A retrospective 5-year analysis of the infliximab use pattern in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

Objective: To analyze the use and results of infliximab therapy atHospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) from 2001 to 2006. Methods:Questionnaire filled by physicians who prescribed infliximab. Clinicaldata for each individual patient was provided by the attendingrheumatologist according to individual standards. The main reasonfor prescribing infliximab was failure to respond to other diseasemodifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Treatment escalation was definedas increase and/or a decrease in the interval between infusions ofinfliximab (inter-infusional interval). Results: The mean duration ofinfliximab therapy was 78 ± 54 weeks. Patients were more likely todiscontinue treatment during the first two years mainly due to noefficacy. Thirty percent of patients required dose adjustments while8% tolerated longer inter-infusional intervals. Conclusions: Thedata confirms the efficacy of infliximab in the treatment ofinflammatory arthritis. Approximately 50% of patients discontinuedthe medication and one third required dose adjustments. A smallnumber of patients tolerated inter-infusional periods wider thanthe recommended 8 weeks