Oral mesalamine (Pentasa) as maintenance treatment in Crohn's disease: A multicenter placebo-controlled study

Jean Pierre Gendre, Jean Yves Mary, Christian Florent, Robert Modigliani, Jean Frédéric Colombel, Jean Claude Soulé, Jean Paul Galmiche, Eric Lerebours, Louis Descos, Jean Michel Viteau, Emmanuel René, Edouard Henri Metman, Philippe Bories, Alain Bremondy, Michel Bouvry, Hervé Lamouliatte, Jean Louis Gineston

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156 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Mesalamine provides a new therapeutic approach in treating Crohn's disease. Methods: To assess the efficacy and safety of slow-release mesalamine (Pentasa; Ferring AS, Vanløse, Denmark) in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease, 161 patients with inactive disease were randomized to receive either Pentasa (2 g/day) or placebo in a 2-year double-blind, multicenter trial. Two strata were defined according to the duration of their remission: <3 months (n = 64) or 3-24 months (n = 97), presumed to be high and a low relapse risk strata, respectively. Results: The probability of relapse was higher in the short-remission placebo group than in the three other groups (P < 0.003), showing there was a significant benefit from Pentasa in the high relapse risk stratum. In this stratum, the 2-year ongoing remission rate was of 29% ± 9% and 45% ± 11% (mean ± SD) in the placebo and Pentasa groups, respectively. The incidences of side effects were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Pentasa (2 g/day for 2 years) is a safe and effective maintenance treatment for Crohn's disease when given within 3 months of achieving remission.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)435-439
Number of pages5
JournalGastroenterology
Volume104
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1993
Externally publishedYes

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