Long-term real-world data of ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease: the Stockholm ustekinumab study

Background: Ustekinumab is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease mainly in patients failing anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-agents. Objectives: To provide real-world data in unselected patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), treated with ustekinumab. Design: Longitudinal retrospective study at four hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. Methods: Disease activity (Harvey–Bradshaw index and physician global assessment), laboratory parameters, endoscopic findings and drug persistence were assessed. Follow-up data were obtained in patients that stopped ustekinumab. Results: In total, 322 patients (median age 38 years, 48% women) were included. All had luminal disease and 22% also fistulizing disease. A total of 271 (84%) had failed ⩾1 and 148 (46%) ⩾2 anti-TNF drugs; 34% failed vedolizumab. At inclusion, 93% had active disease; 28% were on oral corticosteroids and 18% on thiopurines. The median follow-up on treatment was 13.5 months; overall 67% were followed at least 24 months. By intention to treat analysis, response rate at 3 and 12 months was 43% and 42%, respectively. Among patients with ongoing ustekinumab, 19% were in steroid-free remission at 3 months and 64% at 12 months. The median faecal calprotectin level decreased from 460 µg/g at baseline to 156 µg/g at 3 months and was 182 µg/g at 12 months. C-reactive protein remained stable at 4 mg/L whereas serum albumin increased slightly. About 31% of patients were withdrawn during the first 12 months, mainly due to persisting disease activity 21%, adverse events 5%, bowel surgery 0.6% or malignancy 0.3%. The overall persistence on ustekinumab was 88%, 51%, 34% and 20% at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. Within 12 months following withdrawal of ustekinumab in 121 patients, 64% had active disease most of the time, 68% needed another biologic and 24% underwent surgery. Conclusion: Among difficult-to-treat patients with CD, ustekinumab was effective in the majority, with high drug persistence at 12 and 24 months in combination with a favourable safety profile.