Long-term clinical outcome after infliximab discontinuation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Objectives: We investigated the long-term clinical outcome and risk factors for clinical relapse in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients after stopping infliximab (IFX). Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of IBD patients who were treated with IFX in four university hospitals in South Korea. Among them, patients who discontinued scheduled IFX therapy with a favorable disease course were enrolled. Clinical relapse was defined as an increase in disease activity, addition of new drugs, or abdominal surgery. Results: In total, 28 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 17 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients were enrolled. The median duration of follow-up after discontinuation was 41 months (range: 8–109 months) in UC patients and 141 months (range: 66–262 months) in CD patients. The cumulative probability of relapse at 12 months was 32.1% in UC patients and 30.7% in CD patients. Fewer IFX infusions and a shorter duration of mesalamine treatment after IFX discontinuation were risk factors for relapse after IFX discontinuation in UC patients (p =.04 and.01, respectively). In CD patients, a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP at IFX discontinuation and a shorter duration of azathioprine treatment after IFX discontinuation were risk factors for relapse (p =.03,.03 and.01, respectively). Conclusions: Approximately 30% of IBD patients who responded to IFX therapy experienced relapse within 1 year after discontinuation. We identified several risk factors for relapse. Further studies should identify factors predictive of the disease course after discontinuing IFX maintenance therapy.