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Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of unknown aetiology in which a part or the whole of the mucosa of the large bowel becomes diffusely inflamed and may ulcerate, as a result of which the patient suffers from diarrhoea which may be bloody. It is characterised by exacerbations and remissions. The highest incidence of this disease is in adulthood, although it may occur in childhood. The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown but genetic, immunological, dietary, and psychological factors have all been implicated.
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