No abstract

The prognosis for UC during the first 10 years was generally good. The colectomy rate was low, and a large proportion of patients were in remission as time progressed. Patients with initially extensive colitis and elevated ESR could benefit from an early potent medical treatment strategy.

CRP levels at diagnosis were related to the extent of disease in patients with ulcerative colitis. Phenotype had no influence on CRP levels in patients with Crohn's disease. CRP is a predictor of surgery in subgroups of patients with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

The disease course and prognosis of UC appears better than previously described in the literature. The frequency of surgery was low, and only a minority of the patients had symptoms that interfered with their everyday activities 5 years after diagnosis.

Ten years after disease onset IBD patients had an increased RR for DP as compared with the background population. The youngest patients had the highest RR. Markers of severe disease course predicted WD.