Effect of adalimumab on an enterocutaneous fistula in patients with Crohn's disease: a case series.

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which predisposes patients to the formation of a fistula. The efficacy of adalimumab (ADA) for an enterocutaneous fistula remains unclear. In this report, we present a case series of 3 patients with enterocutaneous fistulizing CD treated with ADA. ADA treatment achieved sustained complete fistula closure in one patient. The other two cases, which failed to achieve fistula closure, had intestinal stenosis and were not receiving concomitant azathioprine. Combination therapy with ADA and azathioprine may be a useful option and an alternative to surgery for enterocutaneous fistulizing CD.

• Authors: Kaori Fujiwara, Takuya Inoue, Naoki Yorifuji, Munetaka Iguchi, Taisuke Sakanaka, Ken Narabayashi, Kazuki Kakimoto, Sadaharu Nouda, Toshihiko Okada, Yosuke Abe, Toshihisa Takeuchi, Kazuhide Higuchi
• Journal: Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) (Intern Med) Vol. 54 Issue 20 Pg. 2603-7 ( 2015) ISSN: 1349-7235 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 26466696 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Adalimumab

Topics

• Adalimumab (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Crohn Disease (complications)
• Humans
• Intestinal Fistula (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome