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The Tolerability and Efficacy of Rapid Infliximab Infusions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Abstract

Objective

Few studies have assessed the loss of efficacy or patient and caregiver satisfaction with rapid infliximab infusions. The aim of this study is to assess the tolerability, loss of efficacy and to describe the impact on resource utilization and patient satisfaction in rapid infliximab infusions.

Methods

Subjects with inflammatory bowel disease receiving rapid infliximab infusions were included in the study. Subjects received maintenance infusions from June 2011 to June 2013. Incidence of adverse reactions and the total number of rapid infliximab infusions were recorded. Efficacy was compared to published studies evaluating the long-term efficacy of infliximab infusions. Patient satisfaction was addressed through a survey following the implementation of the rapid infusion protocol.

Results

Seventy-five subjects with IBD were included in the study. Five hundred and twenty-two rapid infliximab infusions were provided to patients. There were no acute or delayed infusion reactions. Ten subjects (13 %) required either a dose escalation or interval adjustment between infliximab infusions. A majority of patients reported increased satisfaction with 1-h infliximab infusions, and 97 % of surveyed patients opted to continue rapid infusions. The rapid infliximab infusion protocol increased infusion unit efficiency by increasing capacity by 15 %. Cost savings in the elimination of nursing time translated to approximately $108,150 savings at our institution.

Conclusions

Rapid infliximab infusions do not appear to increase the risk of loss of response compared to historical studies of long-term infliximab efficiency. A rapid infliximab infusion protocol improved efficiency in our infusion unit and increased patient and nursing satisfaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Evans 124, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Taha Qazi

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Bhavesh Shah & Mohammed El-Dib

  3. Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Francis A. Farraye

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  1. Taha Qazi
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  2. Bhavesh Shah
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Correspondence to Taha Qazi.

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Qazi, T., Shah, B., El-Dib, M. et al. The Tolerability and Efficacy of Rapid Infliximab Infusions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dig Dis Sci 61, 589–596 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-015-3893-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-015-3893-4

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