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  • Title: Factors affecting short- and long-term effects of leukocyte removal therapy in active ulcerative colitis.
    Author: Nakano R, Iwakiri R, Ikeda Y, Kishi T, Tsuruoka N, Shimoda R, Sakata Y, Yamaguchi K, Fujimoto K.
    Journal: J Gastroenterol Hepatol; 2013 Feb; 28(2):303-8. PubMed ID: 23339387.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Leukocyte removal therapy (LRT) is recognized as an effective treatment for active ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, factors associated with the efficacy and long-term effects of LRT were evaluated. METHODS: From April 1998 to March 2010, 98 patients with moderate to severe UC were randomly assigned to granulocyte and monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis (GMA) (n = 47) or leukocytapheresis (LCAP) (n = 51) treatment. Patients received two sessions of LRT in the first week, followed by three weekly administrations. All patients were treated with 5-aminosalicylic acid and corticosteroid. Steroid doses were tapered if patients achieved clinical improvement. Clinical remission was defined as a decrease in clinical activity index to < 4 and endoscopic findings to Matts' grade 1 or 2. When clinical activity index decreased but still remained ≥ 5 and Matts' grading was 1 or 2, the patient was considered to have improved. Patients were observed for at least 1 year and diagnosed as relapsed when additional treatment was required. RESULTS: Seventy-one (73%) patients achieved clinical remission or improvement. No significant difference was found between LCAP and GMA. Increased age, ≥ 3 attacks of UC, and ≥ 2 sessions of LRT were indicative of refractoriness to LRT. During 1 year observation, 28 patients were relapsed. Duration of UC, ≥ 3 attacks of UC, and ≥ 2 sessions of LRT were indicative of refractoriness to the long-term effects of LRT. CONCLUSION: Both GMA and LCAP were effective to treat active UC. However, long duration of UC, multiple UC attacks, and past history of LRT reduce the efficacy.
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