title: [Treatment of servere ulcerative colitis].
abstract: 10-15% of patients with ulcerative colitis experience a severe episode of colonic inflammation that does not respond to mesalazine and oral corticosteroids. These patients require hospitalisation and treatment with intravenous corticosteroids. However, 25% of these patients do not respond to treatment. In these cases, intravenous cyclosporin is effective. Infliximab, an antibody against tumour necrosis factor alpha, is also beneficial. With these new treatment options, the colectomy rate in the acute phase has declined to about 35%. Other new therapies are under investigation in phase 2 and 3 trials. Surgery remains an important treatment option. Patients, gastroenterologists and surgeons should be involved in the clinical decision-making process.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Postbus 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen. r.k.weersma@int.umcg.nl
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Weersma
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: van Dullemen
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kleibeuker
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ploeg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D010346:Patient Care Management; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000069285:Infliximab