PROFILE OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS IN SOUTH INDIAN REGION: KARAIKAL

The increasing incidence of ulcerative colitis has been reported from western countries and other parts of the world. Even in India this disease is diagnosed to be more common. Though, there is need to study the disease course and its complications from our country. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of ulcerative colitis and to establish the spectrum of disease in India. A total of fifty patients with ulcerative colitis on follow-up in surgery out-patient department were enrolled in this study. The course and severity of the disease and response to the treatment was monitored in all patients prospectively. The response to the treatment was assessed as complete remission, partial remission, and relapse. Out of 74 registered patients, 50 patients (34 male and 16 female) were on regular follow up. During the follow up, 3 patients (2 male and 1 female) had more than 2 relapses per year. 35 patients remained in remission for more than 2 years. Five patients with ulcerative colitis had ileocolonic granulomas and two of these had gastric granulomas. UC is challenging clinical entity requires early diagnosis and therapy to avoid severity of the disease.