Journal
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
Volume 20, Issue 6, Pages 1021-1028Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000052
Keywords
Crohn's disease; ulcerative colitis; relapse; remission; TNF alpha-blocking therapy
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Funding
- Abbvie
- MSD
- Tillotts Pharma
- Janssen
- Orion Pharma
- Medivir
- Roche
- Bayer
- Tillots Pharma
- GSK
- Almirall
- Shire
- Helsinki University Central Hospital Research Fund (EVO grant)
- Finnish Cultural Foundation
- Mary and George C. Ehrnrooth Foundation
- Finnish Foundation for Gastroenterological Research
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Background: Few data are available on the disease course in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in deep remission after discontinuing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)-blocking therapy. In this prospective multicenter study, we evaluated the relapse rate, predictive factors, and the response to retreatment after discontinuation of TNF alpha-blocking therapy in patients with IBD in deep remission. Methods: We recruited 52 patients (17 Crohn's disease, 30 ulcerative colitis, and 5 IBD unclassified) in clinical, endoscopic, and fecal calprotectin-based (<100 mu g/g) remission after at least 1 year of TNF alpha-blocking therapy. Clinical and endoscopic remission and relapse were defined according to validated indices. After discontinuation of therapy, the patients were followed up with endoscopic assessment at 4 and 12 months. In the event of a clinical relapse with endoscopically active disease or minor clinical symptoms but severe endoscopic relapse, TNF alpha-blocking therapy was restarted. Results: After a median follow-up time of 13 (range, 12-15) months, 17/51 (33%) patients relapsed (5/17 Crohn's disease, 12/34 ulcerative colitis/IBD unclassified, 1 patient lost to follow-up at 6 mo). Ten experienced clinical and endoscopic relapse, 5 clinical relapse with mild endoscopic activity, and 2 severe endoscopic relapse. No specific predictive factors were associated with the relapse. Retreatment was effective in 94% of patients. Conclusions: After cessation of TNF alpha-blocking therapy in patients with IBD in deep remission, up to 67% remained in clinical remission during the 12-month follow-up. Importantly, 85% of these patients sustained endoscopic remission. The response to restart of TNF alpha antagonists was effective and well tolerated.
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