The use of 5-aminosalicylates in Crohn’s disease: a retrospective study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink

Abstract

Background There are few recent studies on the use of 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) as therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD) in routine clinical practice. The aim of this database investigation was to provide real-world evidence on 5-ASA use in CD.

Methods Patients with CD, aged ≥18 years when first prescribed 5-ASA (index date) and having received 5-ASA at any time between 01 January 2006 and 07 May 2018, were included for analysis. Outcomes included treatment patterns and resource use.

Results Of 21,456 patients with CD, 9492 (44.2%) had been prescribed 5-ASA, with the majority (5606; 59.1%) starting on oral 5-ASA as monotherapy. 58.3% (5537) of patients on 5-ASA did not require dose change, 67.6% (6416) did not require supplementary treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, etc.), and 4.6% (436) required a switch to another treatment. Resource use was significantly decreased in the year after vs. year before 5-ASA initiation (including: specialist referrals, hospitalizations and hospital days; all P<0.001). Patients remained on 5-ASA for a median of 4.7 years (interquartile range 1.2-10.1). 25.3% (2406) of patients were still on 5-ASA at 10 years. There was a significant correlation between earlier use of 5-ASA following diagnosis and longer 5-ASA retention (P<0.001).

Conclusions 5-ASA is widely used as a long-term treatment for CD, as evidenced by continuation rates extending beyond 10 years in a quarter of patients. CD-related healthcare resource use decreased significantly in the year following 5-ASA initiation. Earlier use was associated with longer retention.

Keywords Inflammatory bowel disease, mesalazine, prescribing, real-world evidence

Ann Gastroenterol 2020; 33 (5): 500-507