Ulcerative Colitis: Anonymous00320

Cohen JL, Strong SA, Hyman NH, Buie WD, Dunn GD, Ko CY, Fleshner PR, Stahl TJ, Kim DG, Bastawrous AL, Perry WB, Cataldo PA, Rafferty JF, Ellis CN, Rakinic J, Gregorcyk S, Shellito PC, Kilkenny JW, Ternent CA, Koltun W, Tjandra JJ, Orsay CP, Whiteford MH, Penzer JR, Anonymous00320. · Fletcher Allen Health Care, 111 Colchester Avenue, Fletcher 301, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA. · Dis Colon Rectum. · Pubmed #16258712 No free full text.

Abstract: The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is dedicated to assuring high-quality patient care by advancing the science, prevention, and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. The Standards Committee is composed of Society members who are chosen because they have demonstrated expertise in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery. This committee was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus. This is accompanied by developing Clinical Practice Guidelines based on the best available evidence. These guidelines are inclusive, and not prescriptive. Their purpose is to provide information on which decisions can be made, rather than dictate a specific form of treatment. These guidelines are intended for the use of all practitioners, health care workers, and patients who desire information about the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered in these guidelines. It should be recognized that these guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all of the circumstances presented by the individual patient.

Henriksen M, Jahnsen J, Lygren I, Sauar J, Kjellevold Ø, Schulz T, Vatn MH, Moum B, Anonymous00320. · Department of Internal Medicine, Østfold Hospital, Moss, Norway. · Inflamm Bowel Dis. · Pubmed #16804390 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The majority of studies concerning the clinical course and prognosis in ulcerative colitis (UC) are old, retrospective in design, or hospital based. We aimed to identify clinical course and prognosis in a prospective, population-based follow-up study MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or possible IBD in southeastern Norway during the period 1990-1994 were followed prospectively for 5 years. The evaluation at 5 years included an interview, clinical examination, laboratory tests, and colonoscopy. RESULTS: Of 843 patients diagnosed with IBD, 454 patients who had definite UC and for whom there were sufficient data for analysis were alive 5 years after inclusion in the study. The frequency of colectomy in this population was 7.5%. Forty-one percent of the patients were not taking any kind of medication for IBD at 5 years. Of the patients initially diagnosed with proctitis, 28% had progressed during the observation period, 10% to extensive colitis. The majority of the patients (57%) had no intestinal symptoms at 5 years, and only a minority (7%) had symptoms that interfered with everyday activities. Among the patients who underwent colonoscopy at the 5-year visit, symptoms were frequently reported in patients without macroscopic inflammation (44%). A relapse-free course was observed in 22% of the patients. A decrease in symptoms during the follow-up period was the most frequent course taken by the disease and was observed in 59% of the cases. The extent of disease was unrelated to symptoms at 5 years and also to relapse rate and course of disease during the 5-year period. CONCLUSIONS: The disease course and prognosis of UC appears better than previously described in the literature. The frequency of surgery was low, and only a minority of the patients had symptoms that interfered with their everyday activities 5 years after diagnosis.