Efficacy of adalimumab rescue therapy in patients with chronic refractory pouchitis previously treated with infliximab: a case series.

AIM: In refractory pouchitis, infliximab (IFX) has been used as rescue therapy; however, there is no clinical evidence for the use of adalimumab (ADA). The aim of this study was to report the efficacy of ADA in patients with refractory pouchitis previously treated with IFX. METHODS: A retrospective, open-label, case series was designed. Patients with chronic refractory pouchitis treated with ADA were included. All patients were previously treated with IFX. The short-term and mid-term efficacy of ADA was evaluated. RESULTS: Eight patients with chronic refractory pouchitis treated with ADA were included. After 8 weeks, 13% of the patients achieved remission and 62% showed a clinical response. At week 26, 13% achieved remission and 38% showed a clinical response. At week 52, 50% of the patients avoided a permanent ileostomy but only 25 achieved remission. CONCLUSION: ADA treatment was found to be an alternative for patients with chronic refractory pouchitis previously treated with IFX.