*EMBARGOED All research presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting is strictly embargoed until Monday, October 19, 2015 at 8 AM (EDT).
Poster 1805 The Utility of Anti-TNF Therapy in Treating Clostridium difficile Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Series
Author Insight from Henry Jen, MD, Lenox Hill Hospital
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) may precipitate flares of underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the complex interplay of colonic inflammation from the infection versus the IBD itself presents a unique clinical dilemma. There is some evidence in the literature that anti-TNF therapy may serve a protective role in preventing CDI in IBD. However, current research is extremely limited on the safety and use of Anti-TNFs in patients with CDI and IBD. This case series presents 5 patients who had CDI and IBD, who were then escalated to anti-TNF therapy within the same hospitalization with successful resolution of diarrhea and symptoms. Our results suggest a potential utility of anti-TNF therapy in this clinical setting.
What do patients need to know?
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of developing Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs). This infection causes fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in severe cases may even necessitate surgery. Treatment of this infection among patients with IBD can be challenging, as the infection can often worsen the IBD process itself. In our study, we demonstrated the potential safety and utility of anti-TNF therapy in 5 patients with both CDI and IBD.
Author contact Henry Jen MD, Lenox Hill Hospital
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