title: Quitting smoking could increase your risk of surgery for ulcerative colitis!
abstract: There is ample evidence to demonstrate that ulcerative colitis is a disease of non-smokers and ex-smokers. Cigarette smoking appears to convey some protection against the disease and can induce a remission in ex-smokers who recommence while they are in a relapse. Nicotine is believed to be the pharmacological agent responsible for this effect, although its mode of action remains a puzzle.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birtwistle
mesh_terms: D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation