EFFICACY AND TOLERANCE OF MESALAZINE SUPPOSITORIES VS HYDROCORTISONE FOAM IN PROCTITIS

Background: Topical treatments with steroids or mesalazine are the mos t effective treatments for idiopathic proctitis, Aim: to compare the e fficacy and tolerance of mesalazine suppositories vs, hydrocortisone a cetate foam in the treatment of acute proctitis, Patients and methods: 242 patients with active idiopathic proctitis were randomized to rece ive once daily either one Pentasa suppository (mesalazine 1 g) or 100 mg hydrocortisone (Colofoam) for 14-21 days (until remission). Disease activity and tolerance of the treatments were assessed using a daily questionnaire, by physician assessment, and endoscopy score. Results: Both treatments induced a significant reduction in disease activity. M esalazine suppositories were significantly more effective than hydroco rtisone on rectal blood loss (P = 0.002) and mucus (P = 0.02) paramete rs, and on the degree of the decrease in endoscopy score (P = 0.02), N o significant difference was observed between treatments concerning hi stology or tolerance. Conclusion: Mesalazine suppositories were as wel l-tolerated as hydrocortisone foam, but were more effective for some p arameters of disease activity.