Short-term efficacy of vedolizumab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in real-life settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina

TL;DR

This study shows that vedolizumab is highly effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease in real-life settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence of vedolizumab's efficacy in IBD patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including those previously treated with anti-TNF drugs.

Findings

82.9% of UC patients and 85.7% of CD patients achieved clinical remission after 26 weeks of vedolizumab treatment.

Mucosal healing was observed in 38.1% of CD patients.

Vedolizumab's efficacy was not significantly affected by prior anti-TNF exposure.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), necessitates effective management strategies. This study aims to evaluate the real-world efficacy of vedolizumab, a newer biological therapy, in treating IBD in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A retrospective observational study was conducted across six medical centers, involving 139 IBD patients, 76 with UC and 63 with CD. Patients were assessed for clinical remission and other outcomes at the 26-week mark post vedolizumab treatment initiation. At 26 weeks, clinical remission was achieved in 82.9% of UC patients and 85.7% of CD patients. Mucosal healing was observed in 38.1% of CD patients. The efficacy of vedolizumab did not significantly differ based on prior anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) exposure. Notably, the clinical scoring tools for predicting vedolizumab response showed limited applicability in this cohort. Vedolizumab demonstrated high efficacy in treating both UC and CD in real-world settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring its potential as a significant therapeutic option in IBD management.

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