Sage open chronic disease
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Dose increases are common during IBD maintenance and vary a lot by drug and patient profile. Knowing which treatments and patient factors are linked to escalation can help patients and clinicians plan monitoring and personalized strategies.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adults with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis on biologics or small molecules, clinicians who manage IBD therapy, researchers studying real-world treatment patterns, and patients on or considering biologic/small-molecule maintenance therapy.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This population-based cohort study used Korean health insurance data to look at how often and in whom dose escalation happens during maintenance therapy for IBD.
Among 2,186 Crohn’s disease and 1,806 ulcerative colitis patients who started biologic or small-molecule maintenance therapy (2018–2022), dose escalation within one year occurred in about 21% of CD and 14% of UC patients. Escalation rates differed widely by agent (e.g., ustekinumab highest in CD; infliximab lower).
The authors report that steroid use and later lines of therapy (third- or fourth-line) were associated with greater odds of escalation. The study defines escalation as two consecutive doses ≥50% above expected daily dose within 1 year. This is a retrospective, administrative-database study describing real-world patterns rather than testing an intervention.
Keep In Mind
This analysis is retrospective and based on insurance claims data from Korea (HIRA). It reports associations and real-world dosing patterns but does not prove causation or clinical outcomes tied to escalation. Details such as clinical reasons for escalation, drug levels, or disease activity measures may be limited in claims data.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationSage open chronic disease
AuthorsRyu D, Han HJ, Na J +3 more
Study typeJournal article
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJan 1, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
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.
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