Many patients with ulcerative colitis may develop a seronegative arthritis. The number of people affected is greater if the examination is performed by a rheumatologist.
Types of arthritis that may occur alone or in combination:
(1) ankylosing spondylitis
(2) peripheral oligo- or polyarthritis (Type 1 pauciarticular peripheral arthritis, Type 2 polyarticular peripheral arthritis)
(3) unclassified spondylitis/spondyloarthropathy
(4) sacroiliitis
The risk of arthritis appears linked to HLA type, especially HLA-B27.
Some patients develop the arthritis several months after colectomy with formation of an ileal pouch ("ileal pouch arthritis"). Other patients may notice improvement following colectomy.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
