Management of acute severe colitis.
Early identification of patients with acute severe colitis is essential so that prompt treatment can be instigated. Corticosteroids have remained the mainstay of treatment since 1955. The introduction of ciclosporin into the pharmacological armamentarium has reduced early colectomy rates but even with modern medical management up to 30% of patients will still undergo colectomy on the same admission. The overall mortality is now less than 1% in specialist centres compared to 30% in the pre-steroid era. The future promises further advances in treatment through medications that are targeted directly at the underlying inflammatory process.
Dunckley
Paul
P
Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Jewell
Derek
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans