Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Twenty-five patients with active Crohn's disease were treated with oral clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. in an open label study. Treatment was for an initial 4-week period, continued to 12 weeks in patients who had shown a partial or complete response. The patients had a median age of 30 years (range 17-72), and disease duration of 5 years (range 2 months-28 years); 14 had ileocolonic, four small bowel, seven colonic disease and 10 had previous resections. Twenty patients were receiving a 5-ASA preparation, 15 corticosteroids ( prednisolone median dose 10 mg range 2-30 mg) and nine azathioprine. All patients receiving corticosteroids or azathioprine had been on unchanged treatment for at least 12 weeks. RESULTS: Median pre-treatment Harvey Bradshaw index (HBI) was 9 (range 5-16) and median serum C-reactive protein was 21.5 mg/L (range < 5-117). By 4 weeks the median HBI had decreased to 5 (range 0-18) (P < 0.001) and median CRP to 17 mg/L (range < 5-157) (P=0.16). Sixteen patients (64%) had at least a 3 point fall in HBI and remission (defined as a HBI less than or equal to 4) was achieved in 12 patients (48%). By 12 weeks median HBI was 5 (range 0-18) (P < 0.001) and median CRP was 14.5 mg/L (range < 5-157) (P=0.05). Eleven of the 25 patients studied continued on oral clarithromycin after 12 weeks for a median of 28 weeks (range 20-60). Eight (73%) remained in remission on treatment. When treatment with clarithromycin was stopped three remained in remission and five relapsed after a median of 5 months (range 4-9). Two patients withdrew due to non-serious side-effects. Treatment was well tolerated in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | K Leiper, A I Morris, J M Rhodes |
Journal | Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
(Aliment Pharmacol Ther)
Vol. 14
Issue 6
Pg. 801-6
(Jun 2000)
ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England |
PMID | 10848665
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Clarithromycin
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Clarithromycin
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Crohn Disease
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Patient Compliance
- Recurrence
- Severity of Illness Index
- Treatment Outcome
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