title: Combined diosmectite and mesalazine treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relapse rate of ulcerative colitis (UC) is high. The efficacy of combined diosmectite and mesalazine treatment for active mild-to-moderate UC was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 patients with UC were enrolled in this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study. Sixty patients were assigned to the Diosmectite group (diosmectite and mesalazine) and 60 were assigned to Placebo group (placebo and mesalazine). In the induction phase, the primary end point was the clinical remission rate at 8 weeks; secondary end points were clinical response, endothelial mucosal healing, Mayo score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, and defecation frequency. In the maintenance phase, the primary end point was clinical remission at 52 weeks; secondary end points were clinical response, endothelial mucosal healing, Mayo score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and defecation frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 8 weeks, the Diosmectite group had a significantly higher clinical remission rate (68.3% vs. 50%) and mucosal healing rate (66.7% vs. 48.3%) compared with the Placebo group. There were no significant differences in clinical response rates, Mayo score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, or defecation frequency. At 52 weeks, the Diosmectite group had a significantly higher clinical remission rate (61.7% vs. 40%) and mucosal healing rate (60% vs. 38.3%) compared with the Placebo group. Defecation frequency was lower, but this was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined diosmectite and mesalazine treatment successfully induced and maintained the treatment of active mild-to-moderate UC as indicated by higher rates of clinical remission and mucosal healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Chinese PLA General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xue-Liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Hua-Hong
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Hui-Fei
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000737:chemistry; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017640:Silicates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017640:Silicates; D019804:Mesalamine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C033214:Smectite