Prophylactic Medication for the Prevention of Endoscopic Recurrence in Crohn's Disease: a Prospective Study Based on Clinical Risk Stratification

Jeanine H. C. Arkenbosch, Evelien M. J. Beelen, Gerard Dijkstra, Mariëlle Romberg-Camps, Marjolijn Duijvestein, Frank Hoentjen, Sander van der Marel, P. W. Jeroen Maljaars, Sita Jansen, Nanne K. H. de Boer, Rachel L. West, Carmen S. Horjus, Laurents P. S. Stassen, Fiona D. M. van Schaik, Oddeke van Ruler, Bindia J. H. Jharap, Marijn Visschedijk, Alfred Janssen, Nicole S. Erler, Michail DoukasAriadne H. A. G. Ooms, Gursah Kats-Ugurlu, Christien Janneke van der Woude, Annemarie C. de Vries

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: To prevent recurrence after ileocolonic resection [ICR] in Crohn's disease [CD], postoperative prophylaxis based on risk stratification is recommended in international guidelines. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative CD recurrence after implementation of a clinical management algorithm and to determine the predictive value of clinical and histological risk factors [RFs]. METHODS: In this multicentre, prospective cohort study, CD patients [≥16 years] scheduled for ICR were included. The algorithm advised no postoperative medication for low-risk patients, and treatment with prophylaxis [immunosuppressant/biological] for high-risk patients [≥1 RF: active smoking, penetrating disease, prior ICR]. Clinical and histological RFs [active inflammation, granulomas, plexitis in resection margins] for endoscopic recurrence [Rutgeerts' score ≥i2b at 6 months] were assessed using logistic regression and ROC curves based on predicted probabilities. RESULTS: In total, 213 CD patients after ICR were included [age 34.5 years; 65% women] (93 [44%] low-risk; 120 [56%] high-risk: 45 [38%] smoking; 51 [43%] penetrating disease; 51 [43%] prior ICR). Adherence to the algorithm was 82% in low-risk [no prophylaxis] and 51% in high-risk patients [prophylaxis]. Endoscopic recurrence was higher in patients treated without prophylaxis than with prophylaxis in both low [45% vs 16%, p = 0.012] and high-risk patients [49% vs 26%, p = 0.019]. Clinical risk stratification including the prescription of prophylaxis corresponded to an area under the curve [AUC] of 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.79). Clinical RFs combined with histological RFs increased the AUC to 0.73 [95% CI 0.64-0.81]. CONCLUSION: Adherence to this management algorithm is 65%. Prophylactic medication after ICR prevents endoscopic recurrence in low- and high-risk patients. Clinical risk stratification has an acceptable predictive value, but further refinement is needed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-230
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Crohn's & Colitis
Volume17
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Crohn's disease
  • Ileocecal resection
  • postoperative recurrence

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