Effect of azathioprine or combination of azathioprine and infliximab on postoperative recurrence of Crohn′s disease

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of azathioprine (AZA) or combination of azathioprine and infliximab (AZA+IFX) on postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn′s disease (CD) , and to analyze the risk factors associated with POR. Methods Ninety-nine patients who received surgical resections at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University were included. Twenty-five patients received AZA, 18 patients received AZA+IFX and 56 patients did not receive any prophylactic treatment. The effects of different medication on recurrence of CD were compared. Results After a follow-up period of 18.2 (0.88-88.0) months, the incidence of POR in AZA group and AZA+IFX group was 52.0% and 44.4% respectively without significant difference (P = 0.925) . The incidence of recurrence in non-treatment group was 75.0%, which was lower than that in AZA group (P = 0.022) and AZA+IFX groups (P = 0.049) , but the differences were not significant as well. Conclusion The incidence of POR between AZA group and AZA+IFX group is not significantly different, meanwhile although incidences in both groups are lower as compared to non-treatment group, but the differences are not significantly different as well. Key words: Crohn′s disease; Infliximab; Azathioprine; Postoperative recurrence