Teduglutide Safety, Efficacy Evaluated in Crohn's Disease Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome ~ HEALTH- WORLD

Teduglutide (Gattex; NPS Pharmaceuticals) appeared safe and effective in patients with Crohn's disease with short bowel syndrome requiring parenteral support, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology reported.

Teduglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-2 analog currently indicated to treat adults with short bowel syndrome who are dependent on parenteral support. Real-world data is not readily available in patients with Crohn's disease and short bowel syndrome treated with teduglutide due to the rarity of short bowel syndrome.

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study between 2012–2014 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of teduglutide in these patients. They obtained demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data from medical record systems. A total of 13 patients with Crohn's disease were included, of which 8 were on concomitant immunosuppression. At the start of teduglutide therapy, 69% were on parenteral nutrition and only one remained on parenteral nutrition at the end of follow-up.

Prior to teduglutide, all patients were on intravenous fluids (IVF); median IVF was 9000mL weekly. IVF requirements reduced by a median of 3100mL weekly and 6 patients (46%) discontinued IVF. Treatment-related adverse events were obstructive symptoms, pancreatitis, asymptomatic lipase and amylase elevation, nausea, and abdominal pain. Four patients experienced catheter-related sepsis.