Abstract

CARDOSO, H. et al. Infliximab na doença de Crohn: estudo de 800 infusões em 136 doentes. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2006, vol.13, n.5, pp.214-219. ISSN 0872-8178.

Aim: Evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse events of infliximab in patients with Crohn’s disease in clinical practice. Material and Methods: Retrospective observational study of 136 patients with Crohn’s disease treated with infliximab between March 1999 and October 2005. The patients were 72 females and 64 males, the mean age was 33.5 (± 11) years. Clinical response was classified as complete, partial and no response. Results: A total of 800 infusions were done, with a mean of 5.9 (± 6,1) infusions per patient. Indications for infliximab therapy were: chronic active luminal disease in 74, fistulising disease in 51 and refractory extraintestinal manifestations in 11 patients. Complete response was observed in 90 patients, partial response in 26 and no response in 20. Response rates were higher in luminal disease than in fistulising disease (p=0.031). Mean follow-up was 38.1 (± 22.3) months. Serious adverse events occurred in 21 patients. Discussion: Infliximab therapy was effective for chronic active luminal and penetrating Crohn’s disease; response rates were higher in luminal disease. The occurrence of infrequent but serious adverse events highlights the importance of close clinical monitoring during and after treatment.

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