Description Module
The Description Module contains narrative descriptions of the clinical trial, including a brief summary and detailed description. These descriptions provide important information about the study's purpose, methodology, and key details in language accessible to both researchers and the general public.
Description Module path is as follows:
Study -> Protocol Section -> Description Module
Description Module
Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-24 @ 1:15 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-24 @ 1:15 PM
NCT ID:
NCT06878495
Brief Summary:
This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of discontinuing 5-ASA in UC and CD patients receiving stable biologic or immunomodulator therapy using a prospective cohort based in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region. It seeks to determine whether discontinuing 5-ASA is a safe treatment strategy in modern IBD management.
Detailed Description:
In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is widely used as a first-line treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) and is still prescribed for Crohn's disease (CD). However, for patients who do not respond to conventional therapy, anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents have become an effective alternative. This has led to ongoing debate about whether continued use of 5-ASA is necessary after transitioning to anti-TNF therapy.
Recent retrospective studies have reported that discontinuing 5-ASA after initiating anti-TNF therapy in UC and CD patients does not increase the risk of clinical adverse outcomes such as new steroid use, hospitalization, or bowel surgery. However, a study based on U.S. data had a median follow-up period of less than one year, making it difficult to assess long-term effects. Additionally, studies on relapse risk after discontinuing 5-ASA have identified younger age, extensive disease, and frequent relapses as risk factors, but detailed analyses for patients receiving anti-TNF therapy remain insufficient.
Another critical issue is the economic burden of continued 5-ASA treatment. In South Korea, the annual cost of the most commonly used 5-ASA formulations constitutes a significant portion of overall healthcare expenses. Discontinuing 5-ASA could reduce treatment costs, simplify therapy, improve patient adherence, and minimize adverse effects associated with polypharmacy. Regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention, recent trends indicate a decreasing incidence of CRC in IBD patients. Since mucosal inflammation is considered a primary driver of CRC, additional 5-ASA use may not be necessary if mucosal healing is achieved through biologics or small-molecule therapies.
Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of discontinuing 5-ASA in UC and CD patients receiving stable biologic or immunomodulator therapy.
Study:
NCT06878495
Study Brief:
Protocol Section:
NCT06878495