Early Initiation of Anti-TNF is Associated with Favourable Long-term Outcome in Crohn's Disease: 10-Year-Follow-up Data from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study

The optimal timing of treatment escalation in Crohn's disease [CD] remains a challenging issue, and very little is known about its long-term development following early versus late administration of anti-TNF antibodies. The long-term outcome of Swiss CD patients was comparatively assessed in an up to 10-year follow-up, using patients participating in the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study [SIBDCS]. Prospectively collected SIBDCS patient data, including disease history, baseline characteristics at enrolment, and course of disease, were analysed in patients with early versus late [