W1228 Prospective Scheduled Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Guide Perineal Crohn's Fistula Treatment with Infliximab, Adalimumab and Thalidomide

Likewise, at week 12, 46 of 70 patients (65.7%) had their CAI improved to ≤4.These included 26 of 34 steroid naïve patients (76.5%) and 20 of 36 steroid dependent patients (55.6%).Prednisolone was to be tapered in responders, but this attempt was associated with relapse in some patients.CONCLUSIONS: In IBD, presence of activated and often elevated myelocytic leukocytes might be a significant factor in poor drug efficacy and refractoriness.Efficient depletion of myelocytic leukocytes appears to be clinically most effective in steroid naïve patients who are then spared from corticosteroid and other drugs.Steroid dependent patients also should benefit from GMA by continuing with their ongoing conventional medication and taper corticosteroids when their improvement has become stable.