Abstract
54%). IS therapies included azathioprine (46% of pts), 6-MP (28%), methotrexate (13%) and cyclosporine (13%). Mean [SD] duration of index IS therapy was 466 [449] days, which covered 64% of the 2-year follow-up period. Therapy duration was notably lower for cyclosporine initiators: mean [SD] = 186 [256] days (26% of follow-up). Overall, 41% of pts changed therapy via switch or augmentation. Switching from the index IS to another therapy class occurred in 21% of pts, with 5-ASA being the most frequent next agent used (48% of switchers), followed by oral corticosteroids (21%) and biologics (17%). Among switchers, median time to switch was 72 days. Augmentation occurred in 25% of pts, with 5-ASA being the most frequent agent added to the index IS (72% of augmenters), followed by biologics (14% of augmenters) and oral corticosteroids (11% of augmenters). Among augmenters, median time to augmentation was 153 days. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of pts experienced a complication. Arthralgia, blood disorders, and nausea/vomiting were among the most common complications observed (26%, 24%, and 18%, respectively). Nearly three-quarters (73%) of pts relapsed during follow-up, including 28% undergoing surgery. Conclusions: This large scale assessment of IS treatments for UC demonstrated high rates of disease relapse and complications and frequent changes to therapy, including switching to and augmenting with alternative agents. These findings reflect opportunities for improvement in disease management for UC pts.
Published Version
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