Background/aims: We compared intravenous and subcutaneous infliximab (IFX) as treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study enrolled patients treated with either intravenous or subcutaneous IFX. Sequential parameters were compared at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months following the initiation of treatment with either type of IFX. The primary outcome was the comparison of the IFX trough levels after 12 months of treatment.
Results: In total, 183 participants were included in this study. After 6 months, the subcutaneous group exhibited significant differences compared to the intravenous group; in terms of clinical disease activity (0% vs. 15%, P= 0.007) and IFX trough level (21.72 ± 8.71 μg/mL vs. 7.70 ± 16.65 μg/mL, P= 0.002). After 12 months, subcutaneous, as compared to intravenous, achieved improved clinical disease activity (0% vs. 15%, P= 0.044) and IFX trough level (20.41 ± 12.91 μg/mL vs. 7.06 ± 6.81 μg/mL, P< 0.001). Analyzing the sequential changes compared with baseline data within each group, we observed significant alterations in subcutaneous; 6 months fecal calprotectin (676.3 ± 976.6 μg/g vs. 253.9 ± 483.9 μg/g, P= 0.014), 6 months IFX trough level (7.00 ± 5.67 μg/mL vs. 18.44 ± 6.34 μg/mL, P= 0.026), and 12 months IFX trough level (7.00 ± 5.67 μg/mL vs. 21.33 ± 4.50 μg/mL, P= 0.034).
Conclusions: This study indicates the potential suitability of subcutaneous IFX as an alternative treatment option for IBD.
Keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases; Infliximab; Infusions, intravenous; Injections, subcutaneous.