| Theme |
The Newest Strategies for Severe Ulcerative Colitis |
| Title |
Assessment and Prediction of Severe Ulcerative Colitis |
| Author |
Kunihiko Aoyagi |
Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University |
| Author |
Toshiyuki Matsui |
Departments of Gastroenterology, Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka University |
| Author |
Shotaro Sakisaka |
Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University |
| [ Summary ] |
Factors associated with severe ulcerative colitis include severe attacks, steroid-resistance, refractory conditions and poor long-term prognosis. Patients with severe ulcerative colitis, resistant to medical treatment, often receive emergency colectomies or have poor prognoses. Exacerbating factors consist of infections, drugs, pregnancy, extraintestinal complications, or human leukocyte antigens. Assessment of disease severity requires the use of the activity index, as well as assessment of symptoms and laboratory data, colonoscopy, and/or barium enema examination. To make predictions in relation to severe colitis, observation of changes in the activity index and responses to medical treatment are of value. In addition to factors influencing exacerbation, it is important to assess disease severity and to predict severe colitis. |