Open Label Safety and Efficacy Trial of Twice Daily Dosing of Asacol vs. Three Times Per Day Dosing for the Induction of Remission in Active Ulcerative Colitis

We plan to perform an open label, efficacy and safety pilot study with Asacol (a mesalamine product) for mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. An investigator, to confirm the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis will review the medical records of potentially eligible patients.

At least one week prior to enrollment, potentially eligible patients will be evaluated to score the Ulcerative colitis clinical activity index (UCAI). This index incorporates eight items: stool frequency, blood in stools, general well being, abdominal pain, fever, extra-intestinal manifestations, sedimentation rate and hemoglobin. Scores range from 0-32. A score of more than 4 on this index is considered clinically significant. A total score of 4-12 represents mild to moderate activity of colitis. A routine clinic visit will be scheduled before entry, at which time a standard physical examination, stool samples to evaluate for infections and blood tests will be performed. Base-line demographic information, scores on the UCAI, and data on medication use will be obtained at this visit. Quality of life will be measured one week prior to randomization with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, a previously validated instrument with four parts (on bowel function, emotional status, systemic symptoms, and social function); the total score on this index ranges from 32 to 224, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. The scores of patients in remission usually range from 170 to 190.

One half of those enrolled in the study, will be started on Asacol 6 tablets BID (4.8 grams/day). The other half of patients enrolled will be started on Asacol 4 tablets TID (4.8 grams/day). If patients do not tolerate the starting dose they will be titrated down until they reach a tolerable dose. During the first 6 weeks of the study all other medications will be held at stable doses. Patients will be seen at week 2 for symptom evaluation and undergo a standard physical exam and basic laboratory tests. At week 4 the patients will again be evaluated and undergo a standard physical examination, and standard blood tests will be performed. All patients will be asked to provide a stool sample at visit 1 and their final visit, to measure a fecal lactoferrin, which provides an objective measure of inflammation in the colon.

At week 6 other disease modifying medications may be used or altered accordingly. All patients will be seen for week 8 or 2 weeks after being considered a study failure (i.e. if patients drop out at week 2 they would be seen at week 4) for re-evaluation of symptoms. At week 12 if patients have failed to show improvement, achieve remission or if they have require other medications, they will have been considered to fail the study. Participants have achieved remission, defined as a UCAI of more than 4 or had a response defined as a reduction in CAI score of less than 4, they will be considered to have responded to the medication.

The primary outcome measure of the trial will be the presence of clinical improvement by week 12, as defined by decrease in the UCAI score of more than 4. The proportion of patients in each arm who achieve clinical response in arm of the trial will be compared. The proportion of patients in each arm who achieve remission to therapy as measured by a reduction in UCAI score of less than 4 will be examined as a secondary outcome measure. Other secondary outcomes will include improvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) scores, time to clinical response, self-reported patient satisfaction, patient compliance based on pill count, and time to failure. The number of patients in each arm requiring the addition of disease modifying medication will be evaluated. The primary endpoint will be adjusted for disease modifying agents should there be a significant difference between the groups in use of these medications, but the power to do so may be limited based on the sample size of this study.