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Background and Aims Patients with colonic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Current guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance, yet epidemiological studies show poor compliance. The aims of our study were to analyse adherence to endoscopic surveillance, its impact on advanced colorectal lesions, and risk factors of non-adherence. Methods A retrospective multicentre study of IBD patients with criteria for CRC surveillance, diagnosed between 2005 and 2008 and followed up to 2020, was performed. Following European guidelines, patients were stratified into risk groups and adherence was considered when surveillance was performed according to the recommendations (+/- 1 year). Cox-proportional regression analyses were used to compare the risk of lesions. p-values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results A total of 1031 patients (732 ulcerative colitis, 259 Crohn's disease and 40 indeterminate colitis; mean age of 36 +/- 15 years) were recruited from 25 Spanish centres. Endoscopic screening was performed in 86% of cases. Adherence to guidelines was 27% (95% confidence interval, CI = 24-29). Advanced lesions and CRC were detected in 38 (4%) and 7 (0.7%) patients respectively. Adherence was associated with increased detection of advanced lesions (HR = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.3-10.1; p = 0.016). Risk of delay or non-performance of endoscopic follow-up was higher as risk groups increased (OR = 3.524; 95% CI = 2.462-5.044; p p < 0.001 for intermediate- and high- vs low-risk groups). Conclusions Adherence to endoscopic surveillance allows earlier detection of advanced lesions but is low. Groups at higher risk of CRC are associated with lower adherence.

Background Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) provides an accurate evaluation of transmural lesions in Crohn's Disease (CD). However, MRE findings associated with poor long-term outcomes in CD are not yet defined. Identification of such parameters would help in defining therapeutic goals. AIMS to identify predictors of long-term clinical outcomes based on MRE findings performed 46 weeks after biological treatment initiation in patients with CD. Methods single-center, prospective, longitudinal study conducted from 2010 to 2019. Patients with CD who had an MRE evaluation 46 weeks after biological treatment initiation and clinical follow-up of at least 3 years were evaluated. Results 89 patients were included with a median follow up of 53 months (IQR 44-76). 59 patients had ileal (66.3%), 26 ileocolic (29.2%) and 4 colonic disease (4.5%). 31 (34.8%) had inflammatory behavior, 27 (30.3%) stricturing, 9 (10.1%) fistulizing and 22 (34.7%) stricturing/fistulizing. 70 (78.7%) were treated with anti-TNFα, 5 (5.6%) vedolizumab and 14 (15.7%) ustekinumab. During follow-up, 25 (28.1%) required surgery, 17 (19.1%) hospitalization, 40 (44.9%) had clinical relapse (CDAI >150), 12 (13.5%) required corticosteroids and 12 (13.5%) required endoscopic dilatation. 32 (36.0%) patients needed resection surgery or endoscopic dilatation. MaRIA score ≥11 in any segment at week 46 was associated with a higher risk of surgery [HR 6.28 (1.42-27.84), p=0,02] or surgery/endoscopic dilatation [HR 3.76 (1.24-11.38), p=0,02]. Relative contrast enhancement (RCE) >103 was associated with higher risk of clinical relapse [HR 1,01 (1.00-1.02), p=0,03] and corticosteroids requirement [HR 1,01 (1.00-1.02), p=0,05]. Conclusion MRE findings at week 46 after biological treatment initiation predict long-term clinical outcomes in CD patients. The main determinants of poor clinical prognosis were MaRIA score ≥11 and RCE >103. Patients with these persistent findings may be candidates for treatment optimization.

Background Transmural healing (TH) is emerging as a potential treatment target for Crohn′s Disease (CD). While post-hoc analyses of RCTs and observational studies have shown that early introduction of biological therapy leads to higher rates of clinical (CR) and endoscopic remission (ER), no data is available for TH. Our goal was to assess the impact of early biologic introduction (defined as Methods Multicentre retrospective study including 5 European centres. Patients with CD with a baseline (±3 months) either computed tomography enterography (CTE) or magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) with signs of active disease before starting biologics were included. We assessed CR (PRO2 Results We included 168 patients (51% females), with a median age at diagnosis of 25 years old (IQR 19-34). Median follow-up time after treatment initiation was 73 (IQR 42-98) months and median disease duration was 120 (IQR 76-237) months. Most patients (93%) had ileal involvement (L1 or L3) and an inflammatory phenotype (50%). Overall, 79% were bio naïve and of those 46% were started on early biological treatment. Most patients were started on anti-TNF (89%), 10% on ustekinumab, and 1% on vedolizumab; 58% were on combination therapy (table 1). CR was achieved in 76% (119/157), ER in 52% (64/124), and TH in 32% (30/95). In the multivariate logistic regression model, early initiation of biological treatment was significantly associated with increased probability of achieving CR (OR 4.3, 95%CI 1.6-11.5, p=0.003), ER (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.2-7.1, p=0.02) and TH (OR 2.7, 95%CI 1.002-7.1, p=0.049). The presence of a stricture in endoscopy was a negative independent factor to predict ER (table 2) and the presence of a stricture and extensive disease in cross-sectional imaging were negative independent factors to predict TH (table 3). Conclusion Introducing biological treatment within the first 12 months after diagnosis was associated with an increased probability of achieving CR, ER, and TH. The presence of a stricture both in endoscopy and in cross-sectional imaging and the radiological extension of the disease may limit the achievement of ER and TH, respectively.

Background Biological treatments used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have demonstrated their efficacy and safety, although these results were obtained from studies that mostly include young people generally included in clinical trials. The objective of our study is to assess the efficacy of these treatments in the elderly population in real life Methods Patients have been retrospectively included with established diagnosis of IBD aged 65 years or older at the time of initiating biological treatment(Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Ustekinumab or Vedolizumab).Among the patients included, the clinical response (at the discretion of the researcher)after induction(around 12 weeks of treatment)and at 52 weeks was assessed.When that were available, the data related to endoscopic response at week 52 were collected(endoscopic activity was classified as moderate, mild or severe, according to the researcher) Results A total of 1090 patients were included(707 CD and 383 UC).The indication for biologic in our experience was lack of response to immunosuppressants(292, 27.1%), corticodependence(318, 29.5%), perianal disease(31, 2.9%), treatment for postoperative recurrence(76, 7.0%), severe corticorefractory ulcerative colitis(59, 5.5%), others(303, 28.1%).After induction, at approximately 12–14 weeks of treatment, 419(39.6%) were in clinical remission, 502(47.4%) had a response without remission, and 137 patients(12.9%) had no response.The percentages of remission with the different biologics were: infliximab 159 patients(42.6%), adalimumab 118 patients (38.4%), golimumab 9 patients(32.1%), ustekinumab 50(32.7%), vedolizumab 84(40.6%)(p = 0.3).At 52 weeks of treatment 442 patients(50.63%) clinical remission, 249 patients had a response (28.5%) and 53 patients had no response (6.1%). Before one year of treatment, 129 patients(14.8%) had suspended treatment due to ineffectiveness, being significantly higher(p Conclusion Biological drugs have response rates in elderly patients similar to those described in the general population. In our experience, golimumab was the drug that had to be discontinued most frequently due to ineffectiveness.

The development program (UNIFI) has shown promising results of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment that should be confirmed in clinical practice.

Background Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder that progresses to bowel damage over time. An image-based index, the Lémann Index, has been developed to measure the cumulative bowel damage. AIMS To characterize the long-term progression of bowel damage in Crohn’s disease based on changes in the Lémann Index and to determine risk factors for long term progression. Methods This was a single-center longitudinal cohort study. Patients who had participated in prospective studies on the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging using endoscopy as gold standard and had a follow-up of at least 5 years were reevaluated after 5–12 years. Results Seventy-two patients were included. Lémann Index increased in 38 patients (52.8%), remained unchanged in 9 patients (12.5%) and decreased in 25 patients (34.7%). Small bowel score and surgery subscale significantly increased (p=0.002 and p=0.0001), whereas fistulizing subscale significantly decreased (p=0.001). Baseline parameters associated with bowel damage progression were ileum location (p=0.026), phenotype (stricturing, fistulizing or both with p=0.007, p=0.006 and p=0.035), disease duration >10 years (p=0.019) and baseline Lémann Index stricturing score (p=0.049). No correlation was observed between bowel damage progression and baseline clinical activity, biological markers or endoscopic lesions. Need of surgery during follow-up was a major determinant of bowel damage progression (p=0.0001). Baseline stricturing Lémann Index score was associated with the risk of future surgery (p=0.02). Conclusion Bowel damage, assessed by the Lémann Index, progresses in half of the patients with Crohn’s disease over a period of 5–12 years. The main determinants of bowel damage progression are ileum location, stricturing/fistulizing phenotype and disease duration.

Background and study aims: Previous studies have reported that diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for inadequate bowel preparation. Current guidelines do not recommend a specific preparation for this patient population. The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of an adapted preparation protocol for colon cleansing in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients and methods: This randomized, single-blind, parallel group, superiority trial compared a conventional bowel preparation protocol (CBP) with a diabetes-specific preparation protocol (DSP). The CBP included a low-fiber diet for 3 days followed by a clear liquid diet for 24 hours before colonoscopy. The DSP included a multifactorial strategy combining an educational intervention, a low-fiber diet, and adjustment of blood glucose-lowering agents. All patients received 4 L of a polyethylene glycol solution in a split-dose regimen. The endoscopists were blinded to the preparation protocol. The primary outcome measure was inadequate bowel preparation according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Secondary outcome measures included hypoglycemic events, tolerability, and acceptability. Results: A total of 150 patients were included in the study (74 CBP and 76 DSP). Both groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics. Inadequate bowel cleansing was more frequent following CBP than DSP (20 % vs. 7 %, P = 0.014; risk ratio 3.1, 95 % confidence interval 1.2 – 8). Only CBP and performance status were independently associated with inadequate bowel preparation. Both preparations were equally tolerated and accepted by patients, and side-effects were similar between the groups. Conclusions: A multifactorial strategy for bowel preparation in patients with diabetes undergoing colonoscopy showed a threefold reduction in the rate of inadequate bowel preparation, with no differences in safety and tolerability compared with conventional preparation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02300779).

Background There are limited data of ustekinumab administered according to the doses recommended in the UNITI studies. Aim To assess the real-world, short-term effectiveness of ustekinumab in refractory Crohn's disease (CD) Methods Multicentre study of CD patients starting ustekinumab after June 2017 at the recommend dose (260, 390 or 520 mg based on weight ~6 mg/kg IV week 0 and 90 mg subcutaneously week 8). Values for Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC) were recorded at baseline and at weeks 8 and 14. Demographic and clinical data, previous treatments, AEs and hospitalisations were documented. Possible predictors of clinical remission were examined. Results Three hundred and five patients were analysed (>= 2 previous anti-TNF alpha therapies 64% and vedolizumab 29%). At baseline, 217 (72%) had an HBI >4 points. Of these, 101 (47%) and 126 (58%) achieved clinical remission at weeks 8 and 14, respectively. FC levels returned to normal (

Background Anti-TNF and thiopurines are the only drugs that demonstrated efficacy in preventing postoperative recurrence (POR) in Crohn’s disease (CD). However, in some cases these drugs are contraindicated or have previously failed. Recently, ustekinumab was licensed for CD but no data on its efficacy in the prevention of POR is still available. Methods All CD patients in whom ustekinumab was prescribed for primary prevention of POR within the first 3 months after ileocecal or ileocolonic resection with anastomosis were identified from the ENEIDA registry (a prospectively maintained database of the Spanish Working Group in IBD –GETECCU-). We evaluated the rates of endoscopic, clinical or surgical POR in the first 18 months. Endoscopic POR was defined by a Rutgeerts score >i1 and advanced endoscopic POR by >i2. Results Thirty patients were included; ustekinumab was started after a median time of 60 days (IIQ 31–90). Concomitant immunosuppressants were used in 17%, 27% received an additional 3-month course of metronidazole after surgery. Regarding risk factors for POR: 23% were active smokers, 62% had prior resections, 33% had penetrating CD behaviour, and 22% had a history of perianal disease. In total, 36% of them had more than one risk factor. 50% had been exposed to ustekinumab prior to the index surgery (46% within the last 6 months). The median time of follow-up on ustekinumab was 17 months (IQR 11–21). Fifty-six per cent of patients had at least one endoscopic assessment within 18 months after surgery: 58% had endoscopic POR and 23% advanced endoscopic POR. Additionally, 13% presented clinical POR at the discretion of the treating physician and none developed surgical POR. Conclusion In a small clinical practice cohort, ustekinumab showed similar efficacy as that reported with anti-TNF in the prevention of endoscopic POR. Unfortunately, the lack of early endoscopic monitoring is still frequent despite the recommendations from guidelines.