title: Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in Crohn's disease: meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in inducing and maintaining remission of Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic databases were searched. Placebo-controlled trials of adalimumab used in patients with Crohn's disease were included. Data were analyzed with Review Manager 4.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four studies enrolling 1402 patients were confirmed as meeting our criteria. Remission rates of inducing and maintaining remission in patients with Crohn's disease were higher for adalimumab than placebo (P<0.05). Adalimumab significantly improves the quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease. No significant difference in total adverse events was found in maintaining remission. Moreover, there were significantly less serious adverse events from taking adalimumab than from taking the placebo in long-term treatment. Patients with increased baseline C-reactive protein may benefit more from adalimumab therapy than those without.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adalimumab is effective and safe in Crohn's disease. However, studies of a larger number of patients are still required for better assessing the safety profile of adalimumab.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China.
authors: Mei Lan
authors: ML
authors: Huang
authors: Zhi Hua
authors: ZH
authors: Ran
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Shen
authors: Xiao Bo
authors: XB
authors: Li
authors: Xi Tao
authors: XT
authors: Xu
authors: Shu Dong
authors: SD
authors: Xiao