Halting thiopurine after anti-TNF escalation for IBD ‘risks adverse outcomes’
Continuation may also have a downside but researchers say this is manageable
Cessation of thiopurines after initiating anti-TNF biologics in inflammatory bowel disease can trigger hospitalisation and oral steroid use, a study suggests.
Danish researchers say their findings, which apply equally to both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, should assist clinical decision-making.
Drawing upon national registry data, the authors assessed the impact of discontinuing thiopurine therapy following anti-TNF initiation among more than 2600 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Most participants were aged 17-39 years when diagnosed with their disease; some 37% ceased thiopurine treatment within 90 days of escalation to biologics.
