What is the prognosis for people with ulcerative colitis? The prognosis for people with ulcerative colitis is improving, especially with advances in the medications we take. Awareness and knowledge, as well as lifestyle changes also are contributing factors. As many as 90% of people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis go into remission after the first onset of the disease.
Lifestyles for those in remission, with the help of medications, has improved greatly over the years. People can go about their lives in pretty much every way as other people without ulcerative colitis do. Likewise, lifestyles for those who have had colon surgery, or a colostomy, also have very prospective outcomes.
Patients who have ulcerative colitis at an older age, as well as people with complete colitis, and severe flare-ups are at higher risk for further complications, including colon cancer. Approximately 10% of all colitis related deaths are attributed to colon cancer.
Keep in mind, people with ulcerative colitis are at increased risk for:
- Further flare-ups
- More severe flare-ups
- Colon cancer
- Colon polyps
- Crohn's disease
- Illness, depending on if you are taking immunosuppresant drugs
wow, are you sure about "10 % of colitis deaths due to colon cancer"?
After decades of uc, I get annual scopes. The GI nurse actually said to me that with all those look-sees I would never have to worry about dying from colon cancer. They snip off any polyps they see. In the general population I know 90% survive if caught early.