Antibiotic-Refractory Chronic Pouchitis After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies.

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory pouch disorders may affect up to 20% of patients within 5 years after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and remains a major therapeutic challenge. Within this spectrum, chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis is associated with impaired quality of life, long-term pouch-related complications, and potential risk for pouch failure and excision. Current recommendations support the use of probiotics for primary and secondary prevention in selected patients. Increasingly, targeted advanced therapies, including biologics and small molecules approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are being used to reduce antibiotic dependence and maintain disease control in patients with pouch inflammation. Vedolizumab is the only advanced therapy approved in Europe for chronic pouchitis, whereas evidence for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, ustekinumab, and newer agents, such as interleukin (IL)-23p19 antagonists and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors is largely based on observational data from clinical practice and real-world experience. Fecal microbiota transplantation is biologically attractive but remains investigational, with early studies showing inconsistent efficacy. Dietary patterns may modify pouch inflammation; however, most evidence is observational. Overall, current management strategies for chronic pouchitis are limited by incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis, and by persistent methodological gaps, including poorly standardized treatment outcomes and the lack of validated treat-to-target strategies for this population. Well designed prospective and controlled studies are needed to define appropriate antibiotic-sparing strategies, optimal treatment positioning, and long-term durability of response.