Long-term outcome of ulcerative colitis in patients who achieve clinical remission with a first course of corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Although the early outcomes of ulcerative colitis after a first course of corticosteroids are well known, data on long-term disease evolution in patients responding to a first corticosteroid course are scarce. AIMS: To evaluate the long-term clinical evolution in ulcerative colitis patients responding to a first course of corticosteroids and to identify those factors associated with a poorer outcome.
METHODS: Retrospective review of 114 patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis who responded to the first corticosteroid course, and did not start thereafter maintenance therapy with thiopurines were included.
RESULTS: Corticosteroids were prescribed because of a moderate (78%) or a severe flare (22%). All but two patients followed maintenance treatment with mesalazine after corticosteroid discontinuation. After a median follow-up of 83 months (7-156), 72% of patients suffered new relapses leading to corticosteroid reintroduction in 65% of patients. The earlier corticosteroids were introduced in the course of ulcerative colitis, the higher the risk of relapse and corticosteroid reintroduction. Thiopurines were started in 51%, and infliximab in 19%. Eleven percent of patients underwent colectomy. No predictors of thiopurine use or colectomy were found.
CONCLUSIONS: Half of the ulcerative colitis patients responding to a first course of corticosteroids will require immunosuppressors mainly because of steroid-dependence.