Intermittent versus continuous 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis.
We performed a 12-month clinical trial to compare the relative effectiveness of an intermittent 5-ASA regimen and a continuous 5-ASA regimen for the maintenance treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis in remission. Fifty patients with ulcerative colitis in remission for a minimum period of 1 month participated in the study. Twenty five patients received an intermittent treatment with 5-ASA tablets (2.4 g for the first week of each month) and 25 received a continuous treatment with tablets (1.6 g each day). Patients were assessed clinically every two months and endoscopically every 6 months. Our results show that the two treatments were equally effective. The relapse-free rates at 12 months were 71% in patients receiving the intermittent treatment and 66% in patients given the continuous treatment. This difference is not statically significant. Further studies are needed to assess whether the intermittent regimen can be an alternative to life-long treatment in patients who have maintained remission for a long period of time.
Bardazzi
G
G
U.O. di Gastroenterologia, Policlinico Careggi, Firenze, Italy.
d'Albasio
G
G
Bonanomi
A G
AG
Trallori
G
G
Messori
A
A
Amorosi
A
A
Bartoletti
L
L
Morettini
A
A
Pacini
F
F
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D019804:Mesalamine