USTEKINUMAB IN CROHN'S DISEASE MANAGEMENT: A BRAZILIAN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Real-world data on the use of Ustekinumab (UST) in Brazilian and Latin American patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The primary endpoint was assessment of clinical remission at weeks 8 and 52, and secondary endpoints were: assessment of clinical response at weeks 8 and 52, endoscopic remission, adverse events, and rates of CD-related abdominal surgery during follow-up. METHODS: observational and retrospective study, including patients with CD treated at two centers, who received UST at any time during their treatment. Remission and clinical response were defined as a Harvey-Bradshaw index ≤4 and ≥3 points reduction, respectively. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included, 85.1% previously exposed to anti-TNFs. Clinical remission was observed in 45.8% and 59.4% of patients at weeks 8 and 52, respectively. The clinical response rates were 54.2% and 67.6% at weeks 8 and 52. Endoscopic remission was observed in 21.8% of patients. Seventeen patients had adverse events, mostly mild infections, with 22.9% of patients undergoing abdominal surgery (ileocolectomy being the most common procedure). CONCLUSION: UST therapy resulted in significant rates of remission and clinical response, as described in other real-world studies. Few patients had adverse events during treatment, showing its adequate safety profile.

Ustequinumabe no manejo da doença de Crohn: um estudo observacional brasileiro / Ustekinumab in crohn's disease management: a brazilian observational study

ABSTRACT Background: Real-world data on the use of Ustekinumab (UST) in Brazilian and Latin American patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are scarce. Objective: The primary endpoint was assessment of clinical remission at weeks 8 and 52, and secondary endpoints were: assessment of clinical response at weeks 8 and 52, endoscopic remission, adverse events, and rates of CD-related abdominal surgery during follow-up. Methods: observational and retrospective study, including patients with CD treated at two centers, who received UST at any time during their treatment. Remission and clinical response were defined as a Harvey-Bradshaw index ≤4 and ≥3 points reduction, respectively. Results: Seventy-four patients were included, 85.1% previously exposed to anti-TNFs. Clinical remission was observed in 45.8% and 59.4% of patients at weeks 8 and 52, respectively. The clinical response rates were 54.2% and 67.6% at weeks 8 and 52. Endoscopic remission was observed in 21.8% of patients. Seventeen patients had adverse events, mostly mild infections, with 22.9% of patients undergoing abdominal surgery (ileocolectomy being the most common procedure). Conclusion UST therapy resulted in significant rates of remission and clinical response, as described in other real-world studies. Few patients had adverse events during treatment, showing its adequate safety profile.

RESUMO Contexto: Dados de vida real sobre o uso de Ustequinumabe (UST) em pacientes brasileiros e latino-americanos com doença de Crohn (DC) são escassos. Objetivo: O desfecho primário foi a avaliação da remissão clínica nas semanas 8 e 52, e os desfechos secundários foram: avaliação da resposta clínica nas semanas 8 e 52, remissão endoscópica, eventos adversos e taxas de cirurgia abdominal relacionada à DC durante o seguimento. Métodos: Estudo observacional e retrospectivo, incluindo pacientes com DC tratados em dois centros, que receberam UST em qualquer momento do tratamento. A remissão e a resposta clínica foram definidas como índice de Harvey-Bradshaw ≤4 e ≥3 pontos de redução, respectivamente. Resultados: Foram incluídos 74 pacientes, 85,1% previamente expostos a anti-TNFs. A remissão clínica foi observada em 45,8% e 59,4% dos pacientes nas semanas 8 e 52, respectivamente. As taxas de resposta clínica foram de 54,2% e 67,6% nas semanas 8 e 52. A remissão endoscópica foi observada em 21,8% dos pacientes. Dezessete pacientes apresentaram eventos adversos, principalmente infecções leves, sendo 22,9% dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia abdominal (sendo a ileocolectomia o procedimento mais comum). Conclusão: A terapia com UST resultou em taxas significativas de remissão e resposta clínica, conforme descrito em outros estudos do mundo real. Poucos pacientes apresentaram eventos adversos durante o tratamento, mostrando seu adequado perfil de segurança.

Experience of a gastroenterology center in fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of Clostridioides Difficile / Experiência de um centro de gastroenterologia em transplante de microbiota fecal no tratamento de Clostridioides difficile

Background: The treatment of Clostridioides difficile is based on an antibiotics cycle, but for individuals who have more than two recurrences, fecal microbiota transplantation can be considered as a therapeutic option. Objective: To describe the technique and results of fecal microbiota transplantation performed for recurrent infection by Clostridioides difficile. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study based on a review of medical records of patients undergoing transplantation of fecal microbiota. Data were obtained on the criteria used to select the donor, the preparation of stools in the laboratory and the method of delivery of the material offered, as well as information regarding the characteristics of the recipient, such as: gender, age, comorbidities, hospitalizations, use of antibiotics prior to infection, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatments performed for Clostridioides difficile. After transplantation, data on efficacy, outcome, follow-up time and procedure complications were considered. Results: Between 2012 and 2019, 11 patients underwent fecal microbiota transplantation. The use of antibiotics prior to infection occurred in 9 patients, no patient was hospitalized in the previous 6 months due to another etiology. All had at least 2 cycles of vancomycin for recurrent disease. Of the total of 11 patients, 2 required 2 infusions and 1 patient required 3, totaling 15 fecal microbiota transplants. The success rate was 81.8% with only one infusion and 90.9% resolution considering patients who needed more than one infusion. Conclusion: Fecal microbiota transplantation is a feasible therapy with resolution in 90.9% of cases as a treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.

Contexto: O tratamento do Clostridioides difficile é baseado em ciclo antimicrobiano, mas para os indivíduos que apresentam mais de duas recorrências, pode-se considerar o transplante de microbiota fecal como opção terapêutica. Objetivo: Descrever a técnica e os resultados do transplante de microbiota fecal realizados para infecção recorrente por Clostridioides difficile. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, transversal, baseado em revisão de prontuários de pacientes submetidos ao transplante de microbiota fecal. Foram obtidos dados sobre os critérios empregados para seleção do doador, o preparo das fezes e o método de entrega do material, além de informações referentes às características do receptor, como: sexo, idade, comorbidades, internamentos, uso de antimicrobiano prévio à infecção, apresentação clínica, diagnóstico e tratamentos realizados para o Clostridioides difficile. Após o transplante, dados sobre eficácia, desfecho, tempo de seguimento e complicações do procedimento foram considerados. Resultados: Entre 2012 e 2019, 11 pacientes foram submetidos ao transplante de microbiota fecal. O uso de antimicrobiano prévio à infecção ocorreu em 9 pacientes, nenhum paciente internou nos 6 meses anteriores por outra etiologia. Todos fizeram pelo menos 2 ciclos de vancomicina para doença recorrente. Do total de 11 pacientes, 2 necessitaram de 2 infusões e 1 paciente necessitou de 3, totalizando 15 transplantes de microbiota fecal. O sucesso foi de 81,8% com apenas uma infusão e resolução de 90,9% considerando pacientes que necessitaram de mais de uma infusão. Conclusão: O transplante de microbiota fecal é uma terapia factível e com resolução em 90,9% dos casos como tratamento de infecção recorrente por Clostridioides difficile.

EVALUATION OF PROGRESSION OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS IN A GROUP OF PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE ACCOMPANIED FOR 10 YEARS.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been progressively diagnosed in the general population as a consequence of the increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, its main risk factors. It is characterized by accumulation of fat in the hepatocytes associated with lobular inflammation and balonization, which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Thus, a characterization and follow-up of a progression of the fibrosis level of these patients becomes important, being that the transient hepatic elastography is a reliable method for this evaluation with a measure of the kapa index. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of hepatic fibrosis through elastography in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Patients who had previously performed hepatic biopsy and noninvasive scores for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis were included in the study. These same subjects were then submitted to current clinical evaluation, laboratory and liver elastography tests, defining the level of liver fibrosis, about 10 years after the first evaluation. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 66 patients previously submitted to liver biopsy. Of these, 16 were not found, four could not participate because they were debilitated due to hepatic cirrhosis, two had died from an automobile accident and five from complications of cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, of the 50 patients with a known history, 9 (18%) had died of cirrhosis or were unable to attend the examination because of their liver disease. The remaining population was predominantly female (61.5%), mean age of 63 years, being overweight, dyslipidemia (76.9%), disorders of the glycemic profile (76.9%), and metabolic syndrome (82.1%). Of the 39 cases evaluated, 35% had the same degree of fibrosis at the initial evaluation (biopsy) and at the current evaluation (elastography), 33% had an increase in the degree of fibrosis and another 30% had a decrease in the degree of fibrosis. Twenty-eight patients had NASH at baseline. Regarding these patients, it was observed in the current evaluation, that 25% remained stable in the degree of fibrosis, 39% progressed, and 35% regressed. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations of our study, such as the small number of patients, and the use of two different methods of evaluation (biopsy and elastography), the data obtained allow us to conclude that of the 39 evaluated cases, 33% (13) presented progression of fibrosis and the total group of 50 patients, 42% had cirrhosis or died due to liver disease. The presence of NASH on hepatic biopsy did not prove to be, in our study, a predictive of the evolution of hepatic fibrosis in the patients.

Avaliação da progressão da fibrose hepática em um grupo de pacientes com doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica acompanhados por 10 anos / Evaluation of progression of hepatic fibrosis in a group of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease accompanied for 10 years

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been progressively diagnosed in the general population as a consequence of the increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, its main risk factors. It is characterized by accumulation of fat in the hepatocytes associated with lobular inflammation and balonization, which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Thus, a characterization and follow-up of a progression of the fibrosis level of these patients becomes important, being that the transient hepatic elastography is a reliable method for this evaluation with a measure of the kapa index. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of hepatic fibrosis through elastography in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Patients who had previously performed hepatic biopsy and noninvasive scores for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis were included in the study. These same subjects were then submitted to current clinical evaluation, laboratory and liver elastography tests, defining the level of liver fibrosis, about 10 years after the first evaluation. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 66 patients previously submitted to liver biopsy. Of these, 16 were not found, four could not participate because they were debilitated due to hepatic cirrhosis, two had died from an automobile accident and five from complications of cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, of the 50 patients with a known history, 9 (18%) had died of cirrhosis or were unable to attend the examination because of their liver disease. The remaining population was predominantly female (61.5%), mean age of 63 years, being overweight, dyslipidemia (76.9%), disorders of the glycemic profile (76.9%), and metabolic syndrome (82.1%). Of the 39 cases evaluated, 35% had the same degree of fibrosis at the initial evaluation (biopsy) and at the current evaluation (elastography), 33% had an increase in the degree of fibrosis and another 30% had a decrease in the degree of fibrosis. Twenty-eight patients had NASH at baseline. Regarding these patients, it was observed in the current evaluation, that 25% remained stable in the degree of fibrosis, 39% progressed, and 35% regressed. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations of our study, such as the small number of patients, and the use of two different methods of evaluation (biopsy and elastography), the data obtained allow us to conclude that of the 39 evaluated cases, 33% (13) presented progression of fibrosis and the total group of 50 patients, 42% had cirrhosis or died due to liver disease. The presence of NASH on hepatic biopsy did not prove to be, in our study, a predictive of the evolution of hepatic fibrosis in the patients.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica vem sendo diagnosticada com frequência progressivamente maior na população geral, como consequência do aumento da prevalência da obesidade e do diabetes mellitus tipo 2, considerados seus principais fatores de risco. Caracteriza-se por acúmulo de gordura nos hepatócitos associada à inflamação lobular e balonização, podendo levar à cirrose e hepatocarcinoma. Desta forma, torna-se importante a caracterização e acompanhamento do nível de fibrose hepática destes pacientes, sendo que a elastografia hepática transitória, tem se mostrado um método confiável para esta avaliação com a medida do índice kapa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a progressão da fibrose hepática através de elastografia em pacientes com doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes que haviam realizado anteriormente biópsia hepática e cálculo de escores não invasivos para avaliação de esteato-hepatite não alcoólica (EHNA) e fibrose. Estes mesmos indivíduos foram então submetidos à avaliação clínica, laboratorial e exame de elastografia hepática atuais, definindo o nível de fibrose hepática, cerca de 10 anos após a primeira avaliação. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados dados relativos a 66 pacientes previamente submetidos a biópsia hepática. Destes, 16 não foram localizados, quatro não puderam participar por estarem incapacitados em função de cirrose hepática, dois haviam falecido por acidente automobilístico e cinco, por complicações de cirrose hepática. Portanto, do grupo de 50 pacientes com evolução conhecida, nove (18%) haviam falecido por cirrose ou estavam incapacitados de comparecer ao exame em função de sua doença hepática. A população restante era predominantemente do sexo feminino (61,5%), com idade média de 63 anos, apresentando sobrepeso, dislipidemia (76,9%), distúrbios do metabolismo glicêmico (76,9%) e síndrome metabólica (82,1%). Dos 39 casos avaliados, 35% tiveram o mesmo grau de fibrose na avaliação inicial (biópsia) e na avaliação atual (elastografia), 33% tiveram aumento no grau de fibrose e outros 30% tiveram diminuição no grau de fibrose. Vinte e oito pacientes apresentavam EHNA na avaliação inicial. Em relação a esses pacientes observou-se na avaliação atual que, 25% mantiveram-se estáveis no grau de fibrose, 39% progrediram e, 35% regrediram. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de algumas limitações do nosso estudo, como o pequeno número de pacientes e o uso de dois métodos diferentes de avaliação (biópsia e elastografia), os dados obtidos nos permitem concluir que dos 39 casos avaliados, 33% apresentaram progressão da fibrose e do grupo total de 50 pacientes, 42% apresentam cirrose ou faleceram em decorrência de doença hepática. A presença de EHNA à biópsia hepática não se mostrou um dado capaz, no nosso estudo, de predizer a evolução da fibrose hepática nos pacientes.