| Characteristic | IVCS response (n = 53) | IVCS failure (n = 46) |
| Males | 26 (49%) | 21 (46%) |
| Age (years) | 11.5 (SD 4.1) | 11.6 (SD 4.5) |
| Range (years) | 2–17 | 2–17 |
| Disease duration (months) | 1.8 (0–13.6) | 6.1 (0.2–19) |
| First attack | 27 (51%) | 20 (43%) |
| Exacerbation | 26 (49%) | 26 (57%) |
| Disease extent | ||
| Left sided | 6 (11%) | 4 (9%) |
| Extensive* | 47 (89%) | 42 (91%) |
| Steroid type | ||
| Methylprednisolone | 18 (34%) | 13 (28%) |
| Hydrocortisone | 35 (66%) | 33 (72%) |
| Steroid dose (mg/kg/day)** | 0.94 (0.8–1.4) | 1.05 (0.83–1.5) |
| PUCAI at admission | 67 (SD 13.8) | 74 (SD 9.5) |
| no. moderate*** | 18 (34%) | 7 (15%) |
| no. severe*** | 35 (66%) | 39 (85%) |
| Per cent weight loss† | 4.9 (1.1–7.3) | 6.3 (3.2–8.9) |
| Prior prednisone therapy | 23 (44%) | 26 (57%) |
| Days of bloody diarrhoea†† | 24 (10–60) | 25 (14–45) |
| Steroid course during the previous year | 14 (26%) | 8 (17%) |
Count (%), median (interquartile range) or mean ± SD are presented as appropriate for the data distribution.
In exploratory univariate analysis, none of the above variables were significantly different between the two groups, except for PUCAI at admission (Student t test; p = 0.015) and weight loss (analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of current weight adjusted for weight 1 month prior to admission; p = 0.023).
*According to the Montreal classification.20
**Standardised as methylprednisolone equivalent.
***As previously defined.6
†Over 1 month prior to admission.
††At the start of intravenous corticosteroid therapy.
PUCAI, Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index.