Predictive factors of efficacy of leukocytapheresis for steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis patients.
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of leukocytapheresis against ulcerative colitis has been reported. However, the efficacy of this therapy for steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis patients has hardly been examined.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of leukocytapheresis for steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis patients and to identify clinical factors that predict the efficacy of this therapy for these patients.


METHODS
Clinical factors of 71 steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis patients who underwent leukocytapheresis analysed.


RESULTS
Of those analysed, 53 (75%) patients showed an initial response to leukocytapheresis. Among cases with initial response, however, only 19 (27%) patients maintained remission for more than 6 months. Steroid-dependent course (Odds ratio =5.53, 95% confidence interval; 1.24-24.73) and a high C-reactive protein degree (Odds ratio=1.6, confidence interval; 1.09-2.35) were predictors of initial response to leukocytapheresis. Rapid response, which means remission induction within three leukocytapheresis sessions, was the only predictor of maintenance of remission for more than 6 months after successful leukocytapheresis therapy (odds ratio=8.01, confidence interval; 1.08-59.37).


CONCLUSIONS
Leukocytapheresis was effective for steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis patients. However, relapse was frequently observed within short periods after the initial response to this therapy. Patients without a rapid response should be treated with alternative or additional therapies.
Takemoto
K
K
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
Kato
J
J
Kuriyama
M
M
Nawa
T
T
Kurome
M
M
Okada
H
H
Sakaguchi
K
K
Shiratori
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013256:Steroids