Part 1 · Understanding your illness · 2/22
Ulcerative colitis: the discoveries of recent years that are changing the picture.
The bowel cut in a slice, like a tube seen end-on
BEFOREThe disease starts with the first bleeding.
NOWSigns can be picked up in the blood several years before diagnosis (blood tests taken a median of 7 years before), but less clearly than for Crohn's.
Gastroenterology 2025
BEFOREThe appendix has nothing to do with UC.
NOWIn patients in remission, removing the appendix on top of treatment reduced relapses at 1 year: 36% versus 56%. Not yet an official recommendation.
ACCURE trial, Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2025
BEFOREIf your stools are normal, all is well.
NOWThe aim is a healed lining, even under the microscope: that is what best protects against relapses.
STRIDE international recommendations
BEFORELong-term treatment means an injection or an infusion.
NOWSeveral families exist as tablets (Rinvoq, Velsipity, Zeposia...) and obefazimod could follow.
European authorisations 2021-2024
BEFOREUC often leads to colon cancer.
NOWThe risk has fallen markedly thanks to surveillance colonoscopies and better treatments.
Large Scandinavian studies
BEFOREGut microbes are best left alone.
NOWFaecal microbiota transplant helps some patients in trials. It is not yet a standard treatment.
Randomised trials
BEFOREYou wait for the flare before acting.
NOWCalprotectin (stool test) often rises before a relapse: treatment can be adjusted earlier.
Calprotectin monitoring
BEFOREOne treatment works for everyone.
NOWEach treatment puts only some patients into remission (often 30 to 50%). To go further, two biologics are combined: several trials are under way.
DUET, Spyre, MORF-057 + Omvoh