P559 Effect of vedolizumab and ustekinumab on articular manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease refractory or intolerant to anti-TNF therapy: An observational prospective study

O. Britschu1, A. Meyer2, J.E. Gottenberg2, J.M. Reimund1, B. Caron1

1Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Service d’hépato gastroentérologie et assistance nutritive, Strasbourg, France, 2Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Service de Rhumatologie, Strasbourg, France

Background

The effectiveness of vedolizumab (VDZ), a monoclonal antibody targeting the α4β7 integrin, and ustekinumab (UST), an anti-interleukin-12/anti-interleukin-23 antibody, for the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been demonstrated. Nearly 50% of patients with IBD have extraintestinal manifestation(s) (EIM). The most frequent are rheumatologic. In contrast to the data available for infliximab (IFX), only retrospective or small studies with contradictory results have been published regarding the effect of VDZ or UST on IBD-associated articular manifestations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of VDZ and UST used in the treatment of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis on associated articular manifestations, compared with patients receiving IFX.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre observational prospective study. All consecutive patients diagnosed with IBD and treated with IFX, VDZ or UST were included and classified into two groups: group 1, not presenting articular manifestations at the baseline, and group 2, having articular manifestations at the inclusion. We evaluated the occurrence of articular manifestations assessed by the BASDAI score in group 1 and the evolution of articular manifestations according to the BASDAI score in group 2. EIM activity was assessed at months 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12. Improvement or worsening of joint manifestations was considered significant if the BASDAI decreased or increased by 10 mm or 20 % in relative value between its initial value and its last available value (M12 or earlier for patients with shorter follow-up times).

Results

From September 2017 to April 2019, 54 patients were included. Twenty-nine patients were analysed in group 1: 9 treated with IFX, 8 with VDZ and 12 with UST. During the follow-up period, 12 (41.4 %) patients in group 1 without EIM at baseline developed articular manifestations: 44.4 %, 50 % and 33.3 % respectively under IFX, VDZ and UST. The mean time from treatment initiation to the development of articular symptoms was 3.3, 3.8 and 2.6 months, respectively on IFX, VDZ and UST. Twenty-five patients were analysed in group 2, 6 treated with IFX, 7 with VDZ and 12 with UST. A significant improvement of the BASDAI score was observed in 50 % of patients treated with IFX, 71.4 % with VDZ and 41.7 % with UST. BASDAI scores were 31.2, 51.8 and 27.9 at M0 and 31.0, 44.7 and 27.5 on average over the entire follow-up for the following treatments respectively: IFX, VDZ and UST.

Conclusion

This prospective study suggests a potential beneficial effect of VDZ and UST on articular manifestations associated with IBD compared with IFX. However, these results need to be confirmed by larger prospective trials.