Therapeutic efficacy of infliximab on active Crohn's disease under nutritional therapy

Objective. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate retrospectively the therapeutic effect of infliximab in patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) under nutritional therapy. Material and methods. Using a review of the clinical records in 24 nationwide institutions specializing in inflammatory bowel disease, the short-term effect of infliximab in 97 patients with active CD was retrospectively investigated. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) at baseline and after 2 weeks of a single infliximab administration (5 mg/kg) was compared among patients under total parenteral nutrition (TPN group, n=36), those following an elemental or polymeric diet (EN group, n=49) and those without TPN and EN (NN group, n=12). A decrease in CDAI ≥ 70 or a CDAI value <150 at 2 weeks was regarded as effective. Results. There was no difference in CDAI at baseline among the three groups. In each group, CDAI decreased significantly (from 250 (195–290) [median (interquartiles)] to 152 (123–233) in the TPN group, p<0.00...