Cure8 research brief
This pooled analysis compares serious-infection and sepsis risks across advanced therapies used in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including IBD. It suggests JAK inhibitors are linked to higher serious-infection rates than TNF inhibitors and control, which could affect treatment selection and monitoring.
Adults with IBD or other IMIDs considering or on advanced therapies; clinicians prescribing biologics or JAK inhibitors; researchers studying drug safety.
This paper analyzed 261 studies and reported rate-ratios using a Bayesian framework. The authors found JAK inhibition linked to higher serious-infection rates versus control and versus TNF inhibitors; they estimated this could correspond to a small absolute increase in events per 100 person-years in higher-risk groups.
TNF inhibitors were ranked lower for sepsis risk, and IL-23/IL-12-23 pathway agents ranked among the safer options in some networks. If you take or are considering an advanced therapy, these findings highlight the importance of weighing infection risks specific to both the drug class and the underlying disease.
Discuss your individual infection risk factors (age, comorbidities, prior infections, vaccination status) with your clinician when choosing or monitoring therapy.
The classification and absolute-risk estimates come from a Bayesian network meta-analysis of heterogeneous studies across multiple IMIDs. Results are grounded in the abstract; individual risk varies by patient factors and by disease-specific evidence.
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Conflict statement: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: MDR has received honoraria from AbbVie, Galapagos, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Menarini, Novartis, UCB and Viforpharma; grant funding from Sandoz UK; advisory board fees from Biogen; consultation fees from Pfizer; and support for attending educational meetings from Lilly, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and UCB. KB has received grant funding from NIHR; honoraria from Galapagos, UCB and Viforpharma; and educational support from UCB. DMP has received honoraria from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry for delivery of masterclasses; consultancy fees from Bayer; speaker fees from BeiGene. NJW receives honoraria from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry for delivery of masterclasses on methods for evidence synthesis. JBG has received honoraria from Abbvie, Biovitrum, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi and UCB; and grant funding from Sandoz UK. VA, MG, MA, RC, LDG, HH, IM, SM, NS, YY, JB, ALG, SL and SN declare no relevant conflicts of interest.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
People with IBD or Crohn's disease considering or taking upadacitinib may worry about rare but serious risks such as heart attacks, strokes, or blood clots. This meta-analysis found no clear increase in those events...
Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa have higher baseline IBD risk, and IL-17 inhibitors are effective HS treatments. People with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (or those at risk) may worry whether these drugs...
Perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease is a disabling complication; a subcutaneous form of infliximab could lower treatment burden and expand options if its effectiveness and safety in this specific setting are confirmed.
