title: [No best treatment for severe outbreaks: Maintenance, the key in colitis].
abstract: Several drugs are currently available to maintain remission in patients who have responded after one or other type of induction therapy, depending on the initial severity of the outbreak. Salicylates are the drugs of choice to maintain remission after a mild-to-moderate outbreak controlled by salicylates or oral corticosteroids. To maintain remission after a severe outbreak or in patients with corticosteroid dependence or resistance, thiopurines are the drugs of choice. In patients who have failed to respond to thiopurines and in those with thiopurine intolerance, biological agents, mainly infliximab, can be used to maintain remission in patients after induction therapy with infliximab for a severe outbreak. However, these scenarios may not reflect reality of gastroenterologists' daily clinical practice. Treatment will therefore be based on the patient's individual characteristics (age, clinical course, previous treatment, adverse effects and personal preferences) as well as the physician's medical art.
authors.affiliation: F.E.A. Aparato Digestivo, Complejo Universitario de Burgos, España.  bsicilia4@gmail.com
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sicilia
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057240:Patient Preference; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012459:Salicylates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: Evidence; Evidencia; Grade of recommendation; Grado de recomendación; Maintenance; Mantenimiento; Remisión; Remission; Tratamiento; Treatment