Abstract
Background
Since 2005, infliximab (IFX), an anti-tumour necrosis factor-α agent, has proven to be efficient as salvage and maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis. In 2011, a randomised controlled comparative trial has demonstrated the short-term efficacy as a second-line treatment for acute severe colitis (ASC). Since then, few studies had evaluated the probability of first IFX use after a first flare of ASC. The aim of this study was to assess the cumulative incidence of IFX use after a first flare of ASC occurring after 2011.
Methods
Between June 2018 and January 2011, all inpatients with a first non-complicated flare of ASC were retrospectively randomised. Steroid resistance was concluded in patients undergoing colectomy or put into second-line medical therapy. Cumulative incidence of IFX use was evaluated by Fine and Gray model, considering colectomy and death as competing events.
Results
Twenty-five patients were reviewed (median age: 35y. (14-58y.); 11 females and 14 males). Thirty per cent of patients were active smokers. Only one patient had severe comorbidities. Half of the patients were admitted for an inaugural flare. A family history of an inflammatory bowel disease was noted in 12% of cases. sixteen per cent of patients had extraintestinal manifestations. At the moment of presentation, three-quarters of patients were not receiving any immunosuppressive therapy. Truelove and Witts criteria were present in 70% of cases. The average rates of CRP, plasmatic albumin and haemoglobin were respectively 131 mg/dl(43–260), 28 g/l (19–40), and 11g/dl (6,5-14). Sixty-four per cent of the patients responded to first-line medical therapy. Among patients with steroid-refractory colitis (9 patients), timely colectomy was performed in 1 case, 1 patient received cyclosporin (2mg/Kg per day) and 7 patients received infliximab (5mg/Kg on days 0, 14 and 42). Clinical response to second-line medical therapy was observed in 87% of patients. After a median follow- up period of 26 mo. (0,26-81 mo), 4 patients underwent colectomy: 2 urgent colectomies at the same hospitalisation and 2 subsequent colectomies for chronic active disease. Colectomy free survival rate at 5 years was 82%. Cumulative incidence of first infliximab use at 1 and 5 years was, respectively, 40% and 70%. In multivariate analysis, resistance to steroids (p = 0.0005) and history of thiopurines intake (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with subsequent use of IFX. No death was observed during the analysis period.
Conclusion
During follow-up, the vast majority of patients needed subsequent IFX use after their first flare of ASC.
Commentary: salvage medical therapy for acute severe colitis - ciclosporin or infliximab?
