Efficacy and Safety of Adsorptive Granulocyte and Monocyte Apheresis in Elderly and Pregnant Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Ther Apher Dial. 2019 Jun;23(3):217-223. doi: 10.1111/1744-9987.12818. Epub 2019 May 26.

Abstract

In patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) is expected to promote remission. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GMA in patients with active UC. Twenty-one UC patients including five pregnant or lactating mothers and four elderly patients (aged >60 years) received up to 10 GMA sessions. UC severity was evaluated at baseline and after GMA therapy according to Lichtiger's Clinical Activity Index (CAI). We defined clinical remission as CAI ≤4. Overall, the median CAI score after GMA therapy had decreased from 9 to 4 (P < 0.001). The clinical remission rate was 62%, but in the elderly and pregnant or lactating mothers, the remission rates were 100% and 60%, respectively. No severe adverse effects were seen in this study. Our results may support GMA as an effective and safe treatment for active UC patients, including elderly patients and pregnant cases.

Keywords: Adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis; Elderly patient; Lactating mother; Ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption / physiology
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / diagnosis*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / therapy*
  • Female
  • Granulocytes / cytology
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Leukapheresis / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Patient Safety*
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome