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Racial Differences in Disease Extent and Severity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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Abstract

Introduction Ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing in African-Americans (AA). The objectives of this study were to assess disease extent and severity in UC by race. Methods Disease extent and severity was assessed in UC outpatients evaluated at the University of Maryland and Baltimore VA from 1997 to 2005. Results About 197 patients were identified; 47 were AA (23%). Of AA, 23% had proctitis, 23% had left-sided colitis, and 53% had extensive colitis compared to 10%, 31%, and 59% of Caucasians, respectively (P = 0.056). African-Americans were less likely to ever receive steroids (45% versus 62%; P = 0.065), be treated with ≥2 courses of steroids (54% versus 68%; P = 0.242) or be steroid dependant (33% versus 46%; P = 0.304). After adjustment, only female gender (OR 0.32, [0.16–0.66]) and age at diagnosis (OR 2.50, [1.28–4.90]) were associated with extensive colitis. Being seen at UMMS (OR 5.10, [2.60–10.10]) was associated with steroid use. Conclusion Race was not associated with extent of colitis or disease severity in UC.

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Abbreviations

AA:

African-American

CI:

Confidence interval

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel disease

OR:

Odds ratio

RR:

Relative risk

UC:

Ulcerative colitis

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Robert Sawyer, M.D. and Ms. Lee Burhman for their contribution to this project and to Jean-Pierre Raufman, M.D. for his assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterans Affairs, Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Mark H. Flasar & Raymond K. Cross

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, N3W62, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Mark H. Flasar, Sandra Quezada, Priti Bijpuria & Raymond K. Cross

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  1. Mark H. Flasar
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  2. Sandra Quezada
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  3. Priti Bijpuria
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  4. Raymond K. Cross
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Correspondence to Raymond K. Cross.

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Flasar, M.H., Quezada, S., Bijpuria, P. et al. Racial Differences in Disease Extent and Severity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Dig Dis Sci 53, 2754–2760 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-0190-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-0190-x

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