Comparing two steroid-sparing treatments for hard-to-control inflammatory bowel disease

This trial is testing whether ozanimod, a newer medication, works better than azathioprine (an older steroid-sparing drug) for treating ulcerative colitis in real-world clinical practice. The study focuses on patients who are currently taking high doses of oral steroids and need a medication to help them reduce or stop those steroids. Researchers will review medical records from patients in Japan who have already started one of these two treatments.

Many patients with ulcerative colitis become dependent on steroids—they need them to control symptoms, but long-term steroid use carries serious side effects like bone loss and infections. This study exists to understand whether the medication can help patients reduce their steroid dose more effectively than the current standard alternative treatment.