Behandling med TNF alpha; antistoffet infliksimab (Remicade) ved inflammatorisk tarmsykdom, indikasjon og effekt. Gjennomgang av et pasientmateriale i tidsrommet 2001- 2006 ved Gastromedisinsk avdeling Ullevål universitetssykehus

Abstract

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha blocking drug, infliximab, provides an alternative treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease who do not respond or respond inadequately to corticosteroid or immunosuppressive treatment.

Objective: Review of infliximab treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, (IBD) at the Department of Gastroenterology, Ullevål University Hospital. The main objective has been to look at the indications and efficiency of the treatment and the routine at the department when the drug was given.

Material and methods: Retrospective study of patients with inflammatory bowel disease who have received infliximab during the five years period 2001- 2006 at the Department of Gastroenterology, Ullevål University Hospital.

Results: Twentynine patients with IBD were treated. Twentyfive patients have received more than three treatments. Twenty of these had a good initial response. Fourteen still receive scheduled infusions with infliximab. Most of the patients were taking concurrent immunosuppressive medications. Twenty of 29 were screened for tuberculosis pre-treatment. The department had documented 29 more treatments in the patient files than recorded in the central diagnosis record.

Conclusion: The Department gives infliximab according to valid recommendations. On the other hand the documentation of the treatment could be better and the treatment could be more widely used.