A Randomized, Multicenter Open Label Study Comparing Early Administration of Azathioprine Plus IFX to Steroids Plus Azathioprine for Acute Severe Colitis

PHASE : IV TYPE OF STUDY : With direct benefit. DESCRIPTIVE : Multicentre, randomized, open label study. INCLUSION CRITERIA : Acute severe ulcerative colitis. OBJECTIVES : To compare the efficacy and safety of early administration of the combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine with steroids and azathioprine in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis treated with intravenous steroids. STUDY TREATMENTS : All patients : Intravenous steroids (0.8 mg/kg/day of methylprednisolone or equivalent) for 5 days. Combination therapy arm: Infliximab 5 mg/kg plus Azathioprine 2-2.5 mg/kg/day. Azathioprine arm: Steroids tapering for 3 months and Azathioprine 2-2.5 mg/kg/day.