Ustekinumab safe and effective in elderly CD patients

The efficacy and safety profiles of ustekinumab is similar in elderly (60 years and older) and younger patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). No differences were observed between age groups for clinical response rates, steroid-free remission rates, and biochemical response to the drug. These results confirm that ustekinumab is a safe and effective drug for elderly CD patients in real-life practice.

Studies investigating the effectiveness and safety profile of ustekinumab in elderly patients with CD are limited. Therefore, the authors of the current study performed a retrospective analysis of 648 patients enrolled in the ENEIDA registry to assess the safety and effectiveness of ustekinumab in an elderly CD population [1]. Based on a cut-off of 60 years, 212 elderly patients (mean age 67.0 years) and 436 young patients (mean age 41.6 years) were followed for 54 weeks.

At 54 weeks, the clinical response rate of the elderly and young patients was similar (74.0% vs 74.9%). Likewise, steroid-free remission rates, calprotectin normalisation rates, and C-reactive protein normalisation rates did not demonstrate differences throughout follow-up. The occurrence of adverse events (AEs) was also comparable between the elderly and the young patients (14.2% vs 11.2%). Furthermore, there was no difference between groups in the occurrence of severe infections, the need for surgery, or the need for hospital admission. Appearance of de novo neoplasms was the only AE that occurred more often in the elderly patient group (4.25% vs 0.69%, P=0.003).

1. Casas Deza D, et al. Effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in elderly patients: Real world evidence from ENEIDA registry. P262, ECCO 2021 Virtual Congress, 2-3 & 8-10 July.

 

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Posted on 2 July 20218 April 2024