[Treatment of patients with severe glucocorticoid-refractory ulcerative colitis: cyclosporine or infliximab?].

Cyclosporine and infliximab are so-called 'rescue-therapies' as last resort for the treatment of patients with severe glucocorticoid-refractory ulcerative colitis. A recent study found that cyclosporine and infliximab are similar in terms of efficacy in the treatment of patients with severe ulcerative colitis. Cyclosporine may be prescribed as a bridge to treatment with thiopurines; infliximab may be prescribed when a patient is intolerant or refractory to thiopurines. Preoperative treatment with cyclosporine or infliximab does not affect the number of postoperative complications.