Medical Research Wiki

pubmed-abstracts

24 min read

PubMed abstracts for UC constipation/contact-time digest 008

Saved 18 records from NCBI E-utilities on 2026-06-18.

PMID 34712467 — Constipation in ulcerative colitis: pathophysiology and practical management.

Clinical experience suggests that there is a cohort of patients with refractory colitis who do have faecal stasis that contributes to symptoms. The underlying physiology is poorly understood, partly because until recently the technology to examine segmental colonic motility has not existed. Patients are given little information on how proximal faecal stasis can complicate colitis. Treatment guidelines are scanty and many patients are offered little apart from laxatives and advice on increasing fibre intake, which often makes symptoms worse. This article aims to review the history, pathology and management, and create impetus for future research on this underappreciated condition.

PMID 40807050 — Constipation in Ulcerative Colitis: An Underestimated Problem.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic intestinal disorder that belongs to the category of inflammatory bowel diseases, and is usually characterized by the presence of bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain, due to an accelerated transit and intestinal sensibilization following inflammation of the colonic mucosa. However, the literature reports that ulcerative colitis may sometimes feature fecal stasis with constipation. This apparent paradox may be partially explained by the motor abnormalities of the large bowel following inflammation, damage to the enteric innervation, and the onset of parietal fibrosis over time. Moreover, some anorectal abnormalities such pelvic floor dyssynergia may explain the symptoms of constipation reported in subsets of patients. Since these abnormalities may be responsible for diagnostic delays and non- or partial responses to therapy, it is important to recognize them as early as possible to avoid incorrect clinical and therapeutic approaches to these patients.

PMID 29393142 — Optimized Management of Ulcerative Proctitis: When and How to Use Mesalazine Suppository.

Ulcerative proctitis, one of the disease types of ulcerative colitis, is considered one of the initial manifestations of ulcerative colitis. Prevention of aggravation of ulcerative proctitis is important for improving the prognosis of ulcerative colitis. Here we reviewed the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of ulcerative proctitis. The number of patients with ulcerative proctitis is increasing. Disease extension occurs in many patients with ulcerative proctitis. Differential diagnosis from other chronic proctitis is important and should be performed based on the clinical history and endoscopical and histological features. Mesalazine suppository has been the first-line therapy for patients with ulcerative proctitis because of its high effectiveness and safety. Topical treatment of ulcerative proctitis, particularly using mesalazine suppository has been underused in clinical practice. Key Messages: Mesalazine suppositories are more effective than dose intensification of oral mesalazine for relapsed patients with maintenance dose of oral mesalazine. However, low adherence to rectal mesalazine has hindered remission in patients with ulcerative proctitis.

PMID 34850857 — Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents for Ulcerative Proctitis: A Systematic Literature Review.

  • Journal: Journal of Crohn’s & colitis (2022)
  • DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab218
  • URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34850857/
  • Authors: Caron B, Sandborn WJ, Panaccione R, Schreiber S, Hart A, Solitano V, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L

Ulcerative proctitis is a common and often highly symptomatic form of inflammatory bowel disease. We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy of different therapies in the management of patients with ulcerative proctitis. We identified randomized controlled trials in adults with ulcerative proctitis treated with oral or topical therapies for induction of response or remission, or prevention of relapse. A total of 32 randomized controlled trials were included [27 induction/2839 participants, five maintenance/334 participants]. Follow-up varied from 3 to 8 weeks for induction, and from 6 to 24 months for maintenance of remission. 5-Aminosalicylic acid [5-ASA] suppository was the most frequently evaluated treatment [14/32, 43.7%], followed by steroid enema [7/32, 21.9%]. Topical 5-ASA demonstrated effectiveness for induction of clinical response or remission and prevention of relapse in several studies. Combined topical steroids and 5-ASA was more effective than topical 5-ASA or topical steroids alone to induce response [100% of patients for combination vs 70% for beclomethasone alone and 76% for 5-ASA alone]. One observational study suggested azathioprine may be effective in patients with ulcerative proctitis. Only two cohort studies evaluated the efficacy of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in ulcerative proctitis. Small molecules, anti-integrins and anti-interleukin therapies have not been evaluated in isolated ulcerative proctitis. The role of topical 5-ASA as a treatment for ulcerative proctitis has been confirmed in this systematic literature review, for induction and maintenance of remission. Future trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of more recent and upcoming drug classes in patients with ulcerative proctitis.

PMID 31610337 — No Superiority of Tacrolimus Suppositories vs Beclomethasone Suppositories in a Randomized Trial of Patients With Refractory Ulcerative Proctitis.

  • Journal: Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (2020)
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.09.049
  • URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31610337/
  • Authors: Lie MRKL, Kreijne JE, Dijkstra G, Löwenberg M, van Assche G, West RL, van Noord D, van der Meulen-de Jong AE

Ulcerative proctitis (UP) refractory to 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) suppositories is a challenge to treat, often requiring step up to immunomodulator or biological therapy. Topical tacrolimus is effective and safe in patients with refractory UP. However, it is not clear how tacrolimus suppositories fit into in the treatment algorithm of UP. We performed a randomized controlled, double-blind study at 8 hospitals in the Netherlands and Belgium from 2014 through 2017. Eighty-five patients with refractory UP (65% women) were randomly assigned to groups given once daily tacrolimus suppositories (2 mg; n = 43) or beclomethasone (3 mg; n = 42) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was clinical response (decrease in Mayo score of 3 or more). Secondary outcomes included clinical remission, endoscopic response and remission, adverse events and quality of life. Outcomes were compared using Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Proportions of patients with clinical responses were 63% in the tacrolimus group and 59% in the beclomethasone group (P = .812); proportions of patients in clinical remission were 46% and 38%, respectively (P = .638). Proportions of patients with an endoscopic response were 68% and 60% in the tacrolimus group and in the beclomethasone group (P = .636); proportions in endoscopic remission rates were 30% and 13%, respectively (P = .092) Median increases in the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire score were 18.0 in the tacrolimus group and 20.5 in the beclomethasone group (P = .395). Adverse event rates did not differ significantly between groups. In a 4-week randomized controlled trial, tacrolimus and beclomethasone suppositories induce comparable clinical and endoscopic responses in patients with UP refractory to 5-ASA. There were no significant differences in adverse events rates. Tacrolimus and beclomethasone suppositories are therefore each safe and effective treatment options for 5-ASA refractory disease. EUDRACT 2013-001259-11; Netherlands Trial Register NL4205/NTR4416.

PMID 30452638 — Gut-Directed Pelvic Floor Behavioral Treatment for Fecal Incontinence and Constipation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience functional bowel symptoms despite achieving disease remission. Although behavioral treatment (bowel and pelvic floor muscle retraining) is effective for managing constipation or fecal incontinence in non-IBD patients, there is limited evidence for its efficacy in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of gut-directed behavioral treatment, including pelvic floor muscle training, for symptoms of constipation or fecal incontinence in patients with IBD in disease remission. The outcome of consecutive patients with IBD in remission and symptoms of constipation or fecal incontinence was evaluated. Patients referred to a multidisciplinary gastroenterology clinic underwent gut-directed behavioral treatment, including pelvic floor muscle training. The primary outcome was patient-reported rating of change in symptoms on a 7-point Likert scale at the completion of treatment. Forty IBD patients (median age, 35 years; 80% female; 24 Crohn’s disease [CD], 12 ulcerative colitis [UC], 4 UC with ileoanal pouch) with ongoing symptoms of constipation (55%) or fecal incontinence (45%), despite drug therapy, were included. The median symptom duration at referral was 2 years. Thirty-five (87%) completed treatment with a median of 2 sessions. Improvement of “6 = much better” or “7 = very much better” was reported by 77% (17/22) with fecal incontinence and 83% (15/18) with constipation. Improvement occurred irrespective of IBD diagnosis, previous perianal fistulae, colorectal surgery, presence of an ileoanal pouch, or past obstetric trauma. Behavioral treatment effectively improves functional gut symptoms in a large majority of patients who are in IBD disease remission and who have not responded to drug therapy. 10.1093/ibd/izy344_video1 izy344.video1 5968879349001.

PMID 30483593 — Characterization of ulcerative colitis-associated constipation syndrome (proximal constipation).

  • Journal: JGH open : an open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (2018)
  • DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12076
  • URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30483593/
  • Authors: James SL, van Langenberg DR, Taylor KM, Gibson PR

The syndrome of constipation with other abdominal symptoms (“proximal constipation”) in ulcerative colitis (UC) is commonly recognized by practitioners but is poorly described, with no recognized definition and little understanding with regard to prevalence and effect of therapies on disease outcomes. This study aimed to address these issues in a cross-sectional, consecutive series of patients with UC. A working definition of proximal constipation was established. Consecutive patients were recruited, and their disease activity, recent medications, and investigations plus abdominal symptoms were assessed at a study visit. Relevant clinical data were also extracted from medical records. Of 125 patients with UC, (mean age 47, range 14-84 years, 61 male), 58 (46%) fulfilled the definition of proximal constipation. The main symptoms were reduced stool frequency (69%), hard stools (43%), abdominal pain (40%), excessive flatus (29%), straining (24%), and sensation of incomplete emptying (14%). Proximal constipation was associated with female gender (OR 3.45 [1.45-8.24]), left-sided (OR 2.84 [1.14-7.11]) and concurrently active disease (OR 5.56 [1.96-16.67]), but not age, disease duration or therapy. A total of 88% had an increase in anti-inflammatory therapy, with the use of laxatives or fiber supplements in 63% compared with 1.4% of those without proximal constipation. Proximal constipation is common, and its risk increases in active and distal disease, especially in women. Validation of its definition and evaluation of therapeutic strategies are needed. A new term “ulcerative colitis-associated constipation syndrome” is proposed to more accurately depict its nature.

PMID 26603727 — Pelvic floor dysfunction in inflammatory bowel disease.

Advances in tailored medical therapy and introduction of biologic agents for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment have ensured long-term disease remission. Some patients, however, still report defecatory symptoms. Patients present with a wide spectrum of conditions - anal incontinence, obstructed defecation and pelvic pain among the most frequent - that have a great impact on their quality of life. Due to IBD diagnosis, little relevance is attributed to this type of symptoms and their epidemiologic distribution is unknown. Pathogenetic hypotheses are currently under investigation. Routine diagnostic workflow and therapeutic options in pelvic floor service are often underused. The evaluation of these disorders starts with an endoscopy to rule out ongoing disease; the following diagnostic workflow is the same as in patients without IBD. For fecal incontinence and obstructed defecation, simple conservative therapy with dietary modifications and appropriate fluid intake is effective in most cases. In non-responding patients, anorectal physiology tests and imaging are required to select patients for pelvic floor muscle training and biofeedback. These treatments have been proven effective in IBD patients. Some new minimally invasive alternative strategies are available for IBD patients, as sacral nerve and posterior tibial nerve stimulation; for other ones (e.g., bulking agent implantation) IBD still remains an exclusion criterion. In order to preserve anatomical areas that could be useful for future reconstructive techniques, surgical options to cure pelvic floor dysfunction are indicated only in a small group of IBD patients, due to the high risk of failure in wound healing and to the possible side effects of surgery, which can lead to anal incontinence or to a possible proctectomy. A particular issue among defecatory symptoms in patients with IBD is paradoxical puborectalis contraction after restorative proctocolectomy: if this disorder is properly diagnosed, a conservative treatment is indicated, thus avoiding unnecessary laparotomy for small bowel occlusion. Pelvic pain management, coordinated by a specialist with expertise in pelvic floor disorders, includes many options, which vary from oral or local therapies to pelvic floor rehabilitation and sacral nerve stimulation. Surgical procedures often have unsatisfactory outcomes. Diagnosis and investigation of anorectal functional disorders in patients with IBD is important in order to implement better-suited diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, so as to avoid unnecessary and potentially detrimental medical and surgical therapies, with the final aim of improving patients’ quality of life.

PMID 20676771 — A multicenter, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesalamine suppositories 1 g at bedtime and 500 mg Twice daily in patients with active mild-to-moderate ulcerative proctitis.

Ulcerative proctitis (UP) is a prevalent condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Topical mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid [5-ASA]) inhibits inflammatory processes in UP. We evaluated effects of mesalamine 1-g suppository administered QHS compared with 500-mg suppository administered BID on UP activity (e.g., disease extension/mucosal appearance), remission, onset of response, safety and compliance in 97 patients with UP. A 6-week, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group, noninferiority study was conducted (and published) with Disease Activity Index (DAI) at week 6 as the primary efficacy variable and individual components of DAI at week 6 (i.e., stool frequency, rectal bleeding, mucosal appearance, global assessment) as secondary variables. Unreported outcomes were remission (DAI < 3 at weeks 3 and 6), disease extension, and complete response to treatment (DAI = 0; post-hoc, exploratory analysis). DAI values after 6 weeks were significantly reduced (±SD) from 6.6 ± 1.5 to 1.6 ± 2.3 (500-mg BID); and from 6.1 ± 1.5 to 1.3 ± 2.2 (1-g QHS). Mucosal appearance significantly improved from baseline after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment from 1.8 ± 0.5 to 0.8 ± 0.7 and 0.5 ± 0.7 (500-mg BID; P ≤ 0.0062) and from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 0.9 ± 0.5 and 0.4 ± 0.6 (1-g QHS; P ≤ 0.0001), respectively. Remission was comparable (78.3-86.1%); onset of response generally occurred within 3 weeks, and disease extension was reduced (>70%) after 6 weeks in both groups. Mesalamine was well tolerated. Compliance was >96%. Mesalamine 500-mg BID and 1-g QHS suppositories are safe and effective for patients with UP. Most patients reported significant improvement within 3 weeks and UP remission and reduced disease extension after 6 weeks of treatment. Validity of QHS administration was confirmed.

PMID 18290827 — Management of distal ulcerative colitis: frequently asked questions analysis.

The majority of patients with ulcerative colitis have disease involving only the distal colon. Although 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, mesalazine) and corticosteroids remain the important drugs used in the management of distal colitis and proctitis, recent expansion of delivery options of 5-ASA and high level evidence regarding efficacy have led to a shift in treatment strategies. The availability of 5-ASA in enema, foam and suppository formulations has enabled optimization of delivery of 5-ASA to the affected mucosa. Such therapy has superior efficacy and fewer adverse effects compared with those of topical corticosteroids. Furthermore, rectal delivery is effective in the maintenance of remission. Consequently, new guidelines for the management of distal colitis have focussed more on rectal delivery and on optimizing 5-ASA dosage than previously. However, corticosteroids remain an important remission-inducing agent, and immune-modulating drugs play a clear role in prevention of relapse and in managing chronically active disease. The changes in guidelines have raised several management questions, many of which are addressed in this review.

PMID 17968630 — Short bowel syndrome after continence-preserving procedures.

  • Journal: Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (2008)
  • DOI: 10.1007/s11605-007-0375-9
  • URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17968630/
  • Authors: Thompson JS, Gilroy R, Sudan D

The short bowel syndrome (SBS) can result from a variety of conditions, including postoperative complications and malignancy. Continence-preserving operations are generally performed for either ulcerative colitis (UC) or familial polyposis (FAP). These procedures can be associated with high morbidity and the potential for future malignancy. Our aim was to determine the causes and consequences of SBS in patients undergoing these procedures. Twenty-four patients (12 men and 12 women) 18 to 64 years of age were identified with SBS after continence-preserving procedures. Eighteen had pelvic procedures, and six had continent ileostomies. All SBS patients had a proximal ostomy. Remnant length measured <60 cm in five patients, 60-120 cm in ten patients, and >120 cm in nine patients. Overall 13 patients required long-term PN. Four FAP patients with desmoid tumors died. One patient with UC underwent intestinal transplant and expired. Follow-up ranges from 6 to 192 months. Overall 14 patients had UC, nine had FAP, and one had functional disease. Eight patients with an initial diagnosis of UC had subsequent Crohn’s disease necessitating further resection and pouch excision. Eight patients (five with UC, two FAP, and one with functional disease) had postoperative complications, including obstruction or mesenteric ischemia requiring resections. One UC patient developed adenocarcinoma in a continent ileostomy. Seven of the nine FAP patients required resection for desmoid tumors. Six of these underwent resection alone. Three died at 10, 11, and 13 months after SBS from liver failure and sepsis while awaiting transplant. One patient has recurrent desmoid at 30 months, another is alive and well at 48 months, and the other patient, who was not a transplant candidate, died from an unrelated cardiac operation at 23 months. A single patient underwent resection with simultaneous multivisceral transplantation. SBS can develop after continence-preserving procedures. This occurs with inflammatory bowel disease when unsuspected Crohn’s disease is present or complications occur. SBS related to desmoid tumors has a poor prognosis in patients undergoing resection alone. A more aggressive approach to intestinal transplantation in these patients may be warranted.

PMID 15973115 — Efficacy and safety of mesalamine 1 g HS versus 500 mg BID suppositories in mild to moderate ulcerative proctitis: a multicenter randomized study.

  • Journal: Inflammatory bowel diseases (2005)
  • DOI: 10.1097/01.mib.0000171277.70404.40
  • URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15973115/
  • Authors: Lamet M, Ptak T, Dallaire C, Shah U, Grace M, Spenard J, de Montigny D

Ulcerative proctitis (UP) usually presents as fresh rectal bleeding. Successful treatment using topical mesalamine 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) 500 mg BID suppository led to developing a once-a-day formulation that could contribute to better acceptability and ease of use by patients. The objective of this randomized trial, conducted in 18 centers, was to compare efficacy of 2 modes of treatment with 5-ASA suppositories. Ninety-nine patients with mild or moderate UP limited to 15 cm of the anal margin, evidenced by a disease activity index (DAI) between 4 and 11, were randomized to 5-ASA 500 mg suppository (Canasa; Axcan Pharma) BID or 1 g at bedtime (HS) for 6 weeks. The study used a noninferiority hypothesis based on the mean difference in DAI values after 6 weeks of treatment on an intent-to-treat basis using analysis of covariance. DAI was derived from a composite of the measures of stool frequency, rectal bleeding, mucosal visualization at endoscopy, and general well being. There was no difference between groups at baseline for demographic and clinical parameters. Mean DAIs fell from 6.6 +/- 1.5 (SD) to 1.6 +/- 2.3 in the 500 mg BID group (n = 48) and from 6.1 +/- 1.5 to 1.3 +/- 2.2 in the 1 g HS group (n = 39). There was no significant difference (P = 0.74) in mean DAI at week 6 between the 2 groups. Both groups showed a significant reduction (P < 0.0001) in DAI over the course of the 6 weeks. Both formulations showed effectiveness in reducing each individual component of the DAI. There was no significant difference between treatments in adverse events, and both groups had an overall drug compliance of greater than 95%. This study showed that 1 g HS and 500 mg BID mesalamine suppository treatments of UP patients were equivalent in all facets of efficacy, safety, and compliance in a 6-week trial.

PMID 9926630 — Constipation: an approach to diagnosis, treatment, referral.

When a patient reports constipation, a careful history and physical examination may identify the underlying cause. In many patients, though, no underlying cause is identified. Empiric treatment with exercise, hydration, fiber supplementation, and mild laxatives is often effective. If constipation does not resolve with these measures, then the physician may refer the patient for further testing for slow colonic transit, pelvic floor dysfunction, or anatomical defects, and in difficult and recalcitrant cases for surgical treatment.

PMID 11097735 — Megacolon: Acute, Toxic, and Chronic.

Megacolon refers to cecal dilatation above the dimension of 12 cm and above 6.5 cm of the sigmoid colon, measured at the pelvic brim. Dilatation of the colon can be broadly categorized into three clinical entities: In acute megacolon (Ogilvie’s syndrome), colonic dilatation is attributed to a sympathetically mediated reflex response to a number of serious medical or surgical conditions in elderly patients. The initial tasks are to exclude mechanical obstruction (with a hypaque enema), to discontinue enabling medications, and to correct metabolic disturbances. Dilatation of the cecum to greater than 12 cm diameter is a cause for grave concern. The rectum should be decompressed with an indwelling tube and tap water enemas. Intravenous neostigmine is generally effective and safe for patients with colonic distention unresponsive to such conservative therapies. Endoscopic decompression is necessary for patients who do not respond to, or relapse after neostigmine, or in whom neostigmine is contraindicated. Signs of peritonitis may imply colonic perforation, and surgery will be needed, often on an emergent basis. Toxic megacolon is secondary to an identifiable inflammation of the colon. Therapy is directed toward specific treatment for the underlying disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, or infectious colitis. Bowel rest and close monitoring of the clinical status is vital. Colectomy may be needed under emergency circumstances. Chronic megacolon may be congenital (due to Hirschsprung’s disease) or may represent the end-stage of any form of refractory constipation (slow transit constipation or pelvic floor dysfunction). The initial treatment for Hirschsprung’s disease is surgery, while pelvic floor dysfunction and encopresis respond to biofeedback therapy. In chronic idiopathic megacolon, medical measures, such as colonic evacuation with enemas, fiber supplementation, and laxatives may suffice. If severe motor dysfunction is confined to the colon, a subtotal colectomy with an ileorectal anastomosis, or an ileostomy may occasionally be necessary.

PMID 9663829 — Comparison of mesalazine suppositories in proctitis and distal proctosigmoiditis.

  • Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (1997)
  • DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1997.00259.x
  • URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9663829/
  • Authors: Gionchetti P, Rizzello F, Venturi A, Brignola C, Ferretti M, Peruzzo S, Campieri M

Mesalazine suppositories at 500 mg b.d. are a safe and effective treatment for patients with ulcerative proctitis or distal proctosigmoiditis. Recently a mesalazine 1 g suppository (Pentasa) has been developed. Fifty patients with active ulcerative colitis extending not beyond 20 cm from the anus on sigmoidoscopy, participated in a randomized single-blind study comparing the efficacy, tolerance and acceptance of the new Pentasa mesalazine 1 g suppository, given once daily versus Claversal mesalazine 500 mg suppository b.d. After 2 weeks, clinical remission was observed in 16 of 25 (64%) in the Pentasa group and in 7 of 25 (28%) in the Claversal 500 mg b.d. treated group; sigmoidoscopic remission occurred in 13 of 25 (52%) in the Pentasa group and in six of 25 (24%) in the Claversal group (P < 0.01). After 4 weeks, clinical and sigmoidoscopic remission were observed, respectively, in 84 and 76% of patients treated with Pentasa suppositories, and in 80 and 72% of patients treated with Claversal suppositories 500 mg b.d. (P = N.S.). The patients’ evaluation for tolerability and practicality showed that the Pentasa suppository was significantly superior to the Claversal suppository. Pentasa 1 g suppository once daily induces a quicker clinical and sigmoidoscopic remission, and was better tolerated, than the Claversal 500 mg suppository b.d., and it may represent an advance for the topical treatment of distal proctosigmoiditis.

PMID 1644333 — Benign and malignant colorectal strictures in ulcerative colitis.

Colorectal strictures, either benign or malignant, are not uncommon in ulcerative colitis. Fifty nine of 1156 ulcerative colitis patients (5%) admitted to this hospital between 1959 and 1983 developed 70 separate colorectal strictures. Seventeen of the 70 strictures (24%) proved to be malignant and the other 53 benign. Nine patients developed more than one stricture. Three principal features distinguished the 17 malignant from the 53 benign strictures in this series: (1) appearance late in the course of ulcerative colitis (61% probability of malignancy in strictures that develop after 20 years of disease v 0% probability in those occurring before 10 years); (2) location proximal to the splenic flexure (86% probability of malignancy v 47% in sigmoid, 10% in rectum, and 0% in splenic flexure and descending colon); and (3) symptomatic large bowel obstruction (100% probability of malignancy v only 14% in the absence of obstruction or constipation). Moreover, cancer associated with strictures tends to be more advanced (76% stage D, 24% A and B) than that which does not produce strictures (18% stage D, 59% A and B).

PMID 1864538 — Prevalence of proximal faecal stasis in active ulcerative colitis.

Proximal faecal stasis may occur when faecal matter accumulates in the uninflamed colon above an area of active ulcerative colitis. This phenomenon is thought to be the cause of symptoms in some patients with distal disease. It is not known, however, how often patients with active distal colitis exhibit slow colonic transit. Fifty two consecutive patients with active ulcerative colitis each ingested 10 radio-opaque markers nightly for 14 days. Minimum colonic transit times were derived from counts of retained markers shown by plain abdominal radiography on the 15th day. The transit times for each patient were related to their disease extent and bowel frequency. Four patients had colonic transit times greater than one week and two others had evidence of relative stasis. The results indicate that approximately 10% of attacks of distal colitis are associated with faecal stasis.

PMID 5471035 — Faecal stasis and diverticular disease in ulcerative colitis.

The incidence of faecal stasis and of diverticular disease has been studied in a group of 399 patients with ulcerative colitis. Sixty-one patients had faecal stasis and 23 patients had diverticular disease. Pathological studies demonstrated an increase in the thickness of the inner spiral muscle in colitis patients with faecal stasis. The thickening was not as great as that seen in diverticular disease. Preliminary studies on the motility patterns in patients with faecal stasis show a higher mean activity in the pelvic colon than in normals but not as great as that seen in diverticular disease. Pressure studies in patients with faecal stasis have shown hypotonia in the proximal colon associated with dilatation.The possible significance of these results is discussed. It is suggested that ulcerative colitis may initiate a motility disturbance which leads to muscle thickening similar to that in diverticular disease. Diverticula associated with ulcerative colitis are usually not involved in the mucosal inflammatory process.

Graph View