Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis | Unravelling the uncertainty in diagnosis and management – MM1603

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterised by a relapsing–remitting pattern in most patients. UC affects men and women equally, and the age at onset is between the ages of 15 and 30 years in most patients, with a smaller second peak in patients over 50 years. Although the cause of UC remains unknown, the pathogenesis is likely to be multifactorial with interplay between genetic, microbial and other environmental factors.

Prompt diagnosis of UC and timely management of flares are crucial to good patient outcomes. GPs play an important role in identifying new cases, the ongoing management of mild to moderately active UC and also in identifying and referring acutely unwell patients for specialty care.

Modern Medicine – March 2016

Novel Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis Improves Compliance – MM1503

Ulcerative Colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease producing inflammation and ulcers along the inside of the colon, which can interfere with the normal function of the colon, often causing cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, bleeding, fatigue, weight loss and frequent bowel movements, which may also strongly affect quality of life. The 2011 reported incidence of ulcerative colitis was 1.2 to 20.3 cases per 100 000 persons per year with a prevalence of 7.6 to 246 cases per 100 000 per year.

Modern Medicine – March 2015