Background Few data are currently available about SB5 in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of SB5 in a cohort of patients with IBD in stable remission switched from the adalimumab (ADA) originator and in a cohort of patients with IBD naïve to ADA. Methods We prospectively enrolled patients with IBD who started ADA treatment with SB5 (naïve cohort) and those who underwent a nonmedical switch from the ADA originator to SB5 (switching cohort). Clinical remission and safety were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. In addition, in a small cohort of patients who were switched, we assessed the ADA serum trough levels and antidrug antibodies at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Results In the naïve cohort, the overall remission rate at 12 months was 60.42%, whereas in the switching cohort it was 89.02%. Fifty-three (36.3%) patients experienced an adverse event, and injection site pain was the most common; it was significantly more frequent in the switching cohort (P = 0.001). No differences were found in terms of ADA serum trough levels at baseline, 3, and 6 months after switching. No patient developed antidrug antibodies after the switch. Conclusions We found that SB5 seemed effective and safe in IBD, both in the naïve cohort and in the switching cohort. Further studies are needed to confirm these data in terms of mucosal healing.

Background Adalimumab (ADM) biosimilars have been demonstrated as safe and effective as the ‘originator’ in trials for other autoimmune disorders, but real-life evidence in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is lacking. The aim of the study was to demonstrate maintenance of clinical remission (CR) after switch from ADM ‘originator’ to biosimilar SB5. Methods Data were retrospectively collected from November 2018 to September 2019. All IBD patients in CR after at least 6 months of ‘originator’ and switched to SB5 were included. The primary outcomes were maintenance of CR at 6 months after switch (defined as Partial Mayo Score 0–1 for ulcerative colitis and Harvey–Bradshaw Index ≤4 for Crohn’s disease) and overall comparable safety. A historical cohort of patients treated only with the ‘originator’ was included for comparison, using a Cox regression model with a time-varying covariate. Results In total, 96 patients were included. Baseline characteristics of the cohort are reported in Table 1. Maintenance of CR after 6 months of switch was reported in 89/96 (92.7%) patients. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly increased over time from baseline to 6 months (from 2.67 ± 2.61 to 4.98 ± 5.81 mg/dl, p = 0.03), but no difference between the two time points was found when considering a relevant flare only for CRP above the lab cut-off (5 mg/dl). A comparison of CR persistence over time between ‘originator’ cohort and SB5 ‘switching’ cohort did not show any statistical difference (Hazard Ratio 1.07, 95% CI 0.57 – 2.01). With regard to adverse events, SB5 showed an overall safety profile, with only 2/96 (2.1%) patients interrupting the treatment due to anti-TNF-induced psoriasis. In 42/96 (43.8%) of patients, at least one injection site reaction was reported; only in one case a re-switch to ‘originator’ was needed for local intolerance. Conclusion SB5 is safe and effective in maintaining CR after switching from the ‘originator’. Injection site reaction is a frequent but usually manageable side effect. Larger multi-centre cohort and endoscopic assessment are needed to confirm the initial findings.

Background Anemia is a common extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a 6% to 74% prevalence and a negative impact on patient survival and quality of life, although the prevalence is apparently declining due to improved disease treatment. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, pathogenesis, and clinical correlates of anemia in Italian patients with IBD. Methods A multicenter, prospective, observational study, involving 28 Italian gastroenterology centers, was conducted to investigate the epidemiology and consequences of IBD-associated anemia. Clinical and laboratory data of anemic patients were obtained at study enrolment. Results Anemia was diagnosed in 737 of 5416 adult IBD outpatients (prevalence 13.6%); females were more commonly affected than males (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–1.7) and had more severe anemia. In the majority of cases, anemia was due to iron deficiency (62.5% of cases; 95% CI, 58.3%–66.6%), either isolated or in association with inflammation and/or vitamin deficiencies; anemia of inflammation accounted for only 8.3% of cases. More severe anemia was associated with increasing fatigue and worse quality of life. Only 68.9% of anemic patients with iron deficiency (95% CI, 63.4%–73.8%) and 34.6% of those with vitamin deficiencies (95% CI, 26.2%–44.2%) were properly treated with supplementation therapy. Conclusions In Italy, the prevalence of IBD-associated anemia is lower than previously reported. Anemia of IBD is most commonly due to iron deficiency and contributes to fatigue and poor quality of life, but remains untreated in a large proportion of patients with iron and/or vitamin deficiencies. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02872376.

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