To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Infliximab May Not Prevent Fistulas in Patients With Crohn's Disease: Presented at ACS URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22EFCE.htm Doctor's Guide October 17, 2008
By Roberta Friedman, PhD SAN FRANCISCO -- October 17, 2008 -- Introduction of infliximab therapy in patients with Crohn's disease does not prevent the development of intestinal fistula complications, and in fact may convert existing fistulas into abscesses, researchers reported here at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 94th Annual Clinical Congress. The overall rate of surgery in patients with Crohn's disease has not changed significantly since the monoclonal antibody infliximab first came on the scene, said researcher Douglas W. Jones, MD, Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire, in a presentation on October 12. Working with Samuel R. G. Finlayson MD, MPH, Dartmouth Medical School, Dr. Jones conducted a retrospective study of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, using data on surgeries for intestinal fistulas from 1993 to 2004. These data show no change in the overall rate of bowel resection, and perhaps even an increase in the rate of repairs of small-bowel fistulas, Dr. Jones said. A total of 1.5 intestinal fistulas per million occurred in 1993 compared with 2.4 per million in 2004, a statistically significant difference (P = .03). This is the most common fistula surgery, the study authors noted. Rates of left colon and rectal resection declined in the period assessed, from 6.4 to 5.0 per million (P = .004). Dr. Jones noted that the rate of abscess repair increased by 300% during the period studied. A limit of the study, he acknowledged, is that there is no way to know if there are repeated admissions, and that the data reflect only inpatient procedures. On the other hand, perianal abscesses are often treated on an outpatient basis. Epidemiology suggests the incidence of Crohn's disease has remained stable over the study period, Dr. Jones said. [Presentation title: Trends in Surgery for Crohn's Disease in the Era of Infliximab.] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.