Introduction The fundamental concept for modern inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment algorithm is an early induction of mucosal healing and its maintenance. Biological therapies are becoming mainstays of IBD therapy. It is however still unclear if there is a difference between Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in time from diagnosis to stable maintenance treatment when biological treatment is introduced.

Aim To investigate the comparative efficacy of biological agents in CD and UC by studying the time course when biological treatment is introduced.

Methods Retrospective study of patients suffering from IBD at Falu Hospital, receiving a new start with biologics between 2015-01-01 and 2016-12-31. Remission rate after 3 months of induction therapy was analyzed. Subsequently, when 6 months passed without active disease, it was considered a stable remission.

Results Through database extraction 58 patients were identified. A total of 52 % patients fulfilled the criteria for remission. Of patients with CD 49 % got in remission, whereof 33 % had treatment with infliximab, 48 % adalimumab and 19 % vedolizumab. Of patients with UC 60 % got in remission, whereof 33 % had treatment with infliximab and 67 % with adalimumab. Log rank test showed no significant difference in efficacy of biologics in patients suffering from CD or UC in time from diagnosis respective after initiation with biologics to stable maintenance treatment.

ConclusionsIn this study patients with CD and UC responded equally to biological treatment.