Infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease: efficacy and safety in a Chinese single-center retrospective study.

Abstract Information describing the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) for Crohn's disease (CD) in China is limited. The aim of this study was to report response rates, relapse rates after IFX-induced remission, and adverse events, and identify factors associated with relapse in a cohort of CD patients treated with IFX in a Chinese center. Clinical data of CD patients treated with two or more infusions of IFX from July 2010 to February 2013 at Nanfang Hospital (Guangzhou, China) were retrieved and analyzed retrospectively. Primary measurements were clinical response rate and relapse rate during 30 weeks of follow-up. Overall adverse events and risk factors related to IFX were evaluated. A total of 70 CD patients were finally included. The clinical response rate was 98.6% at week 2, 97% at week 6, 92.5% at week 14, 84.9% at week 22, and 84.1% at week 30. The remission rate was 55.7% at week 2, 94% at week 6, 92.5% at week 14, 82.7% at week 22, and 77.3% at week 30. Relapse began following the third infusion. The relapse rate was 3.23% at week 6, 6.12% at week 14, 10.53% at week 22, and 8.82% at week 30. Adverse events related to IFX occurred in 32.6% of patients; most were mild and transient. Univariate analysis showed that sex was a significant predictor of clinical relapse. IFX is an effective and safe treatment for CD in Chinese patients. Sex may be an independent predictor of relapse.