ASSESSMENT OF TNFα -BLOCKING THERAPY IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS IN DEEP REMISSION
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In the era of TNFα-blocking therapy, MH and even DR have been suggested as new therapeutic targets in both CD and UC. Recent studies have indicated that DR may be achieved in roughly half of IBD patients on TNFα-blocking maintenance therapy, resulting in more favorable treatment outcomes. However, considering the potential side-effects and economic issues associated with long-term immunosuppressive therapy with TNFα-blocking agents, the possibility of discontinuing therapy should be evaluated at least once after achieving DR. At present, no widely accepted recommendations for discontinuing TNFα-blocking therapy are available. Based on the results of our study, only for about half of patients in DR were candidates for discontinuation of TNF-blocking medication for various reasons. Nevertheless, up to 67% of IBD patients in DR at the time of cessation of TNFα-blocking therapy remained in clinical remission during the 12-month follow-up, and moreover, the majority of these patients also remained in endoscopic remission. Therefore, withdrawal of therapy could be considered in IBD patients in DR even after one-year treatment. Reassuringly, in case of a relapse, the response to restart of TNFα-blocking therapy seems to be effective and well-tolerated. To evaluate treatment response and possible relapse during maintenance therapy or after discontinuation of TNFα-blocking therapy, FC seems to be a reliable surrogate marker to replace endoscopic assessment. A normal FC after induction with TNFα-blocking agents predicts sustained remission in the majority of patients with active luminal disease receiving scheduled treatment. However, an objective cut-off value for treatment response and relapse risk is to some extent still undefined. To predict IBD relapse and identify patients requiring a close follow-up in clinical practice, FC seems to be a useful surrogate marker, as it increases and remains elevated as early as 6 months before symptomatic relapse. FC measurements should therefore be included in monitoring IBD patient s treatment response in everyday clinical practice.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Pauliina Molander
Language: English
Topic: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1555290030