Chronic ulcerative colitis

Summary Chronic ulcerative colitis has been observed in 220 patients at the Scott and White Clinic during the past 15 years. Our observations of the clinical features of the disease have been reviewed. The diarrhea associated with chronic ulcerative colitis tends to be chronic and recurrent and frequently occurs nocturally. Anorexia, weight loss, mild anxiety, tachycardia, fever, abdominal cramping, anemia, skin lesions, rectal complications, and joint involvement are the more common symptoms and signs. Important in the physical examination are auscultation and palpation of the abdomen and a careful digital examination of the rectum.The diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis is dependent upon sigmoidoscopic and roentgenologic examination of the rectum and colon. The characteristic sigmoidoscopic findings during various stages of the disease have been presented. Mucosal and luminal changes as observed radiologically have been depicted.The differential diagnosis has been discussed, and diseases occurring in association with chronic ulcerative colitis have been considered.