This retrospective cohort study aims to compare the efficacy of different biologics in preventing postoperative endoscopic recurrence in Crohn's disease (CD). It plans to include 198 adult patients who underwent bowel resection and initiated prophylactic biologic therapy between January 1, 2015, and April 1, 2025. Patients will be divided into anti-TNF (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab) and non-anti-TNF (e.g., vedolizumab, ustekinumab) groups based on the biologic started within 6 weeks post-surgery. The primary outcome is endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts score ≥ i2) at 6-12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include severe endoscopic recurrence, clinical recurrence, recurrence at different anastomotic sites, CD-related rehospitalization, reoperation, drug persistence, the POCER postoperative endoscopic index, and histopathological changes in the bowel and mesenteric fat. Subgroup analyses will explore treatment effects by recurrence risk stratification and resection extent. Using retrospective data collection, the study will apply multivariate regression and survival analysis to provide real-world evidence for optimizing postoperative biologic selection.
This study is a retrospective cohort study aiming to compare the efficacy of different biologics in preventing endoscopic recurrence after surgery for Crohn's disease (CD). It plans to include 198 adult CD patients who underwent intestinal resection and initiated prophylactic biologic therapy between January 1, 2015, and April 1, 2025. Patients will be divided into an anti-TNF group (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab) and a non-anti-TNF group (e.g., vedolizumab, ustekinumab) based on the biologic agent used within six weeks post-surgery. The primary outcome is the rate of endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts score ≥ i2) at 6-12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include the rate of severe endoscopic recurrence, clinical recurrence, recurrence at different anastomotic sites, CD-related rehospitalization, reoperation, drug persistence, the POCER postoperative endoscopic index, and pathological changes in the intestinal tissue and mesenteric fat. Subgroup analyses will be conducted to explore differences in efficacy across varying levels of recurrence risk and resection extent. Through retrospective data collection and statistical analyses including multivariate regression and survival analysis, this study aims to provide real-world evidence to optimize the selection of postoperative biologic therapy in clinical practice.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
198
Infliximab was used as postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy for Crohn's disease according to routine clinical practice. The recommended regimen was 5 mg/kg intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6, followed by maintenance treatment every 8 weeks.
Adalimumab was used as postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy for Crohn's disease according to routine clinical practice. The recommended regimen was 160 mg subcutaneously at week 0, 80 mg at week 2, and 40 mg every 2 weeks from week 4 onward.
Vedolizumab was used as postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy for Crohn's disease according to routine clinical practice. The recommended regimen was 300 mg intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6, followed by maintenance treatment every 8 weeks.
Ustekinumab was used as postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy for Crohn's disease according to routine clinical practice. The recommended regimen included a weight-based intravenous induction dose, followed by 90 mg subcutaneously every 8 weeks.
The Tenth People's Hospital of Shanghai
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
RECRUITINGEndoscopic recurrence rate
The proportion of patients with endoscopic recurrence, defined as a Rutgeerts score ≥ i2 on ileocolonoscopy performed 6 to 12 months after CD-related intestinal resection.
Time frame: 6 to 12 months after surgery
Severe endoscopic recurrence rate
The proportion of patients with severe endoscopic recurrence, defined as a Rutgeerts score ≥ i3 on postoperative ileocolonoscopy.
Time frame: 6 to 12 months after surgery
Clinical recurrence rate
The proportion of patients with clinical recurrence, defined as worsening Crohn's disease-related symptoms supported by endoscopic, radiologic, ultrasonographic, laboratory, or medical record evidence, or requiring treatment escalation, hospitalization, or reoperation due to Crohn's disease activity.
Time frame: Up to 5 years after surgery
Long-term endoscopic recurrence rate
The proportion of patients with endoscopic recurrence during long-term follow-up, defined as a Rutgeerts score ≥ i2 on follow-up endoscopy.
Time frame: 3 and 5 years after surgery
Crohn's disease-related rehospitalization rate
The proportion of patients requiring rehospitalization due to Crohn's disease activity, complications, or treatment-related problems during follow-up.
Time frame: Up to 5 years after surgery
Crohn's disease-related reoperation rate
The proportion of patients requiring repeat abdominal surgery due to Crohn's disease recurrence or related complications during follow-up.
Time frame: Up to 5 years after surgery
Drug persistence
Time from initiation of postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy to treatment discontinuation, switch to another biologic or immunomodulator, or discontinuation due to intolerance or adverse events.
Time frame: Up to 5 years after treatment initiation
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