Abstract |
To assess the value of azathioprine in the maintenance therapy of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis a controlled trial of azathioprine withdrawal was carried out in 50 patients who had been maintained in remission on a combination of azathioprine and prednisolone. The patients were randomly allocated to remain on combination therapy (23) or to discontinue azathioprine (27). These 2 groups were comparable at the start of the study. Over a follow-up period of up to 3 years, biochemical and histological relapse occurred in 8 patients in the azathioprine-withdrawal group but in only 1 patient in the combination-therapy group. Cumulative probability of relapse was 32% among the patients in the withdrawal group, compared with 6.0% for those in the combination group.
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Authors | A J Stellon, J E Hegarty, B Portmann, R Williams |
Journal | Lancet (London, England)
(Lancet)
Vol. 1
Issue 8430
Pg. 668-70
(Mar 23 1985)
ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England |
PMID | 2858619
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Prednisolone
- Azathioprine
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Autoimmune Diseases
(drug therapy)
- Azathioprine
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Hepatitis, Chronic
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prednisolone
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Random Allocation
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