Intensive treatment in severe acute attacks of ulcerative colitis

The results of intensive treatment including steroids and early surgery in severe colitis in the period 1971-1975 were compared to the results from the period 1966-1970, when systematic intensive therapy was not given. The period of preoperative medical treatment was reduced on average from 31 to 17 days. Approximately half the patients went into remission in each period. In the period 1971-1975 (23 patients) there was no mortality during the acute attacks or in the subsequent follow-up period. In the period 1966-1970, the immediate mortality in 30 patients was 10% (3 patients). One patient died six years later at the age of 81 during a relapse of the colitis, and the overall mortality was 13.3%.