Complications of Ulcerative Colitis

While the majority of ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms will occur in the intestine, the disease can also cause problems in other parts of the body. Some people experience arthritis, eye problems, liver problems, osteoporosis, skin rashes, and anemia. No one really knows why problems occur outside the colon, but some doctors believe that the dysregulation within the immune system also triggers inflammation in other parts of the body.

Below is a brief description of some possible complications associated with ulcerative colitis.

Arthritis

Between 15% and 20% of adults and 10% to 25% of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) develop joint inflammation in the hands and feet, which, in many cases, will worsen as intestinal symptoms worsen.

Eye problems

Like arthritis, when intestinal symptoms flare up, people with ulcerative colitis often experience inflammation of the whites of the eyes. But even when symptoms are not active, the person may still experience inflammation of the inside of the eye. As a result, symptoms such as sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and headache may occur. Some doctors believe that patients with ulcerative colitis should undergo routine eye examinations.

Liver problems

Between 1% and 3% of ulcerative colitis patients have symptoms of mild to severe liver disease. Patients may experience inflammation of the liver, inflammation of the bile ducts, and the replacement of functional liver tissue with scar tissue.

Colon cancer

People who have ulcerative colitis for a long time are at an increased risk for developing colon cancer. A person’s level of risk for developing cancer depends on how long he or she has had ulcerative colitis and how much of the colon is affected. A person’s risk for developing cancer starts to increase between eight and ten years after ulcerative colitis symptoms first appear. Therefore, doctors may recommend that people who have had ulcerative colitis for at least eight years have a colonoscopy every one to two years.

During the colonoscopy, the doctor will take samples, called biopsies, of the lining of the colon to see if there are any signs of cancer. One of the first signs of cancer is a condition called dysplasia. Dysplasia is the abnormal growth or development of cells — that is, cells are not their normal size or shape. While these cells are not themselves malignant, they are considered to indicate a “premalignant” state, with the patient being at particularly high risk for the development of colon cancer. Depending on the extent of dysplasia, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the entire colon (colectomy).

Other problems associated with ulcerative colitis include abdominal distension, severe bleeding from ulcers in the intestine, and rupture of the bowel.