Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis Part 1: Definitions and diagnosis

摘要

Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong disease arising from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors, observed predominantly in the developed countries of the world. The precise aetiology is unknown and therefore medical therapy to cure the disease is not yet available. Within Europe there is a North-South gradient, but the incidence appears to have increased in Southern and Eastern countries in recent years. Patients may live with a considerable symptom burden despite medical treatment (66% describe interference with work and 73% with leisure activities3) in the hope that the aetiology of ulcerative colitis will shortly be revealed and a cure emerge. Although this is conceivable in the next decade, clinicians have to advise patients on the basis of information available today. Despite randomised trials there will always be many questions that can only be answered by the exercise of judgement and opinion. This leads to differences in practice between clinicians, which may be brought into sharp relief by differences in emphasis between countries.