Takeaway
- A small retrospective study concludes that 10 mg/kg of infliximab (Remicade) every 6 or 8 weeks may by a reasonable starting dose for most patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
Why this matters
- Although dose titration is often required to optimize treatment response, few studies have addressed optimal infliximab dosing for HS.
Key results
- Patients were on infliximab for an average of 54.4 (range, 3-142) weeks.
- The most common initial regimens were 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks (69%) and 7.5 mg/kg every 8 weeks (19%).
- The most common ongoing regimens at data collection were 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks (33%) and 10 mg/kg every 6 weeks (27%).
- 19% of patients had discontinued.
- 67% of patients achieved stable dosing:
- 77% of these were at a schedule of 10 mg/kg every 6 or 8 weeks.
- Achievement of stable dosing was not associated with initial dose (P=.94) or final dose (P=.25).
- 64% of patients required dose escalation 1 year from initiation.
- 19% of patients experienced adverse events.
Study design
- Study of 52 patients with HS receiving infliximab.
- Funding: None.
Limitations
- Retrospective study.
- Small patient sample size.
- Many patients lacked HS clinical response data.
References
References