OC.11.4 LONG TERM EFFICACY OF GRANULOCYTE-MONOCYTE-APHERESIS IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS. THE ITALIAN REGISTRY OF THERAPEUTIC APHERESIS

G A A b st ra ct s These cases were divided into two groups according to the period of availability of infliximab (IFX): pre-IFX (N=94, Jan. 1975 Jun. 2001) and post-IFX (N=88, Jul. 2001 Jun. 2009). Results: The perianal lesions were observed in 36.3% of CD patients, more common in male, and diagnosed at younger age than CD without perianal lesions. Fistula was the most prevalent lesion, followed by abscess, fissure, and stricture. Perianal lesions preceded abdominal symptoms such as pain and diarrhea in 25% of the cases. In post-IFX group, the remission rates with non-specific conservative management, specific medical treatment, surgical treatment, and combined surgical and medical treatment were 17%, 73%, 58%, and 72%, respectively. The remission rate of combined treatment in post-IFX group was significantly higher than that in pre-IFX group. Cumulative relapse rates in 1, 3, and 5 years were 9.4%, 31.3%, and 41.7%, respectively. Medical maintenance treatment was the only significant factor that lowers the relapse rates (p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that initial medical treatment is effective and maintenance therapy lowers the recurrence rates in CD patients with perianal lesions.