Persistent clinical response of infliximab treatment, over a 4-year period in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity137 @entity66 @entity1691 @entity56 @entity1851
Our aim was to investigate the efficacy, @entity137 , and drug discontinuation in @entity1 with @entity1691 ( @entity1691 ) treated with infliximab. Thirty-five @entity1 with @entity1691 , who were enrolled between June 2001 and December 2002 were treated with infliximab. All @entity1 fulfilled the New York revised criteria for @entity1691 and had @entity66 . Infliximab (5 mg/kg weight), was given intravenously at weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter. If this failed to give an acceptable treatment response, the interval was shortened to 6 or 4 weeks. The @entity1 were followed-up at predefined times according to a standardized protocol. Data concerning infliximab efficacy, tolerability, adverse events, interval, and drug discontinuation were all recorded. Clinical improvement according to the Bath @entity1691 Activity Index (BASDAI) 50% and the @entity1691 Assessment Study group (ASAS) 40%, and ASAS 5/6 response criteria were recorded. Infliximab treatment resulted in a rapid improvement in the BASDAI and ASAS scores in the first year of the treatment, which sustained throughout the fourth year. More specifically, after the third year of treatment 17/35 (48.6%) of @entity1 achieved BASDAI 50% response criteria, 19/35 (54.3%) attained the ASAS 40% and 15/35 (42.9%) reached the ASAS 5/6. After the fourth year of treatment BASDAI 50% was reached by 17/35 (48.6%) of @entity1 , ASAS 40% by 17/35 (48.6%), while ASAS 5/6 was attained by 15/35 (42.9%). The clinical improvement was associated with the reduction of acute phase reactants as measured by @entity1851 levels. After the first year of treatment, the "survival rate" of infliximab was 94.3%, after the second year was 91.4%, after the third year was 85.7% and even after 4 years of treatment still maintained high 77.9%. Six (17.1%) @entity1 were withdrawn during the observational period. Three because of lack of efficacy, two because of @entity56 and one lost from follow-up. Infliximab was effective, safe, and well tolerated in @entity1 with @entity1691 . The clinical response was maintained for a period of 4 years and over, with infliximab survival of 77.9%.
