Maintenance effect of polyglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii on remission in postoperative Crohn disease

OBJECTIVE: To observe the maintenance effect of polyglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on remission in postoperative Crohn disease (CD). METHODS: From 2005 to 2007, 45 adult cases of postoperative Crohn disease were randomly divided into two groups, GTW group and mesalazine group, which received GTW and mesalazine treatment respectively. CD activity index (CDAI) and clinical markers were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12 months or at the onset of symptoms. Ileocolonoscopy was performed at the end of the trial (1 year after operation) or at the onset of symptoms, and recurrence score were recorded. RESULTS: No clinical recurrence was ascertained in both groups at 3 months. Four patients (18.2%) in GTW group relapsed and 5 (21.7%) in mesalazine group relapsed at 6 months (P=0.530). Seven patients (31.8%) in GTW group and 9 (39.1%) in mesalazine group relapsed at one year (P=0.421). Ten patients (45.5%) in GTW group had endoscopic recurrence compared with 14 (60.9%) in mesalazine group at one year(P=0.231). There were no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: GTW is similar to mesalazine in maintenance of remission of postoperative Crohn disease.