title: Efficacy and safety of azathioprine maintenance therapy in a group of Crohn's disease patients in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of long-term azathioprine maintenance therapy in a group of Chinese patients with Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The efficacy of azathioprine (2.0 mg/kg/day) in controlling the disease relapse in 13 patients with Crohn's disease following clinical remission by prednisone or surgery were investigated. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and the Harvey-Bradshaw index, the reduction of steroid dosage and side-effects for an average of 18 months follow up were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Azathioprine was effective in controlling the disease relapse in 10 (by CDAI scores) or 11 (by Harvey -Bradshaw index) of 13 patients (76.9% and 84.6%, respectively) for at least 6 months. Azathioprine was not discontinued in a patient who experienced a temporary and mild elevation of aminotransferases 14 months after the initiation of therapy. However one patient who was co-administered with azathioprine and mesalamine (Pentasa) developed an episode of bone marrow suppression that ultimately required the withdrawal of both medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Azathioprine is an effective agent which controls the relapse of Crohn's disease in most patients. Long-term remission can be achieved. Side-effects, including severe leukopenia, myelo-suppression and the mild elevation of hepatic enzymes, may occur in a small number of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China. zhengji2218@163.com
authors.forename: Jia Ju
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xing Qi
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Xiao Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Chun Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Bi Wu
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Seng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine