Steroid but not biological therapy elevates the risk of venous thromboembolic events in inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis

Background and aim: Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is associated with 1.5- to 3-fold increased risk of venous thromboembolic events [VTE]. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of VTE in IBD as a complication of systemic corticosteroids and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha] therapies. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, which conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses [PRISMA] statement. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for English-language studies published from inception inclusive 15 April 2017. The population-intervention-comparison-outcome [PICO] format and statistically the random-effects and fixed-effect models were used to compare VTE risk during steroid and anti-TNFalpha treatment. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. PROSPERO registration number is 42017070084. Results: We identified 817 records, of which eight observational studies, involving 58,518 IBD patients, were eligible for quantitative synthesis. In total, 3,260 thromboembolic events occurred. Systemic corticosteroids were associated with a significantly higher rate of VTE complication in IBD patients as compared to IBD patients without steroid medication [OR: 2.202; 95% CI: 1.698-2.856, p < 0.001]. In contrast, treatment with anti-TNFalpha agents resulted in a 5-fold decreased risk of VTE compared to steroid medication [OR: 0.267; 95% CI: 0.106-0.674, p = 0.005]. Conclusion: VTE risk should be carefully assessed and considered when deciding between anti-TNFalpha and steroids in the management of severe flare-ups. Thromboprophylaxis guidelines should be followed, no matter the therapy choice