Effectiveness of Upadacitinib for Patients With Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Multicenter Experience

Am J Gastroenterol. 2024 Mar 27. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002674. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Introduction: A significant proportion of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) require colectomy.

Methods: Patients with ASUC treated with upadacitinib and intravenous corticosteroids at 5 hospitals are presented. The primary outcome was 90-day colectomy rate. Secondary outcomes included frequency of steroid-free clinical remission, adverse events, and all-cause readmissions.

Results: Of the 25 patients with ASUC treated with upadacitinib, 6 (24%) patients underwent colectomy, 15 (83%) of the 18 patients with available data and who did not undergo colectomy experienced steroid-free clinical remission (1 patient did not have complete data), 1 (4%) patient experienced a venous thromboembolic event, while 5 (20%) patients were readmitted.

Discussion: Upadacitinib along with intravenous corticosteroids may be an effective treatment for ASUC.