Safety and effectiveness of ustekinumab in elderly Crohn’s disease patients

We examined the safety and effectiveness of ustekinumab in elderly Crohn’s patients. Methods This retrospective multi-centre cohort study included Crohn’s patients ≥60-years old who commenced ustekinumab. We recorded Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI), concomitant steroid therapy, treatment persistence and new infections or malignancies. Primary outcome was serious infections requiring hospitalisation. Results Seventy patients were included, with median age of 68 years. 43 (61.4%) had prior anti-TNF exposure, and 15 (21.4%) vedolizumab. Median treatment duration was 12 months, totalling 84 patient-years. Nine serious infections were reported, incidence 106.7/1000 patient-years. Systemic steroids were associated with increased risk of serious infections [odds ratio (OR) 7.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44–44.32, P = 0.02]. There were 27 “non-serious” infections; 321.4/1000 patient-years. Charlson co-morbidity index (OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.05–2.12, P = 0.03) and steroid exposure (OR 44.10, 95% CI: 1.75–1112.10, P = 0.02) increased non-serious infection risk (P
Source: European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Original Articles: Gastroenterology Source Type: research