Inducing remission in people with ulcerative colitis · Inducing remission in people with...
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Inducing remission in people with ulcerInducing remission in people with ulcerativativeecolitiscolitis
NICE Pathways bring together everything NICE says on a topic in an interactiveflowchart. NICE Pathways are interactive and designed to be used online.
They are updated regularly as new NICE guidance is published. To view the latestversion of this NICE Pathway see:
http://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/ulcerative-colitisNICE Pathway last updated: 25 June 2019
This document contains a single flowchart and uses numbering to link the boxes to theassociated recommendations.
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1 Person with first presentation or exacerbation of ulcerative colitis
No additional information
2 Proctitis: mild to moderate
To induce remission in people with a mild-to-moderate first presentation or inflammatory
exacerbation of proctitis, offer a topical aminosalicylate1 as first-line treatment. See the tables on
categorising ulcerative colitis.
If remission is not achieved within 4 weeks, consider adding an oral aminosalicylate2.
If further treatment is needed, consider adding a time-limited course of a topical or an oral
corticosteroid3.
For people who decline a topical aminosalicylate:
consider an oral aminosalicylate as first-line treatment, and explain that this is not aseffective as a topical aminosalicylate
if remission is not achieved within 4 weeks, consider adding a time-limited course of atopical or an oral corticosteroid.
For people who cannot tolerate aminosalicylates, consider a time-limited course of a topical or
an oral corticosteroid.
Rationale and impact
See why we made the recommendations on treating proctitis and how they might affect practice
[See page 14].
3 Proctosigmoiditis and left-sided ulcerative colitis: mild to moderate
To induce remission in people with a mild-to-moderate first presentation or inflammatory
exacerbation of proctosigmoiditis or left-sided ulcerative colitis, offer a topical aminosalicylate as
first-line treatment. See the tables on categorising ulcerative colitis.
If remission is not achieved within 4 weeks, consider:
adding a high-dose oral aminosalicylate to the topical aminosalicylate or
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1 At the time of publication (May 2019), some topical aminosalicylates did not have a UK marketing authorisation for
this indication in children and young people. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full
responsibility for the decision. Informed consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical
Council's Prescribing guidance: prescribing unlicensed medicines for further information.2 At the time of publication (May 2019), some oral aminosalicylates did not have a UK marketing authorisation for
this indication in children and young people. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full
responsibility for the decision. Informed consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical
Council's Prescribing guidance: prescribing unlicensed medicines for further information.3 At the time of publication (May 2019), beclometasone dipropionate only has a UK marketing authorisation 'as add-
on therapy to 5-ASA containing drugs in patients who are non-responders to 5-ASA therapy in active phase'.
Additionally, budesonide (oral or rectal) and prednisolone foam are not licensed in children. For use outside these
licensed indications, the prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the
decision. Informed consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical Council's Prescribing
guidance: prescribing unlicensed medicines for further information.
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switching to a high-dose oral aminosalicylate and a time-limited course of a topicalcorticosteroid.
If further treatment is needed, stop topical treatments and offer an oral aminosalicylate and a
time-limited course of an oral corticosteroid.
For people who decline any topical treatment:
consider a high-dose oral aminosalicylate alone, and explain that this is not as effective asa topical aminosalicylate
if remission is not achieved within 4 weeks, offer a time-limited course of an oralcorticosteroid in addition to the high-dose aminosalicylate.
For people who cannot tolerate aminosalicylates, consider a time-limited course of a topical or
an oral corticosteroid.
Rationale and impact
See why we made the recommendations on treating proctosigmoiditis and left-sided ulcerative
colitis and how they might affect practice [See page 15].
4 Extensive ulcerative colitis: mild to moderate
To induce remission in people with a mild-to-moderate first presentation or inflammatory
exacerbation of extensive ulcerative colitis, offer a topical aminosalicylate and a high-dose oral
aminosalicylate as first-line treatment. See the tables on categorising ulcerative colitis.
If remission is not achieved within 4 weeks, stop the topical aminosalicylate and offer a high-
dose oral aminosalicylate with a time-limited course of an oral corticosteroid.
For people who cannot tolerate aminosalicylates, consider a time-limited course of an oral
corticosteroid.
See also further treatment for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis [See page 6].
Rationale and impact
See why we made the recommendations on treating extensive ulcerative colitis and how they
might affect practice [See page 17].
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5 Further treatment for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis
For information about different levels of severity see the tables on categorising ulcerative colitis.
Tofacitinib
The following recommendations are from NICE technology appraisal guidance on tofacitinib for
moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
Tofacitinib is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating
moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults when conventional therapy or a
biological agent cannot be tolerated or the disease has responded inadequately or lost
response to treatment. It is recommended only if the company provides tofacitinib with the
discount agreed in the commercial arrangement.
See why we made the recommendations on tofacitinib [See page 18].
NICE has written information for the public on tofacitinib.
Vedolizumab
The following recommendations are from NICE technology appraisal guidance on vedolizumab
for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
Vedolizumab is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating
moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults only if the company provides
vedolizumab with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.
Vedolizumab should be given until it stops working or surgery is needed. At 12 months after the
start of treatment, people should be reassessed to see whether treatment should continue.
Treatment should only continue if there is clear evidence of ongoing clinical benefit. For people
in complete remission at 12 months, consider stopping vedolizumab, then resuming treatment if
there is a relapse. People who continue vedolizumab should be reassessed at least every 12
months to see whether continued treatment is justified.
NICE has written information for the public on vedolizumab.
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Infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab
The following recommendations are from NICE technology appraisal guidance on infliximab,
adalimumab and golimumab for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis after the
failure of conventional therapy.
Infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab are recommended, within their marketing
authorisations, as options for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults
whose disease has responded inadequately to conventional therapy including corticosteroids
and mercaptopurine or azathioprine, or who cannot tolerate, or have medical contraindications
for, such therapies.
Golimumab is recommended only if the company provides the 100 mg dose of golimumab at
the same cost as the 50 mg dose, as agreed in the patient access scheme.
The choice of treatment between infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab should be made on an
individual basis after discussion between the responsible clinician and the patient about the
advantages and disadvantages of the treatments available. This should take into consideration
therapeutic need and whether or not the patient is likely to adhere to treatment. If more than 1
treatment is suitable, the least expensive should be chosen (taking into account administration
costs, dosage and price per dose).
Infliximab is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating severely
active ulcerative colitis in children and young people aged 6–17 years whose disease has
responded inadequately to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and mercaptopurine
or azathioprine, or who cannot tolerate, or have medical contraindications for, such therapies.
Infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab should be given as a planned course of treatment until
treatment fails (including the need for surgery) or until 12 months after starting treatment,
whichever is shorter. Specialists should then discuss the risks and benefits of continued
treatment with the patient, and their parent or carer if appropriate:
They should continue treatment only if there is clear evidence of response as determinedby clinical symptoms, biological markers and investigation, including endoscopy ifnecessary. People who continue treatment should be reassessed at least every 12 monthsto determine whether ongoing treatment is still clinically appropriate.
They should consider a trial withdrawal from treatment for all patients who are in stableclinical remission. People whose disease relapses after treatment is stopped should havethe option to start treatment again.
NICE has written information for the public on infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab.
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Budesonide multimatrix
NICE has published an evidence summary on ulcerative colitis: budesonide multimatrix
(Cortiment).
6 Acute severe ulcerative colitis (person admitted to hospital)
No additional information
7 Multidisciplinary team
For people admitted to hospital with acute severe ulcerative colitis:
ensure that a gastroenterologist and a colorectal surgeon collaborate to provide treatmentand management
ensure that the composition of the multidisciplinary team is appropriate for the age of theperson
seek advice from a paediatrician with expertise in gastroenterology when treating a child oryoung person
ensure that the obstetric and gynaecology team is included when treating a pregnantwoman.
For levels of severity see the tables on categorising ulcerative colitis.
Quality standards
The following quality statement is relevant to this part of the interactive flowchart.
Inflammatory bowel disease
2. Multidisciplinary team support
8 Treatment options
Likelihood of needing surgery
Assess and document on admission, and then daily, the likelihood of needing surgery for people
admitted to hospital with acute severe ulcerative colitis. See the tables on categorising
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ulcerative colitis.
Be aware that there may be an increased likelihood of needing surgery for people with any of
the following:
stool frequency more than 8 per day
pyrexia
tachycardia
an abdominal X-ray showing colonic dilatation
low albumin, low haemoglobin, high platelet count or CRP above 45 mg/litre (bear in mindthat normal values may be different in pregnant women).
Treatment
For information about different levels of severity see the tables on categorising ulcerative colitis.
For people admitted to hospital with acute severe ulcerative colitis (either a first presentation or
an inflammatory exacerbation):
offer intravenous corticosteroids to induce remission and
assess the likelihood that the person will need surgery (see above).
Consider intravenous ciclosporin1 or surgery for people:
who cannot tolerate or who decline intravenous corticosteroids or
for whom treatment with intravenous corticosteroids is contraindicated.
Take into account the person's preferences when choosing treatment.
Consider adding intravenous ciclosporin to intravenous corticosteroids or consider surgery for
people:
who have little or no improvement within 72 hours of starting intravenous corticosteroids or
whose symptoms worsen at any time despite corticosteroid treatment.
Take into account the person's preferences when choosing treatment.
Infliximab
These recommendations are from NICE technology appraisal guidance on infliximab for acute
exacerbations of ulcerative colitis.
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1 At the time of publication (May 2019), ciclosporin did not have a UK marketing authorisation for this indication.
The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision. Informed
consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical Council's Prescribing guidance: prescribing
unlicensed medicines for further information.
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This guidance relates only to the use of infliximab within its marketing authorisation, for the
treatment of acute exacerbations of severely active ulcerative colitis. It relates to an induction
course of three doses of infliximab.
Infliximab is recommended as an option for the treatment of acute exacerbations of severely
active ulcerative colitis only in patients in whom ciclosporin is contraindicated or clinically
inappropriate, based on a careful assessment of the risks and benefits of treatment in the
individual patient.
In people who do not meet the criterion above, infliximab should only be used for the treatment
of acute exacerbations of severely active ulcerative colitis in clinical trials.
NICE has written information for the public on infliximab.
9 Surgery
These recommendations apply to anyone with ulcerative colitis considering elective surgery.
The principles can also be applied to people requiring emergency surgery.
Information when considering surgery
For people with ulcerative colitis who are considering surgery, ensure that a specialist (such as
a gastroenterologist or a nurse specialist) gives the person and their family members or carers
(as appropriate) information about all available treatment options, and discusses this with them.
Information should include the benefits and risks of the different treatments and the potential
consequences of no treatment.
Ensure that the person and their family members or carers (as appropriate) have sufficient time
and opportunities to think about the options and the implications of the different treatments.
Ensure that a colorectal surgeon gives any person who is considering surgery and their family
members or carers (as appropriate) specific information about what they can expect in the short
and long term after surgery, and discusses this with them.
Ensure that a specialist (such as a colorectal surgeon, a gastroenterologist, an IBS nurse
specialist or a stoma nurse) gives any person who is considering surgery and their family
members or carers (as appropriate) information about:
diet
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sensitive topics such as sexual function
effects on lifestyle
psychological wellbeing
the type of surgery, the possibility of needing a stoma and stoma care.
Ensure that a specialist who is knowledgeable about stomas (such as a stoma nurse or a
colorectal surgeon) gives any person who is having surgery and their family members or carers
(as appropriate) specific information about the siting, care and management of stomas.
Information after surgery
After surgery, ensure that a specialist who is knowledgeable about stomas (such as a stoma
nurse or a colorectal surgeon) gives the person and their family members or carers (as
appropriate) information about managing the effects on bowel function. This should be specific
to the type of surgery performed (ileostomy or ileoanal pouch) and could include the following:
strategies to deal with the impact on their physical, psychological and social wellbeing
where to go for help if symptoms occur
sources of support and advice.
Interventional procedures
NICE has published guidance on the following procedures with special arrangements for
clinical governance, consent and audit or research:
reinforcement of a permanent stoma with a synthetic or biological mesh to prevent aparastomal hernia
Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir (modified continent ileostomy) to restore continenceafter colon and rectum removal
transanal total mesorectal excision of the rectum
insertion of a collagen plug to close an abdominal wall enterocutaneous fistula.
Pouchitis
NICE has published an evidence summary on pouchitis: rifaximin.
Quality standards
The following quality statement is relevant to this part of the interactive flowchart.
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Inflammatory bowel disease
3. Surgery
10 Maintaining remission
See Ulcerative colitis / Ulcerative colitis overview / Maintaining remission
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Rationale and impact: proctitis
Rationale
The evidence showed that topical aminosalicylates (suppositories or enema) are the most
effective treatments for achieving remission in people with mild-to-moderate proctitis, so these
were recommended as first-line treatments. The evidence did not show any difference in
effectiveness between enema and suppository.
Topical aminosalicylates alone are recommended for up to 4 weeks because the evidence
showed that they were the most effective treatment within this timeframe. There was no direct
evidence for combining topical and oral aminosalicylates for people with proctitis. However,
evidence showed that this combination was effective for people with proctosigmoiditis, and the
committee agreed that this evidence was also applicable to people with proctitis alone. The
committee chose not to specify a dose for the oral aminosalicylate. It preferred to leave it open
to clinical judgment depending on the specific situation (for example, the clinician could give a
low dose if the person had not taken an aminosalicylate before, or a high dose if the person was
already taking a low dose).
Some people will not achieve remission with topical and oral aminosalicylates. In clinical
practice, oral or topical corticosteroids are commonly added at this stage, but there was no
evidence on this combination. The committee agreed that, based on their experience, adding a
topical or oral corticosteroid should be an option at this stage.
Despite the lack of direct evidence for the effectiveness of topical or oral corticosteroids, the
committee agreed that, based on their experience, these should also be an option for people
who cannot tolerate aminosalicylates.
Some people decline topical treatment, preferring oral to topical aminosalicylates. This is more
common in children and young people, although proctitis is not common in this group. As the
evidence showed that oral aminosalicylates are not as effective at inducing remission, the
committee thought it was important to explain this to people who decline topical
aminosalicylates.
There was cost-effectiveness evidence showing that using an immunomodulator as the next line
of treatment after oral or topical corticosteroids and oral aminosalicylate produced greater
health benefits at lower total costs than other strategies. However, the clinical evidence on
topical immunomodulators was limited and it was unclear how applicable it was to UK clinical
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practice. Because of this, the committee recommended the sequence without this final
treatment, and recommended further research on topical immunomodulators.
Most of the evidence was for adults. However, the committee agreed to generalise the
recommendations to all people with a mild-to-moderate exacerbation or first presentation of
ulcerative colitis.
There is limited evidence on oral corticosteroids. In addition, the committee agreed that the use
of oral corticosteroids is generally reserved for later lines of treatment because of concerns
about side effects. It is not clear which corticosteroid is most effective for each extent of
disease. There is also limited evidence on immunomodulators, specifically oral tacrolimus and
systemic methotrexate for each extent of disease. The committee recommended further
research to address these uncertainties.
Impact
The new recommendations classify the extents of ulcerative colitis differently. This more closely
reflects current practice, so will be clearer and more informative for people with mild-to-
moderate ulcerative colitis and healthcare professionals.
The recommendations in the 2013 guideline referred to specific corticosteroids. To better reflect
the available evidence, the updated recommendations refer to aminosalicylates and
corticosteroids as a class rather than recommending individual treatments. This allows
healthcare professionals and people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis to choose the most
appropriate corticosteroid or aminosalicylate, depending on patient preference, availability and
acquisition cost.
The new recommendations specify that courses of oral corticosteroids should be time-limited.
This should address varying practice in prescribing for some corticosteroids.
For more information see the evidence review on induction of remission in mild-to-moderate
ulcerative colitis in the NICE guideline on ulcerative colitis.
Rationale and impact: proctosigmoiditis or left-sided ulcerative colitis
Rationale
There is evidence that topical aminosalicylates are effective for achieving remission in people
with mild-to-moderate proctosigmoiditis or left-sided ulcerative colitis. In the committee's
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experience topical aminosalicylates also work faster and more effectively than topical
corticosteroids. Topical aminosalicylates alone are recommended for up to 4 weeks because the
evidence showed that they were effective within this timeframe. Cost-effectiveness evidence
also showed that treatment sequences starting with topical aminosalicylates produced greater
health benefits and incurred lower total costs than other strategies.
There is no direct evidence for the effectiveness of high-dose oral aminosalicylates combined
with either topical aminosalicylates or topical corticosteroids. However, there is evidence that
topical treatments or high-dose oral aminosalicylates individually provide some benefit.
Therefore, the committee agreed it was reasonable to recommend combinations of these if
remission is not achieved. While there was limited evidence for oral corticosteroids, in the
committee's experience an oral corticosteroid may benefit people with proctosigmoiditis or left-
sided disease if further treatment is needed. As a result, they recommended oral corticosteroids
with oral aminosalicylates instead of topical treatment for these people. This reflects current
practice for people who do not achieve remission with topical treatments and high-dose oral
aminosalicylates.
Most of the evidence was for adults. However, the committee agreed to generalise the
recommendations to all people with a mild-to-moderate exacerbation or first presentation of
ulcerative colitis.
There is limited evidence on oral corticosteroids. In addition, the committee agreed that the use
of oral corticosteroids is generally reserved for later lines of treatment because of concerns
about side effects. It is not clear which corticosteroid is most effective for each extent of
disease. There is also limited evidence on immunomodulators, specifically oral tacrolimus and
systemic methotrexate for each extent of disease. The committee recommended further
research to address these uncertainties.
Impact
The new recommendations classify the extents of ulcerative colitis differently. This more closely
reflects current practice, so will be clearer and more informative for people with mild-to-
moderate ulcerative colitis and healthcare professionals.
The recommendations in the 2013 guideline referred to specific corticosteroids. To better reflect
the available evidence, the updated recommendations refer to aminosalicylates and
corticosteroids as a class rather than recommending individual treatments. This allows
healthcare professionals and people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis to choose the most
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appropriate corticosteroid or aminosalicylate, depending on patient preference, availability and
acquisition cost.
The new recommendations specify that courses of oral corticosteroids should be time-limited.
This should address varying practice in prescribing for some corticosteroids.
For more information see the evidence review on induction of remission in mild-to-moderate
ulcerative colitis in the NICE guideline on ulcerative colitis.
Rationale and impact: extensive ulcerative colitis
Rationale
The evidence showed that people with mild-to-moderate extensive ulcerative colitis would
benefit most from a combination of high-dose oral aminosalicylates with topical aminosalicylates
as first-line treatment. High-dose oral aminosalicylates combined with topical aminosalicylates
are recommended for up to 4 weeks, because in the committee's experience they are the most
effective treatment within this timeframe. There is evidence that an oral corticosteroid combined
with a high-dose oral aminosalicylate is also effective, so the committee recommended this
combination if remission is not achieved with aminosalicylates alone. In people who cannot
tolerate aminosalicylates, oral corticosteroids are recommended as they are also an effective
treatment option.
The sequence of drugs recommended was more effective than starting with a high-dose oral
aminosalicylate alone. There was some uncertainty around the cost effectiveness of this
sequence. The data on the effectiveness of high-dose oral aminosalicylates combined with
topical aminosalicylates was from an 8-week clinical trial. The committee believed that in
practice, people whose disease did not respond to treatment within 4 weeks would switch to
another treatment. When the cost-effectiveness analysis allowed for early switching, the
combination of a high-dose oral aminosalicylate and topical aminosalicylate was not cost
effective. However, if it was assumed that everyone continued treatment as described in the
trial, the combination of a high-dose oral aminosalicylate and topical aminosalicylate was more
likely to be cost effective. The committee took the uncertainty about the cost-effectiveness
results in the different scenarios into account in recommending the combination as first-line
treatment.
There was some evidence on methotrexate for inducing remission, but it did not show a clear
benefit, and there was no evidence on oral tacrolimus. To address these gaps in the evidence,
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the committee recommended further research on the effectiveness of tacrolimus and
methotrexate.
Most of the evidence was for adults. However, the committee agreed to generalise the
recommendations to all people with a mild-to-moderate exacerbation or first presentation of
ulcerative colitis.
There is limited evidence on oral corticosteroids. In addition, the committee agreed that the use
of oral corticosteroids is generally reserved for later lines of treatment because of concerns
about side effects. It is not clear which corticosteroid is most effective for each extent of
disease. There is also limited evidence on immunomodulators, specifically oral tacrolimus and
systemic methotrexate for each extent of disease. The committee recommended further
research to address these uncertainties.
Impact
The new recommendations classify the extents of ulcerative colitis differently. This more closely
reflects current practice, so will be clearer and more informative for people with mild-to-
moderate ulcerative colitis and healthcare professionals.
The recommendations in the 2013 guideline referred to specific corticosteroids. To better reflect
the available evidence, the updated recommendations refer to aminosalicylates and
corticosteroids as a class rather than recommending individual treatments. This allows
healthcare professionals and people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis to choose the most
appropriate corticosteroid or aminosalicylate, depending on patient preference, availability and
acquisition cost.
The new recommendations specify that courses of oral corticosteroids should be time-limited.
This should address varying practice in prescribing for some corticosteroids.
For more information see the evidence review on induction of remission in mild-to-moderate
ulcerative colitis in the NICE guideline on ulcerative colitis.
Rationale: tofacitinib for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis
Clinical trial evidence shows that tofacitinib is more effective than placebo for treating
moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. An indirect comparison suggests that for people
who have not had a TNF-alpha inhibitor, tofacitinib is more effective than adalimumab and
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golimumab as maintenance treatment. For people who have had a TNF-alpha inhibitor,
tofacitinib is more effective than adalimumab as induction treatment. No other statistically
significant differences between tofacitinib and biological therapies were identified.
Based on the health-related benefits and costs compared with conventional therapy and
biologicals, tofacitinib is recommended as a cost-effective treatment for moderately to severely
active ulcerative colitis in adults whose disease has responded inadequately to, or who cannot
tolerate, conventional or biological therapy.
For more information see the committee discussion in the NICE technology appraisal guidance
on tofacitinib for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
Glossary
CRP
C-reactive protein
IBD
inflammatory bowel disease
IBS
irritable bowel syndrome
PUCAI
Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index
Time-limited
(a course of corticosteroids used to treat active disease, normally given for 4 to 8 weeks,
depending on the steroid)
TNF
tumour necrosis factor
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Sources
Ulcerative colitis: management (2019) NICE guideline NG130
Tofacitinib for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (2018) NICE technology appraisal
guidance 547
Vedolizumab for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (2015) NICE technology
appraisal guidance 342
Infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative
colitis after the failure of conventional therapy (2015) NICE technology appraisal guidance 329
Infliximab for acute exacerbations of ulcerative colitis (2008) NICE technology appraisal
guidance 163
Your responsibility
Guidelines
The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful
consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and
practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual
needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not
mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility
to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them
and their families and carers or guardian.
Local commissioners and providers of healthcare have a responsibility to enable the guideline
to be applied when individual professionals and people using services wish to use it. They
should do so in the context of local and national priorities for funding and developing services,
and in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to
advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Nothing in this guideline
should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with complying with those duties.
Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable
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health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of
implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.
Technology appraisals
The recommendations in this interactive flowchart represent the view of NICE, arrived at after
careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, health
professionals are expected to take these recommendations fully into account, alongside the
individual needs, preferences and values of their patients. The application of the
recommendations in this interactive flowchart is at the discretion of health professionals and
their individual patients and do not override the responsibility of healthcare professionals to
make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with
the patient and/or their carer or guardian.
Commissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to provide the funding required to enable
the recommendations to be applied when individual health professionals and their patients wish
to use it, in accordance with the NHS Constitution. They should do so in light of their duties to
have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of
opportunity and to reduce health inequalities.
Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable
health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of
implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.
Medical technologies guidance, diagnostics guidance and interventional proceduresguidance
The recommendations in this interactive flowchart represent the view of NICE, arrived at after
careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, healthcare
professionals are expected to take these recommendations fully into account. However, the
interactive flowchart does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to
make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with
the patient and/or guardian or carer.
Commissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to implement the recommendations, in
their local context, in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful
Inducing remission in people with ulcerInducing remission in people with ulcerativative colitise colitis NICE Pathways
UlcerUlcerativative colitise colitis© NICE 2019. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
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discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Nothing in this
interactive flowchart should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance
with those duties.
Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable
health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of
implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.
Inducing remission in people with ulcerInducing remission in people with ulcerativative colitise colitis NICE Pathways
UlcerUlcerativative colitise colitis© NICE 2019. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
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