Azathioprine or methotrexate in the treatment of patients with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis: results of an open-label study on efficacy and tolerability in inducing and maintaining remission

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Oct;16(10):1751-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01340.x.

Abstract

Background: The role of azathioprine and methotrexate in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis is still controversial.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of these two drugs in a series of patients with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant active ulcerative colitis.

Methods: Forty-two patients were treated with a daily dose of azathioprine (2 mg/kg) and, if intolerant or not responding, with methotrexate (12.5 mg/week intramuscularly), and their efficacy was established by clinical, endoscopic and histological examinations at 6 months. Patients achieving clinical remission continued with treatment and were followed up.

Results: Of the 42 patients on azathioprine, 10 experienced early side-effects requiring withdrawal from treatment, 22 (69%) achieved complete remission, six (19%) achieved improvement and four (12%) obtained no substantial benefit. Methotrexate, administered to eight patients intolerant to and two patients resistant to azathioprine, induced complete remission in six patients (60%) and improvement in four (40%). During follow-up, a larger number of patients on azathioprine relapsed in comparison with patients on methotrexate [16/28 (57%) vs. 2/10 (20%), respectively; P < 0.05]. Only minor side-effects were observed on both treatments.

Conclusions: Azathioprine is effective in patients with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis. Methotrexate seems to be a good alternative in patients intolerant to or not responding to azathioprine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Remission Induction
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine
  • Prednisone
  • Methotrexate