How thiopurines are used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: An Italian survey. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saibeni, Simone; Kohn, Anna; Meucci, Gianmichele; Papi, Claudio; on behalf of the Italian Group for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IG-IBD)
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 47:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 170
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.10.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Background</title> <p id="spar0005">The ideal manner of thiopurine use in inflammatory bowel disease has not been defined. We aimed at investigating the attitudes of Italian gastroenterologists on thiopurine use.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Methods</title> <p id="spar0010">A web-based survey was performed among 295 gastroenterologists.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Results</title> <p id="spar0015">Overall, 70 surveys were completed. At baseline, thiopurine methyltransferase genotype and phenotype were not assessed by 87.1% and 97.1% of respondents, respectively. At treatment onset, 17.1% adopted full weight-calculated dose while 80.0% preferred escalating the dose. During treatment, 87.1% and 64.3% reduced the dose for myelo- and liver toxicity, respectively; 48.6% for increased pancreatic enzymes, 17.1% for fever, and 5.7% for arthralgia. A systematic shift from one thiopurine to the other was reported by 4.3% of respondents in case of failure, and by 5.7% for adverse effects. Forty-four gastroenterologists (62.9%) stopped thiopurine treatment after 5–7 years.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Conclusions</title> <p id="spar0020">Several discrepancies regarding the use of thiopurines in clinical practice were found, deviating from available guidelines. A more standardised attitude is needed in clinical practice.</p> </sec> </abstract>