Comparing the Effects of Anti-TNF Agent and Ustekinumab on Small Bowel Inflammation in Crohn’s Disease: Inverse Probability Weighting With Stabilized Weights of Propensity Scores

Abstract

Background Endoscopic mucosal healing serves as a critical predictor for achieving long-term remission in Crohn’s disease treatment. Recent data indicate that the effectiveness of healing varies based on the location of gastrointestinal inflammation. Additionally, reports are suggesting that anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) agents exhibit reduced efficacy in treating small intestinal inflammation compared to colorectal inflammation. Conversely, limited research exists regarding the impact of the anti-IL12/23 agent ustekinumab (UST) on small intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to compare the effects of anti-TNF-α agents and ustekinumab on small intestinal inflammation using propensity score analysis. Methods This retrospective observational study involved 70 patients with Crohn’s disease who had inflammation in the small intestine and had initiated treatment with either anti-TNF agents or ustekinumab between March 2015 and August 2021. Endoscopic findings were evaluated before treatment commencement and at 1–2 years post-treatment initiation. The propensity score was employed to compare the efficacy of TNF agents and ustekinumab on small bowel inflammation. Results Ustekinumab exhibited greater improvement in the small intestinal endoscopy score than anti-TNF-α antibodies according to the propensity score analysis (inverse probability weighting) (p = 0.0448). However, no significant disparity was observed in the overall improvement of endoscopic scores between ustekinumab and anti-TNF-α antibodies (p = 0.5938). Conclusions This study suggests that ustekinumab might be more effective than anti-TNF-α agents in treating small intestinal inflammation in Crohn’s disease.