ORAL CYCLOSPORINE IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE ACUTE ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by intermittent exacerbations and remissions. About 15% of patients with UC will have a severe flare of their disease requiring hospitalization. Unfortunately, approximately 30% of patients admitted with severe ulcerative colitis fail intravenous steroids and require surgery or a second-line therapy. Oral cyclosporine has been reported to be useful in inducing remission in patients with corticoresistant severe UC. We present our experience of its use in fourteen patients.