Introduction: Adalimumab (ADA) is a subcutaneous fully-human anti-TNF antibody which has a significant role in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). Its efficacy has been demonstrated in several clinical trials. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ADA in the induction of clinical remission in a Brazilian series of CD cases. Method: A retrospective analysis of CD patients treated with ADA was performed in three Brazilian inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) reference centers. The following characteristics were analyzed: gender, age, indication to ADA treatment, type of response, previous exposure to infliximab (IFX), concomitant use of immunomodulators and adverse events, among others. Results: 54 patients (29 females) were included in this series, with mean age of 36.72 years (ranging from 15 to 62 years). After induction regimen, 26 patients (48.14%) were in clinical remission, 26 (48.14%) had partial response, and 2 (3.72%) were primary non-responders. After a mean follow-up of 9.83 (2 to 28) months, 17 patients (31.48%) presented adverse events. The most common event was pain on the injection site (7 patients - 12.96%). Conclusions: ADA was effective to induce CD remission in this Brazilian case series. The remission and response rates were similar to the literature, as well as the safety profile of this drug.
Crohn's disease; tumor necrosis factor-alpha; remission induction; antibodies, monoclonal
