Beclomethasone dipropionate in Crohn's ileitis: A randomised, double-blind trial.

Abstract Background Steroids, the mainstay of Crohn's disease treatment, have been associated with systemic side effects. Aim To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of beclomethasone dipropionate for maintaining remission induced by a short course of systemic steroids in patients with Crohn's ileitis with or without right colonic involvement. Methods Patients (n = 84) with active Crohn's disease who achieved remission during a 2-week prednisone run-in period were randomised to receive beclomethasone dipropionate for 24 weeks or continue prednisone for a further 2 weeks followed by placebo for 22 weeks. The primary outcome was relapse rate (Crohn's Disease Activity Index score > 150 and a…