[Retrospective study of ulcerative colitis at an Andalusian hospital]

We reviewed 96 cases of ulcerative colitis diagnosed during the period between 1970 and 1988, with the intention of analysing the presentation, complications, evolution and diagnosis aspects. The most frequent presentation symptoms were mucoid and bloody diarrhea (91.3%) and abdominal pain (84%), isolated rectal bleeding being predominated in distal type. The frequency of complications were 17.14%. X-ray findings were the lack of haustration and ulcers, the rate of normal barium enema being of 27.27% (without double contrast). Rectum was not affected in 6.8%. The endoscopy showed an edematous and congestive mucosa, ulcer with normal barium enema. The most significant anatomopathological findings were the lymphoplasmocyte and polynuclear infiltration of the proper lamina and epithelial ulcer, with a lack of cripta and absence of metaplasia of Paneth's cells. In our area, we have to use colonoscopy to diagnose the disease, because the double contrast barium enema is not performed as a routine. Only a few (5) of our patients needed surgical treatment.