BACKGROUND: This study investigated the risk factors of infliximab (IFX)-related infusion reactions (IR) in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 330 consecutive IBD patients treated with IFX between 2009 and 2017 were reviewed. The incidence of IR and adverse effects were recorded in detail, and the potential risk factors related to IR were analyzed by univariate and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: The 330 patients received a total of 2108 IFX infusions, with a median follow-up of 29 months. Eighteen patients (5.5%) experienced IR: 15 were immediate (2 severe) and 3 were late (0 severe). The patients who were treated with episodic IFX without concomitant IM therapy and at the 2nd IFX series (all P<0.001) had higher incidence of IR. Logistic regression revealed the 2nd IFX treatment series (OR=0.017, P<0.001) and episodic use of IFX (OR=0.113, P<0.001) as the significant predictors. Antibodies against infliximab (ATI) were highly positive in 10 of 14 patients (71%) with IR. Sixty-seven percent of patients finished infusions after IR through appropriate management.

CONCLUSIONS: IFX infusions were accompanied by IR in about 5% of Chinese IBD patients. Severe IR was rare. The patients with the 2nd series or episodic use of IFX should be monitored closely during infusion.

Keywords: Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Risk Factors, Adolescent, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Asians, Follow-Up Studies, infliximab, Injection Site Reaction