P-062: Azathioprine and lymphocyte count in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

The leukocyte count predicts the efficacy of treatment with azathioprine in inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION Azathioprine has variable efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease. Previous studies suggested that either neutropenia, an increase in the mean corpuscular volume, the assessment of thiopurine methyl-transferase activity or erythrocyte 6-thioguanine values might predict the treatment response. However, due to the conflicting results of the preceding studies there are yet no establish...

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE Clinical significance of azathioprine active metabolite concentrations in inflammatory bowel disease

Background and aims: There are conflicting reports on the role of azathioprine (AZA) thioguanine nucleotide (TGN) metabolites in optimising therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to investigate TGN intrapatient variation, and the relationship between TGN concentrations and disease activity in IBD patients taking long term constant dose AZA. Methods: TGN and meth...

Monitoring and Safety of Azathioprine Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Azathioprine is the most common drug used to maintain clinical remission in inflammatory bowel disease. This drug is also important as a steroid-sparing agent in steroid-dependent and chronically active inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, many questions remain concerning the optimal treatment regimens of azathioprine. The dose of azathioprine has to be reduced or the therapy has to be dis...

Endoscopy in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Azathioprine in inflammatory bowel disease, a safe alternative?

Azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine are effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. They are mostly used for reduction of the use of steroids, maintenance therapy after remission induction by cyclosporin and treatment of fistulae in Crohn's disease. Adverse effects occur in about 15% of patients. The main side effects are pancreatitis, allergic reactions, fever and bo...