Does Infliximab Short Infusion have a Beneficial Impact on the Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases? A Single Centre Prospective Evaluation

Authors

  • Mariabeatrice Principi Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Giuseppe Losurdo Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Rosa Federica La Fortezza Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Pasquale Lopolito Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Rosa Lovero Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Simone Grillo Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Roberto Bringiotti Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Enzo Ierardi Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • Alfredo Di Leo Gastroenterology Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.242.tezz

Keywords:

inflammatory bowel disease, infliximab, short infusion duration, quality of life, adverse reactions

Abstract

Background & Aims: Infliximab (IFX) is an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha agent used in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) therapy. Usually, it is administered over a 2-hour intravenous infusion. However, shortening the infusion duration to 1 hour has proved to be feasible and safe. In the present study we evaluated whether shortening the IFX infusion could affect the patients' quality of life (QoL) compared to the standard protocol.

Methods: Subjects affected by IBD receiving IFX were prospectively recruited. The main criterion to shorten the infusion was the absence of IFX-related adverse reactions during the previous three 2-h infusions. For each patient, demographic, clinical and anthropometric data were collected. A questionnaire investigating their overall/job/social/sexual QoL was administered. Ordinal regression was performed with odds ratios (OR) for significant independent variables.

Results: Eighty-one patients were included (46 with ulcerative colitis - UC, 35 with Crohn's disease - CD). Sixteen received the 2-h infusion due to previous adverse reactions, and the remaining 65 underwent the 1-h schedule. Shortening the infusion to 1 hour determined a better QoL (OR=0.626). However, the QoL was negatively influenced by age (OR=1.023), female sex (OR=2.04) and severe disease activity (OR=7.242). One-hour IFX infusion induced a better outcome on work (OR=0.588) and social (OR=0.643) QoL. Long-standing disease was correlated with a slightly better sexual QoL (OR=0.93). Conversely, older age (OR=1.046), severe clinical score (OR=15.579), use of other immunomodulators (OR=3.693) and perianal CD (OR=3.265) were related to an unsatisfactory sexual life. The total number of infusions (OR=0.891), proctitis (OR=0.062) or pancolitis (OR=0.1) minimized the perception of infusion-related side effects.

Conclusion: The 1-h short infusion improves overall, social and job QoL, so that, when indicated, it should be recommended.

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Published

2015-06-01

How to Cite

1.
Principi M, Losurdo G, La Fortezza RF, Lopolito P, Lovero R, Grillo S, Bringiotti R, Ierardi E, Di Leo A. Does Infliximab Short Infusion have a Beneficial Impact on the Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases? A Single Centre Prospective Evaluation. JGLD [Internet]. 2015 Jun. 1 [cited 2025 Nov. 9];24(2):165-70. Available from: https://jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/1214

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2: June 2015

Section

Original Article