eHealth: individualisation of infliximab treatment and disease course via a self‐managed web‐based solution in Crohn's disease

• DOI: 10.1111/apt.12043
• Publication Date: 2012-09-13T00:55:13Z
• Authors: N. Pedersen; M. Elkjaer; D. Duricova; J. Burisch; C. Dobrzanski; N. N. Andersen; T. Jess; F. Bendtsen; E. Langholz; S. Leotta; T. Knudsen; N. Thorsgaard; P. Munkholm
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adolescent; Denmark; Pilot Projects; Self Administration; Self Administration/methods; Severity of Illness Index; Antibodies; Monoclonal/administration & dosage; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Crohn Disease; Gastrointestinal Agents; Patient Education as Topic; Gastrointestinal Agents/administration & dosage; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Prospective Studies; Self Care/methods; Aged; Practice; Internet; Health Knowledge; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Middle Aged; Telemedicine; Infliximab; 3. Good health; Self Care; Treatment Outcome; Attitudes; Crohn Disease/drug therapy; Female

SummaryBackgroundInfliximab (IFX) maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease (CD) is administered every 8 weeks, but inter‐patient variation in optimal treatment intervals may exist.AimTo assess, in a prospective pilot study, the efficacy, safety and quality of life (QoL) of IFX maintenance treatment scheduled through web‐based self‐monitoring of disease activity.MethodsTwenty‐seven CD patients in IFX maintenance therapy were enrolled and received a standardised disease education and web‐training. Using the http://www.cd.constant-care.dk concept, patients recorded their disease activity and faecal calprotectin weekly. From this, the inflammatory burden (IB) score was calculated, placing patients in the green, yellow or red zones of a ‘traffic light’ system. If placed in the yellow or red zones, the computer directed these patients to consult their physician for IFX infusion.ResultsSeventeen patients (63%) completed 52 weeks of follow‐up, 6 (22%) completed 26 weeks and 4 (15%) were excluded due to loss of response, patient decision or non‐adherence. In total, 121 IFX infusions were given with a median interval of 9 (range: 4–18) weeks. Only 10% of infusions were given at 8‐week intervals, whereas 39% were administered with shorter and 50% with longer intervals respectively. The mean IB and the QoL remained stable during the web‐treatment. One mild infusion reaction and one case of folliculitis were observed, while three patients underwent surgery.ConclusionsThe program http://www.cd.constant-care.dk appears to be a practical and safe concept for the individualised scheduling of maintenance treatment with IFX in patients with Crohn's disease. Larger studies are awaited to confirm this preliminary outcome.