Yasumi Araki 1, Keiichi Mitsuyama, Takaaki Nagae, Yuji Tou, Motonori Nakagawa, Yasue Iwatani, Masakazu Harada, Hiroyuki Ozasa, Michio Sata, Toshihiro Noake, J Gastroenterol. 2008;43(7):571-5.
Scientific corner
Leukocytapheresis for the treatment of active pouchitis: a pilot study
Background: Pouchitis is a major long-term complication of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of leukocytapheresis for the treatment of active pouchitis. Methods: Eight patients with active pouchitis received leukocytapheresis weekly for 5 weeks in an open-label treatment protocol together with baseline therapy. Results: Patients showed significant improvement in their pouchitis disease activity index scores, from 9.5 (range, 8-10) to 4.0 (range, 2-8) (P < 0.05). Six (75%) of the 8 treated patients achieved remission. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Leukocytapheresis therapy could be a new therapeutic strategy for patients with pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. These encouraging results lead us to propose a randomized controlled trial.
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