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A large Spanish study found that IBD patients treated with biologics or JAK inhibitors were significantly less likely to be hospitalised. About 30% of patients received these advanced therapies within 5 years of diagnosis, and the benefit held for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Researchers say better early patient stratification could help more people access these treatments sooner.
A prospective Spanish cohort study following over 3,300 newly diagnosed IBD patients for 5 years found that biologics and JAK inhibitors meaningfully reduce hospitalisation risk in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite this, only 30% of patients received these advanced therapies within the study period, pointing to a notable treatment gap.
The findings showed that biologic or JAK inhibitor use cut hospitalisation risk by 60% in CD patients and 50% in UC patients. However, early exposure to these therapies in UC patients was linked to a higher risk of abdominal surgery — a nuance that clinicians will need to weigh carefully when timing treatment decisions.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These results reinforce the case for earlier, more targeted use of advanced IBD therapies. Better clinical tools and biomarkers to identify high-risk patients early could fundamentally change the disease course — and keep more patients out of the hospital.
