At Saitama Medical Center, for remission induction in active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with endoscopic evidence of severe disease, we tend to preferentially use tacrolimus (TAC) over anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents. We conducted this study to evaluate the validity of our therapeutic strategies.
This retrospective study was conducted in 52 steroid-refractory active UC patients with a Clinical Activity Index (CAI) score of ≥7 who were receiving remission induction therapy with TAC or anti-TNF-α agents. The patients were divided into a TAC treatment group (TAC group, n = 29) and an anti-TNF-α agent treatment group (anti-TNF group, n = 23). The CAI, Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) and incidence of events (relapse, hospitalization and surgery) were retrospectively analyzed.
At treatment initiation, the CAI score was 12.6 in the TAC group and 11.5 in the anti-TNF group (
Rapid induction therapy with TAC tended to be selected for active UC patients with endoscopic evidence of severe disease, and the present study supported the validity of this therapeutic approach. However, transition to the remission-maintenance phase was more favorable in the anti-TNF group.