Intestinal complications in patients with Crohn's disease in the Brazilian public healthcare system between 2011 and 2020

• Published in: World journal of clinical cases Vol. 11; no. 14; pp. 3224 - 3237
• Main Authors: Sassaki, Ligia Yukie, Martins, Adalberta Lima, Galhardi-Gasparini, Rodrigo, Saad-Hossne, Rogerio, Ritter, Alessandra Mileni Versut, Barreto, Tania Biatti, Marcolino, Taciana, Balula, Bruno, Yang-Santos, Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 16-05-2023
• Subjects: Observational Study; Intestinal complications; Anti-tumor necrosis factor; Public healthcare system; Conventional therapy; Crohn’s disease
• DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i14.3224
• EISSN: 2307-8960

This is a secondary database study using the Brazilian public healthcare system database.
To describe intestinal complications (ICs) of patients in the Brazilian public healthcare system with Crohn's disease (CD) who initiated and either only received conventional therapy (CVT) or also initiated anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy between 2011 and 2020.
This study included patients with CD [international classification of diseases - 10
revision (ICD-10): K50.0, K50.1, or K50.8] (age: ≥ 18 years) with at least one claim of CVT (sulfasalazine, azathioprine, mesalazine, or methotrexate). IC was defined as a CD-related hospitalization, pre-defined procedure codes (from rectum or intestinal surgery groups), and/or associated disease (pre-defined ICD-10 codes), and overall (one or more type of ICs).
In the 16809 patients with CD that met the inclusion criteria, the mean follow-up duration was 4.44 (2.37) years. In total, 14697 claims of ICs were found from 4633 patients. Over the 1- and 5-year of follow-up, 8.3% and 8.2% of the patients with CD, respectively, presented at least one IC, of which fistula (31%) and fistulotomy (48%) were the most commonly reported. The overall incidence rate (95%CI) of ICs was 6.8 (6.5-7.04) per 100 patient years for patients using only-CVT, and 9.2 (8.8-9.6) for patients with evidence of anti-TNF therapy.
The outcomes highlighted an important and constant rate of ICs over time in all the CD populations assessed, especially in patients exposed to anti-TNF therapy. This outcome revealed insights into the real-world treatment and complications relevant to patients with CD and highlights that this disease remains a concern that may require additional treatment strategies in the Brazilian public healthcare system.