Risk factors for opportunistic infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Gastroenterology. 2008 Apr;134(4):929-36. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.01.012. Epub 2008 Jan 11.

Abstract

Background & aims: We sought to identify and quantify the clinical factors that were associated with opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Methods: We identified 100 consecutive IBD patients with opportunistic infections. For each case, 2 matched IBD patients who did not have a history of opportunistic infection were selected as controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess associations between putative risk factors and opportunistic infections, presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: In univariate analysis, use of corticosteroids (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.8-6.2), azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.7-5.5), and infliximab (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2-17.1) were associated individually with significantly increased odds for opportunistic infection. Multivariate analysis indicated that use of any one of these drugs yielded an OR of 2.9 (95% CI, 1.5-5.3), whereas use of 2 or 3 of these drugs yielded an OR of 14.5 (95% CI, 4.9-43) for opportunistic infection. The relative risk of opportunistic infection was greatest in IBD patients seen at older than 50 years of age (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2-7.2, relative to those 24 years or younger). No patient died from opportunistic infection.

Conclusions: Immunosuppressive medications, especially when used in combination, and older age are associated with increased risk of opportunistic infections. The absolute risk of opportunistic infection in IBD patients remains to be determined, as does any potential benefit of any preventive strategy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / complications*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology*
  • Opportunistic Infections / etiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents