Year 2004 / Volume 96 / Number 2
Original
Infliximab induces clinical, endoscopic and histological responses in refractory ulcerative colitis

0

F. Bermejo, A. López-Sanromán, J. Hinojosa, L. Castro, C. Jurado and A. B. Gómez-Belda

Abstract
Background: infliximab is a monoclonal antiTNF-& antibody that has repeatedly shown to be effective in the management of Crohn’s disease. However, data are scarce about its efficacy in ulcerative
colitis.
Aim: to describe the joint experience of three Spanish hospitals in the use of infliximab in patients with active refractory ulcerative colitis.

Patients and methods: we present seven cases of ulcerative colitis (6 with chronic active disease despite immunosuppressive therapy, and one with acute steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis)
treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg of body weight. Clinical response was evaluated by means of the Clinical Activity Index at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after initial infusion. Biochemical (erythrocyte sedimentation
rate and C-reactive protein), endoscopic, and histological changes were also assessed.

Results: mean age of patients was 45.8 ± 17 years (range 23-77); 4 were female. No adverse effects were recorded. Inflammatory activity diminished significantly in 6 of 7 patients (85.7%; CI 95%: 42-99%) both from a clinical (p = 0.01) and biochemical
(p <0.05) point of view. Five out of six patients (83.3%; 36-99%) with corticosteroid-dependent disease could be successfully weaned off these drugs. Five patients were endoscopicly controlled
both before and after therapy, and a positive endoscopic and histological response could be recorded in all of them.

Conclusion: infliximab may be an effective and safe therapy for some patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to other forms of therapy, although controlled studies are needed to assess its
role in the general management of this disease.
Share Button
New comment
Comments
No comments for this article
Related articles
Citation tools
F. Bermejo, A. López-Sanromán, J. Hinojosa, L. Castro, C. Jurado and A. B. Gómez-Belda. Infliximab induces clinical, endoscopic and histological responses in refractory ulcerative colitis. 0


Download to a citation manager

Download the citation for this article by clicking on one of the following citation managers:

Metrics
This article has received 251 visits.
This article has been downloaded 11 times.
Share
This article has been rated by 1 readers.
Reader rating:
Valora este artículo:




Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva
The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology is the official organ of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva
Cookie policy Privacy Policy Legal Notice © Copyright 2023 y Creative Commons. The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology