Coated mesalazine ( 5-aminosalicylic acid ) versus sulphasalazine in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis : a randomised trial
B infection interferon probably exerts its beneficial effect through the immune system, in chronic non-A non-B infection the interferon acts directly on the virus infected hepatocytes. These initial results are encouraging, and longer term study of these patients is being undertaken to see whether the histological picture of the liver improves in parallel to biochemical values and also whether the improvement persists after interferon has been discontinued. Preliminary studies suggest that, certainly in some patients, one year of continuous treatment may be successful in bringing about a permanent biochemical and histological remission.' Even if relapse does occur on stopping treatment, continuous low dose interferon, which is accompanied by comparatively minor side effects, may be an acceptable inconvenience in view of the high risk of cirrhosis that untreated patients run.term follow up of acute and chronic non-A non-B hepatitis: evidence of progression to liver cirrhosis. non-A non-B hepatitis with acyclovir: a pilot study. Treatment of chronic non-A non-B hepatitis with recombinant human alpha-interferon. Alpha-interferon therapy for non-A non-B hepatitis transmitted by gammaglobulin replacement therapy. male homosexual chronic hepatitis B carriers with HTLV-III antibodies to recombinant alpha-interferon. hepato vte membrane during recovery from acute hepatitis B virus infection and during interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis B infection. delta hepatitis with recombinant human alpha-interferon [Abstract]. Coated mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) versus sulphasalazine in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis: a randomised trial D Rachmilewitz on behalf of an international study group professor ofmedicine and head ofdepartment The investigators making up the international study group are listed at the end of this paper. Abstract Objective-To assess the safety and efficacy of a preparation of mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) coated with a pH dependent resin (Eudragit L) as compared with sulphasalazine in patients with active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Design-Eight week randomised double blind parallel group study. Setting-Forty six gastroenterology outpatient clinics in seven countries. Patients-Two hundred and twenty patients aged 18-70 who met the following criteria: clinical activity index-6 and endoscopic index-4; no concomitant treatment for ulcerative colitis; no hypersensitivity to salicylates or sulphonamides. Of the 164 patients eligible for efficacy analysis, 87 received the coated preparation of mesalazine and 77 sulphasalazine. Most of the remaining patients (28 in each group) were ineligible for the efficacy analysis because of treatment with steroid enemas. All pretrial characteristics were comparable in the two treatment groups. Interventions-Coated mesalazine (Mesasal) 1-5 g daily or sulphasalazine 3 0 g daily …