A Case of Ulcerative Colitis with Prolonged Remission Following Azathioprine-Induced Pancytopenia.
- Author:
Jun Seok LEE
1
;
Young Sook PARK
;
Nam In KIM
;
Yoon Ju JO
;
Seung Hwan KIM
;
Han Hyo LEE
;
Moon Hee SONG
;
Dae Won JUN
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. pys1109@eulji.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Azathioprine;
Pancytopenia;
Colitis, Ulcerative
- MeSH:
Azathioprine;
Bone Marrow;
Bone Marrow Transplantation;
Colitis, Ulcerative;
Colonoscopy;
Humans;
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases;
Leukapheresis;
Leukocyte Count;
Leukocytes;
Pancytopenia;
Recurrence;
Steroids;
Ulcer
- From:Intestinal Research
2008;6(1):85-89
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Azathioprine (AZA) is widely used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Bone marrow suppression is a common side effect with AZA treatment. However, data from AZA trials has indicated that a leukocyte count less than 5,000/mm3 was a good predictor of induction and maintenance of remission. Moreover, there is evidence that eradication of sensitized leukocytes by leukapheresis or bone marrow transplantation improves inflammatory bowel disease. We report a case of a patient who had a chronic relapse of ulcerative colitis requiring the frequent use of systemic steroids, but presented prolonged remission following AZA-induced severe pancytopenia. Also colonoscopy showed accelerated healing of diffuse active ulcers following just recovery from pancytopenia.
