Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Case reports and case series were excluded.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) were eligible for inclusion. The included controlled trials compared UFH (0.75 to 1 mg/kg per day) with methylprednisolone (0.75 mg/kg per day) for 10 days, or compared UFH (25 to 40,000 U/day intravenously) with hydrocortisone (200 mg intravenously four times daily, followed by 40 mg oral prednisolone) for 21 days. Observational studies used mainly LMWHs (nadroparine calcium, enoxaparin, dalteparin) in conjunction with glucocorticoids or mesalamine. Other observational studies used UFH in conjunction with either sulfasalazine or glucocorticoids. The observational studies lasted between 56 and 84 days.
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients with ulcerative colitis were eligible for inclusion.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Inclusion criteria for the outcomes were not specified. The primary review outcome was clinical improvement and/or remission.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.