Comparing Tacrolimus and Infliximab for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Yoshihara Takeo, Amano Takahiro, Shinzaki Shinichiro, Tsujii Yuri, Asakura Akiko, Tashiro Taku, Tani Mizuki, Otake-Kasamoto Yuriko, Yamada Takuya, Sakakibara Yuko, Osugi Naoto, Ishii Shuji, Egawa Satoshi, Araki Manabu, Arimoto Yuki, Nakahara Masanori, Murayama Yoko, Kobayashi Ichizo, Kinoshita Kazuo, Ogawa Hiroyuki, Hiyama Satoshi, Shibukawa Narihiro, Komori Masato, Okuda Yorihide, Kizu Takashi, Kitamura Tetsuhisa, Kato Minoru, Tsujii Yoshiki, Inoue Takahiro, Iijima Hideki, Hayashi Yoshito, Takehara Tetsuo
Primary Institution: Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Is tacrolimus more effective than infliximab for inducing remission in refractory ulcerative colitis?
Conclusion
Tacrolimus therapy resulted in a higher rate of clinical remission compared to infliximab, but it also led to a higher rate of colectomy during maintenance treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- The proportion of clinical remission at week 8 was 65.2% in the tacrolimus group compared to 37.3% in the infliximab group.
- The long-term colectomy-free rate was lower in the tacrolimus group than in the infliximab group.
- Serum albumin level ≤ 3.5 g/dL at week 8 was identified as a predictor for colectomy after tacrolimus induction.
Takeaway
This study looked at two medicines for treating a gut disease called ulcerative colitis. One medicine, tacrolimus, helped more people feel better quickly, but it also made some people need surgery later.
Methodology
A multi-institutional retrospective study comparing tacrolimus and infliximab in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis using propensity score matching.
Potential Biases
Selection bias due to the retrospective nature of the study.
Limitations
The study is retrospective, which may introduce selection bias, and it could not adjust for unmeasured confounders.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged at least 16 years with refractory ulcerative colitis treated between January 2010 and March 2019.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0016
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.02–6.50
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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