Ulcerative colitis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis is, however, a systemic disease that affects many parts of the body outside the intestine. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome ("IBS"), a troublesome, but much less serious condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn's disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Ulcerative colitis from other Diseases
Ulcerative colitis should be differentiated from other causes of diarrhea. It is very important to differentiate it from Crohn's disease as the management of both conditions is different though the initial presentation may be confused for any of these disorders.[1][2]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Risk factors include a family history of ulcerative colitis, or Jewish ancestry. It may affect any age group, although there are peaks at ages 15 - 30 and then again at ages 50 - 70. It affects men and women equally and appears to run in families, with reports of up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis having a family member or relative with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. A higher incidence of ulcerative colitis is seen in Whites and people of Jewish descent.
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Abdominal X Ray
CT
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Findings
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Alternative Treatments
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Future or Investigational Therapies
References
- ↑ Fattahi MR, Malek-Hosseini SA, Sivandzadeh GR, Safarpour AR, Bagheri Lankarani K, Taghavi AR; et al. (2017). "Clinical Course of Ulcerative Colitis After Liver Transplantation in Patients with Concomitant Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Ulcerative Colitis". Inflamm Bowel Dis. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000001105. PMID 28520586.
- ↑ Burisch J, Ungaro R, Vind I, Prosberg MV, Bendtsen F, Colombel JF; et al. (2017). "Proximal disease extension in patients with limited ulcerative colitis: a Danish population-based inception cohort". J Crohns Colitis. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx066. PMID 28486626.