Is continuous sulfasalazine necessary in the management of patients with ulcerative colitis? Results of a preliminary study.
The efficacy of continuous and "on-demand" sulfasalazine in the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis was tested in a randomized trial. Patients were reviewed at four monthly intervals for one year. Twenty-eight patients completed the trial. Ten took continuous sulfasalazine and three relapsed, while 18 took "on-demand" sulfasalazine and seven relapsed (N.S.). Rectal biopsies from each patient group were compared at each attendance, and no significant difference in histologic score was found. It is concluded that "on-demand" sulfasalazine may be as effective as continuous sulfasalazine in the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis.
Dickinson
R J
RJ
King
A
A
Wight
D G
DG
Hunter
J O
JO
Neale
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012460:Sulfasalazine