title: An approach to the management of refractory ulcerative colitis.
abstract: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology associated with dysregulation of the gastrointestinal mucosal immune system. It is characterized by a waxing and waning course and approximately 15% of UC patients will experience a severe episode. The first line treatment for severe colitis includes IV corticosteroids, however, 40% of patients are non-responsive to corticosteroid therapy and may require either colectomy, intravenous infliximab or intravenous cyclosporine within 3-5 days of presentation. This review focuses on the management and treatment approaches to refractory UC.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sonu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blonski
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Lichtenstein
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003082:Colectomy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents