Low colectomy rate five years after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Results from a prospective population-based cohort in Sweden (ICURE) diagnosed during 2005–2009*

Abstract

Objective: The medical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) has seen a change towards a more active attitude during recent years, including both the use of more traditional drugs as well as new biological substances. In this epidemiological study we have evaluated the results of modern treatment of UC in a population-based cohort of patients including all age groups, with regard to relapse rate, colectomy and IBD-associated mortality.

Material and methods: Patients diagnosed with UC in the Uppsala health care region in the middle of Sweden during 2005–2009 were included in the study. Out of 524 patients, 491 (93%) could be followed for five full years or until death.

Results: Nineteen patients (3.9%) had died and two of these deaths could be attributed to UC (one postoperative death and one colonic carcinoma). The following drugs were used by the patients during the study period: 5-ASA (91%), systemic steroids (66%), immunomodulators (IMM), mainly thiopurines (26%) and anti-TNF (11%). During the observation period, 74% experienced at least one relapse and 5.3% were subjected to colectomy. Among patients <17 years at diagnosis, colectomy was performed in two (4.8%).

Conclusions: Five years after diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, 5.3% had been subjected to colectomy and two patients (0.38%) had died because of the disease.

Keywords:

• Clinical course
• colectomy
• epidemiology
• ulcerative colitis

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Funding information

This work was supported by grants from the Uppsala University Hospital Research Foundation and the Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna.