P327 Evolution after a “de-intensification” strategy with anti-TNF therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in clinical remission: multicenter study

Abstract

Background: The "de-intensification" of anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients with sustained remission may be considered for cost and safety reasons. Our aims were: 1) to evaluate the risk of relapse after antiTNF "de-intensification" in clinical remission; 2) to identify predictive factors associated with relapse; 3) to assess the effectiveness of a second "re-intensification"; and 4) to analyze safety of this strategy. Method(s): An observational, retrospective and multicenter study was performed. Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) who achieved remission on intensified anti-TNF therapy and then de-intensified a standard dose being in clinical remission were included. The follow-up after "de-intensification" was at least 6-months. Result(s): 287 patients were included (50.9% male, mean age 43.1 years, 64.8% CD). Previous antiTNF intensification was due to loss of response (58.9%) and partial response (35.6%). The reasons of "de-intensification" were: 87.7% medical decision following sustained clinical remission, 6.7% patient decision and 3.5% adverse events. 31.4% of patients relapsed with a median of 8 months (95% CI: 6.14-9.85). The cumulative rate of relapse was 11.5% at 6 months, 23.9% at 1 year, 33.4% at 2 years and 47.9% at 5 years; and the incidence rate of relapse was 18.9% patient-year. At time of "de-intensification", endoscopy was performed in 32.2% of patients, out of them 66.3% had no activity and 31.5% mild activity. 48.4% continued combotherapy with im-munomodulators after "de-intensification". In the multivariate analysis, the variables associated with a higher risk of relapse were: presence of extraintestinal manifestations (HR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.85, p=0.032), and previous surgery related to IBD (HR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.21-4.38, p=0.011). The factors associated with a lower risk of relapse: concomitant treatment with immunomodulator after "de-intensification" (HR=0.406; 95% CI: 0.23-0.70, p=0.001) and inflammatory behavior CD vs. structuring-fistulizing pattern (HR=0.385, 95% CI: 0.20-0.72, p=0.003). 74.2% of patients who relapsed were treated with a new antiTNF intensification, 57.6% achieved remission in early 8 weeks, and 71.2% at the end of follow-up. After that, only 6% had adverse effects, most of them mild. Conclusion(s): The incidence rate of inflammatory bowel disease relapse after "de-intensification" in patients with clinical remission was 18.9% patient-year. Extraintestinal manifestations and previous surgery for IBD were predictors of relapse; while concomitant treatment with immunomodulator and inflammatory behavior CD were associated with lower risk of relapse. The treatment of relapse with the new "re-intensification" was safe and effective in 3 out of 4 patients.