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.