STEROID PULSE THERAPY IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Abstract

Steroid pulse therapy was used in 5 male patients with ulcerative colitis ; one with total colitis and 4 with left-sided colitis. Four patients had relapsing type and one became to have chronic continuous type. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate was administrated as drip infusion 500-1, 000 mg/day for 3 days, usually 3 pulses were employed. Clinical symptoms rapidly improved in 4 patients and their bowel movements decreased the day after the first administration. Endoscopic improvement was obtained in 3 patients. The side effect was not noted in these patients. The advantages of this treatment are to make the judgement of efficacy of medical treatment faster and unnecessary tapering of steroid dose.