Intest Res.  2024 Oct;22(4):389-396. 10.5217/ir.2023.00120.

The evolving understanding of histology as an endpoint in ulcerative colitis

Affiliations
  • 1Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

Abstract

A therapeutic goal for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is deep remission including clinical remission and mucosal healing. Mucosal healing was previously defined by endoscopic appearance, but recent studies demonstrate that histological improvements can minimize the risks of experiencing clinical relapse after achieving endoscopic remission, and there is growing interest in the value and feasibility of histological targets of treatment in inflammatory bowel disease, and specifically UC. In this review article, we identify remaining challenges and discuss an evolving role of histology in the management of UC.

Keyword

Ulcerative colitis; Histology; Classification

Figure

  • Fig. 1. The classification of histologic inflammation for patients with ulcerative colitis. Tables showed Geboes score, Robarts histopathology index, and the Nancy index. In the table of Geboes score, numbers in parentheses show continuous score of Geboes score.


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