An Alternative Therapy for Active Ulcerative Proctitis

Ulcerative proctitis can be difficult to manage, and less-aggressive therapeutic alternatives to topical cortisol and tacrolimus are needed.

In an industry-funded, phase II study, researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of four different treatments for mild-to-moderate active proctitis. They randomized over 330 patients to take suppositories containing 2 mg budesonide, 4 mg budesonide, 1 g mesalamine, or a combination of 2 mg budesonide and 1 g mesalamine for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was time to resolution of active symptoms (3 days without rectal bleeding or increased stool frequency).

Time to clinical remission was similar with use of 4-mg budesonide suppositories, 1-g mesalamine suppositories, or combination therapy but significa…