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Combined oral and topical mesalazine treatment for extensive ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Background A 32-year-old white Jewish woman was referred to our clinic in October 2002 for a second opinion on the management of her active extensive ulcerative colitis that did not respond to oral mesalazine (mesalamine) 3.6 g/day. The severity of symptoms had affected her plans to have children.

Investigations Laboratory investigations, including perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, stool cultures, and sigmoidoscopy to 40 cm from the rectum, with biopsies.

Diagnosis Moderate-to-severe active extensive ulcerative colitis, unresponsive to mesalazine at 3.6 g/day.

Management Oral mesalazine 4.8 g/day and 4 g mesalazine enemas nightly.

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Correspondence to Alan C Moss.

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Competing interests

Dr Chiefetz is on the Speakers Bureau for Proctor & Gamble (manufacturers of Asacol) and Dr Peppercorn is on the Speakers Bureau for Axcan (manufacturers of Canasa) and Proctor & Gamble.

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Moss, A., Cheifetz, A. & Peppercorn, M. Combined oral and topical mesalazine treatment for extensive ulcerative colitis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 3, 290–293 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0475

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