Nicotine (Transdermal): Ulcerative Colitis

摘要

Ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease marked by diffuse mucosal inflammation, is commonly limited to the colon but also may involve part or all of the large intestine. Clinical symptoms typically include bloody diarrhea and rectal urgency with spontaneous remissions or exacerbations. Treatment is focused on the reversal of symptoms and reduction in mucosal inflammation, which may be maintained with topical mesalamine or oral aminosalicylates. Ulcerative colitis is more prevalent in non-smokers (those who have never smoked) than in current smokers, and former smokers are at greater risk than lifetime nonsmokers, suggesting that smoking or nicotine may provide a protective effect against the development of ulcerative colitis.1'2 Thus, the use of nico-