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Background There is scarce information about Crohn’s disease (CD) affecting oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The aim of the study was to describe phenotypic features, disease course and treatment response in these patients. Methods Patients with CD and upper involvement (oesophagus, stomach and/or duodenum) were included (upper CD=UCD). Extensive CD (ECD) was defined as concomitant distal involvement (jejunal, ileal and/or colonic). A multicentric, longitudinal and retrospective study was designed to evaluate disease characteristics at diagnosis and behaviour of UCD in patients >= 18 years between January 2000 and December 2019 with at least 1 year follow-up since diagnosis. All treatments for UCD diagnosis and reason to start them were recorded, as well as 14- and 52-week response. Incidence of malignancy was also evaluated. Descriptive statistics were applied for quantitative and qualitative variables. Exact Fisher test was used for comparison of proportions. Results 197 (0.9%) UCD among 21.670 patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD) from 28 Spanish centres were included with a median of 10.7 years follow-up (min 2.2– max 22.1). Nearly 55% were men: median age at CD diagnosis was 29 years whereas for UCD was 32 years, with a mean of 2 months between CD and UCD diagnosis (SD 0.4). Only 9 patients had isolated UCD, whereas the rest presented ECD. 97% were diagnosed by endoscopy, in 2/3 due to symptoms (epigastric pain and dyspepsia). Inflammatory phenotype was prevalent in UCD with aphthous ulcer as the main endoscopic lesion (42%). Isolated duodenal location was the most frequent, followed by the antrum. Systemic corticosteroids and thiopurines were the most used treatments after UCD diagnosis. Treatment response at 14- and 52-weeks is detailed in Figures 1 and 2. Treatment withdrawal due to UCD activity was seen in 2-11% of patients. Thiopurines was the most durable treatment (median 50 months, min 0–max 210) followed by infliximab and adalimumab. Ten patients presented phenotype change over time (90% from inflammatory to stricturing). 53% of patients underwent endoscopic control (44% due to symptoms). De novo metaplasia was detected in 3 patients, and low-grade visible dysplasia in one. Two patients developed neoplasia: 1 gastric MALT lymphoma and 1 oesophagus carcinoma 5.5 and 20 years after UCD diagnosis, respectively. Conclusion UCD in adult population is infrequent. Upper involvement does not have an impact on immunosuppressive treatment requirements, but extensive disease does, appreciating a similar response to treatments for proximal and distal disease, both in the short and medium term. Although rare, risk of malignancy in UCD exists.

Background Limited data is available of the outcome of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with solid organ transplantation (SOT). The aim of our study was to describe the natural history of pre-existing IBD and de novo IBD after SOT. Methods A retrospective, observational, multi-centre, nationwide study was designed. IBD patients with SOT were included. We identified two separate cohorts: (1) patients with pre-existing IBD at the time of SOT and (2) patients without IBD at the time of SOT (de novo IBD). The primary outcome was IBD progression, defined by the escalation of medical treatment, surgical therapy for medically refractory IBD or IBD-related hospitalization during follow-up. Risk factors were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results A total of 177 patients (106 pre-existing IBD and 71 de novo IBD) from 31 centres were included. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. Eighty-six patients with IBD and SOT underwent liver transplantation, while 82 required renal, 4 lung, 3 heart, 1 liver/kidney and 1 pancreas/kidney transplantation. Pre-existing IBD patients were followed-up over a median of 4.8 years (range 2.6–9.4). At the time of SOT, 61 patients (59.8%) were not under maintenance treatment or were treated with 5-aminosalicylates, 10 (9.8%) were on immunosuppressive therapy and 31 (30.4%) were receiving biological agents, of which 8 were on combo therapy. At the moment of SOT, only 8 patients (7.5%) had moderate IBD activity whereas the remaining patients were in remission. During follow-up 33.7% of patients with pre-existing IBD had disease progression, with a median time between SOT and IBD progression of 2.2 years (range 1.3–4.6). No differences between Crohn′s disease and ulcerative colitis were found (Figure 1). The median time of follow-up in de novo IBD group was 5.1 years (range 2.1–8.2). In this cohort, 55.9% of patients had disease progression during follow-up (Figure 2), with a median time to flare of 1.9 years (range 0.8–3.9) from diagnosis. In pre-existing IBD cohort, multivariate Cox-regression analysis identified active IBD at the time of SOT (HR=1.80; 95%CI: 1.14–2.84; p=0.012) and the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (HR=3.10; 95%CI: 1.47–6.54; p=0.003) as predictive factors of IBD progression after SOT. Conclusion One third of patients with pre-existing IBD have disease progression, needing medical therapy escalation, surgery or hospitalization after SOT. Active IBD at the time of SOT and the presence of extraintestinal manifestations were identified as risk factors for disease progression. In de novo IBD cohort, about half of patients showed disease progression during follow-up.

Background Ustekinumab has been recently approved for the treatment of moderately to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Data from the UNIFI clinical trial are encouraging; nevertheless, real-world assessment is needed. We assess the effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics of ustekinumab in a cohort of refractory UC patients. Methods Multicentre and observational study of UC patients who received ustekinumab for active disease. Values for Partial Mayo Score (PMS), endoscopic activity, C reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC) were recorded at baseline and at weeks 8, 24 and 52 weeks and at 18 and 24 months when was possible. Demographic and clinical data, previous treatments, adverse events (AEs), surgeries and hospitalizations were documented. Possible predictors of response were examined. Results One hundred and eight patients were analyzed (Table 1). Two patients only received the first IV dose. During follow-up, 58 patients (54%) required interval reduction (every 4 weeks (76%) and every 6 weeks (24%)) after a median of 22.3 weeks [11.6, 41.2]. Intravenous reinduction doses were administered to 20 (18.5%) after 27.7 weeks [6.64, 56.3]. Three patients required a maintenance therapy with IV administration. The clinical remission (PMS≤ 2) rates were 39.6%, 41%, 51% at 8, 24 and 52 weeks, respectively, and 61%, and 57.7% at 18 and 24 months, respectively. FC levels returned to normal ( Fewer previous anti-TNF agents and the loss of response to anti-TNF were associated with clinical response and with normalization of FC respectively. No variables at baseline (body mass index, serum albumin, and lymphocytes count) were associated with ustekinumab through levels. Of the 17 patients with endoscopy before and after treatment, 6 were in remission and 3 with mild activity. The AEs were recorded in 5 (4.6%) patients, 12 (11%) were hospitalized and 9 (8.3%) had surgery. A total of 23 patients (21%) discontinued ustekinumab over time, the persistence rates were 98%, 91%, 83% and 81% at 8, 24, 48 and 96 weeks respectively. Conclusion This is the first study to show the real-world long-term effectiveness, persistence, endoscopic improvement and safety of ustekinumab in a cohort of highly refractory UC patients. The clinical remission preceded the FC normalization. Ustekinumab through levels and their pharmacokinetic require further investigations.

Background Given the low immunogenicity of ustekinumab (UST), it has been suggested that it is not necessary to add an immunomodulator (IMM). However, there is little scientific evidence on whether the efficacy of combined UST+IMM treatment may be greater than in monotherapy, due to the concomitant action of both drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the survival of UST treatment with and without concomitant IMM. Methods Patients with stable follow-up at Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid), with Crohn's disease (CD) and previous or current treatment with UST, since May 2016, were retrospectively included. Results A total of 137 patients were included. Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics. In 98 patients (71.53%) UST indication was induction of remission; in 22 (16.06%) post-surgical recurrence treatment; in 5 (3.65%) it was prescribed as post-surgical recurrence prophylaxis; and in the remaining 12 (8.76%) the indication was for other reasons. At the time of analysis, 91 (66.42%) patients were still on active treatment and 46 (33.58%) had discontinued treatment (of which 9 due to primary failure, 27 due to secondary loss of response, 9 due to adverse events, 1 due to remission). 89 patients (64.96%) did not receive concomitant IMM. Whilst, 48 (35.04%) received concomitant treatment with an IMM. The mean time of IMM treatment was 9.16 years (SD 6.76). UST treatment had a mean duration of 2.19 years (SD 1.35) in patients receiving concomitant IMM; while it was of 1.67 years (SD 1.02) in those who did not receive concomitant IMM; being this statistically significant (p=0.0124) (Figure 1). When performing a multivariate analysis by linear regression, the only variables that negatively influenced UST survival were age at diagnosis (Coef. -0.36; p=0.028), perianal disease (Coef. -0.29; p=0.198) and location rather than L1 (Coef. 0.2; p=0.072). However, concomitant IMM use had a positive influence (Coef. 0.45; p=0.032). Conclusion In our experience, the survival of ustekinumab is greater in combined treatment with immunosuppressant, being also the only independent variable associated with a greater durability of the drug.

Background There is little scientific evidence available about the results in terms of clinical and biochemical response after intensification with intravenous (IV) ustekinumab (UST) as a therapeutic strategy to be used in patients with refractory Crohn's disease (CD) who are receiving subcutaneous (SC) treatment with said drug. Methods Patients with CD in stable follow-up at Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid), who were undergoing intensified treatment with IV UST, were recruited. The objective of the study was to assess the clinical and analytical response and drug levels 12 weeks after the change from subcutaneous to intravenous UST. Results 27 patients were retrospectively included, all of them with previous treatment with UST SC. In Table 1 baseline characteristics are collected. Out of the 27 patients included, 4/27 were under treatment with UST in first line, 10/27 in second line, 9/27 in third line and 4/27 had failed to three biologics. The reason for intensification with IV UST was the lack of response to treatment in the 27 patients, 7 of them (25.93%) being found in the context of post-surgical recurrence. On the other hand, 10 patients (37.03%) were already under treatment with intensified SC UST, while the remaining 17 patients (62.96%) were under treatment with a standard schedule of SC UST every 8 weeks. At the baseline visit, prior to the change to IV UST, differences in levels were observed between intensified and non-intensified patients (7216 vs 2842, p=0,00005). However, no significant differences were appreciated between these two groups 12 weeks after IV intensification (7949 vs 7937; p=0,99). In patients with intensified UST SC was observed a decrease in fecal calprotectin 12 weeks after starting IV intensification, going from a mean of 1463 to 751, although the differences were not significant (p=0,14). In Figure 1 is shown improvement in fecal calprotectin levels and in Figure 2 improvement in UST levels in blood is reflected, both parameters quantified 12 weeks after intravenous intensification of the drug. In Table 2 data derived from the analysis of the clinical activity and determinations of CRP and calprotectin are collected, before performing the intensification with UST IV and 12 weeks after it. Conclusion In our experience, change to intravenous ustekinumab in maintenance led to an improvement in the clinical and biochemical response in patients with Crohn's disease (even in patients already intensified). Likewise, an increase in drug levels was observed 12 weeks after the change from subcutaneous to intravenous treatment.

Background Ileocolonoscopy is the gold standard to evaluate post-operative recurrence (POR) in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Rutgeerts endoscopic score remains the gold standard in the evaluation of post-operative recurrence in CD. Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is proposed as a non-invasive alternative to ileocolonoscopy for the diagnosis of POR, with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 84%. There are several IUS scores that evaluate CD disease activity such as SUS-CD (validated), IBUS-SAS and Simple US Score, which have not yet been studied in the diagnosis of POR. The aim of this study is to assess whether these ultrasound scores correlate with endoscopy in the diagnosis of PR. Methods A retrospective study was performed. Patients with CD who had undergone ileocecal resection, with both an ileocolonoscopy and intestinal ultrasound performed for the detection of POR were included. The time between tests was less than 6 months and there was no therapeutic change between tests. Endoscopic POR was evaluated with Rutgeers score (RS), considering POR RS ≥i2b. In IUS, were used: Simple US Score, SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS. Results Forty-five patients were included (female 48,89%, male 51,11%). The Montreal classification was: L1 n=22 (48,89%), L2=1 (2,22%), L3 n=22 (48,89%), B1 n=3 (6,67%), B2 24 (54,4%) and B3 n=18 (40%). 24 patients (53%) had no endoscopic POR, 6 (6%) had RS i2b and 15 (33.33%) had severe POR. The mean wall thickness measured by IUS was 4.39 mm (SD +/- 1.92) and 26 patients (57.77%) had hyperemia (Limberg score >1). The mean values for IUS scores were: Simple US Score 5.79 (SD +/- 2.81), SUS-CD 2.35 (SD +/- 1.62) and IBUS-SAS 34.04 (SD +/- 24.21). For the Simple US Score an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 80.65% (95% CI 67.7 - 93.6) was obtained, with a score ≥5.4. The sensitivity (S) was 95.24% and specificity (E) 66.67%. IBUS-SAS presented an AUC of 87% (95% CI 76.98 - 97.02), a result ≥28 granted a S 90.48% and E 70.83%. The SUS-CD index had an AUC of 79% (95% CI 76.98 - 97.92), a result ≥3 presented S 90.48% and E 62.5%. Conclusion In our experience, IUS scores (IBUS-SAS, SUS-CD and Simple US Score) show a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of POR.

Background The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ranges from 1–6%. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), with cure rates >90%, represent a radical change from interferon-based therapies. The ECCO guidelines (Kucharzik JCC 2021) warns about the risk of IBD reactivation due to the effect of DAAs, but HCV management in this situation is uncertain given the lack of evidence. AIMS: To evaluate: 1) Effectiveness and safety of DAAs in IBD; 2) Interaction of DAAs with IBD drugs, particularly immunosuppressants and/or biologics. Methods Multicenter retrospective study of patients with IBD and HCV treated with DAAs identified on the ENEIDA registry (January 2011-February 2021). Variables evaluated: age, gender, location, extent, phenotype and activity of IBD, treatments, anti-HCV and viral load, DAA treatment and duration, fibrosis and hepatic decompensations, adverse effects (AE) and interactions. Results We included 79 patients with IBD and HCV treated with DAAs (47 sofosbuvir, 28 ledipasvir, 7 daclatasvir, 8 velpatasvir, 1 simeprevir, 16 paritaprevir+ritonavir+ombitasvir, 14 dasabuvir, 3 grazoprevir+elbasvir, 13 glecaprevir+pibrentasvir). Clinical and demographic characteristics: mean age (years) 54+/-12.66SD; 62% male, 77.2% genotype 1, 32.6% advanced fibrosis (none Child B-C). A 78.5% (n=62) received IBD treatment (39 salicylates, 20 azathioprine, 1 methotrexate, 4 corticosteroids, 10 antiTNF, 2 vedolizumab, 2 ustekinumab, 1 apheresis). A 17.7% (n=14) had active IBD (64.3% remained unchanged, 21.4% improved and 14.3% worsened) and 82.3% (n=65) were inactive at the onset of ADD. Of these, 9.2% (n=6) developed mild-moderate activity (4 mild and 2 moderate). In 85% (n=67) no treatment changes were made, in 9% (n=7) it was intensified and in 6% (n=5) it was de-intensified. Adherence to DAAs and sustained virologic response was obtained in 96.2% (n=76). A total of 7 (8.9%) AE were notified, of which 5 were possibly/probably related to DAAs (100% mild) and 2 were unrelated (1 azathioprine withdrawal due to pancytopenia). The AE were unrelated with the presence of inflammatory activity, type of IBD, liver fibrosis, use of immunosuppressants, biologics, or with any DAA regimen. Conclusion This is the first reported series of IBD patients infected with HCV and treated with DAAs, we showed that DAA are effective and safe. They do not trigger IBD flare-ups, nor have more AE than in patients without IBD. Moreover, they do not have clinically significant pharmacological interactions with immunosuppressants and/or biologics. Thus, the eradication of HCV with DAA in IBD patients must be the same of the HCV infected patients without IBD, based on EASL recommendations.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with solid organ transplantation (SOT) is associated with a greater complexity in their medical management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of different IBD treatments in patients with IBD and SOT. Methods A retrospective, observational multi-center study was designed. IBD patients with SOT were included in two separate cohorts: (1) patients with pre-existing IBD and (2) patients without IBD at the time of SOT (de novo IBD). The primary outcome was to evaluate the presence of severe infections (opportunistic infections or infection that required hospitalization) and malignancies. Predictive factors for infections were identified by logistic regression. Results A total of, 177 patients (106 pre-existing IBD and, 71 de novo IBD) from, 31 centers were included. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table, 1. Tacrolimus was the most commonly used antirejection treatment (153 patients, 88.7%). In the pre-existing IBD cohort, after SOT, 61 patients (59.8%) were not under treatment or were treated with, 5-aminosalicylates, 10 patients (9.8%) were on azathioprine and, 31 (30.4%) were on biologics, of which, 8 were on combo therapy. In the pre-existing IBD cohort, 47.1% patients had severe infections being cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, acute cholangitis and Clostridioides difficile (C.Diff) colitis the most common (Fig. 1). In de novo IBD cohort, 13 patients (18.3%) were on azathioprine and, 28 (39.4%) were on biologics, of which, 4 were on combo therapy. Half of patients in de novo IBD cohort (54.9%) had severe infections, being CMV infection and pneumonia the most frequently observed. C.Diff colitis was less frequent in this group (Fig 2). Asystole donor (OR, 3.7, 95%CI, 1.1–12.6), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (OR, 3.3, 95%CI, 1.3–8.6) and retransplantation (OR, 10.8, 95%CI, 1.2–98.8) were identified as risk factors for severe infection after SOT in patients with pre-existing IBD. No treatment was significantly associated with increased risk of infections. In the pre-existing IBD cohort, 14 (13.5%) developed at least one malignancy after SOT over a median of, 5 years (range, 1.2–10.1). In patients with de novo IBD, 13 (18.3%) developed cancer after the diagnosis of IBD over a median of, 6.6 years (range, 2.9–8.0). Non-melanoma skin cancer was the most frequent malignancy in both groups. Two colorectal cancers were detected in each cohort. Conclusion About half of patients with IBD and SOT develop severe infections, being CMV the most frequent involved. Asystole donor, PSC and retransplantation are associated with increased risk of infection after SOT in pre-existing IBD cohort. Both groups show an elevated incidence of malignancies, being non-melanoma skin cancer the most common.

Background Fecal calprotectin (FC) has become a fundamental tool in the non-invasive monitorization of activity in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, there is still debate over the choice of the optimal cut-off point for the different clinical settings. The aim of this study is to analyze whether the presence of pseudopolyps and their characteristics have an impact on the value of FC and should therefore be taken into account when deciding the optimal cutoff values. Methods A single-centered, retrospective analysis including data from patients with colonic Crohn′s disease or Ulcerative colitis who underwent colonoscopy for dysplasia screening at our center between 2018 and 2019. Patients that did not have a FC registered within 8 months from to the colonoscopy, or that did not maintain clinical remission between the colonoscopy and the measurement of the FC, were excluded. Patients that had activity in the colonoscopy (Mayo endoscopic score >0, SESCD >0) were also excluded. Results 73 patients were included. 26 (35.6%) of them had pseudopolyps in the colonoscopy. The median value of the FC was significantly different in patients with pseudopolyps (110.1 µg/g, CI 95% [48.6–171.5]) compared to those without them (52.5 µg/g, CI 95% [29.9–75.1]). In 11 (42.3%) of the patients with pseudopolyps, biopsies were taken, observing histological activity in 3 of them (27.3%) and no inflammatory activity in the other 8 (72.7%). We found that FC was higher in patients with inflammatory polyps (119.0 µg/g) in comparison to those without histological activity in their pseudopolyps (96.9 µg/g); however, these results were not statistically significant. The location of the pseudopolyps had no influence over the FC in our study. In addition, no correlation was found between the presence of polyps or diverticula and FC. Conclusion In our study, the presence of pseudopolyps is associated with significantly higher levels of FC. Moreover, our results suggest a tendency towards higher FC in patients who had active colitis in the histological samples of their pseudopolyps.

Background Thiopurines (TP) are widely used in monotherapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), mainly for the maintenance of remission in case of corticodependence or corticoresistance after cyclosporine use. However, these are drugs with significant side effects, especially in the long term. The optimal duration of treatment with TP remains unknown, so it is important to determine the risk factors for relapse in order to identify the group of patients in which treatment can be withdrawn. Methods A retrospective study was performed. Patients with UC in remission, in maintenance treatment with TP, who had discontinued the drug due to either maintained remission or the onset of adverse effects were included. Results 26 patients were included, 1 with proctitis, 9 with left colitis and 16 with pancolitis. 24 (92.31%) were treated with azathioprine and 2 (7.69%) with mercaptopurine. The mean treatment time with TP was 68.09 months (standard deviation 56.65). 11 patients (42.31%) discontinued TP due to adverse effects and the remaining patients (57.69%) discontinued it by medical decision because they were in prolonged remission. After withdrawal of TP, 92.34% of patients continued treatment with mesalazine and the remaining 7.69% without concomitant treatment. During follow-up, 10 patients (38.4%) relapsed and 16 patients (61.53%) had no relapse until the end of follow-up. The mean time from TP withdrawal to the onset of relapse was 69.15 months (standard deviation 52.53). Of the 10 patients who presented a flare, 5 (50%) were controlled by optimizing the dose of mesalazine, 4 (40%) required the addition of oral corticosteroids and 1 (10%) required biologics. No significant differences were found when comparing the time to relapse if the reason for discontinuation of TP was having had an adverse effect (65.05 months) or maintained remission (79.79 months) (p=0.42). No statistically significant differences were found in time to relapse when comparing time on TP treatment, presence of concomitant treatment with mesalazine or active smoking. Conclusion One third of patients relapsed after TP withdrawal. Discontinuation of TP in patients with UC in remission should be individualized according to the patient’s risk factors, the indication and the duration of treatment.