Use of the tumor necrosis factor-blockers for Crohn's disease

Table 24 Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of biological therapies vs placebo (4 wk to 26 wk) in healing of fistulizing Crohn's disease

Treatment	Outcome (RR of fistulas remaining unhealed)
IFX, ADA, CER vs PL (4 wk to 26 wk)	RR = 0.88; 95%CI: 0.73-1.05; I2 = 67%, P = 0.01 (considerable heterogeneity between studies, with no statistically significant difference in fistula healing at 4 wk to 26 wk, compared to placebo, when considering the 3 TNFB)
IFX vs PL (one trial)	RR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.48-0.81
IFX, ADA, CER vs PL (excluding 2 trials reporting fistula healing up to only 4 wk)	RR = 0.80; 95%CI: 0.65-0.98; I2 = 56%, P = 0.08 (heterogeneity between studies remained)
IFX (only 1 trial) vs > PL (followed until 54 wk)	RR = 0.81; 95%CI: 0.68-0.96

Adverse events could not be determined from data. CER: Certolizumab; IFX: Infliximab; ADA: Adalimumab; PL: Placebo; RR: Risk ratio; TNFB: TNF-α blockers; CI: Confidence interval.