The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of mesalazine suppository in the treatment of refractory ulcerative chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). In total, 10 refractory ulcerative CRP patients who did not respond to previous medical treatments were recruited for the present study and were treated with mesalazine suppository (0.5 g) twice daily for 24 weeks. For each patient, the severity of clinical symptoms and endoscopic appearance was assessed before and after the treatment. For symptom scoring, the reductions in the mean total symptom score (pre- vs. post-treatment, 8.20 vs. 0.90; P<0.01), rectal bleeding score (2.40 vs. 0.30; P<0.01), rectal pain score (2.00 vs. 0.50; P<0.01), stool frequency score (2.00 vs. 0.10; P<0.01) and tenesmus score (1.80 vs. 0.00; P<0.01) were all statistically significant. For mucosal damage scoring, there was a reduction in the mean scores for total scores (9.22 vs. 5.22; P<0.01), telangiectasia (2.78 vs. 1.89; P=0.009), edema (2.89 vs. 1.78; P=0.001) and ulceration (2.44 vs. 0.89; P=0.003). However, statistically reductions in the median symptom scores were not observed for stenosis (0.78 vs. 0.67; P=0.347) and necrosis (0.33 vs. 0.00; P=0.081). Furthermore, no adverse events were observed during and after the treatment. The topical mesalazine suppository may be a safe and effective treatment for CRP, particularly for patients with deep ulcers. Adequately randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the results of the present study.
Keywords: clinical efficacy; mesalazine suppository; refractory chronic radiation proctitis.