Pediatric-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Articles

Considerations in Paediatric and Adolescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is rising most rapidly among children and adolescents. Paediatric-onset IBD is associated with a more extensive and severe disease course compared to adult-onset IBD. At a young age, screening for underlying genetic and immunological disorders is important and may impact treatment management. Early and effective treatment is crucial to reach disease remission and prevent complications of ongoing active disease. In children with Crohn's disease, exclusive enteral nutrition is an effective induction therapy. Other promising dietary therapies, such as the Crohn's disease exclusion diet, are emerging. Within paediatric IBD, anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy is the only approved biological thus far and additional treatment options are crucially needed. Other biological therapies, such as vedolizumab and ustekinumab, are currently prescribed off-label in this population. A specific challenge in paediatric IBD is the unacceptable and major delay in approval of drugs for children with IBD. A guided transfer period of paediatric patients to adult care is associated with improved disease outcomes and is required. Major knowledge gaps and challenges within paediatric IBD include the aetiology, diagnostics, and monitoring of disease, tailoring of treatment, and both understanding and coping with the physical and psychological consequences of living with IBD. Challenges and research gaps in paediatrics should be addressed without any delay in comparison with the adult field, in order to ensure a high quality of care for all patients with IBD, irrespective of the age of onset.

Efficacy of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease: A real-world multicenter study.

Vedolizumab and ustekinumab are effective in inducing and maintaining corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CFR) in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study describes the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in pediatric IBD. All patients ≤18 years of age with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with vedolizumab or ustekinumab in three centers in Northern France were followed retrospectively. The primary outcome was CFR at Week 14 (W14). Twenty-five patients (9 CD, 16 UC) and 33 patients (28 CD, 5 UC) were started on vedolizumab and ustekinumab respectively between 2016 and 2021. All were previously treated with antitumor necrosis factor (TNF). The median time from diagnosis to treatment initiation was 21.0 (12.0-44.0) and 42.0 (22.0-73.5) months for vedolizumab and ustekinumab respectively. Among vedolizumab-treated patients, 36% were in CFR at W14, including 22% in CD and 44% in UC. At W52, 56% were in CFR, including 33% in CD and 69% in UC. Among ustekinumab-treated patients, 49% were in CFR at W14, including 54% in CD and 20% in UC. At W52, 55% were in CFR, including 57% in CD and 40% in UC. There was a significant increase in median growth velocity between W0 and W52 of +2 SD in vedolizumab-treated patients (p = 0.0002). Four adverse events were reported during vedolizumab treatment, none for ustekinumab-treated patients. Vedolizumab and ustekinumab appear to be effective in inducing and maintaining CFR in pediatric-onset IBD. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

Very early onset versus pediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective cohort analysis

Very early onset versus pediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective cohort analysis

Differences in disease characteristics and treatment exposures between paediatric and adult-onset inflammatory bowel disease using a registry-based cohort.

Previous studies highlighted a more extensive phenotype for paediatric-onset than adult-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, most lacked long-term follow-up, and some were conducted before the era of biologics. The aim of this study is to compare disease characteristics and treatment exposures between paediatric-onset and adult-onset IBD. From a registry that periodically and uniformly retrieves demographics, disease characteristics/phenotype, and treatments, we compared the characteristics of paediatric-onset (diagnosed at ≥6 and <18 years) and adult-onset IBD, diagnosed during 2000-2022 and with ≥12 months follow-up. Of the 2837 patients with Crohn's disease and 1332 with ulcerative colitis, 3316 had adult-onset and 853 paediatric-onset IBD. The median follow-up was 6 years. Patients with paediatric-onset presented with more extensive disease and received more intensified therapies, including biologics and JAK inhibitors than those with adult-onset IBD. Paediatric-onset ulcerative colitis showed a higher prevalence of E3 extensive colitis including pancolitis and a greater requirement for systemic steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics than adult-onset ulcerative colitis. Paediatric-onset versus adult-onset Crohn's disease exhibited greater L3 ileocolonic involvement and perianal disease phenotype, and higher exposure to immunomodulators and biologics. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional hazards analyses showed significantly lower 15-year biologic-free survival from diagnosis among those with paediatric-onset IBD than with adult-onset IBD (p = <0.001), indicating greater and earlier use of biologics in the former. Paediatric-onset presents with more extensive disease with higher exposures to immunomodulators and biologic therapies than adult-onset IBD.

Incidence and risk factors for thromboembolic events in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease: A French population-based study

IntroductionPatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at higher risk of thromboembolic events (TE). In pediatric-onset IBD, more data on incidence and risk factors of venous (VTE) and arterial events (ATE) at the population level are needed to guide thromboprophylaxis. MethodsAll patients aged ≤ 16 years diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) between 1988 and 2011 in the prospective EPIMAD population-based registry were followed until 2013. Every TE occurring during the follow-up period was included. ResultsA total of 1,344 patients were included: 1,007 with CD and 337 with UC, and a median diagnosis age of 14.3 years. After a median follow-up of 8.3 years, 2 (0.15 %) ATE and 15 (1.1 %) VTE occurred at median age of 20.4 years. The global incidence rate of thromboembolic events was 1.32 per 1000 person-years. Periods of active disease (HR=8.4, p = 0.0002), the 3-month-period following surgery (HR=16.4, p = 0.0002) and hospitalization (HR=21.7, p < 0.0001) were found to be associated with an increased risk of VTE. A lower rate of VTE was found in patients treated with 5-aminosalicylates (HR=0.1, p = 0.002). ConclusionThe risk of TE was low in this population. VTE were strongly associated with active disease, surgery and hospitalization.

Self-Compassion in Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Relationship of Self-Compassion to Psychosocial and Physical Outcomes.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk for poor physical and mental health due to the complexity of pediatric onset IBD and the unique developmental challenges of this period of life. Self-compassion is increasingly recognized as having an important role in explaining health outcomes and well-being across a range of populations. This study examines the relationship between self-compassion and psychosocial and physical health outcomes in AYAs with IBD. In this cross-sectional study, AYAs with IBD aged 15 to 25 years completed an online survey between February 2020 and October 2021. Questionnaires included the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures for psychosocial, physical and global health outcomes, and IBD disease activity indices. AYAs with higher levels of self-compassion were found to have better psychosocial (ie, anxiety, depressive symptoms, psychological stress, physical stress, peer relationships), physical (ie, fatigue), and global health outcomes. Self-compassion was a significant independent predictor of anxiety (β = -5.80, P = < .001), depressive symptoms (β = -7.09, P = < .001), psychological stress (β = -4.66, P = < .001), physical stress (β = -3.19, P = < .001), peer relationships (β = 3.39, P = .003), fatigue (β = -2.05, P = .019), and improved global health (β = 5.15, P = < .001). This study offers preliminary support for the importance of self-compassion in AYAs with IBD and demonstrates the need for further research in this area.

High Healthcare Costs in Childhood Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Development of a Prediction Model Using Linked Clinical and Health Administrative Data.

The incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the costs of caring for individuals with IBD are both increasing. We calculated the direct healthcare costs of pediatric IBD in the first year after diagnosis and developed a model to predict children who would have high costs (top 25th percentile). Using data from the Canadian Children IBD Network inception cohort (≤16 years of age, diagnosed between 2013 and 2019) deterministically linked to health administrative data from Ontario, Canada, we estimated direct healthcare and medication costs accrued between 31 and 365 days after diagnosis. Candidate predictors included age at diagnosis, sex, rural/urban residence location, distance to pediatric center, neighborhood income quintile, IBD type, initial therapy, disease activity, diagnostic delay, health services utilization or surgery around diagnosis, regular primary care provider, and receipt of mental health care. Logistic regression with stepwise elimination was used for model building; 5-fold nested cross-validation optimized and improved model accuracy while limiting overfitting. The mean cost among 487 children with IBD was CA$15 168±15 305. Initial treatment (anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, aminosalicylates, or systemic steroids), having a mental health care encounter, undergoing surgery, emergency department visit at diagnosis, sex, and age were predictors of increased costs, while having a regular primary care provider was a predictor of decreased costs. The C-statistic for our model was 0.71. The cost of caring for children with IBD in the first year after diagnosis is immense and can be predicted based on characteristics at diagnosis. Efforts that mitigate rising costs without compromising quality of care are needed.

Familial Mediterranean fever in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: A nationwide study from the epi-IIRN.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) are auto-inflammatory diseases with common clinical and biological features. We aimed to determine their association and characterize the natural history in patients with both diagnoses. Utilizing data from the epi-IIRN cohort, which includes 98% of Israel's population, we calculated the adjusted prevalence of FMF among IBD patients vs non-IBD controls. Case ascertainment of IBD was determined according to validated algorithms and for FMF by ICD-9 codes and colchicine purchase. In total, 34 375 IBD patients (56% Crohn's disease [CD] and 44% ulcerative colitis [UC]) were compared with 93 602 matched controls. Among IBD patients, 157 (0.5%) had FMF compared with 160 (0.2%) of non-IBD controls (OR = 2.68 [95%CI 2.2-3.3]; p< 0.001). Pediatric-onset IBD had a higher prevalence of FMF compared with adult-onset IBD (30/5,243 [0.6%] vs 127/29 132 [0.4%]), without statistical significanse (OR = 1.31 [0.88-1.96]; p= 0.2). FMF was more prevalent in CD (114/19 264 [0.6%]) than UC (43/15 111 [0.3%]; OR = 2.1 [1.5-3.0]), p< 0.001). FMF diagnosis preceded that of IBD in 130/157 cases (83%). FMF was associated with a more severe disease activity in UC patients at diagnosis, but not in CD patients. Outcomes were comparable between patients with CD+FMF vs CD alone; however in patients with UC+FMF, time to biologic treatment was shorter. FMF is more prevalent in IBD patients than in the general population, particularly in CD. The diagnosis of FMF precedes the diagnosis of IBD in most cases, and may be associated with a more severe course in UC.

Global Epidemiology and Geographic Variations of Pediatric-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990 to 2019.

An increasing incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) has been reported in many countries. However, the global burden and distribution of this disease remain less understood. We aimed to examine the global epidemiology and trends of PIBD from 1990 to 2019. Data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, covering 204 countries, were analyzed. We assessed key measures like incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) using linear regression to calculate annual percentage changes and assess trends. Between 1990 and 2019, the PIBD incidence rate increased and the DALY rate and mortality rate declined. The incidence rate was notably elevated in the high Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, reaching 6.3 per 100 000 person-years, corresponding to 13 914 new cases in 2019. Incidence and prevalence of PIBD positively correlated with the SDI, while higher death and DALY burdens were observed in lower-SDI countries. In 2019, the top 5 countries with the highest PIBD incidence rates were Canada (19.9 per 100 000 population), Denmark (12.4 per 100 000 population), Hungary (8.5 per 100 000 population), Austria (8.1 per 100 000 population), and the United States (7.4 per 100 000 population). Several countries experienced significant increases in incidence rates from 1990 to 2019, led by Taiwan (annual percent change 4.2%), followed by China (2.8%), Japan (2.1%), Australia (1.8%), and Hungary (1.6%). PIBD incidence has significantly increased since 1990. High-SDI countries face higher incidence, while lower-SDI countries experience higher mortality and DALY burdens. The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and research to address this emerging public health issue.

The intestinal microbiome of inflammatory bowel disease across the pediatric age range

ABSTRACT Dysbiosis is associated with pediatric and adult-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the role of dysbiosis and the microbiome in very early onset IBD (VEO-IBD) has not yet been described. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the impact of age and inflammation on microbial community structure using shotgun metagenomic sequencing in children with VEO-IBD, pediatric-onset IBD, and age-matched pediatric healthy controls (HC) observed longitudinally over the course of 8 weeks. We found disease-related differences in alpha and beta diversity between HC and children with IBD or VEO-IBD. Using a healthy microbial maturity index modeled from HC across the age range to characterize their gut microbiota, we found that children with pediatric-onset IBD and VEO-IBD had lower maturity than their age-matched HC groups, suggesting a disease effect on the microbial community. In addition, patients with pediatric IBD had significantly lower maturity than those with VEO-IBD, who had more heterogeneity at the youngest ages, highlighting differences in these two cohorts that were not captured in standard comparisons of alpha and beta diversity. These results demonstrate that young age and inflammation independently impact microbial community structure. However, the effect is not additive in the youngest patients, likely because of the heterogeneous and dynamic stool microbiome in this population.

Racial and ethnic differences in diagnosis age and blood biomarkers in a pediatric inflammatory bowel disease cohort.

Prompt diagnosis of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is crucial for preventing a complicated disease course; however, it is not well understood how social determinants of health might affect pediatric IBD diagnosis. This study examined differences in diagnosis age, biomarkers of disease severity, and anthropometrics with sociodemographic factors in a pediatric IBD cohort. Pediatric IBD patients (n = 114) and their parents/caregivers were enrolled from the Children's of Alabama Pediatric IBD Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. Primary analyses examined associations of child race and ethnicity, parental income, parental education, single-parent household status, insurance type, and distance to a tertiary pediatric gastroenterology referral center with diagnosis age. Secondary analyses examined differences in biomarker levels, height, and body mass index at the time of diagnosis. Racial and ethnic minority children were diagnosed at an older age compared to Non-Hispanic White children (14.4 ± 0.40 vs. 11.7 ± 0.38 years; p < 0.001), and this trend was robust to adjustment with other sociodemographic variables. Parental attainment of a college education attenuated the link between minority race and ethnicity and the likelihood of older age at diagnosis, while other sociodemographic variables had no moderating effect. Racial and ethnic minority children were 5.7 times more likely to have clinically elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate at diagnosis compared to Non-Hispanic White children (p = .024). These results suggest that child race and ethnicity may exert a primary effect on the age at diagnosis with pediatric-onset IBD. This study highlights the need for further research on racial and ethnic disparities to promote health equity in pediatric-onset IBD.

P1122 Comorbidities Associated with Pediatric Onset Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Population-Based Study

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be associated with various disorders, including dermatological, rheumatological, or psychiatric conditions. However, little is known about the incidence of these co-morbidities in paediatric-onset IBD at the population-based level. Methods All patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) before the age of 17 between 1988 and 2011, and included in the EPIMAD population-based registry, were followed retrospectively until 2013. In this population, we collected information on comorbidities present at diagnosis, as well as events related to the development of a new chronic condition, hospitalization, or an infectious event of interest (as pneumopathy, meningitis, or pyelonephritis) reported in the medical records during the follow-up period. Results A total of 1,344 patients were included, comprising 1,007 (74.9%) with CD and 337 (25.1%) with UC. The median age at diagnosis was 14.3 years (IQR [11.7; 16.0]). During a median follow-up of 8.3 years ([4.3-13.9]), 361 (26.9%) patients exhibited at least one comorbidity. At diagnosis, 9.4% (95% CI [7.8% - 11.0%]) of patients had at least one comorbidity. The cumulative incidence of comorbidity was 13% (95% CI [11% - 14%]) at 1 year after diagnosis and 20% (95% CI [17% - 22%]) at 5 years. No association was found between the risk of comorbidity and the clinical characteristics at IBD diagnosis. However, the cumulative incidence of comorbidity was higher in the diagnosis period 2001-2011 than in the period 1988-1993 (HR=1.7 [1.2-2.2]; p&amp;lt;0.001). The most frequent comorbidities were infectious (5.6%), dermatological (5.5%), and pulmonary (5.3%) (Figure 1). The most common infectious events included bacteraemia, digestive tract infection with Clostridioides difficile, and viral infection with Herpesviridae or parvovirus B19, with a cumulative incidence during follow-up of 1.2%, 1.0%, and 0.9%, respectively. During follow-up, viral infections with HBV, HCV, or HIV were observed in 0.2% of patients, and pneumopathy was diagnosed in 0.7% of patients. Eczema and asthma were the predominant dermatological and pulmonary comorbidities, affecting 2.6% and 5.1% of patients, respectively. Conclusion In this paediatric-onset IBD population-based cohort, the most common comorbidities were infectious, dermatological, and pulmonary. Bacteraemia emerged as the most prevalent severe infectious event during follow-up, affecting 1.2% of patients.

P1151 Incidence and risk factors of thromboembolic events in Pediatric-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a population-based study

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are known to be more susceptible to thromboembolic events. However, limited data on the incidence and risk factors for both venous (VTE) and arterial thromboembolic events (ATE) have been documented at the population level, especially in pediatric-onset IBD. Methods All patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) before the age of 17 years from 1988 to 2011 in a prospective population-based registry were retrospectively followed until 2013. Every VTE and ATE occurring during the follow-up period were included. Cox proportional hazard models with hazard ratio (HR) were performed using time dependent variable except for patient’s characteristics at diagnosis. Results A total of 1,344 patients diagnosed with IBD between 1988 and 2011, including 1,007 (75%) patients with CD and 337 (25%) with UC, with a median age at diagnosis of 14.3, IQR [11.7-16.0] years were included. After a median follow-up of 8.3, IQR [4.3–13.9] years, 15 (1.1%) VTE and 2 (0.15%) ATE occurred at a median age of 20.4, IQR [16.6-24.5] years (younger age: 14.8 years). The global incidence rate for both VTE and ATE was 1.32 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI [0.77 - 2.11]. In CD patients, the incidence of VTE was 1.41 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI [0.77 - 2.37], whereas it stood at 0.33 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI [0.01 - 1.85] in UC patients. The risk of VTE and ATE did not change over the study period. Periods of active disease (HR 8.4 [2.3-30.5], p=0.0002), the 3-months postoperative period (HR 16.4 [5.2-52.3], p=0.0002) and hospitalization (HR 21.7 [7.5-62.9], p&amp;lt;0.0001) were found to be associated with an increased risk of VTE. Conclusion The risk of both arterial and venous thromboembolism was low in this pediatric-onset IBD population-based cohort. VTE were strongly associated with active disease, surgery and hospitalization among IBD patients.

P191 Inflammatory bowel disease type unclassified in paediatric-onset IBD: A nationwide cohort study in Scotland with up to 20 years follow-up shows reclassification in the majority and mild course in those remaining as IBDU

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease type unclassified (IBDU) is the least common subtype of IBD accounting for around 10% of incident cases in children. There are a lack of long-term longitudinal data to fully elucidate both disease course and reclassification rate in IBDU. Our aim is to clarify disease course and reclassification rate by presenting nationwide data of an IBDU cohort with long-term (9-20 years) follow-up. Methods In a nationwide study, we analysed our prospectively identified 11 year cohort of IBDU patients diagnosed 01/01/03-31/12/13 via all Scottish paediatric IBD centres (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow) and followed-up into adult services until 01/01/23. All had a diagnosis of IBDU based on the Porto diagnostic criteria and Paris PIBD phenotypic classification using a combination of clinical, endoscopic, histological and radiological findings. Follow-up data were obtained retrospectively from electronic medical records (demographics, diagnostic plus all repeat endoscopic and radiological assessments, longitudinal disease severity based on defined global clinician assessment, medical treatment and surgical outcomes) at fixed time points (5 and 10 years post-diagnosis) and at the last follow-up. Results A total of 116 patients were initially identified as IBDU, with 14 patients excluded as they emigrated out of the area before the first time point. 102 patients were included in the analysis (57/102 (56%) male, median (IQR) age at diagnosis 11.5 (9.1-13.2) years) with a median (IQR) length of follow-up of 10.5 (8.6-14.0) years. A change of diagnosis was made in 61/102 (60%) patients with 30/102 (29%) reclassified as Crohn’s disease (CD) and 31/102 (30%) as ulcerative colitis (UC) after a median (IQR) disease duration of 5.0 (2.0-8.2) and 4.7 (1.8 – 7.7) years respectively. Patients who remained as IBDU had a milder disease course compared to those reclassified as CD/UC with higher 1-5 year remission rates (30/39 (77%) in IBDU vs 16/57 (28%) in CD/UC-reclassified, p&amp;lt;0.05), lower rates of moderate-to-severe disease (3/39 (8%) in IBDU vs 31/57 (54%) in CD/UC-reclassified, p&amp;lt;0.05), less need for biologics across all time points (all p&amp;lt;0.05) and a higher proportion managed on aminosalicylates or no medication (all p&amp;lt;0.05). Higher rates of surgical resections were observed by last documented FU in CD/UC-reclassified patients (IBDU 1/41 (2%) vs CD/UC-reclassified 11/61 (18%), p=0.02). Conclusion In our nationwide paediatric IBDU cohort the majority (60%) of patients were reclassified as either UC or CD over the longest published median follow-up (10.5 years); those who remained with an IBDU classification had a milder disease course and decreased need of biologic escalation.

Transition is associated with lower disease activity, fewer relapses, better medication adherence, and lower lost-to-follow-up rate as opposed to self-transfer in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease patients: results of a longitudinal, follow-up, controlled study.

Despite the continuously rising rate of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel diseases (PIBD), there are no consensus transitional guidelines or standardized practices. We aimed to examine: (1) the determinants of a successful transfer, (2) the effects of the transfer versus transition on the disease course and patient compliance, (3) the unique characteristics of PIBD patients, that need special attention in adult care. Longitudinal, follow-up, controlled study conducted between 2001 and 2022, with retrospective data collection until 2018, thence prospective. Three hundred fifty-one PIBD patients enrolled in the study, of whom 152 were moved to adult care, with a mean post-transfer follow-up time of 3 years. Seventy-three patients took part in structured transition, whereas 79 self-transferred to adult care. The main outcome measures were disease activity (defined by PCDAI, PUCAI, CDAI, and Mayo-scores) and course, hospitalizations, surgeries, IBD-related complications, including anthropometry and bone density, patient compliance, medication adherence, and continuation of medical care. Patients who underwent structured transition spent significantly more time in remission (83.6% ± 28.5% versus 77.5% ± 29.7%, p = 0.0339) and had better adherence to their medications (31.9% versus 16.4% non-adherence rate, p = 0.0455) in adult care, with self-transferred patients having a 1.59-fold increased risk of discontinuing their medical care and a 1.88-fold increased risk of experiencing a relapse. Post-transfer the compliance of patients deteriorated (38.5% versus 29%, p = 0.0002), with the highest lost-to-follow-up rate during the changing period between the healthcare systems (12.7%), in which female gender was a risk factor (p = 0.010). PIBD patients had experienced IBD-related complications (23.4%) and former surgeries (15%) upon arriving at adult care, with high rates of malnutrition, growth impairment, and poor bone health. Structured transition plays a key role in ensuring the best disease course and lowering the lost-to-follow-up rate among PIBD patients. Structured transition plays a key role in ensuring the best disease outcome among PIBD patients, as in our study it was associated with lower disease activity, fewer relapses, better medication adherence, and lower lost-to-follow-up rate as opposed to self-transfer.

Risk of Anxiety, Depression, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with depression and anxiety in adults, but data are scarce on risk of psychiatric diseases in children with IBD. We aimed to estimate the risk of anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with pediatric-onset IBD. We performed a nationwide, register-based cohort study including all patients with pediatric-onset IBD diagnosed in Denmark during 1998-2018, resulting in 3,559 patients matched 1:5 on age, sex, municipality of residence, and time period, resulting in 17,795 reference individuals. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios for each outcome after a diagnosis with IBD. Patients with pediatric-onset IBD had an increased risk of depression (hazard ratio [HR] 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.80) and of using antidepressants (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.39-1.71) and, surprisingly, a reduced risk of using methylphenidate (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.58-0.98). Patients with both IBD subtypes (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) had an increased risk of using antidepressants and developing depression, which was particularly high in patients with Crohn's disease (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.35-2.22). Patients with ulcerative colitis had reduced risk of using methylphenidate (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.93) and a reduced-although not statistically significant-risk of being diagnosed with ADHD compared with the background population. Patients with pediatric-onset IBD have a 50% increased risk of developing depression, which is important for healthcare providers to be aware of and manage. Remarkably, we found a reduced risk of receiving methylphenidate and being diagnosed with ADHD, which merits further investigation.

Drug levels of VEDOLIZUMAB in patients with pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease in a real-life setting

Vedolizumab (VDZ) is used off-label in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD). There are less data on drug levels to achieve and maintain remission in children. We aimed to study vedolizumab (VDZ) trough levels in a pediatric population in a real-life setting. We traced 50 patients with PIBD receiving VDZ treatment at our hospital, reviewed their treatment protocol, trough levels, and antidrug antibodies, and compared those to fecal calprotectin (FC) levels and achievement of corticosteroid-free maintenance therapy (CF). VDZ trough level was available from 198 samples during a median follow- up of 12.6 months. Proceeding to maintenance therapy was associated with a decline in FC but not with VDZ trough levels that were comparable between patients with FC < 100 μg/g (remission), 100–1000 μg/g, or > 1000 μg/g at 3 months (mean levels of 36.8, 28.6, and 27 μg/mL, respectively p = 0.188). At 3 months, patients achieving CF (41%) and those on corticosteroids had comparable VDZ trough levels (33 vs. 27.5 μg/mL, respectively). At 6 months, the trough level was similar in groups with FC < 100 μg/g or FC > 1000 μg/g (31.5 and 27.6 μg/mL, p = 0.859). Treatment intensification did not improve the achieved CF at 12 months. None developed drug antibodies nor discontinued the therapy for an adverse event. Conclusion: VDZ was a well-tolerated and safe biologic treatment. A positive response on gut inflammation after induction predicted proceeding to maintenance therapy whereas trough levels did not. A VDZ trough level associated with clinical remission or continuing with VDZ treatment could not be determined.What is Known:• In pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, vedolizumab is still in off-label use.• The results on the relationship between drug levels of vedolizumab and clinical remission in pediatric patients are contradictory.What is New:• This real-life setting in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease showed no benefit of therapy enhancement during a median follow-up of one year.• Trough levels of vedolizumab were not associated with therapy outcomes.

S1175 Examination of Dysplasia and Cancer Surveillance Compliance With Guidelines Among Pediatric Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease at a Tertiary Referral Center

S1175 Examination of Dysplasia and Cancer Surveillance Compliance With Guidelines Among Pediatric Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease at a Tertiary Referral Center

The Incidence and Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Continues to Increase in the Faroe Islands - A Cohort Study from 1960 to 2020.

The highest reported incidence rate of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], and especially of ulcerative colitis [UC], is found in the Faroe Islands. This study aimed to assess the incidence rate and temporal trends in prevalence over six decades. All incident and prevalent patients diagnosed with IBD between 1960 and 2020 from the nationwide and population-based Faroese IBD cohort were included in this study. All patients fulfilled the Copenhagen Diagnostic Criteria. Overall, 873 individuals were diagnosed with IBD during the study period, 559 [64%] with UC, 151 [17%] with Crohn's disease, and 163 [19%] with IBD unclassified. A total of 59 patients had paediatric-onset IBD. The incidence of IBD continued to increase throughout the study period, as the age-standardized incidence rate started at 8 per 100 000 person-years [py] [European Standard Population, ESP] in 1960-79 and reached 70 by 2010-20. In 2021, the age-standardized period prevalence was 1414 per 100 000 persons. The IBD incidence was unevenly distributed among the islands with Sandoy having the highest rate of 106 per 100 000 py in 2010-2020. The incidence of IBD continues to increase in the Faroe Islands, mainly driven by UC. The incidence shows an uneven geographical distribution, which suggests an adverse interaction between unknown environmental factors and genetic traits. The prevalence in 2021 corresponded to 1.3% of the Faroese population. Environmental risk factors are suspected to impact this homogeneous high-risk population; however, the reason for this is unclear.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Epidemiology of IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is recognized across the world, though Canada has among the highest burdens of IBD in the world. The Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium (CanGIEC) led a six-province study that demonstrated the compounding prevalence of IBD in Canada from 400 per 100,000 in 2002 to 636 per 100,000 in 2014. The prevalence in 2023 is estimated at 825 per 100,000, meaning that over 320,000 people in Canada are living with IBD. Prevalence is forecasted to rise by 2.44% per year such that 1.1% of the population, 470,000 Canadians, will live with IBD by 2035. The overall incidence of IBD in 2023 is 30 per 100,000 person-years, indicating that over 11,000 Canadians will be newly diagnosed with IBD in 2023. Incidence is forecasted to rise by 0.58% per year up to 32.1 per 100,000 by 2035. The rising incidence of IBD is propelled by pediatric-onset IBD, which is rising by 1.23% per year from 15.6 per 100,000 in 2023 to 18.0 per 100,000 in 2035. In contrast, incidence rates among adults and seniors are relatively stable. Understanding the determinates of IBD has expanded through prospective cohort studies such as the Crohn's and Colitis Canada Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (CCC-GEM) project. Consensus recommendations towards diet, lifestyle, behavioural and environmental modifications have been proposed by international organizations with the goal of optimizing disease control and ultimately preventing the development of IBD. Despite these efforts, Canadian healthcare systems will need to prepare for the rising number of people living with IBD.