Thiopurines and TNF inhibitors appear protective against recurrent acute arterial events in adults with inflammatory bowel disease, researchers have shown in the first study of its kind.

The European group says its findings point to a greater risk reduction for patients with Crohn’s disease compared with ulcerative colitis, and for those younger than age 55.

Overall, the large cohort study suggests that exposure to thiopurines or anti-TNF therapy cuts the risk of recurrent acute arterial events by 24% and 25%, respectively.

Writing in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the French and Danish authors reported their analysis of data from some 27,000 adults (mean age 66) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a previous history of an acute arterial event.