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Clinical and epidemiological features of ulcerative colitis patients in Sardinia, Italy: Results from a multicenter
Salvatore Magrì1,2, Mauro Demurtas3, Maria Francesca Onidi4
1Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Monserrato 09042, Italy.
Background:
There are little data on the epidemiological and clinical features of adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the different Italian regions, mainly derived from the absence of a national registry. This prevents correct interpretation of the disease burden.
Aim:
To assess the main clinical and epidemiological features of adult patients diagnosed with UC in Sardinia, Italy.
Methods:
We performed a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study that included adult patients with UC enrolled in seven gastroenterology unit centers in Sardinia. Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and from a questionnaire administered at the inclusion visit.
Results:
Four hundred and forty-two patients with UC were included. The median age at diagnosis was 39 years (interquartile range 28-48). After a median disease duration of 10 years, 53 patients experienced proximal extension of proctitis or left-sided colitis. Seventy-five patients developed extraintestinal manifestations. Nineteen patients (4.3%) developed cancer: two with colorectal cancer and seventeen with extracolonic cancers. Mesalazine (5-ASA) remains the mainstay of treatment for UC. Overall, 95 patients (21.5%) were treated with one or more biologic agents, whereas 15 patients (3.4%) underwent surgery, mostly colectomy.
Conclusion:
Our results provide important insights into the clinical and epidemiological features of patients with UC, and while waiting for a national Italian registry, present eligible data on the UC population in Sardinia.
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