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Colitis ulcerativa - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (colitis ulcerativa); EII (colitis ulcerativa)

Definición:

Es un tipo de enfermedad intestinal inflamatoria (EII) que afecta el revestimiento del intestino grueso (colon) y el recto.

Ver también: enfermedad de Crohn

Causas:

La causa de la colitis ulcerativa se desconoce. Las personas que padecen esta afección tienen problemas con el sistema inmunitario, pero no está claro si los problemas inmunitarios causan esta enfermedad. Aunque el estrés y ciertos alimentos pueden desencadenar los síntomas, no causan la colitis ulcerativa.

La colitis ulcerativa puede afectar a cualquier grupo de edad, aunque hay picos en edades comprendidas entre los 15 y 30 años y de nuevo entre los 50 y 70.

La enfermedad comienza, por lo general, en el área del recto y puede comprometer todo el intestino grueso con el tiempo.

Entre los factores de riesgo están: tener antecedentes familiares de colitis ulcerativa o ser de origen judío.

Colonoscopia

El sistema digestivo

Colitis ulcerativa

Reviewed last on: 12/13/2010
George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Sands BE, Siegel CA. Crohn's disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt, LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 111.

Moyer MS. Chronic ulcerative colitis in childhood. J Pediatr. 2006;148:325.

Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 50.

Rutgeerts P, Vermeire S, Van Assche G. Biological therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology. 2009;136(4):1182-1197.

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