Abstract

Systematic review with network meta-analysis: Risk of Herpes zoster with biological therapies and small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Dec 31. doi: 10.1111/apt.17379. Online ahead of print.

 

Shahida Din 1Christian P Selinger 2Christopher J Black 2Alexander C Ford 2 3

 
     

Author information

1Edinburgh Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.

2Leeds Gastroenterology Institute, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.

3Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

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Abstract

Background: Biologics and small molecules for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may increase infection risk. Herpes zoster causes acute and long-term symptoms, but vaccination is not recommended in patients with IBD, unless >50 years of age.

Aims: To examine risk of Herpes zoster infection with all licensed biologics and small molecules for IBD using network meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched the literature to 4th October 2022, for randomised controlled trials of these drugs in luminal Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis reporting data on occurrence of Herpes zoster infection during follow-up. We used a frequentist approach and a random effects model, pooling data as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: We identified 25 trials (9935 patients). Only tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. (RR = 6.90; 95% CI 1.56-30.63, number needed to harm (NNH) = 97; 95% CI 19-1022) and upadacitinib 45 mg o.d. (RR = 7.89; 95% CI 1.04-59.59, NNH = 83; 95% CI 10-14,305) were significantly more likely to increase risk of Herpes zoster infection. Janus kinase inhibitors were the most likely drug class to increase risk of infection, and risk increased with higher doses (RR with lowest dose = 3.16; 95% CI 1.02-9.84, NNH = 265; 95% CI 65-28,610, RR with higher dose = 5.91; 95% CI 2.21-15.82, NNH = 117; 95% CI 39-473).

Conclusions: In a network meta-analysis, the janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib, and all janus kinase inhibitors considered as a class, were most likely to increase risk of Herpes zoster infection. Risk increased with higher doses.

 

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