Premium
Response to infliximab is related to disease duration in paediatric Crohn's disease
Author(s) -
Lionetti P.,
Bronzini F.,
Salvestrini C.,
Bascietto C.,
Canani R. Berni,
Dé Angelis G. L.,
Guariso G.,
Martelossi S.,
Papadatou B.,
Barabino A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01672.x
Subject(s) - medicine , infliximab , crohn's disease , refractory (planetary science) , disease , gastroenterology , inflammatory bowel disease , physics , astrobiology
Summary Background : Infliximab is an effective therapy in adult patients with refractory and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Experience in children is still limited. Aim : To evaluate the experience in 22 children and adolescents treated with infliximab with refractory and/or fistulizing Crohn's disease, and to compare duration of response in children between early Crohn's disease and late Crohn's disease. Methods : The experience in 22 children and adolescents treated with a total of 73 infusions was evaluated retrospectively. Treatment indication was refractory Crohn's disease in 9/22 patients, fistulizing Crohn's disease in 7/22 patients and both these conditions in 6/22. All patients with refractory Crohn's disease had late Crohn's disease (> 1 year), whereas 6/13 patients with fistulas had early disease (< 1 year). Results : Mean Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) decreased from 41.2 to 16.2 at 4 weeks ( P < 0.01), and to 15.4 at 18 weeks ( P < 0.01). Mean PCDAI at 18 weeks in children with early Crohn's disease and late Crohn's disease was 5.5 and 18.1, respectively ( P < 0.05). Complete closure of fistulas was obtained in 5/6 children with early Crohn's disease and in 2/7 children with late Crohn's disease. Immediate adverse reactions were observed in two children. Conclusions : Infliximab is a highly effective treatment in children and adolescents with both severe refractory or fistulizing Crohn's disease. Children with early Crohn's disease have a higher chance of prolonged response to infliximab than children with late Crohn's disease.