DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Granulocytapheresis versus methylprednisolone in patients with acute ulcerative colitis: 12-month follow up.

Author(s): Bresci G, Parisi G, Mazzoni A, Scatena F, Capria A

Affiliation(s): U.O. di Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy. gbresci@libero.it

Publication date & source: 2008-11, J Gastroenterol Hepatol., 23(11):1678-82. Epub 2008 Sep 24.

AIM: To evaluate granulocytapheresis (GCAP) in active ulcerative colitis (UC), with particular attention to the long-term effects of such treatment. METHODS: We included 80 patients with UC. Activity of the disease was evaluated by clinical activity index and endoscopic index. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: Group A received a five-session (1 session/week) treatment with GCAP, Group B were treated with i.v. or i.m. methylprednisolone (MP). Concomitant therapy with oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) 2.4 g/day was maintained in both groups. Subjects who achieved a remission were clinically and endoscopically followed for 12 months after the end of GCAP or MP. RESULTS: Remission was observed in 72.5% of those treated with GCAP versus 50% of those treated with MP. After a 12-month follow up, a sustained remission was recorded in 40% of those treated with GCAP and in 25% of those treated with MP. During the GCAP only a transient mild headache was recorded in 10% of patients, whereas side-effects were observed in 50% of those treated with MP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GCAP results were superior to MP for the treatment of UC, even though no statistically significant difference was observed. Side-effects in the GCAP group were significantly lower than in the MP group. This new therapeutic approach seems able to maintain the condition of remission for a longer time after a flare. In fact, the patients who had obtained a remission after a course of CGAP showed fewer relapses during the follow up compared to the patients treated with MP.

Page last updated: 2009-02-08

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017