Rectocolitis ulcerosa en dos consultas privadas de gastroenterología. Puerto Cabello – Venezuela. 2003-2007

Ulcerative rectocolitis (URC) mainly consists of an inflammation of the lining of the rectum and descending colon, but in many cases it can affect the whole large intestine. The presence of URC in patients attending two gastroenterology private practices in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, 2003-2007, was studied. The population consisted of 596 patients; the sample obtained from the inclusion criteria was 214 patients, 34 of which suffered the disease (15.9% of prevalence). Mean age was 42.4 ± 15.6 years. 21 patients (61.8%) were male and 13 female (38.2%). The most affected socioeconomic stratum was level II (45.5%), followed by level III (30.3%) and level IV (24.2%). The more striking clinical manifestations were rectal bleeding, 76.5%; weight loss, 70.6%; diarrhea, 67.6%; tenesmus, 5.9%; and external hemorrhoids, 5.9%. Patients with URC had a history of alcohol consumption, 94.1%; and of smoking, 29.4%. The more frequently comorbidities associated with URC were hypertension, 58.8%; diverticular disease, 8.8%; colonic polyps, 8.8%; colon tumor, 5.9%; cholelithiasis, 2.9%; and spastic colon, 2.9%. Conclusion: URC affects young adults from both genders equally, and from an upper socioeconomic status. Smoking could have a protective effect on its appearance.