Advances in management of ulcerative colitis

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis [UC] is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the colonic mucosa; it is most commonly diagnosed in patients aged 15-35 years, although the condition can affect patients of any age and of either sex. It's exact etiology remains uncertain. The annual incidence of ulcerative colitis in western countries is estimated to be 6-8 cases per 100,000 individuals, with the prevalence reaching 70-150 cases per 100,000 individuals. The disease course is generally relapsing-remitting, with patients experiencing few or no gastrointestinal symptoms between symptomatic relapses. As medical options increase, decisions about the sequence and timing of therapy and surgery in particular become more difficult. Consequently, a therapeutic strategy is necessary, keeping an eye on the direction of travel to avoid going round in circles from one incompletely effective therapy to another. Patients live with a considerable symptom burden despite medical treatment in the hope that a cure for ulcerative colitis will emerge. This article reviews the new advances in ulcerative colitis, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, new therapeutic goals, as well as therapy that occurred in the past year