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Ulcerative colitis in Greece: course and prognostic factors
A Emmanouilidis1, O N Manousos, C Papadimitriou
1Gastroenterolog Department, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Digestion
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study followed 205 Greek patients with ulcerative colitis for 6 years. Ulcerative colitis appears to have a milder course in Greece, with low mortality and a 14% colectomy rate.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Understanding UC's clinical course and prognosis is crucial for patient management.
- Geographical variations in UC presentation and outcomes are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical course and prognosis of ulcerative colitis in a Greek patient cohort.
- To identify factors influencing disease severity and treatment outcomes in Greece.
- To compare the Greek UC patient profile with that of highly developed countries.
Main Methods:
- A 6-year prospective study of 205 Greek patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
- High follow-up rate (98%) ensuring data reliability.
- Analysis of disease extent, severity, mortality, colectomy rates, and prognostic factors.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients presented with left-sided colitis of mild to moderate severity.
- Zero mortality during the first attack and low overall mortality.
- Cumulative colectomy rate was 14% over the 6-year study period.
- Extensive disease, young age at onset, and continuous symptoms were associated with poor prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Ulcerative colitis in Greece seems to follow a milder clinical course compared to highly developed countries.
- Favorable short-term prognosis and better outcomes for severe attacks observed in the Greek cohort.
- Identified prognostic factors (disease extent, age at onset, symptom continuity) are key for managing UC patients in Greece.