Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Inclusion criteria

• Age:≥18 years
• Verified ulcerative colitis diagnosis according to clinical, endoscopic and histological standard criteria.
• Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis established for at least 6 months
• Moderate active ulcerative colitis, total Mayo score > 6
• Endoscopic subscore activity grade ≥1
• Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Pancolitis or acute severe ulcerative colitis requiring immediate treatment
• Need for admission due to active ulcerative colitis
• Ulcerative colitis with systemic symptoms (abdominal pain, fever > 37.5 degrees, weight loss exceeding 3 kilograms).
• Patient with anemia (Haemoglobin < 8.3 mmol/l for males and < 7.3 mmol/l for females).
• Patient with ostomy or pouch.
• The patient has had a bowel resection (except appendectomy)
• The patient has constipation and/or another known bowel condition than ulcerative colitis such as IBS.
• The patient has diabetes.
• Regular intake of acetylsalicylic acid or NSAIDs
• The patient cannot understand the information material.
• The patient has had colon cancer, dysplasia or adenomatous polyps in the colon during the recent 5 year
• The patient is in a poor general condition.
• The patient has had a food poisoning within the last three months.
• The patient is pregnant at the time of inclusion or has planned pregnancy during the period of study.
• The patient is in medical treatment with cyclosporine at the beginning of the run in period.
• Treatment for ulcerative colitis treatment has been changed within two weeks before the first day in the run in period
• The patient has commenced treatment with azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine or methotrexate within 12 weeks before the first day in the run in period.
• The patient has commenced treatment with TNF-α inhibitors within 12 weeks before the first day of the run in period.
• The patient suffers from coeliac disease or lactose intolerance.
• Antibiotic treatment within two weeks before the first day of the run in period.
• Patient has any medical, surgical condition that excludes the use of RIC.