Introduction Treatment options for patients with chronic refractory colitis are limited. White cell aphaeresis (WCA) is effective in inducing clinical remission in chronic refractory colitis in patients with a strong inflammatory burden at baseline and histologically active disease. Previous multinational sham controlled trials have demonstrated significant improvement when patients with high histological activity (modified Rileys score) are selected for treatment.

Methods A prospective study was conducted in 30 patients with severe steroid -dependent or steroid -refractory ulcerative colitis referred for WCA. Inclusion criteria were (i) High disease activity score (partial Mayo score ≥6) (ii) Intractable symptoms despite treatment with steroids and/or immunosuppressants (iii) Severe disease at endoscopy and histologically. The aim was to induce clinical and IBD-Q remission at 12 weeks. A Mayo score ≤3 defined clinical remission. The 32 item Inflammatory Bowel Disease questionnaire (IBD-Q) was used to assess quality of life prior to treatment and at 12 weeks.

Results Patient Characteristics: Prior to treatment 28 patients (93.3%) were prescribed 5-ASA compounds. 12 patients (40%) were prescribed topical therapies (5-ASA enemas or suppositories/steroids enemas). 27 patients (90%) were steroid dependent (Prednisolone mean dose 21.1 mg, median 20 mg). Three patients (10%) were steroid refractory (no response to high dose oral steroids). 13 patients (43.3%) were prescribed Azathioprine of the remainder all had documented intolerance or a contraindication. One patient (3.3%) was prescribed six Mercaptopurine. Five patients had failed Infliximab (16.6%) and in one patient (3.3%) it was contraindicated. 1 patient (3.3%) had failed intramuscular Methotrexate. Outcomes: At week 12 clinical remission (Mayo score ≤3) was achieved in 22 patients (73.3%), 18 patients (60%) were no longer prescribed oral steroids. IBD-Q remission at week 12 was achieved in 19 patients (63.3%). Of the remainder, five patients (16.6%) achieved an IBD-Q response. Of eight patients (26.6%) who failed to achieve clinical remission at 12 weeks, one achieved delayed remission at 20 weeks. Of the remaining seven treatment failures, five underwent colectomy (16.6%).

Conclusion WCA can be effective in inducing clinical remission and improving quality of life (IBD-Q) indices in chronic severe steroid refractory ulcerative colitis with highly active disease histologically. This data series suggests WCA should be considered before colectomy in this challenging patient group.

Competing interests None declared.