Background
Infliximab (IFX), a monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody, is commonly used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel diseases. No sufficient data are present for its role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in our area. We studied the efficacy and safety profile of IFX in treating patients with refractory UC.
Patients and methods
This prospective study included 48 adult patients with refractory UC. They received IFX (5 mg/kg) intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6 at Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait, between 2013 and 2016. Patients were followed-up for 12 weeks and re-evaluated for clinical and endoscopic response to therapy.
Results
With the exception of four patients who were excluded from the study because of serious side-effects, 44 patients completed the study. At week 12, clinical remission and colonic mucosal healing were achieved in 29 (65.9%) patients after initiating IFX treatment. Of these 29 responders, no relapse occurred. No serious adverse events or mortalities were recorded during the course of treatment among the studied patients treated with IFX.
Conclusion
IFX is a safe and efficient therapy that may be useful for induction of remission in patients with refractory UC.