Pulsed steroid therapy for active ulcerative colitis patients

Abstract

Six severe and 7 moderately severe ulcerative colitis patients were treated by pulsed steroid therapy. For one course of the therapy, either 0.5 or 1 gram of hydrocortisone-21 sodium succinate or methylprednisolone sodium succinate was given once a day intravenously for 3 consecutive days, following 4 days with no infusion. The patients were treated for 3 to 6 courses. Ten patients entered clinical remission, 1 patient improved, and therapy failed for 2 patients. Judged endoscopically, 5 patients achieved remission. Six patients improved and 2 patients did not improve. Severe side effect was not noted as to stop the medication. One patient had hyperglycemia for a few days after the start of the first course, this patient received total parenteral nutrition. Three patients showed moon face. Steroid withdrawal syndrome did not develop.