DDW Reveals Risankizumab Lowers Steroid Use from 34% to 7% and Upadacitinib Reduces Hospitalizations 31%
AbbVie’s DDW presentations included a 52-week risankizumab study showing corticosteroid use fell from 34% to 7% and quality-of-life improvements in 77% of Crohn’s patients. Separate US claims data revealed a 14% two-year switch rate for risankizumab versus up to 36% for other biologics, and upadacitinib cut hospitalization odds by 31%.
1. DDW Presentation Highlights
AbbVie presented 18 abstracts at the 2026 Digestive Disease Week meeting in Chicago, covering risankizumab and upadacitinib data in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This broad portfolio review underscores AbbVie’s focus on long-term efficacy, safety, and treatment durability in inflammatory bowel disease.
2. Risankizumab Real-World Efficacy and Persistence
In a 52-week ASPIRE-CD real-world study, risankizumab reduced corticosteroid use from 34% at baseline to 7% and improved patient-reported quality of life in 77% of participants. A separate US claims analysis found a two-year switch rate of 14% for risankizumab versus 21–36% for other biologics, indicating strong treatment persistence.
3. Upadacitinib Safety and Hospitalization Benefits
A retrospective claims analysis showed patients switched to upadacitinib experienced 31% lower hospitalization odds and 26% fewer emergency department visits compared with biologic dose escalation. Post-hoc Phase 3 data in perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease demonstrated sustained endoscopic improvements through 52 weeks for patients on upadacitinib maintenance therapy.