L. Hershenson, M. A. Hershenson
Jun 1, 1961
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Journal
The American Journal of Digestive Diseases
Abstract
ConclusionsRectal instillations of hydrocortisone sodium succinate were used to treat a group of patients with chronic ulcerative colitis that was refractory to moderate dosages of steroid given orally. Four of 11 courses of treatment induced remissions, and in another 3 a significant though incomplete degree of improvement resulted. These results were not so favorable as those in some previous studies in which this treatment was used for selected patients having disease of mild to moderate severity.Since absorption of hydrocortisone from the distal portion of the colon occurs only to a limited degree, larger doses may be given by this route than by mouth without producing toxic effects. Only in 1 patient in the present series was there any clinical evidence of even slight steroid side effects.Rectal steroid administration appears to be a relatively safe and sometimes effective treatment for cases of ulcerative colitis that have not responded to other medical therapy.