AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis

These practice recommendations for the management of moderate-to-severe UC were developed using the GRADE framework and in adherence to the standards established by the Institute of Medicine for the development of trustworthy guidelines12, 13. The goal of this guideline is to promote high quality, high value evidence-based care for patients with moderate-to-severe UC. Current evidence supports use of infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, vedolizumab, and tofacitinib for the induction and maintenance of remission in moderate-severe UC. Thiopurine monotherapy should not be used for induction of remission but may be considered for maintenance of remission; in contrast, methotrexate monotherapy, orally or subcutaneously, should not be used for induction or maintenance of remission. Network meta-analysis suggests that infliximab and vedolizumab may be preferred first-line therapy in biologic-naive patients, rather than standard-dose adalimumab or golimumab, with limited evidence to inform appropriate positioning of tofacitinib. In patients with prior exposure to infliximab, particularly those with primary non-response to induction therapy, vedolizumab or tofacitinib may be preferred over adalimumab or golimumab. Combination therapy of a biologic agent with an immunomodulator is more effective than monotherapy with either agent, though patients, particularly those with less severe disease and those averse to side effects from medications, may opt for monotherapy. In patients with moderate-severe disease activity, at high risk of colectomy, biologic agents with or without an immunomodulator, or tofacitinib, should be used early rather than gradual step up therapy after failure of 5-aminosalicylates. Patients in remission with biologic agents and/or immunomodulators or tofacitinib after prior failure of 5-ASA, may discontinue 5-aminosalicylates. Among hospitalized patients with ASUC, after excluding alternative etiologies, intravenous methylprednisolone doses of 40–60mg/day or equivalent are mainstay of therapy. Routine use of adjunctive antibiotics in patients without infections is not recommended. Patients who are refractory to 3–5 days trial of intravenous corticosteroids, who prefer ongoing medical management, may be treated with either infliximab or cyclosporine. In patients being treated with infliximab, no recommendation can be made regarding routine use of intensive vs. standard infliximab dosing.