Background and importance Analysis of data obtained in the ‘real world’ setting is acquiring great importance in the healthcare environment. It is important to know the results obtained with different treatments outside the ideal environment offered by clinical trials.

Aim and objectives To describe and analyse the results obtained with infliximab (IFX) over a 10 year period in patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Material and methods This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted in a third level hospital that included all patients diagnosed with UC who started IFX treatment between January 2005 and December 2014. Follow-up was up to 31 July 2015. The following clinical data were recorded: age, sex, time in treatment, previous biological lines, definitive or temporary suspensions of treatment and reason, dose modifications and values for C reactive protein (CRP) before starting and at the end of treatment. Dosage modifications were recorded as those that implied a treatment pattern not described in the technical data sheet. Treatment interruptions were considered to be those of a duration ≥ 6 months. Data were recorded using the OncoWin computer application and the electronic medical record stored in SAP.

Results A total of 32 patients were included in the study (59.4% men, mean age 37.7 years (12–72)). Mean follow-up time was 52.5 months (8–109); 93.8% of patients received IFX as firstline therapy. Mean baseline CRP was 19.92 mg/L (0.70–84.94), and 7.82 (0.10–30.90) at the end of treatment. A total of 71% of patients discontinued treatment definitively: 6.3% for infusional reactions, 31.2% for inefficacy, 25.0% for remission of the disease and 9.4% for other reasons. In addition, 28.7% of patients received only the three IFX induction doses, of which 78% were not able to control the disease. Only 9.4% of patients temporarily interrupted treatment, with an average interruption time of 28.7 months (7–41); 12.5% of patients required dose modifications to control the disease.

Conclusion and relevance With the present work we wanted to show the long term results of IFX in UC in clinical practice. IFX can be an effective tool to control disease symptoms in the long term. Its use, administering only three induction doses, does not seem to be useful, with about 80% ineffectiveness rate.

References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.