Elective colectomy appears to be associated with improved survival as compared to medical therapy among patients with advanced ulcerative colitis, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Here are four key notes:
1. The study was a retrospective matched cohort study.
2. Researchers examined 830 patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing elective colectomy and 7,541 matched patients with ulcerative colitis pursuing medical therapy.
3. The mortality rates associated with elective surgery and medical therapy were 34 and 54 deaths per 1000 person-years, respectively.
4. Post hoc analysis by age group showed improved survival with elective colectomy in patients aged 50 years or older with advanced ulcerative colitis.