title: Ulcerative colitis: why is the mortality from cardiovascular disease reduced?
abstract: A recent mortality study of patients with ulcerative colitis showed significant deficits in deaths from cardiovascular disease and from respiratory disease in males. The reasons for the observed deficits have been examined by studying the risk factors in a consecutive series of 103 patients with ulcerative colitis using matched controls. The patients and controls were assessed for age, sex, social class, alcohol and tobacco consumption. Height, weight and blood pressure were recorded and fasting blood samples were taken for serum lipid estimation. Patients with ulcerative colitis had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and the changes were particularly marked in patients with extensive colitis and after panproctocolectomy. After matching for age, sex and social class the patients with ulcerative colitis smoked significantly less than controls. Serum lipid measurements were similar in both groups. The lower blood pressure may be related to sodium and water depletion particularly in ileostomy patients and those with extensive colitis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids