Comparing the efficacy of vedolizumab between males and females: a post-hoc analysis of GEMINI-1 and VARSITY

Vedolizumab is a first-line treatment option for ulcerative colitis. There are differences in incidence of ulcerative colitis between males and females, but whether sex affects treatment outcomes is less clear. We examined sex-based differences in patients with ulcerative colitis initiated on vedolizumab from two major randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a post-hoc analysis on participants with ulcerative colitis from the VARSITY and GEMINI-1 RCTs who received vedolizumab. Outcomes of interest were rates of clinical improvement, clinical remission, and endoscopic improvement at weeks 6, 14, and 52 in male and female participants, as were differences in concentrations of trough vedolizumab and C-reactive protein; 1009 persons in GEMINI-1 and VARSITY trials were included. Male and female patients had similar disease characteristics aside from males being more likely to have Mayo 3 grade endoscopic severity at baseline (62.8 vs. 48.9%, P < 0.001). At week 6, females were more likely to have endoscopic improvement (47.4 vs. 35.2%, P = 0.001) and increased vedolizumab trough levels [34.0 (23.0-44.5) vs. 28.9 (19.0-34.6), P < 0.001]. The probability of achieving clinical remission (28.9 vs. 34.5%, P = 0.057) or endoscopic improvement (35.5 vs. 39.3%, P = 0.212) at week 52 was not different between males and females. Females with ulcerative colitis treated with vedolizumab appear more likely to achieve early endoscopic improvement than males, though longer-term outcomes demonstrated no difference. Further studies are required to better understand mechanisms through which sex or sex-associated factors could influence response to therapy in ulcerative colitis.

Significant Racial and Ethnic Disparities Exist in Health Care Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising worldwide, though the differences in health care utilization among different races and ethnicities remains uncertain. We aimed to better define this through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We explored the impact of race or ethnicity on the likelihood of needing an IBD-related surgery, hospitalization, and emergency department visit. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with I2 values reporting heterogeneity. Differences in IBD phenotype and treatment between racial and ethnic groups of IBD were reported.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight studies were included. Compared with White patients, Black patients were less likely to undergo a Crohn's disease (CD; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.95; I2 = 68.0%) or ulcerative colitis (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.83; I2 = 85.0%) surgery, more likely to have an IBD-hospitalization (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.24; I2 = 77.0%), and more likely to visit the emergency department (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.32-2.30; I2 = 0%). There were no significant differences in disease behavior or biologic exposure between Black and White patients. Hispanic patients were less likely to undergo a CD surgery (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.48-0.68; I2 = 0%) but more likely to be hospitalized (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.88; I2 = 37.0%) compared with White patients. There were no differences in health care utilization between White and Asian or South Asian patients with IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

There remain significant differences in health care utilization among races and ethnicities in IBD. Future research is required to determine factors behind these differences to achieve equitable care for persons living with IBD.

A24 GENERALIZABILITY OF CROHN’S DISEASE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS COMPARED TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Background

There are no curative medical therapies for Crohn’s disease (CD). However, multiple novel treatment options are currently being evaluated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Historically, CD populations enrolled in RCTs have not reflected the heterogeneity of patients observed in clinical practice due to strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and protocolized trial procedures do not reflect day-to-day care. These factors have raised concerns that results from pivotal RCTs required for drug approval are poorly generalizable.

Aims

To assess the generalizability of CD RCTs, we evaluated the proportion of CD patients initiating ustekinumab or vedolizumab in clinical care who would have been eligible for enrolment in the corresponding phase 3 registrational induction trial, and the factors impacting trial eligibility.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using data from two ambulatory IBD clinics in Calgary, AB. Our study population included consecutive adult (>=18 years) patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CD, newly initiated on ustekinumab or vedolizumab between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2020. We then applied the inclusion/exclusion criteria from the phase 3 GEMINI II/III and UNITI I/II induction trials to determine the proportion of patients who would have been trial-eligible. We then tabulated the indications for trial exclusion to determine the characteristics of patients who would not have been reflected in the trial population.

Results

A total of 50 patients were included. The median age was 42.5 years. Most patients non-stricturing non-penetrating disease (44%, 22/50) and ileocolonic disease distribution (48%, 24/50). A total of 66% (33/50) would have been eligible for inclusion in GEMINI II/III and (30/50) 60% would be eligible for inclusion in UNITI I/II. The most common reasons for trial exclusion included extensive surgery (total colectomy/subtotal colectomy) with short bowel or ileostomy (n=12), surgery within 6 months of enrolment (n=3), multiple previous resections (n=2). Four patients were excluded based on intra-abdominal abscess. A total of 13 patients (26%) were temporarily ineligible due to recent biologic switch and would have required an 8-week washout prior to trial enrolment. Only two patients were excluded based on age (>80 years).

Conclusions

Although most patients on ustekinumab or vedolizumab would have been eligible for the respective pivotal trials, patients who have complications of disease, extensive surgery, or altered anatomy are not reflected in current RCTs.

Funding Agencies

None

Frequency of Opioid Prescription at Emergency Department Discharge in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently experience chronic pain. Patients will often seek out care in the emergency department (ED) where short-term opioid use may be associated with potential treatment-related complications. We aimed to assess the rate and factors associated with opioid prescription in IBD patients discharged from the ED.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected in the US National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2006-2017. We determined the proportion of adult patients (≥18 years) with IBD prescribed an opioid in ED or at ED discharge. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of opioid prescription. Time-trend analysis was performed to evaluate temporal patterns in opioid use. All analyses were adjusted for complex survey design.

RESULTS

We identified ∼965,000 weighted discharges from the ED for patients with IBD. In total, 51.9% [95% CI: 42.2% -61.6%] of visits resulted in opioid administration in ED and 35.3% [95% CI: 26.5% -45.2%] of IBD-related ED discharges were associated with an opioid prescription. IBD patients with moderate/severe pain (adjusted odds ratio aOR 5.06 [95% CI: 1.72 -14.90], p < 0.01) were more likely to receive opioids whereas older age (aOR 0.73 per decade [95% CI: 0.55 -0.98], p = 0.04) were less likely. In temporal analysis, a trend towards decreasing opioid use in ED and opioid prescriptions at discharge was observed in 2015-2017.

CONCLUSIONS

More than one third of IBD patients are prescribed an opioid at discharge from ED, highlighting a potential gap in care for accessing effective pain management solutions in this population.

A215 PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE ARE FREQUENTLY PRESCRIBED OPIOID ANALGESICS WHEN DISCHARGED FROM THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer a substantial burden of morbidity related to chronic abdominal pain and are susceptible to opioid dependence and abuse that is associated with increased rates of depression, hospitalization, and mortality. While opioid prescription and renewal by a single provider minimizes the long-term risk of misuse, many patients with IBD will seek out care in the emergency department (ED) where short-term, ‘to-go’ use of narcotic analgesia is associated with potential treatment-related complications.

Aims

To assess rates of opioid prescription in IBD patients presenting to the ED and to assess factors associated with opioid use.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data collected in the United States National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2006–2015. We compared a study population of adult IBD patients (International Classification of Diseases ICD-9 555.X, 556.X) ≥18 years discharged from the ED to a control group of patients presenting with non-specific abdominal pain (ICD-9 789.0, 564.1, 536.8). The proportion of patients given opioids in ED and at ED discharge were calculated with relative standard error (RSE), and national level estimates were produced using survey weights. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of opioid prescription at discharge, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 767,577 IBD patients were compared to 71,359,257 patients with non-specific abdominal pain. A total of 37.3% (RSE 4.7%) of IBD patients compared to 24.7% (RSE 0.8%) of controls (p&lt;0.01) received an opioid prescription on ED discharge. 49.1% (RSE 5.6%) of IBD patients compared to 37.2% (RSE 0.8%) of patients with non-specific abdominal pain (p=0.02) received an opioid while in ED. Significant predictors of narcotic prescription at discharge in multivariable analysis included: age &lt;50 (OR 6.83 [95% CI: 1.21, 38.48], p=0.03), non-white race (OR 4.73 [95% CI: 1.46, 15.39], p=0.01), and narcotic use in the ED (OR 5.27 [95% CI: 1.96, 14.21], p&lt;0.01).

Conclusions

Nearly 40% of IBD patients were prescribed an opioid at discharge from the ED. This rate is significantly higher than for patients who present with non-specific abdominal pain and younger, non-white IBD patients were disproportionately more likely to receive an opioid prescription. Given the risks associated with on-demand narcotic use in IBD patients, our data highlight a potential gap in care for accessing comprehensive pain management solutions.

Funding Agencies

None

Is there room for immunomodulators in ulcerative colitis?

Introduction: The management of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has evolved over the past few decades. While aminosalicylates remain the mainstay of induction and maintenance therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate UC, the advent of biologic agents and novel oral small molecules has substantively changed the treatment landscape for patients with moderate-to-severe disease and confounded the role of traditional immunomodulators (IMMs) such as thiopurines and methotrexate in the UC management algorithm.Areas covered: We summarize the mechanism of action of thiopurines and methotrexate, identify clinical parameters for their use, and appraise the evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of IMMs in UC as both monotherapy and in combination with other therapies, emphasizing on prospective, controlled data.Expert opinion: With the advent of several classes of highly effective treatments for UC, emergence of data demonstrating no benefit of IMMs over placebo, and concerns about the relative safety profile of long-term IMM exposure, we propose that the role of thiopurines or methotrexate be restricted to patients with milder disease failing to maintain corticosteroid-free remission on aminosalicylates alone or in combination therapy with tumor necrosis factor antagonists in patients with moderate-to-severe UC.

Health Care Indicators of Moderate to Severe IBD and Subsequent IBD-Related Disability: A Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine how health care utilization indicators in IBD that reflect moderate to severe disease relate to disability later in life.

METHODS

Persons in the population-based University of Manitoba IBD Research Registry completed a survey and gave permission to access their Manitoba Health records. Of 2478 people in the Registry aged 18 to 65 years, 854 participated between April 2015 and March 2016. The survey included the IBD Disability Index (IBDDI). The health data included surgeries and hospitalizations since 1984 and prescriptions since 1995. We explored the association between indicators of moderate to severe disease (ie, surgeries, hospitalization, and new corticosteroids and anti-tumor necrosis factor [anti-TNF] prescriptions) and high IBD-related disability (IBDDI ≥35). In addition, among those who had at least 1 IBD-related surgery, we determined predictors of low or no postsurgery disability (IBDDI <21).

RESULTS

Eighty-five percent required at least 1 IBD-related surgery since diagnosis or had >2 hospitalizations or were ever prescribed corticosteroids or anti-TNF. Surgery was more common in Crohn's disease (55%) than in UC (13%, P < 0.001). High disability was more prevalent among those ever prescribed anti-TNF (49%) vs never prescribed (28%, P < 0.001), those ever prescribed corticosteroids (35%) vs never prescribed (26%, P = 0.02), and those who had had 1 IBD-related surgery (36%) or >1 surgery (53%) vs those who had had none (28%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Health care utilization indicators of moderate to severe disease (ie, surgeries, hospitalizations, corticosteroid or anti-TNF use) were associated with subsequent higher IBD-related disability. Persons experiencing those indicators should be followed more closely for social, mental, and physical consequences of IBD-related disability. Previous health care utilization can serve as a proxy for IBD-related disability.

Association Between IBD Disability and Reduced Work Productivity (Presenteeism): A Population-Based Study in Manitoba, Canada

BACKGROUND

One effect of IBD disability is reduced productivity when at work (presenteeism). We explored potential predictors of work presenteeism and compared the predictive ability of the recently developed IBD Disability Index (IBDDI) with 4 other scales in predicting presenteeism.

METHODS

Participants (aged 18-65 years) were recruited from the University of Manitoba IBD Research Registry. We calculated a presenteeism score (range, 0-24) from the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS), with higher scores representing greater degrees of presenteeism. Using receiver operating characteristic curves and linear regression, we explored associations between presenteeism and the IBDDI, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), and the Kessler-6 (K6) distress scale.

RESULTS

Out of 744 respondents working at least half-time (20+ hours/wk), 472 (63%) reported no reduced productivity in the previous 14 days. Reduced productivity was reported for 1-2 days by 131 (18%), for 3-9 days by 119 (16%), and on most days by 22 (3%). When predicting the SPS, similar model fits were found for the IBDDI, WHODAS, WSAS, IBDQ, and K6. Each increase of 10 on the IBDDI score was associated with an increase of 2.19 (95% confidence interval, 2.00-2.37) on the SPS. Each additional year of disease duration was associated with a reduction in SPS score of 0.08 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

More than one-third of persons with IBD report presenteeism. We found strong associations between presenteeism and disability, lower quality of life, and emotional distress. The IBDDI performs equally as well as the more established scales in predicting presenteeism.

Independent Validation of a Self-Report Version of the IBD Disability Index (IBDDI) in a Population-Based Cohort of IBD Patients

INTRODUCTION

A new clinician-administered inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Disability Index (IBDDI) was recently developed and validated among a population in France. We aimed to validate the IBDDI in a North American setting and adapt for use as a self-report tool.

METHODS

Persons 18-65 years old from the population-based University of Manitoba IBD Research Registry were mailed a self-administered survey. This survey included the IBDDI and several scales that should correlate with a disability measure- the World Health Organization (WHO) Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS) 2.0, Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), and the K6-Kessler Emotional Distress Scale. We used Pearson correlation coefficients to assess construct validity, Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency, and Factor analysis to assess which of the IBDDI items likely belonged to a single IBD-related disability factor.

RESULTS

In response to the survey request,1143 (46% of those contacted) participated (61% female, mean age 51, 52% with Crohn's disease). On an index scale from 0-100, 14% had a score ≥50 (extreme disability, 18% of those with Crohn's disease; 10% of those with ulcerative colitis). There were strong correlations between IBDDI and WSAS (0.76), WHODAS (0.76), K6 (0.73), and an inverse correlation with IBDQ (-0.86). The Cronbach's alpha was high (0.88). All but 2 items (number of liquid stools in the past week and arthritis/arthralgia) of the 14 identified for IBDDI loaded highly onto a single factor (factor loading > 0.40).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the validity of this new self-report version of the IBDDI as a sound measure of disability in IBD.

Workplace Accommodation for Persons With IBD: What Is Needed and What Is Accessed

BACKGROUND & AIMS

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience periods of illness that interfere with their ability to work. We aimed to understand the need for workplace accommodation during periods of acute illness among persons IBD.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from the population-based University of Manitoba Research Registry and received a survey including questions assessing experiences with workplace accommodations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression modelling.

RESULTS

A total of 1143 individuals responded to the survey (46% response rate), of whom 881 had experienced IBD symptoms in the workplace and were included in the analysis. The mean age was 48.3 years (standard deviation, 10.9); 61% were female. Mean IBD duration was 20.6 years (standard deviation, 10.5). Most respondents (73%) described IBD symptoms experienced in the workplace as severe to very severe. The most commonly required accommodations were time to go to medical appointments during working hours (81%), easy access to a toilet (71%), and a chance to take a break when not feeling well (54%). Most accommodations were arranged informally or through a supervisor. The accommodations required were very or somewhat easy to arrange about half the time. Being female, having high symptom severity, and high level of current distress were associated with a need for more accommodations, difficulty implementing accommodations, and not asking for needed accommodations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important information as to the types of accommodations that are necessary, common practices arranging for these, and level of difficulty arranging accommodations. Furthermore, characteristics associated with greater need for accommodation, reluctance to ask for them, and difficulty in arranging them were identified.