Oral mesalamine (Pentasa) as maintenance treatment in Crohn's disease: a multicenter placebo-controlled study. The Groupe d'Etudes Thérapeutiques des Affections Inflammatoires Digestives (GETAID)
BACKGROUND
Mesalamine provides a new therapeutic approach in treating Crohn's disease.


METHODS
To assess the efficacy and safety of slow-release mesalamine (Pentasa; Ferring AS, Vanløse, Denmark) in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease, 161 patients with inactive disease were randomized to receive either Pentasa (2 g/day) or placebo in a 2-year double-blind, multicenter trial. Two strata were defined according to the duration of their remission: < 3 months (n = 64) or 3-24 months (n = 97), presumed to be high and a low relapse risk strata, respectively.


RESULTS
The probability of relapse was higher in the short-remission placebo group than in the three other groups (P < 0.003), showing there was a significant benefit from Pentasa in the high relapse risk stratum. In this stratum, the 2-year ongoing remission rate was of 29% +/- 9% and 45% +/- 11% (mean +/- SD) in the placebo and Pentasa groups, respectively. The incidences of side effects were similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Pentasa (2 g/day for 2 years) is a safe and effective maintenance treatment for Crohn's disease when given within 3 months of achieving remission.
Gendre
J P
JP
Hôpital Rothschid, Paris, France.
Mary
J Y
JY
Florent
C
C
Modigliani
R
R
Colombel
J F
JF
Soulé
J C
JC
Galmiche
J P
JP
Lerebours
E
E
Descos
L
L
Viteau
J M
JM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D019804:Mesalamine