Abstract
The use of thiopurine therapy in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-naïve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remains controversial due to a risk of EBV-associated complications. We evaluated EBV status and outcomes within our paediatric IBD population over an 8-year period; finding that 217 of 409 (53%) screened patients were seropositive for EBV at IBD diagnosis; that thiopurines were used in 189 of 217 (87%) seropositive and 159 of 192 (83%) seronegative patients (P = 0.22); and that 7 of 192 (4%) previously seronegative patients subsequently tested positive for EBV with 6 of 7 (86%) patients having concurrently recorded thiopurine use. All six patients continued thiopurine with/without a period of cessation; no EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders/serious complications were recorded within our cohort. A significant proportion of our patients would not receive thiopurine therapy should their use be avoided in EBV-negative patients (47%) or seronegative males (30%). The small but significant risks of thiopurine treatment must be balanced against the potential benefits of successful IBD management; further research into this is required.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 358-362 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2021 |
Keywords
- children
- Epstein-Barr virus
- immunomodulator therapy
- inflammatory bowel disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Gastroenterology