Postoperative outcomes in Ustekinumab- treated patients undergoing abdominal operations for Crohn's disease

Amy L. Lightner, Nicholas P. McKenna, Chung Sang Tse, Neil Hyman, Radhika Smith, Gayane Ovsepyan, Phillip Fleshner, Kristen Crowell, Walter Koltun, Marc Ferrante, Andre D'Hoore, Nathalie Lauwers, Bram Verstockt, Antonino Spinelli, Francesca DiCandido, Laura E. Raffals, Kellie L. Mathis, Edward V. Loftus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukins-12 and -23 is used to treat adults with Crohn's disease [CD]. We determined the 30-day postoperative infectious complication rate among CD patients who received ustekinumab within the 12 weeks prior to an abdominal operation as compared with patients who received anti-tumor necrosis factor [TNF] agents. Methods: A retrospective chart review of adults with CD who underwent an abdominal operation between January 1, 2015 and May 1, 2017 was performed across six sites. Surgical site infection [SSI] was defined as superficial skin and soft tissue infection, intra-abdominal abscess, anastomotic leak, and mucocutaneous separation of the stoma. Results: Forty-four patients received ustekinumab and 169 patients received anti-TNF therapy within the 12 weeks prior to surgery. The two groups were similar, except anti-TNF patients were more likely to have received combination therapy with an immunomodulator [P = 0.006]. There were no significant differences in postoperative SSI [13% in ustekinumab versus 20% in anti TNFtreated patients, p = 0.61] or hospital readmission rates [18% versus 10%, respectively, p = 0.14], but ustekinumab-treated patients had a higher rate of return to the operating room [16% versus 5%; P = 0.01]. There were no significant predictors identified on multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Of the 44 patients with CD who received ustekinumab within the 12 weeks prior to a major abdominal operation, 13% experienced a 30-day postoperative SSI, not statistically different from the 20% found in the anti-TNF cohort. Ustekinumab treatment within 12 weeks of surgery does not appear to increase the risk of postoperative SSI above that of CD patients treated with anti-TNF medications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)402-407
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Crohn's and Colitis
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2018

Keywords

  • Crohn's disease
  • Postoperative outcomes
  • Surgical outcomes
  • Ustekinumab

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