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Azathioprine treatment of ulcerative colitis, granulomatous colitis and regional enteritis

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Abstract

Twenty-four patients with ulcerative colitis, granulomatous colitis or regional enteritis were treated with azathioprine, starting with 2.5 mg/kg body weight. Seven received treatment for less than 4 months. Seventeen received treatment for 4 months or longer. Of these, 14 had partial or full benefit; all of those in the latter group who were on steroids were taken off the drugs. One patient died from complications that arose partly from preexisting renal disease. One patient was found to have a small carcinoma at colectomy after 22 months of therapy. Side effects were minor and easily reversible. Azathioprine is reasonably safe and effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease in patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond to the usual therapy with salicylazosulfapyridine, corticosteroids or surgery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Clinical Immunology Services, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, Mass

    James F. Patterson MD, Richard A. Norton MD & Robert S. Schwartz MD

Authors
  1. James F. Patterson MD
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  2. Richard A. Norton MD
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  3. Robert S. Schwartz MD
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Additional information

Supported by a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc.

The authors wish to thank Drs. Ruven Levitan, Donald Glotzer, Marshall Kaplan and Walter Tannenberg for their participation in this study.

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Patterson, J.F., Norton, R.A. & Schwartz, R.S. Azathioprine treatment of ulcerative colitis, granulomatous colitis and regional enteritis. Digest Dis Sci 16, 327–332 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02235208

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02235208

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