Crohn's disease genotypes of patients in remission vs relapses after infliximab discontinuation.

Aim: To investigate genetic differences between Crohn's disease (CD) patients with a sustained remission vs relapsers after discontinuing infliximab while in corticosteroid-free remission.

Methods: Forty-eight CD patients received infliximab and were in full corticosteroid-free clinical remission but then discontinued infliximab for reasons other than a loss of response, were identified by review of an electronic database and charts. Infliximab-associated remission was defined as corticosteroid-free plus normalization of clinical disease activity [CD activity index (CDAI) < 150] during follow-up visits based on physician global assessments.

Drug-disease interaction: Crohn's disease elevates verapamil plasma concentrations but reduces response to the drug proportional to disease activity.

Aim: Inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases that includes reduced response to pharmacotherapy due to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It is not known if these effects exist in general in all inflammatory conditions. It also remains unknown whether in a given population the effect is a function of disease severity.