The Prognosis of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Bonnevie, O., Binder, Vibeke. Anthonisen. P. & Riis, P. The prognosis of ulcerative colitis. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 81–91.

The excess mortality in the present investigation concerning a regional and representative group of 332 patients was found to be limited to the first year of observation, in which it was 1.3 % (95 % confidence limits: 0.1–3.5 %). The results of the investigation seem to indicate than 1) male patients, 2) patients diagnosed at a late age, and 3) patients diagnosed shortly after the clinical debut show the greater probability of dying from ulcerative colitis. The value of the principles of treatment employed is evident from the following observation: 1) The question of surgical treatment was generally settled within the first 4 years after the diagnostication. 2) No excess of deaths occurred as a result of ulcerative colitis in patients treated exclusively on medical lines (which, of course, reflects the degree of activity as well as the effect of the treatment instituted). 3) Two years after surgery the postoperative survival rate was stationary. 4) The early postoperative fatality was the same whether surgery was undertaken at the time of the first attack, or after one. two. or three years of treatment and observation. No case of cancer was observed.

Key-words::

• Colon
• epidemiology
• mortality
• operation
• prognosis
• ulcerative colitis