sodium-ethylxanthate and Colitis--Ulcerative

The chronic intestinal inflammation that characterises Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis arises from a complex interplay between host genotype, the immune system, and the intestinal microbiota. In addition, environmental factors such as smoking impact on disease onset and progression. Individuals who smoke are more likely to develop Crohn's disease, and smoking is associated with recurrence after surgery and a poor response to medical therapy. Conversely, smoking appears protective against ulcerative colitis and smokers are less likely to require colectomy. The mechanism by which smoking exerts its impact on disease and the rational for the dichotomous effect in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is not clear. Recent evidence suggests that smoking induces alterations to both the innate and acquired immune system. In addition, smoking is associated with a distinct alteration in the intestinal microbiota both in patients with active Crohn's disease and healthy subjects.

Topics: Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Immunity; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestines; Male; Microbiota; Sex; Smoking; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Topics: Colitis, Ulcerative; Female; Humans; Ileostomy; Male; Pregnancy; Quality of Life; Sex

Excision of the recto-sigmoid and rectum for cancer or inflammatory disease frequently damages the autonomic nerve supply. The anatomy and function of the autonomic nervous system in the pelvis is reviewed. Thirty-two patients who underwent excision of the rectum have been studied: 28 operations were for carcinoma, 4 for ulcerative colitis. A detailed history of sexual function was obtained preoperatively together with a neurological examination of the genitalia and perineum. Biopsies were taken from the surgical specimens and examined for the presence of nerve tissue. A further sexual history was taken 3 months postoperatively. Ten sexual active men (ages 46-74) who had anterior resections or abdominoperineal excisions for carcinoma tended to show impaired sexual activity if there was excessive nerve tissue in the specimen. Two out of 3 sexually active women (ages 53-68) who had cancer operations had satisfactory sexual function postoperatively. Four patients (ages-66) all had satisfactory sexual function after panproctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. The advantages of avoiding damages to the pelvic autonomic nerves at operation are discussed.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Colitis, Ulcerative; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pelvis; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Rectal Neoplasms; Rectum; Sex; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Anemia, Hypochromic; Blood Sedimentation; Colitis, Ulcerative; Female; Folic Acid; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Serum Albumin; Sex; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Aging; Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Humans; Pathology; Sacroiliac Joint; Serologic Tests; Sex; Spondylitis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Statistics as Topic

Topics: Ankylosis; Arthritis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Radiography; Sacroiliac Joint; Sex; Spondylitis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Statistics as Topic

Topics: Adolescent; Aging; Arthritis; Arthritis, Juvenile; Arthritis, Reactive; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Humans; Osteoporosis; Psoriasis; Rheumatic Diseases; Sex; Spinal Diseases; Spondylitis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Enteritis; Family; Genetics, Medical; Humans; Ileitis; Sex; Statistics as Topic