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The risk of post-operative complications associated with infliximab therapy for Crohn's disease: a controlled cohort study
Article first published online: 15 MAR 2004
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01904.x
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How to Cite
Marchal, L., D'Haens, G., Van Assche, G., Vermeire, S., Noman, M., Ferrante, M., Hiele, M., Bueno De Mesquita, M., D'Hoore, A., Penninckx, F. and Rutgeerts, P. (2004), The risk of post-operative complications associated with infliximab therapy for Crohn's disease: a controlled cohort study. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 19: 749–754. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01904.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 MAR 2004
- Article first published online: 15 MAR 2004
- Accepted for publication 21 January 2004
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Summary
Background : By temporarily suppressing the immune response, the anti-tumour necrosis factor agent, infliximab, may increase the risk of peri-operative complications.
Aim : To test this hypothesis for intestinal resection in a cohort of 313 Crohn's disease patients treated with infliximab. Forty received one or more infusions prior to intestinal resection (31/40 within 12 weeks).
Methods : The post-operative events of these patients were compared with those of a control group (infliximab naive) of 39 patients adjusted for age, gender and surgical procedure. Early (10 days) and late (3 months) major or minor complications were identified.
Results : The incidence of early minor (15.0% vs. 12.8%) and major (12.5% vs. 7.7%) and late minor (2.5% vs. 5.1%) and major (17.5% vs. 12.8%) complications and the mean hospital stay after surgery (10.3 ± 4.0 days vs. 9.9 ± 5.5 days) were similar in both groups. A trend towards an increased early infection rate was found in infliximab pre-treated patients (6 vs. 1; P = 0.10), but more patients in this group received corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressives (29 vs. 16 patients; P < 0.05).
Conclusion : The use of infliximab before intestinal resection does not prolong the hospital stay and does not increase the rate of post-operative complications.