Response to infliximab is related to disease duration in paediatric Crohn's disease

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Aug 15;18(4):425-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01672.x.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Intestinal Fistula / complications*
  • Intestinal Fistula / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Infliximab