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World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2014; 20(17): 4839-4845
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.4839
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.4839
Anti-TNF alpha in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: A valid approach for organ-sparing or an expensive option to delay surgery?
Gianluca Rizzo, Claudio Coco, Department of Surgical Sciences, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Daniela Pugliese, Alessandro Armuzzi, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: Rizzo G, Pugliese D, Armuzzi A and Coco C equally participated in the conception, design, analysis, interpretation of data and drafting of this article; all the authors revised the article critically for important intellectual content and gave final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Gianluca Rizzo, MD, Department of Surgical Sciences, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Via F. Moscati 31-33, 00168 Rome, Italy. gianluca.rizzo1979@libero.it
Telephone: +39-6-3503618-622 Fax: +39-6-3503344
Received: November 1, 2013
Revised: February 6, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Revised: February 6, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The introduction of biologic therapy with Infliximab (IFX) has significantly modified the clinical course of ulcerative colitis. In this study we systematically analyzed the role of IFX in reducing the colectomy rate, the risk of post-operative morbidity in pre-operatively IFX-treated patients and the cost-effectiveness of IFX therapy.