P047 Awareness and Impact of Recent AGA Guideline Changes for Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis Patients

P047 Awareness and Impact of Recent AGA Guideline Changes for Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis Patients
 

John Eric1
1 Spherix Global Insights, Exton, United States

BACKGROUND: In January 2020, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) released several guideline changes related to the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. One of these changes recommended prescribing infliximab or vedolizumab rather than adalimumab for induction of remission in adults with moderate to severe UC who are new to biologic therapy. A second change recommended prescribing ustekinumab or tofacitinib, rather than vedolizumab or adalimumab for induction of remission in UC patients who have been exposed to infliximab and who were not responsive. This research sought to demonstrate the impact that awareness of guideline changes has on use of therapies impacted by each guideline change.

METHODS: An independent market analytics firm collaborated with US gastroenterologists (n=112) to conduct an analysis on the US inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) market.  Data collected from the participating gastroenterologists include basic demographics, prescribing behavior, and attitudinal survey responses.  Data were collected in April 2020.  Responding gastroenterologists were required to predominantly treat adult patients, have at least 50 IBD patients under their management, and spend at least half of their professional time in clinical practice.

RESULTS: 66% of gastroenterologists reported awareness of the guideline change recommending the prescribing of infliximab or vedolizumab rather than adalimumab for induction of remission in adult, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis patients who are new to biologic therapy. Using a five point scale, 51% of physicians indicated the guideline change would have some impact (four out of five rating) or a large impact (five out of five rating) on their prescribing of vedolizumab in moderate to severe ulcerative colitis patients.
54% of gastroenterologists reported awareness of the guideline change recommending the prescribing of ustekinumab or tofacitinib rather than vedolizumab or adalimumab for induction of remission in adult, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis patients who have been exposed to infliximab and who were not responsive.  Using a five point scale, 63% of physicians indicated the guideline change would have some impact (four out of five rating) or a large impact (five out of five rating) on their prescribing of ustekinumab in these patients, while 32% of gastroenterologists indicated a similar response for their prescribing of tofacitinib in these patients. 

CONCLUSION(S): A majority of gastroenterologists have awareness of the AGA guideline changes relative to adult, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis patients new to biologics and that awareness has a positive effect on prescribing of vedolizumab in these patients.  Approximately one-half of gastroenterologists are aware of the AGA guideline change relative to adult moderate to severe ulcerative colitis patients who have been exposed to infliximab and who were not responsive. This awareness also had a positive effect on prescribing of ustekinumab, and to a lesser extent, tofacitinib, in these patients