Open AccessOptimal Management of Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC): Challenges and Solutions
Author(s) -
Tom Holvoet,
Triana Lobatón,
Pieter Hindryckx
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
clinical and experimental gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1178-7023
DOI - 10.2147/ceg.s197719
Subject(s) - medicine , ulcerative colitis , colectomy , inflammatory bowel disease , colitis , intensive care medicine , complication , disease , gastroenterology
Acute severe colitis is a severe complication of ulcerative colitis, affecting approximately 20% of patients. For physicians, it remains a challenging condition to treat. Current treatment algorithms have diminished the mortality associated with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC), but colectomy rates remain high (approximately 30%) despite advances in therapy. Colectomy in ASUC is particularly associated with important postoperative complications and morbidity. In this review, reasons for the inability to improve care and avoid evolution to colectomy for ASUC are explored and solutions that might lead to a better management of the disease are investigated.