Optimizing 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Maintenance Treatment in Ulcerative Colitis from the Patient and Physician...

There are currently no standardized guidelines for optimizing 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) maintenance treatment, particularly in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who have achieved clinical remission (CR). Therefore, this study examined the perspectives of patients and physicians regarding 5-ASA dose reduction and medication adherence to optimize maintenance treatment.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to May 2023 at 19 institutions and included patients with UC and physicians. The participants' perspectives were assessed using an anonymous questionnaire.

This study included 369 patients with UC (female, 43.1%; age, > 60 years, 29.3%; CR, 88.9%). Preference to reduce the 5-ASA dose and low medication adherence were observed in 46.1% and 16.0% of patients, respectively. Low medication adherence (odds ratio [OR]: 3.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-7.03) was associated with the preference to reduce the 5-ASA dose. Multivariate analysis for factors associated with low medication adherence revealed age < 60 years (OR: 10.25, 95% CI: 3.58-29.38), no intractable disease subsidy (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.09-6.35), dosing frequency ≥ 2 times/day (OR: 9.04, 95% CI: 3.67-22.25), and preference to reduce the 5-ASA dose (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.16-5.70) as significant. Among 153 physicians, 62.7% had > 10 years of experience, and 51.0% regularly verified adherence, with experience being a significant factor (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.10-3.68).

Factors influencing medication adherence with 5-ASA included patients' desire for dose reduction and physicians' lack of experience. Improving communication with patients and enhancing education for physicians could help optimize treatment with 5-ASA.