Brief Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2009; 15(24): 3055-3059
Published online Jun 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3055
Current use of immunosuppressive agents in inflammatory bowel disease patients in East China
Li-Juan Huang, Qin Zhu, Min Lei, Qian Cao
Li-Juan Huang, Min Lei, Qian Cao, Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
Qin Zhu, Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Huang LJ and Zhu Q performed the majority of experiments; Lei M coordinated and collected all the human material; Cao Q designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Qian Cao, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. caoq@srrsh.com
Telephone: +86-571-86006642
Fax: +86-571-86044817
Received: January 9, 2009
Revised: May 21, 2009
Accepted: May 28, 2009
Published online: June 28, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate immunosuppressive agents used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in East China.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted, involving 227 patients with IBD admitted to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University from June 2000 to December 2007. Data regarding demographic, clinical characteristics and immunosuppressants usage were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 227 eligible patients were evaluated in this study, including 104 patients with Crohn’s disease and 123 with ulcerative colitis. Among the patients, 61 had indications for immunosuppressive agents use. However, only 21 (34.4%) received immunosuppressive agents. Among the 21 patients, 6 (37.5%) received a subtherapeutic dose of azathioprine with no attempt to increase the dosage. Of the 20 patients that received immunosuppressive agent treatment longer than 6 mo, 15 patients went into remission, four patients were not affected and one relapsed. Among these 20 patients, four patients suffered from myelotoxicity and one suffered from hepatotoxicity.

CONCLUSION: Immunosuppressive agents are used less frequently to treat IBD patients from East China compared with Western countries. Monitoring immunosuppressive agent use is recommended to optimize dispensation of drugs for IBD in China.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Immunosuppressive agents; Azathioprine