Proactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Ustekinumab Is Associated With Increased Drug Persistence in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: There are limited data on the role of proactive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of ustekinumab (UST) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study investigated the efficacy and safety of proactive TDM in IBD patients treated with subcutaneous (sc) UST.

Methods: This was a retrospective single-center cohort study.

Communicating Information Regarding IBD Remission to Patients: Evidence From a Survey of Adult Patients in the United States.

Background: Previous research suggests patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) understand IBD remission differently than healthcare professionals, which could influence patient expectations and clinical outcomes. We investigated 3 questions to better understand this: (1) How do patients currently understand remission; (2) Do patients currently face any barriers to communicating with their healthcare professional about remission; and (3) Can existing educational material be improved to help patients feel more prepared to discuss remission and treatment goals with their healthcare professional?

Methods: We sent a web-based survey to adult patients with IBD in the United States. This survey included an educational experiment where patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 improved versions of existing educational material.

Proactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Is Associated With Increased Drug Persistence in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated With Intravenous Vedolizumab.

Background: There are limited data regarding therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of non-anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of proactive TDM in IBD patients treated with intravenous (iv) vedolizumab (VDZ).

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included consecutive IBD patients treated with maintenance iv VDZ therapy undergoing TDM from November 2016 to March 2023.

Histologic Inflammation can Predict Future Clinical Relapse in Ulcerative Colitis Patients in Endoscopic Remission.

Background: In ulcerative colitis (UC), endoscopic improvement, defined as a Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES) of 0 or 1, is a target of treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of clinical relapse between patients with an MES of 0 or 1 and determine if histologic activity using the Robarts Histopathologic Index (RHI) was predictive of clinical relapse.

Methods: UC patients with an MES score of 0 or 1, no prior colectomy, and at least 1 year of outpatient follow-up after colonoscopy were included.

The Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in the Treatment of Crohn's Disease: Results From the SUCCESS Consortium.

Introduction: We evaluated the real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab (UST) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: This study used a retrospective, multicenter, multinational consortium of UST-treated CD patients. Data included patient demographics, disease phenotype, disease activity, treatment history, and concomitant medications.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab for Ulcerative Colitis From 2 Tertiary IBD Centers in the United States.

Background: Ustekinumab has been recently approved for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). The registry trials for ustekinumab in UC demonstrated efficacy and safety, but data on real-world outcomes are limited. We describe the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in patients with UC from 2 US tertiary inflammatory bowel disease centers.

Eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroenteritis, and colitis in a patient with prior parasite exposure.

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) comprise a spectrum of inflammatory diseases that can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of these conditions is complex; differentiating between primary and secondary forms of these disorders can be clinically challenging. We report a case of primary EGID in a patient with remote parasite exposure, whose symptoms were initially attributed to irritable bowel syndrome.

Updates on vaccinating the inflammatory bowel disease patient.

Many of the therapeutic options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suppress the immune system, which increases the risk of certain infections in these patients. Effective vaccines exist and offer protection against a number of infectious diseases. However, data has shown that IBD patients are inadequately vaccinated and, as a result, are at risk of developing certain preventable infections.

Risk of gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The management and life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis have improved substantially in the past three decades, which has resulted in an increased number of these patients being diagnosed with malignancies. Our aim was to assess the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases with no language restrictions for studies published from inception of the databases to Aug 1, 2017, assessing the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency and Impact of Repletion in a Tertiary Care Inflammatory Bowel Disease Population.

Introduction: Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are vitamin D deficient. The purpose of our study was to identify risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in IBD and to assess the impact of vitamin D repletion on disease activity and quality of life (QOL).

Methods: Patients with at least one 25-OH vitamin D level measured between 2004 and 2011 were included.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients on Low-dose Immunosuppression.

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients are at an increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ), especially when immunosuppressed. HZ may be preventable with the herpes zoster vaccine (HZV), but many patients are not offered vaccination over concern regarding efficacy and fear of adverse events. Although the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that low-dose immunosuppression is not a contraindication, few IBD patients on these medications are receiving HZV.

A Health Survey of Gastroenterologist Prescribing Practices of Adalimumab for Treatment of Crohn's Disease: Final Results.

Adalimumab (Humira, AbbVie) has efficacy in treatment-naive and infliximab (Remicade, Janssen)-exposed patients with Crohn's disease (CD). An e-survey was sent to US gastroenterologists who were members of the American Gastroenterological Association. A total of 398 gastroenterologists (3%) completed the survey.