Increased medication utilization precedes incidentally diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease: a multicenter, case-control study.

This study investigates whether subclinical inflammation in asymptomatic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients leads to increased medication use. In a multicenter, retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with incidental ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease during colorectal cancer screening (2010-2021), medication use was compared with symptomatic patients and healthy non-IBD controls. Asymptomatic patients showed a higher use of cardiovascular, antiparasitic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and sensory organ medications up to five years before diagnosis.

Ileal Predominance in Crohn's Disease Is Associated With Increased Intestinal Surgery and Biological Therapy Use, With Lower Treatment Persistence.

Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) varies by location, potentially affecting therapy efficacy and surgery risk, although research on this topic is conflicting. This study aims to investigate the independent association between CD location and therapeutic patterns.

Methods: We analyzed patients with CD diagnosed from January 2005 to May 2023 registered in the nationwide ENEIDA registry.

Position statement of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis on the use of Telemedicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic digestive condition that requires continuous monitoring by healthcare professionals to determine appropriate therapy and manage short- and long-term complications. Telemedicine has become an essential approach for managing chronic conditions such as IBD, improving care accessibility and continuity, decreasing hospitalization rates, and optimizing patient follow-up. It enables rapid treatment adjustments and encourages patient self-management.

Spanish Working Group in Crohn´s disease and ulcerative colitis (GETECCU) position paper on cardiovascular disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to understand their relationship and prevalence in different diseases that may present specific risk factors for them. The objective of this document is to analyze the specific prevalence of CVD in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), describing the presence of classical and non-classical cardiovascular risk factors in these patients.

Persistence, Effectiveness, and Safety of Upadacitinib in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in Real Life: Results From a Spanish Nationwide Study (Ureal Study).

Introduction: Real-world data on the effectiveness of upadacitinib for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited. To assess upadacitinib persistence, effectiveness, and safety in a real-world scenario.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter study of patients with IBD who received upadacitinib before 31st December 2022 and at least 12 weeks before the recruitment date.

Defining mucosal healing in randomized controlled trials of inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and future perspective.

Background: Mucosal healing (MH) is an established treatment goal in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, various definitions of MH exist. We aimed to identify how MH is defined in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Telemonitoring of Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using the App TECCU: Short-Term Results of a Multicenter Trial of GETECCU.

Background: Telemonitoring for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not consistently demonstrated superiority over standard care; however, noninferiority may be an acceptable outcome if remote care proves to be more efficient.

Objective: This study aims to compare the remission time and quality of life of patients with active IBD managed through standard care versus the TECCU (Telemonitoring of Crohn Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) app.

Methods: A 2-arm, randomized, multicenter trial with a noninferiority design was conducted across 24 hospitals in Spain.

Efficacy of Beclomethasone Dipropionate in Lowering Fecal Calprotectin Levels in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in Clinical Remission and at Risk of Relapse: The Becalcu Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Identifying novel treatment strategies for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and at risk of relapse is critical. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in lowering fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in UC patients in clinical remission and at risk of relapse.

Methods: This multicenter study comprised a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase (part I) and an open-label, non-randomized phase (part II).

Metadata for Data dIscoverability aNd Study rEplicability in obseRVAtional Studies (MINERVA): Development and Pilot of a Metadata List and Catalogue in Europe.

Purpose: Metadata for data dIscoverability aNd study rEplicability in obseRVAtional studies (MINERVA), a European Medicines Agency-funded project (EUPAS39322), defined a set of metadata to describe real-world data sources (RWDSs) and piloted metadata collection in a prototype catalogue to assist investigators from data source discoverability through study conduct.

Methods: A list of metadata was created from a review of existing metadata catalogues and recommendations, structured interviews, a stakeholder survey, and a technical workshop. The prototype was designed to comply with the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable), using MOLGENIS software.

Efficacy and safety of probiotics in IBD: An overview of systematic reviews and updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background And Objective: Probiotics show promise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet knowledge gaps persist. We performed an overview of systematic reviews and an updated metanalysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effect of probiotics on Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: MEDLINE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to September 2023.

Need for therapeutic escalation in patients with refractory ulcerative proctitis: Results from the PROCU study of the ENEIDA registry.

Background: Ulcerative proctitis (UP) can have a milder, less aggressive course than left-sided colitis or extensive colitis. Therefore, immunosuppressants tend to be used less in patients with this condition. Evidence, however, is scarce because these patients are excluded from randomised controlled clinical trials.

Transmural cross-sectional findings and bowel damage assessment in preclinical Crohn's disease: a case-control study.

Purpose: Crohn's disease (CD) is a progressive disorder leading to cumulative bowel damage. The Lémann index is a validated tool that can help in monitoring the progression of the disease and evaluating the effectiveness of different therapies. Our aim was to describe the main radiological findings in incidentally diagnosed CD and to evaluate bowel damage in this subgroup compared to patients diagnosed at later stages.

Combination of granulocyte-monocyte apheresis and ustekinumab: Multicentre and retrospective study.

Objective: Granulocyte-monocyte apheresis (GMA) has shown to be safe and effective in ulcerative colitis (UC), also in combination with biologics, mainly with anti-TNF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining GMA after primary non-response (PNR) or loss of response (LOR) to ustekinumab (UST) in patients with UC.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 12 IBD Units, including all patients with refractory UC or unclassified IBD (IBD-U) who received combined GMA plus UST.

Environmental Exposure to Trace Elements and Heavy Metals Preceding the Clinical Onset of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: The immune dysregulation underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can start years before the diagnosis, but the role of triggering factors and environmental exposures during this period is still uncertain.

Methods: This single-center case-control study included asymptomatic subjects with an incidental diagnosis of IBD during the colorectal cancer screening program. Twenty-two minerals and 17 metals were determined at diagnosis in hair samples and compared 1:2 to healthy controls.

Effectiveness and safety of azathioprine for inflammatory pouch disorders: results from the RESERVO study of GETECCU.

Background: The usefulness of thiopurines has been poorly explored in pouchitis and other pouch disorders.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of azathioprine as maintenance therapy in inflammatory pouch disorders.

Design: This was a retrospective and multicentre study.

Therapeutic drug monitoring in inflammatory bowel diseases. Position statement of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease has undergone a significant transformation following the introduction of biologic drugs. Thanks to these drugs, treatment goals have evolved from clinical response and remission to more ambitious objectives, such as endoscopic or radiologic remission. However, even though biologics are highly effective, a significant percentage of patients will not achieve an initial response or may lose it over time.

Combination of granulocyte-monocyte apheresis and tofacitinib: Multicentre and retrospective study.

Objective: Granulocyte-monocyte apheresis (GMA) has shown to be safe and effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC), also in combination with biologics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining GMA after primary non-response (PNR) or loss of response (LOR) to tofacitinib (TOFA) in patients with UC.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective study including all patients with refractory UC who received GMA plus TOFA.

Impact of mesalazine on the response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Results of a prospective multicentre study of GETECCU (VACOVEII study).

Objective: The recommendations of the Spanish Ministry of Health on vaccination in risk groups include mesalazine among the treatments with a possible negative effect on its effectiveness. However, this is not the recommendation of most experts. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of mesalazine on the humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).