Hepatobiliary Disease Associated With Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

While hepatic changes are common in ulcerative colitis, most of them are not dangerous and do not require treatment. An exception is cirrhosis, occurring in 3 to 4 percent of all patients, generally in those with long-standing disease involving the entire colon. If progression toward cirrhosis of the bridging portal hepatofibrosis type is detected early, panproctocolectomy will arrest the process. Thus, all patients with ulcerative colitis should have regular checks of liver function, including biopsy in some circumstances.