Efficacy and safety of azathioprine maintenance therapy in a group of Crohn's disease patients in China

Journal of Digestive Diseases
Jia Ju ZhengBi Wu Seng

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of long-term azathioprine maintenance therapy in a group of Chinese patients with Crohn's disease. The efficacy of azathioprine (2.0 mg/kg/day) in controlling the disease relapse in 13 patients with Crohn's disease following clinical remission by prednisone or surgery were investigated. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and the Harvey-Bradshaw index, the reduction of steroid dosage and side-effects for an average of 18 months follow up were analyzed. Azathioprine was effective in controlling the disease relapse in 10 (by CDAI scores) or 11 (by Harvey -Bradshaw index) of 13 patients (76.9% and 84.6%, respectively) for at least 6 months. Azathioprine was not discontinued in a patient who experienced a temporary and mild elevation of aminotransferases 14 months after the initiation of therapy. However one patient who was co-administered with azathioprine and mesalamine (Pentasa) developed an episode of bone marrow suppression that ultimately required the withdrawal of both medications. Azathioprine is an effective agent which controls the relapse of Crohn's disease in most patients. Long-term remission can be achieved. Side-effects, including severe leukopenia, myelo-suppression and ...Continue Reading

References

Mar 8, 1980·Lancet·R F Harvey, J M Bradshaw
Jul 15, 1995·Annals of Internal Medicine·D C PearsonL R Sutherland
Jun 5, 2004·Gastroenterology Clinics of North America·Chinyu Su, Gary R Lichtenstein
Jun 9, 2005·Gastroenterology·Marc LémannUNKNOWN Groupe D'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du Tube Digestif
Oct 26, 2005·Chinese Journal of Digestive Diseases·Jia Ju ZhengZhen Wang

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Citations

Jul 21, 2010·Inflammatory Bowel Diseases·Kelvin T ThiaChoon-Jin Ooi
Apr 14, 2012·Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology·Lani PrideauxSiew C Ng
Sep 28, 2013·Journal of Translational Medicine·Jianghong WuShudong Xiao
May 16, 2013·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Kumi IshidaKazuhide Higuchi
Mar 16, 2011·Journal of Digestive Diseases·Jia Ju ZhengBi Wu Shen

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