The efficacy of cyclosporine A as salvage therapy for severe active ulcerative colitis refractory to glucocorticoid / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To clarify the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine A CsA) as salvage therapy in patients with severe active ulcerative colitis (UC) and refractory to steroids.Methods A total of 24 severe active UC patients refractory to steroids and hospitalized from 2006 to 2012,were retrospectively enrolled.Data including demographic features,clinical manifestations,laboratory tests and medications were collected.Results CsA was effective in 15 (62.5％) patients,who did not receive colectomy during 12-week administration.This regimen was tolerable in most patients.Twelve (50.0％) patients reported 16 adverse events,but only one patient withdrew CsA due to intolerance.The rates of adverse events in initial intravenous CsA including 4 mg · kg-1 · d-1,3 mg · kg-1 · d-1 and 2 mg· kg-1 · d-1 were 2/2,9/17 and 1/5 respectively.Responders had higher white blood cell count compared with non-responders (P =0.045).Conclusions CsA could be an effective alternative regimen to colectomy in severe active UC patients who are refractory to steroids.