Who switches biologics in IBD, and why — real-world data from a Saudi tertiary center.
Ahmed G. Alghamdi, Hadeel S. Aldofaian, Mohammed S. Alahmari, et al.
Reviewing nearly 1,000 IBD patients treated at a Saudi tertiary center since 2016, this study found infliximab remained the dominant first-line biologic, with median persistence of roughly six years in Crohn's disease and four years in ulcerative colitis before switching. A family history of IBD raised the odds of switching in Crohn's disease, while younger age raised the risk in ulcerative colitis. Anti-TNF drugs still dominate first- and second-line use, with non-anti-TNF agents like vedolizumab and ustekinumab typically reserved for third-line therapy.
- The question: How long does a first biologic actually last?
- The study: Researchers reviewed nearly 1,000 IBD patients treated at a Saudi tertiary center since 2016.
- The finding: Infliximab remained the dominant first-line biologic — median persistence was roughly six years in Crohn's disease and four years in ulcerative colitis before switching.
- The nuance: A family history of IBD raised switching odds in Crohn's disease, while younger age raised it in ulcerative colitis.
Takeaway: anti-TNF drugs like infliximab still dominate first- and second-line IBD therapy, with newer agents reserved for later lines.
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