Background: Italy has been one of the most affected countries in the world by COVID-19. There has been increasing concern regarding the impact of COVID-19 on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in patients treated with immunosuppressants or biologics. The aim of our study is to understand the incidence of COVID-19 in a large cohort of patients with IBD. Furthermore, we analyzed possible risk factors for infection and severity of COVID-19. Methods: This was an observational study evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on IBD patients in a single tertiary center. A 23 multiple-choice-question anonymous survey was administered to 1200 patients with IBD between March 10th and June 10th 2020. Results: 1158 questionnaires were analyzed. The majority of patients had Crohn’s disease (CD) (60%) and most of them were in clinical remission. Among the 26 patients (2.2%) who tested positive for COVID- 19, only 5 (3CD) were on biological treatment and none required hospitalization. Two patients died and were on treatment with mesalazine only. Of the 1158 patients, 521 were on biological therapy, which was discontinued in 85 (16.3%) and delayed in 195 patients (37.4%). A worsening of IBD symptoms was observed in 200 patients on biological therapy (38.4%). Most of these patients, 189 (94.5%), had stopped or delayed biological treatment, while 11 (5.5%) had continued their therapy regularly ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data are in line with the current literature and confirm a higher incidence compared to the general population. Biological therapy for IBD seems to not be a risk factor for infection and should not be discontinued in order to avoid IBD relapse.
Fernando Rizzello, C.C. (2021). COVID-19 in IBD: The experience of a single tertiary IBD center. DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE, 53(3), 271-276 [10.1016/j.dld.2020.12.012].
COVID-19 in IBD: The experience of a single tertiary IBD center
Fernando RizzelloPrimo
Membro del Collaboration Group
;Carlo CalabreseMembro del Collaboration Group
;Marco SaliceMembro del Collaboration Group
;Lucia CalandriniMembro del Collaboration Group
;Hana PriviteraMembro del Collaboration Group
;Laura MelottiMembro del Collaboration Group
;Giulia PeruzziMembro del Collaboration Group
;Nikolas DussiasMembro del Collaboration Group
;Andrea BelluzziMembro del Collaboration Group
;Eleonora ScaioliMembro del Collaboration Group
;Anastasio DecoratoMembro del Collaboration Group
;Eleonora FilipponeMembro del Collaboration Group
;Silvio LauretiMembro del Collaboration Group
;Matteo RottoliMembro del Collaboration Group
;Gilberto PoggioliMembro del Collaboration Group
;Paolo Gionchetti
Ultimo
Membro del Collaboration Group
2021
Abstract
Background: Italy has been one of the most affected countries in the world by COVID-19. There has been increasing concern regarding the impact of COVID-19 on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in patients treated with immunosuppressants or biologics. The aim of our study is to understand the incidence of COVID-19 in a large cohort of patients with IBD. Furthermore, we analyzed possible risk factors for infection and severity of COVID-19. Methods: This was an observational study evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on IBD patients in a single tertiary center. A 23 multiple-choice-question anonymous survey was administered to 1200 patients with IBD between March 10th and June 10th 2020. Results: 1158 questionnaires were analyzed. The majority of patients had Crohn’s disease (CD) (60%) and most of them were in clinical remission. Among the 26 patients (2.2%) who tested positive for COVID- 19, only 5 (3CD) were on biological treatment and none required hospitalization. Two patients died and were on treatment with mesalazine only. Of the 1158 patients, 521 were on biological therapy, which was discontinued in 85 (16.3%) and delayed in 195 patients (37.4%). A worsening of IBD symptoms was observed in 200 patients on biological therapy (38.4%). Most of these patients, 189 (94.5%), had stopped or delayed biological treatment, while 11 (5.5%) had continued their therapy regularly ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data are in line with the current literature and confirm a higher incidence compared to the general population. Biological therapy for IBD seems to not be a risk factor for infection and should not be discontinued in order to avoid IBD relapse.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
