed by large, prospective studies, these findings can inform post-operative management strategies in CD.

A randomized controlled trial of a proactive analgesic protocol demonstrates reduced opioid use among hospitalized adults with inflammatory bowel disease

Most hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience pain. Despite the known risks associated with opioids in IBD including risk for misuse, overdose, infection, readmission, and even death, opioid use is more prevalent in IBD than any other chronic gastrointestinal condition. Most hospitalized IBD patients receive opioids; however, opioids have not been shown to improve pain during hospitalization. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in hospitalized patients with IBD to evaluate the impact of a proactive opioid-sparing analgesic protocol. Wearable devices measured activity and sleep throughout their hospitalization. Chronic opioid users, post-operative, and pregnant patients were excluded. The primary endpoint was a change in pain scores from admission to discharge. Secondary endpoints included opioid use, functional activity, sleep duration and quality, and length of stay. Of 329 adults with IBD evaluated for eligibility, 33 were enrolled and randomized to the intervention or usual care. Both the intervention and control group demonstrated significant decreases in pain scores from admission to discharge (- 2.6 ± 2.6 vs. - 3.0 ± 3.2). Those randomized to the intervention tended to have lower pain scores than the control group regardless of hospital day (3.02 ± 0.90 vs. 4.29 ± 0.81, p = 0.059), used significantly fewer opioids (daily MME 11.8 ± 15.3 vs. 30.9 ± 42.2, p = 0.027), and had a significantly higher step count by Day 4 (2330 ± 1709 vs. 1050 ± 1214; p = 0.014). There were no differences in sleep duration, sleep quality, readmission, or length-of-stay between the two groups. A proactive analgesic protocol does not result in worsening pain but does significantly reduce opioid-use in hospitalized IBD patients.Clinical trial registration number: NCT03798405 (Registered 10/01/2019).

Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Higher Visceral Adipose Tissue Burden May Benefit From Higher Infliximab Concentrations to Achieve Remission

INTRODUCTION

In patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), high visceral adipose tissue (VAT) burden is associated with a lower response to infliximab, potentially through alterations in volume distribution and/or clearance. Differences in VAT may also explain the heterogeneity in target trough levels of infliximab associated with favorable outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess whether VAT burden may be associated with infliximab cutoffs associated with efficacy in patients with IBD.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of patients with IBD receiving maintenance infliximab therapy. We measured baseline body composition parameters (Lunar iDXA), disease activity, trough levels of infliximab, and biomarkers. The primary outcome was steroid-free deep remission. The secondary outcome was endoscopic remission within 8 weeks of infliximab level measurement.

RESULTS

Overall, 142 patients were enrolled. The optimal trough levels of infliximab cutoffs associated with steroid-free deep remission and endoscopic remission were 3.9 mcg/mL (Youden Index [J]: 0.52) for patients in the lowest 2 VAT % quartiles (<1.2%) while optimal infliximab level cutoffs associated with steroid-free deep remission for those patients in the highest 2 VAT % quartiles was 15.3 mcg/mL (J: 0.63). In a multivariable analysis, only VAT % and infliximab level remained independently associated with steroid-free deep remission (odds ratio per % of VAT: 0.3 [95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.64], P < 0.001 and odds ratio per μg/mL: 1.11 [95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.19], P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

The results may suggest that patients with higher visceral adipose tissue burden may benefit from achieving higher infliximab levels to achieve remission.

Genetic coding variant in complement factor B (CFB) is associated with increased risk for perianal Crohn's disease and leads to impaired CFB cleavage and phagocytosis

OBJECTIVE

Perianal Crohn's disease (pCD) occurs in up to 40% of patients with CD and is associated with poor quality of life, limited treatment responses and poorly understood aetiology. We performed a genetic association study comparing CD subjects with and without perianal disease and subsequently performed functional follow-up studies for a pCD associated SNP in Complement Factor B (CFB).

DESIGN

Immunochip-based meta-analysis on 4056 pCD and 11 088 patients with CD from three independent cohorts was performed. Serological and clinical variables were analysed by regression analyses. Risk allele of rs4151651 was introduced into human CFB plasmid by site-directed mutagenesis. Binding of recombinant G252 or S252 CFB to C3b and its cleavage was determined in cell-free assays. Macrophage phagocytosis in presence of recombinant CFB or serum from CFB risk, or protective CD or healthy subjects was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Perianal complications were associated with colonic involvement, OmpC and ASCA serology, and serology quartile sum score. We identified a genetic association for pCD (rs4151651), a non-synonymous SNP (G252S) in CFB, in all three cohorts. Recombinant S252 CFB had reduced binding to C3b, its cleavage was impaired, and complement-driven phagocytosis and cytokine secretion were reduced compared with G252 CFB. Serine 252 generates a de novo glycosylation site in CFB. Serum from homozygous risk patients displayed significantly decreased macrophage phagocytosis compared with non-risk serum.

CONCLUSION

pCD-associated rs4151651 in CFB is a loss-of-function mutation that impairs its cleavage, activation of alternative complement pathway, and pathogen phagocytosis thus implicating the alternative complement pathway and CFB in pCD aetiology.

Effectiveness of Oral Tofacitinib in Chronic Pouchitis: A Prospective, Open-Label Pilot Study

Oral tofacitinib can be effective in inducing response and remission in patients with chronic antibiotic refractory pouchitis. In addition to improving symptoms and quality of life, it can lead to improvement in endoscopic inflammation score and fecal calprotectin.

Higher Intra-Abdominal Visceral Adipose Tissue Mass Is Associated With Lower Rates of Clinical and Endoscopic Remission in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Initiating Biologic Therapy: Results of the Constellation Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We sought to assess the association between intra-abdominal visceral adipose tissue (IA-VAT) and response to 3 different biologic drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokine expression, pharmacokinetics, and intestinal microbiota.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled subjects with active IBD initiating infliximab, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab and a healthy control group. Baseline body composition (including IA-VAT as percent of total body mass [IA-VAT%]) was measured using GE iDXA scan. Primary outcome was corticosteroid- free deep remission at weeks 14-16, defined as Harvey Bradshaw Index <5 for Crohn's disease and partial Mayo score <2 for ulcerative colitis, with a normal C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin. Secondary outcomes were corticosteroid-free deep remission and endoscopic remission (Endoscopic Mayo Score ≤1 in ulcerative colitis or Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease ≤2) at weeks 30-46.

RESULTS

A total of 141 patients with IBD and 51 healthy controls were included. No differences in body composition parameters were seen between the IBD and healthy control cohorts. Patients with higher IA-VAT% were less likely to achieve corticosteroid-free deep remission (P < .001) or endoscopic remission (P = .02) vs those with lower IA-VAT%. Furthermore, nonresponders with high IA-VAT% had significantly higher serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor at baseline compared with responders and patients with low IA-VAT%. Drug pharmacokinetic properties and microbiota diversity were similar when comparing high and low IA-VAT% groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher IA-VAT% was independently associated with worse outcomes. This association could be driven at least partially by discrete differences in inflammatory cytokine expression.

Combination Therapy With Immunomodulators Improves the Pharmacokinetics of Infliximab But Not Vedolizumab or Ustekinumab

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess how 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6-TGN) levels and use of oral methotrexate relate to the pharmacokinetics of biologics.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study including patients with inflammatory bowel diseases on maintenance doses of infliximab, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab on monotherapy or combination with a thiopurine or oral methotrexate. We collected 6-TGN concentrations, biomarker levels, and clinical and endoscopic disease activity. The primary outcomes were infliximab, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab concentrations as well as anti-drug antibodies (ADAs).

RESULTS

A total of 369 patients were recruited (113 infliximab, 133 vedolizumab, and 123 ustekinumab). Patients with 6-TGN levels ≥146 pmol per 8 × 108 red blood cells (RBCs), and those receiving combination therapy with thiopurine or oral methotrexate had significantly higher infliximab concentrations when compared with monotherapy (median levels of 17.4 μg/mL on thiopurine with 6-TGN ≥146 pmol per 8 × 108 RBCs, 17.1 on methotrexate, and 3.9 on infliximab monotherapy; P = .001 for both comparisons). However, there was no association between the use of immunomodulators and 6-TGN concentrations with vedolizumab (median levels of 8.8 on thiopurine with 6-TGN ≥152 pmol per 8 × 108 RBCs, 6.8 on methotrexate, and 10.5 on vedolizumab monotherapy; P > .05 for both comparisons) or ustekinumab median concentrations (median levels of 5.0 on thiopurine with 6-TGN ≥154 pmol per 8 × 108 RBCs, 5.2 on methotrexate and 7.0 on ustekinumab monotherapy; P > .05 for both comparisons). Fourteen (12%) patients had anti-infliximab antibodies, while 1 patient had ADAs in each of the other drug cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Achieving higher 6-TGN levels or the use of methotrexate improved the pharmacokinetics of infliximab. Conversely, these data do not support the use of combination therapy to augment pharmacokinetics with vedolizumab or ustekinumab.

Postvaccination Symptoms After a Fourth Dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Overall, 1933 participants with IBD completed at least 1 questionnaire regarding postvaccination symptoms after administration of each of the 4 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. Symptoms after a fourth mRNA vaccine are less frequent and generally milder than after previous doses.

A Paratope-Enhanced Method to Determine Breadth and Depth TCR Clonal Metrics of the Private Human T-Cell Vaccine Response after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Quantitative metrics for vaccine-induced T-cell responses are an important need for developing correlates of protection and their use in vaccine-based medical management and population health. Molecular TCR analysis is an appealing strategy but currently requires a targeted methodology involving complex integration of ex vivo data (antigen-specific functional T-cell cytokine responses and TCR molecular responses) that uncover only public antigen-specific metrics. Here, we describe an untargeted private TCR method that measures breadth and depth metrics of the T-cell response to vaccine challenge using a simple pre- and post-vaccine subject sampling, TCR immunoseq analysis, and a bioinformatic approach using self-organizing maps and GLIPH2. Among 515 subjects undergoing SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, we found that breadth and depth metrics were moderately correlated between the targeted public TCR response and untargeted private TCR response methods. The untargeted private TCR method was sufficiently sensitive to distinguish subgroups of potential clinical significance also observed using public TCR methods (the reduced T-cell vaccine response with age and the paradoxically elevated T-cell vaccine response of patients on anti-TNF immunotherapy). These observations suggest the promise of this untargeted private TCR method to produce T-cell vaccine-response metrics in an antigen-agnostic and individual-autonomous context.

Web-Based Video Education to Improve Uptake of Influenza Vaccination and Other Preventive Health Recommendations in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial of Project PREVENT

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of infections, bone fractures, and skin cancers.

OBJECTIVE

We developed preventive health videos using a patient-centered approach and tested their impact on preventive health uptake.

METHODS

Five animated videos explaining preventive health recommendations in IBD were iteratively developed with patient-centered focus groups and interviews. A randomized controlled trial was then conducted in a web-based IBD cohort to test the impact of video- versus text-based educational interventions. The primary outcome was receipt of the influenza vaccine. Secondary outcomes included intention to receive other preventive health services.

RESULTS

Five animated videos were developed with patient input. A total of 1056 patients with IBD were then randomized to receive the video (n=511) or text-only (n=545) interventions; 55% (281/511) of the video group and 57% (311/545) of the text-only group had received their influenza vaccine in the prior year. Immediately after the intervention, 73% (502/683) of patients reported their intention to receive the vaccine, with no difference by the type of intervention (75%, 231/307, for the video group and 72%, 271/376, for the text-only group). The proportion of patients who actually received the influenza vaccine after the intervention also did not differ by messaging type (P=.07). The strongest predictor of both intention to receive and actual receipt of the influenza vaccine was prior influenza vaccination. Older age was also associated with a higher likelihood of the intention to receive (age 36-75 years relative to 18-35 years; P=.006) and actual receipt (age >75 years relative to 18-35 years; P=.05) of the influenza vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients receiving the influenza vaccine was high in both groups, but there was no difference in receipt of or in the intention to receive preventive health recommendations by type of messaging. Notably, a portion of patients in both groups had intended to be vaccinated but did not ultimately receive the vaccine. Further evaluation of patient-education strategies is warranted to improve preventive health uptake among patients with IBD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05997537; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05997537.

Concordance and Discordance Between Patient-reported Remission, Patient-reported Outcomes, and Physician Global Assessment

BACKGROUND

Although validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurements can categorize patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) into clinical remission or active disease, patients may have different definitions of remission. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-defined remission to remission based on PRO measures and physician global assessment (PGA) and to understand the clinical and demographic factors associated with disagreements.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 3257 de-identified surveys from 2004 IBD patients who consented to participate in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's IBD Qorus Learning Health System between September 2019 and February 2021. We used logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to analyze the clinical and demographic factors (eg, age, disease duration, health confidence) associated with discordance between patient-defined remission (yes/no) and PRO-defined remission for ulcerative colitis (UC; PRO2: stool frequency, rectal bleeding) and Crohn's disease (CD; PRO-3: average number of liquid stools, abdominal pain, well-being).

RESULTS

Among patients with UC, overall concordance was 79% between patient self-report and PRO2-defined remission and 49% between patient self-report and PGA-defined remission. Among patients with CD, overall concordance was 69% between patient self-report and PRO3-defined remission and 54% between patient self-report and PGA-defined remission. Patients in PRO-defined remission were more likely to report active disease if they had IBD <5 years and low health confidence. Patients with PRO-defined active disease were more likely to report remission if they were not using prednisone and had high health confidence.

CONCLUSION

Discordance exists between how remission is defined by patients, PRO measures, and PGA.

Postvaccination Symptoms After a Third Dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results From CORALE-IBD

BACKGROUND

The safety of a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is unknown.

METHODS

We compared symptoms following a third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine dose with symptoms after the second dose in IBD.

RESULTS

The study group included 594 patients (70% female, 58% BNT162b2). Overall, 41% reported symptoms after a third dose. Symptom frequency and severity were lower after the third dose relative to the second dose for every organ system, except for gastrointestinal symptoms which were marginally worse.

CONCLUSION

The frequency and severity of symptoms after a third mRNA vaccine dose are generally similar or milder than after a second dose for most organ systems.

Economic burden related to fistulas or strictures among commercially insured patients with Crohn's disease in the United States

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, immune-mediated gastrointestinal condition that can lead to fistulizing or stricturing complications. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the burden of illness related to fistulas and/or strictures in patients with CD. METHODS: Using the Optum Research Database from October 2015 to December 2019, patients with CD were classified according to 1 of 3 condition cohorts: CD with fistula (CD-F), CD with stricture (CD-S), or CD with fistula and stricture (CD-FS). Each cohort was matched to a nonfistula, nonstricture CD cohort. Postdiagnosis per patient per year (PPPY) costs and health care resource utilization were assessed, accounting for variable lengths of follow-up periods. Multivariable generalized linear models were used to estimate the adjusted mean costs in each cohort. RESULTS: The CD-F, CD-S, and CD-FS cohorts included 1,317; 4,650; and 894 patients, respectively. The mean age of patients within the CD-S and their comparator cohorts was higher than in the CD-F or CD-FS cohorts (59.9 vs 49.5 vs 49.6 years). At baseline, cardiovascular disease was the most common comorbidity across all condition and comparator cohorts. Condition cohorts had 2-4 times more inpatient visits, 5-8 times more surgical visits, and 2-3 times more endoscopies PPPY than comparator cohorts. Compared with their respective comparator cohort, patients in the 3 condition cohorts had higher medication, medical, and total health care costs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a significant economic burden related to fistulas and/or strictures among patients with CD, highlighting the importance of prevention, early recognition, and appropriate management of CD-related complications. DISCLOSURES: Yanni Fan, Ling Zhang, Jennifer S Thompson, and Kimberly G Brodovicz are employees of Boehringer Ingelheim. Rhonda L Bohn, Monik C Jiménez, and Stephani Gray (Bohn Epidemiology, LLC) are paid consultants to Boehringer Ingelheim. Gil Y Melmed reports receiving grants from Pfizer; consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, AbbVie, Arena, BMS, Celgene, Entasis, Ferring Lilly, Fresenius Kabi, Medtronic, Samsung Bioepis, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Prometheus Labs, and TechLab. We conducted a retrospective study using administrative claims data from the Optum Research Database, a database of a commercially insured population in the United States. All patient data were anonymized and deidentified; therefore, informed consent was not necessary. Restrictions apply to the availability of these data because of a contract between Optum and Boehringer Ingelheim, and data are thus unavailable to the public. For enquiries on the dataset analyzed in this study, please contact Optum (https://www.optum.com).

Efficacy and safety of advanced therapies for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis at induction and maintenance: An indirect treatment comparison using Bayesian network meta-analysis

Background

Given rapid innovation in advanced therapies for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, we investigated their comparative efficacy and safety during induction and maintenance through network meta-analysis.

Methods

Using Bayesian methods, endpoints of clinical remission and clinical response per Full Mayo score, and endoscopic improvement were assessed in bio-naïve and bio-exposed populations. Safety was assessed in overall populations by all adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuation due to adverse events, and serious infections. Phase 3 randomised controlled trials were identified via systematic literature review, including the following advanced therapies: infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, golimumab, tofacitinib, ustekinumab, filgotinib, ozanimod, and upadacitinib. Random effects models were used to address between-study heterogeneity. Intent-to-treat efficacy rates were calculated by adjusting maintenance outcomes by likelihood of induction response.

Results

Out of 48 trials identified, 23 were included. Across all outcomes and regardless of prior biologic exposure, intent-to-treat efficacy rates were highest for upadacitinib, owing to its highest ranking for all efficacy outcomes in induction and for all but clinical remission during maintenance among bio-naïve induction responders. For all advanced therapies versus placebo, there were no significant differences in serious adverse events or serious infections across therapies. For all adverse events, golimumab had higher odds vs placebo during maintenance; for discontinuation due to adverse events, upadacitinib had lower odds vs placebo during induction, while ustekinumab and vedolizumab had lower odds vs placebo during maintenance.

Conclusions

Upadacitinib may be the most efficacious therapy for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis based on intent-to-treat analyses, with similar safety across advanced therapies.

Azathioprine Withdrawal Is Cost-Effective in Patients with Crohn's Disease in Remission on Infliximab and Azathioprine

BACKGROUND

In Crohn's disease, combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine is more effective than either drug alone but is associated with a higher risk of therapy-related complications. Though therapy de-escalation can reduce risks and save costs, it is associated with a risk of Crohn's disease relapse.

AIMS

We aimed to study the cost-effectiveness of de-escalation strategies in Crohn's disease patients in remission on infliximab and azathioprine.

METHODS

We constructed a decision tree with Markov models for continuation of infliximab and azathioprine, discontinuation of azathioprine followed by its re-introduction in case of relapse, discontinuation of azathioprine followed by infliximab dose intensification without azathioprine reintroduction in case of relapse and discontinuation of infliximab. Third-party payers' perspective with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life years was used. Markov cycle length was 3 months, and the study period was 5 years. A 35-year-old patient with Crohn's disease in clinical remission on azathioprine 150 mg daily and infliximab 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks was used for base-case analysis.

RESULTS

Azathioprine withdrawal followed by its reintroduction upon relapse was the dominant strategy as it was the most effective and least expensive approach on base-case analysis. It was also cost-effective in 99.3% of Monte Carlo trial simulations. AZA withdrawal without IFX dose intensification upon relapse was the least effective and the most expensive strategy.

CONCLUSION

Azathioprine withdrawal is the most effective and least costly de-escalation strategy in CD patients in remission on combination therapy if AZA re-introduction is performed upon CD relapse.

Bidirectional Correlations Between Health Confidence and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study

Health confidence—an individual’s belief in their ability and agency to affect disease outcomes—has bidirectional temporal correlations with inflammatory bowel disease activity. Low health confidence is associated with higher risks for future disease activity, and inflammatory bowel disease flares erode confidence.

Crohn's disease shared decision making intervention leads to more patients choosing combination therapy: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease requires effective patient-clinician communication for successful illness and medication management. Shared decision making (SDM) has been suggested to improve communication around early intensive therapy. However, effective evidence-based SDM interventions for Crohn's disease are lacking, and the impact of SDM on Crohn's disease decision making and choice of therapy is unclear.

AIM

To test the impact of SDM on choice of therapy, quality of the decision and provider trust compared to standard Crohn's disease care.

METHODS

We conducted a multi-site cluster randomised controlled trial in 14 diverse gastroenterology practices in the US.

RESULTS

A total of 158 adult patients with Crohn's disease within 15 years of their diagnosis, with no prior Crohn's disease complications, and who were candidates to receive immunomodulators or biologics, participated in the study. Among these, 99 received the intervention and 59 received standard care. Demographics were similar between groups, although there were more women assigned to standard care, and a slightly shorter disease duration among those in the intervention group. Participants in the intervention group more frequently chose combination therapy (25% versus 5% control, p < 0.001), had a significantly lower decisional conflict (p < 0.05) and had greater trust in their provider (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

With rapidly expanding medication choices for Crohn's disease and slow uptake of early intensive therapy, SDM can personalise treatment strategies and has the potential to move the field of Crohn's disease management forward with an ultimate goal of consistently treating this disease early and intensively in appropriate patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Evaluating a Shared Decision Making Program for Crohn's Disease, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02084290 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02084290.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients' Preferences for Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Therapies: A Mixed Methods Study

Background Multiple biologics are available to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can either be administered subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV). The factors that determine patients' preferences for SC/IV administration in IBD are largely unknown. This study aims to elucidate how IBD patients trade-off between medications' route of administration and other medication characteristics, and to understand what drives patients' preferences. Methods We employed a mixed methods design using data from a prior quantitative conjoint analysis survey and a series of 22 qualitative interviews. We quantitatively assessed individual patients' preferences for SC or IV medications based on the part-worth utilities derived from the conjoint analysis and identified predictors for these preferences. We used a qualitative analysis to identify key themes surrounding patients' preferences in the interview data. Results Of 1,077 survey participants, 49% preferred an SC medication every 2 weeks, whereas 51% preferred an IV medication every 8 weeks. More people preferred SC at reduced administration frequencies, whereas less people preferred SC at the expense of lower efficacy or higher side-effects rates. Prior experience with SC/IV was the strongest predictor for patients' preferences. Qualitatively, we obtained in-depth insights in the perceived advantages and disadvantages of SC and IV medications and in patients' preconceived ideas. Conclusion While prior SC/IV exposure was a strong predictor for SC/IV preferences, patients' preferences largely are determined by a variety of other personal factors. The themes we identified could help guide clinicians when discussing therapeutic options with their patients and support shared decision making.

Health Confidence Is Associated With Disease Outcomes and Health Care Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine the associations between health confidence (one's belief on the degree of control on their health and disease), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) outcomes, and health care utilization among adults with IBD.

METHODS

In total, 17,205 surveys were analyzed from a cross-sectional sample of IBD patients at 23 gastroenterology (GI) practices participating in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundations' IBD Qorus Learning Health System. We used bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between health confidence and disease activity, opioid use, glucocorticoid use, well-being, and health care utilization. We used receiver operating curve analysis to determine a clinically relevant cutoff for health confidence (0-10 Likert scale).

RESULTS

Health confidence was highly correlated with patients' well-being, symptomatic disease activity, opioid use, and glucocorticoid use (all P < .0001). Health confidence scores <8 had 69% sensitivity for emergency department (ED) visits and 66% for hospitalizations. In patients with inactive disease, patients with low health confidence (<8) were 10 times more likely to call/message the GI office >4 times/month (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.3; 95% CI, 6.1-17.3; P < .0001), 3-4 times more likely to have an IBD-related ED visit (aOR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.9, 5.4. P < .0001), or hospitalization (aOR, 3.0, 95% CI, 2.1, 4.1, P < .0001) compared with patients with high health confidence (≥8).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large, national sample of adults with IBD, there were strong associations between patients' health confidence and multiple disease outcome measures. Health confidence scores <8 on a 0-10 Likert scale may be clinically useful to screen for patients who are at risk for ED visits and hospitalizations.

Effect of Obesity on Risk of Hospitalization, Surgery, and Serious Infection in Biologic-Treated Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A CA-IBD Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is variably associated with treatment response in biologic-treated patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We evaluated the association between obesity and risk of hospitalization, surgery, or serious infections in patients with IBD in new users of biologic agents in a large, multicenter, electronic health record (EHR)-based cohort (CA-IBD).

METHODS

We created an EHR-based cohort of adult patients with IBD who were new users of biologic agents (tumor necrosis factor [TNF-α] antagonists, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab) between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2017, from 5 health systems in California. Patients were classified as those with normal body mass index (BMI), overweight, or obese based on the World Health Organization classification. We compared the risk of all-cause hospitalization, IBD-related surgery, or serious infections among patients with obesity vs those overweight vs those with normal BMI, using Cox proportional hazard analyses, adjusting for baseline demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 3,038 biologic-treated patients with IBD (69% with Crohn's disease and 76% on TNF-α antagonists), 28.2% (n = 858) were overweight, and 13.7% (n = 416) were obese. On a follow-up after biologic initiation, obesity was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] vs normal BMI, 0.90; [95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.13]); IBD-related surgery (aHR, 0.62 [0.31-1.22]); or serious infection (aHR, 1.11 [0.73-1.71]). Similar results were observed on stratified analysis by disease phenotype (Crohn's disease vs ulcerative colitis) and index biologic therapy (TNF-α antagonists vs non-TNF-α antagonists).

DISCUSSION

In a multicenter, EHR-based cohort of biologic-treated patients with IBD, obesity was not associated with hospitalization, surgery, or serious infections. Further studies examining the effect of visceral obesity on patient-reported and endoscopic outcomes are needed.

Interventions to Decrease Unplanned Healthcare Utilization and Improve Quality of Care in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care and outcomes exhibit substantial variability, suggesting quality gaps. We aimed to identify interventions to narrow these gaps.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of Medline, Embase, and Web of Science through May 2021 to find manuscripts and abstracts reporting quality improvement (QI) interventions in IBD. We included studies with interventions that addressed acute care utilization, vaccination, or Crohn's and Colitis Foundation quality indicators for care processes, including pre-therapy testing, tobacco cessation, colorectal cancer surveillance, Clostridium difficile infection screening in flares, sigmoidoscopy in patients hospitalized with ulcerative colitis, and use of steroid-sparing therapy. The primary objective was to identify successful QI interventions. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist.

RESULTS

Twenty-three manuscripts and 23 meeting abstracts met inclusion criteria. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination were the most studied indicators (24 references), followed by emergency room and/or hospital utilization, tobacco cessation, and pre-therapy testing (17, 11, and 10 references, respectively). Electronic medical record-based interventions were the most frequent, whereas other initiatives used strategies that included changes to care structure or delivery, vaccination protocols, or physician and patient education. Successful interventions matched the complexity of the metric to the intervention including making changes to care structure or delivery, empowered non-physician staff, and used electronic medical record changes to prompt clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of IBD care can be improved with diverse interventions that range from simple to complex. However, these interventions are not universally successful. Clinicians should emulate successful interventions and design new initiatives to narrow gaps in care quality.

Interactive Inflammatory Bowel Disease Biologics Decision Aid Does Not Improve Patient Outcomes Over Static Education: Results From a Randomized Trial

INTRODUCTION

To support shared decision-making (SDM) between patients and providers surrounding biologic treatments, we created IBD&me ( ibdandme.org )-a freely available, unbranded, interactive decision aid. We performed a multicenter comparative effectiveness trial comparing the impact of IBD&me on SDM vs a biologics fact sheet developed by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

METHODS

We enrolled patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) being seen at a clinic within IBD Qorus-a multicenter adult IBD learning health system-between March 5, 2019, and May 14, 2021. Eligible patients included those with recent IBD-related symptoms who reported that they wanted to discuss biologics with their provider during their upcoming visit. Patients were randomized 1:1 using stratified block randomization and received an e-mail 1 week before their visit inviting them to review either IBD&me or a fact sheet. The primary outcome was patient perception of SDM as measured by the 9-Item SDM Questionnaire (0-100 scale; higher = better); the Student t test was used to compare outcomes between arms.

RESULTS

Overall, 152 patients were randomized (biologics fact sheet 75, IBD&me 77); most patients had Crohn's disease (66.4%) and were biologic-experienced (82.9%). No differences were seen between groups regarding SDM (fact sheet 72.6 ± 25.6, IBD&me 75.0 ± 20.8; P = .57). Most patients stated they would be likely to recommend the fact sheet (79.6%) or IBD&me (84.9%; P = .48) to another patient with IBD.

DISCUSSION

No differences in outcomes were seen between IBD&me and the biologics fact sheet in this comparative effectiveness study; patients reported high satisfaction with both resources. Further study, particularly among biologic naïve patients, is needed to determine the utility of interactive components to IBD decision aids.

Long-term Risk of Herpes Zoster Infection in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Receiving Tofacitinib

BACKGROUND

Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We report herpes zoster (HZ) incidence and risk factors in the tofacitinib UC clinical program (up to 7.8 years).

METHODS

Proportions and incidence rates (IRs; unique patients with events/100 patient-years) of HZ were evaluated in 4 cohorts: Induction (phase 2 and 3 induction study data), Maintenance (phase 3 maintenance study data), Overall (data from all phase 2, 3, and open-label, long-term extension studies), and Overall plus interim 6-month phase 3b and 4 data. Herpes zoster risk factors were assessed by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the Induction and Maintenance Cohorts, IRs for HZ (nonserious and serious) were numerically higher with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) vs placebo and tofacitinib 10 vs 5 mg BID, respectively. With all tofacitinib doses (5 or 10 mg BID), IRs (95% confidence intervals) for HZ in the Overall and Overall plus phase 3b/4 Cohorts (total exposure, 2814.4 and 2999.7 patient-years, respectively) were 3.38 (2.73-4.15) and 3.30 (2.67-4.04), respectively. In the Overall plus phase 3b/4 Cohort, >90% of HZ were nonserious; >90% were mild/moderate; >90% resolved without discontinuing tofacitinib; 0.6% of patients had multiple HZ events. Herpes zoster IRs were stable when analyzed by 6-month intervals up to >30 months. Herpes zoster risk factors included older age, lower weight, geographic region, and prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Most HZ events were mild/moderate. Herpes zoster IRs remained stable over 7.8 years of exposure. Older age, lower weight, geographic region, and prior TNFi failure were associated with increased HZ risk.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV

NCT00787202;NCT01465763;NCT01458951;NCT01458574;NCT01470612;NCT03281304.

Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with variations in antibody response to BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers at an academic medical centre: a longitudinal cohort analysis

OBJECTIVES

We sought to understand the demographic and clinical factors associated with variations in longitudinal antibody response following completion of two-dose regiment of BNT162b2 vaccination.

DESIGN

This study is a 10-month longitudinal cohort study of healthcare workers and serially measured anti-spike protein IgG (IgG-S) antibody levels using mixed linear models to examine their associations with participant characteristics.

SETTING

A large, multisite academic medical centre in Southern California, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 843 healthcare workers met inclusion criteria including completion of an initial two-dose course of BNT162b2 vaccination, complete clinical history and at least two blood samples for analysis. Patients had an average age of 45±13 years, were 70% female and 7% with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS

Vaccine-induced IgG-S levels remained in the positive range for 99.6% of individuals up to 10 months after initial two-dose vaccination. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was the primary correlate of sustained higher postvaccination IgG-S levels (partial R2=0.133), with a 1.74±0.11 SD higher IgG-S response (p<0.001). Female sex (beta 0.27±0.06, p<0.001), younger age (0.01±0.00, p<0.001) and absence of hypertension (0.17±0.08, p=0.003) were also associated with persistently higher IgG-S responses. Notably, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection augmented the associations of sex (-0.42 for male sex, p=0.08) and modified the associations of hypertension (1.17, p=0.001), such that infection-naïve individuals with hypertension had persistently lower IgG-S levels whereas prior infected individuals with hypertension exhibited higher IgG-S levels that remained augmented over time.

CONCLUSIONS

While the IgG-S antibody response remains in the positive range for up to 10 months following initial mRNA vaccination in most adults, determinants of sustained higher antibody levels include prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, female sex, younger age and absence of hypertension. Certain determinants of the longitudinal antibody response appear significantly modified by prior infection status. These findings offer insights regarding factors that may influence the 'hybrid' immunity conferred by natural infection combined with vaccination.

Mission, Organization and Future Direction of the Serological Sciences Network for COVID-19 (SeroNet) Epidemiologic Cohort Studies

Global efforts are needed to elucidate the epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the underlying cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including seroprevalence, risk factors and long-term sequelae, as well as immune responses following vaccination across populations and the social dimensions of prevention and treatment strategies. In the U.S., the National Cancer Institute in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, established the SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) as the nation’s largest coordinated effort to study COVID-19. The network is comprised of multidisciplinary researchers bridging gaps and fostering collaborations between immunologists, epidemiologists, virologists, clinicians and clinical laboratories, social and behavioral scientists, policy makers, data scientists, and community members. In total, 49 institutions form the SeroNet consortium to study individuals with cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, cardiovascular diseases, HIV, transplant recipients, as well as otherwise healthy pregnant women, children, college students, and high-risk occupational workers (including health care workers and first responders). Several studies focus on underrepresented populations, including ethnic minorities and rural communities. To support integrative data analyses across SeroNet studies, efforts are underway to define common data elements for standardized serology measurements, cellular and molecular assays, self-reported data, treatment, and clinical outcomes. In this paper, we discuss the overarching framework for SeroNet epidemiology studies, critical research questions under investigation, and data accessibility for the worldwide scientific community. Lessons learned will help inform preparedness and responsiveness to future emerging diseases.

The T-Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Inflammatory Bowel Disease is Augmented with Anti-TNF Therapy

T-cell and antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination in inflammatory bowel disease patients are poorly correlated. T-cell responses are preserved by most biologic therapies, but augmented by anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment. While anti-TNF therapy blunts the antibody response, cellular immunity after vaccination is robust.

Differences in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Response Dynamics Between Class-I- and Class-II-Specific T-Cell Receptors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

T-cells specifically bind antigens to induce adaptive immune responses using highly specific molecular recognition, and a diverse T-cell repertoire with expansion of antigen-specific clones can indicate robust immune responses after infection or vaccination. For patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a spectrum of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases usually requiring immunomodulatory treatment, the T-cell response has not been well characterized. Understanding the patient factors that result in strong vaccination responses is critical to guiding vaccination schedules and identifying mechanisms of T-cell responses in IBD and other immune-mediated conditions. Here we used T-cell receptor sequencing to show that T-cell responses in an IBD cohort were influenced by demographic and immune factors, relative to a control cohort of health care workers (HCWs). Subjects were sampled at the time of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and longitudinally afterwards; TCR Vβ gene repertoires were sequenced and analyzed for COVID-19-specific clones. We observed significant differences in the overall strength of the T-cell response by age and vaccine type. We further stratified the T-cell response into Class-I- and Class-II-specific responses, showing that Ad26.COV2.S vector vaccine induced Class-I-biased T-cell responses, whereas mRNA vaccine types led to different responses, with mRNA-1273 vaccine inducing a more Class-I-deficient T-cell response compared to BNT162b2. Finally, we showed that these T-cell patterns were consistent with antibody levels from the same patients. Our results account for the surprising success of vaccination in nominally immuno-compromised IBD patients, while suggesting that a subset of IBD patients prone to deficiencies in T-cell response may warrant enhanced booster protocols.

Risks of Development of COVID-19 Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparative Assessment of Risk Factors for Incident Infection

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at risk for development of COVID-19 infection due to innate immune dysfunction and/or immunosuppressive medication use.

Methods

In a prospective cohort of adult IBD patients, we captured data on clinical risk factors and IBD medication utilization. The outcome of interest was development of patient-reported laboratory confirmed COVID-19. We calculated incidence rate and performed bivariate analyses to describe the effects of risk factors (age, immunosuppression use, obesity, and race) on development of COVID-19. We utilized logistic regression models to determine the independent risks associated with each factor.

Results

A total of 3953 patients with IBD were followed for a mean duration of 212 days (SD 157). A total of 103 individuals developed COVID-19 during follow-up (2.6%, rate of 45 per 1000 person-years). Severity of infection was generally mild. Clinical characteristics were similar among those who developed COVID-19 as compared to not. African American race was associated with incident COVID-19 infection (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.18-9.59). Immunosuppression use was not associated with development of COVID-19 (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.72-1.75), nor was age (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.02), nor obesity (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.61-1.66).

Conclusions

Immunosuppression use did not increase the risk of development of COVID-19. Therapeutic management of IBD should not be altered to prevent a risk of developing COVID-19.

Identifying and Predicting the Goals and Concerns Prioritised by Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In order to provide high-quality care, providers need to understand their patients' goals and concerns. This study aims to identify and predict the goals and concerns prioritised by patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in the outpatient setting.

METHODS

Mixed-methods analysis was performed to identify the types, frequencies, and predictors of IBD patients' goals and concerns using 4873 surveys collected over 2016-2019 at 25 gastroenterology clinics across the USA participating in the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's IBD Qorus Learning Health System.

RESULTS

Patients with IBD most often prioritised goals and concerns related to symptoms/disease activity [50%] and clinical course/management [20%], whereas psychosocial/quality of life [12%] and medication [6%] concerns were less frequent. Females (odds ratio [OR] 22.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3-91.5) and patients in clinical remission [OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1] were more likely to prioritise family planning. Patients >60 years old [OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.5] and patients with active disease [OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.6] were more often concerned about travelling. Smokers were more often concerned about nutrition [OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.2]. Surgery was more often a concern of patients with perianal Crohn's disease [OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.5], active disease [OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4], and those with recent hospitalisations [OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.4].

CONCLUSIONS

IBD patients prioritised the remission of physical symptoms as treatment goals and they were less frequently concerned about medications and their side effects. Patients' demographics, IBD characteristics, and health care utilisation patterns can predict specific types of concerns/goals.

Development of Balanced Whole System Value Measures for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care in the IBD Qorus Collaborative Using a Modified Delphi Process

BACKGROUND

The IBD Qorus Collaborative aims to reduce variation and increase the value of care for the adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community. To evaluate the success of the collaborative, we aimed to develop a balanced set of outcome measures that reflect a multistakeholder view of value in IBD care. To achieve this, we used the Clinical Value Compass framework and engaged a mixed-stakeholder group to conduct a modified Delphi process. The end result was a 10-measure set to assess the value of IBD care.

METHOD

The modified Delphi process included 3 iterative rounds of blinded voting and interactive webinar-style discussion. We recruited 18 participants for the Delphi panel, including clinicians, researchers, patients, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff, and payers. Participants first identified constructs to measure, then identified the tools to measure those constructs. A literature review and environmental scan of current measures in 4 domains were performed, and relevant measures were proposed for discussion and voting in each domain. Throughout the process, participants were invited to contribute additional measures.

CONCLUSION

The modified Delphi process led to selection of 10 value measures across 4 domains: (1) patient experience; (2) functional status; (3) clinical status; and (4) health care costs and utilization. We have successfully completed a 3-stage modified Delphi process to develop a balanced set of value measures for adult IBD care. The value measure set expands upon prior efforts that have established quality measures for IBD care by adding cost and experience of care elements. This work positions IBD Qorus to better assess, study, improve, and demonstrate value at individual, system, and population levels and will inform and empower related research, improvement, and implementation efforts.

Acute Severe Colitis: The Need for Joint Management between Gastroenterologists and Surgeons

The management of hospitalized patients with acute, severe ulcerative colitis involves close coordination among a multidisciplinary team. For patients not improving on intravenous corticosteroids, surgical consultation should be sought. The remaining hospital course requires frequent communications between the gastroenterologist managing the medical aspects of care, and the colorectal surgeon involved in planning for potential surgery, to optimize patient outcomes. This comanagement includes joint decision-making around the timing of surgery, minimizing medications associated with postoperative morbidity, addressing nutritional and psychosocial aspects of the patient's condition, and planning for a coordinated postoperative course. In this review, we highlight these aspects of care and the need for coordination and communication between gastroenterologists and surgeons in the management of acute severe colitis.

Paradoxical sex-specific patterns of autoantibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background

Pronounced sex differences in the susceptibility and response to SARS-CoV-2 infection remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence has highlighted the potential importance of autoimmune activation in modulating the acute response and recovery trajectories following SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Given that immune-inflammatory activity can be sex-biased in the setting of severe COVID-19 illness, the aim of the study was to examine sex-specific autoimmune reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 in the absence of extreme clinical disease.

Methods

In this study, we assessed autoantibody (AAB) reactivity to 91 autoantigens previously linked to a range of classic autoimmune diseases in a cohort of 177 participants (65% women, 35% men, mean age of 35) with confirmed evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection based on presence of antibody to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2. Data were compared to 53 pre-pandemic healthy controls (49% women, 51% men). For each participant, socio-demographic data, serological analyses, SARS-CoV-2 infection status and COVID-19 related symptoms were collected by  an electronic survey of questions. The symptoms burden score was constructed based on the total number of reported symptoms (N = 21) experienced within 6 months prior to the blood draw, wherein a greater number of symptoms corresponded to a higher score and assigned as more severe burden.

Results

In multivariable analyses, we observed sex-specific patterns of autoreactivity associated with the presence or absence (as well as timing and clustering of symptoms) associated with prior COVID-19 illness. Whereas the overall AAB response was more prominent in women following asymptomatic infection, the breadth and extent of AAB reactivity was more prominent in men following at least mildly symptomatic infection. Notably, the observed reactivity included distinct antigens with molecular homology with SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusion

Our results reveal that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, even in the absence of severe clinical disease, can lead to a broad AAB response that exhibits sex-specific patterns of prevalence and antigen selectivity. Further understanding of the nature of triggered AAB activation among men and women exposed to SARS-CoV-2 will be essential for developing effective interventions against immune-mediated sequelae of COVID-19.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03184-8.

Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immune Responses in Patients with Cancer

Longitudinal studies of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine-induced immune responses in patients with cancer are needed to optimize clinical care. In a prospective cohort study of 366 (291 vaccinated) patients, we measured antibody levels [anti-spike (IgG-(S-RBD) and anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin] at three time points. Antibody level trajectories and frequency of breakthrough infections were evaluated by tumor type and timing of treatment relative to vaccination. IgG-(S-RBD) at peak response (median = 42 days after dose 2) was higher (P = 0.002) and remained higher after 4 to 6 months (P = 0.003) in patients receiving mRNA-1273 compared with BNT162b2. Patients with solid tumors attained higher peak levels (P = 0.001) and sustained levels after 4 to 6 months (P < 0.001) compared with those with hematologic malignancies. B-cell targeted treatment reduced peak (P = 0.001) and sustained antibody responses (P = 0.003). Solid tumor patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors before vaccination had lower sustained antibody levels than those who received treatment after vaccination (P = 0.043). Two (0.69%) vaccinated and one (1.9%) unvaccinated patient had severe COVID-19 illness during follow-up. Our study shows variation in sustained antibody responses across cancer populations receiving various therapeutic modalities, with important implications for vaccine booster timing and patient selection. SIGNIFICANCE: Long-term studies of immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with cancer are needed to inform evidence-based guidelines for booster vaccinations and to tailor sequence and timing of vaccinations to elicit improved humoral responses.

The T-cell clonal response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in inflammatory bowel disease patients is augmented by anti-TNF therapy and often deficient in antibody-responders

BACKGROUND

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is a highly effective strategy to protect against infection, which is predominantly mediated by vaccine-induced antibodies. Postvaccination antibodies are robustly produced by those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) even on immune-modifying therapies but are blunted by anti-TNF therapy. In contrast, T-cell response which primarily determines long-term efficacy against disease progression,, is less well understood. We aimed to assess the post-vaccination T-cell response and its relationship to antibody responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies.

METHODS

We evaluated IBD patients who completed SARS-CoV-2 vaccination using samples collected at four time points (dose 1, dose 2, 2 weeks after dose 2, 8 weeks after dose 2). T-cell clonal analysis was performed by T-cell Receptor (TCR) immunosequencing. The breadth (number of unique sequences to a given protein) and depth (relative abundance of all the unique sequences to a given protein) of the T-cell clonal response were quantified using reference datasets and were compared to antibody responses.

RESULTS

Overall, 303 subjects were included (55% female; 5% with prior COVID) (Table). 53% received BNT262b (Pfizer), 42% mRNA-1273 (Moderna) and 5% Ad26CoV2 (J&J). The Spike-specific clonal response peaked 2 weeks after completion of the vaccine regimen (3- and 5-fold for breadth and depth, respectively); no changes were seen for non-Spike clones, suggesting vaccine specificity. Reduced T-cell clonal depth was associated with chronologic age, male sex, and immunomodulator treatment. It was preserved by non-anti-TNF biologic therapies, and augmented clonal depth was associated with anti-TNF treatment. TCR depth and breadth were associated with vaccine type; after adjusting for age and gender, Ad26CoV2 (J&J) exhibited weaker metrics than mRNA-1273 (Moderna) (p=0.01 for each) or BNT262b (Pfizer) (p=0.056 for depth). Antibody and T-cell responses were only modestly correlated. While those with robust humoral responses also had robust TCR clonal expansion, a substantial fraction of patients with high antibody levels had only a minimal T-cell clonal response.

CONCLUSION

Age, sex and select immunotherapies are associated with the T-cell clonal response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and T-cell responses are low in many patients despite high antibody levels. These factors, as well as differences seen by vaccine type may help guide reimmunization vaccine strategy in immune-impaired populations. Further study of the effects of anti-TNF therapy on vaccine responses are warranted.

Post-Vaccination Symptoms after A Third Dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 primary vaccination among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are generally of similar frequency, severity, and duration to those reported in the general population. The symptom profile after a 3 rd mRNA vaccine dose in the predominantly immune-compromised IBD population is unknown. We aimed to assess symptomology after a 3 rd or booster dose of mRNA vaccination in adults with IBD. We surveyed participants of the Coronavirus Risk Associations and Longitudinal Evaluation in IBD (CORALE-IBD) post-vaccination registry for symptom frequency and severity after a 3 rd mRNA vaccine dose in an observational cohort study. In total, 524 participants (70% female, mean age 45 years) reported a third dose of mRNA vaccination through October 11, 2021. Overall, 41% reported symptoms after a third dose, with symptoms generally more frequent and more severe among participants younger than 55 years. The most frequent postvaccination symptoms were injection site pain (39%), fatigue or malaise (34%), and headache (23%). These symptoms were all less frequently reported after dose 3 than after dose 2. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 8.8%, which was slightly more frequent than after dose 2 (7.8%). Those with severe symptoms after dose 2 were more likely to have severe symptoms after dose 3. These findings can reassure the IBD patient and provider communities that the likelihood and distribution of symptoms after a third mRNA vaccine dose are generally similar to those after a second dose, and that the frequency of postvaccination symptoms after dose 3 are generally lower than after dose 2.

Symptomology following mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Despite demonstrated efficacy of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), widespread hesitancy to vaccination persists. Improved knowledge regarding frequency, severity, and duration of vaccine-associated symptoms may help reduce hesitancy. In this prospective observational study, we studied 1032 healthcare workers who received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine and completed post-vaccine symptom surveys both after dose 1 and after dose 2. We defined appreciable post-vaccine symptoms as those of at least moderate severity and lasting at least 2 days. We found that symptoms were more frequent following the second vaccine dose than the first (74% vs. 60%, P < 0.001), with >80% of all symptoms resolving within 2 days. The most common symptom was injection site pain, followed by fatigue and malaise. Overall, 20% of participants experienced appreciable symptoms after dose 1 and 30% after dose 2. In multivariable analyses, female sex was associated with greater odds of appreciable symptoms after both dose 1 (OR, 95% CI 1.73, 1.19-2.51) and dose 2 (1.76, 1.28-2.42). Prior COVID-19 was also associated with appreciable symptoms following dose 1, while younger age and history of hypertension were associated with appreciable symptoms after dose 2. We conclude that most post-vaccine symptoms are reportedly mild and last <2 days. Appreciable post-vaccine symptoms are associated with female sex, prior COVID-19, younger age, and hypertension. This information can aid clinicians in advising patients on the safety and expected symptomatology associated with vaccination.

Point-of-care dashboards promote coproduction of healthcare services for patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Coproduction of healthcare services by patients and professionals is seen as an increasingly important mechanism to support person-centred care delivery. Coproduction invites a deeper understanding of what persons sometimes called 'patients' bring to development of a service. Yet, little is known about tools that may help elicit that information.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to explore potential benefits and limitations of an electronic pre-visit survey (PVS) and dashboard by studying uptake and experiences within the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community.

METHODS

We conducted a mixed-method evaluation of patients and clinicians using the IBD Qorus PVS and dashboard at 24 programmes participating in the IBD Qorus learning health system. We analysed (i) descriptive statistics and thematic analyses of 537 patient surveys, (ii) semi-structured interviews with seven patients and six care teams and (iii) usage data collected between 25 March 2019 and 26 April 2020.

RESULTS

Nearly two-thirds (64%; n = 38) of clinicians enrolled ≥25 patients into IBD Qorus; 59% (n = 29) of clinicians received ≥25 electronic PVS, with 3834 PVS received during the study period. Post-visit evaluation surveys were completed by patients following 26% (n = 993) of PVS completions. Among patients who reported using the dashboard for 1 or more months (n = 537), two-thirds (65%, n = 344) used the dashboard at a clinic visit and one-third used it outside the clinic (33%, n = 176). Most patients who used the dashboard during a clinic visit said it was helpful in discussions with their clinician (82%), in talking about what matters most (76%) and in making healthcare decisions (71%). Patients using the dashboard during the clinic visit reported higher levels of shared decision-making than those who did not use the dashboard (82% vs. 65%, P < 0.001). This relationship remained significant after controlling for receipt of care at a clinic with the highest levels of patient-reported shared decision-making (odds ratio: 2.1; confidence interval: 1.3-3.3). Patients and clinicians found the greatest value in using the PVS and dashboard to share concerns and symptoms, prepare for a visit and support discussions during the visit. The lack of integration with existing electronic health records (EHRs) limited clinician usage of the PVS and dashboard.

CONCLUSIONS

The PVS and dashboard created a shared language, which supported coproduction and shared decision-making and facilitated a shared understanding of goals, concerns, symptoms and well-being. To support uptake, future systems should reduce implementation burden for healthcare professionals and integrate seamlessly with existing EHR systems and workflows.

Ulcerative Colitis Narrative Global Survey Findings: The Impact of Living With Ulcerative Colitis-Patients' and Physicians' View

BACKGROUND

The Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Narrative is a global patient and physician survey aimed at identifying the impact of UC and comparing and contrasting perceptions of UC burden and management approaches.

METHODS

Surveys of patients with UC (self-reported diagnosis; n = 2100) and physicians (n = 1254) were completed across 10 countries by The Harris Poll between August 2017 and February 2018. Questionnaires covered multiple aspects of UC, including diagnosis, treatment, and impact on patient quality of life, in addition to standard demographic information. Descriptive statistics are reported.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (82%) had moderate to severe UC (based on medication history; those who had only ever taken 5-aminosalicylates were excluded); 67% described their UC as controlled with few to no symptoms. On average, patients experienced 4.3 flares (standard deviation, 7.4) in the past year. Diagnostic delay was on average 2.0 years (standard deviation, 5.4); 42% of patients waited ≥1 year. Most patients (65%) felt that UC controlled their life rather than them controlling their disease. Because of the fear of repercussions, many patients had not disclosed their UC to their employer. Discussion of the emotional impact of UC during routine appointments was less of a priority for physicians, compared with patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The data from this global survey highlight that patients with UC experience diagnostic delay, poor disease control, and adverse impact on their quality of life. Patients report UC to be a mentally exhausting condition; however, emotional and mental health issues are infrequently discussed at routine appointments.

Assessing Patient Decision-Making on Biologic and Small-Molecule Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Insights From a Conjoint Analysis in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

Recent drug approvals have increased the number of therapies available for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), making it difficult for patients to navigate available treatment options. We examined patient decision-making surrounding biologic and small-molecule therapies in an international cohort of patients from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom using conjoint analysis (CA), a form of tradeoff analysis examining how respondents make complex decisions.

METHODS

We performed a CA survey that quantified the relative importance of therapy attributes (eg, efficacy, adverse effects) in decision-making. Patients with IBD were recruited from the general population and through specialty IBD clinics. We used a hierarchical Bayes analysis to model individual patients' preferences and compared the relative importance of medication attributes between countries and practice settings. Using a series of multivariable linear regression models, we assessed whether demographic and clinical characteristics (eg, IBD subtype, severity) predicted how patients made decisions.

RESULTS

Overall, 1077 patients in 3 countries completed the survey. No differences in the relative importance of medication attributes were observed between the 3 countries' general IBD populations. However, efficacy was more important for patients in the US-based IBD specialty care cohort than for the general IBD population (29% and 23% importance, respectively; P < 0.0001). A few demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with small changes in individual preferences.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large international CA study, patients prioritized efficacy as the most important therapeutic attribute. Decision-making seemed to be highly personalized in that therapeutic preferences were hard to predict based on patient characteristics.

Preoperative Serum Vedolizumab Levels Do Not Impact Postoperative Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Vedolizumab has been proposed to lead to fewer postoperative complications because of its gut specificity. Studies, however, suggest an increased risk of surgical site infections, yet the data are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the effect of vedolizumab drug levels on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery for IBD.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database.

SETTING

Patients were operated on by a single surgeon at an academic medical center.

PATIENTS

A total of 72 patients with IBD undergoing major abdominal surgery were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were exposed preoperatively to vedolizumab.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measured was the postoperative morbidity in patients who had IBD with detectable vs undetectable vedolizumab levels.

RESULTS

A total of 72 patients were included in the study. Thirty-eight patients had detectable vedolizumab levels (>1.6 μg/mL), and 34 had undetectable vedolizumab levels. The overall rate of complications was 39%, and ileus was the most common complication. There were no significant differences in clinical variables between the detectable and undetectable vedolizumab level patient groups except for the time between the last dose and surgery (p < 0.01). There were 42 patients in the ulcerative colitis cohort; 48% had an undetectable vedolizumab level and 52% had a detectable vedolizumab level. There were no differences in any postoperative morbidity between ulcerative colitis groups. The Crohn's cohort had 27 patients; 48% had an undetectable vedolizumab levels and 52% had a detectable vedolizumab level. There was a significantly lower incidence of postoperative ileus in patients who had Crohn's disease with detectable vedolizumab levels compared with patients with an undetectable vedolizumab level (p < 0.04).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include a low overall patient population and a high rate of stoma formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum vedolizumab levels do not influence postoperative morbidity in IBD. Vedolizumab may reduce the incidence of postoperative ileus in patients with Crohn's disease. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B574.

LOS NIVELES DE VEDOLIZUMAB EN SUERO PREOPERATORIO, NO AFECTAN LOS RESULTADOS POSTOPERATORIOS EN LA ENFERMEDAD INFLAMATORIA INTESTINAL

ANTECEDENTES:Se ha propuesto que el vedolizumab presenta menos complicaciones postoperatorias debido a su especificidad intestinal. Sin embargo, estudios sugieren un mayor riesgo de infecciones en el sitio quirúrgico, aunque los datos son contradictorios.OBJETIVO:Evaluar el efecto en los niveles del fármaco vedolizumab, en resultados postoperatorios de pacientes sometidos a cirugía mayor abdominal, por enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.DISEÑO:Estudio retrospectivo de una base de datos mantenida prospectivamente.ENTORNO CLÍNICO:Pacientes intervenidos por un solo cirujano en un centro médico académico.PACIENTES:Un total de 72 pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal sometidos a cirugía mayor abdominal.INTERVENCIONES:Exposición preoperatoria a vedolizumab.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:Morbilidad postoperatoria en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, con niveles detectables versus no detectables de vedolizumab.RESULTADOS:Se incluyó en el estudio a un total de 72 pacientes. Treinta y ocho pacientes tuvieron niveles detectables de vedolizumab (> 1,6 mcg / ml) y 34 con niveles no detectables de vedolizumab. La tasa global de complicaciones fue del 39% y el íleo fue la complicación más común. No hubo diferencias significativas en las variables clínicas entre los grupos de pacientes con niveles detectables y no detectables de vedolizumab, excepto por el intervalo de tiempo entre la última dosis y la cirugía (p <.01). La cohorte de colitis ulcerosa tuvo 42 pacientes, el 48% con un nivel no detectable de vedolizumab y el 52% un nivel detectable de vedolizumab. No hubo diferencias en ninguna morbilidad postoperatoria entre los grupos de colitis ulcerosa. La cohorte de Crohn tuvo 27 pacientes, 48% con niveles no detectables de vedolizumab y el 52% con niveles detectables de vedolizumab. Hubo una incidencia significativamente menor de íleo postoperatorio en pacientes de Crohn con niveles detectables de vedolizumab, comparados con los pacientes con un nivel no detectable de vedolizumab (p <0,04).LIMITACIONES:Las limitaciones incluyen una baja población general de pacientes y una alta tasa de formación de estomas.CONCLUSIONES:Los niveles séricos de vedolizumab no influyen en la morbilidad postoperatoria de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. Vedolizumab puede reducir la incidencia de íleo postoperatorio en pacientes de Crohn. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B574.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for Immunizations in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-Part 2: Inactivated Vaccines

Background and Aims

The effectiveness and safety of vaccinations can be altered by immunosuppressive therapies, and perhaps by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) itself. These recommendations developed by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and endorsed by the American Gastroenterological Association, aim to provide guidance on immunizations in adult and pediatric patients with IBD. This publication focused on inactivated vaccines.

Methods

Systematic reviews evaluating the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines in patients with IBD, other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and the general population were performed. Critical outcomes included mortality, vaccine-preventable diseases, and serious adverse events. Immunogenicity was considered a surrogate outcome for vaccine efficacy. Certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Key questions were developed through an iterative online platform, and voted on by a multidisciplinary group. Recommendations were formulated using the Evidence-to-Decision framework. Strong recommendation means that most patients should receive the recommended course of action, whereas a conditional recommendation means that different choices will be appropriate for different patients.

Results

Consensus was reached on 15 of 20 questions. Recommendations address the following vaccines: Haemophilus influenzae type b, recombinant zoster, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, and human papillomavirus. Most of the recommendations for patients with IBD are congruent with the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommendations for the general population, with the following exceptions. In patients with IBD, the panel suggested Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for patients older than 5 years of age, recombinant zoster vaccine for adults younger than 50 year of age, and hepatitis B vaccine for adults without a risk factor. Consensus was not reached, and recommendations were not made for 5 statements, due largely to lack of evidence, including double-dose hepatitis B vaccine, timing of influenza immunization in patients on biologics, pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines in adult patients without risk factors, and human papillomavirus vaccine in patients aged 27–45 years.

Conclusions

Patients with IBD may be at increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, maintaining appropriate vaccination status in these patients is critical to optimize patient outcomes. In general, IBD is not a contraindication to the use of inactivated vaccines, but immunosuppressive therapy may reduce vaccine responses.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for Immunizations in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-Part 1: Live Vaccines

Background & Aims

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases. The effectiveness and safety of vaccinations may be altered by immunosuppressive therapies or IBD itself. These recommendations, developed by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and endorsed by the American Gastroenterological Association, aim to provide guidance on immunizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This publication focused on live vaccines.

Methods

Systematic reviews evaluating the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines in patients with IBD, other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and the general population were performed. Critical outcomes included mortality, vaccine-preventable diseases, and serious adverse events. Immunogenicity was considered a surrogate outcome for vaccine efficacy. Certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Key questions were developed through an iterative process and voted on by a multidisciplinary panel. Recommendations were formulated using the Evidence-to-Decision framework. Strong recommendation means that most patients should receive the recommended course of action, whereas a conditional recommendation means that different choices will be appropriate for different patients.

Results

Three good practice statements included reviewing a patient’s vaccination status at diagnosis and at regular intervals, giving appropriate vaccinations as soon as possible, and not delaying urgently needed immunosuppressive therapy to provide vaccinations. There are 4 recommendations on the use of live vaccines. Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is recommended for both adult and pediatric patients with IBD not on immunosuppressive therapy, but not for those using immunosuppressive medications (conditional). Varicella vaccine is recommended for pediatric patients with IBD not on immunosuppressive therapy, but not for those using immunosuppressive medications (conditional). For adults, recommendations are conditionally in favor of varicella vaccine for those not on immunosuppressive therapy, and against for those on therapy. No recommendation was made regarding the use of live vaccines in infants born to mothers using biologics because the desirable and undesirable effects were closely balanced and the evidence was insufficient.

Conclusions

Maintaining appropriate vaccination status in patients with IBD is critical to optimize patient outcomes. In general, live vaccines are recommended in patients not on immunosuppressive therapy, but not for those using immunosuppressive medications. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of live vaccines in patients on immunosuppressive therapy.

Antitumour necrosis factor therapy is associated with de novo Crohn's disease after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

AIM

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) have revolutionized the management of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) since their approval for UC in 2005. However, many patients ultimately require surgery with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Development of de novo Crohn's disease (CD) following IPAA is an increasingly common and devastating complication, sometimes progressing to pouch failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of preoperative TNFi exposure and the development of de novo CD after IPAA.

METHOD

A prospective single-centre inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) registry was searched for consecutive patients with UC undergoing IPAA during a 25-year period ending July 2018. Patients with preoperative CD or IBD-unclassified were excluded. De novo CD was diagnosed upon endoscopic evidence of five or more mucosal ulcers proximal to the ileal pouch any time after surgery and/or pouch fistula occurring more than three months after ileostomy closure.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 400 patients with a median follow-up of 44.0 (IQR 11-113) months. Sixty-two (16%) patients developed de novo CD 28.0 (IQR 6-67) months following ileostomy closure. Survival analysis of TNFi era patients revealed a significant increase in de novo CD risk in those with preoperative TNFi exposure. Multivariable proportional hazards modelling revealed two independent predictors for de novo CD development: older age was protective (HR 0.89 per 5-year increase; P = 0.009) and preoperative TNFi exposure was hazardous (HR 2.10; P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

This prospective study is the first to suggest an association between preoperative TNFi exposure and the development of de novo CD.