Long-term maintenance treatment of ulcerative colitis in eastern India: a 15-year follow-up. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ray, Gautam
• Is Part Of: Tropical doctor. Volume 48:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Ulcerative colitis -- maintenance treatment -- India; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing Countries -- Periodicals; Tropical Medicine -- Periodicals; Tropische geneeskunde; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1177/0049475518765291
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0049-4755

Abstract

Clinical data of 65 histologically documented ulcerative colitis patients from January 2001 to December 2013 were prospectively recorded till June 2017 and analysed to determine the outcome of long-term maintenance treatment. Drugs used were 5-aminosalicylates, steroids and azathioprine. Primary outcome measure was relapse. Though 73.8% patients relapsed, most occurred within the first five years with mild to moderate severity and were easily controlled with the same medicines. None had progressive disease; drug discontinuation was possible in six cases. Side effects of drugs were negligible. Rates of surgery, colon cancer, complications and disease-related death were very low. Longer disease duration, azathioprine discontinuation and 5-aminosalicylate use in dose < 2.4 g/d were positively associated with relapses. Biologics were not used in any patient. We conclude that long-term effective use of low-cost drugs in India may obviate the need for newer more expensive drugs.