Up to now, the most common medication for UC has been steroids. When the patient does not respond to steroids and the disease is progressing, surgery is implemented as the last option. For the majority of patients, the first attack is around the age of 20. Most patients experience adverse side effects associated with high dose and long-term administration of steroid and hence, they could have a poor QOL (Quality of Life) including those who opted for surgery. The adverse reactions to steroids persist as long as steroids are continued or even for sometime thenafter. These include osteoporosis, myopathy, reduced resistance to infection, derangement of carbohydrate tolerance and emotional distress.

Based on the results of a multicenter clinical trial, Adacolumn apheresis produced efficacy in a large fraction of patients with active severe or intractable UC and was associated with very few, non-severe side effects. Thus, QOL was improved in most patients who received apheresis therapy.

With Adacolumn apheresis physicians may achieve remission of UC, avoid surgery and side effects of steroids. These actions can improve patients’ QOL and by reducing the use of steroids, the cost of medical therapy should go down.