Patients with Refractory Crohn's Disease Successfully Treated with Ustekinumab.

Background: Ustekinumab is a new biologic therapy targeting interleukin-12 and interleukin -23. It is currently approved for the treatment of psoriasis, but clinical trials have shown that it can induce and maintain remission in Crohn's disease (CD). We aim to evaluate effectiveness of ustekinumab in the treatment of CD.

Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Contraindications or Who Are Unresponsive to Conventional Treatments.

Background: Managing patients with IBD who are refractory or have contraindications to standard therapies is challenging. Many will lose response, become intolerant to treatment, or develop infections with contraindication for immunosuppression. Therefore, alternative therapies, such as the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), could be used to manage patients in these difficult cases.

Use of Endoscopic Ultrasound to Guide Adalimumab Treatment in Perianal Crohn's Disease Results in Faster Fistula Healing.

Background: Perianal disease is a manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD) that has poor long-term treatment outcomes. The aim was to determine if rectal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided therapy with adalimumab (ADA) can improve outcomes for patients with perianal fistulizing CD.

Methods: This is a randomized prospective study comparing serial EUS guidance of fistula treatment versus standard of care in fistulizing perianal CD.

Treatment with immunosuppressive therapy may improve depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Recent research suggests a relationship of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and depression. Our objective was to evaluate for improvement of depressive symptoms with treatment of IBD using immunosuppressive medications.

Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive patients with IBD started on immunosuppressive agents [anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) or immunomodulator therapy] was conducted.