Efficacy of Topical 5-Aminosalicylates in Preventing Relapse of Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-analysis

On the basis of a meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials, topical mesalamine is effective in preventing relapse of quiescent UC, with no greater number of adverse events than placebo. However, because most studies included only patients with left-sided disease or proctitis, the efficacy of topical mesalamine in preventing relapse in patients with more extensive quiescent UC is not known.