Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: : Thirty-seven patients with chronic active Crohn's disease and a Crohn's disease activity index of > 150 were enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria were steroid dependence (n = 19), steroid refractoriness (n = 9) and/or intolerance (n = 16) or refractoriness (n = 6) to azathioprine. Patients were treated with 40 mg/day of 6-thioguanine for 24 weeks; a dose escalation to 80 mg was allowed at week 12. Remission was defined as a Crohn's disease activity index of < 150 associated with a decrease of > 70 points; response was defined as a decrease of > 70 points in the Crohn's disease activity index. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: : In this patient group with chronic active Crohn's disease, 6-thioguanine appeared to be effective with acceptable short-term toxicity, but long-term controlled trials are clearly needed to further define its role.
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Authors | K R Herrlinger, W Kreisel, M Schwab, J Schoelmerich, W E Fleig, A Ruhl, M Reinshagen, P Deibert, K Fellermann, R Greinwald, E F Stange |
Journal | Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
(Aliment Pharmacol Ther)
Vol. 17
Issue 4
Pg. 503-8
(Feb 15 2003)
ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England |
PMID | 12622758
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Mercaptopurine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Chronic Disease
- Crohn Disease
(drug therapy)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Male
- Mercaptopurine
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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