Resistance to intravenous glucocorticosteroid therapy in ulcerative colitis: unsolved problems (review)
Intravenous glucocorticosteroids remain a first line therapy of severe attacks of ulcerative colitis. Novel drugs of "second line", such as infliximab and cyclosporin, allow to avoid colectomy even in case of steroid refractoriness. Meanwhile, there are still no clear algorithm for beginning of second line therapy. This review provides existing criteria of steroid refractoriness, recommended duration of intravenous steroid therapy before their inefficacy can be indetified, as well as factors, predicting resistance to steroids.