Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) indicated by continuous inflammation of the colon’s mucosal lining, and often accompanied by ulcers and bleeding. The inflammation typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally. Unlike Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, UC is confined to the colon and rectum. While the exact cause remains unknown, UC is thought to arise from an abnormal immune response to intestinal microbiota in genetically predisposed people.
UC is classified based on the extent of inflammation and its location within the colon:
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