Epidemiology of Ulcerative Colitis in Japan

Performing colonoscopy before steroid induction is associated with shorter steroid use in patients with ulcerative colitis

“…[1][2][3] Although the prevalence of UC is lower in Japan than in Western countries, it has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. 4,5 For instance, prevalence has increased almost tenfold from 18.1 to 172.9 per 100,000 www.irjournal.org factor-α agents. For mild to moderate disease, 5-ASA is the recommended induction treatment, but steroids are included when the disease is severe or when there is no response to 5-ASA.…”

“…Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by erosions and/or ulcerations in the mucosal surface of the large intestine [ 1 - 3 ]. Although the prevalence of UC is lower in Japan than in Western countries, it has been steadily increasing over the past few decades [ 4 , 5 ]. For instance, prevalence has increased almost tenfold from 18.1 to 172.9 per 100,000 persons between 1991 and 2014 [ 6 , 7 ].…”