Infliximab for Crohn's disease in clinical practice at the Mayo Clinic: the first 100 patients

Am J Gastroenterol. 2001 Mar;96(3):722-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.03612.x.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcome and adverse events in the first 100 patients with refractory inflammatory and/or fistulizing Crohn's disease treated with infliximab at the Mayo Clinic.

Methods: Patient data was abstracted from medical records. Clinical response was classified as complete response, partial response, and nonresponse.

Results: Indications for infliximab therapy were: inflammatory disease (61 patients), fistulizing disease (26 patients), or both (13 patients). Patients received one to seven infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) for a total of 242 infusions. In all, 50 patients had complete response, 22 had partial response, and 28 had nonresponse. Median time to response was 7 days (range 1-21 days). Median duration of response was 10.3 weeks (range 3-25 wk). A total of 95 patients received concomitant treatment with immune modifiers. Steroid withdrawal was possible in 29/40 patients (73%). Median time of follow-up was 34 wk (range 14-48 wk). Clinically significant adverse events after infliximab included: abscess formation in two patients (perianal, peristomal), pneumonia in two patients, varicella zoster in three patients, candida esophagitis in one patient, and infusion-related reactions in 19 patients. A total of 23 patients were continued on infliximab as maintenance treatment.

Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence that infliximab is safe and beneficial in clinical practice for refractory Crohn's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Crohn Disease / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Intestinal Fistula / drug therapy
  • Intestinal Fistula / etiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Infliximab