Liver Disease in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Histological abnormalities were found in 94% of the wedge biopsies taken at colectomy from 132 of 138 consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis during 1959-1963. Fatty infiltration occurred in 45% and was related to severity of colitis but unrelated to any other histological features. It was also related to moderate elevation of alkaline phosphatase whereas a positive correlation with reduced serum albumin was probably an indirect reflection of clinical severity. Inflammatory change was present in 73%; cirrhosis, in 3.8%. Severity of colitis was unrelated to the findings but chronic, continuous or colitis of long duration were significantly associated with increased fibrosis. Alkaline phosphatase elevations predominantly reflected bile ductular proliferation, serum globulin elevations, and inflammatory cellular infiltrations. Liver abnormalities were unrelated to blood transfusions; hepatotoxic drugs; previous jaundice; age of onset of colitis; or complications involving eyes, skin, or joints.