Ulcerative Colitis in a Southern European Country: a National Perspective

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Portela, F (Author) Other; Magro F (Author) FMUP; Lago, P (Author) Other; Cotter, J (Author) Other; Cremers, I (Author) Other; de Deus, J (Author) Other; Vieira, A (Author) Other; Lopes, H (Author) Other; Caldeira, P (Author) Other; Barros, L (Author) Other; Reis, J (Author) Other; Carvalho, L (Author) Other; Goncalves, R (Author) Other; Campos, MJ (Author) Other; Ministro, P (Author) Other; Duarte, MA (Author) Other; Amil, J (Author) Other; Rodrigues, S (Author) Other; Azevedo L (Author) FMUP; Costa-Pereira A (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Vol. 16

Pages: 822-829

ISSN: 1078-0998

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 20 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-70K

DOI: 10.1002/ibd.21119

Abstract (EN): Background: The incidence, prevalence, and even the clinical behavior of ulcerative colitis (UC) are highly variable in different world regions. In previous studies, Portugal was reported as having a milder clinical behavior. The aim of this study was to apply the Montreal Classification in a large group of UC Portuguese patients in order to describe their clinical characteristics and evaluate variables potentially useful for outcome prediction. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on data collected from a nationwide online registry was undertaken. Results: In all, 2863 patients with UC were included. Twenty-one percent had ulcerative proctitis, 52% left-sided colitis, and 28% extensive colitis. Sixty percent of patients had taken steroids, 14% immunosuppressors, 1% biologicals, and 4.5% were submitted to surgery. Patients with extensive colitis had more severe activity, needing more steroids, immunosuppressors, and surgery. At the time of diagnosis 61% were less than 40 years old and 5% less than 16. Younger patients also had a more aggressive initial course. Thirty-eight percent of patients had only taken salicylates during the disease course and were characterized by a lower incidence of systemic symptoms at presentation (3.8% versus 8.8%. P < 0.001), fewer extraintestinal manifestations (7.7% versus 24.0%, P < 0.001), and a higher prevalence of proctitis (32.1% versus 10.0%). Conclusions: A more aggressive phenotype was found in extensive colitis and in the initial course of younger patients, with an increased need for steroids and immunosuppressors. In addition, a significant percentage of patients, particularly with proctitis, showed a milder clinical evolution and were maintained in remission only with salicylates.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8