Ursodeoxycholic acid has no influence on function after restorative proctocolectomy in ulcerative colitis.
BACKGROUND
Poor pouch function is associated with impaired bile acid absorption and increased faecal loss of bile acids. Bile acid replacement therapy might therefore be of clinical benefit, provided that diarrhoea is not aggravated by therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of exogenous bile acid therapy in patients with poor pouch function after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.


METHODS
Twenty ulcerative colitis patients with poor pouch function (score > 4 on a 12-point score) were recruited for inclusion to a prospective, randomized, double-blind crossover, placebo-controlled trial of ursodeoxycholic acid (10 mg/kg per day in two divided doses for 1 month).


RESULTS
A total of 16 patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in the functional score or bowel frequency following treatment irrespective of whether the active treatment was given before or after placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that ursodeoxycholic acid given over 4 weeks had no influence on functional score or bowel frequency after restorative proctocolectomy for U.C.
Tan
H T
HT
University Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Morton
D
D
Bain
I M
IM
Keighley
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001646:Bile / Q000502:physiology*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000601:surgery; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid