Trends of Utilization of Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Canadian Population-Based Study

Utilization of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents has been increasing over time, and more recently they are being used earlier in the course of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Abstract Background Population-based studies examining the prevalence of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) antagonist utilization in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are lacking. We aimed to describe the trend of anti-TNF utilization in pediatric IBD over time. Methods Survival analyses were performed for all patients diagnosed with IBD before age 18 years in the province of Manitoba to determine the time from diagnosis to first anti-TNF prescription in different time eras (2005-2008, 2008-2012, 2012-2016). Results There were 291 persons diagnosed with IBD (157 with Crohn's disease [CD] and 134 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) over the study period. The likelihood of being initiated on an anti-TNF by 1, 2, and 5 years postdiagnosis was 18.4%, 30.5%, and 42.6%, respectively. The proportion of persons aged <18 years utilizing anti-TNFs rose over time; in 2010, 13.0% of CD and 4.9% of UC; by 2016, 60.0% of CD and 25.5% of UC. For those diagnosed after 2012, 42.5% of CD and 28.4% of UC patients had been prescribed an anti-TNF antagonist within 12 months of IBD diagnosis. Initiating an anti-TNF without prior exposure to an immunosuppressive agent increased over time (before 2008: 0%; 2008-2012: 18.2%; 2012-2016: 42.8%; P < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in median cumulative dose of corticosteroids (CS) in the year before anti-TNF initiation (2005-2008: 4360 mg; 2008-2012: 2010 mg; 2012-2016: 1395 mg prednisone equivalents; P < 0.001). Conclusions Over a period of 11 years, anti-TNFs are being used earlier in the course of pediatric IBD, with a parallel reduction in the cumulative CS dose.