European trial of cyclosporine in chronic active Crohn's disease: a 12-month study. The European Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
The role of cyclosporine in Crohn's disease is controversial. This study aimed to delineate the long-term effect of cyclosporine in chronic active Crohn's disease.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-two patients from 33 European centers were included. The patient cohort was stratified at entry into a stratum with low Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ( < 200) and high CDAI ( > 200). The low-activity group continued to receive the pretrial steroid dose for 2 months, and the high-activity group received 1 mg.kg-1.day-1 prednisone initially. During months 3 and 4, the dose of steroids was reduced stepwise to 5 mg/day in all patients. Placebo and cyclosporine (5 mg.kg-1.day-1) were administered throughout the 12-month study period. The main parameter of efficacy was the CDAI, and the main end point was the number of patients in remission at month 12.


RESULTS
During cyclosporine therapy, 35% (95% confidence interval [95% Cl], 25%-46%) of the patients achieved a full remission (CDAI, < 150) after 4 months compared with 27% (95% Cl, 18%-38%) in the placebo group (P > 0.05). At month 12, only 20% (95% Cl, 12%-31%) vs. 20% (95% Cl, 12%-31%) of the patients had maintained a continuous remission. No major differences between treatment groups were found within each of the two strata.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term treatment of chronic active Crohn's disease with cyclosporine plus low-dose steroids does not offer an advantage compared with low-dose steroids alone.
Stange
E F
EF
Klinik für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität zu Lübeck, Germany.
Modigliani
R
R
Peña
A S
AS
Wood
A J
AJ
Feutren
G
G
Smith
P R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction
D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone