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Improved maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis by balsalazide 4 g/day compared with 2 g/day
Author(s) -
GIAFFER M. H.,
HOLDSWORTH C. D.,
LENNARDJONES J. E.,
RODRIGUES C. A.,
MCINTYRE P. B.,
MANJUNATHA S.,
BARON J. H.,
BARRISON I. G.,
POLSON R. J.,
HOARE A. M.,
DAVIES G. S. R.,
THORNTON P. C.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.1992.tb00561.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ulcerative colitis , sigmoidoscopy , gastroenterology , colitis , maintenance therapy , surgery , chemotherapy , colonoscopy , disease , colorectal cancer , cancer
SUMMARY The efficacy of two doses of balsalazide for the maintenance of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis was compared in a double‐blind multicentre trial. Sixty‐five patients received a 2 g daily dose, and 68 a 4 g dose. The patient groups were similar at entry for sex, age, and disease distribution. Clinical assessment was carried out at 3‐monthly intervals, with sigmoidoscopy, rectal biopsy, and blood tests on entry and at 26 and 52 weeks. Clinical relapse over twelve months was significantly less common on the 4 g dose (36%), than on the 2 g dose (55%), P < 0.01. There were eight withdrawals on 2 g daily and 13 on 4 g daily, six and nine respectively being mainly due to gastrointestinal intolerance. It is concluded that balsalazide is a well‐tolerated drug, and is effective for the maintenance of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, the optimal dose being greater than 2 g daily.