Why is it important?

Acute severe colitis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Between 15-25% of patients with Ulcerative Colitis will be hospitalised due to an acute, severe flare up at some stage. Often this will be the first presentation of their disease.

When a flare occurs in Ulcerative Colitis, it can change and deteriorate rapidly. Patients need fast and close monitoring and review by appropriate medical and surgical specialists, working closely together. Children experiencing an acute episode need immediate access to a paediatric gastroenterologist.

All this underlines why it’s essential for people to be admitted to a hospital with the right expertise whenever they need it – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There should also be processes in place to ensure that people are transferred if appropriate.

Guidance

• NICE guideline NG130, Ulcerative colitis: management
• Acute severe colitis – ECCO e-guide
• Management of Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis, Part 2: Acute Severe Colitis—An Evidence-based Consensus Guideline From the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization and the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
• Third European Evidence-based Consensus on Diagnosis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis. Part 1: Definitions, Diagnosis, Extra-intestinal Manifestations, Pregnancy, Cancer Surveillance, Surgery, and Ileo-anal Pouch Disorders
• Third European Evidence-based Consensus on Diagnosis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis. Part 2: Current Management
• The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland consensus guidelines in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease
• European Society of Coloproctology 2019 Management of Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis Audit (MASC)