A 22-year retrospective study of 1,197 ulcerative colitis patients reveals that the introduction of biological agents has drastically cut colectomy rates from 12% to 2%. This major finding underscores the importance of achieving mucosal remission and maintaining low CRP levels to further reduce the necessity for surgery. Key predictors of colectomy include steroid dependency, steroid resistance, failure of mucosal remission, and elevated CRP levels, which can guide earlier interventions.
Journal Article by Tukek NB, Bakkaloglu OK (…) Erzin YZ et 3 al. in Scand J Gastroenterol