Ulcerative colitis: epidemiology and diagnosis

摘要

Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa. Although incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis are the highest in occidental countries, its incidence has strongly increased in developing countries. Ulcerative colitis involves the most frequently, young adults and almost as many women as men. Cigarette smoking and appendectomy are the most consistent protective factors for ulcerative colitis. In contrast, a family history of inflammatory bowel disease is the most important independent risk factor. Among children, the course of the disease is generally more severe. Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is based on clinical symptoms confirmed by objective findings from endoscopic and histological examinations. Specific histologi-cal characteristics may not be found at an early stage. So, later endoscopic investigations can be useful to find chronic and specific histological lesions.