title: Accelerated Infliximab Infusion: Safety, Factors Predicting Adverse Events, Patients' Satisfaction and Cost Analysis. A Cohort Study in IBD Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Standard Infliximab infusion consists of a 2-hour intravenous administration. Recently, Infliximab shortened infusion has been included in the Infliximab label as possible maintenance regimen for patients tolerating Infliximab induction therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify if accelerated 1-hour Infliximab infusions are as safe as standard administrations, in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four patients treated between September 2008 and November 2014 were evaluated. Patients were eligible for 1-hour infusion if they had no history of infusion reactions during the previous 2-hour infusions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three patients received 2-hour infusions, 16 patients received 1-hour infusions, 35 patients received 2-hour infusions followed by 1-hour infusions. A total of 1,123 Infliximab infusions were administered. The proportion of patients experiencing infusion reaction was: 4% over the 1-hour infusions and 9% over the 2-hour (P = 0.318). Adverse reaction/infusion rate was 0.55% over the 1-hour infusions and 0.66% over the 2-hour (P = 0.835). In the logistic model, accelerated infusion was the only statistically significant predictor of infusion reaction risk reduction (-90%; P = 0.024). Mean satisfaction was 8/10 (±0.84) with 1-hour regimen and 6/10 (±0.56) with 2-hour infusions (P = 0.000). The mean total cost was reduced by 47% with the 1-hour regimen (133.54€ and 250.86€ for 1-hour and 2-hour infusions, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accelerated Infliximab infusion does not increase the acute infusion reaction incidence. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the 1-hour regimen should be preferred to 2-hour protocol also due to positive effects on indirect costs and patient's satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology & Artificial Nutrition Dept., "San Nicola Pellegrino" Hospital, Trani (BT), Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzuoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tricarico
authors.affiliation: Health Economics & Outcome Research Department - EBMA Consulting, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demma
authors.affiliation: Health Economics & Outcome Research Department - EBMA Consulting, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Furneri
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology & Artificial Nutrition Dept., "San Nicola Pellegrino" Hospital, Trani (BT), Italy.
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Guglielmi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D000069285:Infliximab