Leiden University Scholarly Publications

Persistent URL of this record https://hdl.handle.net/1887/109118

In Collections

This item can be found in the following collections:

Vos, A.C.W.; Bakkal, N.; Minnee, R.C.; Casparie, M.K.; Jong, D.J. de; Dijkstra, G.; ... ; ICC (2011)

Risk of Malignant Lymphoma in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Dutch Nationwide Study

Article / Letter to editor
Background: Immune suppressant medications such as thiopurines and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents are important for maintaining disease control in most patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs); however, their use has been associated with the development of malignant lymphoma. The purpose of this Dutch nationwide study was to estimate the relative risk of malignant lymphoma in IBD patients. Methods: IBD patients who developed a lymphoma between 1997 and 2004 were identified using the Dutch National Database of PALGA. Data from confirmed cases were collected from individual hospitals, including data on Epstein Barr virus (EBV). The age-adjusted 8-year incidence of malignant lymphoma in the Netherlands was retrieved from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Results: Forty-two hospitals were visited and 285 matches evaluated in the total cohort of 17,834 IBD patients. Forty-four lymphomas were observed, resulting in a relative risk of 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-1...Show moreBackground: Immune suppressant medications such as thiopurines and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents are important for maintaining disease control in most patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs); however, their use has been associated with the development of malignant lymphoma. The purpose of this Dutch nationwide study was to estimate the relative risk of malignant lymphoma in IBD patients. Methods: IBD patients who developed a lymphoma between 1997 and 2004 were identified using the Dutch National Database of PALGA. Data from confirmed cases were collected from individual hospitals, including data on Epstein Barr virus (EBV). The age-adjusted 8-year incidence of malignant lymphoma in the Netherlands was retrieved from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Results: Forty-two hospitals were visited and 285 matches evaluated in the total cohort of 17,834 IBD patients. Forty-four lymphomas were observed, resulting in a relative risk of 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-1.68). Only 19 of 44 patients (43%) were exposed to azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (AZA/6-MP). Remarkably, 92% of patients (11/12) with EBV-positive lymphoma used AZA/6-MP, in contrast to only 19% patients (4/21) with EBV-negative lymphoma, suggesting a strong relation between EBV-positive lymphoma and thiopurine use. Conclusions: This nationwide study does not suggest a significant overall increased risk for lymphoma in IBD patients. A distinct correlation between EBV-positive lymphoma and AZA/6-MP use was observed.Show less
malignant lymphoma Crohn's disease ulcerative colitis inflammatory bowel diseases Epstein-Barr virus rheumatoid-arthritis immunosuppressive therapy hodgkins-disease crohns-disease azathioprine cancer 6-mercaptopurine association benefits cohort
All authors
Vos, A.C.W.; Bakkal, N.; Minnee, R.C.; Casparie, M.K.; Jong, D.J. de; Dijkstra, G.; Stokkers, P.; Bodegraven, A.A. van; Pierik, M.; Woude, C.J. van der; Oldenburg, B.; Hommes, D.W.; ICC
Date
2011-09-30
Journal
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Volume
17
Issue
9
Pages
1837 - 1845
DOI
doi:10.1002/ibd.21582