Azathioprine withdrawal in patients with Crohn's disease maintained on prolonged remission: a high risk of relapse

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Jan;7(1):80-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2008.08.028. Epub 2008 Sep 4.

Abstract

Background & aims: Azathioprine (AZA) withdrawal in Crohn's disease after long-term remission under treatment is controversial. In a Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the hypothesis that AZA withdrawal was not inferior to AZA continuation in patients in prolonged clinical remission could not be shown.

Methods: A cohort of 66 patients in prolonged remission while being treated with AZA who stopped AZA, during or at the end of the randomized controlled trial, underwent long-term follow-up evaluation. The primary end point was clinical relapse. Prognostic factors of relapse were looked for through a proportional hazards model.

Results: Median durations of AZA therapy and of clinical remission were 68.4 months (interquartile range, 52.8-85.2 mo) and 63.6 months (interquartile range, 48.0-55.7 mo), respectively. The median follow-up time after AZA interruption was 54.5 months; 32 of 66 patients had a relapse. The cumulative probabilities +/- SE of relapse at 1, 3, and 5 years were 14.0% +/- 4.3%, 52.8% +/- 7.1%, and 62.7% +/- 7.2%, respectively. C-reactive protein concentration of 20 mg/L or greater (risk, 58.6; 95% confidence interval, 7.5-457; P = .002), hemoglobin level less than 12 g/dL (risk, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-13.7; P = .04), and neutrophil count 4 x 10(9)/L or greater (risk, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-6.3; P = .003) were associated independently with an increased risk of relapse. Among the 32 relapsing patients, 23 were retreated by AZA alone, all but 1 up to successful remission.

Conclusions: Our results confirm that AZA withdrawal is associated with a high risk of relapse, whatever the duration of remission under this treatment. These data suggest that if AZA is well tolerated, it should not be interrupted.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use*
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Cohort Studies
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Withholding Treatment*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Azathioprine