Two-year effectiveness and safety of golimumab in ulcerative colitis: An IG-IBD study

Abstract Background Few data exist regarding the long‐term effectiveness of golimumab in ulcerative colitis. No data have been reported on real‐world continuous clinical response. Objective This study aimed to describe the long‐term outcomes in a large cohort of patients on golimumab who had ulcerative colitis. Methods Consecutive patients with active ulcerative colitis, started on golimumab, were enrolled and prospectively followed up. The primary end point was to evaluate the long‐term persistence on golimumab therapy. Results A total of 173 patients with ulcerative colitis were studied. Of these, 79.2% were steroid dependent, and 46.3% were naïve to anti‐tumour necrosis factor alpha agen…

Adherence to international guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection among gastroenterologists and gastroenterology fellows in Italy: A Survey of the Italian Federation of Digestive Diseases - FISMAD

Background: Information on the management of Helicobacter (H.) pylori infection by gastroenterologists and gastroenterology fellows are scarce. We aimed to assess practice of gastroenterologists and gastroenterology fellows and their adherence to guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection in Italy. Materials and Methods: All gastroenterologists and gastroenterology fellows attending the National Congress of Digestive Diseases - FISMAD were invited to fill-in an on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection. Results: A total of 279 gastroenterologists and 61 gastroenterology fellows participated to the stu…

Use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in inflammatory bowel disease: Clinical practice guidelines of the Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract The two main forms of intestinal bowel disease, namely ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are not curable but can be controlled by various medical therapies. The Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IG-IBD) has prepared clinical practice guidelines to help physicians prescribe corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs for these patients. The guidelines consider therapies that induce remission in patients with active disease as well as treatment regimens that maintain remission. These guidelines complement already existing guidelines from IG-IBD on the use of biological drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Infliximab in severe ulcerative colitis: short-term results of different infusion regimens and long-term follow-up

Background Severe ulcerative colitis is a life-threatening disorder, despite i.v. glucocorticoids treatment. Infliximab has been proposed as a safe rescue therapy. Aim To evaluate short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of infliximab in severe refractory ulcerative colitis. Methods Eighty-three patients with severe ulcerative colitis (i.v. glucocorticoids treatment-refractory) were treated with infliximab in 10 Italian Gastroenterology Units. Patients underwent one or more infusions according to the choice of treating physicians. Short-term outcome was colectomy/death 2 months after the first infusion. Long-term outcome was survival free from colectomy. Safety data were recorded. Resu…

Real-life effectiveness of ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease patients with concomitant psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis: An IG-IBD study

Abstract Background Few data exist regarding the effectiveness of ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients treated for concomitant psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Aims to describe the outcomes of IBD patients who received subcutaneous ustekinumab through a dermatological or rheumatological prescription. Methods This multicenter, retrospective study included all IBD patients who were started on ustekinumab for concomitant active psoriasis/ psoriatic arthritis, irrespective of IBD activity. The primary endpoint was overall ustekinumab persistence, defined as the maintenance of therapy because of sustained clinical benefit for IBD. Results Seventy patients (64 Crohn’s disease…

Physicians’ Knowledge and Application of Immunization Strategies in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Survey of the Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

<b><i>Background:</i></b> No data on European countries about knowledge and application of immunization strategies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are available. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We designed a questionnaire aimed at exploring these issues among Italian gastroenterologists dealing with adult and paediatric IBD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An anonymous, 24-item, questionnaire was sent via e-mail to all members of the Italian Group for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Three sets of questions were formulated: (1) Characteristics of respondents; (2) General opinions on the role of vaccines in IB…

Advanced age is an independent risk factor for severe infections and mortality in patients given anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

See related article, Oostlander AE et al, on page 116 in Gastroenterology. BACKGROUND & AIMS: Few data are available on effects of biologic therapies in patients more than 65 years old with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We evaluated the risk and benefits of therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in these patients. METHODS: We collected data from patients with IBD treated with infliximab (n 2475) and adalimumab (n 604) from 2000 to 2009 at 16 tertiary centers. Ninety-five patients (3%) were more than 65 years old (52 men; 37 with ulcerative colitis and 58 with Crohn’s disease; 78 treated with infliximab and 17 with adalimumab). The control group comprised 190 patients 65 yea…

Mongersen, an oral SMAD7 antisense oligonucleotide, and crohn's disease

Crohn's disease-related inflammation is characterized by reduced activity of the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) due to high levels of SMAD7, an inhibitor of TGF-β1 signaling. Preclinical studies and a phase 1 study have shown that an oral SMAD7 antisense oligonucleotide, mongersen, targets ileal and colonic SMAD7.In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, we evaluated the efficacy of mongersen for the treatment of persons with active Crohn's disease. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 10, 40, or 160 mg of mongersen or placebo per day for 2 weeks. The primary outcomes were clinical remission at day 15, defined as a Crohn's Disease Activit…

Telemedicine and Remote Screening for COVID-19 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Results From the SoCOVID-19 Survey

sj-pdf-1-ueg-10.1177_2050640620964132 - Supplemental material for Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-ueg-10.1177_2050640620964132 for Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care by Simone Saibeni, Ludovica Scucchi, Gabriele Dragoni, Cristina Bezzio, Agnese Miranda, Davide Giuseppe Ribaldone, Angela Bertani, Fabrizio Bossa, Mariangela Allocca, Andrea Buda, Gianmarco Mocci, Alessandra Soriano, Silvia Mazzuoli, Lorenzo Bertani, Flavia Baccini, Erika Loddo, Antonino Carlo Privitera, Alessandro Sartini, Angelo Viscido, Laurino Grossi, Valentina Casini, Viviana Gerardi, Marta Ascolani, Mirko Di Ruscio, Giovanni Casella, Edoardo Savarino, Davide Strade…

Successful induction of clinical response and remission with certolizumab pegol in Crohn's disease patients refractory or intolerant to infliximab: a real-life multicenter experience of compassionate use

Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Restructuring activities have been necessary during the lockdown phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Few data are available on the post-lockdown phase in terms of health-care procedures in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, and no data are available specifically from IBD units. We aimed to investigate how IBD management was restructured during the lockdown phase, the impact of the restructuring on standards of care and how Italian IBD units have managed post-lockdown activities. METHODS: A web-based online survey was conducted in two phases (April and June 2020) among the Italian Group for IBD affiliated units within the entire country. We inv…

Late-onset Crohn's disease: a comparison of disease behaviour and therapy with younger adult patients: the Italian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease 'AGED' study

BACKGROUND Disease phenotype and outcome of late-onset Crohn's disease are still poorly defined. METHODS In this Italian nationwide multicentre retrospective study, patients diagnosed ≥65 years (late-onset) were compared with young adult-onset with 16-39 years and adult-onset Crohn's disease 40-64 years. Data were collected for 3 years following diagnosis. RESULTS A total of 631 patients (late-onset 153, adult-onset 161, young adult-onset 317) were included. Colonic disease was more frequent in late-onset (P < 0005), stenosing behaviour was more frequent than in adult-onset (P < 0003), but fistulising disease was uncommon. Surgery rates were not different between the three age groups. Syste…

sj-pdf-1-ueg-10.1177_2050640620964132 - Supplemental material for Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-ueg-10.1177_2050640620964132 for Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care by Simone Saibeni, Ludovica Scucchi, Gabriele Dragoni, Cristina Bezzio, Agnese Miranda, Davide Giuseppe Ribaldone, Angela Bertani, Fabrizio Bossa, Mariangela Allocca, Andrea Buda, Gianmarco Mocci, Alessandra Soriano, Silvia Mazzuoli, Lorenzo Bertani, Flavia Baccini, Erika Loddo, Antonino Carlo Privitera, Alessandro Sartini, Angelo Viscido, Laurino Grossi, Valentina Casini, Viviana Gerardi, Marta Ascolani, Mirko Di Ruscio, Giovanni Casella, Edoardo Savarino, Davide Strade…

P611 Outcome in ulcerative colitis after switch from subcutaneous anti-TNF to intravenous anti-TNF: A multicentre study

Second European evidence-based consensus on the prevention, diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease

The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been revolutionised over the past decade by the increasing use of immunomodulators, mainly azathioprine (AZA)/6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and methotrexate (MTX), together with the advent of biological therapy. Immunomodulators are being used more often and earlier in the course of the disease.1 The introduction of biologic agents, especially inhibitors of the key proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) initiated a new therapeutic era, whose use has grown continuously since their introduction in 1998.2 With such immunomodulation, the potential for opportunistic infection is a key safety concern for patients with IBD. Opp…

Infliximab three-dose induction regimen in severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis: Early and late outcome and predictors of colectomy

Abstract Background Infliximab is effective as rescue therapy in severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. The optimal dose regimen and the long term benefits are not well defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate short- and long-term colectomy rate in a cohort of patients with severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis who received a three-dose infliximab induction regimen. Methods One hundred and thirteen patients admitted to 11 Italian IBD referral centres and treated with infliximab according to an intention to treat three-dose regimen were included. The co-primary endpoints were 3- and 12-month colectomy rate. The secondary end-points were the overall co…

P801 Physicians’ knowledge and application of immunisation strategies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a survey by the Italian Group for the study of inflammatory bowel disease (IG-IBD)