Ulcerative Colitis

In the first study, researchers from England treated more than 200 IBD patients with one of a number of NSAIDs for four weeks.

The patients were monitored every four to 12 months for a relapse in their condition.

In the end, researchers say patients with IBD are able to tolerate short-term use of NSAIDs and less than one in three is likely to experience a flare-up in symptoms.

They also discovered COX-2 inhibitors, previously believed to symptom recurrence, reduced the likelihood of a relapse.

Based on these findings, researchers say, "The tolerability to the selective COX- inhibitor nimesulide and low-dose aspirin might be important when contemplating anti-inflammatory analgesic and cardiovascular prophylactic treatment, respectively, in these patients." The second study, out of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., examined the effect of COX-2 inhibitors on more than 200 Patients were treated with either celecoxib (Celebrex) or a placebo for two weeks.

They were observed for disease exacerbation.

The study showed no significant relapse in patients on the active medication compared to those on the placebo.

Researchers say these findings warrant further studies to determine whether celecoxib could be a safe treatment for colitis patients.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by ...

Read more...