Immunosuppressant Discontinuation in Elderly Patients With Ulcerative Colitis And Long-term Remission

Study population and total sample size: 304 patients aged ≥ 60 years with ulcerative colitis in sustained clinical remission while on long-term thiopurine therapy. Treatment strategies Group 1 - Continuation of thiopurines (± baseline oral mesalazine). Group 2 - Discontinuation of thiopurines and initiation/maintenance of oral mesalazine at a dose of 4 g/day. Patients will attend a screening visit, a baseline visit (Day 0), and subsequently follow-up visits every 4 months until month 24. Fecal calprotectin will be measured at each visit according to standardized and validated procedures. The occurrence of relapse will lead to discontinuation of the patient's participation in the trial. Thereafter, rescue therapy will be initiated at the investigator's discretion and outside the scope of the study.