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Evidence summaries

Curcumin for Maintenance of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis

Curcumin, added to mesalamine or sulfasalazine, might possibly be beneficial for maintenance of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, but the evidence is insufficient. Level of evidence: "D"

The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (wide confidence intervals, few patients) and by indirectness (only short term outcomes reported).

Summary

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 1 RCT with 89 patients to assess the effects of curcumin as an anti-inflammatory agent, adjunctive to usual care, for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.

Participants of any age diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as confirmed by clinical and endoscopic criteria and in remission at the time of enrolment were considered. Primary outcome was clinical or endoscopic relapse and secondary outcomes included Frequency and nature of adverse events, changes in disease activity score (modified Mayo Score), changes in the endoscopy score (Mayo Score) and time to relapse. The main results are illustrated in Table 1.

Table 1

OutcomeAssumed risk (control)Corresponding risk (Curcumin added)Relative effect (95% CI)
Relapse at 6 months182 per 100044 per 1000(9 to 198)RR 0.24 (0.05 to 1.09)
Relapse at 12 months318 per 1000223 per 1000(111 to 445)RR 0.7 (0.35 to 1.4)
Clinical Activity Index at 6 monthsThe mean index was 2.2. pointsThe mean index was 1.2 lower (2.14 to 0.26 lower)
Endoscopic Index at 6 monthsThe mean endoscopic index was 1.6 pointsThe mean index was 0.8 lower (1.33 to 0.27 lower)

Clinical comments

Note

Date of latest search:

    References

    • Kumar S, Ahuja V, Sankar MJ et al. Curcumin for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;10():CD008424. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords