title: Short-term study of infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness and safety of short-term treatment of infliximab (IFX) in a group of Chinese patients with active Crohn's disease (CD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with established diagnosis of active CD were treated with IFX intravenously with a dose of 5 mg/kg at week 0, 2, 6. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline (week 0) and every week after IFX infusion until 8 weeks after the induction dose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients (nine male, five female) with a mean age of 29.7 years (range from 15 to 65 years) were included in the analysis. The mean subjective scores were decreased from 2.85 ± 0.57 at baseline to 1.3 ± 0.4 at week 14 (P < 0.05). The mean Harvey-Bradshaw index was 7.9 ± 1.5 at baseline and 2.3 ± 1.0 at week 14. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly improved during the 14-week period. Colonoscopy showed a remarkable improvement. Mild and transient adverse events including skin itching, headache and elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were each observed in one patient. Severe anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia at week 27 after three infusions of IFX were observed in one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with three infusions of IFX at a dose of 5 mg/kg was effective for induction of remission for active CD patients who failed to respond to conventional therapies. Study of long-term efficacy and safety of IFX therapy is warranted for further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Suzhou Municipal Hospital/Suzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Zhengjj2218@163.com
authors.forename: Jia Ju
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Pang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhi
authors.forename: Yu Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Yi Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Chun Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Bi Wu
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab