Ulcerative colitis. Mortality and surgery in an unselected population.
125 patients with ulcerative colitis, considered to represent the unselected population of patients with this disease from a defined catchment area during the years from 1961 to 1983, were studied. The mortality from colitis was 5%, with no peroperative death after 1978. No prophylactic proctocolectomy was performed and there were no deaths in colorectal cancer. The cumulative operation frequency was 26%, and 37% in the subgroup of patients with total colitis. During the first 5 years of disease the operation frequency was 14%. It is concluded that, in a unselected population of patients with ulcerative colitis, satisfying results can be obtained at a community hospital, providing the surgical attitude to severe acute and disabling chronic disease is aggressive.
Rutegård
J
J
Department of Surgery, Ornsköldsvik Hospital, Sweden.
Ahsgren
L
L
Janunger
K G
KG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors