Ulcerative Colitis | Unravelling the uncertainty in diagnosis and management â MM1603
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterised by a relapsingâremitting pattern in most patients. UC affects men and women equally, and the age at onset is between the ages of 15 and 30 years in most patients, with a smaller second peak in patients over 50 years. Although the cause of UC remains unknown, the pathogenesis is likely to be multifactorial with interplay between genetic, microbial and other environmental factors.
Prompt diagnosis of UC and timely management of flares are crucial to good patient outcomes. GPs play an important role in identifying new cases, the ongoing management of mild to moderately active UC and also in identifying and referring acutely unwell patients for specialty care.
Modern Medicine â March 2016
