Subcutaneous Infliximab for Perianal Crohn's Disease: The BioLap-Rem Multicenter Study From the GETAID.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Intravenous infliximab (IFX) is a standard treatment for perianal Crohn's disease (pCD).
• Limited data exist on the efficacy and safety of the newer subcutaneous (SC) formulation of IFX for pCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SC IFX in patients with perianal Crohn's disease.
• To assess clinical remission rates in active pCD and relapse rates in inactive pCD after switching to SC IFX.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre retrospective cohort study involving 183 patients with pCD.
• Patients were divided into two groups: active pCD at SC IFX initiation (group 1) and inactive pCD prior to switch (group 2).
• Primary endpoints were clinical remission at 6 months (group 1) and pCD relapse (group 2).

Main Results:

• In group 1, 44.6% achieved clinical remission and 87.7% clinical response at 6 months; 35.5% achieved remission including seton removal.
• High BMI was the only independent predictor of remission in active pCD.
• In group 2, relapse-free survival was 94.3% at 6 months and 87.9% at 12 months.
• Eight-point-three percent of patients experienced SC injection-related adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Subcutaneous infliximab demonstrates effectiveness and safety for treating active pCD.
• SC IFX is also effective in maintaining remission in patients switching from IV therapy.
• The findings support the use of SC IFX in routine clinical practice for perianal Crohn's disease.