JOURNAL ARTICLE
OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Infliximab three-dose induction regimen in severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis: early and late outcome and predictors of colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Infliximab is effective as rescue therapy in severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. The optimal dose regimen and the long term benefits are not well defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate short- and long-term colectomy rate in a cohort of patients with severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis who received a three-dose infliximab induction regimen.

METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients admitted to 11 Italian IBD referral centres and treated with infliximab according to an intention to treat three-dose regimen were included. The co-primary endpoints were 3- and 12-month colectomy rate. The secondary end-points were the overall colectomy-free survival and the identification of predictors of colectomy.

RESULTS: The 3- and 12-month colectomy rates were 18.6% (95%CI 11.8%-26.9%) and 25.6% (95%CI 17.9%-34.7%) respectively. High CRP values and severe endoscopic lesions were associated with the risk of colectomy: Risk Ratio (RR)=2.15 (95%CI 1.05-4.36), and RR=5.13 (95%CI 1.55-16.96), respectively. In patients escaping early colectomy, the probability of a colectomy-free course at 12, 24, 36 and 60months was 91%, 85%, 81% and 73%, respectively. Endoscopic severity was the only predictor of long term colectomy (RR=7.0; 95%CI 1.09-44.7). Adverse events occurred in 16 patients (14%); there was one death (0.88%) due to pulmonary abscess.

CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab is an effective and safe rescue therapy for severe corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. A three-dose induction regimen seems to be the treatment of choice for preventing early colectomy. Severe endoscopic lesions appear to be predictor of short- and long-term colectomy.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app