Background:

An increase incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been reported in Mexico. It is important to know the clinical features of patients with UC, their clinical course, need for surgical treatment and outcomes.

Objective:

To describe the demographic and clinical features of patients with UC, emphasizing the factors associated with the need for surgical treatment.

Method:

A retrospective, cross-sectional, analytical study was made which included 60 patients with diagnosis of UC confirmed by histopathology. The demographic, clinical and biochemical data of each patient will be collected. The severity was measured based on the Truelove and Witts scale, endoscopic Mayo score and Riley histological index.

Results:

Of the patients included, the proportion was equal between men and women. The mean age of presentation was 40.6 ± 13.3 years. The extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis was proctitis in the majority of patients (61.7%). Nineteen patients (31.8%) presented extraintestinal manifestations. 55% of the patients had as sole treatment 5-aminosalicylates. Fourteen patients (23.3%) required surgical treatment mainly due to lack of response to medical treatment.

Conclusions:

The clinical features of UC are useful to identify patients who may present a torpid evolution of the disease and who may require surgical treatment.

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