P572 Changes of the smoking habit after diagnosis of Crohn's disease

Abstract

visits to hospital and general practice, steroid use and cost of treatment. Results: In total, 363 UC patients were reviewed, change was recommended in 130 patients (36%) and was actioned in 87 (24%). The main reasons for changing to once daily mesalazine were adherence issues (52%), patient preference (36%) and symptoms (12%). In the first pilot study the second review 6 months later demonstrated that 70% of the patients improved their UC severity score (Walmsley Index) and 30 had no change. There was no worsening of the UC score in any patients. In the second pilot study review after 6 months in patients switched to once daily mesalazine maintenance therapy demonstrated: 47% reduction in all hospital visits, 60% reduction in hospital visits due to flare up of UC, 45% reduction in GP visits and 50% reduction in steroid courses used. The majority of patients preferred once daily dosing and 85% of patients admitted no prior knowledge of the availability of alternative dosing regimes. Both pilot studies demonstrated a substantial cost saving. Conclusions: Maintenance therapy of UC in the community is inadequate in more than one third of patients. Optimising maintenance therapy by switching to a once daily mesalazine leads to improved patient and disease outcomes as well as cost saving.