Combined use of cyclosporine and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Management of Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis, Part 2: Acute Severe Colitis-An Evidence-based Consensus Guideline From the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization and the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Acute severe colitis (ASC) is one of the few emergencies in pediatric gastroenterology. Tight monitoring and timely medical and surgical interventions may improve outcomes and minimize morbidity and mortality. We aimed to standardize daily treatment of ASC in children through detailed recommendations and practice points which are based on a systematic review of the literature and consensus of experts.

METHODS

These guidelines are a joint effort of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) and the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Fifteen predefined questions were addressed by working subgroups. An iterative consensus process, including 2 face-to-face meetings, was followed by voting of the national representatives of ECCO and all members of the Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Porto group of ESPGHAN (43 voting experts).

RESULTS

A total of 24 recommendations and 43 practice points were endorsed with a consensus rate of at least 91% regarding diagnosis, monitoring, and management of ASC in children. A summary flowchart is presented based on daily scoring of the Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index. Several topics have been altered since the previous 2011 guidelines and from those published in adults.

DISCUSSION

These guidelines standardize the management of ASC in children in an attempt to optimize outcomes of this intensive clinical scenario.

Acute severe ulcerative colitis: State of the art treatment

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a potentially life-threatening condition. In the present review, we give a broad overview of the state of the art in the management of this condition. A systematic bibliographic search was performed in PubMed. Patient with ASUC should be hospitalized and managed by a multidisciplinary team (gastroenterologist plus surgeon). Intravenous corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of medical therapy. However, about 30% of patients do not respond. After failing 3-5 days of corticosteroids, patients should be considered for either rescue medical therapy or for colectomy. Cyclosporin and infliximab are similarly effective and safe. Cyclosporin should be mainly used as a "bridge" in thiopurine-naïve patients. More recently, infliximab has become the most widely used salvage therapy. Third-line salvage therapy with either cyclosporin or infliximab is efficacious in some patients but carries a significant risk of complications. Colectomy is appropriate in case of complications or medical rescue therapy failure.

Management of acute severe ulcerative colitis in children

The incidence of pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) is rising. Children often present with a more severe disease phenotype as compared to adults with over a third requiring hospitalization for the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). Further, in pediatric patients presenting with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) limited to the colon, a definitive diagnosis of UC vs. Crohn's disease is often unclear. Here, we review the unique aspects of pediatric ASUC including the epidemiology, diagnosis, medical, and surgical management of this disease.

[Second Korean Guideline for the Management of Ulcerative Colitis]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. The direct and indirect costs of the treatment of UC are high, and the quality of life of patients is reduced, especially during exacerbation of the disease. The incidence and prevalence of UC in Korea are still lower than those of Western countries, but have been rapidly increasing during the past decades. Various medical and surgical therapies, including biologics, are currently used for the management of UC. However, many challenging issues exist, which sometimes lead to differences in practice between clinicians. Therefore, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases established the first Korean guideline for the management of UC in 2012. This is an update of the first guideline. It was generally made by the adaptation of several foreign guidelines as was the first edition, and encompasses treatment of active colitis, maintenance of remission, and indication of surgery for UC. The specific recommendations are presented with the quality of evidence and classification of recommendations.

Second Korean guidelines for the management of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. The direct and indirect costs of the treatment of UC are high, and the quality of life of patients is reduced, especially during exacerbation of the disease. The incidence and prevalence of UC in Korea are still lower than those of Western countries, but have been rapidly increasing during the past decades. Various medical and surgical therapies, including biologics, are currently used for the management of UC. However, many challenging issues exist, which sometimes lead to differences in practice between clinicians. Therefore, the IBD study group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases established the first Korean guidelines for the management of UC in 2012. This is an update of the first guidelines. It was generally made by the adaptation of several foreign guidelines as was the first edition, and encompasses treatment of active colitis, maintenance of remission, and indication of surgery for UC. The specific recommendations are presented with the quality of evidence and classification of recommendations.

Oral tacrolimus for pediatric steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) occurring during childhood is generally extensive and is associated with severe flares that may require intravenous steroid treatment. In cases of corticosteroid resistance is necessary to introduce a second-line treatment to avoid or delay surgery.

AIMS

To describe the efficacy and safety of oral tacrolimus for the treatment of severe steroid-resistant UC.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study that included all patients under age 18 suffering from severe steroid-resistant UC treated with oral tacrolimus during the period January 1998 to October 2012 and with a follow-up period after treatment of 24 months or more.

RESULTS

A total of ten patients were included. The age at baseline was 9.4±4.9 years, and the time from diagnosis was 1.3 months (IQR, 1-5.7). Seven of the patients were in their first flare of disease. All of them received an oral dose of 0.12 mg/kg/day of tacrolimus divided in two doses. Trough plasma levels of tacrolimus were maintained between 4 and 13 ng/ml. Response was seen in 5/10 patients at 12 months, colectomy was eventually performed in 60% of patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Tacrolimus is useful in inducing remission in patients with severe steroid-resistant UC, preventing or delaying colectomy, and allowing the patient and family to prepare for a probable surgery. Tacrolimus may also be used as a treatment bridge for corticosteroid-dependent patients until the new maintenance therapy takes effect.

Treatment of hospitalized adult patients with severe ulcerative colitis: Toronto consensus statements

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to provide updated explicit and relevant consensus statements for clinicians to refer to when managing hospitalized adult patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology consensus group of 23 voting participants developed a series of recommendation statements that addressed pertinent clinical questions. An iterative voting and feedback process was used to do this in conjunction with systematic literature reviews. These statements were brought to a formal consensus meeting held in Toronto, Ontario (March 2010), when each statement was discussed, reformulated, voted upon, and subsequently revised until group consensus (at least 80% agreement) was obtained. The modified GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) criteria were used to rate the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence.

RESULTS

As a result of the iterative process, consensus was reached on 21 statements addressing four themes (General considerations and nutritional issues, Steroid use and predictors of steroid failure, Cyclosporine and infliximab, and Surgical issues).

CONCLUSIONS

Key recommendations for the treatment of hospitalized patients with severe UC include early escalation to second-line medical therapy with either infliximab or cyclosporine in individuals in whom parenteral steroids have failed after 72 h. These agents should be used in experienced centers where appropriate support is available. Sequential therapy with cyclosporine and infliximab is not recommended. Surgery is an option when first-line steroid therapy fails, and is indicated when second-line medical therapy fails and/or when complications arise during the hospitalization.

Acute severe ulcerative colitis in children: a systematic review

Pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) has a more severe phenotype, reflected by more extensive disease and a higher rate of acute severe exacerbations. The pooled steroid-failure rate among 291 children from five studies is 34% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27%-41%). It is suggested that corticosteroids should be dosed between 1-1.5 mg/kg up to 40-60 mg daily. Food restriction has a limited role in severe UC and should be generally discouraged in children who do not have a surgical abdomen. Appraisal of radiologic findings in children must recognize the variation in colonic width with age and size. Data suggest that the Pediatric UC Activity Index (PUCAI), determined at day 3, should be used to screen for patients likely to fail corticosteroids (>45 points), and at day 5 to dictate the introduction of second-line therapy (>65-70 points). Cyclosporine is successful in children with severe colitis but its use should be restricted to 3-4 months while bridging to thiopurine treatment (pooled short-term success rate 81% [95% CI: 76%-86%]; n = 94 from eight studies). Infliximab may be as effective as cyclosporine (75% pooled short-term response (95% CI: 67%-83%); n = 126, six studies) with a pooled 1-year response of 64% (95% CI: 56%-72%). In toxic megacolon, in patients refractory to one salvage medical therapy, and in chronic severe disease, colectomy may be preferred. Decision-making regarding colectomy in children must consider the toxicity of medication consumed over many future years, the quality of life and self-image associated with either choice, as well as both functional outcomes and, in females, fertility following pouch procedures.

Systematic review of the evidence base for the medical treatment of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the evidence base for the medical (pharmaceutical and nutritional) treatment of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

Key clinical questions were formulated regarding different treatment modalities used in the treatment of paediatric (not adult-onset) IBD, in particular the induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Electronic searches were performed from January 1966 to December 2006, using the electronic search strategy of the Cochrane IBD group. Details of papers were entered on a dedicated database, reviewed in abstract form, and disseminated in full for appraisal. Clinical guidelines were appraised using the AGREE instrument and all other relevant papers were appraised using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology, with evidence levels given to all papers.

RESULTS

A total of 6285 papers were identified, of which 1255 involved children; these were entered on the database. After critical appraisal, only 103 publications met our criteria as evidence on medical treatment of paediatric IBD. We identified 3 clinical guidelines, 1 systematic review, and 16 randomised controlled trials; all were of variable quality, with none getting the highest methodological scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first comprehensive review of the evidence base for the treatment of paediatric IBD, highlighting the paucity of trials of high methodological quality. As a result, the development of clinical guidelines for managing children and young people with IBD must be consensus based, informed by the best-available evidence from the paediatric literature and high-quality data from the adult IBD literature, together with the clinical expertise and multidisciplinary experience of paediatric IBD experts.

Specific considerations in the treatment of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disorders and commonly presents during childhood or adolescence. Occurring during a critical period of growth and development, pediatric Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis require special consideration. Children often experience growth failure, malnutrition, pubertal delay and bone demineralization. Medical treatment must be optimized to promote clinical improvement and reverse growth failure with minimal toxicity. In addition to pharmacologic and surgical interventions, nutritional therapies play a vital role in the management of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. This review will outline the epidemiology and clinical complications that are unique to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, current trends, and recent advances in nutritional and pharmacologic treatment, and projected future therapeutic direction.

Infliximab delays but does not avoid the need for surgery in treatment-resistant pediatric Crohn' disease

The aim of this study was to review the impact of infliximab therapy on children with treatment-resistant Crohn's disease. Treatment resistance was defined as clinically active disease despite >4 months of immunosuppressive therapy. The outcome variables were time to first remission, duration of remission and the need for surgery. 24 children received 90 infusions of infliximab (16 boys; median 10.3y, range 1.0-14.4y); all had three infusions as an induction course. 17 (70.8%) achieved clinical remission, with 14/17 (82.3%) relapsing within 4 months of the third infusion. 6/7 in the non-responding group and 8/17 of the responders required surgery with an insignificant difference in the median time to surgery (p=0.49). Four remain dependent on regular infliximab. Infliximab is well-tolerated and highly effective in achieving clinical remission in children with refractory Crohn's disease but may only delay and not avoid the need for surgery. Failure to achieve clinical remission by the 3rd infusion significantly increases the risk of surgery.

Extracorporeal leukocyte removal therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present paper was to investigate efficacy of leukocytapheresis (LCAP) or granulocytapheresis (GCAP) in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), including reduction of the total dose and side-effects of corticosteroids.

METHODS

Courses of five Japanese adolescents with UC were analyzed. Four patients had recurrent UC with repeated remissions and exacerbations despite therapy including 5-aminosalicylic acid in combination with a corticosteroid. The other patient had a first attack. Effectiveness of adding LCAP or GCAP was assessed with regard to short-term changes in clinical activity, complications, and longer-term outcome.

RESULTS

Clinical improvement was attained in three patients, while the other two did not improve and underwent colectomy. One of the two patients had moderately severe complications from LCAP and showed increased clinical activity during LCAP. The other, who began therapy with LCAP alone, had moderate improvement only after addition of a corticosteroid.

CONCLUSION

Additional studies are needed to determine optimum timing of LCAP or GCAP and initiation of remission-maintenance therapy.

Diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease in children

Upwards of 100,000 children and adolescents are affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the United States, and the incidence of IBD appears to be increasing worldwide. Although the diagnosis and differentiation of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is still based on clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and histological findings, newer less invasive serological tests are being employed to help distinguish these disorders and provide prognostic information to possibly guide therapy. Videocapsule endoscopy has increased our ability to detect previously unrecognized small bowel inflammation in selected patients. Whereas initial therapy has historically included aminosalicylates and corticosteroids, recent data suggest the limited efficacy of aminosalicylates in Crohn's disease and the high likelihood or corticosteroid dependence in patients with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. The early use of immunomodulators has become standard-of-care in both disorders and has decreased corticosteroid dependence. The advent of biologic therapy, primarily with infliximab, has dramatically improved short-term outcomes in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Longer-term data on whether infliximab changes the natural history of these disorders (eg, requirement for surgery) awaits further study. As more aggressive therapy is being increasingly employed, rare complications such as lymphoma or opportunistic infection have developed.

Topical tacrolimus in the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease: exploratory randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus in treating perianal Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Nineteen patients, stratified into 7 with ulcerating, and 12 with fistulizing, perianal Crohn's disease were randomized to topical tacrolimus 1 mg/g (1 g ointment twice a day [bid]) or placebo for 12 weeks. Sixteen patients had been on, or were currently taking, azathioprine/6-MP, and 6 had received infliximab. The primary outcome in ulcerating disease was global improvement in perianal/anal lesions, as assessed by the attending physician; for fistulas, it was reduction of > or =50% of actively draining fistulas on 2 consecutive visits. Blood tacrolimus levels and adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

Three of 4 patients treated with topical tacrolimus for ulcerating disease improved compared with none of 3 in the placebo group. Complete healing was not achieved. In fistulizing disease, topical tacrolimus was not beneficial. Two tacrolimus-treated patients developed perianal abscesses, 1 after improvement in fistula drainage. Adverse events were otherwise infrequent and mild. Whole blood tacrolimus levels were detectable in only 2 patients and were low.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary data suggest that topical tacrolimus is effective and safe in the treatment of perianal or anal ulcerating Crohn's disease. This therapy is unlikely to be beneficial in fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease, although a larger study is required to confirm this.

Pouch outcomes among children with ulcerative colitis treated with calcineurin inhibitors before ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to describe the outcomes of the pouches of 14 children with ulcerative colitis (UC) who were pretreated with calcineurin inhibitors before they underwent their ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery.

METHODS

An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of the charts of consecutive patients with UC treated with calcineurin inhibitors before undergoing IPAA surgery at a tertiary pediatric center between 1998 and 2003 was performed. The primary endpoint was pouch outcome after at least 2 years of follow-up (healthy pouch, acute pouchitis, chronic refractory pouchitis, or pouch failure); the secondary endpoints were early postoperative complications, number of stages, and time between stages.

RESULTS

Fourteen of 53 consecutive patients who underwent IPAA for UC were treated with calcineurin inhibitors before their surgery (26%; 6 with cyclosporine and 8 with tacrolimus). All 14 patients were concomitantly treated with systemic steroids. Ten patients (71%) were also taking 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine, and 9 (64%) were also taking mesalamine. Three patients (21%) had healthy pouches with no clinical evidence of pouchitis, 6 (43%) had at least one episode of acute pouchitis (average of 2 episodes per year), 3 (21%) had chronic relapsing pouchitis, and 2 (14%) were later determined to have Crohn's disease. There was no pouch failure. Two patients (14%) had an early postoperative complication (intraabdominal abscess, anastomotic stricture). Five patients (36%) had a 2-staged procedure, and 8 (64%) had a 3-staged procedure. For the 2-staged procedures, the mean time between the first and second stages was 3.14 months (range, 3-4 months). For the 3-staged procedures, the mean time between the first and second stages was 4.25 months (range, 2-6 months) and that between the second and third stages was 4 months (range, 2.5-6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, chronic pouchitis was an infrequent complication among children who were pretreated with calcineurin inhibitors. Calcineurin inhibitor use did not lead to or portend increased early postoperative complications or affect the number or duration of surgical stages. Further studies are required to determine if preoperative calcineurin inhibitors improve pouch outcomes or facilitate the performance of 2-staged procedures.

Medical management of left-sided ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis: critical evaluation of therapeutic trials

BACKGROUND

The goal of this work was to critically evaluate the published studies on the treatment of ulcerative proctitis (UP) and left-sided ulcerative colitis (L-UC). The results of this review provided the content for the accompanying treatment guidelines, Clinical Guidelines for the Medical Management of Left-sided Ulcerative Colitis and Ulcerative Proctitis: Summary Statement.

METHODS

All English language articles published between 1995 and September 2005 were identified through a comprehensive literature search using OVID and PubMed. The quality of the data supporting or rejecting the use of specific therapies was categorized by a data quality grading scale. An "A+" grade was assigned to treatment supported by multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials with consistent results, whereas a "D" grade was given to therapy supported only by expert opinion. The therapeutic efficacy of a treatment was defined by its success in treating UP and L-UC compared with placebo. A medication was ranked as "excellent" if it was specifically studied for UP and L-UC and had consistently positive results compared with placebo or another agent. Quality and efficacy scores were agreed on by author consensus.

RESULTS

For the acute treatment of UP or L-UC, the rectally administered corticosteroids and mesalazine (5-ASA), either alone or in combination with oral 5-ASAs, are the most effective therapy: evidence quality, A+; efficacy, excellent. Only rectally administered 5-ASA received an A+/excellent rating for maintenance of remission. Infliximab received an A+ grade for induction and maintenance of remission but only a "good" rating because the studies were performed in all UC, not specifically UP or L-UC.

CONCLUSIONS

This critical evaluation of treatment provides a "report card" on medications available for the management of patients with UP and L-UC. The guidelines should provide a useful reference and supplement for physicians treating UC patients.

Medical therapy for refractory pediatric Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a common indication for referral to pediatric gastroenterology. While most patients with Crohn's disease respond to standard induction therapy, steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent disease is a frequently encountered problem. This review discusses the data existing in both the adult and pediatric literature for medical therapy of refractory pediatric Crohn's disease.

Azathioprine maintains first remission in newly diagnosed pediatric Crohn's disease

6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) maintains remission in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Azathioprine, a prodrug of 6-MP, is used for maintenance of remission of CD in Europe. We evaluated to what extent azathioprine is used in newly diagnosed pediatric CD patients and whether maintenance of remission differed between patients using azathioprine or not. Charts of children (diagnosed 1998-2003, follow-up > or = 18 mo) were reviewed. Active disease was defined as Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) greater than 10 or systemic corticosteroid use. Remission was defined as PCDAI 10 or less without use of corticosteroids. Eighty-eight children (55M/33F, age 12 +/- 3 yr) were included. Seventy-two (82%) patients received azathioprine during the follow-up period (38 +/- 17 mo). Patients diagnosed after 2000 received azathioprine significantly earlier during the course of disease compared with those diagnosed earlier (median, at 233 vs. 686 days; P < 0.05). At initial presentation, moderate-severe disease activity and prescription of corticosteroids were more prevalent in patients using azathioprine compared with nonazathioprine patients (75% vs. 52%; P < 0.05; and 89% vs. 58%; P < 0.005, respectively). Duration of corticosteroid use was longer in patients receiving azathioprine (232 vs. 168 days; P < 0.005). Median maintenance of first remission in patients who initially used corticosteroids, however, was longer in patients receiving azathioprine compared with nonazathioprine patients (PCDAI, 544 vs. 254 days, P = 0.08; corticosteroid free, 575 vs. 259 days, P < 0.05, respectively). We conclude that, since 2000, azathioprine is being introduced earlier in the treatment of newly diagnosed pediatric CD patients. The use of azathioprine is associated with prolonged maintenance of the first remission.

Review article: thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

In the past 10-20 years, knowledge of both thiopurine pharmacology and -pharmacogenetics has been extended dramatically and used to develop new strategies to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity.

AIM

To review thiopurine efficacy, toxicity, pharmacology, pharmacogenetics, interactions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Special attention was paid to new strategies for optimization of pharmacotherapy.

METHODS

To collect relevant scientific articles, a Pubmed search was performed from 1966 through January 2006 with the following key words (MeSH terms preferentially) in multiple combinations: 'azathioprine', '6-mercaptopurine', '6-MP', '6-thioguanine', '6-TG', 'thiopurine(s)', 'metabolites', 'level(s)', 'TDM', 'TMPT', 'ITPA', 'genotype(s)', 'phenotype(s)', 'inflammatory bowel disease', 'Crohn('s) disease', 'ulcerative colitis'.

RESULTS

Strategies for optimization of pharmacotherapy include therapeutic drug monitoring of thiopurine metabolites, geno- or phenotyping crucial enzymes in thiopurine metabolism like thiopurine S-methyltransferase and inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase, and the use of thioguanine as such.

CONCLUSIONS

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase genotyping and therapeutic drug monitoring are useful instruments for individualizing thiopurine pharmacotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease. Inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase genotyping may be helpful in case of unexplainable myelotoxicity. In case of azathioprine- or mercaptopurine-intolerance, thioguanine seems a promising alternative. However, more knowledge needs to be gathered about its potential hepatotoxicity.

Role of cyclosporin in preventing or delaying colectomy in children with severe ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Oral cyclosporin (CyA) has been widely and successfully used in adult patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) to delay or avoid colectomy.

AIM

To determine if treatment with oral CyA is similarly effective in pediatric patients

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on all patients with severe UC treated with oral CyA in our unit were collected retrospectively. Patients were treated with CyA if dependent on or resistant to steroids, and therefore, candidates for colectomy.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients with severe UC were treated with CyA administered orally at a dose needed to obtain therapeutic blood levels (150-250 ng/ml). Twenty-eight of 32 patients (87%) had an immediate response within 11 days. Four (13%) did not respond and underwent colectomy. One patient had two cycles of treatment and is in remission. Two patients underwent three cycles of treatment because of relapse, but both eventually underwent elective colectomy. Three other patients underwent elective colectomy. A total of nine colectomies were performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with oral CyA altered the course of UC in 28/32 (87%) of patients; 4/32 (13%) did not respond to oral CyA and underwent colectomy. Of the 28 patients that responded to CyA, five underwent later elective colectomy. Overall, in 72% of patients, colectomy was avoided. We, therefore, suggest a trial of oral CyA in all children with severe UC who are dependent or resistant to corticosteroids.

Managing complicated Crohn's disease in children and adolescents

The natural history of Crohn's disease is characterized by recurrent exacerbations. A small, but significant, number of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease are resistant to standard medical therapies. The goal of therapy in pediatric patients is not only to achieve and maintain clinical remission, but also to promote growth, development and improve quality of life. All of this needs to be achieved within a relatively short window of opportunity, before growth and development deficiencies become permanent. The standard therapy for pediatric patients with Crohn's disease consists of 5-aminosalicylic-acid compounds, antibiotics and enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition has an excellent adverse-effect profile and, in addition to its therapeutic effect, positively impacts growth and nutritional status. Immunomodulating medications, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate, are frequently used to maintain remission, and to treat corticosteroid-dependent and perianal disease. Recently, biologic treatment with the anti-tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha antibody infliximab has dramatically changed the therapeutic approach. The long-term safety of this therapy still needs to be established. Limited data are available on other biologic therapies, which, at this point in time, are considered experimental and are only available through clinical trials.

Optimizing therapy in patients with pancolitis

Pancolitis affects approximately 20% to 40% of the total ulcerative colitis population and remains a therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Practitioners must focus on pancolitis when evaluating a patient for ulcerative colitis, because pancolitis is associated with more severe and fulminant disease and a higher rate of colorectal cancer and colectomy. It is imperative for clinicians to be knowledgeable in the clinical course, medications, and appropriate manner to induce and maintain clinical remission to prevent serious sequelae of the disease. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the treatment of pancolitis for general gastroenterologists, because medical management decisions have life-long effects for this subgroup of patients.

Cyclosporine A for induction of remission in severe ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by a life-long chronic course with remissions and exacerbations. Approximately 15% of patients have a severe attack requiring hospitalization at some time during their illness. These patients are traditionally treated with intravenous corticosteroids, with a response rate of approximately 60%. The patients who do not respond to steroid treatment usually require surgical removal of the large bowel (proctocolectomy or colectomy with an anal pouch). This surgical procedure essentially cures the patient from the disease but is associated with complications such as pouchitis. Few alternative treatments exist for severe ulcerative colitis: immunosuppressive medications (such as azathioprine) have a slow onset of action and are therefore usually ineffective. Antibiotics are not proven to be effective and biological treatments such as infliximab are still under investigation. The introduction of cyclosporine-A (CsA) for use in patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) has provided an alternative to patients previously facing only surgical options. Cyclosporine acts mainly by inhibiting T lymphocyte function, which is essential for the propagation of inflammation. Unlike most other immunosuppressive agents, CsA does not suppress the activity of other hematopoietic cells, does not cause bone marrow suppression and has a rapid onset of action. This reviews aims to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of CsA for severe UC.

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cyclosporine A for patients with severe ulcerative colitis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic searches of The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2004), EMBASE (1980-2004), and MEDLINE (1966-2004); hand searching the references of all identified studies; contacting the first author of each included trial.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials comparing cyclosporine A with placebo or no intervention to obtain and maintain remission of idiopathic ulcerative colitis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently appraised the quality of each trial and extracted the data from the included trials. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. The reviewers assumed an intention to treat analysis for the outcome measures.

MAIN RESULTS

Only two randomized controlled trials were identified that satisfied the inclusion criteria. These two trials could not be pooled for analysis because of major differences in design and patient populations. In the first trial, 11 patients received intravenous cyclosporine (4 mg/kg) and 9 received placebo. Two of 11 in the treatment group failed to respond to therapy compared with nine of nine in the placebo group (RR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 - 0.64). However, 3/11 and 4/9 eventually underwent colectomy in the treatment and placebo groups respectively and follow-up was less than a month. In the second trial 15 patients were treated with intravenous cyclosporine and 15 with intravenous methylprednisolone. Five of 15 patients in the cyclosporine group failed to respond to therapy as compared to 7/15 in the methylprednisolone group (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.29 - 1.75). After 1 year 7/9 responders in the cyclosporine group were still in remission compared with 4/8 in the steroid group (p > 0.05) and the colectomy rate was similar in both groups. The mean time to response in the cyclosporine group in the 2 trials was short (7 days and 5.2 days). These results should be interpreted with caution given the small numbers of trials and patients evaluated for comparison, and limited follow-up (few weeks in one trial to a year in the other). The precise assessment of the occurrence of adverse events was difficult because the trials described different adverse reactions, which reversed after discontinuation of cyclosporine. There was no evidence in the trials reviewed that cyclosporine was more effective than standard treatment for preventing colectomy but this effect cannot be excluded due to the small sample size and rarity of this outcome. Additional limitations of current research include lack of data on quality of life, costs and long-term results of cyclosporine therapy.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is limited evidence that cyclosporine is more effective than standard treatment alone for severe ulcerative colitis. The relatively quick response makes the short-term use of cyclosporine potentially attractive, but the long-term benefit is unclear, when adverse events such as cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity may become more obvious. There is a need for additional research on quality of life, costs and long-term results from cyclosporine therapy in severe ulcerative colitis.

Cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

In the past decade, immunosuppressive drugs have come to play an integral role in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Cyclosporine, microemulsion cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil can be considered for the treatment of patients with refractory inflammatory Crohn's disease, fistulizing Crohn's disease, and severe ulcerative colitis. This article reviews the use of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with emphasis on pharmacology, results in controlled clinical trials, and safety, and issues related to dosing and toxicity monitoring.

Infliximab in pediatric ulcerative colitis: two-year follow-up

OBJECTIVES

The role of infliximab in treating pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) is not defined. The authors previously have described their experience with the open label use of infliximab in nine children with moderate to severe UC. The aim of this study was to describe the outcome of these patients after a minimum 2-year follow-up and to describe the responses of eight additional patients to this medication.

METHODS

The authors reviewed all pediatric patients with UC who received infliximab at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from its first use until February 2003. Tolerance of the infusions and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

Follow-up information for a minimum of 2 years was reviewed for the nine initial patients. A total of 73 infliximab infusions were administered to these patients. Seven of nine (78%) patients were considered to be responders to the initial dose of infliximab. Two of these patients became nonresponders within 9 months of the first dose of infliximab and underwent colectomy. Of the remaining five (56%) patients with sustained response, two continue to receive infliximab infusions and three are doing well without infliximab. One patient experienced an infusion reaction, and one experienced herpes zoster infection. We have treated eight additional UC patients with infliximab. Seven (88%) patients were considered responders. One responder experienced relapse within 2 months. Overall, a short-term improvement was seen in 14 of 17 (82%) patients, and sustained improvement in 10 of 16 (63%) patients followed up for more than 9 months. All five patients with severe or fulminant UC, unresponsive to 2 weeks of intravenous corticosteroid therapy, experienced improvement with infliximab. Infliximab was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Infliximab is associated with short- and long-term clinical improvement in children and adolescents with moderate to severe UC.

Long-term outcome of treatment with intravenous cyclosporin in patients with severe ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVES

Iv cyclosporin A (CSA) is an effective therapy in patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC). It remains unclear if this treatment affects the course of the disease in the long run. We investigated the long-term efficacy and safety in 86 patients with ulcerative colitis treated with i.v. CSA at our center.

METHODS

The records of all patients treated with i.v. CSA between 11/1992 and 11/2000 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventy-two of 86 patients (83.7%) responded to i.v. CSA therapy, administered for a mean of 9 +/- 2 days. Following the initial treatment, 69 patients (96%) were discharged on oral CSA with mean blood CSA concentrations of 192 +/- 55 ng/mL. Azathioprine was added in 64 (89%) patients. A second treatment with CSA was necessary in 11 patients; 1 patient received three courses of i.v. treatment. The duration of follow-up averaged 773 +/- 369 days. Patients who were responders but were still having certain symptoms at discharge had a higher incidence of colectomy during follow-up. Of all initial responders, 18 (25%) underwent colectomy after a mean interval of 178 +/- 141 days. The life-table predicts that of all treated patients, 55% will avoid a colectomy during a period of 3 years. Complications of CSA treatment were mostly reversible, but 3 patients (3.5%) died of opportunistic infections (1 of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and 2 of Aspergillus fumigatus pneumoniae). One patient with anaphylactic shock caused by the CSA solvent was successfully resuscitated.

CONCLUSIONS

CSA is an effective treatment of the majority of patients with severe attacks of UC, although the toxicity and even mortality associated with its use necessitates careful evaluation, selection, and follow-up.

Ulcerative colitis in children: medical management

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa of unknown etiology. The inflammatory process involves the mucosa and submucosa in a continuous segment of bowel with rectal involvement in almost all cases. Since its etiology is unknown, therapy is directed at modulating the inflammatory response in order to control symptoms and to prevent relapses. 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids have been the most widely used therapeutic agents for treatment of ulcerative colitis. Recently, experience has been gained with the use of other immunomodulators, such as mercaptopurine, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus, in pediatric patients. Colectomy is indicated in patients with severe colitis who do not respond to intensive medical therapy. The care of children with ulcerative colitis not only involves control of symptoms from gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations, but also optimizing growth and development. The complications of chronic inflammation and long-term medical therapy must be weighed against the risks and benefits of surgery for children and adolescents with this condition.

Ciclosporin and refractory colitis

Intravenous ciclosporin 4 mg/kg daily is rapidly effective as a salvage therapy for patients with refractory colitis, who would otherwise face colectomy, but its use is controversial because of risk of toxicity, and long-term failure rate. Opportunistic infections remain a serious concern, with a number of reports of death related to ciclosporin. Renal and neurotoxicity are also well-recognized. The drug should not be continued for more than 3-6 months and its main role is as a bridge to azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. Risks of toxicity can be reduced by using lower doses (2 mg/kg/day intravenously), by oral microemulsion ciclosporin, or by monotherapy without corticosteroids. Preliminary evidence shows good response rates, but further studies are needed to confirm optimal use of this potent, but hazardous, therapy.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in childhood: best available evidence

The physician treating children with inflammatory bowel disease is confronted with a number of specific problems, one of them being the lack of randomized, controlled drug trials in children. In this review, the role of nutritional therapy is discussed with a focus on primary treatment, especially for children with Crohn's disease. Then, the available medical therapies are highlighted, reviewing the evidence of effectiveness and side effects in children, as compared with what is known in adults. Nutritional therapy has proven to be effective in inducing and maintaining remission in Crohn's disease while promoting linear growth. Conventional treatment consists of aminosalicylates and corticosteroids, whereas the early introduction of immunosuppressives (such as azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine) is advocated as maintenance treatment. If these drugs are not tolerated or are ineffective, methotrexate may serve as an alternative in Crohn's disease. Cyclosporine is an effective rescue therapy in severe ulcerative colitis, but only will postpone surgery. A novel strategy to treat Crohn's disease is offered by infliximab, a monoclonal antibody to the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Based on the best-available evidence, suggested usage is provided for separate drugs with respect to dosage and monitoring of side effects in children.

The use of ciclosporin in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: an Italian experience

AIM

To asses the efficacy and safety of ciclosporin in a paediatric population with inflammatory bowel disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three Italian children treated with ciclosporin were studied retrospectively. The indications for treatment were severe unresponsive colitis, chronic active colitis or severe fistulizing Crohn's disease. The treatment duration, follow-up and causes of drug discontinuation were assessed.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were treated intravenously for a mean time of 10 +/- 7 days (1-24 days) and 19 orally for a mean time of 133 days (17-660 days). The mean follow-up of all patients was 13.2 months. Ciclosporin was totally ineffective, being discontinued for surgery, in nine of 23 patients (39%); it was discontinued for partial response in three patients (13%). During treatment, clinical remission was achieved in eight children (35%) and maintained after drug withdrawal in four (17%). In severe unresponsive colitis, urgent colectomy was avoided in 12 (85%) of 14 patients who tolerated the drug. Side-effects appeared in six of 23 patients (26%), and three (13%) required ciclosporin to be discontinued due to neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Ciclosporin shows disappointing long-term results in the treatment of refractory inflammatory bowel disease, but can play an important role in preventing urgent surgery in unresponsive severe colitis. Severe side-effects can occur.

Azathioprine in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: an Italian multicentre survey

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of azathioprine in a paediatric population with inflammatory bowel disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty-three Italian children treated with azathioprine were studied retrospectively. The treatment duration and causes of its discontinuation, side-effects and variation in corticosteroid dose were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age at inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis was 9.8 +/- 3.6 years, and at the start of azathioprine therapy 11.8 +/- 4.3 years. The mean duration of treatment was 19 +/- 16 months. Fifty patients (41%) stopped treatment due to surgery (12%), prolonged remission (11%), non-response (7%), severe side-effects (7%) and poor compliance (3%). Of the 73 patients (59%) remaining on azathioprine, 11 had never been treated with corticosteroids, 27 were able to stop them and 35 were still on a very low daily dose (91% < 0.3 mg/kg). The difference in the daily corticosteroid dose between the beginning of azathioprine treatment (1 +/- 0.6 mg/kg) and the conclusion of the study (0.18 +/- 0.16 mg/kg) was statistically significant. Side-effects were recorded in 48 of the 123 patients (39%), but only eight required discontinuation of azathioprine.

CONCLUSIONS

Azathioprine was efficacious in 70% of patients, but ineffective in 20% and induced severe toxicity in 7%. Corticosteroids were stopped or markedly reduced in 62% of patients, but they were never given in 9%.

Immunomodulatory therapy for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: changing patterns of use, 1990-2000

OBJECTIVE

To identify changes over the past decade in physicians' attitudes regarding the use of immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we surveyed the membership of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and compared the responses to those from an identical survey performed in 1990.

METHODS

Surveys were mailed to 718 physicians in January, 2000. All surveys returned by mid-February were analyzed, and results compared to those obtained in the 1990 survey.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent (278/718) of surveys were returned, compared to 27% (105/385) in 1990. Overall, 93% of the current survey's respondents agreed with the statement "immunomodulatory agents are effective in the treatment of children and adolescents with IBD." Compared to 1990, significant increases (p < 0.0001) were noted in the percentage of respondents who prescribe immunomodulatory agents to children with all forms of IBD. Indications for immunomodulation that showed significant increases (p < 0.001) since 1990 included treatment of perianal and non-perianal fistulae; growth failure; use as initial, primary therapy; and use as prophylaxis against postoperative recurrence. 6-Mercaptopurine and azathioprine continue to be the agents prescribed by the greatest percentage of respondents. More physicians are willing to use immunomodulatory agents in children younger than 5 yr, and duration of use is longer than in 1990. Currently, physicians seem to favor the use of immunomodulatory agents over colectomy for children with either intractable ulcerative or Crohn's colitis. Most respondents remain concerned about potential bone marrow and immune suppression, but concerns regarding malignancy, teratogenicity, and infertility have lessened.

CONCLUSION

These survey findings document that pediatric gastroenterologists have widely accepted the use of immunomodulators in the treatment of children and adolescents with IBD.

Medical therapy for ulcerative colitis

Although newer therapeutic agents are being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, aminosalicylates and corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment for UC (Tables 2-5). Patients who do not respond to these agents or become steroid dependent require immunomodulatory therapy or curative surgery. Cyclosporine represents the greatest treatment advance for UC in 10 years. The role of nicotine, heparin, antibiotics, probiotics, and SCFA in the treatment of UC is less clear, but these agents may offer an alternative therapeutic approach for patients intolerant or nonresponsive to standard therapy.

Pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin microemulsion in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a pharmacokinetic profile of cyclosporin microemulsion formulation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

58 consecutive patients (19 women and 39 men), aged 16 to 64 years (mean age 38 years), with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (29 patients) or Crohn's disease (29 patients).

METHODS

Patients were treated with oral doses of cyclosporin microemulsion ranging from 200 to 400 mg daily. Blood samples were collected after 7 days of treatment; blood was drawn at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 12 hours after the morning dose. In 23 patients out of 29 with ulcerative colitis and 23 out of 29 with Crohn's disease, these profiles were repeated immediately before hospital discharge, which took place an average of 18 days after admission. Blood specimens were assayed for cyclosporin immunoreactivity on the day of blood withdrawal by a radioimmunoassay technique.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS

In the range of doses employed, the average peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve to 12 hours tended to increase linearly with the dose (from 782.35 to 1,607.98 microg/L and from 3,612 to 7,221 microg x h/L for doses of 200 mg and 400 mg, respectively), whereas the time to Cmax (tmax) and elimination half-life (t 1/2beta) ranged between 78 and 95.2 min and 85.5 and 162 min, respectively, and did not appear to change with the dose. After dose-normalisation by transformation of data into percentage increase over baseline (trough) concentration for each patient, single kinetic parameters for the whole study population (n = 58) could be calculated (Cmax 620% vs baseline. tmax 86.5 min, t 1/2 115 min). Comparison between patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis showed that the latter had higher Cmax values (702% compared with 543% vs baseline, p < 0.05) whereas tmax and t 1/2beta values overlapped.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacokinetic parameters of cyclosporin microemulsion in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are broadly similar to those previously measured in healthy volunteers and in other disorders requiring cyclosporin treatment.

Clinical aspects and pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease

The chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are recognized as important causes of gastrointestinal disease in children and adults. In this review we delineate the clinical manifestations and diagnostic features of IBD. In addition, we summarize important recent advances in our understanding of the immune mediators of intestinal inflammation. This information has led to new therapeutic approaches in IBD. Further, we discuss the considerable data that point to the significance of genetic factors in the development of IBD and the genetic loci which have been implicated through genome-wide searches. The commensal bacterial flora also appears to be a critical element, particularly in regards to Crohn's disease, although the precise role of the bacteria in the disease manifestations remains unclear. Current investigations promise to yield fresh insights in these areas.

6-mercaptopurine metabolite levels in children with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES

Some authors suggest that efficacy of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease correlates with circulating 6-thioguanine (6-TG) levels more than 235 pmol/8 x 10(8) red blood cells. The authors evaluated the relation between 6-MP metabolite levels and disease activity in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

Clinical status and hematologic and hepatic parameters were determined in 101 children with inflammatory bowel disease from a single center and compared with 6-MP metabolite levels.

RESULTS

There was a trend for higher 6-TG levels among patients in remission than among those with active disease (217 vs. 173); however the difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.09). The likelihood of therapeutic response did not increase significantly at 6-TG levels greater than 235 pmol/8 x 10(8) red blood cells (odds ratio 1.7; P = 0.1). In the current study, 58% of patients in remission had 6-TG levels less than 235. However, serial measurements of 6-MP metabolite levels in 50 patients with active disease showed that increasing 6-TG levels correlated significantly with disease remission in patients followed up longitudinally ( P = 0.04). Leukopenia was significantly associated with high 6-TG levels ( P = 0.03) but not with clinical response ( P = 0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the target range of 6-TG levels previously described by others did not apply to 58% of the pediatric patients with IBD in remission. However, serial monitoring of 6-MP metabolite levels in individual patients with active disease should allow dose escalation and induction of remission while minimizing the risk of toxicity.

A girl with severe fistulizing Crohn's disease

We report the case of a girl with a severe perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease who during intravenous infusion of cyclosporine developed headache, general seizures and cortical blindness. Head magnetic resonance imaging showed spread, cortical-subcortical nonenhancing signal changes. Full neurological recovery was achieved in 24 hours. Cyclosporine was stopped and a single dose of infliximab was infused with rapid improvement of the fistula that at 7 months' follow-up is still closed.

Oral tacrolimus treatment of severe colitis in children

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of oral tacrolimus as an induction agent in steroid-refractory severe colitis.

STUDY DESIGN

Open-label, multicenter trial of oral tacrolimus in patients with severe colitis. Patients not responding to conventional therapy received tacrolimus, 0.1 mg/kg/dose given twice a day, and the dosage was adjusted to achieve blood levels between 10 and 15 ng/mL. Response was defined as improvement in a number of clinical parameters (including abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and cessation of transfusions). Patients who responded by 14 days continued to receive tacrolimus, and 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine was added as a steroid-sparing agent 4 to 6 weeks after the tacrolimus was instituted.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study. One patient elected to withdraw after 48 hours. Of the 13 remaining, 9 (69%) responded and were discharged. Tacrolimus was continued for 2 to 3 months in the responders, except for 1 patient who was given tacrolimus for 11 months. After 1 year of follow-up, only 5 (38%) patients were receiving maintenance therapy; the other 4 responders had undergone colectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although tacrolimus is effective induction therapy for severe ulcerative or Crohn's colitis, fewer than 50% of patients treated will successfully achieve a long-term remission.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Till about 3 decades ago, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was considered as non-existent in our country. However, since that time several reports of IBD, mainly ulcerative colitis have been published. More recently, Crohn's disease is also being reported from the country. This trend of UC appearing first in a population followed by CD also appears to be true in other developing nations. A substantial increase in the rates of CD over UC in the last few decades is reported from developed nations as well. Of the other epidemiological factors, an increased risk of CD and lower risk of UC in smokers is established in adults. However, it appears that smoking increases the risk of IBD in children. The etiology of IBD remains elusive. Within the triad of genetics, immunity and antigen responsible for the development of IBD, maximum advances have been made in the field of immune aberrations and this is being exploited to treat the disease. It is well established that IBD results from a disordered immune system in the gut, in response to an unidentified antigen in a predisposed individual. The immune response is enhanced and revolves around antigen-presenting cells, CD 4 T-lymphocytes and tumor necrosis factor alpha. CD results from an enhanced Th1 activity. The pathogenesis of UC is less clear but appears to be humoral. Advances in diagnostics include the availability of serology, ultrasound and nuclear scans, none of which have been tried in our setting where infectious diseases and tuberculosis is rampant. Growth failure and the importance of nutrition in IBD, especially CD, cannot be underemphasized. In many situations nutritional interventions have been used solely as a form of therapy for CD. Newer steroid molecules with minimal systemic effects are also being considered. Other treatment options highlighted are the use of immunosuppressive agents, biologic agents and role of surgery.

Therapy of Crohn's disease in childhood

Crohn's disease in childhood is a chronic relapsing condition with a high morbidity. Growth failure is common. The aim of therapy is to induce and then maintain disease remission and thereby promote well-being and normal growth and development. Enteral nutrition (either polymeric or elemental) is effective and used as initial therapy. This is employed as sole therapy over a 6- to 8-week period followed by a period of controlled food reintroduction. The relapse rate is high and further courses of enteral nutrition or alternative therapies are frequently required. Corticosteroids are also effective as initial therapy and are required in difficult cases but there are problems with their long term use, particularly their adverse effects on growth. Many patients develop either corticosteroid-dependent or corticosteroid-resistant disease. In this instance, additional immunosuppression, such as azathioprine, can be used. Surgery is required for those patients with disease resistant to medical therapy and this will result in remission; however, the relapse rate with surgery is high. There are many areas for future research. Very little is known about why enteral nutrition works, how long it should be given or its role as maintenance therapy. Newer immunosuppressive strategies based on cytokine modulation may be helpful in children once more experience is gained from their use in adults.

Predicting the need for colectomy in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis

Total colectomy is curative for ulcerative colitis. However, many pediatric patients are medically managed and may not require surgery. There are currently no available criteria to identify children who will benefit from early colectomy. The purpose of this review was to identify criteria associated with the need for colectomy. A 15-year review of patients at a major pediatric center with biopsy-proved ulcerative colitis was conducted. Age at the time of the first symptom, diagnosis, and surgery were recorded as well as steroid dependence, site of disease, extraintestinal manifestations, and family history. Seventy-three patients ranging in age from 1 to 18 years were identified. Thirty-seven patients (50.1%) required total colectomy before the age of 18. The average patient age at the time of the first documented symptom was 11.3 +/- 0.5 years. Among patients who were steroid dependent and had pancolitis, 73% required colectomy. Patients with these factors failed medical management 77% (27 of 35) of the time, and colectomy was performed within 3 years of diagnosis. The combination of steroid dependence and pancolitis was associated with an increased need for colectomy. In pediatric patients with these factors, early colectomy may limit the need to endure prolonged courses of medications and the disability allied with this disease.

Combination therapy with oral tacrolimus (FK506) and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for treatment-refractory Crohn's disease perianal fistulae

Our aim was to report the clinical experience with combination treatment using tacrolimus and either azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) perianal fistulae. The medical records of all patients with Crohn's disease perianal fistulae seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1996-1998 who were treated with tacrolimus were reviewed. Clinical response was classified as: complete response, partial response, and nonresponse. Eleven patients were treated with oral tacrolimus for a mean duration of 22 weeks. The initial oral dose of tacrolimus ranged from 0.15 to 0.31 mg/kg/day. Azathioprine or 6MP was continued in combination with tacrolimus in seven patients and initiated simultaneously with tacrolimus in four patients. All patients improved clinically, seven had a complete response, and four had a partial response. The mean time to initial improvement was 2.4 weeks, and the mean time to complete response was 12.2 weeks. The most frequent adverse events were nausea, paresthesias, nephrotoxicity, and tremor. Patients with nephrotoxicity had a significantly higher mean initial tacrolimus dose (0.31 mg/kg/day) compared with patients who did not have nephrotoxicity (0.25 mg/kg/day) (p = 0.035); however, there was not a statistically significant association between the starting dose or mean blood level and clinical response. Combination therapy with oral tacrolimus and AZA or 6MP may be effective treatment for CD perianal fistulae. Higher initial tacrolimus doses increase the risk of nephrotoxicity without improving clinical response.

Medical therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

CD and UC represent a spectrum of chronic IBD that present in protean ways and are accompanied by a variety of systemic sequelae. Sulfasalazine and the newer 5-aminosalicylates are important in the management of mild-to-moderate disease, whereas corticosteroids remain the primary therapy for most patients with moderate-to-severe disease (Tables 2-5). The toxicities associated with long-term steroid therapy, combined with their ineffectiveness as maintenance medications, have led to increased use of immunomodulators, such as azathioprine and 6-MP, for the treatment of steroid-dependent and steroid-resistant IBD. Infliximab is a novel therapeutic adjunct for chronically active and fistulizing CD that will herald a new era of biologic therapy for IBD. Meanwhile, CSA remains an alternative to urgent colectomy in severe UC unresponsive to corticosteroids and also for CD patients with severe disease or refractory fistulas. Finally, continued insights into the etiopathogenic pathways in IBD will provide evolving and innovative approaches until the eventual causes and cures are elucidated. In the meantime, clinicians should remain optimistic regarding current ability to reduce the morbidity and maintain the quality of life for patients suffering with these frustrating diseases.