Prediction of short-term outcome for patients with active ulcerative colitis

We report results of a retrospective chart review to evaluate factors predi cting short-term outcome of patients with ulcerative colitis treated by cor ticosteroids. Between January 1992 and December 1997, we treated 71 patient s with ulcerative colitis (44 with severe and 27 with moderately severe dis ease). Forty-nine patients were treated by conventional prednisolone therap y and 22 patients by steroid pulse therapy. There were no differences in cl inical or endoscopic improvement between the two treatments. Clinical exami nation showed that 41 patients entered remission, 17 patients improved, and 13 patients did not respond. Endoscopically, 26 patients entered omission, 30 patients improved, and 15 patients did not respond. Extent of disease, type of disease (first attach, relapsing, or chronic active type), and endo scopic findings were factors useful in predicting short-term outcome of med ical treatment.