title: French national consensus clinical guidelines for the management of ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of multifactorial etiology that primarily affects the colonic mucosa. The disease progresses over time, and clinical management guidelines should reflect its dynamic nature. There is limited evidence supporting UC management in specific clinical situations, thus precluding an evidence-based approach.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use a formal consensus method - the nominal group technique (NGT) - to develop a clinical practice expert opinion to outline simple algorithms and practices, optimize UC management, and assist clinicians in making treatment decisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The consensus was developed by an expert panel of 37 gastroenterologists from various professional organizations with experience in UC management using the qualitative and iterative NGT, incorporating deliberations based on the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation recommendations, recent reviews of scientific literature, and pertinent discussion topics developed by a steering committee. Examples of clinical cases for which there are limited evidence-based data from clinical trials were used. Two working groups proposed and voted on treatment algorithms that were then discussed and voted for by the nominal group as a whole, in order to reach a consensus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A clinical practice guideline covering management of the following clinical situations was developed: (i) moderate and severe UC; (ii) acute severe UC; (iii) pouchitis; (iv) refractory proctitis, in the form of treatment algorithms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the limited available evidence-based data, a formal consensus methodology was used to develop simple treatment guidelines for UC management in different clinical situations that is now accessible via an online application.
authors.affiliation: Service d Hépato-Gastroentérologie, CHU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. Electronic address: peyrinbiroulet@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peyrin-Biroulet
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie, MICI et Assistance Nutritive, CHU Paris Nord-Val de Seine, APHP, DHU UNITY, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bouhnik
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie et Hépatologie, CHU St Etienne, St Etienne, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Roblin
authors.affiliation: Clinique Ambroise Paré, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonnaud
authors.affiliation: Service d hépato-gastroentérologie, CHI Créteil, France.
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagège
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entérologie et nutrition, Hôpital de l'Archet, CHU de Nice, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hébuterne
mesh_terms: D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D032921:Consensus; D019468:Disease Management; D005602:France; D006801:Humans
keywords: Consensus; Expert opinion; Treatment algorithm; Ulcerative colitis