Effectiveness of Upadacitinib for Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Multi-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) require colectomy. METHODS: ASUC patients treated with upadacitinib and IV corticosteroids at five hospitals are presented. The primary outcome was 90-day colectomy rate. Secondary outcomes included frequency of steroid-free clinical remission, adverse events, and all-cause readmissions. RESULTS: Of the 25 ASUC patients treated with upadacitinib, 6 (24%) patients underwent colectomy, 15 (83%) patients experienced steroid-free clinical remission, one (4%) patient experiencd a venous thromboembolic event, one (4%) patient experienced COVID-19, while five (20%) patients were readmitted. CONCLUSION: Upadacitinib along with IV corticosteroids may be an effective treatment for ASUC.