P625 Randomized controlled trial on the effect of megaboluses of intravenous corticosteroids added to oral corticosteroids in the treatment of moderately active ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background Oral corticosteroids remain as the first-line treatment for moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). In controlled studies, they achieved clinical remission in 30-60% of patients at 30 days. In severe systemic diseases, intravenous bolus administration of methyl-prednisolone accelerates the clinical response and increases the therapeutic efficacy of corticosteroids. Aims To assess the additive effect of IV boluses of methyl-prednisolone in an outpatient Schedule on the remission rate of moderately active UC. Methods Randomized, controlled, open study. Inclusion criteria: 1) moderately active (complete May 6-10) distal or extensive UC; 2) never exposed to immunosuppressants or biologicals; 3) without corticosteroid therapy within the last 6 months. Randomization to oral prednisone 60mg/day (ORAL arm) or the same regimen preceded by intravenous boluses of 500mg methyl-prednisolone for 3 days (BOLUS arm). Primary endpoint: clinical and endoscopic remission at week 8 as defined by a complete Mayo score <3 with no subscore >1. Results are expressed in frequencies, medians and interquartile range. Results 75 patients (39 ORAL, 36 BOLUS) were included, 24% at diesease onset, 49% extensive UC, 68% were on maintenance with oral 5ASA, and 31% had ever received systemic corticosteroids. At baseline, complete Mayo score was 9 (7-9), with C-reactive protein 9.25 mg/L (3.85-20.17) and fecal calprotectin 1430 ug/g (501-2702), with no differences in the baseline clinical-epidemiological characteristics between both treatment arms. At 8 weeks, 37% of patients achieved clinical-endoscopic remission (47% BOLUS vs 28% ORAL; p=0.089), 52% mucosal healing -Mayo endoscopic subscore <2- (61% BOLUS vs 44% ORAL; p=0.129), 24% endoscopic remission -Mayo endoscopic=0- (31% BOLUS vs 18% ORAL; p=0.202) and 55% clinical remission - partial Mayo score <2- (61% BOLUS vs 49% ORAL; p=0.281). No associated factors with clinical-endoscopic remission were identified. Conclusion The addition of three intravenous megaboluses at the beginning of a conventional regimen of oral prednisone achieves a non-significant increase in clinical-endoscopic remission rates at the end of corticosteroid treatment in patients with moderately active UC.