P681 Preliminary data from the Biologic and Partial Enteral Nutrition in Crohn’s Disease Study (BIOPIC)

Abstract

Abstract Background Biologics such as adalimumab (ADA) are used to induce clinical remission (CR) in individuals with active Crohn’s disease (CD) but around 50% of patients actually achieve clinical remission. Exclusive enteral nutrition is also an effective induction treatment, but tolerability limits its use, especially in adults. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of partial enteral nutrition (PEN) in combination with ADA compared to ADA monotherapy. Methods In this multi-centre (n=8) RCT (NCT04859088), adults with active CD (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index, CDAI ≥ 150) due to start ADA as their first-line biologic were randomised to either continue their habitual unrestricted diet (UD) or to replace half of it with PEN during their first 6 weeks of induction treatment Primary outcome clinical efficacy (i.e., clinical response, CDAI baseline decrease of ≥ 70 or CR, CDAI score <150) was assessed after 12 weeks of ADA initiation. Secondary outcomes included changes in inflammatory markers (faecal calprotectin, (FCAL), CRP) and quality of life (SIBDQ), at 3 (only FCAL), 6 and 12 weeks. To calculate adherence to PEN, used/unused tins were returned and compared to number provided. Analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis. Results 32 participants (13 UD, 19 PEN) have completed the study; 29 (13 UD, 16 PEN) of whom completed the full 12 weeks of the study. Adherence rate to PEN was high (~96%). Clinical efficacy (response & remission) was UD: 92% vs PEN: 84%, p=0.490 at 6 weeks and UD: 85% vs PEN: 58%, p=0.11 at week 12. FCAL data was available for 22 participants (9 UD, 13 PEN). FCAL (g/g) significantly decreased after 12 weeks in patients receiving PEN (mean difference 189, p=0.009) but this effect did not quite reach statistical significance (p=0.052) in the UD group (Fig 1). Proportionally more patients from the PEN group had FCAL <100 mg/kg compared to the UD group (3, 6, 12 weeks, PEN: 62%, 69%, 69% vs UD: 33%, 33%, 56%) during the study course. CRP (mg/L) significantly decreased at week 6 and 12 in patients receiving PEN (week 6 & week 12, p<0.0001) and in patients continuing their UD (week 6, p=0.001, week 12, p=0.007). SIBDQ score increased in both groups (PEN, p=0.023 vs UD, p=0.008). Conclusion Preliminary data from the BIOPIC study suggests equivalence in clinical efficacy between the two groups but better responses to blood and gut inflammatory markers when ADA is combined with PEN. High tolerability of PEN suggests it can be a viable option for adult patients with active luminal CD.