title: Inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: The vast majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease experience chronic symptoms punctuated by periodic exacerbations requiring adjustments in medical therapy or surgery. True emergencies are fortunately uncommon but have been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Patients presenting with fulminant colitis, toxic megacolon, or perforation require prompt identification as well as intensive medical therapy and monitoring by physicians and surgeons experienced in the care of such patients. Recent advances in the evaluation and treatment of these complicated patients are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008532:Megacolon, Toxic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine