A single case report of East-West integrative therapy for refractory ulcerative colitis

IntroductionMany patients with ulcerative colitis often try a complementary medicine approach as western medications do not necessarily cure UC but can only reduce symptoms. This case report presents a combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and conventional drugs as an integrative treatment for refractory ulcerative colitis.MethodA 27-year-old woman with a refractory ulcerative colitis had been treated with combination of TCM therapies and conventional drugs. We evaluated the improvement of disease status using periodic endoscopic findings and Mayo score assessment.ResultsThe symptoms including abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea mixed with blood and mucous discharge, and weight loss, had persisted with only occasional remission with corticosteroids and sulfasalazine treatment. Combination of TCM-based treatment remarkably improved all symptoms under use of only half-dose of sulfasalazine. The inflammation and bleeding disappeared at colonoscopy examination, with a significant reduction in Mayo score from 10 to 3 in 3 months.ConclusionThis case report proposes a potential strategy for treating severe active ulcerative colitis.