Vera Lucia Sdepanian

Background: Biologics improve outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease, but high costs restrict access and strain healthcare resources. Biosimilars lower costs, expand access, and support sustainable IBD care. Objective: Provide clear, evidence-based answers on biosimilar use in IBD across clinical, therapeutic, and economic domains to guide safe implementation and informed decision-making. Methods: GEDIIB conducted a PICO-structured systematic review across multiple databases and trial registries. We extracted clinically relevant outcomes and performed systematic review. We assessed risk of bias with RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I and graded certainty using GRADE. A structured Delphi process with two voting rounds and external validation finalized recommendations, with consensus predefined at 85 percent or higher. Results: Anti-TNF biosimilars and originator biologics have similar efficacy, safety, immunogenicity, treatment persistence, and mucosal healing in biologic-naive patients and after switching, with no clinically meaningful differences in adverse events, loss of response, or discontinuation. Data on multiple switches do not indicate harm, though evidence remains limited. Pediatric studies suggest similar profiles, with lower precision. Economic evaluations show substantial cost savings and improved access, supporting the sustainability of the health system. Conclusion: Biosimilars represent a viable, safe, and cost-effective option for IBD management. We recommend structured switching strategies, clear communication with patients, and continuous clinical monitoring. Additional robust studies should strengthen evidence in specific populations and clinical scenarios.

Approximately 25% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) develop the disease during childhood or adolescence and treatment aims to control active symptoms and prevent long-term complications. The management of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) can be especially challenging in children and adolescents, related to particularities that may affect growth, development, and puberty.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of the induction and maintenance remission of the disease. Iron status indicators would be useful for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, whereas the inflammation indicators would be for the diagnosis of chronic disease anemia. OBJECTIVE: To assess body iron status indicators and inflammation indicators during the treatment of IBD, consisted of conventional or infliximab therapy in children and adolescents. METHODS: A case-control study of a sample of 116 individuals, of which 81 patients with IBD, 18 of them receiving conventional therapy, 20 infliximab therapy, and 43 who were in remission of the disease, and 35 healthy (control group) children and adolescents. Iron status and inflammation indicators were investigated at baseline, and 2 and 6 months of both therapies - conventional and infliximab. RESULTS: The mean age was 12.1±4.3 years. At baseline, both groups - conventional therapy and infliximab - presented significant differences in most markers studied compared to the control group. After 2 months of conventional therapy, hemoglobin and serum iron levels were lower than those of the control group; and red cells distribution width (RDW), total iron-binding capacity, transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio, and interleukin-6 were higher than the control group. After 2 months of infliximab treatment, hemoglobin and serum iron levels were lower than those of the control group; and RDW, soluble transferrin receptor, soluble transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio, and interleukin-6 were higher than the control group. After 6 months of conventional therapy, hemoglobin and serum iron levels were lower than those of the control group, and RDW and interleukin-6 were higher than those of the control group. After 6 months of infliximab treatment, the hemoglobin and serum iron levels were lower than the control group, and RDW, soluble transferrin receptor, soluble transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelets were higher than the control group. Regarding patients under treatment for at least one year (remission group), all markers studied, except transferrin, were similar to the control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there were some contradictions among the different body iron status indicators and inflammation indicators at two and 6 months of treatment with conventional and infliximab therapy, however after one year of treatment, as shown by the remission group, all indicators studied, except transferrin, were similar to healthy children and adolescents.

Background: Concomitance of celiac disease (CD) and IgE-mediated wheat allergy is described in some case reports. The objective was to evaluate the frequency of sensitization to wheat, rye, barley, and malt in children and adolescents with CD. Methods: Measurement of serum levels of specific IgE to wheat, rye, barley, and malt (ImmunoCAP; sensitization IgE ≥0.35 kUA/L) in CD patients followed in specialized clinics to verify allergy history, general characteristics, small bowel biopsy characteristics, compliance with gluten-free diet (GFD), and occurrence of symptoms in case of noncompliance. Results: We evaluated 74 patients; the median of age and age at diagnosis of CD were 8.6 years (5.0–12.8) and 3.6 years (1.6–7.0), respectively. Median time of GFD was 3.5 years (1.4–5.8). History of asthma occurred in 17.3% of subjects, allergic rhinitis in 13.5%, and AD in 5.4%. Frequency of sensitization was 4% for wheat, 10.8% for rye, 5.4% for barley, and 2.7% for malt. There was no association between wheat sensitization and age at diagnosis, time of GFD, small bowel biopsy characteristics, allergy history, and gluten consumption. There was no relationship between sensitization to wheat and occurrence of immediate symptoms when not complying with GFD. Conclusion: In conclusion, the frequency of sensitization to wheat, rye, barley, and malt in CD patients was 4, 10.8, 5.4, and 2.7%, respectively. Therefore, to ensure that cutaneous and respiratory contact with wheat is safe, we advise patients with CD to investigate their sensitivity to wheat, rye, and barley because not all patients with CD are allergic to these cereals.

OBJETIVO: comparar a densidade mineral óssea de crianças e adolescentes com doença celíaca em tratamento com controles sadios, e avaliar exames laboratoriais relacionados com o metabolismo do cálcio. MÉTODOS: foram estudados 30 pacientes com doença celíaca em dieta isenta de glúten, 17 crianças e 13 adolescentes, e 23 indivíduos saudáveis. Todos os pacientes e controles realizaram a densidade mineral óssea (DEXA, Lunar). Os pacientes realizaram dosagem sérica de cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, fósforo, magnésio, fosfatase alcalina e paratormônio. RESULTADOS: a média de peso, estatura e densidade mineral óssea dos adolescentes com doença celíaca foi menor do que dos controles (p<0,05), enquanto que não se observaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes destes parâmetros, comparando as crianças com doença celíaca com os controles. A proporção de adolescentes que iniciou dieta isenta de glúten após os dois anos de idade foi maior do que a de crianças (p<0,05). Os pacientes apresentaram níveis séricos normais de cálcio ionizado, cálcio total e paratormônio. CONCLUSÕES: a densidade mineral óssea dos adolescentes com doença celíaca em dieta isenta de glúten foi menor do que dos controles. Por outro lado, não houve diferença entre a densidade mineral óssea de crianças com doença celíaca e controles.