Mucosal healing and @entity134 -sparing associated with infliximab for @entity134 -dependent XXXX .

@entity1 @entity500 @entity31 @entity33 @entity134 @entity1960 @entity230
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid therapy for @entity31 ( @entity31 ) frequently results in @entity134 -dependency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long term clinical and endoscopic efficacy of infliximab (IFX) in @entity134 -dependent @entity31 . METHODS: An open-label, prospective, single center study was designed. @entity1 older than 18  years with @entity134 -dependent @entity31 , either intolerant or did not respond to @entity500 , were consecutively enrolled. @entity134 -dependency was defined as the ECCO criteria. @entity1 received IFX (5  mg/kg) at 0, 2 and 6  weeks and every 8  weeks thereafter for 2  years. All @entity1 were clinically evaluated at weeks 8, 52 and 104 and a colonoscopy was performed at week 104. Response to IFX was defined as clinical remission without @entity230 together with @entity33 (endoscopic Mayo score of 0 or 1). RESULTS: Seventeen consecutive @entity1 were included (11 male, mean age 45, range 25-70). Thirteen (76%) had extensive @entity1960 (E3). All @entity1 completed IFX therapy. Clinical response was in 13/17 at weeks 8 and 52. Twelve out of seventeen @entity1 maintained clinical remission without @entity230 and endoscopic response at week 104. Six out of seventeen @entity1 needed dose intensification of IFX (every 6  weeks); 3/6 @entity1 did not reach remission despite dose intensification. Including those @entity1 who needed dose intensification as non-responders, 9/17 @entity1 were in clinical and endoscopic remission at week 104. A significant correlation was found between clinical and endoscopic findings (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab therapy is effective for maintenance of clinical remission and @entity33 in @entity1 with @entity134 -dependent @entity31 .
