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What Happens If I Do Nothing for My Ulcerative Colitis? The Natural History of Untreated Ulcerative Colitis

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can be debilitating to patients. Ulcerative colitis tends to be a progressive disease that is characterized by periods of symptomatic worsening referred to as flares. These flares can result in worsening quality of life, hospitalizations, and even colectomy. UC appears to be a progressive disease that will get worse over time and put patients at greater risk of complications if left untreated. This chapter outlines the predictors of a poor outcome in patients and the natural history of untreated disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Vikram Kanagala M.D. & Daniel J. Stein M.D.

Authors
  1. Vikram Kanagala M.D.
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  2. Daniel J. Stein M.D.
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Correspondence to Daniel J. Stein M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Daniel J. Stein

  2. Chief, Division Gastroenterology and Hepatology Digestive Disease Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Reza Shaker

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Kanagala, V., Stein, D.J. (2015). What Happens If I Do Nothing for My Ulcerative Colitis? The Natural History of Untreated Ulcerative Colitis. In: Stein, D., Shaker, R. (eds) Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14072-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14072-8_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14071-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14072-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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