The incidence rate of psoriasis induced by anti-TNF therapy is higher in women and in smokers/former smokers. In most patients, skin lesions were controlled with topical steroids. More than half of patients switching to another anti-TNF agent had recurrence of psoriasis. In most patients, the anti-TNF therapy could be maintained.

The incidence rate of inflammatory bowel disease relapse after anti-TNF discontinuation is relevant. Some predictive factors of relapse after anti-TNF withdrawal have been identified. Retreatment with the same anti-TNF drug was effective and safe.

The present Delphi consensus identified a set of core QIs that may be useful for evaluating and certifying ICCUs.

Background: A third line treatment is needed in roughly 5% of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. Few data have been reported on efficacy of treatment regimens in these patients. Methods: A prospective trial was designed to study the effectiveness of third line treatment of H. pylori infection in ulcer patients. Two‐week quadruple, culture‐guided, combinations were used in 31 consecutive patients. Susceptibility to metronidazole and clarithromycin were studied by E‐test, and thereafter a predetermined treatment regimen was used. Compliance was evaluated by pill count, and eradication defined by negative urea breath test at 6 weeks. Results: Two main quadruple regimens were used in 29 patients. In spite of good compliance, the combination of omeprazole, tetracycline, bismuth and clarithromycin (OTBC) showed an eradication rate (per protocol analysis) of 36% (five out of 14; CI: 12.8–64.9), and if amoxycillin was used (OTBA) the rate was 67% (eight out of 12; CI: 34.9–90.1). The difference was not significant. No clinical factor was found to be associated with failure to eradicate. Conclusions: Third line treatment often fails to eradicate H. pylori infection. New strategies need to be developed and tested for this common clinical situation.

Subcutaneous ustekinumab is effective and safe in a high proportion of patients with CD that were resistant to conventional immunosuppressant and antitumor necrosis factor drugs.

Summary Background Data on the long‐term administration of ustekinumab in recommended doses are limited. Aim To assess the real‐world, long‐term effectiveness of ustekinumab in refractory Crohn's disease (CD). Methods Multi‐centre study of CD patients starting ustekinumab at the recommended dose, followed for 1 year. Values for the Harvey‐Bradshaw Index (HBI), endoscopic activity, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and faecal calprotectin (FC) were recorded at baseline and at weeks 26 and 52. Demographic and clinical data, previous treatments, adverse events (AEs) and hospitalisations were documented. Potential predictors of remission were examined. Results A total of 407 patients were analysed. The initial maintenance dose of 90 mg SC was administered every 12, 8 and 4 weeks in 56 (14%), 347 (85%) and 4 (1%) patients, respectively. After 52 weeks, treatment was discontinued in 112 patients (27.5%). At baseline, 295 (72%) had an HBI >4 points. Of these, 169 (57%) and 190 (64%) achieved clinical remission at weeks 26 and 52, respectively. FC levels returned to normal in 44% and 54% of patients at weeks 26 and 52, and CRP returned to normal in 36% and 37% of patients at weeks 26 and 52, respectively. AEs were recorded in 60 patients. The use of fewer previous anti‐TNFα agents and ileal localisation were associated with clinical remission, and endoscopic severity was associated with poor response. No factors correlated with endoscopic remission. Conclusion After 52 weeks, ustekinumab demonstrated effectiveness in inducing clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with refractory CD.

Summary Background Effectiveness of vedolizumab in real world clinical practice is unknown. Aim To evaluate the short and long‐term effectiveness of vedolizumab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods Patients who received at least 1 induction dose of vedolizumab were included. Effectiveness was defined based on Harvey‐Bradshaw index (HBI) in Crohn's disease (CD) and Partial Mayo Score (PMS) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Short‐term response was assessed at week 14. Variables associated with short‐term remission were identified by logistic regression analysis. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to evaluate the long‐term durability of vedolizumab treatment. Cox model was used to identify factors associated with discontinuation of treatment and loss of response. Results 521 patients were included (median follow‐up 10 months [interquartile range 5‐18 months]). At week 14, 46.8% had remission and 15.7% clinical response. CD (vs UC), previous surgery, higher CRP concentration and disease severity at baseline were significantly associated with impaired response. The rate of vedolizumab discontinuation was 37% per patient‐year of follow‐up (27.6% in UC and 45.3% in CD, P < 0.01). CD (vs UC), anaemia at baseline, steroids during induction and CRP concentration were associated with lower durability of treatment. Seven per cent of patients developed adverse events, infections being the most frequent. Conclusions Over 60% of IBD patients respond to vedolizumab. Many patients discontinue treatment over time. CD and disease burden impair both short‐ and long‐term response. Vedolizumab seems to be safe in clinical practice.

Background The development program (UNIFI) has shown promising results of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment that should be confirmed in clinical practice. Aims To evaluate the durability, effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in UC in real-life. Methods Patients included in the prospectively maintained ENEIDA registry who received at least one intravenous dose of ustekinumab due to active UC [Partial Mayo Score (PMS) &gt;2] were included. Clinical activity and effectiveness were defined based on PMS. Short-term response was assessed at week 16. Results A total of 95 patients were included. At week 16, 53% of patients had response (including 35% of patients in remission). In the multivariate analysis, elevated serum C-reactive protein was the only variable significantly associated with lower likelihood of achieving remission. Remission was achieved in 39% and 33% of patients at weeks 24 and 52, respectively. Thirty-six percent of patients discontinued the treatment with ustekinumab during a median follow-up of 31 weeks. The probability of maintaining ustekinumab treatment was 87% at week 16, 63% at week 56, and 59% at week 72; primary failure was the main reason for ustekinumab discontinuation. No variable was associated with risk of discontinuation. Three patients reported adverse events; one of them had a fatal severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions Ustekinumab is effective both in the short and the long-term in real-life, even in a highly refractory cohort. Higher inflammatory burden at baseline correlated with lower probability of achieving remission. Safety was consistent with the known profile of ustekinumab.