Background: Pouchitis has been suggested to be a recurrence of ulcerative colitis in a colon-like mucosa. Topical steroids are a valid therapeutic alternative for distal forms of ulcerative colitis.
Aim: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of budesonide enema in the treatment of pouchitis compared with oral metronidazole.
Materials and methods: Twenty-six patients with an active episode of pouchitis (defined as a pouchitis disease activity index score >or= 7) and no treatment during the previous month were randomized to receive either budesonide enema (2 mg/100 mL at bedtime) plus placebo tablets or oral metronidazole (0.5 g b.d.) plus placebo enema in a prospective, double-blind, double-dummy, 6-week, controlled trial.
Results: Based on the intention-to-treat principle, we detected a significant improvement in disease activity at the end of the first week with both drugs (P < 0.01). After that, improvement was moderated until stabilization at 4 weeks in both treatments. The per protocol analysis showed that both drugs had similar efficacy in terms of disease activity, clinical and endoscopic findings. Fifty-eight per cent and 50% of patients improved (decrease in pouchitis disease activity index >or= 3) with budesonide enema and metronidazole, respectively (odds ratio, 1.4; confidence interval, 0.2-8.9). Adverse effects were observed in 57% of patients given metronidazole and in 25% of patients given budesonide.
Conclusions: Budesonide enemas are an alternative treatment for active pouchitis, with similar efficacy but better tolerability than oral metronidazole.