Search

Background and aim: Intravenous corticosteroids remain the first line therapy for severe attacks of ulcerative colitis although up to 30-40% of patients do not respond to treatment. The availability of alternative therapies to colectomy and the knowledge of early predictors of response to corticosteroids should have improved the clinical outcomes of patients with severe refractory ulcerative colitis. The aim of the study is to describe the current need, way of use, and efficacy of rescue therapies, as well as colectomy rates in patients with severe ulcerative colitis flares. Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2011, all patients admitted in three referral centres for a severe ulcerative colitis flare who received intravenous corticosteroids were identified and clinical and biological data were accurately collected. Patients were followed-up until colectomy, death, or date of data collection. Results: Sixty-two flares were included. Initial efficacy of intravenous corticosteroids (mild activity or inactive disease without rescue treatment, at day 7 after starting intravenous corticosteroids) was achieved in 50% of flares, and rescue therapies were used in 27 episodes (43%). After a median follow-up of 18 months, the colectomy rate was 6.5%. Failed oral corticosteroids for the index flare were the only baseline feature that predicted the need for rescue therapy and colectomy. Conclusions: There is a marked reduction in the colectomy rate and an increased use of medical rescue therapies as compared to historical series. Patients worsening while on oral corticosteroids for a moderate flare are at high risk of rescue therapy and colectomy and, therefore, should be directly treated with rescue therapies instead of attempting intravenous corticosteroids. (C) 2016 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: Although the early outcomes of ulcerative colitis after a first course of corticosteroids are well known, data on long-term disease evolution in patients responding to a first corticosteroid course are scarce. Aims: To evaluate the long-term clinical evolution in ulcerative colitis patients responding to a first course of corticosteroids and to identify those factors associated with a poorer outcome. Methods: Retrospective review of 114 patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis who responded to the first corticosteroid course, and did not start thereafter maintenance therapy with thiopurines were included. Results: Corticosteroids were prescribed because of a moderate (78%) or a severe flare (22%). All but two patients followed maintenance treatment with mesalazine after corticosteroid discontinuation. After a median follow-up of 83 months (7-156), 72% of patients suffered new relapses leading to corticosteroid reintroduction in 65% of patients. The earlier corticosteroids were introduced in the course of ulcerative colitis, the higher the risk of relapse and corticosteroid reintroduction. Thiopurines were started in 51%, and infliximab in 19%. Eleven percent of patients underwent colectomy. No predictors of thiopurine use or colectomy were found. Conclusions: Half of the ulcerative colitis patients responding to a first course of corticosteroids will require immunosuppressors mainly because of steroid-dependence. (C) 2011 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.