Abstract
Background
Newer strategies that target the microbiome may offer an alternative therapeutic approach for Ulcerative Colitis (UC). We developed a novel diet that targets changes in the microbiome and barrier function that have been reported in UC. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of two sequential induction of remission strategies that target the microbiota: the novel diet termed the ulcerative colitis diet (UCD) and an antibiotics cocktail combination in dietary non responders.
Methods
This was a prospective, single arm, open label, pilot study in patients aged 8–19, with a pediatric UC activity index (PUCAI) scores >10 and ≤45 on stable maintenance therapy (5ASA or thiopurines). PUCAI score was assessed at week 3 and 6. Patients failing to enter remission or intolerant to dietary therapy could receive an open label 14-day course of Amoxycillin, Metronidazole and Doxycycline (AMD), and had PUCAI scored at day 21. Response was defined a decline in PUCAI ≥ 10 points, remission as PUCAI< 10. The primary endpoint was intention to treat (ITT) remission at week 6 with diet as the sole intervention.
Results
Twenty-three children mean age of 15.1±2.9 years were enrolled. Two patients (1 responder, 1 remission) withdrew by 3 weeks, four required additional therapy by week 3, all were considered failures by ITT. Mean PUCAI decreased at week 3 and 6 from 34.5±9.8 to 21.7±14.9 and 17.6±17.2 respectively (P=0.005, P=0.001) at ITT analysis including all patients. Sixteen out of twenty-three patients (69.6%) responded by week 6. Ten of twenty-three (43.5%) achieved remission by week 6, and nine (39.1%) had clinical remission at week 6. The median fecal calprotectin (FC) level decreased in patients (n=5) who achieved remission from 630 (IQR, 332–1586) μg/g at week 0 to 230 (75–1298) μg/g at week 6. Eight patients received treatment with antibiotics after failing diet, 4/8 (50.0%) subsequently entered remission.
Conclusion
A dietary intervention called the UC Diet appears to be effective for induction of remission in children with mild to moderate UC. Sequential use of diet, followed by antibiotic therapy in dietary non responders, needs further evaluation as a microbiome directed steroid sparing therapy in patient’s refractory to 5ASA and thiopurines.
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