Objective Treatment Targets and Their Correlation with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A...

Background & Aims: treat-to-target approach is essential for improving outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to assess real-world achievement in objective monitoring (clinical, biomarker, and endoscopic assessments) and the correlation between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and treatment targets. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive IBD patients from January 2020 to December 2024. Disease activity was assessed using the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), partial Mayo score, PRO2, and PRO3, along with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and endoscopic scores (SES-CD, MES). Clinical outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. Results: Among 112 IBD patients (55% with CD, median age at diagnosis: 45.2 years), clinical remission rates at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years were; CD: 75.8%, 70.0%, and 55.8%; UC: 84.0%, 79.5%, and 81.4%. CRP normalization rates at the same time points were; CD: 54.8%, 41.7%, and 63.8% UC: 78.0%, 70.5%, and 81.8%. Endoscopic remission rates were; CD: 58.1%, 50.0%, and 50.0%, UC: 71.4%, 64.5%, and 51.7% Flare-ups were more frequent in CD than in UC (32% vs. 20%), with an 8.1% rate of IBD-related surgery. In CD, PRO2 and PRO3 strongly correlated with clinical remission (AUC = 0.885 and 0.881), moderately with biomarkers (AUC = 0.737 and 0.755), and modestly with endoscopic remission (AUC = 0.695 and 0.685). In UC, PRO2 showed a strong correlation with clinical remission (AUC = 0.972) and moderate correlations with biomarkers (AUC = 0.653) and endoscopy (AUC = 0.783). Conclusions: Clinical remission was more frequent in UC than in CD. PROs showed a strong correlation with clinical remission but only moderate associations with biomarkers and endoscopic remission in both CD and UC.