Composite outcomes in observational studies of ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Abstract
Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has been the focus of numerous observational studies over the years and a common strategy employed in their design is the use of composite and aggregate outcomes. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify composite and aggregate outcomes of observational studies in UC and to evaluate how the number and type of variables included and the length of follow-up affect the frequency of patients that achieve these outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using MEDLINE [via PubMed], Scopus, and Web of Science online databases. Observational studies that included UC patients and reported composite or aggregate outcomes were identified. A set of variables considered to be representative of progressive or disabling UC was defined, the proportion of patients attaining the outcomes was determined and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed by dividing the identified studies into subgroups according to different criteria of interest. Results: A total of 10,264 records were identified in the systematic search, of which 33 were retained for qualitative analysis and 20 were included in the meta-analysis. The mean frequency for composite outcomes was 0.363 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.323-0.403]. The frequency of composite outcome for the subgroup of studies that included the variable "Biologics" was significantly higher than for those in which this variable was not reported [0.410; 95% CI 0.364-0.457 versus 0.298; 95% CI 0.232-0.364; p = 0.006]. Composite outcomes were also more frequent as the follow-up duration increased. Conclusion: The frequency of composite outcomes in observational studies of UC is dependent on the specific identity of the variables being reported. Moreover, longer follow-up periods are associated with higher frequencies of composite outcomes. The evidence provided here is useful for the design of future observational studies of UC that aim to maximize the frequency of patients that achieve composite outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{magro2026composite,
title = {{Composite outcomes in observational studies of ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis}},
author = {Fernando Magro and Catarina Alves and Mafalda Santiago and Paula Ministro and Paula Lago and Luís Correia and Raquel Gonçalves and Diana Carvalho and Francisco Portela and Cláudia Camila Dias and Axel Dignass and Silvio Danese and Laurent Peyrin‐biroulet and Maria Manuela Estevinho and Paula Moreira},
journal = {United European Gastroenterology Journal},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1002/ueg2.12183},
url = {https://hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-04168121v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Composite outcomes in observational studies of ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
AU - Fernando Magro
AU - Catarina Alves
AU - Mafalda Santiago
AU - Paula Ministro
AU - Paula Lago
AU - Luís Correia
AU - Raquel Gonçalves
AU - Diana Carvalho
AU - Francisco Portela
AU - Cláudia Camila Dias
AU - Axel Dignass
AU - Silvio Danese
AU - Laurent Peyrin‐biroulet
AU - Maria Manuela Estevinho
AU - Paula Moreira
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/17
JO - United European Gastroenterology Journal
DO - 10.1002/ueg2.12183
UR - https://hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-04168121v1
AB - Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has been the focus of numerous observational studies over the years and a common strategy employed in their design is the use of composite and aggregate outcomes. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify composite and aggregate outcomes of observational studies in UC and to evaluate how the number and type of variables included and the length of follow-up affect the frequency of patients that achieve these outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using MEDLINE [via PubMed], Scopus, and Web of Science online databases. Observational studies that included UC patients and reported composite or aggregate outcomes were identified. A set of variables considered to be representative of progressive or disabling UC was defined, the proportion of patients attaining the outcomes was determined and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed by dividing the identified studies into subgroups according to different criteria of interest. Results: A total of 10,264 records were identified in the systematic search, of which 33 were retained for qualitative analysis and 20 were included in the meta-analysis. The mean frequency for composite outcomes was 0.363 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.323-0.403]. The frequency of composite outcome for the subgroup of studies that included the variable "Biologics" was significantly higher than for those in which this variable was not reported [0.410; 95% CI 0.364-0.457 versus 0.298; 95% CI 0.232-0.364; p = 0.006]. Composite outcomes were also more frequent as the follow-up duration increased. Conclusion: The frequency of composite outcomes in observational studies of UC is dependent on the specific identity of the variables being reported. Moreover, longer follow-up periods are associated with higher frequencies of composite outcomes. The evidence provided here is useful for the design of future observational studies of UC that aim to maximize the frequency of patients that achieve composite outcomes.
SN - 2050-6406
SN - 2050-6414
ER -