Aim. This study was performed to evaluate the additional
enteral nutrition (EN) in the efficacy of
infliximab (IFX) compared with the conventional
therapy in managing
Crohn's disease (CD) complicated with intestinal
fistulas. Methods. A total of 42 CD with intestinal
fistulas were randomly divided into
infliximab treatment group (n = 20) and conventional therapy group (n = 22). We evaluated the laboratory indexes,
Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI),
Crohn's disease simplified endoscopic score (SES-CD), and healing of
fistula in the two groups before treatment, at 14 weeks, and at 30 weeks, respectively. Results. In the IFX treatment group, the CDAI score, the SES-CD, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and
C-reactive protein levels were significantly decreased during treatment compared with those before treatment. The body mass index and
albumin levels were increased in both groups. Moreover, in the IFX treatment group,
fistula healing was found in 8 at the 14th week and 18 at the 30th week, respectively, which was greater than that in the conventional therapy group. Conclusion. Our study suggested that
infliximab combined with EN is an effective treatment for CD patients complicated with intestinal
fistulas.