title: Clinical trial: randomized-controlled clinical study comparing the efficacy and safety of a low-volume vs. a high-volume mesalazine foam in active distal ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rectally administered mesalazine (mesalamine; 5-aminosalicylic acid) is the first-line therapy for treatment of distal ulcerative colitis. Recently, a high-volume 5-aminosalicylic acid foam has been shown to be as effective and safe as standard 5-aminosalicylic acid enema.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy and safety of a low-volume vs. a high-volume 5-aminosalicylic acid foam.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this investigator-blinded study, patients with active distal ulcerative colitis [Clinical Activity Index (CAI) > 4, Endoscopic Index > or = 4] were randomized to receive 2 x 1 g/30 mL low-volume (n = 163) or 2 x 1 g/60 mL high-volume 5-aminosalicylic acid foam (n = 167) for 42 days. Primary end point was clinical remission (CAI < or = 4) at the final/withdrawal visit (per-protocol).
  
  
  RESULTS
  330 patients were evaluable for efficacy and safety by intention-to-treat, 290 for per-protocol analysis. Clinical remission rates at week 6 (per-protocol) were 77% on low-volume foam vs. 77% on high-volume foam (P = 0.00002 for non-inferiority). The low-volume foam was associated with a lower frequency of severe discomfort, pain and retention problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-volume 5-aminosalicylic acid foam is as effective and safe as a high-volume 5-aminosalicylic acid foam in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis, but offers compliance advantages compared to the high-volume preparation.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. r_eliakim@rambam.health.gov.il
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eliakim
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tulassay
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kupcinskas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adamonis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pokrotnieks
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bar-Meir
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lavy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greinwald
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chermesh
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D019804:Mesalamine