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Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus01:25

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...

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Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
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Published on: February 1, 2012

Symptoms and stool patterns in patients with ulcerative colitis.

S S Rao1, C D Holdsworth, N W Read

  • 1Gastrointestinal Unit, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.

Gut
|March 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Active ulcerative colitis (UC) causes frequent defecation, urgency, and incomplete evacuation, primarily due to distal colon inflammation. Some patients also experience constipation, suggesting a dual issue of proximal constipation and distal irritability in UC.

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research

Background:

  • Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Understanding UC symptom patterns is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively assess symptom prevalence and stool patterns in ulcerative colitis patients.
  • To correlate symptoms with disease extent and activity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective assessment of 96 ulcerative colitis patients.
  • Subdivision based on disease extent (total vs. distal) and activity (active vs. quiescent).
  • Analysis of symptom frequency and stool characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Active colitis significantly correlated with increased defecation frequency (83%), urgency (85%), incomplete evacuation (78%), and tenesmus (63%) (p<0.001).
  • These symptoms were similar in total and distal colitis, indicating distal colon involvement.
  • Constipation (hard stools) occurred in 27% of active colitis patients, more common than in quiescent disease (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Ulcerative colitis symptoms are linked to distal colon inflammation and irritability.
  • Patients with active UC exhibit a dual bowel disturbance: proximal constipation and distal irritability.
  • Disease extent did not significantly alter the prevalence of these common symptoms.