WORK PRODUCTIVITY AND ACTIVITY LIMITATION IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS: THE IMPACT OF TREATMENT WITH MMX ® MESALAMINE

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic incurable disease characterized by inflammation of the large intestine and the rectum. • 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), which includes mesalamine, is the recommended first-line therapy for mild-to-moderate UC, due to demonstrated efficacy and a good safety profile [1,2]. • The recently developed multi-matrix (MMX) formulation of mesalamine, which provides a higher concentration of mesalamine per pill (1.2g) than any previous formulation, is associated with increased patient treatment adherence [3]. • Patients with UC experience a number of symptoms, including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and fatigue, that can potentially impact their work productivity. • However, a literature search identified no clinical trials examining the impact of treatment on the work productivity of patients with UC • Thus, within this patient population, the extent to which the disease impacts work productivity, and the efficacy of treatment in reducing this impact, is unknown.