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Article: pANCA and classification resistance in ulcerative colitis [editoial]
- Article from:
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings
- Article date:
- May 1, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research May 1996. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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In comparison with the rheumatic diseases, classification of the inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) has been hampered by the absence of subclinical or serologic markers. The recognition of rheumatoid factor and specific antinuclear antigens led to the ability of rheumatologists to separate overlapping clinical syndromes into more predictable disease patterns with therapeutic and prognostic implications. To date, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease remain the classic inflammatory bowel diseases with similar epidemiologic patterns and overlapping clinicopathologic features. Nonetheless, clinicians are beginning to recognize a wider spectrum of colitides ...