Brian Bressler1, John K Marshall2, Charles N Bernstein3, Alain Bitton4, Jennifer Jones5, Grigorios I Leontiadis2, Remo Panaccione6, A Hillary Steinhart7, Francis Tse2, Brian Feagan8. 1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia. Electronic address: brian_bressler@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. 3. IBD Clinical and Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 4. Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec. 5. Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 6. Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 7. Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. 8. Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The medical management of ulcerative colitis (UC) has improved through the development of new therapies and novel approaches that optimize existing drugs. Previous Canadian consensus guidelines addressed the management of severe UC in the hospitalized patient. We now present consensus guidelines for the treatment of ambulatory patients with mild to severe active UC. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified studies on the management of UC. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Statements were developed through an iterative online platform and then finalized and voted on by a working group of specialists. RESULTS: The participants concluded that the goal of therapy is complete remission, defined as both symptomatic and endoscopic remission without corticosteroid therapy. The consensus includes 34 statements focused on 5 main drug classes: 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies, and other therapies. Oral and rectal 5-ASA are recommended first-line therapy for mild to moderate UC, with corticosteroid therapy for those who fail to achieve remission. Patients with moderate to severe UC should undergo a course of oral corticosteroid therapy, with transition to 5-ASA, thiopurine, anti-TNF (with or without thiopurine or methotrexate), or vedolizumab maintenance therapy in those who successfully achieve symptomatic remission. For patients with corticosteroid-resistant/dependent UC, anti-TNF or vedolizumab therapy is recommended. Timely assessments of response and remission are critical to ensuring optimal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal management of UC requires careful patient assessment, evidence-based use of existing therapies, and thorough assessment to define treatment success.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The medical management of ulcerative colitis (UC) has improved through the development of new therapies and novel approaches that optimize existing drugs. Previous Canadian consensus guidelines addressed the management of severe UC in the hospitalized patient. We now present consensus guidelines for the treatment of ambulatory patients with mild to severe active UC. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified studies on the management of UC. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Statements were developed through an iterative online platform and then finalized and voted on by a working group of specialists. RESULTS: The participants concluded that the goal of therapy is complete remission, defined as both symptomatic and endoscopic remission without corticosteroid therapy. The consensus includes 34 statements focused on 5 main drug classes: 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies, and other therapies. Oral and rectal 5-ASA are recommended first-line therapy for mild to moderate UC, with corticosteroid therapy for those who fail to achieve remission. Patients with moderate to severe UC should undergo a course of oral corticosteroid therapy, with transition to 5-ASA, thiopurine, anti-TNF (with or without thiopurine or methotrexate), or vedolizumab maintenance therapy in those who successfully achieve symptomatic remission. For patients with corticosteroid-resistant/dependent UC, anti-TNF or vedolizumab therapy is recommended. Timely assessments of response and remission are critical to ensuring optimal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal management of UC requires careful patient assessment, evidence-based use of existing therapies, and thorough assessment to define treatment success.
Authors: Christopher Ma; William J Sandborn; Geert R D'Haens; Guangyong Zou; Larry W Stitt; Siddharth Singh; Ashwin N Ananthakrishnan; Parambir S Dulai; Reena Khanna; Vipul Jairath; Brian G Feagan Journal: Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2019-09-20 Impact factor: 11.382