Optimal Management of Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC): Challenges and Solutions

Tom Holvoet; Triana Lobaton; Pieter Hindryckx

doi:10.2147/CEG.S197719

Optimal Management of Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC): Challenges and Solutions

Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 8:14:71-81. doi: 10.2147/CEG.S197719. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Tom Holvoet^{1

2}, Triana Lobaton², Pieter Hindryckx²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastroenterology, AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
² Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: acute severe colitis; inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

Review