ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background : Antibiotics and thiopurines have been employed in the management of fistulizing Crohn's disease, although evidence of their efficacy is rare.Aim : To evaluate, in a prospective, open-label study, the influence of antibiotics and azathioprine on the clinical outcome of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease.Methods : Fifty-two patients entered the study, starting with an 8-week regimen of ciprofloxacin (500–1000 mg/day) and/or metronidazole (1000–1500 mg/day). Seventeen patients had already received daily azathioprine (2–2.5 mg/kg) at enrolment, whereas in 14 patients azathioprine was initiated after 8 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Outcome was evaluated by Fistula Drainage Assessment and the Perianal Disease Activity Index at weeks 8 and 20.Results : Overall, 26 patients (50%) responded to antibiotic treatment, with complete healing in 25% of patients at week 8. The Perianal Disease Activity Index decreased significantly from 8.4 ± 2.9 to 6.0 ± 4.0 (P 〈 0.0001). At week 20, the outcome was assessed in 49 patients (94%), 29 of whom (59%) had received azathioprine. Response was noted in 17 of the 49 patients (35%), with complete healing in nine patients (18%). Patients who received azathioprine were more likely to achieve a response (48%) than those without immunosuppression (15%) (P = 0.03). The Perianal Disease Activity Index was closely associated with treatment response and perianal disease activity.Conclusion : Antibiotics are useful to induce a short-term response in perianal Crohn's disease, and may provide a bridging strategy to azathioprine, which seems to be essential for the maintenance of fistula improvement.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01793.x
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