Some aspects of the epidemiology of ulcerative colitis.

Progress reportSome aspects of the epidemiology of ulcerative colitis During the last 20 years attention has focused on the aetiology of Crohn's disease.Numerous epidemiological studies have been conducted and it is now estimated that 20 000 people may be affected by the condition in Britain.Ulcerative colitis is a much commoner disease, affecting as many as 50-60 000 people and interest in its aetiology has recently increased.The disease often affects young people after puberty and medical treatment is empirical.Surgical resection of the colon may be regarded as curative and there are at least 12 000 people with an ileostomy in the United Kingdom, many of whom have difficulty in coping with their The incidence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is compared at various centres.The studies have not always been conducted simultaneously and in Oxford2 the high ratio was due to a failure to recognise colonic Crohn's disease.I should like to thank Dr John Rhodes for his encouragement in undertaking this review.