Factors affecting short- and long-term effects of leukocyte removal therapy in active ulcerative colitis

Background and Aim Leukocyte removal therapy (LRT) is recognized as an effective treatment for active ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, factors associated with the efficacy and long-term effects of LRT were evaluated. Methods From April 1998 to March 2010, 98 patients with moderate to severe UC were randomly assigned to granulocyte and monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis (GMA) (n = 47) or leukocytapheresis (LCAP) (n = 51) treatment. Patients received two sessions of LRT in the first week, followed by three weekly administrations. All patients were treated with 5-aminosalicylic acid and corticosteroid. Steroid doses were tapered if patients achieved clinical improvement. Clinical remission was defined as a decrease in clinical activity index to