Background
The efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) refractory to anti-TNF is worse than in anti-TNF naïve patients.
Methods
Retrospective study of patients with CD refractory or intolerant to TNF initiating ustekinumab between January 2013 and March 2020, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months, and without corticosteroid treatment. Our aim was evaluated clinical response (reduction of CDAI >100), clinical remission (CDAI <150) and biochemical remission (CDAI <100 and CRP <1 mg/L and faecal calprotectin <100 µg/g) in short and long term.
Results
A total of 49 patients with a medium follow-up of 28 months (IQR:13-37) were included. Patients baseline characteristics are reflected in Table 1. In 20% patients the induction was made subcutaneous (90 mg/week for 4 weeks). At week 52, clinical response, clinical remission and biochemical remission was 93%, 82% and 54% respectively (Figure 1). In the long term (3 years), 62% had clinical response, 52% remained in clinical remission, and 48% showed biochemical remission. 1/3 of patients needed intensification every year. Ustekinumab treatment discontinuation was observed in 13 patients (27%) mainly due to lack of response (6[12%]: primary, 7[14%]: secondary). No serious adverse effects have been reported.
Conclusion
About 50% of the patients are in clinical and biochemical remission at week 152 in a real-life cohort of anti-TNF-exposed CD patients. With a harder remission definition including biochemical parameters, our results in real life are similar to pivotal studies at week 152. Nevertheless, at week 52 our remission rates were higher.
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