Olsalazine was not better than placebo in maintaining remission in inactive Crohn disease.

P a t i e n t s 328 patients who were ≥ 18 years of age and had Crohn colitis or ileocolitis in complete remission (Crohn disease activity index [CDAI] ≤ 150) for ≥ 1 month before randomization. Exclusion criteria were receipt of steroid, azathioprine, or other immunosuppressive therapy within 8 weeks of the start of treatment; antibiotic therapy ≥ 1 month; potential for pregnancy or lactation; clinically important hepatic or renal insufficiency; strictures causing obstruction; fistulae; oral or symptomatic anal Crohn disease; stoma or small-bowel disease other than terminal ileal disease; or hypersensitivity to salicylates. 327 patients (99.7%) (mean age 39 y, 54% women) received the study drugs and had follow-up data.