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Anti-TNF-alpha treatments and obstructive symptoms in Crohn's disease: a prospective study
Giovanna Condino1, Emma Calabrese, Francesca Zorzi
1GI Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Background:
The development of symptomatic strictures in Crohn's Disease after anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor-α antibodies is undefined.
Aim:
To assess, in a prospective longitudinal study, the frequency of sub/obstructions in Crohn's Disease patients after treatment with Infliximab or Adalimumab. Changes of small bowel lesions after these biological therapies were searched by ultrasonography.
Materials And Methods:
From January 2007 to October 2008, 36 Crohn's Disease patients with no previous sub/obstructions were treated with either Infliximab (n=13) or Adalimumab (n=23) for ≥12months (mean follow-up duration after the first treatment 23.2±6.8months). Small Intestine Contrast Ultrasonography was performed before and after treatment in 19/36 patients. Sonographic parameters included: bowel wall thickness, lumen diameter, bowel dilation and lesion extent.
Results:
Sub/obstructions developed in 3/36 patients treated with Infliximab (n=1) or Adalimumab (n=2), all with fibrostricturing Crohn's Disease. Sonographic parameters did not significantly change after treatment.
Conclusions:
Sub/obstructive symptoms may develop in one tenth of Crohn's Disease patients treated with anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor-α antibodies, with no significant sonographic changes of the small bowel lesions.
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