Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disorder of the colonic mucosa affecting the rectum that generally extends proximally and continuously through the entire colon. It has a bimodal pattern of incidence according to age. The peak age-specific incidence occurs at approximately 20 years of age with a second smaller peak occurring at approximately 50 years of age. Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), first described by Parks and Nicholls in 1978, is currently the procedure of choice for the elective surgical treatment of UC in patients who have good sphincter function. Although potential surgical alternatives, such as total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, can be considered based on the patient's age, female fertility, and sexual function impairment.
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is one of the most expensive diseases in Europe representing a socioeconomic burden with substantial direct and indirect costs to the health care system and society. The disease has a relapsing and remitting course with most patients requiring medication and surgery. It consists of chronic inflammation affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract with the terminal ileum and large bowel most commonly affected. The commonest age at diagnosis is between 15 and 30 years but can occur at any age and the second occurs mainly in women between the ages of 60 and 70 years. Surgical treatment, unlike UC, is often not definitive and for this reason, it must be tailored to each patient.
In the present Research Topic, we encourage experienced colleagues to submit original research articles, case studies, and review articles regarding the main points of debate concerning ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This Research Topic aims to provide an update on UC and CD covering all clinical aspects from diagnosis to initial treatment. Here, topics of interest include but are not limited to:
• Biomarkers
• Novel diagnostic tools for detection and monitoring
• Medical and Surgical Treatment of UC and CD with associated complications such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, toxic megacolon, dysplasia, or cancer
• New therapeutics
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disorder of the colonic mucosa affecting the rectum that generally extends proximally and continuously through the entire colon. It has a bimodal pattern of incidence according to age. The peak age-specific incidence occurs at approximately 20 years of age with a second smaller peak occurring at approximately 50 years of age. Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), first described by Parks and Nicholls in 1978, is currently the procedure of choice for the elective surgical treatment of UC in patients who have good sphincter function. Although potential surgical alternatives, such as total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, can be considered based on the patient's age, female fertility, and sexual function impairment.
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is one of the most expensive diseases in Europe representing a socioeconomic burden with substantial direct and indirect costs to the health care system and society. The disease has a relapsing and remitting course with most patients requiring medication and surgery. It consists of chronic inflammation affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract with the terminal ileum and large bowel most commonly affected. The commonest age at diagnosis is between 15 and 30 years but can occur at any age and the second occurs mainly in women between the ages of 60 and 70 years. Surgical treatment, unlike UC, is often not definitive and for this reason, it must be tailored to each patient.
In the present Research Topic, we encourage experienced colleagues to submit original research articles, case studies, and review articles regarding the main points of debate concerning ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This Research Topic aims to provide an update on UC and CD covering all clinical aspects from diagnosis to initial treatment. Here, topics of interest include but are not limited to:
• Biomarkers
• Novel diagnostic tools for detection and monitoring
• Medical and Surgical Treatment of UC and CD with associated complications such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, toxic megacolon, dysplasia, or cancer
• New therapeutics