Early Anti-TNFα Therapy Cuts Perianal Fistula Complications in Pediatric Crohn Disease
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2025 -- For pediatric patients with Crohn disease, early anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFα) therapy is beneficial in preventing the development of perianal fistula complications (PFCs), according to a study published online Dec. 12 in Gut.
Jeremy Adler, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined whether early anti-TNFα therapy prevents PFCs in pediatric patients with Crohn disease. Participants had never experienced PFCs 30 days after study enrollment. Nearest-neighbor propensity score-matched triad analyses were conducted. A total of 447 matched patients without perianal fistula were included in the study.
The researchers observed a significant association for the presence of nonpenetrating perianal lesions (large skin tags, ulcers, and/or fissures) with PFC development (odds ratio, 4.08). The odds of PFCs were significantly reduced in association with early anti-TNFα therapy (odds ratio, 0.18). Among patients with perianal lesions, the odds of PFC development were further reduced in association with anti-TNFα therapy (odds ratio, 0.055). A reduced risk for PFCs was not seen in association with any other treatment group.
"Based on these findings, which corroborate prior studies, early anti-TNFα therapy should be recommended for pediatric patients at increased risk in order to prevent PFCs, serious complications, which are difficult to treat," the authors write. "The specific timing of how early anti-TNFα therapy should be introduced for different patient populations requires further study."
One author disclosed receipt of consulting fees from Janssen Research & Development.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted January 2025
Read this next
Digital Model Based on Noninvasive Factors Shows Accuracy for Identifying IBD in Children
TUESDAY, July 22, 2025 -- A model based on noninvasive tests shows high accuracy as a digital tool for the rapid identification of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...
Healthy Plant-Based Diet May Lower Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 16, 2025 -- A healthy plant-based diet may reduce the risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the diet, according to a...
Inflammatory Activity With IBD Tied to Impaired Sleep
WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2025 -- Impaired sleep is associated with inflammatory activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but not symptoms, according to a study published online...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.