168 TREATMENT OF CROHN'S DISEASE WITH INFLIXIMAB DOES NOT REDUCE HOSPITAL ATTENDANCE OR ADMISSION

I.D.R. Arnott, S. Ghosh.Gastrointestinal Unit, University Department of Medical Sciences, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK

Introduction: Infliximab is a new treatment for refractory and fistulating Crohn's disease (CD). Clinical trials and audit data have proven efficacy on disease activity and health related quality of life although there is little data regarding cost effectiveness. Prior to the introduction of novel biological treatments hospitalisation and surgery were the major costs in CD treatment but the expense of Infliximab may change this.

Aim: We assessed whether Infliximab reduced hospitalisation or frequency of out patient clinic review within 6 months of infusion.

Methods: We analysed 30 well-characterised CD patients who had received a single infusion of Infliximab (5mg/kg) for refractory active CD. Clinical details and initial response rates have been published. Patients were followed prospectively and out patient visits, number of hospital admissions and total number of inpatient days were collected for the 6 months prior to and following Infliximab. Data was also compiled from the hospital electronic record of all patient episodes. Only patients that were cared for exclusively at our institution were included.

Results: Data for the 30 patients is displayed in the table⇓. There are no significant differences in hospital attendance or admission rates. There remains no difference in the clinic visits and admission days pre and post Infliximab if patients are stratified as to whether they had a response or not and if they are on immunosuppressive or not.

Conclusions: In the present study, Infliximab dose not reduce clinic visits or hospitalisation within 6 months of infusion. Although reductions may be seen with multi-dose regimes dramatic reductions in hospital episodes are not to be expected with a single dose alone. Infliximab remains a highly effective drug for active CD but it is likely that this …